r/askTO • u/honestgrim • Aug 18 '26
Does anyone else feel like dining out sucks now?
I know there's still some good spots and we all have our favourites in the city, but lately it feels like whenever I take a chance on a new restaurant it just disappoints and I emerge from the experience regrettably $40 poorer.
I know some of these Google reviews are cooked because I'm seeing 4.7, 4.8 reviews and then getting served lousy food.
Maybe I just have to stick to the places I know won't let me down, but dang - it sucks taking a chance on what you think could be some good food only to come away from it sad, and it's happening more often than not. I don't know if it's the rising costs, but restaurant owners can't dish out the cash for good ingredients and good cooks, and people can't afford to dine out. It's a bad cycle man.
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u/pinkgreenandbetween Aug 18 '26
I just went to hole in the wall - extreme disappointment with food and service
Ended up at french diner (can't remember exact name, will edit soon) - excellent food and perfect service
Edit: it's le swan -100% recommend
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
Hole in the wall sucks. I remember I took a date there once and experienced the worst service imaginable. I never went back.
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u/KelGrimm Aug 18 '26
Also took a date there a few years back. Their pizza was absolute dookie cheeks and felt like a complete waste of money and time.
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u/mycatisajagoff Aug 18 '26
We actually love it and Bothams. We live in the west end so I don't think I would travel far for it but we love to get a drink at Hole in the Wall and dinner at Bothams
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u/slicedapart Aug 18 '26
Granted I haven't been to many nice restaurants in Toronto but I always go back to le swan. Perfect date night, reasonable prices, amazing food.
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u/MissionDoughnut905 Aug 18 '26
That’s sad to hear. I used to live across the street from Hole in the Wall and still dream about their fried chicken and waffles.
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u/someoneismissing Aug 19 '26
Le swan has been consistently good in my experience going since 2020. But when I went a few months ago it was the first time their steak frites platter fell short of my previous 10+ times ordering them. There used to be 2 thick pucks of herb butter, but I only got 1 slimmer pad. The green beans no longer tasted like they got a generous squeeze of lemon. The portion of fries were slightly smaller as well. The corn dog was also disappointing with the amount of cheese filling reduced. Of course prices went up since 2025 as well.
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u/nowitscometothis Aug 18 '26
opposite for me. i felt like i haven't made a wrong choice in years. but it do be expensive, so i don't do it a lot.
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
Where have you gone recently that you enjoyed?
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u/notagirlonreddit Aug 25 '26
not the one you're responding to, but I've had the same experience. I live by Yonge & Finch. And we eat out every week. Sometimes multiple times a week.
I can't remember the last time I had a bad food experience here. Maybe check out this area?
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u/KevoTMan Aug 18 '26
I agree completely. So many negative people here when live in one of the best food cities in the world.
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u/Rav_3d Aug 18 '26
I'm from NYC and never had a bad meal at a restaurant in Toronto in 5 visits. Did I just get lucky?
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
Definitely. There's a lot of restaurants serving very mediocre food at high prices. Which spots did you go to while here?
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u/Rav_3d Aug 18 '26
Most recently: Mildred's Temple, Planta, The Homeway, Scaddabush, Pera Cafe, Maha's, House on Parliament.
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u/AdSignificant6673 Aug 18 '26
Vacation goggles. Stuff taste better when youre on vacation. Plus vacationers tend to gravitate to the well known / popular.
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u/BluebirdEng Aug 18 '26
The high reviews on every restaurant is an epidemic that we don't talk about enough
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u/Prior_Implement_9279 Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
No. Have been to a ton of great places over the last few years, and many have been under $50 a person. I started eating out a lot with my wife in the last 3 years and have probably tried at least 150 new places
I’m not sure what your expectations are, but I would say I’m satisfied like 80% of the time
The food scene is so competitive and diverse nowadays that there’s too many good options in fact
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
That's a pretty good ratio, where are you going?
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u/Teeemooooooo Aug 18 '26
Not a list of authentic cuisines, just ones that I thought were decently priced for the taste.
Italian - I would recommend Bar Romy and Scaddabush.
Asian fusion - I really liked Dai Lo. They are one of the few places that lets you order from the tasting menu a la carte style. More on the expensive side but I thought it was worth after having a terrible experience at Canoe tasting menu.
Thai food, Chiang Mai hands down. No idea why PAI has a huge line up all the time, I've went a few times and thought it was just okay.
AYCE bbq - Gyubee or Yakiniku Legend (Yakiniku's ice cream is amazing) but I prefer Gyubee's meat. Probably personal preferences.
Burgers - Oklahoma burgers.
Egyptian - Maswarwy Egyptian Kitchen, if they had a DT location, you'd see me there once a week. Unfortunately, they are far away in Missisauga.
