Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Whitby

"Next on our list is a classic Queen Street supperclub spot that most who are familiar with if they’ve ever gone out to party on Queen West. The Drake Hotel, but for all intensive purposes, we’re strictly talking about the rooftop patio. With premium drinks and food this casual spot lends itself well to the eclectic hipster vibe of Queen West."

"The Sky Yard at the Drake Hotel gives you the very best and true experience of Toronto patios. Photo by Sky Yard At The Drake Hotel website. In the heart of downtown Toronto’s Queen St, the Sky Yard over the Drake Hotel is where the Southwest meets the West Queen."

"The corner of Queen and Spadina was never the most posh or  interesting address in Toronto, so when chef Patrick Kriss announced he would open a restaurant on the third floor of a historic Victorian building there, local foodies were skeptical. Once Alo opened in 2015 with high-concept, French-inflected cuisine, it soon topped critics' choice lists around the world and Kriss' naysayers became believers. The menu changes with the seasons; you're as likely to encounter 30-day dry-aged rack of lamb as you are Hokkaido sea urchin with fennel, wasabi, and yuzu."

"Perched at the top of a heritage building within the centre, Alo is often talked about as one of the best restaurants in Toronto for French food. Now, there are two different ways to eat at Alo, one being through a reservation to eat within Alo’s Dining Room (reserve a table, here). Though, be prepared, this books up super-fast)."

"The most striking thing about Gusto 101 isn't the fact that it's located in a former auto body shop—it's that the space actually feels cozy and convivial. The restaurant delivers crowd pleasing Southern Italian classics, including a near-perfect rendition of cacio e pepe. Grilled entrees are also exceptional, especially the branzino, which is served with escarole, cannellini beans, and a lemony, garlicky salmoriglio sauce."

"A post shared by Gusto 101 (@gusto101to) on Jun 23, 2020 at 7:44am PDT. With a retractable roof, this patio is in business rain or shine. On the menu, Italian standards like pizzas and pasta plus three magic words: vino on tap."

"Lavelle is for suited and booted EDM lovers|Courtesy of Lavelle. Summer in Toronto is fleeting, so residents make the most of the weather by spending every possible second outdoors. Swanky Lavelle is at the top of the rooftop pecking order."

"The exclusive Lavelle is a little on the pricier side but just wait until you see the view!. It basically feels like you’re sitting on a beach in the sky. You can enjoy a cocktail by the pool at this rooftop patio."

"Grey Gardens is an understated wine bar from one of Toronto’s most infamous restaurateurs, Jen Agg. However, it only takes a quick scan of the menu to see that unlike many wine bars, food isn’t an afterthought here — this is one of the city’s most ambitious operations. Chef Mitch Bates — who won rave reviews before this at Momofuku Shōtō — skips the typical meat and cheese boards, instead giving diners options such as smoked fish dip or hand-torn pasta with truffles, rapini, and chicken skin."

"Opened last year by Mitch Bates, formerly chef de cuisine at Momofuku Ko, and Jen Agg of the Black Hoof, this “new North American” restaurant is the perfect excuse to spend a night exploring the lively Kensington Market neighbourhood. There’s an extensive wine list, and hearty dishes like dry-aged duck and black truffle ravioli to enjoy in the pretty space."

"This pastel blue and white spot has an incredible open kitchen. Watch delicate plating appear before your eyes, cozy up in candlelight, and enjoy the perfect atmosphere. It’s not a fussy date restaurant with those semi-stuck up vibes, thankfully."

"This hidden treasure on Brimley Road might be one of the best insights into how early settlers lived when they arrived in Scarborough, before it became on the biggest suburbs in the 20th century. Set off a series of trails and greenery of the Thomson Memorial Park, this series of four buildings is especially beautiful in the summertime."

"The Toronto Post Office was built sometime in the 1800s, and it served as a post office (duh) back in the day. It’s now a designated National Historic Site of Canada, and it’s a pretty building you won’t hear much about. You’ll find a few other beautiful Victorian-style buildings located on Toronto Street as well!"

"Tucked away on Bay and Dundas (otherwise known as Little Japan) is TSUJIRI – a matcha dessert and teahouse. Originally from Kyoto, this branch is the shop’s first expansion into North America. Embracing the Canadian esthetic, the dessert shop features furniture made from Douglas fir and maple while serving up matcha in the form of soft-serve ice cream, shaved ice or pastries."

"Matcha has been a huge obsession across North America’s food scene, and Tsujiri is a speciality café borne from this trend. The company has a history of over 150 years in Japan, and its now success has found its way overseas in the heart of downtown Toronto. The café has cold and hot drinks, ice cream, and baked goods, all with the same common denominator: matcha goodness."

"Lovers of matcha will rejoice at Tsujiri, an originally Japanese powdered green-tea chain from Kyoto. All of the desserts here made with high-quality matcha, ensuring that each item had a rich taste. Choose from a variety of treats such as matcha soft serve (with adzuki beans and dango) or a matcha cookie puff."

"The unique Toronto ice cream business seeks to empower individuals with social and developmental barriers to employment by creating training and job opportunities in a supportive, community based environment. Owner Denise Soueidan-O’Leary explains the history of The Lansdowne Cone, ” I bought it for myself for my 30th birthday in 2014!. The parlour was given its name by the former owners who were inspired by its location."

"Located in the heart of the Annex neighbourhood, the Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church became one after the two congregations, St. Paul’s Avenue Road United Church and Trinity United Church, joined together in 1887-89 to serve the community. The building was erected in 1889 and has since undergone several renovations, which have improved accessibility and acoustic sound."