Looking for Michelin Star restaurants in Toronto?
Toronto has been known for its amazing culinary scene with a rich diversity.
You can taste the world in Toronto! And as a travelling foodie, this is what I love most about Toronto.
As I eat my way around the city, I’ve been asked numerous times before if Toronto has Michelin Star restaurants, or why the city doesn’t have any.
All this finally changed in September 13, 2022 when the Toronto Michelin Guide was launched, marking the first ever Canadian edition of the popular Michelin Guide.
Some were expected. Some came as a surprise.
And everyone has their own thoughts on the Michelin Guide Toronto.
This food guide will help you discover where to eat in Toronto for a Michelin Star dining experience.
Be sure to SAVE/PIN/BOOKMARK this Toronto Michelin Star Guide because we will be updating this list as we try more places!
Michelin Guide Toronto 2023
On September 27, 2023, the 2nd edition of the MICHELIN® Guide Toronto was revealed with new additions.
The 2023 Michelin Guide Toronto selection comprises 82 restaurants and 28 types of cuisine.
A true testament to Toronto’s diversity!
As a quick summary of the Toronto Michelin Guide 2023 changes:
- 12 new Toronto restaurants were added
- 4 from the 12 were awarded Bib Gourmand
- 1 from the 12 was awarded a Michelin Star
- 1 Michelin Recommended restaurant from Toronto Michelin Guide 2022 was awarded a Michelin Star
- All the other restaurants from Toronto Michelin Guide 2022 retained their status of Star, Bib Gourmand and Recommended awards.
I’ll be going into details on these updates below.
Toronto Michelin Star Guide
“Toronto shows it’s deserving of being the first MICHELIN Guide selection ever in the Great White North,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides.
“Toronto already was a multicultural place where people meet to enjoy architecture, arts and nature, and now it becomes a world-class destination for gourmets too.”
Michelin Guide Toronto continues to update yearly as inspectors try more restaurants to include on top of revisiting existing Michelin restaurants for consistencies.
Did you know? any restaurant in the Michelin Guide, whether Star, Bib Gourmand or Recommended, can move up or down from their current designation, including being removed from the Guide.
This happens concurrently with the annual Michelin Guide Ceremony.
Is there a MICHELIN Guide in Canada?
On September 13, 2022, the launch of the Toronto Michelin Guide marks the first ever MICHELIN Guide in Canada.
The first edition of the MICHELIN® Guide Toronto was revealed with 74 total restaurants, including Stars, Bib Gourmand and “recommended” eateries in the inaugural list which span across 27 different cuisines, from Mexican and Italian to contemporary and Japanese Kaiseki.
How many MICHELIN Stars does Toronto have?
In 2023, Toronto garnered a total of 16 Michelin Stars in 15 restaurants, an increase from 14 Michelin Stars in 13 restaurants in 2022.
Some interesting statistics on these Michelin Star restaurants in Toronto:
- 12 of the 15 (80%) are tasting menu restaurants.
- 6 of the 15 (40%) are Japanese tasting menu experiences.
- 5 of the 15 (33%) are in Toronto’s expensive Yorkville neighbourhood.
What does the MICHELIN Star rating mean?
The Michelin Star rating is a 3-star rating system awarded to restaurants based on anonymous dining experiences by the Michelin inspectors:
- One Michelin Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
- Two Michelin Stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour!
- Three Michelin Stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey!
The restaurants are judged by these five criteria:
- Quality of the ingredients used
- Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
- Personality of the chef in his cuisine
- Harmony of flavors
- Consistency between visits
How many 3 Michelin Star Restaurants in Toronto?
Unfortunately, there are no 3 Michelin Star restaurants in Toronto.
How many 2 Michelin Star Restaurants in Toronto?
Sushi Masaki Saito is the only 2 Michelin Star restaurant in Toronto since 2022.
How many 1 Michelin Star Restaurants in Toronto?
Here are the 14 One Michelin Star restaurants in Toronto:
- Aburi Hana
- Alo
- Alobar Yorkville
- Don Alfonso 1890
- Edulis
- Enigma Yorkville
- Frilu
- Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto
- Kappo Sato
- Osteria Giulia
- Quetzal
- Restaurant 20 Victoria
- Shoushin
- Yukashi Japanese Cuisine
The two new Toronto One Michelin Star restaurants for 2023 are Kappo Sato and Restaurant 20 Victoria.
Who are the Michelin Star chefs in Toronto?