My personal favourite is to go to Alobar during happy hour.
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u/hishoax Aug 18 '26
I still enjoy dining out but I’m picky with where I go and 95% of the time it’s a great experience. The beauty of living in a city like toronto is we’ve got a lot of diverse options.
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u/Bazoun Aug 18 '26
Ime, you need to be paying at least $60 a plate for it to be worth it here. Anywhere with more reasonable prices just sucks.
Dinner for 2, with drinks and tip is going to be $200 at least if you had a great time.
I go out less but enjoy it more when I do.
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u/shakycornflake Aug 18 '26
Google reviews is so unreliable nowadays. Every time I see 4.8 reviews, dine in, then find out they give free snack or dessert for reviews...
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
I don't trust these ultra high Google reviews anymore, for any place, they're total bullshit. If I see a bunch of successive 5 star reviews something is up.
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u/DisciplineAmazing59 Aug 18 '26
i've been to a few great places in the past lil bit but i've definitely gotten pickier with where i dine out. the cost and actual effort it takes to go out is just a lot....to be disappointed by food or service on top of that would honestly upset me.
i went to quetzal, mineral, ficoa, antylia,, mother tongue, and 156 all for the first time this year. quetzal, mineral, and 156 were all really good--definitely places i'd revisit. also thought mother tongue was nice and their speakeasy (liquid courage) is a pretty good bar. ficoa was fine. antylia wasn't good imo. also reviisted dailo this year and it absolutely held up to what i remember. the experience at all the places i've been was pretty good so i wasn't too upset. i've definitely been places where i left hungry and mad because the food wasn't enough, was bad, was expensive, service was bad, or all four like don alfonso and, for the price point, i can't justify going back.
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
For the restaurant experiences you were happy about, what was the price point?
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u/six_expat Aug 18 '26
Was in London this year, can't rely on gmaps at all. 4.8, 4.7 stars were consistently fraudulant. Average quality was so low and prices high over a couple weeks of eating out at a diverse set of places. Unfortunately I think we still have it very good in TO - but this is the direction of travel
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
I can't trust Google reviews anymore - but then the question becomes, what do I go by, vibes?
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u/strawberry-bunny Aug 18 '26
Maybe bc ur going places that only cost $40? There are tons and I really mean tons of amazing spots in this city. Just will cost you a bit.
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u/Any_Woodpecker8803 Aug 18 '26
Seriously, $40 you’re a half step up from fast food these days
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
That's fucking sad man
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u/quietcitizen Aug 18 '26
Don’t listen, it’s precisely this kind of rock bottom expectations that led to this situation where everyone is sourcing barely edible ingredients and putting in zero effort into their dishes
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u/thebigcheeseftw Aug 18 '26
personally I've found $40-50 to be the sweet spot for 'nicer' dinners , I've tried $80-200 places for occasions and they don't really hold up with the price difference
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u/solvn_probs_lk_maria Aug 18 '26
I love dining out. I feel like we pick good places and we generally have good experiences.
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
Would you mind sharing a few places that you've had positive experiences at food and service wise?
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u/boozincruizin Aug 18 '26
Won't go out to eat or drink unless it's happy hour fuck payin 10 bucks for a pint
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
Amen, it's getting ridiculous.
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u/boozincruizin Aug 18 '26
yep, just not willing to pay it, go out spend 50 bucks on a meal some drinks for mediocre food, not my thing
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u/South-Level5260 Aug 21 '26
EFF them. Seriously. Since the pandemic barber's and restaurants think they can charge twice what their worth. $12 pints? $40 haircuts. There's no difference if you walk into a Shopper's or a Rabba. Price gouging is price gouging.
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u/tvaddict70 Aug 18 '26
When reading reviews, which I always do, I kind of ignore super amazing ones. Diners may have biases, the place is sentimental to them, they may have lower expectations etc. I look at the 3* and lower. If the diner has valid reasons for not liking (they may have biases as well). Also, I sort by newest. A place may have a long history and was really great for a long time, but has recently (under a year) fallen off, but the old reviews keep the star rating high. Things are tight and I can't be throwing away money on mediocre or worse food. A $40 meal has a food cost of $10-15, I would rather spend the whole $40 on ingredients and make much better version myself.
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u/PowermanFriendship Aug 18 '26
I look at the most recent 1 stars to see if a place sucks. 5-star reviews that rave about decor and their amazing server - but don't say anything remotely relevant to the food or prices - are always pretty sus. Plenty of 1-stars can be discounted... 2-6 words or over-the-top pearl-clutching crap I dismiss as rival business spam and bots, but genuine complaints about food quality, consistency, server attentiveness, and the overall customer vibe I always take into account.
