Alobar Yorkville
Like its sister restaurants, Alobar is meticulously polished to perfection and creates a beautiful and upscale ambiance. From start to finish this experience is memorable, from the decor to the staff’s uniforms, this experience is worth the money you will spend on this meal. The dishes resemble Aloette where they are à la carte and shared amongst the table but dressed up in the over the top luxury that Yorkville represents. Their menu offerings span sea and land creatures, but take simple and existing dishes, but elevate them to another level. Sometimes they are a huge hit, but once in a while, they will produce a dish that is a bit too over the top. If you are looking for an upscale night out with delicious and elevated food, Alobar Yorkville is the destination for you. 57A-162 Cumberland St. (416) 961-1222, alobaryorkville.com.
Kibo Secret Garden
Although you may have heard of this restaurant before and seen several franchise locations around the city, you have never experienced anything like this before. This new iteration is the latest high-end omakase and sushi house in the heart of Yorkville. This isn’t your typical sushi spot, and it the first of its kind from the Kibo name, which is a more intimate and elegant experience. The restaurant offers an exclusive menu, including a curated omakase experience with sake pairings, which leaves the decision making all up to the chef. The menu changes daily and will never be the same, offering 20 unique courses for you to indulge in. If you are a foodie looking for a delicious and intimate experience for sushi, this is the place for you! 154 Cumberland Street Upper Level, (416) 519 – 4580, kibosecretgarden.com
Café Boulud
Daniel Boulud’s restaurant has gone through many different iterations within the last seven years. The Four Seasons spot opened in 2012, was reimagined three years later with a midcentury design and has been evolving ever since. They have changed their interior and offerings and chef team, till they could perfect the aesthetic they were looking for. The restaurant is currently positioning itself as a French Brasserie with a seasonally changing menu rooted in the French tradition. They offer classic and contemporary dishes inspired by the visionary’s family meals in Lyon. If you are looking for a delicious meal with elevated French dishes any time of the day, you should check this place out! 60 Yorkville Ave., (416) 963 – 6000, cafeboulud.com/toronto.
Chabrol
This small, tucked away gem from Doug Penfold’s mind is a perfect place to spend a romantic date. If you are looking for something discreet and intimate, this place is for you. It is accessible through an alleyway and is easily hidden from the Yorkville streets’ hustle and bustle. This small French restaurant is decked out with crystal chandeliers and tries to make you feel like you are in the South of France. If you are looking for a delicious French meal with an unassuming location and romantic atmosphere, then Chabrol is somewhere we recommend you go! 90 Yorkville Ave. (416) 428 – 6641, chabrolrestaurant.com
Trattoria Nervosa
This quaint Italian restaurant at the corner of Yorkville and Bellair has become a staple in the Yorkville scene since its opening in 1996. The menu boasts delicious Italian recipes that make it the favourite go-to spot for many locals and visitors. The restaurant is very unassuming with its yellow brick exterior, making it fit perfectly with the aesthetics of the neighbourhood. Don’t let its size fool you, though, and it is one of the best celebrity watching during TIFF; Beyonce is usually seen whenever she is in town. If you are looking for a delicious restaurant that has a decent menu and can accommodate even the picky eaters, then you should check out Trattoria Nervosa. BUT you should always check beforehand; there usually is a long waitlist because of the restaurant’s size.