Here are the chefs who earned Michelin Stars in Toronto:
- Chef Masaki Saito of Sushi Masaki Saito
- Chef Ryusuke Nakagawa of Aburi Hana
- Chef Patrick Kriss of Alo and Alobar Yorkville
- Chef Daniele Corona of Don Alfonso 1890
- Chefs Tobey Nemeth and Michael Caballo of Edulis
- Chef Quinton Bennett of Enigma Yorkville
- Chef John-Vincent Troiano of Frilu
- Chef Masaki Hashimoto of Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto
- Chef Takeshi Sato of Kappo Sato
- Chef Rob Rossi of Osteria Giulia
- Chef Steven Molnar of Quetzal
- Chef Julie Hyde of Restaurant 20 Victoria
- Chef Jackie Lin of Shoushin
- Chef Daisuke Izutsu of Yukashi Japanese Cuisine
How many Michelin Green Star Restaurants in Toronto?
In 2023, Toronto received its first-ever MICHELIN Green Stars.
MICHELIN Green Stars are awarded to restaurants in recognition for their leadership in sustainable gastronomy.
These can be any restaurants in the Michelin Guide (e.g. Star, Bib Gourmand and Recommended).
Here are the Michelin Green Star Restaurants in Toronto:
- Frilu (One Michelin Star)
- White Lily Diner* (Bib Gourmand)
(*= I have visited but no recent content to link))
How many Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurants in Toronto?
In 2023, Michelin Bib Gourmands were awarded to 21 Toronto restaurants, an increase from 17 in 2022.
These are Toronto restaurants where one can have a two-course meal with a dessert or glass of wine for under CAD$60.
Here are the Bib Gourmand MICHELIN Restaurants in Toronto:
- The Ace
- Alma
- Bar Raval
- BB’s
- Campechano*
- Cherry Street Bar-B-Que*
- Chica’s Nashville Hot Chicken
- Enoteca Sociale
- Fat Pasha
- Favorites
- Fonda Balam
- Grey Gardens
- Indian Street Food Co.
- La Bartola
- Puerto Bravo
- R & D
- SumiLicious
- Sunnys Chinese
- Tiflisi Restaurant
- White Lily Diner*
- Wynona
(*= I have visited but no recent content to link)
How many Michelin Recommended Restaurants in Toronto?
Aside from Michelin Star and Bib Gourmand, there are 46 Toronto restaurants that were designated Michelin Recommended, an increase from 44 in 2022.
According to Michael Ellis, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide books, “A restaurant in the Recommended selection is the sign of a chef using quality ingredients that are well cooked; simply a good meal. It means that the inspectors have found the food to be above average, but not quite at star or Bib level.”
Here are the Michelin Recommended restaurants in Toronto:
- 156 Cumberland
- Aanch
- Actinolite
- Adrak Yorkville
- Alder (new in 2023)
- Aloette
- Amal
- Antler
- Ardo
- Bar Chica
- Bar Isabel
- Bar Vendetta
- Buca*
- Cà Phê Rang
- Canoe*
- Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen
- Dil Se
- Dreyfus
- FK (new)
- George Restaurant
- Gia
- Giulietta
- Henry’s Restaurant & Wine Bar
- Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse*
- Kiin (new in 2023)
- Koh Lipe Thai Kitchen
- La Banane
- Lapinou
- Madrina
- Maha’s
- Mimi Chinese (new in 2023)
- Mother’s Dumplings
- Musoshin Ramen
- Pai
- Parquet (new in 2023)
- Pho Tien Thanh
- Pompette
- Prime Seafood Palace
- Ration: Beverley
- SARA
- Scaramouche*
- Ten
- Union
- Vela (new in 2023)
- Viaggio
- The Wood Owl (new in 2023)
(*= I have visited but no recent content to link)
Does the Toronto MICHELIN Guide cover Ontario restaurants outside the city?
The inaugural Michelin Guide in Toronto only covered the City of Toronto plus the border of Thornhill with the inclusion of Frilu, and it was the same for 2023.
According to Andrew Weir, executive vice-president of Destination Toronto, regarding their marketing partnership with Michelin: “This is also the start of a multi-year partnership with Michelin. They’ve come in to do their first round of inspections, but over time, they will discover more restaurants. So, the guide will continue to grow over time.”
“The Toronto guide is an all-digital guide, which means there will be additions, particularly in the recommended category. Toronto’s culinary scene is remarkable in its depth and breadth, and we saw the start of that recognition tonight,” says Andrew Weir.