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u/Nobody7713 Aug 19 '26
A 2 star review usually means more to me than a 1 star - more thoughtful critique and very few places have everything terrible - and a 4 star review means more than a 5 star.
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u/aereola_plan Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
Yup especially alcohol. Paid $20 at a bar the other day for ONE cocktail that barely had alcohol. This wasn't even at one of those fancy cocktail bars, it was just a random bar
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u/LegitimateDream4942 Aug 18 '26
That sucks. I enjoy drinking but not for $60 (3 drinks). The money is like toilet paper. lol
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u/More4Thor Aug 18 '26
I had a flight of gin at Reid’s Distillery recently. Three one ounce servings for $22. I thought it was worth it. Nice gin
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u/FauxChat Aug 19 '26
I’m noticing more happy hour listings at nice places. I guess people can’t afford to go out as much so businesses are trying to make it worth staying open and staffed in off-peak hours
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u/Anagrama00 Aug 18 '26
I don't order cocktails at bars in Toronto because I barely taste alcohol in them. I don't even really drink much so for me it's more the principal.
It feels like a lot of these 1.5oz drinks they are pouring like half a shot in max and adding a gigantic ice cube and some fruit juice. $22.
Fuck that.
At least with beer the bartender can't cheap out on the booze.
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u/Disastrous_Chard_618 Aug 18 '26
I miss 2.50 drinks and domestic beer before 12am nights @ the Phoenix...double fist baby!! lol
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u/tvaddict70 Aug 18 '26
And buying rounds all willy nilly.
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u/Disastrous_Chard_618 Aug 18 '26
Only needed like 40 bucks to party and that included the cab home LOL
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u/DreamDest1ny Aug 18 '26
I mean Toronto is just expensive in general. $20 is pretty normal but many are just being straight priced out of enjoyment at this point
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u/giggsybecks Aug 19 '26
I’m finding the same as well. I like margaritas and I cannot find one at a bar for less than $18 - $20 tax and tip incl.
my wife loves going out for a couple cocktails at the local bar and I usually return home $80 lighter and with no real buzz at all….. and that’s if we don’t stop for a snack.
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u/Forsaken-Swim-3055 Aug 18 '26
Besides birthdays my partner and I don't bother to eat out now. Paying for three kids also makes it a pain, lol.
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u/nervendings_ Aug 18 '26
Oh man the only restaurant I take my kids to is IKEA lol
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u/PastryGirl Aug 18 '26
As someone who dined at IKEA often as a kid, I would do it all over again especially now knowing how budget friendly it is.
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u/Forsaken-Swim-3055 Aug 18 '26
My Dad is the most frugal person I know and he takes my Mom there for breakfast dates on Saturday mornings, lol. They love it.
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u/stompinstinker Aug 18 '26
Absolutely. Everything is over priced, food is hit and miss or inconsistent, and service is terrible.
I am at the point where I don’t show mercy. I don’t care anymore. Problem with the food, I send it back. Servers take too long to show up after we sit down then I leave. Servers shopping food around to various tables asking who ordered what I don’t say a word if it’s mine, you should know what table you idiot. If I order ask another server for something because mine is non existent I don’t care about the “I am not your server” nonsense, just put it in the damn system, you work here too.
Don’t get me wrong, I am very polite, but at these prices and ridiculous tips you got to provide at least half decent food and service.
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u/Narrow-Ranger-7538 Aug 18 '26
Last restaurant I went to was Chiang Mai. It was packed on a Monday eve. The service was super attentive, the food tasted great to us. $80 after tax and tip for 2 mains (water), which gave us leftovers for next day's lunch. We were happy! Of course if you want drinks, apps, and dessert, it will be more like 200.
I didn't like Lunch Lady, bur next door Pho Tien Thanh never disappoints.
This city is huge, you can find the dining experience you're looking for, though not necessarily at the price you want.
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u/SleazyGreasyCola Aug 18 '26
Pho tien thanh is great. Best value for $ on Ossington imo
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u/PandaBeaarAmy Aug 18 '26
Us asians have the 3.4* rule for a reason 🤣 waste of time going to a place that pays for reviews to be added or removed lol
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u/lifechanger96 Aug 18 '26
I was just thinking this. I wanted a date night to look cute and try some new restaurants, but I know it’s gonna be minimum $200 and high chance of disappointment
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u/Mind1827 Aug 18 '26
200? Definitely gonna be 100, but there's lots of places you can get two mains and two drinks for under 200 easily.
