The holiday season has arrived in Toronto, and flavours are bigger and bolder than ever! From fusion cuisines from across the globe to vibrant markets celebrating the city’s best and a MICHELIN dining guide worth savouring, Toronto is turning up the heat this winter. Explore by neighbourhood, follow the MICHELIN guide or check out fun holiday events and pop-up bars. There are plenty of ways to turn up the heat this season in the 6ix. Come hungry!
Don’t feel like reading the whole thing write now? Choose your preferred method of exploring and jump ahead:
- Explore by Neighbourhood
- Dine at our MICHELIN guide favs
- Festive sips at Holiday Pop-Up Bars
- Dive into Signature Holiday Events
Explore by Neighbourhoods
With over 140 neighbourhoods across Toronto, we narrowed it down to a few we think are particularly special this time of year. Discover global cuisines and a whole world of flavour.
Romance + Culinary Delights in Chinatown
Lively, bustling markets, cultural exploration and a wide variety of Asian cuisine await in Toronto’s Chinatown. If you ask us, this makes for the perfect spot to spend a day on a holidate! The air hums with the scent of sizzling woks, steamed dumplings and roasted chestnuts from corner stalls.
Wander hand in hand past bright lanterns, golden shopfronts and windows filled with festive trinkets. The energy feels electric, pulsing with warmth, colour and possibility.
First, dive deeper into the neighbourhood’s creative spirit. Pop into the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) to take in bold, inspiring works before returning to the streets alive with movement. Music more your thing? Catch a live show at the legendary El Mocambo, where music history meets modern energy.
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Afterward (or before if the show is late), follow your cravings to one of Chinatown’s incredible eateries. Settle into Big Trouble for craft cocktails and shared plates in a moody, playful space. Warm up over bubbling broth at Kokumi Mibi Hot Pot, where the steam rises like a toast to winter love. Alternatively, head to Aloette, where refined comfort food meets city style. Each spot celebrates global flavour, local flair and a love for gathering over great food.
Want a full holidate itinerary in Chinatown? Check out this one by the folks at Destination Toronto.
Finally, don’t let the season end when December does. Chinese New Year lights up Chinatown with fireworks, lion dances and street celebrations that fill every corner with joy. It’s a vibrant reminder that in Toronto, the holidays never truly stop. They just keep evolving, one delicious moment at a time.
City Sidewalks + Holiday Goodness on Downtown Yonge Street
Yonge Street shines year-round, but during the holidays, it absolutely hums with energy. Plan your visit midweek if you can (the buzz is real). Bundle up and lace up for a classic winter experience at Nathan Phillips Square, skating beneath the city’s iconic tree or glide along College Park’s Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail, where winding paths and festive tunes set the mood.
Prefer something less chilly? Head indoors and make Yonge Street your holiday shopping headquarters. Start at the CF Toronto Eaton Centre to check everyone off your list while taking in the glittering lights and towering tree. The festive vibe follows you through every corridor. It’s impossible not to catch the holiday spirit.
Of course, no Yonge Street visit is complete without food and you’re covered all the way from breakfast to dinner. From Golden Family Restaurant’s fried egg sandwich to Monga Fried Chicken and GB Hand-Pulled Noodles, the flavours span comfort to crave-worthy. Craving spice? Colaba Junction brings the heat with rich Mombai flavours perfect for a winter warm-up.
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Turn the outing into a full evening at Barberian’s Steakhouse, where Chef Jesse Vallins pairs expertly seared cuts with sommelier-level wine and cheese picks. A certified sommelier and cheesemonger himself, we highly recommend asking for suggestions from the staff!
Alternatively, dine at Adega for elegant Portuguese seafood that feels like a celebration on every plate. Breakfast, lunch and dinner — Yonge has them all covered, and every bite tastes like the holidays in the city.
Want a detailed itinerary? Check out this one from the folks at Destination Toronto.
