Dining in Style: The Best Restaurants in Yorkville 2023

Photo courtesy Café Boulud   

 

Looking for a classy restaurant experience in Toronto’s ritziest neighbourhood? Contributor Gina Baksa visits the Top Restaurants in Yorkville

Updated April 1, 2023 / Commissions may be earned from our affiliate partner links

 

Toronto’s most famous neighbourhood, Yorkville is renowned for its high-end hotels, chic designer stores, and uber-expensive real estate.

But there’s a lot more to the area than retail therapy. Toronto University has a campus here, and the area immediately surrounding the neighbourhood offers visitors a superb selection of world-class museums, art galleries and parks.

Yorkville is also home to some of the most popular restaurants in Toronto, from trendy Café Boulud to STK Steakhouse. Many establishments are helmed by celebrity chef-patrons, who have opened some of the best restaurants in Yorkville.

Here are 10 of our favourites to help guide you.

 

Classy Dining Experiences: The Best Restaurants in Yorkville

 

Café Boulud @ Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

 

Graced with a snazzy location in the Four Seasons Toronto, Café Boulud is one of the top French restaurants in Yorkville. Its chef-patron, Daniel Boulud, continues to weave his culinary magic with a seasonally changing menu rooted in classic French cuisine alongside contemporary favourites.

Designer Martin Brudnizki created the relaxed, vintage interiors which provide a soothing backdrop to mouth-watering rotisserie chicken and charcuterie. Take a seat at Boulud’s in-house d|bar on the ground floor for tempting cocktails and regular live DJ sets.

For further details, visit www.cafeboulud.com/toronto/.

Riley Recommends: While you’re at it, why not consider making a weekend (or mid-week) break? Check out our preferred accommodation partner for rates and reviews for the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto.

 

Sofia Restaurant & Bar

 

Head to 99 Yorkville for this leading neighbourhood bar and restaurant. Enjoying a superb central location in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant theatre and restaurant district, Sofia’s Yorkville has a great vibe and superb service.

The restaurant artwork including Banksy’s and works by Julian Opie are a visual accompaniment to the refined Italian cuisine on offer. Our favourites? The succulent wild boar ragu and divine opera cake with its chocolate, raspberry, and almond flavours.

Call in for brunch, bar bites, dinner and desserts, and enjoy the various dining, lounge and bar areas at one of the best restaurants in Yorkville.

For further details, visit https://sofiayorkville.com.

 

ONE Restaurant @ The Hazelton Hotel Toronto

 

Helmed by celebrity chef patron Mark McEwan, the ONE restaurant inside Yorkville’s luxury boutique Hazelton Hotel is a destination restaurant offering diners classic French and Italian dishes sourced from Ontario producers. In summer we recommend dining outside on the candle-lit patio, while winter is the perfect season to hunker down inside the sophisticated dining room for business and celebrations.

Darby Piquette is executive chef here, and he and his team offer one of the best dining experiences in the city. Try the Korean chicken appetizers  before moving on to the prime burger or black cod. Desserts include Boston cream donuts and chocolate bread pudding.

Click on the website below for McEwan’s fine foods: speciality breads, cheeses and deli foods delivered to your door, as well as charcuterie gift boxes. The ONE also offers diners 24-hour room service and an extensive take-out menu.

For further details, visit https://mcewangroup.ca/one/. 

Riley Recommends: Why not make romantic weekend of your visit to ONE Restaurant? Visit Hazelton Hotel for reviews, rates, and reservations.

 

Blu Ristorante

 

Fancy the very best in Italian cuisine right in the heart of Yorkville?  Offering guests live music every weekend and a sophisticated bar for pre- and post-dinner aperitifs, Blu Ristorante is one of the top Italian restaurants in Yorkville.

Owner/GM Alfredo Rodriguez, alongside chef Eric Bucher, are always cooking up a storm in their Avenue Road kitchen. Seasonal dinner and lunch menus, as well as robust takeaway options, include a mouth-watering truffle wild boar ragu, roasted Atlantic salmon alongside Blu’s famous chocolate cake with Maraschino cherries.

For further details, visit www.bluristorante.com.

 

STK Steakhouse

 

Celebrated STK Steakhouse chain has worldwide outposts, including in Ibiza and London. Their Yorkville bastion is the coolest of cool of cool with smart doormen, second floor dining-bar areas and a snug fireplace.