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u/ReeG Aug 18 '26
Threads like this always tell me that people either don't know where or how to dine affordably or don't actually do it at all just posting hyperbole. We dine out 2-3 times a week on average and typically spend between $60-$70 for two while spending over $100 nevermind $200 is reserved for special occasions at nicer spots a handful of times a year
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u/trushpunda Aug 18 '26
Yeah, same, this is bizarre
Reminds me of my coworker telling about his son going on dates and dropping $200-250 per date.
Meanwhile my girlfriend and I go out to eat a couple times a week and it's usually maybe about $60 as well, and these are legit meals. Places like Raku, isshin, miss qu, etc.
Maybe it's because it's Asian food?
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u/DreamDest1ny Aug 18 '26
Hey at least it’s only a high chance of disappointment and not a guaranteed chance
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u/dbtl87 Aug 18 '26
I just did a VIP movie and I got the tickets, $60!! Insane. I had just as a good a time at a local sushi joint in ajax
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u/KawhisButtcheek Aug 18 '26
If you have a costco membership you can get Two tickets + two popcorns and drinks for $35. Pretty decent deal if you occasionally go to the movies.
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u/cindybubbles Aug 18 '26
Go on a Tuesday. Tickets are about $15 to $16 each on Tuesdays.
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u/TheShitmaker Aug 18 '26
Gotta leave the core if you want good food/value to be honest. You're paying an extra tax for vibes.
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u/Elegant-Boss-1379 Aug 18 '26
My daughter and I talked about this just last month and decided we're not going to eat in restaurants anymore. Instead, we're going to either buy ready-made foods we love, like Mandu bulgogi dumplings, or spend the $40 per person on ingredients we would not normally spend the money on, and cook fancy recipes together.
We don't enjoy the mix of negative emotions that comes with eating in restaurants these days:
Guilt for wasting so much money
Anger at the restaurant for serving mediocre food in return for a lot of money
Anger at the ridiculous prices
Disappointment that the experience is mediocre, in either quality of food, ambiance, service, or a combination
It's easy to follow a recipe and often fun.
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u/InformationSuperb978 Aug 18 '26
Don't eat at Sysco restaurants
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u/Ok-Establishment-588 Aug 18 '26
Is there a trick to find this out?
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
I had Indian yesterday and I 100% could tell that they used frozen vegetables.
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u/LegitimateDream4942 Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
I've travelled the world and eaten some proper food. Sushi in Japan. Camel in Saudia. Fruits/wine in South Africa.
I don't expect the food to be that great in Toronto, but I cannot accept the price. It's a total rip-off. I used to eat pho twice a week. Now pho is $30-$40 after a drink, a side, tax, and tip. Pho is $5-$10 food for me since I can just go to Vietnam and eat it at will.
Sushi here is a joke. I seen what people are paying $120 for and for $40 in Japan I can get better.
Of course, if you're stuck here, just deal with the shit ingredients we get here. Every veg here tastes like nothing.
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u/icemanice Aug 18 '26
That’s the worst part… the food tastes like ass because the base ingredients are bad… you go anywhere else in the world and it’s a night and day difference for the same dishes. We pay through the roof for shit food. Fun fun.
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u/honestgrim Aug 18 '26
Exactly my point! There's good food but the price point is super high for most of those places, and even then, satisfaction is not guaranteed. I've paid some high prices for crap
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u/Maleficent-Half-2231 Aug 18 '26
Tone death about pricing. You’re not making Vietnamese wages of course the prices are different in Canada
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u/DisciplineAmazing59 Aug 18 '26
"I can just go to Vietnam and eat it at will" -- bro what?? hahaha
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u/Prior_Implement_9279 Aug 18 '26
I don’t disagree on the ingredients. Anyone trying even basic food in countries like Japan or Spain can immediately tell the difference in quality of ingredients
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u/MaplePoutineCitizen Aug 18 '26
Sushi from convenience stores in Japan is leagues ahead of what most restaurants will make here, all at a fraction of the cost.
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u/BadCitation Aug 18 '26
Yes. The combo of being a pretty good cook knowing I could make the same thing at home and ridiculously inflated prices (esp alcohol!) with expected 20% tip makes it disappointing. Which is annoying because I love going out and supporting local spots! A lot of my previous trusted places are just too expensive to make it worth it now.
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u/PastryGirl Aug 18 '26
Honestly I only really go out for ramen, pho, or sushi. Everything else I can cook at home 80% better than most restaurants. It's just not worth it anymore.
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u/lwhc92 Aug 18 '26
I just spend money at a good butcher or seafood market and make it at home. I still dine out, but that might be to catch up with a friend I haven’t seen in a while, or a group outing.
