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11 of Toronto’s outstanding spots for celebrating special occasions

A photo of Red logo
by Jessica Huras
Updated April 27, 2023

Torontonians come from all corners of the world. So it’s only natural that the special occasion restaurants in Canada’s largest city have global sensibilities.

Celebrate a relationship milestone at a hidden French countryside escape in Midtown. Take a group gathering to a lively King West karaoke spot with Sichuan-inspired plates. For an epic birthday dinner, head to a Harbourfront Italian icon that was just awarded a MICHELIN star.

Queen City’s restaurants are ready to host your next anniversary, family reunion, or promotion. Read on for a list of Toronto's top 11 special occasion spots to book now.

A photo of Enigma Yorkville restaurant
Enigma Yorkville
4.7
4.7 (544)
CAN$51 and over
International
Yorkville
About the restaurant
The dining experience at Enigma wows from start to finish. It begins with the striking interiors, lined with mosaic tiles that glitter like tiny jewels. Dishes feature seasonal ingredients, European techniques, and exquisite plating—all while showcasing chef Quinton Bennett’s passion for molecular gastronomy. The blind format tasting menu means that diners are treated to delightful surprises emerging from the restaurant’s open kitchen. Plates might include British Columbia king salmon with pickled wild coho salmon roe, Tajima wagyu with shiitake and kelp, and matcha and pistachio opera cake. Bennett’s imaginative culinary approach earned the restaurant a MICHELIN star this September.
Top review
WarrenVIP
Dined on Jan 5, 2025
A wonderful experience and meal. The courses are unique, flavourful and the presentation is inspired. The service is impeccable but not fussy, the menu a blend of international flavours, textures and colours. We will return. Delicious!!
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A photo of The Macallan Lounge Multi-Sensory Experience of a restaurant
Experience
The Macallan Lounge Multi-Sensory Experience
A photo of Lunch 5 Courses Set Menu (Friday-Saturday) of a restaurant
Experience
Lunch 5 Courses Set Menu (Friday-Saturday)
A photo of Tasting Menu 8 Courses of a restaurant
Experience
Tasting Menu 8 Courses
A photo of Auberge du Pommier restaurant
Auberge du Pommier
4.8
4.8 (5372)
CAN$51 and over
French
Midtown / Uptown
About the restaurant
This lush and quaint haven was once a pair of woodcutter’s cottages that date back to the 1860s. Today, the upscale French restaurant, a special occasion gem, remains a hidden paradise in an otherwise nondescript pocket of midtown Toronto. The rustic and homey decor is enhanced by pristine French fare that can be enjoyed a la carte or via a tasting menu. Decadent, celebration-worthy creations include Dungeness crab with celeriac consomme, sablefish with black rice, and yuzu, lemon, and white chocolate mousse for dessert.
Top review
Yvette
Dined 3 days ago
Such a fabulous lunch. First class friendly service in a comfortable beautiful setting and great pre fix menu
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Popular dish
Foie Gras
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Popular dish
Chocolat
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Popular dish
Creme Brulee
A photo of Baro restaurant
Baro
4.6
4.6 (1378)
CAN$30 and under
Latin American
King West
About the restaurant
The flavors of South America, from Colombia to Argentina, are on display at this fiesta of a restaurant. Baro spans four festive floors: at the ground-level dining room, order à la carte or from the chef’s recommended spread including the “big ass steak,” pollo asado (half-roasted chicken), duck chaufa, and more. After dinner, head upstairs for some cocktails in the speakeasy. The rooftop patio exudes liveliness and serves a more shareable menu, ideal for group gatherings.
Top review
Justin
Dined today
Upon arriving at Barö, the hostess wished my wife “happy birthday” before I even said hello. That was a hint to the attention to detail at this restaurant. Our server Courtnie was very hospitable and helped us navigate the menu and accommodate my daughter’s food allergies. Had a great dinner with so many notable dishes like the OG Duck Chaufa and 45-day aged ribeye. Highly recommend for a fun dinner out, whether a special occasion or just any weeknight!
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Popular dish
Kingfish Ceviche
A photo of Ceviche de Atún of a restaurant
Popular dish
Ceviche de Atún
A photo of Striploin of a restaurant
Popular dish
Striploin
A photo of Canoe Restaurant and Bar restaurant
Canoe Restaurant and Bar
4.5
4.5 (6321)
CAN$51 and over
Contemporary Canadian
Financial District
About the restaurant
