The renowned anonymous Michelin Inspectors spend their lives traveling in search of hidden culinary treasures in every destination. This means they possess a wealth of knowledge when it comes to savouring delicious meals (or desserts). Interestingly enough, they were tasked with compiling their TOP recommendations for dining in Toronto and here is their favourites from right across the city, and we couldn’t agree more.
Here are the 7 best dishes (both sweet and savoury) from Toronto restaurants that are Michelin Guide Inspectors favourites:
Their selections include Georgian delights such as leek pkhali at Tiflisi, comforting homestyle chinese classics like chicken thighs at Sunnys Chinese, and an irresistible coconut cream pie (crafted with a macadamia crust) at Alder. The Michelin Inspectors faced a challenging task, but the options listed below represent a sampling of the flavours that truly captivated their palates.
Take a look at the complete list below (in no particular order), and be sure to return to explore the full 2023 updated Michelin Guide Toronto list!
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1. Leek Pkhali
From Tiflisi, a Central Asian restaurant in The Beaches area of Toronto off Queen St E.
Because according to the Michelin Inspectors, “Excellent leek pkhali with five pucks made out of boiled sweet leeks, spinach, softly sweated onions, bound in a light walnut sauce. This was really good and the green vegetables came through so refreshing and vibrant. This dish is a reminder that not all Georgian food is heavy kebobs, filling dumplings or the gut-busting khachapuri.”
2. Vinegared Dish
From Kappo Sato, a contemporary Japanese restaurant in the Mt Pleasant East area of Toronto.
Because according to the Michelin Inspectors, “So simple but well done. Excellent quality monkfish liver set in a light sweet soy, a superb miso paste on top, and a brushing of yuzu zest which really lifts this up and balances any intense richness from the liver.”
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“So simple but well done.”
Michelin Guide Inspectors
3. Beets and oyster cream
From 20 Victoria, a contemporary Seafood restaurant in the Fin’ District of downtown Toronto.
Because according to the Michelin Inspectors, “There are so many wonderful, seasonal creations at this restaurant. The cooking is thoughtful and deceptively simple as in this dish with smoked yellow beets with oyster cream, watercress and sorrel dressed in good olive oil. The beets are tender and sweet, and then comes the cream. It’s briny, umami packed, a tinge smoky — an original combination.“
4. Coconut Cream Pie
From Alder, a wood-fired restaurant with a seasonal-Mediterranean inspired menu, inside the Ace Hotel Toronto, led by chef Patrick Kriss, in the Fashion District off of West Queen West in Toronto.
Because according to the Michelin Inspectors, “We didn’t think we’d make much of a dent but the whole thing disappeared like a magic trick. The macadamia crust is buttery, crumbly and light, as is the coconut cream, chantilly cream and the garnish, which is a torrent of shaved white chocolate and dark chocolate that has been pressed with hazelnut crust. This is impressively light. We hope it never leaves the menu!“
5. Shrimp Toast
From MiMi Chinese, a upscale Chinese restaurant in the Bloor-Yorkville Toronto-area.
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Because according to the Michelin Inspectors, “This restaurant likes having a good time and no dish better exemplifies that than this playful, flavour-packed riff on shrimp toast featuring fried white Wonder bread, a plucky block of shrimp, red vinegar and a hot mustard mayo. This is incredible. The bread is so crisp and rich —a perfect foil for the shrimp and the sweet dipping sauce.” But don’t just take it from them, I’d second that and say that MiMi’s shrimp toast is probably one of the best dishes I’ve ever had in Toronto. Yup, you can quote me on that one!
MiMi’s shrimp toast is probably one of the best dishes I’ve ever had in Toronto.
Steven Branco, View the VIBE’s editor-in-chief and chief creative officer of STAMINA Group.
6. Grilled Chicken Thigh
From Sunnys Chinese, a Chinese restaurant in the Kensington Market area of Toronto.
Because according to the Michelin Inspectors, “The cooking goes big and doesn’t hold back. For this dish, the dry rub consists of cumin, hot chili and Sichuan peppercorn. This is then grilled, sliced into strips, and plated in a mound. Gosh, this is wildly good. So many parts of the thigh are crispy, charred black without being bitter, and the combo of fragrant cumin, spicy chili oil and crispy bits is a knock-out. Nearly devoured this entire dish, which could easily feed 2-3.”
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7. Petit tender and pomme allumettes
From The Wood Owl, a contemporary restaurant in the Danforth area of Toronto off of Danforth Ave.
Because according to the Michelin Inspectors, “The Wood Owl gets all the little details right. It’s such a cozy, welcoming place and their weekly specials show wonderful levels of care. On this day, a roast, medium rare, with a pleasant crust served with a lovely, glossy red wine jus thickened with bone marrow and paired with tender, melting roasted cippolini onions and a tangle of shoestring French fries. It’s a plate that’s familiar, done properly, seasoned well, and goes down easy with a glass of wine.“