Cabbagetown Charm
Cabbagetown feels like Toronto’s secret village — where farm life and city life politely share a snow-covered sidewalk. The pace slows here and the sound of car horns fades into the gentle hum of a neighbourhood that actually seems to know what cozy means. Snow piles neatly along the Victorian stoops and the scent of woodsmoke and espresso drifts through the crisp winter air.
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First, grab your crew (and your own toboggan!) and head to Riverdale Park West, one of the city’s best sledding hills. The view alone — downtown skyline and all — makes the climb back up worth every breath. Next, stroll over to the Riverdale Farm (just a five-minute walk), where cows, pigs, sheep and goats roam three hectares of working farmland. Open daily from nine to five, check out the farm’s website for events!
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Afterward, warm up with a strong cup of coffee at Jet Fuel Coffee, a neighbourhood staple. Feeling peckish? Slide into Kibo Sushi House and share the Love Boat for Two because nothing says holidate like sharing sashimi. Alternatively, head to F’Amelia Ristorante, where wood-fired pizza and rustic Italian charm make every dinner feel like a homecoming. Feeling decadent? Go for the Braised Rabbit Papperdelle.
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Craving something casual? Salt and Tobacco serves up Roman-style pizza and communal seating that practically guarantees new friends by the second slice. Or lean into comfort at Butter Chicken Factory, where fragrant spices and creamy curries warm you right through. However you spend your day, Cabbagetown proves you don’t need to leave Toronto to feel a little bit country.
Want the full itinerary? Check out this one from Destination Toronto.
Make it a Merry Michelin Holiday Season
Toronto’s dining scene shines bright this season, and the Michelin Guide is your map to all things delicious. This year, it stretched beyond the downtown core to spotlight 106 restaurants, from fine dining to hidden gems. Ready to explore? Here are a couple of festive ways to taste your way through the city.
Want to explore all the restaurants? Check out this link from Destination Toronto.
Under the Michelin Stars
Feeling fancy? For a holidate that’s worth the splurge, treat your favourite person to a night of indulgence under Toronto’s Michelin stars. Think handcrafted cocktails that sparkle like holiday lights, service so smooth it feels like a waltz and plates that double as art.
While the stars are scattered across the city, we’d be remiss if we didn’t make a few recommendations. Psst! These also make for great gift ideas this time of year for parents or anyone else on your list that’s tough to buy for.
Start at Quetzal, where an open flame sets the tone for Latin-inspired brilliance. Think bold flavours like coal-roasted sweet potatoes and lamb barbacoa empanadas. aKin (new to Michelin in 2025) serves up modern elegance that feels tailor-made for a holidate. A twist on the street foods of Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China, Vietnam and Singapore, you can expect creative dishes like lamb neck dumplings and tom yum soup (the aKin way, of course).
For pure precision, Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto offers a serene, multi-course experience that’s almost too beautiful to eat (read: almost). Starred since 2022, you can expect dishes prepared in the kaiseki style including Wagyu beef, tempura and more. Over on Victoria Street, Restaurant 20 Victoria continues to prove that the smallest kitchens often hold the biggest flavours. From homemade milk bread to halibut and aged duck breast, you don’t want to miss this one under the helm of Chef Julie Hyde.
While you’re at it, raise a glass to White Lily Diner, now proudly holding a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainability. Because being responsible never looked (or tasted) so good.
Bib Gourmand Delights
The Bib Gourmand category celebrates spots that deliver high-quality food at excellent value — perfect for a season when wallets feel the chill. The criteria? Great ingredients, thoughtful execution and serious flavour without the fine-dining bill.
Slide into Bar Raval for pintxos, cocktails and lively conversation that warms you faster than a mulled wine. Or try Mhel, new in 2025, where Filipino-inspired dishes bring big comfort to small plates.
We’d be completely remiss if we didn’t shout out our Feast On® certified friends at Ricky + Olivia. Every day, these folks prove that local ingredients can sing even louder in winter. Their off-the-wall menu boasts dishes like Carrots & Ice Cream where jumbo carrots are served alongside bay leaf ice cream, brie, fried chickpeas and hazelnut dukkah and Chicken Liver Mousse that will somehow make you nostalgic for scooping PB & J right from their respective jars.
