Where To Dine Out in Toronto
7 cozy restaurants to try this fall
As the vibrant hues of autumn settle in, summer in the city is officially behind us, and cooler days are just around the corner. With attention shifting indoors, there’s no better way to warm up than with a cozy dining experience. Here, we’ve rounded up cool restaurants in Toronto offering hearty dishes and stylish interiors that’ll have you returning for the ambiance as much as the food.
Madrina Restaurant – Distillery District
This Tapas restaurant in the Distillery District is a century-old sophisticated space that is perfect to cozy up in. Featuring warm tones like amber, cinnamon and terracotta, as well as an elegant centrepiece of a 37-foot bar enriched with layered mahogany and fluted terracotta tiles, Madrina has the perfect setting to celebrate any occasion. Book a table.
Short Turn – Alexandra Park
Fans of 416 Snack Bar will appreciate the owners’ convenient new concept just around the corner. With pieces of the city implemented throughout the interior, like the spatial design of an old train car, the bar design of a TTC collector’s booth, and the plush leather banquette framing it, Short Turn offers a welcome, snazzy break from the chilly city without truly leaving. Book a table.
Linny’s – Ossington Avenue
With the end of summer came the beginning of a new culinary tale in the city. Linny’s, a new addition to bustling Ossington Avenue, leans into a New York-inspired, mid-century aesthetic with moody wood paneling, lush velvet, houndstooth-patterned fabrics, and retro decor that make it irresistibly inviting. As far as cool restaurants in Toronto go, this one deserves a spot on your list. Book a table.
Patria – Fashion District
“The heartbeat of España in the heart of Toronto” is no hyperbole to describe this Spanish cornerstone of Toronto’s food scene. The large, trendy central custom light feature casts a gentle glow throughout the space, welcoming you like a ray of sunlight in the cold, windy evenings and evoking a soulful experience for you to enjoy with family and friends. Book a table.
Evangeline – Fashion District
Atop Toronto’s Ace Hotel, where exposed foundations and cozy vintage furniture intertwine to form a polished interior that balances brutalist accents with a muddy earthen palette, Evangeline is an ode to Toronto’s history. Bask in the sunsets as they light up the bar’s warm wood and caramel tones into an amber embrace, much like the whiskey you can enjoy while relaxing. For a nightcap or evening of socializing, this spot is not one to miss. Book a table.
Parquet – Harbord Village
Harbord Village’s old-school Parisian restaurant is chic comfort, materialized. Upon entering, you’re greeted by a cozy yet stylish cocktail bar finished in Calacatta verde marble, the perfect space to grab drinks as warm and inviting amber lighting melts you down to your core. Design elements like the rich, crimson leather banquette seating, the leather booths, and the eponymous parquet flooring, all weave a story over time and use. Parquet aims to be a comfortable and reliable social space, and its sophisticated, inviting interior embodies that as an excellent choice for your next date night. Book a table.
Planta – Downtown
Inspired by East Asian courtyards, Steven Salm’s popular vegan restaurant chain’s location on Queen West has grown into a remarkable mainstay of the street. Planta has long been one of Toronto’s cool restaurants and stands out for creating opportunities for cozy intimacy using its focused lighting and physical dividers, wrapped in the bold and complementary shades of black and red. Book a table.
