Dining out, when done well, is a complete experience. To stand out in Toronto means to go beyond wood beams and Edison bulbs. The food is, of course, always the focal point. But the whole scene needs to be set—from the drinks, to the service, to the details, to the all-important ambiance.
Here is View The Vibe’s list of Toronto’s best designed restaurants. In short, the ones that encourage you to see the forest for the trees.
Oretta
The Italian eatery that boasts the likes of chef Christian Fontolan, David Rocco. Plus restaurateur Salvatore Mele at its helm didn’t miss anything. The room is beautifully structured, with the dining room centred around the bar, which is the focal point. The marble bar was designed by Toronto’s Commute Design and isn’t the only show-stopping piece. The art deco inspired wall treatments and the colourful tiles (laid out in a chevron pattern) have been Instagrammed more than once. And while the design is stunning, trust us – the food is just as good.
Piano Piano
Thanks to the creative genius of designer Tiffany Pratt, chef Victor Barry’s restaurant is bright, bold and fun. The restaurant cannot be missed. From the exterior, the restaurant is light pink with a bold floral treatment. One that Pratt shared Barry was unsure about. Every aspect of the space is unique and approachable. The menus designed to look like newspapers. There is artwork created by Barry’s own daughter, floral wallpaper and black, gold and white dominating the colour palette. The space is memorable and the food, equally so.
Cluny
Another French bistro, Cluny belongs to the already picturesque Distillery District. This restaurant is polished, elegant and decidedly ornate. Designed by Munge Leung Design the 11,000 square foot space and features patterned floors, touches of marble, blue-trimmed chairs and tables. Plus, an intriguing blend of near-industrial grays and Art Deco inspiration.
La Banane
To say that the brand new restaurant from chef Brandon Olsen is one of the hottest in the city would not be a lie. Packed nearly every night, the modern French restaurant has a 90-seat dining room. It has a modern touch thanks to Olsen’s wife, Sarah Keenleyside. While she worked with Mason Studio on the interior design to align with her vision, she curated the art inside the restaurant. The theme throughout the restaurant is very art deco. It features opulent chandeliers and beautiful gold-plated finishes.
Bar Raval
When the first images of Bar Raval surfaced on Instagram, jaws dropped and fingers were set a-twitter. And for good reason. Designed by Partisans, this 1,980 sq ft restaurant is evocative of Mobius strips carved from mahogany. Part hollow-in-a-tree, part Nevada-esque landscape, Grant van Gameren tasked Partisan with creating comfort in a standing-room-only space. The notion was to encourage you to lean into the wood. Whether or not the lack of seating leaves something to be desired, this is undoubtedly a unique spot for pintxos.
Leña
If you’ve stepped into Oliver & Bonacini restaurant at any point your jaw may have dropped. The beautifully designed Leña debuted as part of the brand new Saks Fifth Avenue in Toronto. The three-floor restaurant boasts 11,000 square feet of space for a design concept executed by the DesignAgency. It boasts rich colours, back lit etched glass, marble paneled walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. The restaurant combines historical and contemporary influences with a lot of style.
Byblos
Khabouth and Harji’s Byblos is a two-floor one-two punch designed by Commute Design. There’s the spacious dining room with views of the stylish open kitchen and the bar area upstairs. Then there are details such as the blue cording on the delicate light fixtures hanging over the kitchen bar. or the curious blend of lounge-like brown leather, slick geometric design, and near-whimsical lighting. Echoing the Middleterranean bent to the food, there’s a balanced mix of coastal and purely modern colourways.
Planta
If you’ve ever logged onto Instagram, you have seen a leafy Instagram or two from Planta. The restaurant, which focuses entirely on plant-based cuisine, decided to dedicate much of the design to all things green and leafy. Inside the 5,000 square foot space, all the interiors were handled by East Studio and owner, Steven Salm. Brightened up by skylights, the walls boast one-of-a-kind wallpaper of leafs designed by Candice Kaye. Plus a green leaf mural painted by Tisha Miles. It has splashes of black and white throughout the green dominated space. So make sure to stop by the swing canopy for your own Instagram moment.
Alo
Taking over the third floor of a heritage building at the corner of Queen St. and Spadina Ave., Alo is a venture from Patrick Kriss and Amanda Bradley. Another Commute Home design, the space exudes elegance with light gray banquettes, various tones of wood, and an abundance of natural light. Take a seat at the dim-lit bar and enjoy their cocktail program, or admire their open kitchen from the dining room.
Related Link: The 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Toronto
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