How to do Summerlicious on the cheap
Toronto’s multi-restaurant foodie fest is back. Here are several highly rated spots at lower-end prices.
Launched in 2003 to boost Toronto’s restaurant industry, Summerlicious is billed as an “annual opportunity to explore the city’s exceptional culinary landscape.”
This year’s event kicked off Fri., July 7, and will run through Sun., July 23, with prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at tons of spots all over the city. Each restaurant has a set price for lunch and dinner — three-course lunches range from $20 to $55, while dinners will set you back between $25 and $75.
“Summerlicious is an opportunity to get out to experience and support Toronto’s amazing restaurants,” said deputy mayor Jennifer McKelvie in a press release. “With more than 200 incredible participating restaurants across the city and diverse cuisine options, there’s something for everyone.
But what if you’re on a budget? Can you still get a sampling of some of the best restaurants Toronto has to offer without breaking the bank?
We asked ourselves the same questions. Then we dug into the listings to find out.
First we sorted the participating restaurants by price, keeping only the ones offering lunch for $27 or less and dinner for $35 or less. Then we cross-referenced those with Google restaurant ratings, weeding out anything with fewer than four stars.
We ended up with 28 restaurants for you to check out. Check the map for all of them, and read on for descriptions of the 10 most highly rated.
Note: Many Summerlicious restaurants fill up fast. If you see something you like, best to get a reservation.
Raahi Modern Indian Kitchen & Bar
Address:
543 St Clair Ave W
Cuisine:
Indian
Google rating:
4.7
Opening its doors in August 2022, Raahi is a newcomer to the Summerlicious roster. The menu is a mix of popular Indian dishes such as chicken korma and palak paneer, as well as some more adventurous items — such as biryani bombs (biryani-flavoured rice croquettes stuffed with cheese) and tandoori soya chops (meatless chops made with soyabean mix in tandoori masala).
“By incorporating different combinations,” says the Raahi website, “we deliver Indian cuisine with a contemporary vision that appeals to diners today and keeps them coming back for more.”
Upper Beaches Bourbon House
Address:
3655 St Clair Ave E
Cuisine:
Cajun/Creole
Google rating:
4.7
From one side of St. Clair to the other — Upper Beaches Bourbon House aims to be the best cajun restaurant in Canada. They leave no staple dish unserved, as the menu features favourites from po’ boys to catfish to shrimp and grits.
The desserts are serious, too, and include a sweet potato brownie with nut fudge topping and bread pudding with bourbon sauce.
The Cottage Cheese
Address:
64 Oxford St
Cuisine:
Indian
Google rating:
4.7
Summerlicious description: “The Cottage Cheese offers a modern fine dining experience and a celebration of taste, where the Chef-Owner duo aim to serve refreshingly new outtakes of modern Indian cuisine with classic Indian flavours.
“Using the freshest ingredients and always made from scratch, the unforgettable flavours at The Cottage Cheese will keep you coming back for more.”
The Chefs’ House
Address:
215 King St E
Cuisine:
Canadian, Global
Google rating:
4.6
The Chefs’ House is both a place for George Brown College hospitality and culinary arts students to get some real-world experience and a place for restaurant goers to find unique, fresh fare in a fine-dining setting.
The menu features seasonally inspired dishes and drinks. Expect creativity and fun, with knowledgeable, energetic serving staff.
Granite Brewery and Restaurant
Address:
245 Eglinton Ave E
Cuisine:
Bistro, Canadian, Comfort Food
Google rating:
4.5
Summerlicious description: “Open since 1991, the Granite Brewery and Restaurant is a family owned and operated business located at the corner of Eglinton Avenue East and Mount Pleasant Road.
“The Granite Brewery features fine casual dining with an award winning brewery on site, a comfortable dining atmosphere with two outdoor patios, and free parking.”
Soula’s Modern Greek Cuisine
Address:
500A Danforth Ave
Cuisine:
Greek, Mediterranean
Google rating:
4.5
Summerlicious description: “Located in the heart of Greektown, family-owned and operated, Soula’s has its roots in Greece and its soul in the delicious comforting dishes that make Greek cuisine so universally loved.
“The food is made using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients including seafood, produce, and the best hand-selected cuts of meat, brought in daily, prepared from family recipes with a modern twist.”
Gyu-kaku Japanese BBQ - North York
Address:
153 Yorkland Blvd
Cuisine:
Japanese
Google rating:
4.5
Summerlicious description: “Gyu-Kaku offers the fun of ‘shared plates’ — a dining experience to inspire laughter, conversation, and amazing times. With a personal grill installed at every table, everyone instantly becomes an expert cook. Friendly staff aspire to lead guests through the dining experience with helpful suggestions.
“Surrounded by the sounds of good times and laughter, Gyu-Kaku is the perfect choice for first dates, families, and catching up with friends.”
Brickworks Ciderhouse
Address:
709 Queen St E
Cuisine:
Locally Sourced
Google rating:
4.5
Summerlicious description: “Located in the heart of Toronto’s thriving Riverside neighbourhood, just a short hop over the Don River and accessible via the Queen, King, and Dundas streetcars, Brickworks Ciderhouse has a fresh, locally sourced menu crafted to pair perfectly with all your favourite ciders along with an ever-changing selection of exclusive small-batch offerings.”
Mannat
Address:
839 College St
Cuisine:
Hakka, Indian
Google rating:
4.5
Mannat serves up authentic Indian and Hakka cuisine, and makes a priority of both service and delicious food.
The menu is huge, with vegetarian and meat options galore, and the Summerlicious offering contains a wide variety of appetizers, mains, and desserts. This restaurant is among the best bang for the book in the program, with $20 lunches and $25 dinners.
Silver Chopsticks
Address:
621 Dixon Rd
Cuisine:
Asian, Thai, Vietnamese
Google rating:
4.5
Summerlicious description: “Silver Chopsticks offers a true, authentic taste of Vietnamese and Thai cuisine, serving the freshest and highest quality food with friendly service.”
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