Where to Eat for the Holidays in Toronto: Festive Dining for Every Taste

Holiday dinner, but make it easy. Host friends and fam at these festive restaurants in Toronto, including restaurants open Christmas Day.

Wondering where to eat for the holidays in Toronto? The 6ix’s diverse dining scene truly glows this time of year, with mouthwatering options priced from moderate to luxury from nearly every corner of the world. 

Whether your holiday wish is for authentic or fusion global cuisine, festive decor and/or limited-time-only winter menus, Toronto’s restaurant scene delivers. Here’s where to eat, drink and celebrate the season in style.

Luxe feasts & fine dining experiences

Splash out on a night out with your friends and treat yourself to Nobu’s (Entertainment District) Festive Omakase Menu (available until December 30, 2025), a sumptuous six-course feast, featuring stunning holiday flavours like Canadian lobster with butter nori ponzu. 
 
At W Toronto’s Living Room (Yorkville), high tea gets a festive twist with darling delicacies like Mont Blanc tartlet, S’mores Macaron and Winter Spiced Cheesecake. Or bring your appetite to the hotel’s rooftop for TONO’s five-course holiday brunch (December 25–28, 2025), featuring Chef Akira Back’s signature Japanese-Peruvian cooking. Belly full, take a break to soak in the incredible views of the city skyline. 
 
Chefs Kevin Shawcross and Danvee Kwok get personal this holiday season. At Ayla (Trinity Bellwoods), they’re cooking up Asian dishes inspired by their own holiday traditions, while curating their nightly family-style eight-course meal based on each table’s preferences. Their aromatic “Eight Treasures” prix-fixe dining experience is designed for a table of four; be sure to book in advance.

Relish a night out at “Dinner with a Side of Sounds” at the Drake Hotel (Parkdale)—this prix-fixe supper includes a hearty winter menu from Chef Daniel Hyam, with choices such as deeply flavourful lemongrass short ribs and delectable spiced apple crumble.

Lean into the holiday spirit with a drink from their holiday cocktail menu, too (you’ll want to lap up every drop of Lebowski’s Cookies: a Biscoff cookie butter fat-washed Lot 40 rye, coffee liqueur, cream and Fernet Branca). Treat your ears to live piano featuring some of the best performers in the city.

Pro tip: Toronto takes festive dining very seriously, so the sooner you book your holiday table, the better, especially for any restaurants offering limited-edition menus.

Cozy & casual dining with holiday spirit

Both locations of Dutch Indonesian restaurant Little Sister (Entertainment District and Midtown) have gone full-out with festive vibes, draped from floor to ceiling with twinkling lights, snowy details and serving holiday beverages in ornament cups for their seasonal transformation into Java Jingle.

Get lost amongst the over-the-top colourful lights, reindeer and Santa decor as you dig into birria tacos and holiday cocktails like Mint to Be Martini (a sweet creamy mix of Rumchata, peppermint schnapps, creme de cacao and half and half) at Papi Chulos Mistletoes & Margaritas (Ossington Village).

Take a break from hunting for the perfect gift with a stop into Aleria (Queen West), which has gone maximalist with Christmas decor for its holiday pop-up (you’ll have to get the requisite pic walking through the hallway of twinkling lights). Satiate your craving for Greek food (saganaki poutine, please!) and for festive cocktails made with seasonal favourites like Baileys, Runchata and apple cider.

Although it’s 19+ Thursday to Saturday, all-ages Sundays at Christmas on King Holiday Market at Portland Square (King West) are great for the whole family. Get photos with Santa and take advantage of the gift-wrapping stations. Parents with hungry little ones will appreciate the kid-friendly options on the menu (pepperoni and cheese pizza)!

If your family’s ravenous after ice-skating at Harbourfront Centre (Waterfront), warm up over a meal at Queens Harbour. The south end of the restaurant has been transformed into The White Garden for the holiday season. Forty flocked trees are suspended overhead and snow-dusted decor create a magical storybook Christmas setting. Holiday menu items that feed the soul, like butternut squash agnolotti, add to the warm, family vibes.

Pro tip: To get good Instagram shots in these spectacular holiday spaces done up to the nines in holiday lights, turn off the flash on your camera (flash will just wash you out) and set a low ISO to minimize noise and grain.

Hanukkah

Toronto’s Jewish bakeries shine during the Festival of Lights. Harbord Bakery fries more than 10,000 latkes each season and serves fresh sufganiyot. Kosher comfort favourites can also be found at United Bakers, Milk ’n Honey, and Bistro Grande.
 

Kwanzaa

Celebrate flavours tied to African and Caribbean heritage. Enjoy jollof rice, grilled fish and plantain at African Village Bar & Grill, Ethiopian platters at Nunu Ethiopian Fusion, or Cajun-Creole dishes—like jambalaya or po’boys—at Upper Beaches Bourbon House.
 

Lunar New Year 

Though the holiday arrives later in January or February, many restaurants begin offering early winter dishes in December. Try dim sum and whole steamed fish at Pink Pearl, family-style classics at Hong Shing, or modern Chinese plates like Ibérico char siu at MICHELIN-recognized R&D.

Not that you ever need an excuse to indulge in a mouthwatering meal at Michelin-recommended Armenian restaurant Taline (Midtown), but you won’t want to miss out on trying ghapama. This satisfying Armenian dish of acorn squash stuffed with buckwheat, moughrabieh, havgit, granola, nour and eggplant dashi is traditionally prepared for holiday celebrations.
 

Sweet Traditions From Around the Globe

Holiday desserts fill shelves across the city: Italian panettone, Jewish rugelach, Filipino bibingka, Caribbean rum cake, and Portuguese bolo rei.

For a rich rum cake, pick up this Jamaican Christmas traditional dessert at Gerry’s Fast Foods (Midtown), a fast-casual spot that’s been in business since 1977. 

And when it comes to bibingka? Score this Filipino holiday favourite at Kusinero de Panaderia (Uptown), where they bake a signature version that’s a bit fluffier than the traditional spongey rice cake.

Pro tip: Seasonal favourites sell out fast—pre-order early.

Restaurants open Christmas Day (December 25, 2025)

The following restaurants are confirmed open for Christmas Day:

Aleria, Drake Hotel, Eataly, KOST Chalet, Louis XIII at Hazelton Hotel, NOBU, TONO, W Toronto Living Room, Papi Chulos Mistletoes & Margaritas.
 

Dining smart: Tips for the season

Book reservations. Make the most of your time during this busy season and book well in advance whenever possible. Some establishments may require a credit card to hold your reservation. Be aware that if you cancel less than 24 hours in advance, you’ll likely be charged a service fee.

Double-check holiday schedules. Many Toronto restaurants and bars are open Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, while others are not. Holiday hours may not be reflected on venue websites or on Google, so check official social media (or call directly) to confirm holiday hours. 

Consider dietary inclusivity when choosing where to go. Every family or group outing is likely to include at least a few people who have dietary restrictions. Look for menus that accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher and non-alcoholic options as needed when making your social plans.