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11 of Toronto’s outstanding spots for celebrating special occasions

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by Jessica Huras
Updated 27 April 2023

Torontonians come from all corners of the world. So it’s only natural that the special occasion restaurants in Canada’s largest city have global sensibilities.

Celebrate a relationship milestone at a hidden French countryside escape in Midtown. Take a group gathering to a lively King West karaoke spot with Sichuan-inspired plates. For an epic birthday dinner, head to a Harbourfront Italian icon that was just awarded a MICHELIN star.

Queen City’s restaurants are ready to host your next anniversary, family reunion, or promotion. Read on for a list of Toronto's top 11 special occasion spots to book now.

A photo of Enigma Yorkville restaurant
Enigma Yorkville
4.8
4.8 (519)
CAN$51 and over
International
Yorkville
About the restaurant
The dining experience at Enigma wows from start to finish. It begins with the striking interiors, lined with mosaic tiles that glitter like tiny jewels. Dishes feature seasonal ingredients, European techniques, and exquisite plating—all while showcasing chef Quinton Bennett’s passion for molecular gastronomy. The blind format tasting menu means that diners are treated to delightful surprises emerging from the restaurant’s open kitchen. Plates might include British Columbia king salmon with pickled wild coho salmon roe, Tajima wagyu with shiitake and kelp, and matcha and pistachio opera cake. Bennett’s imaginative culinary approach earned the restaurant a MICHELIN star this September.
Top review
Dr. Raj
Dined 7 days ago
Chef Quinton Bennett created the perfect meal for my wife’s birthday. His genius lies in his precision to create memorable dishes, creating memorable flavour profiles, and most importantly presenting them in unique ways. Not to mention that his tasting menu produced some of the best dishes I have ever eaten. It is extremely difficult to illicit emotional responses when eating a tasting menu. Chef Bennett did that in spades. have been to many Michelin star restaurants around the world. Other than food, what makes Enigma so special? Mocktail pairings that are better than wine pairings. Each mocktail was memorable, unique, and accentuated the flavour profiles in a way I have never experienced them. Need another reason to dine at Enigma. None. It is quite simply the best restaurant period. I live in Ottawa and will absolutely travel to Toronto just to dine at Enigma. The staff was also amazing. Very present and very helpful. Daria is the first person you meet when you arrive at the restaurant. She is pleasant and very accommodating. James manages the waiters and his exceptional attention to details definitely shows. Vlado and the barman responsible for the mocktails are brilliant and when you try them you will understand my sentiments. Perfect restaurant which provided the perfect meal. I believe there is no bigger compliment I can give. I have never had a perfect meal. Until now. That is why I choose to eat at Michelin star restaurants. I will never forget Chef Quinton Bennett. Go and dine at Enigma.
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A photo of The Macallan Lounge Multi-Sensory Experience of a restaurant
Experience
The Macallan Lounge Multi-Sensory Experience
A photo of Tasting Menu 8 Courses of a restaurant
Experience
Tasting Menu 8 Courses
A photo of Lunch 5 Courses Set Menu (Friday-Saturday) of a restaurant
Experience
Lunch 5 Courses Set Menu (Friday-Saturday)
A photo of Auberge du Pommier restaurant
Auberge du Pommier
4.8
4.8 (5321)
CAN$51 and over
French
Midtown / Uptown
About the restaurant
This lush and quaint haven was once a pair of woodcutter’s cottages that date back to the 1860s. Today, the upscale French restaurant, a special occasion gem, remains a hidden paradise in an otherwise nondescript pocket of midtown Toronto. The rustic and homey decor is enhanced by pristine French fare that can be enjoyed a la carte or via a tasting menu. Decadent, celebration-worthy creations include Dungeness crab with celeriac consomme, sablefish with black rice, and yuzu, lemon, and white chocolate mousse for dessert.
Top review
Irina
Dined 2 days ago
Always a delightful experience. Food and service never disappoint.
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Popular dish
Foie Gras
A photo of Chocolat of a restaurant
Popular dish
Chocolat
A photo of Creme Brulee of a restaurant
Popular dish
Creme Brulee
A photo of Baro restaurant
Baro
4.4
4.4 (1348)
CAN$30 and under
Latin American
King West
About the restaurant
The flavors of South America, from Colombia to Argentina, are on display at this fiesta of a restaurant. Baro spans four festive floors: at the ground-level dining room, order à la carte or from the chef’s recommended spread including the “big ass steak,” pollo asado (half-roasted chicken), duck chaufa, and more. After dinner, head upstairs for some cocktails in the speakeasy. The rooftop patio exudes liveliness and serves a more shareable menu, ideal for group gatherings.
Top review
Karen
Dined on 13 Nov 2024