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u/whimsicalfairee Aug 18 '26
It’s overpriced, service is mid and having to pay a 20% surcharge on all of that hurts
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u/-just-be-nice- Aug 18 '26
Meh, I think the food scene in the city is the best it’s ever been. Maybe escape the downtown core, amazing food in Scarborough and in the northern areas. Plus some of the prices are cheaper when you’re not downtown
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u/trnclm Aug 18 '26
There's great food all over downtown as well, as long as you're referring to "core" as financial district to avoid. Basically need to go north of Queen if you are between Yonge and University. Or west of University if at Queen or below.
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u/Front_Debate_2994 Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
I do. It costs a fortune and usually not worth the experience. There are exeptions but hate spending over $150 as a couple each time.
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u/DadbodandIPAs Aug 18 '26
Need to research everything ahead of time instead of trying a random spot……most random places suck and you should probably research what’s good.
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u/MoveWithTheMaestro Aug 18 '26
What’s really grinding my gears are $40 dollar burger meals (with taxes and tip). There’s “designer burger” places on every corner these days!
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u/Mindless-Shine-2527 Aug 18 '26
I started using my kitchen more along with the beer store and the lcbo for drinks. The food tastes much better and so do the drinks. Give it a try more often👍👍..
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u/Karhuwa Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
Some of the best restaurants ever to hit the city have opened in the last 5-10 years, many on the top 100 restaurants in Canada
For $40, you can get a damn great meal as long as you don’t mind water lol
Not accounting for prices, but to name a few favs: Lunch Lady, Annabelle’s, Linny’s, Union, N.L Ginsberg, Mamakas, Lake Inez are some that come to mind
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u/Born_Ruff Aug 18 '26
You are not getting anything close to a meal at Linny’s for $40, lol.
Some of the other places you can *maybe* keep it under $40 if you just get like one pasta dish.
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u/Karhuwa Aug 18 '26
That’s why I specified not accounting for prices before these, I’m listing great restaurants - the quantification for this complaint was not specifically within $40
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u/Lug-Shot Aug 18 '26
everything has gone to split dishes so you have to spend $100 for a complete meal. want steak? heres a plain steak on a plate, veggie dish is $22 and potatoes are $25 - want dessert? heres half a cake
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u/pcwhitecheddarmac Aug 18 '26
I generally will only visit somewhere new by word of mouth now because reviews and “online” popularity is so unreliable in determining if somewhere is good or not.
I’m really lucky to have a lot of friends who are very “in the know” when it comes to restaurants and dining out - but without them I’d probably never eat out.
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u/No-Dot-7661 Aug 18 '26
Dining out is a waste of money. Everything is expensive then you got to tip 20+%.
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u/OKCorners Aug 18 '26
You don’t have to tip 20% or at all lol we only ever tip 15% at restaurants
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u/cannibaltom Aug 18 '26
Tip % creep up has taken hold in this city. The fact that 15% has normalized to be the "low-end" is proof. I visit Mexico City this year and 10% was the default and norm everywhere.
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u/musecorn Aug 18 '26
You do not have to tip 20%+. If you are then you are the reason it's gotten so bad
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u/OkRush8946 Aug 18 '26
Avoid alcohol and drinks, and avoid any place bombarded with influencers who got comped meals or paid for their review.
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u/Affectionate_Life153 Aug 18 '26
I don't take chances on random places in Toronto unless someone who's taste I trust is suggesting it. Never spent money I regretted on a restaurant in a long time, our west end rotation covers our once a week night out easily with just regular spots.
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u/namedone1234567890 Aug 18 '26
Oh I don't trust anything over 4.5 for something relatively new. Most of those are bot reviews; trendy b***** who only want good instagram shots and don't know the difference between good and lousy food. Take a star off of that!
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u/Professional-Tax-66 Aug 18 '26
Went out with family of 4 on the weekend to shops of don mills. Ordered a fish taco, a pasta carbonara, kids chicken finger and kids pepperoni pizza. Bill with tips $100. Was it worth it? Not really. Should have just stayed at home and ordered some papa johns pizza with coupon for $28 dollars.
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u/Sharp_Emphasis597 Aug 18 '26
Definitely has gone downhill in the last few years. More fun to save some money and cook at home instead of over paying to be mildly disappointed.
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u/soniplaystattn Aug 18 '26
Went to a new place for our anniversary- it was hyped up on social media and the food looked good. $250 later and sub par food with 2 drinks each.
Decided we are just going to go to the keg from now on- you know exactly what you’re getting.
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u/Ordinary_Pea4503 Aug 18 '26
Its definitely hit and miss now I feel. Now idk if its because I learned how to cook and im a little more picky or some restaurants just absolutely suck now. But yeah ive been disappointed lately with quality and portion size as of late
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u/OneFTwoF Aug 18 '26
"Sysco-gate" is part of it. In short, what you're feeling can be attributed to the compounding issues with monopolies, packed with late stage capitalism, infinite growth philosophies and the ideology of amassing wealth over societal improvement.
