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By: Samara Moore, Gradlife Ambassador

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love to eat! What better way to spend the day, than to share a meal with friends? If you are a food lover like me, I have got you covered! I’ve compiled a list of my ten favourite restaurants in four parts of the city. Whether you are a commuter like me, or interested in exploring cuisine in different parts of Toronto, I hope that you find these suggestions helpful!

Downtown

• If you love sushi and Korean barbeque, then Arisu is the restaurant for you! Nestled in the heart of the Annex, you can walk to this spot from campus or get off of the subway at Bathurst station. Whether you opt for takeout or decide to dine in, the service at this restaurant is exceptional! If you are not sure about what to order, the team at Arisu are always happy to make great recommendations!
  • Student discount: 15%
• This restaurant caters to vegans, vegetarians, meat lovers, and people with gluten-sensitivity alike! Their vision is to have a restaurant where people with different diets can all have options when they dine together! When I think about Harvest Kitchen, I think about how welcomed I feel when I’m there. Fun fact about Harvest Kitchen: they use local and organic products as much as possible. Also, all of their meat is ethically sourced.
• If you are craving soul food then look no further than the Harlem Underground! They serve delectable meals inspired by African-American and Caribbean cuisine. They also have great live music! Fun fact: I tried fried chicken and waffles for the first time at this restaurant! It was the absolute best!
• Fresh is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant that I frequent. They have five locations in the city, including a restaurant next to Spadina station and a midtown location off of Yonge and Eglinton. I am a huge fan of their crispy cauliflower tacos, flying cashew burger, and quinoa onion rings. They also have a gluten allergy friendly menu. Tasty suggestion: for an energy boost, try one of their green smoothies or power shakes. They also have a great dessert menu!
  • Student discount: 10%
•  I first discovered Insomnia when I was an undergraduate student at UofT. It has since become a go-to restaurant for me in the annex. Insomnia is a great place to visit for brunch! They also have a great selection of dinner items and a cozy atmosphere. Fun fact: they use the delivery App Ritual for pickup orders.
  • Student discount: 20% (not applicable on weekends or holidays)

Midtown

• I have an unwavering love for Italian food! This love has led me to one of my all-time favourite restaurants in the city- Grazie! Whether you are craving pizza or pasta made from scratch, or are in the mood for some tasty salmon, you will not be disappointed at Grazie. Helpful tip: there can be a bit of a wait for a table at this restaurant at dinner time. If you go there between 3pm to 5:30pm, you can beat the dinner rush!
• If you enjoy dining in an artistic atmosphere, then check out La Carnita! It is my favourite place to go, in the city, for some great tacos! Tasty suggestion: Try their Cod and Achiote Chicken tacos. They also have a great selection of vegetarian tacos!

Scarborough

• Frederick Restaurant is one of Scarborough’s best kept secrets! It is, in my opinion, the best Hakka restaurant in the city. Not only is the food tasty, but the cost is affordable and the value unmatched. Tasty suggestion: My go-to order at this restaurant is their Cantonese chow mien, and Manchurian chicken with friend rice.
• I have a special affinity for the Spice is Right. If you are craving authentic Jamaican Caribbean food and find yourself in Wexford Heights, give this restaurant a try! Fun fact: the walls of Spice is Right are filled with Caribbean art and photographs of influential Jamaicans. The owners of the restaurant have a good sense of humour, so it’s a great place to for a good laugh along with your food!

North York

• If you are a sushi lover and have never tried torched pressed sushi, then I highly recommend this restaurant. You can dine in or order from 10 different online food delivery apps. A complete list of the delivery companies are included on the Torched Pressed Sushi website.

Have you tried any of these restaurants yourself? What do you think of them? I would love to hear from you! Let me know what your favourite restaurants are? What restaurant suggestions do you have for areas in the city that were not included on this list?

Have a great day & bon appetite!

Samara