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Top 10 French Restaurants in Toronto
It’s not news that Toronto is a city renowned for its incredible food scene and stunning diversity of cuisines. And among them, French cuisine shines splendidly, like a fully-loaded charcuterie board or a rich, velvety crème brûlée!
Now, we’re going to show you our list of the top French restaurants in Toronto that are refined as well-aged camemberts. So, read on, fellow gastronomes!
Le Sélect Bistro
Website: http://www.leselectbistro.com/
Address: 432 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1E3, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-626-6262
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday – 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday – 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Le Sélect Bistro gives a French classic twist to Canadian favourites. I mean, the Tourtière du Lac Brome is an homage to Quebecois comfort food.
Don’t even get me started on the choucroute garnie, a delightful combo of house-made sausages, pork belly, and sauerkraut. This hearty plate is the BFF of a frosty Toronto winter day.
The star of the bistro is definitely its steaming bowl of French onion soup. This isn’t your everyday soup, oh no. One spoonful of this hearty ambrosia, and you’ll reckon it’s a good day to be alive!
And food is just half of it. Le Sélect’s wine is nothing short of a mini-touraine. It’s chock-full of grand crus and first-rate vintage wines fit for every sommelier’s dream.
| Local tip: Swing by on weekends for an “oh là là!” brunch experience. And remember, always leave room for the tarte tatin; their upside-down caramelised apple tart is a thing of beauty. |
Auberge du Pommier
Website: http://www.aubergedupommier.com/
Address: 4150 Yonge St, North York, ON M2P 2C6, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-222-2220
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:45 AM to 2 PM, 5:30 PM to 12 AM
- Friday – 11:45 AM to 1:30 PM, 5:30 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 12 AM
Nestled in a 19th-century heritage building, Auberge du Pommier creates French cuisine that is hard to resist. A total escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown, it’s a fancy slice of France in uptown Toronto.
First off, the magret de canard is a total game-changer. This exquisitely cooked duck breast, paired with swiss chard and sour cherries, is bound to leave you waddling in joy (pun intended!).
Let’s not forget about the desserts: the delightful tarte à la citrouille will transport you to a cosy, sunny afternoon in a little French patisserie.
Plus, the studel à la poire—a puff pastry wonder with creamy vanilla sauce—simply nudges your tastebuds to say “oui”! And if a meal isn’t complete without a glass of vino for you, get excited.
Auberge du Pommier’s wine list is an encyclopaedia of French grape magic.
| Local tip: Go and try to cosy up by the fireplace in the wintertime for a lovely and warm dining experience. And definitely, take a chance on their potage du jour (soup of the day). |
Alo
Website: https://alorestaurant.com/
Address: 163 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 2L6, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-260-2222
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 5 PM to 12 AM
Right atop a heritage building on Queen Street West—wait for it—is Alo, a place that makes fine dining feel just right for a Tuesday night! Offering French cuisine infused with global accents, Alo has been making waves in Canada’s food circuit since day one.
For instance, the bayonne ham brushed with maple syrup (can it be more Canadian, ah?), served with fragrant green almonds and wild watercress, is a total trip.
Their take on risotto, featuring seasonal ingredients, will make you reevaluate everything you knew about risotto. Alo’s depth is also found in their drink menu.
Their cocchi & tonic, a pre-dinner cocktail, will set the right mood for your tasting expedition.
| Local tip: Make reservations well in advance. Seriously, this place is jogging-on-water magical! And please, give the durum wheat spaghetti a go; you’ll thank me later. |
La Banane
Website: http://www.labanane.ca/
Address: 227 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z8, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-551-6263
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 5:30 PM to 10 PM
La Banane knows how to rock the French culinary scene and gives you a new level of appreciation for seafood. Hands down, you’ll definitely want to get your claws into their famous eurobass en croûte (it’s the star of the show!).
This extravagant whole fish wrapped in golden puff pastry is almost too gorgeous to eat—almost! On the meatier side of things, La Banane’s duck confit parmentier will make you “quack” (in the best way possible) with its fennel confit and savoury onion jus.
Save room for dessert, their pièce de résistance, the ziggy stardust disco egg. Let’s just say this dessert is an Instagram-worthy chocolate egg that you’ll have a blast cracking open and devouring!
Cheeky French vibes, a mouthwatering menu, and a killer cocktail list—La Banane pairs sass with class, leaving you wishing the night (and their food) would go on and on!
| Local tip: Dressed to impress, this place loves when you get fancy-schmancy. Don’t forget to try their divine raw seafood platter! |
Biff’s Bistro
Website: http://www.biffsbistro.com/
Address: 4 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1G4, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-860-0086
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 4 PM to 9:30 PM
Look, I’m going to level with you: Biff’s Bistro is so much more than just a bistro. This gem on Front Street East is the kind of place you’ll wish you’d found years ago (and I’m here to help with that!).
You can’t go to Biff’s without sinking your teeth into their steak fries. Charred to perfection and served with garlic aioli, it’ll put a smile on your face as wide as the Eiffel Tower!
