Now that indoor dining is allowed, there’s really no better time to try out new restaurants and make up for all the time that we’ve spent cooped up in our kitchens and cooking non-stop. To help you decide which restaurants, bakeries, pizzerias and patios you should try next, our team has rounded up some of their favourite local spots. Read on to discover some of the best places to bring the whole family in the GTA for lunch, dinner and dessert.
San Remo Bakery in Etobicoke
Submitted by: Daniele Mothe, Broker
San Remo Bakery has been a staple in the Mimico community for years. They have been proudly serving the GTA since 1969 as a family-owned Italian Bakery and have been rated one of Toronto’s Top Choice Bakeries for 7 years. They have 1 uber-successful location that they call home and luckily for our residents at Empire Phoenix, it’s only a 7-minute drive away.
Maker Pizza in Toronto
Submitted by: Adam Miao, Sales Representative
Against the Grain in Toronto
Submitted by: Anet Maniocha, Sales Represenative
Located just steps away from Empire Quay House is Against the Grain — one of Toronto’s only Waterfront Taverns. Visitors can lounge on their spacious patio situated right beside Lake Ontario. They even offer picnic experience kits for you to order, filled with delicious wraps, spiced hummus and freshly baked goods to eat at Sugar Beach.
Carisma in Toronto
Submitted by: Anet Maniocha, Sales Representative
Carisma is nothing short of spectacular, and as one of Toronto’s Best Italian Restaurants, there’s no wonder why it’s a favourite amongst its long-standing clientele as well as new patrons. Located just 11 minutes away from Empire Maverick, this is a hit for lunch, dinner and late-night dessert.
Darbar Persian Grill in Toronto
Submitted by: Parissa Ahanin, Sales Representative
Darbar Persian Grill is a high-end restaurant that’s said to have some of the best Persian food in the city, right on Avenue Road near Empire Maven. It’s your go-to for traditional Persian foods like Kebab’s and Saffron Pudding. For those that are looking to try something new, we suggest adding this to the top of your list.
Spool in Brantford
Submitted by: Jayne Smillie, Sales Representative
Spool serves the best street-style food in the city, from deep fried cheese curds to gourmet poutine and mac ‘n cheese. With so many different varieties to choose from like Thanksgiving inspired dishes to Cheesy Bacon Fries, you won’t ever run out of new specials to try. For those that live in our Wyndfield community, it’s 9 minutes away.
Lake House Restaurant in Vineland
Submitted by: Nancy Tompkins, Sales Represenative
Lake House is an upscale, contemporary restaurant that features Mediterranean specialties. Their menu includes gourmet thin-crust pizzas, risotto dishes and their signature pecan crusted salmon or seafood paella. Set right beside the shores of Lake Ontario, this restaurant makes for a beautiful destination to celebrate special occasions or a romantic dinner for two. Those that live at Legacy or Calderwood need only travel 20 minutes to visit.
Bistro Greeco Italiano in Brantford
Submitted by: Melody Lerno, Sales Representative
Bistro Greeco Italiano fuses the best of both worlds — authentic Greek food with Italian cuisine. Their ingredients are fresh, locally sourced and all dishes are made to order. The restaurant itself was designed to impart a comfortable feel, similar to that of dining at home. Its known for its karaoke nights, live music and piano bar. Located in Brantford, it’s a great go-to for residents of Wyndfield.
Argyle Street Grill in Caledonia
Submitted by: Raj Ahluwalia, Sales Representative
Argyle Street Grill’s menu is fit for all — offering specials ranging from savoury deep-fried pickles and infamous chicken wings to their nine-veggie stir-fry. They use only the finest fresh and local produce, baking their bread in Hagersville and sourcing their cheese straight from Simcoe. Located near our Avalon community, the restaurant was featured on the Food Network’s “You Gotta Eat Here” and is definitely recommended to anyone who hasn’t been.
Next, explore these top 5 farm-to-table hotspots in Haldimand County and find out what everyone in town is raving about at Wally Parr Sausages in Caledonia.
Images courtesy of: TasteToronto (SanRemo Bakery); Gastro World (Maker Pizza); FAB Restaurant Concepts (Against the Grain); Carisma Restaurant (Carisma); Uber Eats (Darbar Persian Restaurant); Uber Eats (Spool); LGCI (Lake House Restaurant); Bistro Greeco Italiano (Bistro Greeco Italiano); Ontario’s Southwest (Argyle Street Grill).