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Updating the Toronto Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

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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
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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]

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]
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]
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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Portland Variety

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]

The Good Son

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]

Rasa

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]

Pai

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]

Colette Grand Café

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]

Little Sister

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]

People's Eatery 眾源酒家

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]

Farmer's Daughter

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]

Montecito Restaurant

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]

Patois Restaurant

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]