Summerlicious is here! Book a table at Toronto’s top restaurants to indulge in amazing prix-fixe values.
Summerlicious is back from July 5 to 21, 2024. There’s no better time than the present to open up your culinary horizons by trying a new restaurant or returning to a favourite for a one-of-a-kind menu offering.
This year, 223 restaurants are participating, and they run the gamut from tried-and-true to new and buzzy restos. Reservations opened on June 20, so secure that table that’s been catching your eye!
Here are my top picks for Sumerlicious 2024, by neighbourhood.
Aanch Modernistic Indian Cuisine ($34/$45)
This MICHELIN-recognized Indian restaurant dazzles by adding its signature flair and creative presentation to each dish. Serving up contemporary Indian cuisine, made with local produce, expect a menu that provides familiar comforts and pushes boundaries.
Dasha ($65)
With modern Pan-Asian cuisine, expect bold flavours at Dasha with items like a spicy shrimp bao or Wagyu short rib in a show-stopping multi-level environment.
Or escape to the garden patio, perfectly tucked away from the pulsating energy of King West. Hot tip: come for the cuisine, and stay for private karaoke rooms upstairs!
Le Sélect Bistro ($48/$65)
The recently revived Le Sélect Bistro is a Toronto institution of French cookery, and there’s no time like Summerlicious to tick off bucket list restaurants like this one. From Scale Hospitality, the Select classics are well-preserved, with Escargot, Tartare de Boeuf, Burger Le Select, and more.
Lee ($75)
Master Chef Susur Lee has a brand new location for his famous namesake restaurant, which blends Asian flavours with French techniques. While the setting is new, he’s brought the same rockstar culinary style and care to a beautiful, buzzing room in Toronto’s new Waterworks building.
Little Sister Portland ($45)
Litter Sister Portland celebrates the flavours, cultures and influences found within Indonesia, with a specific focus on Dutch Indonesian cuisine while offering a taste of Bali and tropical vibes. XXX Bar in the basement is a perfect little speakeasy bar that is sure to impress for a nightcap. Knock first.
Minami ($48/$65)
From the Aburi Group, check out Minami (and Miku, too!) for steller sushi and Japanese cuisine. The “Sushi Selection” option for a main dish will have you trying all the pressed sushi hits and Minami’s contemporary room in the Theatre District is truly jaw-dropping and award-winning, unlike any other in Toronto with its chic yet fun interior design.
Miss Likklemores ($65)
Miss Likklemores is a Caribbean and Jamaican-inspired King West restaurant that has everything you need for a beautiful night out. The good times begin the moment you walk in and see the sexy long bar, the great music and the fun yet balanced cocktails that pair perfectly with the succulent dishes.
Sara ($75)
From the folks of the esteemed hospitality group the Food Dudes, Sara was conceived to offer globally inspired foods in a serene yet vibey modern environment. With Summerlicous, you get access to all the famous menu faves—like the Chopped Salad and Ikura Latkes with salmon roe, chive cream and maple kombu—and can also try something new.
Tutti Matti ($48/$65)
Tutti Matti has been “bringing Tuscany to Toronto since 2002,” and you can taste that love on the plate from Chef Alida Solomon when she offers her take on classic Italian dishes. With Tuscan inspirations, it’s also a joy to see (and eat) local ingredients on the menu, like Ontario heirloom tomatoes, trout, and summer peas.
Amal ($48/$65)
Amal invites you to enjoy modern Lebanese cuisine in a beautiful, plush setting in Yorkville. With freshly made dips (and you get your choice of two dips for an automatically included fourth course!), pita, skewers of meat, and so much more, all artfully plated, there is much to try.
AP ($75)
At AP, prepare for dinner and a show with sweeping views of the Toronto skyline as you indulge in Japanese and Pan-Asian dishes by one of Canada’s best, Chef and Partner Antonio Park.
For those who have been hankering for a chef-driven Omakase experience, ordering the Omakase Sushi as your main dish will get you there!