Hopefully, the Toronto Michelin Guide will extend to other parts of Ontario as I’ve tried other restaurants in the province that deserve Michelin Stars as well like Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Langdon Hall and Waupoos Restaurant.
Michelin Star Restaurants in Toronto
Having dined at many Michelin Star restaurants and World’s 50 Best Restaurants like Alinea, n/naka, El Celler de Can Roca, Oud Sluis, Robuchon au Dôme and Soil Restaurant, I was ecstatic that the Toronto food scene finally got the Michelin spotlight.
There are 15 Michelin Star Restaurants in Toronto, some of which are considered to be among the best restaurants in Canada!
Restaurants tend to increase in price due to popularity and high demand after being awarded Michelin Stars so be sure to book in advance and visit these Toronto restaurants ASAP.
I’ve visited over half of the awarded Toronto Michelin Star restaurants and a lot of the Bib Gourmands and Recommended Restaurants, which I’ll be sharing here.
Here are the 8 Toronto Michelin Star Restaurants that I’ve reviewed, listed in alphabetical order.
Alo
Opened in July 2015, Alo Restaurant is a contemporary French restaurant specializing in tasting menu served in a stylish ambiance atop a Victorian building.
When I first dined at Alo back in 2016 during a time when Toronto didn’t have a lot of fine dining tasting menu experiences, I was thoroughly impressed with both the food and service.
After dining there, I remember saying that, if we ever got Michelin Star restaurants in Toronto, Alo is one that deserved them because the experience was really on par (or even better!) with Michelin Star restaurants I’ve tried around the world.
Chef Patrick Kriss has meticulously crafted dishes that are innovative and plays with flavours of the season.
It’s no surprise that Alo has won Canada’s best restaurant consecutively for multiple years and became one of the first Michelin Star Restaurants in Toronto.
Named Canada’s most outstanding chef, Chef Patrick Kriss has been paramount in putting the Toronto food scene in the world spotlight and has opened more restaurants since Alo including the Michelin Star Alobar Yorkville and the Michelin Recommended Aloette.
Michelin Inspector notes for Alo Restaurant:
“Everyone has a good time at Chef Patrick Kriss’s beloved Alo. The talented beverage team offers spot-on suggestions from the well-chosen wine list. The kitchen team seamlessly merges European and Asian sensibilities onto a single tasting menu with dishes like creamy Koshihikari risotto boosted with porcini emulsion or rack of lamb with Thai green curry.”
Website / Address: 163 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario M5V 2L6
Edulis
Located in downtown Toronto’s west end neighbourhood, Edulis is known for its seasonal tasting menu made from scratch by husband-and-wife team Michael Caballo and Tobey Nemet.
Dining at Edulis feels like visiting your grandma’s home for a delicious seafood-focused homecooked meal.
It’s a great culinary experience for seafood lovers and the price is pretty reasonable for what you’re getting.
They’re one of the few Michelin Star tasting menu restaurants in Toronto you can still do for under $150.
Michelin Inspector notes for Edulis:
“The pride and passion of the husband-and-wife owners and their staff is undeniably evident throughout this spot. Settle in for a set, multicourse menu inspired by the Mediterranean. The kitchen eschews fluff, focusing instead on creating harmonious (and delicious) dishes. Freshly carved Spanish ham, cheese and dessert are available as add-ons. The menu proudly hews to the season.”
Website / Address: 169 Niagara St, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1C9
Enigma Yorkville
Opened in 2020 in Toronto’s historic Yorkville, Enigma Yorkville is an intimate modern European fine dining restaurant specializing in seasonal tasting menu.
Here you can enjoy a culinary journey by South African Executive Chef Quinton Bennett and his experiences working in different European countries.
The menu uses a lot of Canadian ingredients and, while it changes seasonally, has a familiar structure like starting your meal with a tartlet (that changes) and a meat course where you get to pick a Japanese knife.
Cocktail lovers will enjoy their strong cocktail program.
Better yet, opt for the cocktail pairing for a journey of unique cocktail creations along with your meal.
Being in the Yorkville neighbourhood, expect higher pricing compared to other Michelin Star tasting menu restaurants in Toronto with the same number of courses.
Michelin Inspector notes for Enigma Yorkville:
“Chef Quinton Bennett’s resume is as varied and glittering as the tile mosaics that stretch across the ceiling of this Yorkville looker. Using molecular techniques, he puts his worldly view on the plate, playing on diverse textures and surprising combinations like brassicas with smoked foie gras and dehydrated parmesan or tuna with sheets of beetroot and fermented daikon.”
