Announcing Toronto’s 2023 Michelin star restaurants!

In its second year in Toronto, the Michelin Guide has made a triumphant return. The swanky  event took place at HISTORY on Wednesday night, where a fresh wave of top restaurants basked in the glory of receiving these prestigious accolades.

This year, two new Toronto restaurants have achieved their coveted first Michelin star, adding to the 13 restaurants that received stars last year.

Without further delay, here are the two new Toronto additions to the Guide and what the Michelin Inspectors had to say about them.

Kappo Sato

The room is a constant blur of motion thanks to a young team that hurries about preparing multiple courses at once. Chef Takeshi Sato is their seasoned guide, as he moves with intention, ever masterful with a knife, and works with an impressive bounty of ingredients, most of which are flown in from Japan. Soulful dashi broths weave in and out of view alongside clever courses like tempura fried mackerel with shiso or seared toro nigiri with Japanese green onions.

Restaurant 20 Victoria

On a quiet stretch of downtown Toronto, Chef Julie Hyde is making her talents known in this tiny-but-mighty restaurant that captured the city’s heart the day it opened. Top-notch local produce, pristine seafood and refined sauce work make for a delicious trifecta on a seasonal tasting menu that boasts originality in spades. Recent highlights included smoked beets with oyster cream as well as grilled fish with beurre blanc and eel crumble. The dimly lit dining room is elegantly easy-going, as Hyde and her small team work with laser-like focus from a kitchen that’s simultaneously always in use and always pristine. Service mirrors the kitchen’s unpretentious approach, offering a warm, often jovial sense of hospitality that doesn’t miss a beat.

Four restaurants — BB’s, White Lily, Tiflis and Sunny Chinese  earned the coveted Bib Gourmand recognition, celebrating exceptional dining experiences that come at affordable prices. These establishments provide the opportunity to enjoy two courses along with either a glass of wine or a dessert, all for under $60.

Frilu, and White Lily Diner were awarded the city’s first Michelin Green Stars for their outstanding commitment to sustainable gastronomy.

At the ceremony, four special awards were also presented:

• The bar team from Mexican restaurant Quetzal received the Exceptional Cocktails Award.
• The Michelin Sommelier Award went to Marco Thompson from Osteria Giulia.
• Restaurant 20 Victoria’s front-of-house team won the Outstanding Service Award.
• Chef David Schwartz from Sunnys Chinese was awarded Michelin’s Young Chef Award

Seven restaurants were also added to Michelin’s recommended restaurants including Alder, FK, Kiln, Parquet, Mimi Chinese, Vela and The Wood Owl.

Toronto made history in May 2022 by becoming the first Michelin Guide destination in Canada and the sixth in North America. The inaugural selection of restaurants was unveiled last September, highlighting the city’s impressive culinary scene.