Piccolo Piano Pizzeria (Piano Piano) ($45)
Piccolo Piano is a dream in your mind that comes to reality. It’s like stepping into a hypebeast circus theatre, but one that revolves around epic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza pies and Italian food. Pinch me; I am dreaming!
Across the street, there’s sister restaurant Piano Piano, also serving up a scrumptious Italian Summerlicious menu.
Reign at Fairmont Royal York ($55/$75)
The Fairmont Royal York is a historic hotel in the centre of Toronto, directly across from Union Station. Whether or not you are staying overnight, experiencing the newly renovated woodbound Reign for Summerlicious is the perfect treat for lunch or dinner with its seasonal and sustainable menus made with local ingredients.
Est Restaurant ($55/$75)
With thoughtful French and Italian cuisine in the East End, Est offers weekly drink specials amongst an elevated dining menu in the Riverside District. With dishes like truffle burrata, 12-hour braised beef short rib, and creme brulee cheesecake—this is the place to sit back and indulge.
Papyrus ($35)
On Toronto’s Danforth Avenue, Papyrus serves fresh Egyptian food and homemade Middle Eastern eats, including in-house dessert. These traditional recipes are special, and there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
Soulas ($27/$35)
If you are craving Greek food, prepare to have the itch scratched perfectly with comforting dishes and the warm atmosphere of Soulas in the heart of Greektown.
Family-owned and serving Toronto since 1975, start your meal with the Trilogy of Spreads or the freshly wrapped Dolmades, and then descend into your meal of homestyle Greek classics.
The Real Jerk ($27/$35)
Experience true Caribbean cuisine with hot dumplings & wings and perfectly spiced jerk chicken. And it’s not every day that you can eat in the location of a Rihanna music video, but The Real Jerk offers this experience! Work work work.
Adega ($48/$65)
Visit Adega for Portuguese fare and take a trip to Europe. With a focus on seafood, they bring the best ingredients from Portugal and the Canadian coasts. Flavour and freshness come first, with a big dash of tradition.
NBA Courtside ($34/$45)
For the Raptors and NBA fans reading, grab a meal and an enlightening sports experience as you dine at NBA Courtside. With limited edition merch, one of a kind memorabilia on display and a varied menu, this is a premium sports bar experience.
Pure Spirits ($41/$55)
In the historic Distillery District, in a former distillery warehouse building, lies a charming sustainable oyster house with seasonal mains. The Summerlicous menu will have you slurping down oysters and more fresh seafood.
Café Zuzu ($27/$35)
Top Chef Canada Judge Janet Zucarini and her team bring their fresh Italian flair to Café Zuzu, an all-day restaurant that you’ll want to spend all day in. Enjoy a gorgeous lunch or dinner, and there are great grab-n-go sections and a coffee bar, too.
Auberge Du Pommier ($55/$75)
Elevated French cuisine in a French country setting unlike any other in the city from the fine folks of esteemed restaurant group, Oliver & Bonacini.
Serving Toronto at this locale since 1987, Auberge Du Pommier is the place to bask in the glow of the floral terrace and/or classic dishes like a Vichyssoise Soup, Duck Confit, Chocolat Torte and so much more.
Aviv Immigrant Kitchen ($34/$45)
Toronto is a beautiful mosaic of cultures and culinary influences, and Aviv Immigrant Kitchen is a delicious reflection of that with its celebration of seasonal flavours from the Mediterranean to South America, Asia and beyond.
Diwan Aga Khan Museum ($41/$55)
From the team of famed Chef McEwan, Diwan interprets cuisines from the Middle East, Turkey & India and celebrates them on the plate.
The Aga Khan Museum displays the artistic, intellectual, and scientific contributions of Muslim civilizations in the World and this restaurant brings the experience to the height of interactivity.
Savor Thai ($65)
From the makers of Koh Lipe and many celebrated Thai restaurants of Toronto, Savor Thai is the tasting menu sister restaurant that is serving Thai fine dining on St Clair West. The set menu changes with the seasons, and this Summerlicious is a rare 3-course taste of the full 5+ course experience.