Website / Address: 23 St Thomas St, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E7
Frilu
The only Michelin starred restaurant located in York region, Frilu in Thornhill specializes in contemporary Asian-inspired seasonally changing tasting menu.
Opened in June 2018, Frilu is a much needed addition to the uptown Toronto food scene since most tasting menu restaurants are downtown.
Executive Chef and Owner John-Vincent Troiano brings his culinary expertise from world-renowned tasting menu restaurants like Noma and Benu.
Frilu is one of the few tasting menu restaurants that offer a non-alcoholic beverage pairing focused on teas and in-house juices.
And their alcohol pairing is also unique that includes both wine and sake.
Since dining there in 2019, I’ve been recommending Frilu to everyone looking for a special dining experience in Toronto especially those who are looking to go outside downtown.
In 2023, Frilu is the only Toronto restaurant to be awarded both a Michelin Star and a Michelin Green Star.
Michelin Star Inspector notes for Frilu Restaurant:
“There is a saying that we should dance like nobody’s watching. This adage feels true of Chef John-Vincent Troiano, who cooks to his own rhythm in Thornhill. Smoke, game and refined sauce-work figure prominently on what might be the only tasting menu for several kilometers. A tiny space packed with talent, the sparsely decorated nook leaves everything on the plate, with high-quality product from their own farm coupled with an intriguing Japanese element that feels natural.”
Michelin Green Star Inspector notes for Frilu Restaurant:
“Owner-established Willowolf Farm uses no-till methods to grow fruits and vegetables for Frilu to use throughout the seasons. Chef John-Vincent Troiano hand-picks produce every morning to ensure a truly sustainable farm-to-table experience. A composting program uses all kitchen waste to enrichen the farm’s soil. Canadian ingredients, bought from local markets and farmers, are used throughout the year.”
Website / Address: 7713 Yonge St, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 2C4
Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto
While Toronto has many omakase restaurants, Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto opened in 2009 as the first Japanese restaurant to offer a kaiseki experience in Toronto (maybe even in Canada).
Located in uptown Toronto, Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto is the most authentic Japanese kaiseki experience you can get in Canada without flying to Japan, aptly housed inside the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.
When I dined there in 2016, I thought Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto was one of the closest you can get to a three Michelin Star restaurant experience in Toronto.
Owner and Chef Masaki Hashimoto with his son Kei has mastered the art of Omotenashi, or Japanese hospitality.
The Kaiseki takes you on a journey of culinary craft and mastery with each course telling a story.
You also end the experience with a shortened version of an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, something you cannot get anywhere else in Toronto.
Michelin Inspector notes for Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto:
“Chef Masaki Hashimoto’s traditional kaiseki eight-course menu showcases the seasons while celebrating Japanese ingredients. It’s all about focus over flash with a refined intricate style and attention to detail that borders on reverence. Shii-zakana is a signature dish composed of fried soba noodle-wrapped shrimp, but it’s the stunning radish crane that you’ll remember.”
Website / Address: 6 Garamond Ct, North York, Ontario M3C 1Z5
Osteria Giulia
Opened in October 2021, Osteria Giulia is one of the newest restaurants that made it to the list of Michelin Star restaurants in Toronto.
Located in Yorkville, Osteria Giulia is one of the best Italian restaurants in Toronto opened by Chef Rob Rossi and David Minicucci, who are the same masterminds behind the Michelin Recommended Giulietta, which I also highly recommend.
Not your traditional Italian restaurant, don’t expect pizzas at Osteria Giulia.
Instead, you’ll be taken along the northern Italian coastline to enjoy the cuisine of Liguria.
Must-try food and drink at Osteria Giulia:
- Focaccia di Recco – Stracchino Stuffed Ligurian Flatbread, Olio Novello & Sea Salt – a traditional flatbread that originated in the town of Recco, Liguria.
- Lorighittas al Mare – Hand Braided Pasta, Wild Squid, Bay Scallops, Chili, Garlic & Anchovy
- Caffé Miscellato – OG Liquore al Caffé & Punch Abruzzo
Michelin Inspector notes for Osteria Giulia:
“It seems nearly impossible to have a bad time at Chef Rob Rossi’s Italian stunner. Many Italian menus can look the same, Rossi narrows in on the seafood-rich traditions of Liguria. A deep Italian wine list and an especially talented cocktail program round out an experience that is as accomplished as it is hospitable.”
Website / Address: 134 Avenue Rd, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2H6
Quetzal
Opened in August 2018 by one of Toronto’s popular restaurateur Grant van Gameren, Quetzal specializes in upscale and modern Mexican cuisine in Little Italy.