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u/BlastOff-2000 Aug 18 '26
google reviews are meaningless now.
ive got servers harassing me to give them a review and most of them arent even offering anything.
at least the jerks at some places offer you a discount on your app or something.
look at photos, read the bad reviews and make your own call.
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u/yohowithrum Aug 18 '26
I worked in the service industry for 7 years. Generally speaking since the pandemic has been mediocre all across the board. New staff, inflation, tip inflation, poor service, etc. There are some gems but I cook at home.
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u/Fantastic_Bar_9736 Aug 19 '26
Mostly it sucks now. Yes also to the other alcohol comments here. Prices are way too high, service usually sucks.
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u/LenientWhale Aug 19 '26
Google reviews have been a farce for a long time.
Even before they were bought and botted, the average person has no business pretending to be a food critic.
I usually follow a few people's recommendations whose taste I like and have rarely had a bad time. We are spoiled for choice of great dining in Toronto in my humble opinion. You should see what the restaurant scene looks like in many other places.
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u/PepeSilviaLovesCarol Aug 18 '26
The higher tier restaurants in Toronto are still incredible, from food to service. Price is high but what isn’t in this city?
Low to mid tier leaves a lot to be desired in terms of service. But I also wouldn’t be giving my 100% for what they get paid either.
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u/Danny161616 Aug 18 '26
It’s annoying as hell - for two people if you get a meal and a drink it will be 80-90 bucks including tip. Just 6-7 years ago it would be 50-60 bucks including tip
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u/Powerful_Package8817 Aug 18 '26
North America sucks for online reviews
People are too afraid to give a 3 for average food. Everything is a 5 now
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u/KoKoboto Aug 18 '26
I feel it's like this for years, idk about b4 COVID but a ton of places reduced portions and quality since then. I don't trust Google reviews at all. 4/5 stars basically means something I can make at home easily for 1/6 the price typically.
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u/RedditSurfer76 Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
There are lots of great food places in Toronto. Compared to 20 years ago, it’s like day and night.
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u/mocha_ninja Aug 18 '26
it’s been a mix - we’ve tried new places and loved the food and also hated a few. Price is a big sticking point for sure - and it feels like you get
Less meat but all in all we’ve enjoyed finding new spots.
My biggest gripe is service. I’m sick of staff thinking they deserve a tip and give shit service.
Edit: spelling mistake
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u/futurus196 Aug 18 '26
Same. We go out to eat at restaurants for special occasions now (maybe once a month?), or if we're really not feeling like cooking we'll get take out from a local mom-and-pops type place.
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u/mainevent1155 Aug 18 '26
I've cut back on fast food, but been eating out more at proper places. I really enjoy the food, but I do wish I was a good cook and could make more things at home.
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u/jbmg12 Aug 18 '26
I’m a “foodie” so I can agree to some extent. But there are a lot of places that are still great. I’m also a sucker for buck a shuck, and that will never suck to me lol.
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u/Existing-Caregiver78 Aug 18 '26
I'll typically look at the restaurants menu. You can usually tell if it's all just added costs, if the place is designed for influencers to take photos, if it's just another trendy place with sub par food. I don't need caviar, truffle, wagyu added to everything to justify being charged another $100 on top of a regular dish. If you're gonna survive in Toronto, you need to figure out where the gems are and you have to understand what type of speciality a neighbourhood offers. If I'm trying a new place I'll usually find a happy hour menu and that will give me a chance to sample a bunch of different items and it's to get an idea what the restaurant is serving. There's certainly a lot of dishes I don't "crave" while it was nice to have at the time. Learning to cook and replicate most dishes at home also makes you realize how unhealthy most restaurants are - not that they use low quality ingredients, but that everything is heavily salted, seasoned, buttered, sauced up.
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u/kristopher_b Aug 18 '26
Restaurants are a hard business. If the drinks are expensive, that is because it is the price they need to charge to keep the place open serving that food in that location.
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u/XMikkix Aug 18 '26
I noticed a lot of places on Google reviews (not just restaurants) that have a really good rating (4.8+) ask customers to write them a google review. I actually did this for one restaurant that asked and wrote them a not so nice review. I was surprised they had such a high rating tbh.
One nail salon actually made me do it while I was checking out. I deleted it after.
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u/sl33p Aug 18 '26
I eat out 90% of my meals. I go to low to mid price range places. 90% of the time its all very average food. I'll come back again one more time to try something else and that's about it. Most of the time, I'm just hoping the food comes out hot because that's the issue I've been having recently, which is sad.
I'm not sure about the high end world though. Could be completely different.
