Toronto Restaurants with Amazing Views

A good view goes a long way. It can turn a simple dinner date into a memorable occasion. Toronto is a gorgeous city full of natural beauty, an eclectic mix of modern and classic architecture, and stunning low and high rise vistas. But you probably know that already. What you may not know is that you haven't really experienced the city's beauty until you've dined at one of these restaurants that boast spectacular views.

Lavelle

627 King St. West, Rooftop
Opened: Lunch: Mon- Fri 11am -3pm, Dinner: Mon-Sun 5pm – late
Website: chezlavelle.com

Photo: Lavelle

Lavelle offers its patrons a truly unique rooftop experience. Nestled 16 stories above Toronto’s upscale King West neighbourhood, Lavelle is a 16,000 square foot space featuring a full service restaurant, lounge bar, outdoor pool and cabanas. The entire facility features 360-degree views of Toronto's skyline. If the spa life isn’t for you, and you're just there for the food, chef Romain Avril has you covered for dinner with beautifully plated French fare. Start your meal with a half dozen East Coast oysters for just $21. For entrees, keep your figure in swimming shape with options like Lavelle's Steak and Black Kale Salad, a healthy but flavorful mix of quinoa, kale, and steak, dressed boldly with coriander, mint, chilli, crispy shallots, roasted peanuts and a mango vinaigrette ($19). If all the opulence of the venue leaves you feeling a little indulgent, you can't go wrong with their Steak Frites, a simple flat iron steak served with caramelized shallots and a rich red wine jus ($28). Lavelle is open for lunch, brunch, drinks and snacks.

Canoe

66 Wellington St. W, TD Bank Tower, 54th Floor
Opened: Lunch: Mon-Fri – 11:45am-2:30pm, Dinner: Mon-Fri – 5pm-10:30pm
Website: www.canoerestaurant.com
Review here.

Photo: Canoe

Contrary to popular belief, Canada has its own cuisine. Canoe proves it year after year as they deliver incredible new dishes inspired by uniquely Canadian ingredients. Canoe specializes in contemporary Canadian cuisine and it's dishes are inspired by our country’s diverse landscape, history and culture. Canoe's chefs work closely with farmers and suppliers to source the finest ingredients from across the country. 

Executive Chef John Horne has been at the helm of Canoe since 2010. Before coming aboard, Chef John worked at Almeida in London, England under Chef Ian Wood for two years. Chef de Cuisine Coulson Armstrong was formerly Chef de Partie at Auberge du Pommier and shortly after made Sous Chef there. He trained under Executive Chefs Jason Bangerter, Anthony Walsh, and Marc St. Jacques. Basically, when you dine at Canoe, you're in very good hands.

The meals at Canoe are a kind of like elegant postcards from across the country. At the moment the restaurant has a special tasting menu inspired by the Great Lakes that features a ton of fresh seafood from across the country. We'd order it just for the Georgian Bay option - a bold mix of smoked white fish, preserved ramps, wild ginger cream, roe and a cattail cracker ($21). If that's just too much fish for you, we recommend ordering at least an appetizer and an entree from the regular menu so you still get the full Canadian experience. The a la carte menu features enticing appetizers like Venison Tartare -- a wild mix of venison, crispy bacon, puffed bannock, pink peppercorn, wild mustard and foraged pickles ($25). For a delicious but not overly heavy entree, we recommend the Wild Ivory Salmon. The fish is cooked perfectly and paired with pumpkin, a chestnut panisse, caramelized yoghurt and a quince aigre-doux ($40). Vegetarians aren't left out either with great options like Canoe’s Canadian Barley Risotto - a delightful creamy risotto studded with whey poached baby carrots, nasturtium, hearty marinated tempeh, and full bodied Monforte Dairy cheese ($35). If you still have room for dessert, you have to try the Niagara Escarpment, a truly elegant finish to an incredible meal featuring mulled wine poached pear, candied black walnuts and buttermilk sherbet topped with spiced streusel ($12). If you're feeling French (Canadian) you may prefer to finish with local specialty cheeses like L’étoile Bleue, a raw organic sheep’s milk cheese, aged for four months from Fromagerie Du Charme in the Appalachian Mountains of Québec.

360

301 Front Street West,  CN Tower
Opened:  Mon-Sun – 10:15am - late
Website: www.cntower.ca

360 by Alex Watson

Do you ever admire a view but quickly find yourself seeking a new perspective? 360 at the CN Tower may be the restaurant of your dreams. The restaurant features Canadian cuisine and a breathtaking revolving view of Toronto (from 351 metres above street level!). Food and Beverage Director Peter George and Chef de Cuisine John Morris lead the culinary team and celebrate Canadian ingredients with the restaurant’s menu. 360 has won several awards over the years. 

