Best chocolates
Chocoholics head to Swiss-Master Chocolatier for fresh cream truffles. We love the honey one.
2538 Bayview Ave.
Ingrid’s pick: Best Chinese
“I always take family and friends from Switzerland to the Dragon Pearl Buffet. They have amazing entertainment.”
865 York Mills Rd., Unit 2
Best izakaya
The high-energy Kinka Izakaya always guarantees a stellar dining experience. Be sure to order the kaki mayo.
4775 Yonge St., Unit 114
Ippei’s pick: Best seafood
“I like to visit The Captain’s Boil for lobster, shrimp and snow crab legs with Captain’s Boil flavour in medium spice.”
5313 Yonge St.
Best deli
Pancer’s Original Deli is the real-deal Jewish deli. Come for the corned beef, the pastrami, the roast beef.…
3856 Bathurst St.
Lorne’s pick: Best for lunch
“United Bakers is a family-run business. Very personable. They have all kinds of traditional soups and great gefilte fish.”
506 Lawrence Ave. W.
Best Jamaican
When it comes to jerk chicken sammies, nobody even comes close to Allwyn’s. They also do Jamaican classics like curried goat and oxtail and have a new second location to boot.
81 Underhill Dr. & 9 Bogert Ave.
Best sushi
Kabuki has steadily been making a strong case for sushi, one roll at a time. Step outside the box and try the honey katsu crunch with chicken katsu, cuke, avo, torched cheese and … bacon bits.
4 O’Neill Rd.
Best homey Italian
We always love La Cascina not only for chef Luca Del Rosso’s amazing homey Italian fare, but for the warmth and hospitality from FOH partner-in-crime Sharifa Jordan.
1552 Avenue Rd.
Best steak house
Stepping into The David Duncan House is akin to being whisked away to a time before everything was dictated by a screen. Escape over a shrimp cocktail and steak Neptune.
125 Moatfield Dr.
Best pizza
Dining at Mezza Notte is like a warm hug from the motherland. Our hearts belong to the pizza — like the Calabrese with spicy soppressata or quattro formaggi. They even deliver.
5304 Yonge St.
Best Thai
Fans of Thai food need look no further than Linda Modern Thai Restaurant. Tom kah gai soup, Thai Islamic noodles and green curry are some of the standouts. And they do a mean PT.
11 Karl Fraser Rd.
Best for big salads
Around since ’71, The Pickle Barrel always serves up a slice of nostalgia. Head to the original location for the big Seinfeld’s salad with smoked turkey, roast beef, Black Forest ham and more.
5941 Leslie St.
Best new dim sum
Lovers of dim sum classics can swoon over picks from newbie Kwan at York Mills. Look for freshly made siu mai, BBQ pork buns and deep-fried yam balls.
808 York Mills Rd., Unit 8
Best Moroccan
The cosy Casa Maroc is just the place in which to expand your Moroccan taste buds. Sample couscous, various tagines and their homemade chicken pie. And always sip on mint tea.
1943 Avenue Rd.
Best bagel
Centenarian bakery Gryfe’s Bagel Bakery does their rounds Montreal style. Smaller, très light and available in 10 varieties, it’s real hard to eat just one. Put them in the trunk.
3421 Bathurst St.
Best new vegan dessert
B-A-N-A-N-A-S. Bananas serve as the base for all the Nanashake shakes. This new addition to the ’hood pairs vegan with tasty for great results. Best flavour? Spiced date, hands down.
4750 Yonge St., Unit 134
Best fishmonger
Those seeking fresh fish must check out the Japanese-style Taro’s Fish. Look for picks ranging from black cod to monk fish. And there’s sashimi for insta-snacking.
800 Sheppard Ave. E.
Best Indian
With everything from chef’s special thali for lunch to Amritsari fish and tandoori lamb chops for dinner, Copper Chimney does north Indian dishes really, really well.
2050 Avenue Rd.
Best Laffa
Head straight to the counter at Dr. Laffa and order up the pillowy laffa stuffed with anything from falafel to shawarma to chicken schnitzel, if you’re feeling naughty.
3027 Bathurst St.
Best Historic Vibe
Jam-packed with history and then some, The Miller Tavern has skipped from traveller pit stop to scene of shady activities (gambling and more). Now, go for patio-side steak frites.
3885 Yonge St.
Best new burger
A new addition to the ’hood, Big Smoke Burger is our new fave for lunch. They do a mean job with the double cheeseburger, or go classic with horseradish mayo and caramelized onions.
799 York Mills Rd.
Best fancy lunch
Sophisticates head to Auberge du Pommier for a slice of France in a setting that encourages good behaviour. French classics like hand-cut beef tartare and vichyssoise dot the menu.
4150 Yonge St.
Best candy shop
A spiffy new addition to the area, Papabubble rules when it comes to hard candies. Impress your pals with custom-made bonbons at the next big soiree.
3360 Yonge St.
Best bubble tea
The drinks menu at Tea Shop 168 whacks it out of the park. Slurp on green or black teas — with or without milk — and an endless array of flavours from green apple to red plum.
5193 Yonge St.
Best toast mountains
Anyone looking for an out-of-this-world dessert experience best hit up Petit Potato. There, 10-inch mountains are built from thick-cut golden toast and drenched in toppings.
10 Ravel Rd., Unit 1-2
Still the best…
Best teppanyaki – Katsura – 900 York Mills Rd.
Best Peking duck – Peking Man – 1108 Sheppard Ave. E
Best bacon sandwich – Paradise Steak House & Oyster Bar – 678c Sheppard Ave. E
Best steak sandwich – Glow Fresh Grill – 7 Marie Labatte Rd. Unit E1
Best wings – Bisto on Avenue – 1678 Avenue Rd.
Best diner fare – Hazel’s Diner – 3401 Yonge St.