Craving something bold? Sunnys Chinese brings spice, smoke and plenty of fun to every bite. Or visit The Cottage Cheese in Kensington Market, a new 2025 addition serving flavour-packed urban Indian plates that will surprise even the pickiest of palettes.
The takeaway? Food doesn’t have to be expensive to be delicious.
Holiday Pop-Up Bars
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Is there anything better than stepping into a dimly lit, cozy bar brightened only by festive candles and twinkling holiday lights? We thought not. This time of year, festive cocktail bars dot the city, taking up space in hidden spots. Sip the evening away on festive cocktails like gin toddies and Christmasaurus (complete with a dinosaur tiki mug) and take in that holiday glow.
As the season draws nearer, plenty of these holiday pop-up bars will be announced so be sure to check back! We’re already so excited that Miracle Toronto will be returning starting on November 14th. Around since 2018 and raising money each year for Nellie’s Shelter, you can sip on festive goodness to your heart’s delight with cocktails made by Civil Liberties on Bloor Street West.
Festive Holiday Events
We all know that Toronto turns up the twinkle during the holidays. It also turns up the sweet and savoury, the spicy and saucey and every flavour in between. From castles to markets, every stop offers something delicious. Here are a few of the city’s most iconic celebrations to eat and explore your way through the season.
Holiday Hills at Stackt Market
When: November 14-December 28th, 2025
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Head to Holiday Hills at Stackt Market for a more modern twist on the season. Here, you’ll find container bars serving spiked cider, food stalls sizzling with global street eats and a vibe that’s all Toronto cool. While you’re there, don’t miss out on grabbing a bite from Trevor Liu’s Baobird (we’re obsessed with the mapo frites and chillin’ dan dan noodles) alongside a pint from Blue Moon Brewery.
Once you’re satiated, grab a curling kit from behind the bar and enjoy a rousing game by the fire! Between bites, snap a few photos. This one’s made for your holiday highlight reel. It’s also a great spot to find some last-minute holiday gifts like handcrafted honey and wooden ornaments.
Distillery District Winter Village
When: November 13, 2025-January 6, 2026
Next, stroll into the Distillery District Winter Village, where cobblestone lanes shimmer with string lights and the scent of mulled wine. This holiday classic should be on any foodie’s bucketlist but we definitely recommend coming on a weekday when crowds are a little lighter.
Snack on wood-fired pretzels, roasted nuts and ooey-gooey raclette while browsing artisan stalls. Grab a festive cocktail and watch the lights dance. This is Toronto’s holiday spirit, bottled and poured.
Fancy doing something a little more interactive? Book a tour of the market for a look into the district’s history with Go Tours or enjoy a spirits tasting at Spirit of York! Don’t forget, you’ll need to purchase your tickets in advance if you plan to visit during peak times (info on their website)!
Holiday Lights Tour at Casa Loma
Casa Loma is where fairy lights wrap a real castle in holiday magic. Wander the gardens glowing with installations before heading inside for hot chocolate and treats fit for royalty. Between the roaring fireplaces and glittering chandeliers, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a snow globe — a very elegant one. Special performances and displays abound! More details on this classic holiday event will be available soon!
Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square
Finally, finish your tour at the Cavalcade of Lights, where fireworks, skating and live music light up City Hall. It’s been a holiday tradition for Torontonians since 1967! Grab a poutine, a sugary beaver tail or a cup of cider from nearby vendors. As the tree sparkles and the crowd cheers, you’ll remember why Toronto in winter is pure magic (with extra sauce on top). More details on this classic holiday event will be available soon!
Want more festive fun? Head to Destination Toronto’s events calendar for a full lineup of holiday magic.
Delight in the Holiday Season!
From hearty comfort foods to comfort foods to Michelin starred dining and holiday events that really ring in the season, Toronto doesn’t shy away from the holidays! Bask in the glow of twinkling lights, global eats and a city that delivers on bold flavours and fun.