Taline ($75)
For Armenian food with show-stopping presentations, Taline in Midtown is there for you. Don’t miss trying the viral mante dumplings with ground beef, fresh mint, clarified tomato and sumac and the rest of the meal will flow beautifully from there.
Banu ($41/$55)
With Iranian and Persian dishes, cocktails and community, this family-run restaurant is just a stone’s throw away from Trinity Bellwoods Park and bustling Queen Street West. Every course is to be savoured at Banu, down to the homemade baklava and saffron rice pudding dessert.
Curryish Tavern ($41/$55)
Enjoy Summerlicious lunch or dinner at Curryish Tavern where Chef Miheer Shete puts together beautiful menus of modern Indian cuisines that draw on his Mumbai background combined with seasonal Canadian ingredients. And every time, the food jumps off the plate with its vibrancy in look and flavour and tells a story.
Fonda Lola ($45)
Fonda Lola just celebrated 10 years on Queen Street West with their super fresh Mexican cuisine. With soulful cooking and wonderful service like theirs, it’s no surprise they have reached this milestone and this casual cantina’s menu would be great for sharing and eating family style.
La Palma ($55)
With a California-fresh approach to Mediterranean cuisine and heart-stoppingly cute dining room with hand-painted walls, Chef Craig Harding’s La Palma has been a hit since day one back in 2017. Whether it’s branzino, fresh vegetables, or pasta, you can’t go wrong here.
Mannat Indian & Hakka Bar ($27/$35)
At Mannat, they cook up both Indian and Hakka—a distinct type of the cuisine that originates from Hakka people who came from China, then migrated and picked up influential flavours of India. The result is absolutely delicious and must be tried to be believed.
Saku ($45)
As a sushi and taco bar, Saku offers a unique mix of eats with equal care and quality across the two cuisines. Each main course comes with more than one item (for example, sashimi tostada and pressed sushi), so you’ll be sure to get a chance to try a great variety of different items in one sitting here.
Bar Bacan ($20/$25)
With Venezuelan and Argentinian Dishes, this Latin American restaurant is the perfect family-run, women-led spot for a quick lunch or cozy dinner of empanadas, arepas and all the fixings.
iSLAS Filipino BBQ & Bar ($27/ $35)
This neighbourhood gem in Parkdale is a Toronto favourite for Filipino cuisine to take your tastebuds on a trip. With their love and mastery of the grill, you have to try these BBQ dishes and come back another day for the Kamayan feasts!
Nuna Kitchen & Bar ($41/$55)
Head to Nuna for Peruvian fusion and experience the extreme freshness in the cozy family-owned restaurant (or head to the charming back patio). With Chef Sergio Nazario at the helm, born and raised in Lima, there are always quality ingredients and explosive flavours on the plate here.
The Ace ($55)
The Ace is a quintessential neighbourhood restaurant with an ever-changing brunch and dinner menu of Canadian comfort food, with their partnership with 100KM Foods helping to keep things super local. First date, solo date or 100th date—there’s a welcome table and meal for you here.
Cafe La Gaffe ($34/$55)
In the heart of Baldwin Village, this charming bistro offers French fare and heart of gold service for the past 40 years. Be charmed by the tasty food and check out the sweet patio outside and or the bistro vibes with exposed brick and French-inspired art inside.
R & D ($55)
After the very first season of MasterChef Canada, Chef Eric Chong and Chef Alvin Leung teamed up and began their collaboration with the modern Asian Canadian restaurant, R&D.
Serving up inventive eats, including dim sum and cocktails in Toronto’s most central Chinatown, this is another Toronto must-try.
The Cottage Cheese ($34/$55)
The Cottage Cheese is a warm and inviting cottage-inspired Indian restaurant with a wraparound view of Toronto’s vibrant Kensington Market.
Offering bold flavours and playful presentation with farm fresh ingredients, there are dishes that you have been craving and dishes that will surprise. There is something for everyone.
Arisu ($34/$55)
Experience Korean food in the heart of Toronto's Koreatown. With options like tableside BBQ, the meal can be an interactive experience with Ontario Black Angus Beef and it definitely will be a very tasty one. On a hot day, the Yuzu slush dessert will be a lifesaver.