Woo someone special with the views of the Toronto skyline at this fine-dining restaurant on the 54th floor of the TD tower. Canoe, a decades-old spot that recently underwent a $2 million dollar facelift, has established itself as a special occasions stalwart. Snag a seat by the window facing the CN Tower to watch the sunset and feast on dishes that showcase Canadian-sourced ingredients. Top choices include tender wild Pacific halibut and Atlantic salmon with short rib and smoked mussel-stuffed squid. Up the ante on a special evening by choosing the seasonally rotating tasting menu and wine pairing option.
Top review
marc
Dined on Jan 13, 2025
Our server was incredible! The food was 5 out of 5. We will be back as soon as we can. Also thank you for the restaurant recommendations as well.
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Experience
$185 Tasting Menu
A photo of Bar of a restaurant
Experience
Bar
A photo of Large Party Group Dining of a restaurant
Experience
Large Party Group Dining
A photo of Quetzal restaurant
Quetzal
4.9
4.9 (994)
CAN$51 and over
Mexican
Little Italy / College St.
About the restaurant
A 28-foot wood-fire grill is at the heart of both the menu and the space at Quetzal, a restaurant made for special birthdays and anniversaries. Quetzal recently acquired a MICHELIN star and much of the credit for the honor goes to owner Grant Van Gameren executive chef Steven Molnar, who previously worked at Bar Raval and Bar Isabel. Quetzal’s impeccable menu draws on diverse Mexican culinary influences to offer sikil pak, a Mayan pumpkin seed dip; tlayuda, a crunchy, housemade tortilla topped with chorizo; and whole sea bream with salsa roja.
Top review
Jennie
Dined 1 day ago
I LOVE Quetzal! Always a must when in Toronto. The food is stellar, the service is wonderful and the wait staff very attentive. But the food. I go home to Vancouver and can't wait to return!! I was lucky enough to be sitting next to a table that basically ordered the entire menu; not only did I love my own flavors but lived vicariously and know what I'd order next time! (looking at you, bone marrow)
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Popular dish
Newfoundland Scallops
A photo of Pork Secreto al Pastor of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pork Secreto al Pastor
A photo of Scallop Ceviche of a restaurant
Popular dish
Scallop Ceviche
A photo of DASHA restaurant
DASHA
4.5
4.5 (904)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Asian
King West
About the restaurant
Conceived by award-winning chef Akira Back, this sprawling space evokes the chic vibes of a Chinatown speakeasy. Dasha’s second-floor karaoke rooms are especially well-suited for celebrations. Dine on juicy Peking duck with wafer-thin crispy skin, wasabi prawns, and “millionaire” fried rice with lobster and truffle. The whimsical cocktails are also noteworthy, as is the extensive range of wines, Champagne, spirits, and beer.
Top review
Celeste
Dined on Dec 19, 2024
I always love it here, I’ve been coming since it opened and have never been disappointed by the food and the vibe!
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Popular dish
Duck Fried Rice
A photo of Don Alfonso 1890 restaurant
Don Alfonso 1890
4.8
4.8 (2317)
CAN$51 and over
Contemporary Italian
Harbourfront
About the restaurant
Don Alfonso’s original MICHELIN-starred location on Italy’s Amalfi Coast is headed by acclaimed chefs Alfonso and Ernesto Iaccarino. The restaurant’s celebrated Toronto outpost was recently recognized with its own MICHELIN star. With its luxurious dining room, sophisticated Mediterranean menu, and much-lauded tasting menu, Don Alfonso 1890 delivers everything you could ask for on a celebratory night out. Views dazzle diners from all sides: the Toronto skyline charms from the floor-to-ceiling windows; in the open kitchen, spot executive chef Daniele Corona artfully preparing dishes such as seared Quebec Muscovy duck breast and risotto with veal shank and Iranian saffron broth.
Top review
NinaVIP
Dined on Jan 15, 2025
From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by friendly staff who make walking to your table a joy. Once seated, there is no “where’s our waiter”, both times we have been our waiter is ready and waiting to introduce themselves and get your drink order. Yes they offer water but isn’t it frustrating when you go to places and they give you water then disappear then come back and take both drink and food orders together? This does not happen here. You are not rushed at all. My glass was never empty and the sommelier is so knowledgeable he had us trying all sorts of delicious wine pairings tailored to our food order. Then there is the food - O M G have the pheasant ravioli. My husband loved the wagyu beef carpaccio and we both had the duck and tuna. I can’t wait to go back. Oh I forgot about the view - incredible especially when it’s night and Toronto shines. Thank you to our wonderful waiters you made my husbands birthday so special and bringing me the handcream for my dry wrinkly old hands when I arrived out of the cold was next level service. See you all again soon and a special shout out to Cuba! Nina and Kenton.