If you're a wine lover, you're in luck. The restaurant is home to over 550 international and Canadian wines in its impressive "cellar in the sky", which is the highest in the world. Despite soaring above the clouds, the cellar resembles a typical underground wine cellar and features a tasting table. Since you can’t possibly be familiar with all those bottles, all of 360’s menu items feature a convenient suggested wine pairing. 

360 offers impressive prix fixe menus. A 2-course meal will set you back $65, a 3-course meal $79. If you prefer to dine a la carte, we recommend two side dishes and a main. For sides we like 360’s Yukon Gold Frites with Truffle Aioli ($10) and Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Double Smoked Bacon Lardons ($10). For a main, you can’t go wrong with something really Canadian like their Bison Tenderloin which is dressed with a Warner’s Farm black currant and chili jus, served alongside a black walnut and parsnip purée and Bodega Norton West coast black trumpet mushrooms ($85). Round out your decadent meal with a truly Canadian dessert like 360’s Lemon Raspberry Verrine which features Newfoundland shortbread and a dried raspberry meringue.

Arriba Restaurant

1 Blue Jay Way
Opened: Mon-Fri – 6:30am - 1:00am, Sat-Sun – 7am - 12am
Website: www.arribarestauranttoronto.com

Photo: Arriba

When you think of a great restaurant view, you probably imagine looking out at a city skyline or a breathtaking landscape. Arriba Restaurant wants you to look within. Located at 1 Blue Jays Way inside the Renaissance Hotel, Arriba offers incredible views into the Rogers Centre. The restaurant and lounge at Arriba are great options for a meal with a view. Whether you want to dine while watching the game, or get together with your crew for pre game drinks, Arriba is the place. The menu at Arriba is seasonal and showcases the best of Ontario's farmers. Most patrons come for the view and enjoy fresh fish with local produce and hamburgers made with Canadian ground beef. Arriba is open all day - for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks. 

Wake up at Arriba with a hearty breakfast like their Spanish Style Frittata loaded with Luis Suarez chorizo sausage, diced potato, wilted spinach, roasted grape tomatoes and shaved Asiago cheese ($17). If you’re stopping by for lunch, indulge in a Certified Angus Beef Burger or a Spicy Black Bean Burger (for vegetarians) with the works (lettuce, tomato, shaved red onion, and roasted garlic aioli) on an egg bun ($17). Take your burger over the top by adding bacon and cheddar ($19) or some Soppressata ($18). If you and the gang are going to Arriba for dinner and a game, don’t miss out on their Game Night Prime Rib (available only on game nights) - a slow roasted dijon crusted AAA Prime Rib served with a Yukon gold potato purée, market vegetables, and mushroom gravy ($34). If you stick around for dessert, you’ve got to try their Flourless Dark Chocolate Torte which is filled with warm dark chocolate ganache, a touch of fleur de sel, and a drizzle of berry coulis ($10).

Toula

1 Harbour Square, 38th Floor The Westin Harbour Castle
Opened: Lunch: Mon-Sun – 12pm - 3pm, Dinner: Mon - Sun – 5pm - 11pm
Website: www.toularestaurant.com

Photo: Toula

Toulà Restaurant & Bar offers an authentic Italian fine dining experience, and a stunning view of downtown Toronto and scenic Lake Ontario. Located high above Toronto's entertainment district on the 38th floor of The Westin Harbour Castle, Toula is the perfect spot for a romantic night out. The restaurant features over the top elegant decor - it's decked out in lush Italian fabrics with a gold leaf ceiling. Like any good Italian restaurant, menu offerings are divided into appetizers, pasta and risotto, carni (meat), pesce (fish and seafood), sides, and dolci (desserts). We recommend one of every course to enjoy the true Italian experience. 

Start your meal with the Calamari "Portofino" ($19) - a gluten free appetizer of grilled calamari, chilled tuscan bean salad, cannellini puree, white balsamic, and an extra virgin D.O.P. emulsion. For the pasta course, pasta lovers will adore the fact that Toula makes its own pasta in house by hand. We recommend the Ravioli Collalto ($30.99) - handmade ravioli stuffed with Robiola cheese, finished with pancetta, smoked ricotta, fresh basil and tomato sauce. If you want to go all out on the carni course, opt for the Carre D’ Agnello "In Crosta" ($50.99) - a pecan and honey mustard crusted Australian lamb rack served with a scallion mint pesto, alongside creamy mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. If you can squeeze in dessert, go light and delicate with their classic Coffee Semifreddo ($11).

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