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Updating the Toronto Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

by Hana Hussein
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by Hana Hussein

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort, what all the big names are up to these days. And while the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the "it" places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change continually to always highlight where the foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment.

Check out the map of Toronto's 10 hottest restaurants below, then leave all thoughts and opinions in the comments below.


· All Heatmap Coverage [-ETO-] Read More
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Portland Variety

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Owners Milton Nunes (Le Gourmand) and Ralf Madi are embracing the new coffee to cocktails culture of King West. Taking over the home of shuttered KiWe Kitchen, Portland Variety does double-duty, playing trendy café by day and casual tapas by night. [Photo]
587 King St. W., Toronto, ON, Canada

The Good Son

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Top Chef Canada alum Vittorio Colacitti transforms the space formerly home to Nyood supperclub – a welcome change for residents – into an eclectic dining option for Queen West. The menu reflects the city’s melting pot culture and Colacitti describes the type of cuisine as “Toronto” inspired. While the restaurant is still in its infancy stage a sister spot called Wayward is slated to open one story above. [Photo]
1096 Queen St. W., Canada

Rasa

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With this rustic no-fuss eatery by The Food Dudes there’s an exciting new reason to head up to Harbord Village. Founder and executive chef Adrian Niman designed a “global” themed menu, some of the highlights: calamari Bolognese, kalbi beef cabbage rolls and jalapeno poppers. The room is cozy and the cocktails strong, marking an impressive transition from meals-on-wheels to brick-and-mortar for the Dudes. [Photo]
196 Robert Street, Canada
(647) 350-8221
(647) 350-8221

Pai

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Jeff and Nuit Regular can be considered the local authorities on all things Thai food. With their latest digs, Pai and accompanying snack bar Bebop they introduce a northern Thai style of cooking. Those familiar with the Regular’s can expect the same level of near perfect execution. [Photo]
18 Duncan Street, Toronto, ON, Canada

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Colette Grand Café

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Taking over the ground floor of the Thompson Hotel – once home to Scott Conant’s Scarpetta – Colette is the new downtown restaurant from The Chase Hospitality Group. Executive Chef Michael Steh’s is serving a menu of modern French dishes, like crisped frog legs served with black garlic and a mushroom and pea purée, foie gras served three ways and whole trout for two. For a daytime bite, the bakery section offers pastries, baguette and pastel hued macarons. [Photo]
550 Wellington St. W, Toronto, ON M5V 2V5, Canada

Little Sister

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This Midtown eatery cooks up a modern take on Dutch-Indonesian cuisine. The menu features mostly sharable plates including three different kinds of satay skewers and tropical inspired cocktails. The room is modern and simple, a great new neighborhood staple. [Photo]
2031 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4S 2A2, Canada
(416) 488-2031
(416) 488-2031

People's Eatery 眾源酒家

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From the guys who gave late-night city revelers 416 Snack Bar comes this Chinatown sophomore effort. The menu has a modest 13 snack options and 2 sharing platters (Peking duck and a deluxe smoke fished plate). Drinks comprise mostly of Canadian and American craft beer and Ontario wines by the glass and bottle. The decision to replicate their Bathurst haunt is faring well.[Photo]
307 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2E6, Canada
(416) 971-6788
(416) 971-6788

Farmer's Daughter

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The second establishment from industry veteran Darcy MacDonell is living up to the caliber set by sister restaurant Farmhouse — merely steps away. The focus at Farmer's Daughter is less meat-centric and more seafood based, with chef Leonie Lilla heading up the kitchen. This week’s dinner menu features surf ‘n turf, scallops, octopus and steak frites. [Photo]
1588 Dupont, Canada

Montecito Restaurant

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Montecito, the new Entertainment District mega-restaurant is bringing ‘casual elegance’ all the way from California. Owner and Toronto native, director/producer Ivan Reitman teamed up with famed chef Jonathan Waxman to fill a dining void in the upscale casual market. There’s a strong emphasis on light west coast technique paired with locally sourced produce. Brunch is set to commence this weekend. [Photo]
299 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1P7, Canada

Patois Restaurant

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There’s an Asian-Caribbean love affair happening over on Dundas West courtesy of chef Craig Wong. Formerly of Luma and Senses, Wong takes on street food drawing from his very own heritage for all the inspiration. A $99 feast called “The Whole Shebang” gets you the entire menu and serves four. [Photo]
794 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1V1, Canada
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Portland Variety

