Dining in the GTA
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Greater Toronto Area, Ontario.
Toronto is Canada's largest metropolis, built by a diversity of people, many of whom have immigrated from other countries and brought with them the knowledge and skills essential for recreating the unique cuisine of their homelands.
Through tradition, fusion and evolution, Canada's chefs have created unique dishes, foods like French-Canadian poutine, Chinese-Canadian ginger beef and Scottish-Canadian toutin. Today, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) boasts thousands of restaurants, some that uphold traditional preparation of food and others that focus on the more modern technique of combining cuisines into a fusion of flavours from around the planet. Together, Torontonians have created the most multicultural culinary scene in North America.
CANADIAN TRADITION
Before Toronto was a sprawling metropolis, a diversity of natural vegetation and wildlife inhabited the area. First Nations hunters and trappers knew to complement the deep flavours of wild game with hearty root vegetables, plump fruits and tangy spices. Award-winning restaurants now pride themselves on using Ontario-grown ingredients as inspiration for their traditional and contemporary culinary creations.
Tundra offers fine dining Canadian style. The unique architecture, décor, food and drink meld the landscape, culture and taste of Canada into an inspired dining experience. Trappers, another Toronto favourite has a dynamic menu, drawn from seasonal stock. Order rainbow trout from Muskoka, just two hours north of Toronto, or a duck raised in Brome Lake in the neighbouring province of Quebec and complement either entrée with a rich, fruity wine from the Niagara Falls Region.
FLAVOURS OF EUROPE
Western Europeans were the first newcomers to enhance Ontario's regional cuisine; first French and English explorers, then German, Swiss and Hungarian settlers, and in more recent times, immigrants from the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.
French and Quebecois restaurants are common in the GTA. Aggie Martin, set in a historical building in Brampton, is a traditional French brasserie where chefs create memorable experiences from specific regions of France, through the specialties and subtleties of each province.
Early pioneers to Ontario built the province's rich agriculture heritage. Livestock such as chicken, lamb and beef became key ingredients in local fare. Toronto's True Restaurant combines the best of Canadian and German cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Local and organic ingredients are combined to create beautiful meals: soups and salads followed by hearty entrées like roast chicken and blackened cod.
Mediterranean restaurants are popular in Toronto and the wider area and Oakville's AGABI Mediterranean Restaurant successfully highlights the best of this complex regional cuisine. At AGABI, Greek, Egyptian and Lebanese dishes are served in an authentic atmosphere.
SENSATIONAL ASIAN
Asian immigrants first arrived in Western Canada and began moving eastward. They brought with them a wealth of new foods, including spicy curries, flavourful noodles and crisp stir-fries. The cuisine of this vast continent is now well represented in the GTA. Authentic meals are readily found in Toronto's Little India, Chinatown and Koreatown districts, though, with a little looking, connoisseurs can find excellent Asian restaurants sprinkled throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Taste authentic Indian cuisine at Saravanaa Bhavan with locations in Scarborough and Mississauga, at the New India Curry Hut in Brampton or in one of the other 100 Indian restaurants in Toronto.
Chinese cuisine is often found at niche establishments specializing in dim sum, hot pots or seafood. More holistic eateries can be found in Toronto's Chinatown and around the city; China Buffet King at the Howard Johnson Toronto East hotel has a bountiful buffet offering more than 250 items. Chinese restaurants are also plentiful in Oshawa, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton and Thornhill.
Korean, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese options are also widely available throughout the city and surrounding areas, including Ho Su Bistro in Toronto, Thai by the Lake in Mississauga and Mango Tree (Vietnamese) in Newmarket.
Perhaps because of the nature of Japan's geography and the late influence this cuisine had on Canadian culture, Japanese food in Toronto has remained unique, set apart from other Asian food. Sushi is the most popular fare, though noodle houses are also seeing a resurgence in popularity. A Taste of Japan in Markham is an ideal destination for all palates since it serves an assortment of sushi, noodle dishes and teppanyaki grill dishes.
SPICY CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
Central and South American cuisine has been influenced by waves of immigration and multiculturalism, much like North American cuisine.
Mexican and Caribbean restaurants are common in the GTA, from casual eateries to upscale establishments. Viva Burritos in Oshawa specialises in simple meals with fast and friendly service, while Frida Restaurant in Toronto offers something a little more unusual, both in the way of food and live entertainment. Similarly, a blend of inspired dishes can be appreciated at Harlem Underground, which also boasts live musicians.
The exotic flavours of Brazil and Peru are rare and rewarding in Toronto. Caju is a unique Brazilian restaurant featuring signature dishes such as feijoada and moqueca and El Fogon serves traditional Peruvian delights, including papa a la Huancaina and camarones en salsa brava.
TASTES OF AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Africa is the rarest continent represented on Toronto's gastronomic scene but with a little looking excellent eateries can be unearthed. Nigerian and Senegalese cuisine can be found but Ethiopian fare is by far the most popular African cuisine among Torontonians. Flavourful Ethiopian curries are typically served in communal dishes alongside injera, traditional bread served cold.
Ethiopian House is an acclaimed eatery featuring a wide variety of dishes, including many vegetarian options. The aroma of fresh curries, exotic spices and sauces wafting onto the street entice many passersby so reservations are recommended.
Middle Eastern food has a strong foothold on Toronto's gastronomic scene. Initially, this cuisine was equated with the Mediterranean flavours of Moroccan food and the fresh tastes of Lebanese food, but this perspective has diversified to include Iranian (Persian), Turkish and fusion fare. The complex flavours of the Middle East are often fused with similarly strong flavours of India and Pakistan. Halal and vegetarian meals are popular options at Lahore Kitchen, which serves an enticing blend of Middle Eastern and Indian cookery in Etobicoke.
