Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Old Toronto

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

Alo Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (513)

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

KeithVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The name Alo is the definition of the perfect tasting restaurant. Michael was an absolutely wonderful host and guide. Sitting at the kitchen counter added a whole new perspective and understanding of what is a creative, imaginative, and well run kitchen. Incredibly thankful for the experience.

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Private Dining Room - Tasting Menu

Pai Toronto

4.9

4.9 (586)

CAN$30 and under

Thai

Entertainment District

About the restaurant

Enjoy traditional Thai cuisine at PAI Toronto. It has a rustic-style interior with exposed brick walls and wood-paneled ceilings. Owners Jeff and Nuit Regular, who's also the executive chef, opened PAI Toronto for patrons to taste the authentic flavors of northern Thailand. Its menu features appetizers like vegetarian spring rolls and papaya salad with dried shrimp. Fried fish with green curry, braised beef noodle soup, and Chef Nuit's Pad Thai are some of the entrées that will satisfy just about any appetite.

Mentioned as one of Toronto's Best Thai Restaurants by NOW Magazine for several consecutive years, PAI Toronto also hosts events for large groups with family-style dining. It features a full bar that serves up beer, cocktails, wine and specialty drinks. This restaurant does catering and accepts walk-ins and reservations (online only).

Top review

Jerri

Dined 3 days ago

Incredible food. Worth the wait!! Try to make as reso ASAP. Set a reminder in your calendar 30 days out :)

JaBistro

4.8

4.8 (623)

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

Kevin

Dined on May 2, 2025

We opted for the dinner tasting menu. Everything was fantastic, especially the service. Although it was relatively expensive, we still flat like we got great value for our money.

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Sushi Yugen - Toronto

4.9

4.9 (107)

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

Jen

Dined 6 days ago

Exceptional sushi with great service and a quiet ambiance where you can really focus on the experience.

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Experience

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

Experience

Sushi Omakase Dinner - $98/person

Experience

Sushi Omakase Lunch - $80/person

Alo Restaurant - The Bar

4.8

4.8 (49)

CAN$51 and over

International

Entertainment District

About the restaurant

The Bar at Alo features a seasonal six course tasting menu alongside à la carte options from Alo's award winning dining room menu and Petrossian Caviar service. We graciously welcome walk ins for refined cocktails, a delicate bite or a full-course dining experience.

The Bar at Alo is located adjacent to Alo's main dining room within a stunning heritage building at the corner of Queen Street and Spadina Avenue - steps away from Toronto's Queen West neighbourhood.

No. 1 by Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2017-2021
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

Chef Patrick Kriss
Pre-show, cocktails, wine, tasting menu, à la carte

Top review

Amy

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

The tasting menu at Alo was wonderful! Service was amazing & ambience was lovely!

Akira Back

4.8

4.8 (1997)

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

Alex

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing place, food was very tasty (wish the portions were bigger but that's just my appetite). I managed to spill my drink but the staff was fast and attentive. Everything was cleaned up and I was very grateful for this wonderful experience. Great restaurant, amazing staff, pleasant ambience and fantastic view.

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PLANTA Queen, Toronto

4.8

4.8 (418)

CAN$30 and under

Vegan

Entertainment District

About the restaurant

Planta was opened with the purpose of creating delicious food that promotes environmental sustainability. Under Chef David Lee, Planta aimed at filling a void in the market of upscale, full service, plant-based dining options. The restaurant's vision is to celebrate innovative cuisine in a beautiful environment without the use of any animal products. There’s more to responsible plant-based eating than just taking animals off the plate and our commitment to using high-quality products from ethical suppliers provides the foundation for our chefs to be proud of the food they serve.

Top review

AndrewVIP

Dined on May 3, 2025

Enjoyable outing at an energetic resto, with service staff dialled in to customer service. Come for the food. Meat eaters, fear not: This night off of meat will give you the opportunity to explore the creativity of this menu. The tastes (watermelon and eggplant in sushi? Broccoli? Cauliflower?) kept on coming. We ordered the matcha cheesecake (four spoons) just to see the range. Rely on your server to get you the right amount of food.

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Experience

Maki Monday!

Experience

Pour Decision Wednesday

Experience

Brunch - $25 Unlimited Mimosas and Sake Sangria

Carisma

4.8

4.8 (2205)

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

Andy

Dined 4 days ago

This was a quite nice dining experience. Calamari was done very nicely and all the flavours across the meal were balanced nicely.

George Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3433)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Financial District

About the restaurant

Executive Chef Lorenzo Loseto's innovative Toronto cuisine focuses on seasonal, natural, local, and sustainable ingredients sourced from the city's markets. Since 2003, Chef Loseto has put George on the map, earning numerous awards, including recognition in the Michelin Guide since its launch in 2022. He offers both his signature blind tasting menus and à la carte options.

George is housed in a mid-century chocolate factory, blending industrial history with warmth and charm in its décor.

Before or after your meal, join us at Secrette, and enjoy a carefully crafted cocktail. Our speakeasy is located above George. Simply check in with the George host team for access to Secrette. Chef Loseto also offers an à la carte menu from George and a small plate and shareable menu.

Top review

Leya

Dined 3 days ago

We went for my partner’s birthday and order the 5 course blind tasting menu with wine pairings. The servers were great. The food was a beautiful experience, and the wine pairings were delightful. Thank you for such a memorable night.

Secrette

4.8

4.8 (76)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Tapas / Small Plates

Financial District

About the restaurant

Converse, indulge, negotiate and most importantly, relax at GEORGE Restaurant's speakeasy, Secrette.

Open Wednesday, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 5:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m.

Small plates and George A la Carte served until 10:00 p.m., cocktails served until midnight.

@secretteonqueen @georgeonqueen

Top review

PeterVIP

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Absolutely a wonderful cocktail bar. The ambiance was amazing, the cocktails innovative and tasty and the service was excellent, kudos to Andres as we were a group of six and there was no lag time in waiting for anything despite varied tastes and no one on the same time table for ordering. We joined in celebration for a friend and it was the perfect night out!

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