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Here’s where these well-known Torontonians like to eat in the city

Several well-known Torontonians share their favourite places to grab a bite in the city.

Published: March 05, 2026 at 8:32AM EST

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Teresa Resch, President of the WNBA's Toronto Tempo “I often frequent Linny’s, 176 Ossington Ave. The pastrami, both for dinner and for lunch - in sandwich form at Linny’s Luncheonette next door, always satisfy,” says Resch. “For dinner, General Public has lived up to the billing of best restaurant in the city. I also can’t forget Danny’s Pizza and Danny’s next door – favourite place to end the night or head to after going to a sporting event in the city.” Resch says she also loves breakfast sandwiches, and Emmer, at 161 Harbord St., has “the best one I’ve tried in the city.”

Dolf DeJong, Toronto Zoo CEO “One of the things I love about my job is watching the community come together in a shared experience, and for me that is what having a local pub like the Black Dog, 87 Island Rd., is really about – the people. Whether I’m there spending time with friends, family or colleagues, it’s amazing to walk into a place where the staff and regulars know you by name, and each visit I get to know more about the people in my local community and what that are passionate about.”

Chi Nguyen, Member of Parliament for Spadina-Harbourfront “If I am just grabbing a bite, I love Waterworks Food Hall. It’s casual, it’s busy in a good way, and there’s always something great to eat. It feels like Toronto because there is lots of choice and lots of energy. But if I’m settling in for a long meal where I can actually talk, relax, and enjoy the evening then it’s Restaurant 20 Victoria, 20 Victoria St. The food is excellent and it is somewhere you go when you want to slow down.”

Moe Hosseini-Ara, City Librarian for the Toronto Public Library “Bar Reyna (158 Cumberland St.) is up there for its atmosphere, friendly staff, great music and tapas style dishes. The outdoor/indoor back room is almost magical and has such a cool and relaxing vibe. Indoor trees, sparkly lights and views of the sky, all while sitting inside. I really like tapas style eating where you have many dishes with small bites and different flavours, and Reyna really delivers. The combination of Spanish and Mediterranean flavours is super tasty! I recommend it every opportunity I get, which may be why it’s busier now than it used to be!”

Michael Longfield, Cycle Toronto Executive Director “The Three Speed, 1163 Bloor St. W., is great for after dinner drinks. They also have a fantastic chicken + mac and cheese,” he says. Longfield also gave an honourable mention to fellow Bloordale favourite, Sugo, 1281 Bloor St. W., for its eggplant parm. “I definitely appreciate that both are easy and convenient to get to thanks to the Bloor bike lanes. Sugo in particular has a "don't park in the bike lane" sign out front that I appreciate,” says Longfield.

Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt "Satay Sate Indonesian Food, 12 William Sylvester Dr., consistently delivers amazing flavour, great value, and a warm experience. Every dish feels thoughtfully made — from the super-fresh, healthy Gado Gado with its rich house-made peanut sauce, to the Mie Jawa noodles packed with bold garlic and chili, even accommodating my request for less oil). The chicken satay is beautifully glazed and pairs perfectly with their fragrant coconut rice — a dish I enjoyed even as someone who doesn’t usually love coconut,” says Yip, who noted that she supports the businesses in her riding by reviewing a different food option every week. “They also go the extra mile with touches like friendly service, two hours of free parking, and special treats like the Mother’s Day Dadar Gulung. It’s the kind of spot where you feel taken care of, the food tastes incredible, and you walk away happy every time — which is why it’s my go-to place to eat in Toronto.”

John Zerucelli, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North “Faley Restaurant, 42 Rexdale Blvd., serves delicious Hakka Chinese food. They’re in my riding, right near the mosque, so the restaurant is a hub of the community. You can have a great meal there for around $10. They haven’t raised their prices in years. They want to keep their dishes affordable so the everyone can keep coming back. And wow! Their food is tasty. It’s one of my favourite places in Toronto. Highly recommended."

Mary-Margaret McMahon, Member of Provincial Parliament for Beaches-East York “Like all over Toronto, there is an enormous variety of fabulous food to choose from! Hard to choose, however I love Bhojan Ghar, 1870 Danforth Ave., near Woodbine Avenue. And the best part is that I can pick up their delightful Nepalese dumplings at the East Lynn Park Farmer’s market on the run!” (photos Supplied/Serafina Bryan)

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Member of Parliament for Beaches-East York “Bodega Henriette, 1801 Gerrard S. E., has great vegan options and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s always hard to get a table for good reason. My second choice is Delina, 1891 Queen St. E. and 941 Kingston Rd., with the best falafels in the neighbourhood, it's a family business owned by a mother with her daughters. They're a local success story that's now growing to a second location. The food is amazing.“

Olivia Ansell, Artistic Director for Luminato “Bar Koukla, 88 Ossington Ave., Unit 2, offers authentic contemporary Greek food with eclectic décor vibes, perfect for entertaining friends pre or post a theatre show. Their Alfresco dining gives visitors the quintessential Toronto experience in summer. Hip, balmy and playful,” says Ansell. “Sunny’s Chinese, 60 Kensington Ave., Units 6-14, brings all the Chinese and Hong Kong flavours I grew up eating in Australia. Bold spice and modern flair, this restaurant exudes ‘hole in the wall’ style coolness serving regional fair that is mouth watering. If you have room, try the blackbird HK French Toast!”

Salma Zahid, Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East “You can eat around the world in Scarborough and for me there’s no better spot than Aleppo Kebab, 1960 Lawrence Ave. E. Founded by an immigrant fleeing the Syrian war who has made Canada his home, the food is made with love and the Adana Kebab Is my go-to when I need good food on the go,” Zahid says. (photos Supplied/Google Maps)

Dianne Saxe, Toronto City Councillor for University-Rosedale “For a special occasion, I love going to Hawker, 291 Augusta Ave., because the food is so inventive and delicious, and unlike what I can get anywhere else,” says Saxe. The downtown councillor said she also enjoys two other vegan restaurants in Kensington Market: Greens Vegetarian Restaurant, 638 Dundas St. W., and King's Café, 192 Augusta Ave. (photos Supplied/Google Maps)

Eva Chin, Culinary Director of the Hong Shing Restaurant Group “I go to The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, 165 York St., for their prime rib! Everything there is perfect. $80 for an entire Billie Miners pie.” Chin says she also enjoys Stop Restaurant, 397 Roncesvalles Ave., as the chef there cooks Eastern European old world classics in a way that is “mesmerizing.” "Stop is also great for date nights," she adds. Lunch Lady, at 93 Ossington Ave., is another one of Chin’s favourites, for “really amazing east meets west Vietnamese food.” “As someone originally from Vancouver I was so happy to see them open here,” Chin says, adding Hello Nori, 648 King St. W., is her “favourite sushi-to-go in the city.” (photos Boris Melev/Google Maps)

Josh Matlow, Toronto City Councillor for Toronto-St. Paul’s “Our city has so many diverse and delicious restaurants that it’s hard to pick. I have many “go-tos” in all parts of Toronto. However, one of my favorite local places to grab a bite in Midtown has got to be The Burger Shack, 233 Eglinton Ave. W. It’s an old school spot with weathered seats, diner-like booths and the kind of real, classic, and fulfilling burger that puts you in a happy place the moment you bite into it," says Matlow. (photos Supplied/Google Maps)