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Top 10 Vaughan Restaurants to Bookmark Before Your Next Hangout
“Do they have steaks?” “I’m gluten-free.” “Can we get drunk there?”—just a few of the things I hear flying around whenever my friends and I attempt the impossible: picking a place to eat.
That’s why I keep a mental list of go-to spots that keep everyone happy—call me Mr. Thoughtful Pants. Armed with this so-called superpower, I took the team on a mission to find the best restaurants in Vaughan.
From cozy cafes to upscale dining rooms, here’s a lineup that covers every craving, vibe, and budget. Read on, because your next favourite meal might just be on this list.
La Baracca
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Address: 10503 Islington Ave, Kleinburg
Contact details: +1 905-552-9501
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 12 PM – 10 PM
Pricing: $$$
La Baracca is housed in a charming historical home, with interior decor that mixes modern art with classic touches, and there’s a lush “secret garden” for warmer evenings. Their service starts at noon until 10 in the evening, and it’s neat that they have Sundays open for private events.
You can probably guess from their name—they serve up Italian cuisine with innovative twists and plating here and there. Their menu is varied and of quality; for instance, their seafood and pasta are often a standout choice, but their osso buco (veal shank) and lamb also get praised.
And yes, it’s definitely on the pricier side; many menu mains are in the higher range, say above $50, depending on what you pick. Also, for warmer months, dining at their outdoor patio is a nice treat, especially if you want to enjoy dinner under the stars.
| Pro tip: If you’re a bit lost on what to try, go for specialties like the lobster pasta, osso buco, and pistachio lava cake for dessert. And it’s best to book in advance for those aiming for a patio table, especially if you’re planning to dine during peak seasons. |
Moxie’s Grill & Bar
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Address: 30 Colossus Dr, Woodbridge
Contact details: +1 905-265-8090
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 12 AM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM – 1 AM
Pricing: $$
Moxie’s Grill & Bar is great for groups, dates, or catching a meal before or after a move since it’s across from the Colossus Theatre. This place also has a bar/lounge, and you can get discounted drinks during happy hour, which is around 2 PM to 5 PM and 9 pm to closing.
You can expect a menu with American, Canadian, and international influences. So, think burgers, steaks, salads, ribs, seafood, and small plates like tuna sushi stack and cashew chicken wraps. There are shareable options, as well, such as dry ribs and potstickers.
They also offer gluten-free items, which are conveniently marked on the menu, like burgers or sandwiches on a gluten-free bun. Plus, there are vegetarian options, and some dairy-free or vegan-friendly items, too.
| Pro tip: If you’re dining as a group, consider reserving ahead and aiming for the patio. And note that since it’s near the theatre, evenings and weekend nights tend to be busy, especially around 8 PM to 11 PM, so try to arrive early if you want to avoid the buzz. |
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar
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Address: 20 Colossus Dr, Woodbridge
Contact details: +1 905-850-3565
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Pricing: $$
One of the big draws with Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar is that they make pasta in-house daily, and their mozzarella is also freshly made, so you get that homey feel in every bite. You’ll find staples like pizzas, mains, and shareables, such as Spinach & Artichoke Dip—great for grazing.
This restaurant has a decent lineup of alternatives if you have dietary needs, such as vegetarian and vegan options, and gluten-free items. Surprisingly, their menu items are pretty affordable, with mains going for around $10 to $30, and the portion sizes are generous.
For ambiance and seating options, there’s a patio/outdoor seating when the weather cooperates, which is nice around summer or spring. If you want to eat indoors, there are booths and semi-private seating, and you can sit near the windows for something more relaxed.
| Pro tip: You can check their socials and look out for live DJ nights that usually happen on Thursdays and Fridays. And consider starting with a signature shareable, their Naked Mozzarella with Tomato Jam. |
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
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Address: 3300 Rutherford Rd
Contact details: +1 905-417-3570
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 4 PM – 12 AM
- Thursday to Friday: 4 PM – 1 AM
- Saturday: 12 PM – 1 AM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 11 PM
Pricing: $$$
True to its name, The Keg Steakhouse + Bar gets its flowers for serving high-quality steak cuts—filet mignon, top sirloin, New York strip, prime rib, and they highlight “legendary Keg steaks” as the main offering.
Here’s the thing: while steak is the star, there are other options like seafood, chicken dishes, appetizers like calamari or escargot, salads, soups, and a lineup of shareable items. If you have food allergies—gluten, dairy, shellfish—you can browse their online menu or tell a staff member.
The vibe? Expect something more upscale, polished environment, so it’s quiet enough for a date night and classy enough for a celebration. This also means you’ll be leaving after paying a steep bill, especially if you add drinks, appetizers, and sides, and the tab just grows.
| Pro tip: Keep in mind that the steaks here are generous, so one good cut plus two or more sides shared (especially vegetables or a starch) gives you room to enjoy without overpaying, especially if you’re with someone else. |
Cappadocia Cafe & Bakery
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Address: 9000 Weston Rd
Contact details: +1 647-921-0025
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 8 AM – 12 AM
- Friday to Saturday: 8 AM – 2 AM
Pricing: $
What’s neat about Cappadocia Cafe & Bakery is that everything is fully halal, which means the meats, breads, and other ingredients adhere to halal standards—a big plus if you can’t find other halal places. They serve Turkish-style breakfast and mixed platters with big portions.