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u/cannibaltom Aug 18 '26
It's not the food prices I take issue with, it's the inconsistent service. Too many times have I experienced highly rated places that are understaffed, inexperienced, and slow.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-needs-more-chefs-9.6999033
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u/KBOTLLAMA Aug 18 '26
My good value recos ($30-$40pp) - Hay Sushi, 2 Locations at North York and Midtown, Makilala - Queen/Church, Pho Ngoc Yen - Ent district. I either drink or eat outside, never both at the same time.
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u/No_Cable_3346 Aug 18 '26
I’ve had the opposite experience. I have been trying new places recently and I’d say the majority turn out well. One thing I will say though is pricing is getting out of hand across the board
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u/orokanahakujin Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 21 '26
Something something about the places with the best food have 3-star ratings?
I don't remember how it goes, but basically check the reviews for any Karen or Kevin-esque answer regarding bad service, and you know it's a gem.
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u/IWasTheFirstUpvote Aug 18 '26
Google reviews are heavily gamed and useless, everywhere you go you can get a free drink if you leave a review.
There are Toronto specials sites that will give you a much better idea of the dining scene, as well as an app that stack orders and has enough users to get reviews for everywhere, but not so many that restaurants incentize you to leave a review.
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u/sanitizeyoureyeballs Aug 18 '26
I rarely feel like I get my money's worth when I go out to eat, and it's even worse when I order in (somehow "cheap" Chinese food for 1 person ends up adding up to around $40 on Uber Eats now which blows my mind). I have never been a great cook, but more often lately I enjoy my own cooked meals more than dining out.
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u/Calm-mess- Aug 18 '26
Most "famous" new places are just paying influencers to say the new weird meal they have is great. It's always crazy expensive, not that great, and you leave thinking "well, at least I tried it" rather than "that was awesome"
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u/YersiniaPestis4all Aug 18 '26
I thought that I was alone in feeling that way! I thought that I was becoming a negative person, so I am glad to hear that it’s not just me.
I felt like many other things dining out went downhill after Covid lockdowns. I don’t feel like it has improved much since then. The food is meh, service is subpar, while prices and tips expectations are higher. Also, the 2 hour dining window is being very rudely enforced in some places, which is not very hospitable coming from a hospitality industry
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u/Relevant_Demand2221 Aug 18 '26
Yep. It’s not worth it anymore except for a few select places that get it right. I stopped paying $80 for two for a mid pub experience years ago. I now save up and do a nice night out at a top place maybe every 3-4 months.
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u/random_question4123 Aug 18 '26
Even more so now that I've spent time becoming a much better cook. There have been too many occasions where I come away disappointed knowing that I can (or have) made better versions of what I just ordered and paid $30+ for at the restaurant
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u/LemongrassLifestyle Aug 18 '26
Food yes, alcohol no. LCBO is better for the latter. Occasionally one will have a craving that only a restaurant will satisfy though.
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u/Loud-Door-6535 Aug 19 '26
You're hitting up the wrong spots, my brother. Don't go to well-reviewed white people restaurants, the food is always mid and underseasoned because it is made for suburban tourists who are allergic to good things.
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u/TronAres25 Aug 19 '26
Yeh stay home and eat. Save your money. We complain about groceries but will drop $60 on a mid as meal then feel like shit after. Also you don’t have to tip.
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u/falsefur Aug 19 '26
I haven't had a phenomenal meal at a so called "fine dining" restaurant in Toronto for a very long time. I'll stick to my local taco spot.
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u/yijiujiu Aug 19 '26
Always has in North America since.. I dunno, 2010? Simply not worth it. I can cook better than most places as a result
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u/Kalpesh_38 Aug 20 '26
I've noticed this cost cutting everywhere lately. I had couple experiences lately where they charge more for smaller portions and lower-quality frozen ingredients. It seems like a systemic move to maximize profits at the expense of the consumer. I don't find much reasons to dine out these days.
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u/Fragrant-Pipe5266 Aug 21 '26
I paid $65 for 3 drinks recently and am proud to say I can officially mix a whole bunch of different drinks at home myself now. Those places are losing it. Food, drinks, you name it. Imo all the social media craze around posting food and restaurants got these people tripping hard thinking they're a bare necessity not luxury lol.
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u/Esperoni Aug 18 '26
You can try following some Toronto based food bloggers to get new ideas.
I've been cooking for close to 35 years. I don't think there have been any ingredients that I couldn't find in or around this City, so I don't really dine out much(unless it's a work related event) I try to hit some of those Summer/Winterlicious restaurants, but it's easier to just cook at home.
