The foodies have spoken! Toronto, known for its abundance of excellent restaurants, now has 19 establishments leading the pack, as revealed by OpenTable’s latest restaurant list, rounding up the top 100 restaurants in Canada for 2023.
What sets this list apart is its reliance on real diners rather than traditional food critics. The selection process involved analyzing over 1.1 million diner reviews, utilizing a methodology that considered factors such as diner ratings, the percentage of reservations made in advance, and the presence of five-star reviews.
“Our 2023 data not only shows that diners are talking about culinary experiences within restaurant reviews, but their appetite has grown for them – with OpenTable Experiences seeing a 35% increase in seated diners from January to September, compared to last year,” Steve Sintra, Senior Vice President, OpenTable Americas, said in a press release statement.
Among the 19 Toronto restaurants, the culinary powerhouse Liberty Entertainment Group stands out with not just one, but two of their establishments making the list. One of these is even adorned with a prestigious Michelin star.
Established in Italy, Don Alfonso 1890 is just one of three Italian restaurants that made OpenTable’s list.
Situated atop the Westin Harbour Castle, overlooking picturesque Lake Ontario, Don Alfonso is a scene and undeniably one of the most upscale places in the city. The food is a testament to both finesse and creativity — each bite evokes visions of a Mediterranean feast.
It’s hardly surprising that the Michelin-starred restaurant, acknowledged as the Best Italian Restaurant in the World outside of Italy in 2021, lives up to its reputation. Guided by chef Davide Ciavattella, the food at Don Alfonso not only meets but creatively challenges our expectations of fine Italian cuisine. It’s an experience that should not be missed.
BlueBlood Steakhouse stands out as the only steakhouse on the list, making a steak dinner at Casa Loma’s BlueBlood the best in the city. Offering a dining experience that feels like a journey into a different world. The blend of classic heritage architecture and modern art, featuring works by Warhol, Dali, and Mr. Brainwash creates a unique ambiance.
Adding to the opulence are dishes like a tower of shellfish, seared Marieville foie gras, and Kagosa. The restaurant is located inside the majestic Casa Loma, which underwent a $3 million makeover in 2014 under Liberty Entertainment Group. During the Holiday season, Casa Loma is once again being transformed into a winter wonderland with Christmas at the Castle and Holiday Lights, another reason to stop by.
If any of these restaurants catch your eye, be sure to grab a table as soon as possible. The list drops just in time for the holiday season, which happens to be one of the busiest times for restaurants industry-wide.