We arrived at Pearson Airport at 10:00 PM and had a 10:30 reservation for dinner. We felt extremely lucky to be able to find a restaurant willing to take a 10:30 reservation. We ordered our food and drinks quickly and our orders came quickly as well. We ate but did not feel rushed. I had the grilled octopus and truffle cassava frita. The octopus was pretty pricy at $33 but was very tasty and the sauce was phenomenal. The fried cassava was pretty dense and cut pretty thick. I would have preferred if the pieces were a bit smaller. They were a bit on the bland side but dipped in the sauce, they were quite tasty.
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A photo of Ceviche de Atún of a restaurant
Popular dish
Ceviche de Atún
A photo of Hiramasa Ceviche of a restaurant
Popular dish
Hiramasa Ceviche
A photo of Kingfish Ceviche of a restaurant
Popular dish
Kingfish Ceviche
A photo of Canoe Restaurant and Bar restaurant
Canoe Restaurant and Bar
4.5
4.5 (6229)
CAN$51 and over
Contemporary Canadian
Financial District
About the restaurant
Woo someone special with the views of the Toronto skyline at this fine-dining restaurant on the 54th floor of the TD tower. Canoe, a decades-old spot that recently underwent a $2 million dollar facelift, has established itself as a special occasions stalwart. Snag a seat by the window facing the CN Tower to watch the sunset and feast on dishes that showcase Canadian-sourced ingredients. Top choices include tender wild Pacific halibut and Atlantic salmon with short rib and smoked mussel-stuffed squid. Up the ante on a special evening by choosing the seasonally rotating tasting menu and wine pairing option.
Top review
johnvip
Dined 2 days ago
I had a group of clients visiting from Italy, everyone in the restaurant were absolutely first class especially those who accommodated us with items for our two groups to sign our bottle of champagne. Food was very good, with a very good wine selection.
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A photo of Christmas Eve Prix Fixe Lunch of a restaurant
Experience
Christmas Eve Prix Fixe Lunch
A photo of New Year's Eve at Canoe of a restaurant
Experience
New Year's Eve at Canoe
A photo of $185 Tasting Menu of a restaurant
Experience
$185 Tasting Menu
A photo of Quetzal restaurant
Quetzal
4.8
4.8 (937)
CAN$51 and over
Mexican
Little Italy / College St.
About the restaurant
A 28-foot wood-fire grill is at the heart of both the menu and the space at Quetzal, a restaurant made for special birthdays and anniversaries. Quetzal recently acquired a MICHELIN star and much of the credit for the honor goes to owner Grant Van Gameren executive chef Steven Molnar, who previously worked at Bar Raval and Bar Isabel. Quetzal’s impeccable menu draws on diverse Mexican culinary influences to offer sikil pak, a Mayan pumpkin seed dip; tlayuda, a crunchy, housemade tortilla topped with chorizo; and whole sea bream with salsa roja.
Top review
Dawn
Dined 1 day ago
Outstanding, as usual. The flat iron tartare was the winner dish of the evening, a 'special' that deserves a permanent spot on the menu. Service was impeccable; the servers' attention to detail was exactly what you would expect from a M rated restaurant. My third time at Quetzal. So far, its been better each time I go.
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A photo of Newfoundland Scallops of a restaurant
Popular dish
Newfoundland Scallops
A photo of Pork Secreto al Pastor of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pork Secreto al Pastor
A photo of Scallop Ceviche of a restaurant
Popular dish
Scallop Ceviche
A photo of DASHA restaurant
DASHA
4.4
4.4 (893)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Asian
King West
About the restaurant
Conceived by award-winning chef Akira Back, this sprawling space evokes the chic vibes of a Chinatown speakeasy. Dasha’s second-floor karaoke rooms are especially well-suited for celebrations. Dine on juicy Peking duck with wafer-thin crispy skin, wasabi prawns, and “millionaire” fried rice with lobster and truffle. The whimsical cocktails are also noteworthy, as is the extensive range of wines, Champagne, spirits, and beer.
Top review
Katherine
Dined 1 day ago
Great service and great food! Cocktails were delicious!
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A photo of Duck Fried Rice of a restaurant
Popular dish
Duck Fried Rice
A photo of Sunday Bottomless Bites of a restaurant
Experience
Sunday Bottomless Bites
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Experience
Sushilicious
A photo of Don Alfonso 1890 restaurant
Don Alfonso 1890
4.8
4.8 (2242)
CAN$51 and over
Contemporary Italian
Harbourfront
About the restaurant
Don Alfonso’s original MICHELIN-starred location on Italy’s Amalfi Coast is headed by acclaimed chefs Alfonso and Ernesto Iaccarino. The restaurant’s celebrated Toronto outpost was recently recognized with its own MICHELIN star. With its luxurious dining room, sophisticated Mediterranean menu, and much-lauded tasting menu, Don Alfonso 1890 delivers everything you could ask for on a celebratory night out. Views dazzle diners from all sides: the Toronto skyline charms from the floor-to-ceiling windows; in the open kitchen, spot executive chef Daniele Corona artfully preparing dishes such as seared Quebec Muscovy duck breast and risotto with veal shank and Iranian saffron broth.
Top review
Rodvip
Dined 3 days ago