The décor is sensual and oozes luxury. A DJ keeps the crowd happy every night and there are carpeted booths for date nights and group celebrations. We love the complimentary sourdough basket: follow it with a succulent T-bone, some short ribs, or a lobster mac. You can also order from home and collect at the venue.

For further details, visit https://stksteakhouse.com/venues/toronto/.

 

Cibo Wine Bar Yorkville

 

Cibo Yorkville is a popular Yorkville destination wine bar and restaurant, and packed to the gills most nights. Fresh, rustic Italian dishes are the order of the day here with a stylish yet relaxed vibe thanks to the glass, wood and brick décor.

You’ll find traditional and classic cuisine here: imagine crunchy arancini rice balls stuffed with ragu and melted mozzarella, alongside quality pizza, risotto and pasta dishes.  Italian wines feature highly on the list, together with New World Sauvignons from New Zealand and a fine Canadian Hidden Bench Pinot.

For further details, visit www.cibowinebar.com.

 

Kasa Moto

 

Japanese fusion at its best at this top Yorkville restaurant with swanky club-like interiors and convivial service. In warmer months the bar and roof terrace are packed, but for winter we recommend heading inside to enjoy Wagyu beef, shrimp udon and more.

We love the matcha cheesecake with a cracker crust twist, and the chocolate stone mousse garnished with a sprinkling of sesame. Be sure to make a reservation or instead why not order a delivery to enjoy at home, or at your hotel.

For further details, visit https://kasamoto.ca.

  

PLANTA Yorkville

 

Offering a nutritious menu of purely plant-based cuisine since 2016, Planta Yorkville is one of the Toronto’s most popular restaurants. As you’d expect there are gluten-free choices amongst the sushi, burgers, pasta (we love the Mac & Cheese) and pizza.

Cocktails are reasonably priced and there’s a good selection of beers. If you’re planning a special celebration you can book the private dining area. If you’d rather eat at home, get your Planta delivery via Uber Eats, DoorDash, and ritual, or book and collect in person.

For further details, visit www.plantarestaurants.com  

 

Trattoria Nervosa

 

There are many recommended Italian restaurants in Yorkville, but one of our favourites is the quirkily monikered Trattoria Nervosa. Located in an historic house on the corner of Yorkville and Bellair, Nervosa Yorkville has been serving up classic southern Italian food since 1996.

The family friendly vibe alongside perennial comfort favourites such as Polpette (beef and pork with smoked provolone), classic pizzas and pasta dishes make Trattoria Nervosa a popular neighbourhood hangout. The wine list is, as you’d imagine, is an homage to Italian favourites.

For further details, visit https://www.eatnervosa.com.

 

Constantine @ The Anndore House

 

Located in The Anndore House, a charming boutique-style hotel on Charles St. E., Constantine offers a satisfying dining experience that combines unique culinary creations with an inviting atmosphere. From the moment you step into the restaurant you’re greeted with warm lighting, beautifully designed interiors, and a friendly staff that makes you feel right at home.

Inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, Constantine’s extensive menu features a diverse range of thoughtfully crafted dishes. The attention to detail is obviously important here, from the presentation to the flavours and textures. Most of the dishes are meant to be shared, adding to the dining experience.

Standout dishes include the grilled octopus. Tasty, tender, and flavorful, it’s served with a spicy harissa sauce that perfectly complements this popular seafood dish. The lamb ribs are also a must-try and is marinated in a savory spice blend and served with a tangy yogurt sauce. Vegetarian options are also available, such as the charred eggplant with labneh and pomegranate.

The drinks menu at Constantine is equally impressive, featuring a carefully curated selection of wines, cocktails, and spirits. The bartenders are skilled at crafting creative cocktails that perfectly complement the food. Our favorite? The Smoke & Mirrors cocktail, which combines mezcal, sherry, and grapefruit for a smoky and refreshing drink.

Riley Recommends: Why not make an overnight stay of your food and drink experience? Check out our preferred accommodation partner  at The Anndore House for rates and reviews.

 

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Contributor Gina Baksa writes about luxury travel, hospitality and adventure lifestyle for various international publications. Number one on her current bucket list is to explore Canada by rail. Follow her adventures at: https://ginabaksa.journoportfolio.com.