Through tradition, fusion and evolution, Canada's chefs have created unique dishes, foods like French-Canadian poutine, Chinese-Canadian ginger beef and Scottish-Canadian toutin. Today, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) boasts thousands of restaurants, some that uphold traditional preparation of food and others that focus on the more modern technique of combining cuisines into a fusion of flavours from around the planet. Together, Torontonians have created the most multicultural culinary scene in North America.
CANADIAN TRADITION
Before Toronto was a sprawling metropolis, a diversity of natural vegetation and wildlife inhabited the area. First Nations hunters and trappers knew to complement the deep flavours of wild game with hearty root vegetables, plump fruits and tangy spices. Award-winning restaurants now pride themselves on using Ontario-grown ingredients as inspiration for their traditional and contemporary culinary creations.
Tundra offers fine dining Canadian style. The unique architecture, décor, food and drink meld the landscape, culture and taste of Canada into an inspired dining experience. Trappers, another Toronto favourite has a dynamic menu, drawn from seasonal stock. Order rainbow trout from Muskoka, just two hours north of Toronto, or a duck raised in Brome Lake in the neighbouring province of Quebec and complement either entrée with a rich, fruity wine from the Niagara Falls Region.
FLAVOURS OF EUROPE
Western Europeans were the first newcomers to enhance Ontario's regional cuisine; first French and English explorers, then German, Swiss and Hungarian settlers, and in more recent times, immigrants from the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.
French and Quebecois restaurants are common in the GTA. Aggie Martin, set in a historical building in Brampton, is a traditional French brasserie where chefs create memorable experiences from specific regions of France, through the specialties and subtleties of each province.
Early pioneers to Ontario built the province's rich agriculture heritage. Livestock such as chicken, lamb and beef became key ingredients in local fare. Toronto's True Restaurant combines the best of Canadian and German cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Local and organic ingredients are combined to create beautiful meals: soups and salads followed by hearty entrées like roast chicken and blackened cod.
Mediterranean restaurants are popular in Toronto and the wider area and Oakville's AGABI Mediterranean Restaurant successfully highlights the best of this complex regional cuisine. At AGABI, Greek, Egyptian and Lebanese dishes are served in an authentic atmosphere.
SENSATIONAL ASIAN
Asian immigrants first arrived in Western Canada and began moving eastward. They brought with them a wealth of new foods, including spicy curries, flavourful noodles and crisp stir-fries. The cuisine of this vast continent is now well represented in the GTA. Authentic meals are readily found in Toronto's Little India, Chinatown and Koreatown districts, though, with a little looking, connoisseurs can find excellent Asian restaurants sprinkled throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Taste authentic Indian cuisine at Saravanaa Bhavan with locations in Scarborough and Mississauga, at the New India Curry Hut in Brampton or in one of the other 100 Indian restaurants in Toronto.
Chinese cuisine is often found at niche establishments specializing in dim sum, hot pots or seafood. More holistic eateries can be found in Toronto's Chinatown and around the city; China Buffet King at the Howard Johnson Toronto East hotel has a bountiful buffet offering more than 250 items. Chinese restaurants are also plentiful in Oshawa, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton and Thornhill.
Korean, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese options are also widely available throughout the city and surrounding areas, including Ho Su Bistro in Toronto, Thai by the Lake in Mississauga and Mango Tree (Vietnamese) in Newmarket.
Perhaps because of the nature of Japan's geography and the late influence this cuisine had on Canadian culture, Japanese food in Toronto has remained unique, set apart from other Asian food. Sushi is the most popular fare, though noodle houses are also seeing a resurgence in popularity. A Taste of Japan in Markham is an ideal destination for all palates since it serves an assortment of sushi, noodle dishes and teppanyaki grill dishes.
SPICY CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
Central and South American cuisine has been influenced by waves of immigration and multiculturalism, much like North American cuisine.
Mexican and Caribbean restaurants are common in the GTA, from casual eateries to upscale establishments. Viva Burritos in Oshawa specialises in simple meals with fast and friendly service, while Frida Restaurant in Toronto offers something a little more unusual, both in the way of food and live entertainment. Similarly, a blend of inspired dishes can be appreciated at Harlem Underground, which also boasts live musicians.
The exotic flavours of Brazil and Peru are rare and rewarding in Toronto. Caju is a unique Brazilian restaurant featuring signature dishes such as feijoada and moqueca and El Fogon serves traditional Peruvian delights, including papa a la Huancaina and camarones en salsa brava.
TASTES OF AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Africa is the rarest continent represented on Toronto's gastronomic scene but with a little looking excellent eateries can be unearthed. Nigerian and Senegalese cuisine can be found but Ethiopian fare is by far the most popular African cuisine among Torontonians. Flavourful Ethiopian curries are typically served in communal dishes alongside injera, traditional bread served cold.
Ethiopian House is an acclaimed eatery featuring a wide variety of dishes, including many vegetarian options. The aroma of fresh curries, exotic spices and sauces wafting onto the street entice many passersby so reservations are recommended.
Middle Eastern food has a strong foothold on Toronto's gastronomic scene. Initially, this cuisine was equated with the Mediterranean flavours of Moroccan food and the fresh tastes of Lebanese food, but this perspective has diversified to include Iranian (Persian), Turkish and fusion fare. The complex flavours of the Middle East are often fused with similarly strong flavours of India and Pakistan. Halal and vegetarian meals are popular options at Lahore Kitchen, which serves an enticing blend of Middle Eastern and Indian cookery in Etobicoke.
Luxury Hotel
