After studying in France, pastry chef Gemma Steckel worked in some of the most popular restaurants in Europe and Toronto. Now, she’s serving up a modern twist on classic French desserts at XO Bisous. This charming café has a breakfast and lunch menu with salads and sandwiches made fresh daily with quality ingredients. Located in

XO Gelato wants you to give your mother a big kiss. Situated in the heart of the Davisville village, this dessert destination is a family-run community staple that hand makes its own gelato and sorbets. XO also offers up crepes and panini as the main meal that is often known to precede the dessert. To

At the east end of The Beach, a new Mexican restaurant called Xola has opened on the down-low. It has no listed phone number, no website, no Facebook page, no Yelp reviews and it has been open for almost a month; in the age of the insta-review, this lack of an online footprint is nearly

Toronto might be used to tasting dishes from across Asia, but no place mixes them into a workable concept in the way that Yaksha does. With Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian flavours, the small eatery combines the most popular flavours and dishes from Southeast Asia to create large and healthy rice bowls. At Yaksha, diners can

Only in the 21st century do such things as plant-based butchers exist. Yam Chops is the resident one in Little Italy, and its motto is “grown not raised,” which just about sums up the difference in the food. Stop in and sit down for a meal, do some grocery shopping or take a to-go lunch.

At Harbord’s jewel of a sushi restaurant, Yasuhisa Ouchi serenades his patrons bite by bite. Chef can be found behind the bar night after night, carefully preparing each piece of the omakase meal. Here, $110 gets you about 20 courses, starting with apps, like the delicacy shirako, before progressing to sashimi and sushi. Each course

Yeah Yeahs Pizza is Summerhill’s answer to a neighbourhood pizza joint that works at all times of the day. Be it a quick slice for lunch, a whole 18-inch pie to take home for dinner or a late night bite, Yeah Yeahs is serving up fresh and delicious pizzas in an uncomplicated and unpretentious cosy

Yitz’s Deli is a Toronto institution. The classic Jewish deli is one of the oldest in the city and has been serving up some Semitic comfort food since 1973. The flashing lights and giant orange sign will catch your eye as you pass Yitz’s Deli at the corner of Avenue Road and Eglinton Avenue. Once

Japanese fine dining is the name of the game at midtown’s Yukashi. Choose from either a four- or nine-course set menu (with sake pairings, if you’re so inclined) and enjoy a meal catered to the senses. Imagined up by celebrated Japanese chef Jin Lee and executive chef Daisuke Izutsu of Don Don Izakaya and Kasa

For over a decade, Yummy Stuff Bakery has been a one-stop shop for all baked goods. Be it a custom cake or an order of cookies, the talented bakers and helpful staff have been bringing dream designs to life. Now, Yummy Stuff Bakery is focusing less on that customization for major cakes and more on

The largest Chinese rice noodle chain in North America, with locations throughout the GTA, Vancouver, Montreal and now New York, Yunshang Rice Noodle specializes in “Crossing the Bridge” noodles. According to a popular fable, this dish was invented by the wife of a scholar who had to cross a bridge each day to bring him

Opened in 2008, Yuzu Sushi and Sake Bar on Adelaide has become a name synonymous with great sushi in the heart of downtown Toronto. After all, it’s not always possible to spend three hours over a dinner at Hashimoto or drop a hundred bucks on the omakase at Sushi Kaji (not to mention the drive out to the west end).

Zack’s Chocolates is the place to go if you’re looking for some awesome kosher chocolates. Located on Bathurst Street just north of Steeles Avenue, this chocolate shop makes sweet treats for every season. With a focus on chocolate bark, truffles and chocolate covered treats, Zack’s caters to Jewish members of its community by serving up

Translating to “the skewer” from Japanese, Zakkushi is the latest Vancouver transplant to hit Hogtown running. Tucked away in Cabbagetown — and but a stone’s throw from Kingyo, another Van City newbie — this izakaya is a warm sight on a winter’s eve, with cheerful lanterns beckoning from the window. Serving Japanese pub food, the

Zaza Espresso Bar’s location at 132 Cumberland St. has become a staple of Yorkville Village. The original founders, Carmine and Nancy, uphold Zaza’s roots to south Italian tradition, family and the belief that making the perfect espresso is an art form unto its own. The food options available, mostly baked goods, gelato and panini, are

Executive chef Lilian Cardoso has created a menu that offers a one-of-a-kind fusion of the traditional steak houses found throughout North and South America for Zebu Steak + Bar. This entertainment district spot places an emphasis on Brazilian cuisine but also features a series of vegan and vegetarian options, allowing everyone to enjoy the flavours

Originally opened in 1981 as Phoebe’s, Zee Grill is one of Toronto’s oldest seafood and oyster bars. With a name meaning “Sea Grill” in Dutch, Zee Grill offers an extensive menu of handpicked seafood favourites including lobster, calamari and salmon. The rotating selection of oysters at the bar are perfectly paired with a bottle of

An authentic Jewish deli with respect for tradition, Zelden’s is taking pastrami tips from its families matriarch and former owner of Zely’s Deli. As one of the newcomers to the city’s midtown deli scene, Zelden’s is not looking to step on any toes. It want to share its bubby’s spicy and delicious pastrami recipe with

For a neighbourhood known as Little Italy, the popular College St. strip is home to surprisingly few Italian restaurants. Zitto Zitto Taverna is helping bring the corner of College and Clinton back to its roots with its classic Italian menu and nostalgic ambiance. The restaurant comes from the same owners as Sotto Voce Wine &

Zucca Trattoria is dedicated to making the best regional Italian fare possible. Since its opening on Valentine’s Day 1996, Zucca’s menu has been ever changing, with ingredients only being used when they are in season. Located just south of the increasingly lively Yonge and Eglinton intersection, Zucca is a great destination for family dinners. From