Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Old Toronto

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Old Toronto? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

SAMMARCO

4.8

4.8 (51)

CAN$51 and over

Steakhouse

Financial District

About the restaurant

An interpretation of the classic Italian steakhouse, coming soon from the founders that brought Toronto Giulietta and Michelin Star Osteria Giulia.

OPENING MAY 7th, 2025

Top review

DannyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing great addition to downtown Good job Rob and team

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Experience

The Carlevale Room at Sammarco

Library Bar - Fairmont Royal York

4.8

4.8 (726)

CAN$30 and under

Unspecified

Financial District

About the restaurant

Experience the next Golden Age in cocktail culture. Featured on World's 50 Best Discovery, 2024.

Top review

Serge

Dined on Jun 10, 2025

You have to make a reservation especially for lunch as the restaurant is very popular as there are not a lot of open restaurant open for lunch in Toronto

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Experience

Sip & Guzzle x Library Bar

Alo Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (532)

CAN$51 and over

International

Entertainment District

About the restaurant

Alo is an intimate contemporary French restaurant located atop a heritage building in downtown Toronto. Our cuisine is internationally inspired and celebrates the finest in seasonal ingredients paired with a genuine sense of welcome, served as a blind tasting menu by Chef Patrick Kriss.

The Bar at Alo is adjacent to our main dining room and offer à la carte options as well as a shortened seasonal tasting menu.

Alo is outfitted with a private dining room which can welcome parties up to 14 guests.

1 Michelin Star 2022, 2023, 2024
No. 1 by Canada's 100 Best Restaurants five consecutive years since 2017
No. 5 by Canada's 100 Best Bars in their inaugural awards
No. 90 on the 2020 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list
No. 14 on the 2024 Opinionated About Dining North American best restaurants list
No. 58 on the 2020 La Liste world’s best restaurant list

Fine Dining, Tasting Menu, Wine Pairings, Non-Alcoholic Pairings, Private Parties, Celebrations, Romantic Dining

Top review

Keegan

Dined 2 days ago

We had an amazing evening at Alo celebrating our birthdays. The food, staff and overall service were all impeccable.

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Private Dining Room - Tasting Menu

Akira Back

4.8

4.8 (2013)

CAN$51 and over

Asian

Entertainment District

About the restaurant

Chef Akira Back opens his first Canadian namesake restaurant in Toronto’s Bisha Hotel. Drawing on inspiration from his Korean heritage and travels around the globe, chef Back has created a menu that blends modern Japanese cuisine with authentic Korean flavours. In addition to his signature dishes, Back has created new items unique for the Toronto location. Complemented by the sleek design with layers of gold detail and tactile finishes in carbon black, the unparalleled dining experience is a true statement of luxury.

Top review

Sam

Dined 3 days ago

Mentioned that it was my birthday and they made it a very great night with their warm hospitality. The 48 hours wagyu short ribs are the best ribs I’ve ever had in my life.

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LANO – The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

4.9

4.9 (37)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Financial District

About the restaurant

Welcome to LANO - a charming twist on "Milano", where the essence of Milan’s fashion-forward style and Northern Italy’s rich culture, blend seamlessly, in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant Entertainment District.

Discover the Ritz-Carlton Toronto’s new cafè and wine bar for an authentic taste of Italian sophistication and warmth. Delight in a Chef-curated menu featuring simple, fresh ingredients paired with a Master Sommelier-selected wine list. It’s a match made in heaven.

Whether you're grabbing a quick espresso al volo, enjoying a light lunch with friends, or sipping on a late-evening wine in good company, LANO infuses every moment with Italian flare and a personal touch, offering you a chic and inviting escape from early morning to late evening.

Top review

Sofia

Dined on May 8, 2025

It’s the perfect spot to hit before the show! The staff were polite and service was quick and flowed. food was delicious!!

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Experience

T 'n' T Evenings

Carisma

4.8

4.8 (2213)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Financial District

About the restaurant

Steps away from the King Edward Hotel, Toronto’s financial, business, theatre, shopping and culinary districts. Carisma offers something a little different.

With a long history of being in the business, including restaurants such as Il Mulino and Barolo, Carisma prides itself on offering impeccable real Italian food and quality service.

Carisma epitomizes the overall dining experience. Whether it is a drink at the bar, or a culinary journey where you enjoy food with your senses first. It is a place where you feel at home and coming for years, even if its your first time.

Top review

Venus

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Our server Sasha was amazing. Will be back again!

CLOCKWORK

4.8

4.8 (788)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Financial District

About the restaurant

The pop of corks. The buzz of the party. The city's best and brightest, gathered together in the beating heart of the city. CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails brings new life to the timeless lobby at the Fairmont Royal York. And it all surrounds a dramatic clock - to ring in a new era at this hotel.

Top review

Jacqueline

Dined 6 days ago

very lovely atmosphere great service and amazing food

Sushi Yugen - Toronto

4.9

4.9 (116)

CAN$51 and over

Japanese

Entertainment District

About the restaurant

Sushi Yūgen offers an authentic omakase experience, crafted by Head Chef Kyohei Igarashi, who brings expertise from Tokyo, mastering both kaiseki and sushi, including leading a Michelin-starred omakase counter.

Our restaurant features two dining experiences: an 8-seat Chef’s counter (Wed-Sat) and a 12-seat main sushi counter (Mon-Sat), each with unique menus.

Located in Toronto’s financial district, Sushi Yūgen embraces Japanese minimalism and wabi-sabi, celebrating beauty in imperfection and nature’s cycles. Our name, Yūgen, signifies ‘profound mystery and beauty,’ reflecting our philosophy.

Top review

James

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

98$ omakase was really worth it. I highly recommend the uni on top at the end!

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Experience

Sushi Omakase Lunch - $80/person

Experience

Sushi Omakase Dinner - $98/person

Experience

Head Chef's Kaiseki-Inspired Omakase - $275/guest

JOEY King St

4.7

4.7 (729)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary American

Financial District

About the restaurant

In the heart of Toronto’s iconic King Street in the vibrant financial district, JOEY King St is the largest JOEY in North America, spanning 19,000 sq ft in the historical Royal Bank building. With creative culinary concepts, elegant private dining spaces, a thoughtfully curated art collection, and a menu fit for a king, the Toronto location will redefine the dining experience with exclusive offerings.

Top review

SeanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Daijah was so good at getting us the spot we like to sit at, great service, thanks

JaBistro

4.8

4.8 (631)

CAN$51 and over

Sushi

Entertainment District

About the restaurant

JaBistro is a Japanese restaurant that is located in downtown Toronto, mere blocks away from Roy Thompson Hall and Nathan Phillips Square. The modern and sleek restaurant offers indoor as well as outdoor seating in the late spring and summer months. JaBistro is a contemporary space that is decorated with brick accent walls, booth style seating, sophisticated dim lighting and an oversized bar.

Guests of JaBistro enjoy the multitude of options available on the lengthy menu. Well-known choices include Salmon Oshizushi, Lobster Miso Soup, Kama, Ebi Oshizushi and Wagyu Oshizushi. The restaurant offers lunch, dinner along with an impressive list of wine and drinks.

Top review

Sari

Dined 3 days ago

Incredible experience - we took our 5 year old son - he said, "best sushi and best restaurant ever!"

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Explore Diners' Choice best of Old Toronto