HOME > Chowhound > Ontario (inc. Toronto) >


If you had one evening only in Toronto, where would you eat?

  • n

I posted previously asking about the 360 CN Tower restaurant. We will be in Toronto on the weekend, on Saturday. We're looking for an exceptional meal ($40-60pp before wine, tax & tip), with a nice atmosphere, and a few other restrictions: no Asian, Italian, Indian or African. And preferably not French.

Where should we go?

  1. Click to Upload a photo (10 MB limit)
  1. Well its summerlicious right now so you'll have a hard time getting reservations at any of the participating restaurants. You are also ruling out pretty much every major culinary culture on earth. That being said, I would recommend Globe Earth. Great contemporary seasonal food, not participating in Summerlicious, and right for your price range.

    1. The Black Hoof!

      But it's busy, especially on a Saturday, so you may have to wait. Though they'll send you across the street to The Hoof Cafe where you can nibble and drink.

      You'd also have to be a bit adventurous in your eating. Raw horse sandwich and tongue on brioche are two staples. I've also had calf's brains, sweetbreads, heart, etc. there. It's not all crazy, but these are the resto's menu leanings. It's a short card, but here are four menus in the last year:


      The Black hoof and The Hoof Café have held a high spot on my recommendation list for a while now.


      The Black Hoof
      928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

      1. Both suggestions of Globe Earth and Black Hoof would be at the top of my list as well. I'll also throw out Origin. I guess it depends on what kind of "nice atmosphere" you like. Both the Hoof and Origin are a little louder (with Origin being the louder of those two) and certainly not formal. I love the atmosphere at both. It's a lot of fun!

        The Black Hoof
        928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

        1. Dining Al Fresco at Torito's ( Spanish Tapas )
          Oysters and seafood at Starfish.
          Guu ( Japanese Izakaya ). Assuming your Asian restrictions are for Chinese,Vietnamese and Thai only?! Don't think there's a lot of good Japanese izakayas in Quebec?!

          All of the above serve very good food!

          276 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2L9, CA

          398 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2A2, CA

          1. Given your restrictions, my pick would probably be Chiado - truly first class high end Portuguese - or Splendido, provided that in either case you order carefully and aren't big eaters - check the menus.

            To me Globe Earth is ok as a local bistro but in no way exceptional. Black Hoof would also be good if that type of food interests you. Agree on Starfish as an excellent seafood choice but I wouldn't call the atmosphere exceptional (though the food can be for sure).

            I would typically recommend Niagara Street Cafe but I had a not great experience there lately (way too much cornstarch in several soup/sauce dishes) so it would be a recommendation with hesitation.

            Niagara Street Cafe
            169 Niagara St, Toronto, ON M5V1C9, CA

            88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA

            864 College Street West, Toronto, ON M6H 1A3, CA

            The Black Hoof
            928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA