Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Toronto

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in 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!

Mineral

4.9

4.9 (591)

CAN$51 and over

Filipino

Rosedale / Summerhill

About the restaurant

**PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING**
MAY 10th, 2025 Mothers days tasting menu only $125pp. No a la carte
All party members must be present to be sat

2020 Toronto Life | Best New Restaurants
Stylish restaurant offering inventive, Filipino-inspired plates, wine, & cocktails.

Tuesdays Only

• 7-Course Tasting Menu for $79 per person
• No à la carte on Tuesdays 🥲

Wednesday to Saturday

• À la carte menu available & 9-Course Tasting Menu ($99 per person)
• Late Night Menu: Fridays & Saturdays, 9:45 pm - 12 am

Chef’s Counter Experience

• 12-Course Tasting Menu for $130 per person
• Beverage Pairing available for an additional $60 per person
• Seatings at 6 pm & 8 pm

Reservations & Timing

• We offer a 15-minute grace period. Please call if you are running more than 10 minutes late.
• Your table is reserved for 2 hours (for parties up to 4) and 2.5 hours (for parties of 4+).

For Parties of 8+ Guests
Please contact the restaurant directly at 416-925-8525 to make your reservation.

Top review

athenaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

First time there. Great food and service! Would highly recommend.

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Experience

Group Bookings 5-8 guests Option #1

Experience

Group Bookings 5-8 guests Option #2

Enigma Yorkville

4.9

4.9 (574)

CAN$51 and over

International

Yorkville

About the restaurant

Enigma Yorkville is a modern international restaurant nestled on the picturesque St. Thomas Street in Toronto’s historic Yorkville. Under the leadership of Chef Quinton Bennett, whose international resume and well-traveled kitchen team bring a wealth of global influences—from the Nordics to Nihon—Enigma crafts dishes that are delicate, poised, and intricately detailed.
Enigma offers a dynamic, seasonal blind tasting menu that seamlessly blends the finest local and international ingredients, delivering a dining experience that is both refined and globally inspired.

Top review

BethVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The food and service here is always next level. The creativity and the thought behind every dish is extraordinary. It is like experiencing the art of fine dining at the most interesting and unique level. The restaurant recently changed its format so you enter an ancillary dining room for cocktails and canapes along with an explanation of the meal and the wine pairings. Then you move to the main dining room for the meal. This felt performative and awkward. Moreover, the person doing the explaining mixed up identifying the vegetables on the demonstration platter -- an error that is beneath the level of this restaurant. I would have preferred being seated directly. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. Every meal here is truly memorable.

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Experience

Enigma Lounge Light Food Menu

Experience

Father's Day - Steak Dinner and The Macallan

Mother Cocktail Bar

4.9

4.9 (506)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Queen West

About the restaurant

Welcome to Mother, a cocktail bar started by likeminded people with a common goal – elevate the Canadian cocktail scene.
Our philosophy is simple: Source quality natural ingredients, enhance them through fermentation and create memorable cocktails for our guests.

Top review

KamVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent cocktails, and real art work! And excellent hostess.

Hawker

4.8

4.8 (296)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Vegan

Chinatown / Kensington Market

About the restaurant

Chef's Jeff Merkel and Leah Steduto spotlight their naturalistic worldview with beautifully composed plant-based small plates, gourmet sandwiches, mushroom based delights, cocktails, and a thoughtfully curated list of vegan wines.

Located in Kensington Market, the cozy dining space features an earthy, palette of dark wood and moss. A picturesque, romantic back patio is naturally decorated. A front patio lets you enjoy the lively sights and sounds of the market.

Our small plates menu is available for dinner service only.

All reservations have a 15 minute grace period. Please call or message us if you are arriving later than 15 minutes. Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 45 minutes for parties of 1-3; 2 hours for parties of 4-6; 2 hours 30 minutes for parties of 7 or more. If arriving late, we may not be able to extend your seating time if there are reservations scheduled after your allotted timeframe.

18% gratuity is automatically added to the bill for groups of 6+

Top review

Kate

Dined 2 days ago

Comfortable dining setting with an innovative vegan menu. Felt super welcoming in here & every dish I tried in the tasting menu was interesting, flavorful & nicely presented. Really glad I stopped in!

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Experience

🇨🇦 Foraged Flavors: A Canadian Brunch

Experience

Chef's Table Tasting Experience

Experience

6-Course Tasting Menu

Curryish Tavern

4.8

4.8 (304)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Indian

Queen West

About the restaurant

The most unique Indian food in the world! We are inspired by the seasons of Ontario and the cooking techniques of the world. Regale in the imagination of Chef Miheer Shete's dishes and change your palate for life.

- Voted one of the Best Restaurants Toronto 2023 by Toronto Life.
- 10 Best new restaurants open in Toronto 2022 by BlogTo.
- 24 Best Restaurants in Toronto feature by Conde Nast Traveler 2023.

Top review

ClintonVIP

Dined on May 3, 2025

Awesome flavors. Try the set menus. Also, try the duck!

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Experience

À la Carte Reservation

Experience

Tasting Menu - 6 Courses

C Suite

4.8

4.8 (115)

CAN$51 and over

Cocktail Bar

The Annex

About the restaurant

The hidden cocktail bar of your dreams. Styled after a 1920's era cocktail train car, C Suite creates a unique cocktail experience whether you are joining us at the bar or in the lounge.