Quetzal is one of the best Mexican restaurants that doesn’t serve your usual tacos and burritos.
It is also one of the only three Michelin Star restaurants in Toronto that isn’t a tasting menu, although they do have a “let the kitchen curate a menu for you” option.
Inside is modern and intimate with dimly lit lights, and a straightforward hallway where the left side is bar seating and the right side is dining tables.
It’s open kitchen and bar concept at Quetzal so it’s a wonderful sight to see the bartenders make craft cocktails, and the 26-foot-long wood-burning grill making your dishes.
I love the creative and elevated take on Mexican food. Chef Steven Molnar did such an amazing job with the menu.
Must-try food at Osteria Giulia:
- Dry Aged Amberjack Aguachile – Rhubarb, Pasilla & chickpea miso, white soy, cucumber
- Empanada Oaxaquena – lamb barbacoa, salsa molcajete, valentine radish, salsa de ajo
- Newfoundland Scallops – in the shell with green garlic butter, sea asparagus, morita chili
- Pork Secreto Al Pastor – charred pineapple, caramelized onion salsa
- Bone Marrow & Wild Argentinian Shrimp – pasilla & Ontario wild flower honey glaze, tortillas
- Tres Leches Cake – spiced Mexican chocolate, charcoal cream, tonka bean
Michelin Inspector notes for Quetzal:
“Almost everything on this tight menu passes through the kitchen’s 26-foot-long wood-burning grill that actively roars and smokes. At the end of the line is a single chef at the earthenware comal, who prepares tortillas from heirloom corn that is nixtmalized and ground in-house. Lamb barbacoa packed into griddled, blue masa tortillas and charred maitake mushrooms set in a crema poblana highlight the transformative magic of fire, while dry-aged amberjack aguachile flexes the kitchen’s delicate side.”
1) PORK SECRETO AL PASTOR ($46)
2) BONE MARROW & WILD ARGENTINIAN SHRIMP ($52)
3) NEWFOUNDLAND SCALLOPS ($39)
Website / Address: 419 College St, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1T1
Yukashi Japanese Cuisine
Opened in 2018 in midtown Toronto’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, Yukashi offers a seasonal tasting menu focused on traditional Japanese dishes with local and seasonal ingredients.
Though limited table seating is available at this small and intimate 15-seater open-kitchen Japanese restaurant, you’ll want to sit at the bar so you can watch Chef Daisuke Izutsu in action as he carefully crafts each course in front of you.
The 9 course seasonal tasting menu follows a Kaiseki-style format with a limited sake pairing available:
- Appetizer
- Soup
- Otsukuri
- Uni Niku (Signature Dish)
- Main Dish
- Tempura Dish
- Fish Dish
- Rice + Miso Soup
- Dessert
Michelin Inspector notes for Yukashi:
“Chef Daisuke Izutsu has cooked for royals, dignitaries, and you, if you’re one of the lucky 15 who has secured a seat at the intimate Yukashi. Firmly rooted in seasonality, this kaiseki-style menu is highly original and personal. The otsukuri, with slices of shima aji with yuzu zest, toro with pickled turnip and hay-smoked hamachi delicately arranged atop a white marble base, is a work of art.”
Website / Address: 643a Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, Ontario M4S 2M9
VIDEO: CP24 Breakfast Interview on Michelin Guide Toronto 2023
The morning of the Toronto Michelin Guide 2023 ceremony, CP24 Breakfast invited me as a guest on the show since I have visited more than half of the Michelin Star restaurants in Toronto.
We discussed Michelin Guide’s impact in Toronto, What is Michelin Bib Gourmand, new Michelin Restaurants added in 2023, what people expect in Michelin restaurants, and predictions on who would get Michelin Stars in Toronto.
VIDEO: Michelin Star Toronto Guide Revelation 2022
Toronto and the rest of Canada were buzzing with excitement as the Toronto Michelin Guide was launched on September 13, 2022 at the Evergreen Brick Works.
I was thrilled and immensely honoured to be part of this historic event.
Here’s an inside look at the exclusive Michelin Star Revelation 2022 Toronto.
MAP: Michelin Star Toronto Restaurants
Here’s a map of the Michelin Star Restaurants in Toronto featured in this guide.
Hope this food guide gives you an idea on where to eat in Toronto for Michelin Star dining!
I’m always looking for recommendations so please let me know what you find are the best Michelin restaurants in Toronto I should try!