And since this is a Turkish-bakery meets cafe type of place, you’ll find lots of baked goods alongside more substantial items like pide and flatbreads. For drinks, their Turkish tea and coffee are also well-praised, and really complement their goods.
Not to mention, given that it’s a cafe, it has a warm, stylish, and cozy setting that works great for casual meetups, dessert breaks, or getting a nice breakfast.
| Pro tip: If you’re with someone else, it’s a good idea to order one mixed breakfast platter rather than separate full breakfasts. It usually gives you variety and can be easier on the wallet (it’s already budget-friendly, regardless!). |
Yokai Izakaya
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Address: 3175 Rutherford Rd Unit 28, Woodbridge
Contact details: +1 647-930-2623
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 5 PM – 11 PM
- Friday: 5 PM – 12 AM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 11 PM
Pricing: $$
Yōkai Izakaya is a trendy Japanese restaurant that puts creative twists on its dishes—items like Ebi Nori Risotto, Wagyu Sliders, and Lobster & Shrimp Tacos are some examples of how they mash up different elements to keep things interesting and explore different flavours.
That said, because it’s izakaya style, many dishes are small plates or shareable options, which is nice if you want to try various items without having to commit to a larger dish.
They’ve also got a stylish place going on; think Japanese art, mood lighting, lively bar, good buzz, especially in the evenings.
| Pro tip: They’ve got cool brunch offerings, particularly their Big Boozy Brunch on weekends, typically 11 AM – 3 PM, which includes fun items like Matcha Cereal Milk French Toast, Yōkai Big Breakfast, plus creative drinks like mimosas with twists. |
The Vaughan City Grill
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Address: #4A, 211 Marycroft Ave, Woodbridge
Contact details: +1 905-856-6122
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 4 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 7 AM – 3 PM
Pricing: $
The Vaughan City Grill is a solid place to go if you don’t want to spend too much for a hearty meal. This place specializes in breakfast (or brunch) any time you feel like it. They cook omelettes, eggs Benedict, pancakes, clubhouses, wraps, and “Big Breakfasts.”
You’re not limited to just sweet and savoury food either, since they also offer lighter options like fruit bowls, yogurt parfaits, salads, and more. On that note, this spot is casual and welcoming, especially with families, groups, and people with kids.
Its location is quite convenient, too. The restaurant sits in a plaza setting, so there are tons of free parking spaces, and they have a wheelchair-accessible entrance.
| Pro tip: They have gluten-free pancakes, waffles, and more, so if you need that or have other dietary needs, be sure to mention it clearly when ordering, especially if you’re sensitive about cross-contamination or substitutions. |
Karahi Boys
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Address: 9781 Jane St unit -4, Maple
Contact details: +1 905-553-0381
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 4 PM – 11 PM
- Friday: 1 PM – 1 AM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 1 AM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 12 AM
Pricing: $$
Karahi Boys focuses on traditional Pakistani karahi dishes, like chicken and goat. This halal place offers things like chicken karahi, butter chicken, and goat karahi, with varying spice levels you can decide on.
One of the best things to do if you dine with a group is to get the family platters, since it can easily feed two or more people. Besides the meat dishes, you can also go for vegetarian karahi and curry options, such as paneer and chana daal.
And don’t miss out on their dessert selection, like Khoya Kheer and Gulab Jamun.
| Pro tip: If this is your first time, especially with the cuisine, try something like the Chitti karahi or Potohari style. That way, you can see how spicy or rich the flavour is without being overwhelmed. |
Cantina Amici
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Address: 345 Millway Ave Unit 2
Contact details: +1 289-622-1222
Operating hours:
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 3 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM
- Friday: 11 AM – 4 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
- Saturday: 5 PM – 10:30 PM
Pricing: $$$
Cantina Amici is a fairly new restaurant among the others on this list, but it’s not to be underestimated. This place emphasizes Neapolitan-style Italian food, with handcrafted dishes, house-made pasta, pizzas, and classic Italian mains.
Yes, this is a high-end restaurant with higher rates—entrees are usually priced above $50, especially for steaks and pizzas. For groups, their “tagliere” options (meat, seafood, etc.) are designed for sharing, making it a great order for sampling a variety of dishes.
| Pro tip: If you’re sensitive to spice, oil, or strong flavours like garlic or truffle, then check with the kitchen or staff, since Italian fine dining tends to push the flavours. |
Perla Oyster Bar & Grill
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Address: 3580 Major MacKenzie Dr W, Woodbridge
Contact details: +1 289-657-0909
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 12 PM – 9 PM
- Thursday: 12 PM – 10 PM
- Friday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Saturday: 4 PM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 4 PM – 9 PM
Pricing: $$$
One of the highlights of Perla Oyster Bar & Grill is their raw bar. You’ll get to enjoy a variety of oysters, seafood towers, fresh shellfish, and more. If you like raw or just lightly prepared seafood with the right dipping sauce, then this might be a go-to.
Other than seafood, they also offer grill classics like steaks, meats, and surf-and-turf style dishes—especially for those who aren’t too fond of seafood.
And to match the food, you can also try their specialty cocktails, premium beer/craft beer, and their extensive wine selection.
| Pro tip: If you’re dining with 2-4 people, sharing a seafood tower or a couple of different shellfish starters lets you enjoy more items without having to order too much. |