Wash it down with Biff’s creative cocktail list that’ll whisk you away to the city of lights. Like the royale with ease—a mix of bourbon, sherry, and bitters topped with some lovely champagne—that’s a perfect, classy cocktail!
Oh, and don’t forget their crème brûlée. This sweet, crunchy, creamy delight will make your heart sing!
| Local tip: In warmer months, don’t miss their lovely patio. And for a real treat, ask about the daily chef’s specials! |
La Palma
Website: http://lapalma.ca/
Address: 849 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1V5, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-368-4567
Operating hours:
- Wednesday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
When you mix California cool with that irresistible French je ne sais quoi, you get La Palma on Dundas Street West. The perfect blend of casual chic, this spot fuses fine dining with finger-licking goodness that’ll keep you coming’ back!
You can start your La Palma experience with their fabulous tuna crudo, an elevated French take on a classic California dish. Here’s another stunner: the bone marrow agnolotti—rich buttery goodness elevated to heavenly heights with the hint of niçoise olives.
Don’t worry, carnivores; they gotchu! The 100-layer lasagna is the perfect mix of slow-cooked bolognese and velvety béchamel that will leave you swooning. But hey! Don’t fill up too quickly!
We cannot talk about La Palma without gushing about their cloud cake. This delicate vanilla sponge sits on a bed of seasonal fruit and freshly whipped cream—a dessert you’ll never forget!
| Local tip: Head here on a sunny day and secure a spot on their rooftop patio. Also, let their affogato (vanilla gelato with espresso) work its magic on your senses. |
Café Boulud
Website: https://www.cafeboulud.com/toronto
Address: 60 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 0A4, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-963-6000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 7 AM to 11 AM, 11:45 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:30PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 7 AM to 11 AM, 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Café Boulud brings a slice of French elegance and sophistication to Toronto’s dining scene without making you feel out of place. First things first: their coq au vin will blow your bloomin’ socks off.
Now, if you’re a fan of the sea, their moules frites marinieres, featuring PEI mussels served with crispy fries, will hit your sweet spot perfectly. Onto the sips.
Their extensive wine list will take you on a tour around France’s finest vineyards without leaving your comfy seat. Try to pair these with the beauty of a dessert: tarte au citron.
| Local tip: For the best experience, slide into a spot by the window. And don’t you dare leave without trying their expertly crafted duck confit! |
Le Baratin
Website: http://www.lebaratin.ca/
Address: 1600 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1T8, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-534-8800
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 5:30 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Right, here’s the thing about Le Baratin. They keep it real. Tucked away in the lovely Parkdale neighbourhood, it gives you the kind of tranquilising comfort that you didn’t even realise you needed.
Let’s talk about food. Their bœuf bourguignon has been blowing minds left, right, and centre. Moving on, their mussels mariniere—fresh mussels cooked with white wine and garlic—ugh, just thinking about it is making me hungry!
And the drinks—oh, the drinks! Their French wine selection evokes the spirit of a wine-soaked Parisian evening. Finishing it off with their indulgent chocolate mousse is a must before you make your merry way back to Toronto.
| Local tip: Book in advance, especially for weekend dinners. Also, give their tart-sized quiche a spin! |
George Restaurant
Website: http://www.georgeonqueen.com/
Address: 111C Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1S2, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-863-6006
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 5:30 PM to 9 PM
I’m not going to pull any punches here; George Restaurant really is all that and a bag of chips. This elegant jewel located in the heart of downtown Toronto brings to the table tantalising French cuisine that sets the bar sky high.
Firstly, if you haven’t tried their tasting menu, you haven’t lived (I’m only slightly exaggerating!). This menu changes regularly to serve up the freshest seasonal produce, keeping things exciting and oh-so-delicious!
Their duck breast, for instance, done to perfection with hints of citrus and thyme, will incite a foodie love affair. Sage-crusted venison loin, anyone?
A trip to George Restaurant may persuade even the most die-hard vegetarians to give it a whirl! To top it all off, their chocolate terroir dessert is their trump card.
| Local tip: Trust their well-trained staff for food and wine pairing recommendations. Plus, you cannot miss their grand marnier soufflé! |
Scaramouche Restaurant
Website: http://www.scaramoucherestaurant.com/
Address: 1 Benvenuto Pl, Toronto, ON M4V 2L1, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-961-8011
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 5 PM to 9 PM
Alright, let’s fasten your seatbelts for the last stop on this French foodie journey: Scaramouche Restaurant. Perched in the affluent Forest Hill neighbourhood, this place proves that experience is the best teacher, and their dishes are the final exam!
If you’re looking to shake things up, Scaramouche’s Pasta Bar and Grill should be your go-to spot! Their lobster pasta, loaded with butter-poached Nova Scotia lobster, is all shades of fabulous.
And if you’re down for a little ocean splash, their pan-seared scallops, complemented with Swiss chard and ricotta gnocchi, are a total winner. Oh, we can’t forget their dessert, the coconut cream pie—a must grab!
| Local tip: Enjoy the breathtaking city view from their floor-to-ceiling windows. And be sure to check out their beautifully crafted duck two ways! |
