Dreyfus is a cosy French bistro from Zach Kolomeir, former chef de cuisine at Montreal’s revered Joe Beef restaurant. The brief, ever-changing menu focuses on simple, well-executed French fare, with a few nods to Kolomeir’s Jewish heritage and the culture’s influence on Québécois cuisine. Think dishes like baked oysters, with smoked eel and Parmesan, and

Duo patisserie is a chic Markham bakery that specializes in viennoiseries, cakes and chocolates. It is a French-inspired cafe with a Japanese flare. The must-try item here is the croissant which comes in the traditional form, as well as pain au chocolat, almond, chocolate almond, roast beef, ham and cheese, salami and cheese, and a

To visit Edulis is to feel immediately like a friend, ushered to a convivial dinner party that celebrates authentic cooking. The ever-changing, made-from-scratch menu highlights and celebrates seasonality, but does not veer from its cornerstones: seafood, vegetables, and wild mushrooms. The no-tipping eatery was deemed the best new restaurant in Canada when it opened in

Fleur du Jour is an artisanal patisserie serving up classic and inventive takes on icons of French baked goods. The space is minimalist yet affable, making for a perfect midday break to eat a pastry and sip on some tea or coffee. Everything is made from hand, fresh every day, ensuring a high standard of

Goûter means taste in French, and this patisserie’s offerings truly are a gift to the tastebuds. With bread baked fresh daily and a huge selection of both seasonal and staple desserts, there’s surely something to tickle everyone’s fancy at one of the bakery’s three locations. Fans can also preorder goodies or request custom cakes and treats

Authentic French goods, both sweet and savoury, come aplenty at this Avenue Road bakery. Flatbreads and small but flavourful toasties join simple yet delicious pizzas on the savoury portion of the menu, and out-of-this-world croissants in many flavours meet fruit tarts and chocolate eclairs in this homey bakery. All of the pastries are made daily,

In French, avoir la banane means you’ve got a big grin on your face. So it’s fitting that every single dish at La Banane is known to put smiles on faces. Inside the contemporary bistro on Ossington, the interior makes you feel like you’re part of the artsy crowd thanks to the countless works of art that dot the space.

La Bohème is a café and patisserie serving up the best in artisanal coffee and baked goods. With coffee made using the beans from Pilot Coffee and sweets from Jules Café Patisserie, La Bohème’s focus is to offer only the highest quality products. Along with a range of caffeine drinks and smoothies, La Bohème serves

In a world where rustic Italiana rules the city, and the likes of French onion soup and coq au vin are from when dinosaurs walked the earth, La Palette is a charming throwback. Yes, you can still make us happy with great lashings of butterfat — in unctuous sauce on pasta, in the compound butter

Opening late November on Wellington Street West, La Plume, another restaurant from O&B is a chic two-level brasserie by executive chef John Horne, that promises a blend of timeless French classics and fresh seaside flavours. With a robust rotisserie program and tartare bar, the menu caters to diverse tastes. The venue includes a tucked-away speakeasy for

Lapinou is a place where fine French dining meets comfort, fun, and hospitality. The new King West location has a powerhouse team behind it, including head chef Jamie Ullrich (Nota Bene, Estia) and Sommelier and general manager Lauren Hall (Terroni, Patria, Byblos). “I think when word gets out in Toronto that there’s a group of

Bienvenue à Le Baratin. This modern bistro is as close to France as you can get in this city. From its all-French management and kitchen team to a wine list that is 95 per cent from France, taste how locally sourced ingredients can make you feel an ocean away. Le Baratin’s head chef Jean Regis

This authentic Parisian bistro is like a trip to Paris without leaving the city. Le Select Bistro believes that what you put in your body has an impact on how you feel, so they look to provide real food with both flavour and nutrients. Their fish and seafood is certified sustainable by reputable third parties,

Who would have thought a second after ending the Black Hoof chapter the tireless restaurateur Jen Agg would work her magic in a storied Queen West space? Well she did, and it’s the eatery equivalent of a warm embrace. Le Swan’s skinny room showcases its original spirit and is darkened conspiratorially, with tableside lights allowing

French baked goods get a modern twist at Lumiere Patisserie, which is helmed by chefs Or Dehter and Nadav Gilad. With sweet treats like the noisette noir and the raspberry and pistachio tart, the patisserie is blooming with refreshing, bright flavours. And, with challah baked every Friday, alongside artisan Greek olive sourdough bread made in

Maison Selby is the newest addition to the Oliver and Bonacini family of fine dining locales, and the project has reinvigorated the historic Gooderham House at Sherbourne and Bloor. You’ll be able to get a little bit of everything here, as the skillful world of French cuisine meets a devotion to serving the multifaceted desires

The concept of Maman in First Canadian Place is to bring southern French home-style cooking and North American childhood favourites together in one space.

Located on Dundas, Milou Cafe is a Parisian-influenced café-bistro. The changing menu consists of a rotating selection of sandwiches served up on bread from Toronto’s beloved Blackbird Baking Co., including a classic French ham sando with Dijon on a baguette. One step through the doors shows off the French inspiration of this corner-or-the-street bistro. Inside,

Saturday afternoons are meant for brunch at The County General, then a stroll through Trinity Bellwoods Park ­­­­ — or at least past it to pick up some goodies, whether it’s a coffee stop at White Squirrel, a croissant stop (if you’re lucky) at Clafouti or over to Nadège Patisserie for fine French pastries and a colourful display of macarons fitting for the hues of fall.

In 2009, Nadège Nourian, a fourth-generation pastry chef from France, boldly set up an eponymous bakery and café in the immediate vicinity of Dufflet and Clafouti on Queen West. Now thriving with four locations and an ice cream shop, Nadège is really taking over the city’s pastry scene. The focus here is less on sit-down