Our waiter was very good at cuiding us through the most delicious menu, giving us great suggestions on each and every dish. The food was fantastic I’ve been to most of the best restaurants in Toronto, Montreal and New York and I must say this ranks up there with the best. Don’t forget the gelato to finish your night off. Can’t wait to come back.
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A photo of IL RISOTTO CAPRESE of a restaurant
Popular dish
IL RISOTTO CAPRESE
A photo of I Ravioli of a restaurant
Popular dish
I Ravioli
A photo of I PACCHERI of a restaurant
Popular dish
I PACCHERI
A photo of LOUIX LOUIS restaurant
LOUIX LOUIS
4.7
4.7 (2447)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Contemporary American
Financial District
About the restaurant
This restaurant, ideal for a splashy night out, is unabashedly luxe with its gilded accents, whiskey-inspired ceiling mural, and pristine marble bar. On the 31st floor of The St. Regis hotel, the space exudes opulence and the dishes follow suit. The food is a modernist blend of new French and American cuisines, displayed in plates such as burrata with roasted apricot, wagyu steak with parsley and garlic fingerling potatoes, and whole truffle chicken served two ways with truffle jus. Saving room for dessert is a requirement here: the 13-layer chocolate cake with hazelnut praline buttercream, is a straight-up show stopper.
Top review
Cam
Dined 6 days ago
Absolutely amazing experience. Came here for my finances birthday cake and could not believe how big the slice of cake was. Super delicious. Enjoyed the ambiance and comfortable seats!
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A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant
Popular dish
Filet Mignon
A photo of Cowboy Steak of a restaurant
Popular dish
Cowboy Steak
A photo of Crab Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Crab Salad
A photo of Osteria Giulia restaurant
Osteria Giulia
4.7
4.7 (881)
CAN$51 and over
Italian
Yorkville
About the restaurant
After perfecting their refined approach to Italian cuisine through previous ventures such as Giulietta, executive chef Rob Rossi and restaurateur David Minicucci received a MICHELIN nod for their latest restaurant, Osteria Giulia. The two bring elegance to both Giulia’s menu and interiors (light-filled, lots of clean lines) with delicate northern Italian dishes including burrata drizzled with asfodelo honey and hand-braided pasta with wild squid and bay scallops. Drinks are as delicious as the food—another reason why this spot deserves a place on your special occasions list. Osteria Giulia offers a lengthy list of top-notch Italian wines and expertly executed cocktails that draw influence from the flavors of the Italian countryside.
Top review
rossvip
Dined 1 day ago
outstanding food ... fantastic service in a very warm and engaging atmosphere well worth the trip
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A photo of Convivio Family Style Menu of a restaurant
Experience
Convivio Family Style Menu
A photo of Yukashi Japanese Cuisine restaurant
Yukashi Japanese Cuisine
5.0
5 (348)
CAN$51 and over
Japanese
Yonge and Eglinton
About the restaurant
Yukashi has flown under the radar since quietly opening in 2018. But thanks to a recent star from MICHELIN, flocks will now head to this Japanese stunner. Led by chef Daisuke Izutsu, who cooked for the Japanese royal family, among other world leaders and celebrities, Yukashi is a hushed spot ideal for intimate occasions. Izutsu’s nine-course tasting menu celebrates seasonality, and he pays as much attention to plating as he does to ingredient selection, resulting in visually striking dishes with layers of rich, nuanced flavors.
Top review
Dawn
Dined 2 days ago
We had an exceptional evening at Yukashi. Chef was very entertaining and answered all of our questions about the ingredients and Japanese cuisine. Everything was creatively presented and flavourful. We enjoyed the sake pairings and trying the chef’s own sake creations. The service was excellent and the restaurant had a wonderful ambiance. It was fun and elegant.
A photo of Library Bar - Fairmont Royal York restaurant
Library Bar - Fairmont Royal York
4.8
4.8 (687)
CAN$30 and under
Unspecified
Financial District
About the restaurant
Set in the Fairmont Royal York hotel (one of Toronto’s grandest dames), the Library Bar regained its status as an iconic celebration spot after a 2021 makeover. Overflowing with the rich textures of velvet, marble, and leather, the Art Deco interiors nod to the hotel’s heritage. The refreshed food menu also pays homage to the Fairmont’s origins with nostalgic dishes such as chicken liver pâté and cape d’or salmon with beluga lentils. The Birdbath Martini is a must-order: made with gin or vodka distilled exclusively for the hotel and served tableside with pickled red onions and olives, it’s a cocktail that amplifies any special occasion.
Top review
Jo-Anne
Dined on 15 Nov 2024
Comfortable leather lounge chairs, warm light. Service excellent. Food delish and wine excellent.
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A photo of New Year's Eve Dinner - 1st seating of a restaurant
Experience
New Year's Eve Dinner - 1st seating
A photo of New Year's Eve Dinner - 2nd seating of a restaurant
Experience
New Year's Eve Dinner - 2nd seating

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