587 King St. W., Toronto, ON, Canada
Owners Milton Nunes (Le Gourmand) and Ralf Madi are embracing the new coffee to cocktails culture of King West. Taking over the home of shuttered KiWe Kitchen, Portland Variety does double-duty, playing trendy café by day and casual tapas by night. [Photo]
587 King St. W., Toronto, ON, Canada

The Good Son

1096 Queen St. W., Canada
Top Chef Canada alum Vittorio Colacitti transforms the space formerly home to Nyood supperclub – a welcome change for residents – into an eclectic dining option for Queen West. The menu reflects the city’s melting pot culture and Colacitti describes the type of cuisine as “Toronto” inspired. While the restaurant is still in its infancy stage a sister spot called Wayward is slated to open one story above. [Photo]
1096 Queen St. W., Canada

Rasa

196 Robert Street, Canada
With this rustic no-fuss eatery by The Food Dudes there’s an exciting new reason to head up to Harbord Village. Founder and executive chef Adrian Niman designed a “global” themed menu, some of the highlights: calamari Bolognese, kalbi beef cabbage rolls and jalapeno poppers. The room is cozy and the cocktails strong, marking an impressive transition from meals-on-wheels to brick-and-mortar for the Dudes. [Photo]
196 Robert Street, Canada
(647) 350-8221
(647) 350-8221

Pai

18 Duncan Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
Jeff and Nuit Regular can be considered the local authorities on all things Thai food. With their latest digs, Pai and accompanying snack bar Bebop they introduce a northern Thai style of cooking. Those familiar with the Regular’s can expect the same level of near perfect execution. [Photo]
18 Duncan Street, Toronto, ON, Canada

Colette Grand Café

550 Wellington St. W, Toronto, ON M5V 2V5, Canada
Taking over the ground floor of the Thompson Hotel – once home to Scott Conant’s Scarpetta – Colette is the new downtown restaurant from The Chase Hospitality Group. Executive Chef Michael Steh’s is serving a menu of modern French dishes, like crisped frog legs served with black garlic and a mushroom and pea purée, foie gras served three ways and whole trout for two. For a daytime bite, the bakery section offers pastries, baguette and pastel hued macarons. [Photo]
550 Wellington St. W, Toronto, ON M5V 2V5, Canada

Little Sister

2031 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4S 2A2, Canada
This Midtown eatery cooks up a modern take on Dutch-Indonesian cuisine. The menu features mostly sharable plates including three different kinds of satay skewers and tropical inspired cocktails. The room is modern and simple, a great new neighborhood staple. [Photo]
2031 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4S 2A2, Canada
(416) 488-2031
(416) 488-2031

People's Eatery 眾源酒家

307 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2E6, Canada
From the guys who gave late-night city revelers 416 Snack Bar comes this Chinatown sophomore effort. The menu has a modest 13 snack options and 2 sharing platters (Peking duck and a deluxe smoke fished plate). Drinks comprise mostly of Canadian and American craft beer and Ontario wines by the glass and bottle. The decision to replicate their Bathurst haunt is faring well.[Photo]
307 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2E6, Canada
(416) 971-6788
(416) 971-6788

Farmer's Daughter

1588 Dupont, Canada
The second establishment from industry veteran Darcy MacDonell is living up to the caliber set by sister restaurant Farmhouse — merely steps away. The focus at Farmer's Daughter is less meat-centric and more seafood based, with chef Leonie Lilla heading up the kitchen. This week’s dinner menu features surf ‘n turf, scallops, octopus and steak frites. [Photo]
1588 Dupont, Canada

Montecito Restaurant

299 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1P7, Canada
Montecito, the new Entertainment District mega-restaurant is bringing ‘casual elegance’ all the way from California. Owner and Toronto native, director/producer Ivan Reitman teamed up with famed chef Jonathan Waxman to fill a dining void in the upscale casual market. There’s a strong emphasis on light west coast technique paired with locally sourced produce. Brunch is set to commence this weekend. [Photo]
299 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1P7, Canada

Patois Restaurant

794 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1V1, Canada
There’s an Asian-Caribbean love affair happening over on Dundas West courtesy of chef Craig Wong. Formerly of Luma and Senses, Wong takes on street food drawing from his very own heritage for all the inspiration. A $99 feast called “The Whole Shebang” gets you the entire menu and serves four. [Photo]
794 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1V1, Canada