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Popular dish
IL RISOTTO CAPRESE
A photo of I Ravioli of a restaurant
Popular dish
I Ravioli
A photo of I PACCHERI of a restaurant
Popular dish
I PACCHERI
A photo of LOUIX LOUIS restaurant
LOUIX LOUIS
4.6
4.6 (2508)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Contemporary American
Financial District
About the restaurant
This restaurant, ideal for a splashy night out, is unabashedly luxe with its gilded accents, whiskey-inspired ceiling mural, and pristine marble bar. On the 31st floor of The St. Regis hotel, the space exudes opulence and the dishes follow suit. The food is a modernist blend of new French and American cuisines, displayed in plates such as burrata with roasted apricot, wagyu steak with parsley and garlic fingerling potatoes, and whole truffle chicken served two ways with truffle jus. Saving room for dessert is a requirement here: the 13-layer chocolate cake with hazelnut praline buttercream, is a straight-up show stopper.
Top review
Glenn
Dined 2 days ago
Wonderful experience, interesting wines, superb service... gw
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Popular dish
Filet Mignon
A photo of Cowboy Steak of a restaurant
Popular dish
Cowboy Steak
A photo of Steak & Eggs of a restaurant
Popular dish
Steak & Eggs
A photo of Osteria Giulia restaurant
Osteria Giulia
4.7
4.7 (935)
CAN$51 and over
Italian
Yorkville
About the restaurant
After perfecting their refined approach to Italian cuisine through previous ventures such as Giulietta, executive chef Rob Rossi and restaurateur David Minicucci received a MICHELIN nod for their latest restaurant, Osteria Giulia. The two bring elegance to both Giulia’s menu and interiors (light-filled, lots of clean lines) with delicate northern Italian dishes including burrata drizzled with asfodelo honey and hand-braided pasta with wild squid and bay scallops. Drinks are as delicious as the food—another reason why this spot deserves a place on your special occasions list. Osteria Giulia offers a lengthy list of top-notch Italian wines and expertly executed cocktails that draw influence from the flavors of the Italian countryside.
Top review
DarcyVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Truly world class. The hospitality, the service, the vibe, the drinks & the food. Everything. Well done folks. Can’t wait to come back again soon.
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A photo of Convivio Family Style Menu of a restaurant
Experience
Convivio Family Style Menu
A photo of Yukashi Japanese Cuisine restaurant
Yukashi Japanese Cuisine
5.0
5 (349)
CAN$51 and over
Japanese
Yonge and Eglinton
About the restaurant
Yukashi has flown under the radar since quietly opening in 2018. But thanks to a recent star from MICHELIN, flocks will now head to this Japanese stunner. Led by chef Daisuke Izutsu, who cooked for the Japanese royal family, among other world leaders and celebrities, Yukashi is a hushed spot ideal for intimate occasions. Izutsu’s nine-course tasting menu celebrates seasonality, and he pays as much attention to plating as he does to ingredient selection, resulting in visually striking dishes with layers of rich, nuanced flavors.
Top review
Elissa
Dined on Dec 15, 2024
Delicious culinary experience with lovely attentive wait staff. A great way to celebrate a birthday.
A photo of Library Bar - Fairmont Royal York restaurant
Library Bar - Fairmont Royal York
4.8
4.8 (709)
CAN$30 and under
Unspecified
Financial District
About the restaurant
Set in the Fairmont Royal York hotel (one of Toronto’s grandest dames), the Library Bar regained its status as an iconic celebration spot after a 2021 makeover. Overflowing with the rich textures of velvet, marble, and leather, the Art Deco interiors nod to the hotel’s heritage. The refreshed food menu also pays homage to the Fairmont’s origins with nostalgic dishes such as chicken liver pâté and cape d’or salmon with beluga lentils. The Birdbath Martini is a must-order: made with gin or vodka distilled exclusively for the hotel and served tableside with pickled red onions and olives, it’s a cocktail that amplifies any special occasion.
Top review
Tom
Dined on Jan 16, 2025
Wonderful setting with excellent food. Our server was fantastic.

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