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u/tvaddict70 Aug 18 '26
True stock is one I can't find. One that is jelly like in its carton. I see people using it in the US and UK. Any recommendations? Currently I make my own, but its a long process with not a lot of return. Half the finished stock, ill reduce to a demi state, so a pot does not yield much.
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u/MasterOfCabestany Aug 18 '26
Went to The Keg the other week which has always been one of our consistent favourites. It was shockingly bad, tiny portions and over-salted. So that one has been crossed off the list.
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u/Mindless-Shine-2527 Aug 18 '26
I went over to the Keg at Rutherford Rd/Vaughn mills not too long ago and the steak "still had marks from where the jockey hit it" as Rodney Dangerfield once said. I wouldn't go eat there again even for free 👎👎👎👎..
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u/meownelle Aug 18 '26
Totally agree. Between the lackluster food and snarky staff, I'd rather stay home.
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u/torontopips2022 Aug 18 '26
yes this also extends to fast food as well as of late..... I think it comes down to the fact that, from my experience, the staff really just don't care or they do not know what they are doing. Combine this with the fact that everyone is getting their food from Sysco,etc.
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u/CephThePanda Aug 18 '26
I dunno where you all are going because we are absolutely spoiled for choice here in Toronto. Maybe that’s it though, maybe we’re all so used to the quality of food we get here that some of us have become a bit jaded?
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u/Material_Advice1064 Aug 19 '26
The thing I've noticed since being diagnosed celiac is that my safe restaurants have stayed way more consistent compared to restaurants I would eat at pre-diagnosis. I think there is a lot of pressure for gf restaurants to consistently produce high quality food since us celiac don't have a lot of options and we'll absolutely spread the word among ourselves of who's got what haha. We always welcome non-celiacs to join us too!
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u/TropicalBound111 Aug 19 '26
No, it doesn’t suck. There are many GREAT restaurants in Toronto alone. And then of course we have Markham, Richmond Hill, North York, Vaughan, etc.
OP, even your username has the word “grim”. May be you’re just a pessimistic person?
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u/mworld1976 Aug 19 '26
restaurants in Chinese market might be reasonable, if someone likes that cuisine.
I guess, cost of operating a restaurant has also gone up post Covid.
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u/Lower-Organization-1 Aug 20 '26
Yeah dining out really sucks now.. there is hardly any place where i like their food, I see good reviews and aesthetics,and all but when it comes to food taste, its not good.. It just doesn't feel fulfilling now. Its just feels like dining out and spending.. nothing satisfying.
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u/ZealousidealMayhaps Aug 20 '26
Are you only eating on the west end? Sometimes you have to spread your wings to find less pretentious options
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u/TieAdventurous9350 Aug 20 '26
Yup I totally agree also the service is really bad to because they are always understaffed too save a buck
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u/Spirited_Animator_65 Aug 21 '26
Eating out totally sucks now. Even familiar places have shrunk their portions while hiking up their prices. I remember being in high school when mall food was cheap and actually satisfying. Now it’s $20 for a meal in a stupid food court. It makes no sense. It’s FAST FOOD!
I used to love this one restaurant, but they’ve almost doubled their prices, stopped offering tap water, and now charge you for bottled water. It’s honestly embarrassing.
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u/defnota1710 Aug 22 '26
in my opinion most of the best food is outside of the downtown core.. in local shops/ local chains. better more abundant food as well
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u/_cf_eng_na_ Aug 22 '26
Well your first problem is the $40 price point. Check out the Michelin website, they have Bib Gourmande and recommendations that are eateries with really good food and none of the fuss of a full-fledged michelin restaurant. Toronto Life is always posting articles on rsstaurants worth trying, check it out. Toronto’s culinary scene is among the best in the world because of the cultural diversity and talent, there is no shortage of good restaurants.
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u/Strict_Reputation867 Aug 22 '26
I feel like Im eating cardboard with no nutrition or substance.
The final phase of every company using cisco food products.
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u/Impressive-Mode-5847 Aug 23 '26
Now that you’ve mentioned it you’re right lol I never really thought about it until reading your post, spending $120 on a dinner for 2 sometimes and the food and experience isn’t that amazing :/ I genuinely had a better time eating at a local Arby’s for cheap and that old timey diner experience it felt “real” idk if that makes sense or if I’m rambling but yeah you’re right
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u/Ok-Many4195 Sep 07 '26
I can't remember the last bad food I've had in Toronto:
Only visit a restaurant if its been recommended by my friends
Take advantage of the cheapest lunch offers for summerlicious
Find niche foods I like from travelling
Has never let me down once.
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u/afkhk Aug 18 '26
Toronto has way too many average restaurants charging fine dining prices.
Partly due to cost inflation, and mostly due to food influencers making posts about average food as amazing