Ever thought tasting menus were too pricey? Think again! Toronto’s dining scene offers a spectrum of tasting experiences to fit any budget. From wallet-friendlier finds to over-the-top indulgences, here are the top tasting menus that will allow you to sit back, relax and let the experts guide you through a delicious feast.
Azura $78 for four to seven courses
At the brand-new restaurant Azura, explore the Mediterranean with their petit tasting menu. Priced at $72 per person, the tasting menu offers optional wine pairings and non-alcoholic cocktail flights, allowing guests to tailor their dining experience. Diners are welcomed with creative appetizers, like a French panisse topped with kohlrabi and ambrosia apple labneh, Osetra sturgeon caviar, and Greek bottarga of red mullet row preserved in beeswax. Standout dishes include the shawarma spiced halibut, combining East Coast halibut with an Egyptian spice blend and Spanish piquillo peppers, and the Ibérico Secreto, a marinated Spanish pork cut served with pink radicchio and fennel confit. The complete Chef’s tasting experience lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Sara $89 for four courses
Sara restaurant, located at Portland near Adelaide, offers a globally-inspired fine dining concept by the Food Dudes. “The Journey” showcases a combination of their signature and seasonal dishes, encompassing all that their Chef Team can bring to the table. Priced at $89 for four courses, some of the dishes include Hamachi Sashimi for the first course, Wagyu Reuben for the second course, and for dessert Profiterole topped with caramel, dulce de leche and spiced pecan.
AP Restaurant $95 for six courses
Celebrity restaurateur Antonio Park’s restaurant, AP, situated high atop the 51st floor of The Manulife Centre in Toronto’s prestigious Yorkville neighbourhood, now offers a six-course dining experience for just $95. AP’s Chef’s Tasting Experience breaks from tradition. Guests start with a surprise amuse bouche, followed by their choice of first and second courses, a main dish and a dessert. Plus, a palate-cleansing hibiscus granita refreshes the palate midway through the meal.
Richmond Station $140 for seven courses
Richmond Station, near Yonge and Richmond at the edge of the financial district, offers a unique dining experience. Downstairs, enjoy a casual tavern atmosphere with high ceilings and white subway tile. Upstairs, discover a smaller dining room featuring a chef’s rail and a pantry room for larger groups. Their renowned tasting menu, priced at $140 for seven courses, showcases dishes like East Coast Scallop Sashimi, Braised Venison Ravioli and Black Forest Mousse.
Aburi Hana $300 f0r eight courses
Experience the elegance of Aburi Hana, a Japanese restaurant from Aburi Restaurants Canada, known for Miku Toronto and TORA. Located in a laneway off Yorkville Avenue, the restaraunt offers an intimate kyō-kaiseki dining experience, drawing from Japanese tea ceremony traditions. Enjoy the signature 12-course experience for $430 per guest or an introductory 8-course option for $300, both available at the Chef’s Counter and Kakurega Private Dining Rooms.
Sushi Masaki Saito $680 for 17 courses
At Sushi Masaki Saito, a prestigious omakase restaurant in Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighborhood, the omakase dinner comes with a hefty price tag of $680 per person. It stands as the sole restaurant in Canada boasting a two Michelin-starred chef, Masaki Saito, who earned this accolade during his tenure in New York from 2017 to 2018. Sourcing their fish from Japan, Sushi Masaki Saito ensures maximum freshness by flying it in twice weekly on a direct flight. Prepare to indulge in seven appetizers before the first nigiri graces your plate.