When seated at the bar, our barman Albert Han and his apprentice Fei will create unforgettable cocktails for you, tailored exactly to your tastes. It will be the best hour of your day.

Join us in our lounge to experience our signature cocktails, taste some whiskies or have a glass of wine paired expertly with our culinary offerings, prepared by the finest chefs in Toronto.

Reserve your spot today.

Top review

JaneJ

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

From the moment we walked into this cocktail bar, we knew we were in for something special. We booked the bespoke experience, and it far exceeded my expectations. Every member of staff was warm, attentive, and professional — their passion for what they do truly shines through. The ambience is simply stunning: elegant without being overdone, with every detail carefully considered — from the lighting and music to the exquisite decor. Even the glassware and the presentation of the drinks felt like part of the art, with beautiful embellishments that made each cocktail a visual and sensory delight. The bartender's expertise was unmatched. They took the time to understand our preferences and crafted drinks tailored perfectly to our palate. Each cocktail was unique, balanced, and deeply creative — no menu needed, just trust in their remarkable skill and intuition. This was more than just a night out; it was an experience. Sophisticated, memorable, and absolutely outstanding. We can’t wait to return.

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Experience

Bespoke Bar Experience

Experience

Lounge seating

BarChef

4.7

4.7 (660)

CAN$51 and over

Cocktail Bar

Queen West

About the restaurant

Globally celebrated mixologist and judge on Netflix DRINK MASTERS, Frankie Solarik, opened up BarChef in 2008 with the intention of having the world’s most progressive cocktail program. Utilizing modern culinary techniques and a Chef’s philosophy, BarChef's modernist cocktails are multi-sensorial, highlighting tactile elements, aromatics, viscosity, and edible pairings. These efforts have granted incredible accolades such as being on the Condé Nast Traveller Magazine Gold List for both 2018 and 2020 as one of the top cocktail bars in the world. BarChef has also been highlighted in numerous publications such as: The New York Times, Vogue, Thrillist, Forbes, National Geographic, CBC, GQ, and many more. Enjoy!

Top review

NicolVIP

Dined on May 1, 2025

Fantastic presentation, and creative cocktail experience - highly recommend

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Popular dish

Piña Colada

Popular dish

Charcuterie and Cheese

Popular dish

Japanese Fried Chicken

Lisbon Hotel

4.7

4.7 (6)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary European

Distillery District

About the restaurant

Nestled in the vibrant Corktown neighbourhood, Lisbon Hotel is more than just a café and cocktail bar. It's a haven for those seeking a unique and welcoming dining experience. Inspired by European art hotels, the space boasts a cozy and eclectic atmosphere, adorned with Persian rugs and bathed in natural light.

By day, Lisbon Hotel transforms into a charming café, offering freshly roasted coffee and pastries. As the sun sets, the mood shifts, and the venue evolves into a lively cocktail bar, serving expertly crafted cocktails, a well curated wine list and globally-inspired tapas.

The menu at Lisbon Hotel is a testament to the team's passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients. Expect to find an array of flavourful dishes, from savoury toasts and marinated mushrooms to fried cod fritters and shrimp toast. The Cheese Boutique offers a curated selection of cheeses
and preserves, perfect for pairing with your favourite cocktail.

We can't wait to welcome you!

Top review

JamieVIP

Dined on Apr 30, 2025

Food was delicious: great innovative cocktails! Friendly efficient service!

Azura

4.6

4.6 (154)

CAN$51 and over

Mediterranean

Danforth / Greek Town

About the restaurant

The culinary experience at Azura is centered around a chef-curated multi-course tasting menu that offers modern interpretations of classic Mediterranean dishes and focuses on utilizing the unique flavours of the regions paired with Canadian grown and curated ingredients. The commitment to using the freshest local produce and sustainably sourced seafood in creative outputs underlines the restaurant's dedication to quality and sustainability.

The wine and beverage program at Azura is a tour through the vineyards of the Mediterranean, featuring an extensive collection of wines from boutique vineyards and organic selections, carefully chosen to complement the menu. The bar also offers a selection of creative cocktails inspired by Mediterranean herbs and spices.

Top review

DanielSVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Azura was a complete delight to all my senses. The ambience and service were spectacular and the cuisine extraordinary. Azura certainly deserves 1 if not 2 michelin stars, I was delighted at my experience and the personal service and storytelling from the sommelier and chef who walked me through his locally-sourced spectacular ingredients had me captivated the whole time. They take you on a taste and visual tour of the Mediterranean and I was impressed and had a lovely memorable experience!!

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Experience

Multi-Course Chef's Tasting Menu

Carnival

3.8

3.8 (29)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Indian

The Junction

About the restaurant

"Discover Carnival Contemporary Indian Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, a top Southeast Asian restaurant in Junction, Toronto, specializing in modern Indian cuisine. Experience exceptional fine / Fun dining with our unique blend of traditional Indian flavours and modern culinary techniques. At Carnival, we offer a cozy venue with live music, exotic cocktails, and mocktails, all set against a warm ambiance. Our ever-changing menu of Indian Fusion delights is designed to create lasting memories. Join us at Carnival Restaurant in Toronto for a culinary journey you'll cherish forever. Book your table now!"

Top review

KimberlyVIP

Dined on May 1, 2025

What a fun experience for all the senses! The food was delicious with just enough spice and portions reasonable. Loved the shrimp prepared at the table and all the little touches that made the night so magical.

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