15 of the Best International Restaurants in Toronto
Toronto is known to be rich in diversity. As the fourth largest city in North America — yes, let that sink in — it’s no wonder that Toronto has grown to represent over 200 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 140 languages and dialects! Just sit in any cafe for longer than 10 minutes, and you’re guaranteed to hear more than 2 or 3 different languages being spoken.
All that global influence rears its beautiful head when it comes to one department: FOOD. Toronto boasts an incredible number of restaurants that seek to represent the cultures from which they are lovingly formed. As such, eating out in Toronto can be a tricky task, with “where should we go for dinner?” becoming a point of contention between even the best of friends. Even if you do decide on the style of cuisine, there’s still choices to make within that grouping!
To help our fellow travelling foodies, we’ve compiled a short list of 15 international restaurants that call Toronto home. These places represent some the best or highly recommended restaurants, organized by the diverse cuisine on their menus. You might find your favourite or you might find a hidden gem — either way, you’ll find a great list to begin your Toronto foodie adventure. For the record, we left Canadian off the list — but we’ll trust you to find truly delicious poutine on your own! Utensils ready? Let’s feast!
Italian — Gusto 101
Looking to eat Italian in a converted mechanic’s garage? Perfect, you should try Gusto. Despite being a relative newcomer in the Toronto Italian scene, we promise you won’t regret the decision. Head to Portland Street in the King West area for your chance to indulge in Italian classics. Their focaccia and ciabatta are baked in-house, the wine list is extensive, and they put together a mean meatball polpette pizza.
Brazilian — Copacabana
Did you want meat served on a sword? That’s a simple reality at Copa! This trendy downtown establishment has been serving up authentic Brazilian barbecue for over a decade. For a fixed price, Copa is all-you-can-eat. You’ll find things like flank steak and cheese-stuffed prime rib. The carnivores will enjoy another 16 varieties of meat, and the vegetarians will find a great selection of pastas and salads. There’s even live entertainment to solidify the fun, feeding-frenzy atmosphere.
French — Chantecler
Did you immediately think of French classics like escargot, frog legs, and crepes with a whole or half duck? Good, because Chantecler is as French as French can get! This tiny location over in Parkdale is full of character, from the lads preparing food at the open kitchen in the corner to the neatly tiled white wall proudly bearing the name. You’ll find the specials rotating daily — from oysters to cheeses — so head there early to avoid disappointment.
Moroccan — The Sultan’s Tent
Located on Front Street, the Sultan’s Tent offers a truly Moroccan experience. On weekends, you’ll be treated to a three course Moroccan dinner at a fixed price. There’s even live belly dancing, and you’ll be seated on cushions under fabric, candle-lit tents to round out the experience. Be sure to try their couscous salad, North African peri peri, or Moroccan-style crab cakes!
Argentinian — Branca
Argentinian-style barbecue will leave your mouth watering. Why? Because you can order the chanco al asador — pork belly served four ways on the same plank. This renovated residential brick house in the West End offers foodies a vibrant atmosphere to engage their taste buds. The wines are handpicked to pair with the traditional dishes like open-pit roasted lamb with confit potatoes.
Hungarian — Country Style Hungarian Restaurant
A staple of the Annex neighbourhood for over 50 years, it’s no wonder that Country Style Hungarian Restaurant is still serving traditional European recipes from the the “old country.” From fried schnitzels to cabbage rolls to traditional goulash, this place goes for the full effect with red and white checkered table cloths. As a blogger with Hungarian grandparents, typing this blurb made me embarrassingly hungry.
Middle Eastern (Lebanese) — Tabule
While there’s a few locations dotted across the city, the Riverside location in the East End is a go-to for “Deliciousness: Level 11,” this one is a favorite. Go for the hummus and pickles to start, finish off with the Kefta — a mix of lamb and beef essentially soaked in delicious garlic and other spices. The Riverside location is right on Queen Street, and always busy with groups and dates sharing their traditional dishes the right way.
Portuguese — Adega
Meaning “wine cellar”, Adega is known to mix the old with the new — taking authentic ingredients and cooking styles. Adega mixes these flavours with contemporary ideas for how food should be served. Their specialty is seafood, and they proudly source it from all over the world. Do you like grilled octopus? Even if you’re not a sucker for some “suckers”, Adega has got your back.
Japanese — Ramen Isshin
Let’s start off by saying that there are an unfathomable amount of Japanese restaurants in Toronto. Sushi or ramen? You’re MORE than covered. For authentic ramen, hit up Ramen Isshin on College Street near Bathurst. They custom-make their broth daily for over 12 hours and select two daily noodle types from over 800 choices. Consistently voted among as some of the top ramen in Toronto, their signature red miso ramen is delightful.
Greek — Mezes
Of course, the best Greek place in Toronto is located in… Greektown. Check out Mezes on the Danforth for authentic Greek cuisine. The menu features favourites like quail, calamari, and moussaka. The portions are big enough for sharing and the atmosphere is loud and lively. If you’ve got room for dessert, go for the chocolate baklava. You won’t be disappointed.
Thai — Khao San Road
A personal favourite — there’s a reason KSR (as local lingo has dubbed it) had to relocate to a larger location. Oh, you’ll still find a lineup most nights of the week though. Their pad thai is absolutely spot-on. See what I did there? Spot on. The new location is great if you’ve got time to kill — they’ve placed a trendy bar upstairs where you can have a drink as you wait for a table to become available. Have a go at KSR, you will not regret it!
Ethiopian — Rendez-Vous
For East African cuisine, be sure to meet at Rendez-Vous on the Danforth. This cozy place is serving up authentic African dishes like doro wat. You’ll indulge in colourful platters (without utensils, please) that include beans, meats, salads, and more — all in a style similar to the chefs of Addis Ababa. Rendez-Vous even offers food-goers a traditional coffee roasting ritual to give the taste buds another welcomed jolt.
Mexican — La Carnita
La Carnita is a celebration of authentic Mexican cuisine and culture through food, art, and music. Located across the city in a handful of locations, the menu changes depending on which spot you visit. One thing is for sure… there will be a variety of taco configurations to choose from, from fish and pollo frito to mexican chorizo. Their mushroom empanada is also apparently amazing. Oh, and did we mention margaritas?
Vietnamese — The Golden Turtle
Looking for the best pho in the city? Difficult task — but maybe starting at Rùa Vàng (The Golden Turtle) will help. While this place in Ossington doesn’t pack the same awesome restaurant atmospheric punch as a few notable Vietnamese places dotting Toronto , their food is top notch, and that’s all that matters! Their cai tau hu (tofu + vegetable soup) is excellent, but there’s over 100 other options to choose from on the menu.
Indian — Tich
Down on Lake Shore Boulevard, Tich is a Mimico favourite, blending stylish decor with traditional Indian cuisine. The papadum is served with two sauces for dipping, the butter chicken with naan is delicious, and the saffron-infused basmati rice is enough to make you stop reading and head there right now. There’s vegetarian options, and a little licensed patio for enjoying your Kingfisher beer.
If you’re looking to read more of our city tips from around the world, be sure to check out the blog Penguin and Pia. We write in English and German so there’s bound to be a language you speak on there!
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