Best of Toronto
The Best French Restaurants in Toronto
The best French restaurants in Toronto can be divided into three main groups: the intimate neighbourhood bistro, the larger Parisian knock-off, and those that offer the upscale white tablecloth experience.
But, regardless of their differences, all three offer fabulous examples of French cuisine. And, as evidenced by the list below, price is not necessarily indicative of quality when it comes to French dining.
Instead, it would seem that it is our mood that dictates what qualifies as the perfect French meal. While establishments like Auberge de Pommier and Celestin exist as local examples of culinary mastery, more casual bistros like Batifole and Delux also offer diners the butter-soaked experience of jouissance that is French food.
Here are the 15 best French restaurants in Toronto.
Batifole
Batifole’s menu may be reasonably priced, but not at the expense of well-executed dishes and intelligently sourced wines. Commonly thought to be the most authentic of Toronto’s French restaurants, the unpretentious dining room takes a backseat to classic dishes like cassoulet and duck confit, which are the main draw for Riverdale residents and other lovers of Gallic cuisine. More »
Auberge du Pommier
Despite its location in an uptown corporate centre, the cottage-like interior and chef Jason Bangerter’s impeccable fare give Auberge du Pommier the ability to transport diners straight to the French countryside. A 2007 renovation provided a much-needed update, but the current version still retains the charm of the original. More »
Le Select
Chef Albert Ponzo has all the usual suspects covered – steak frites, bouillabaisse, boudin noir, etc. – but presents them with an air of sophistication that matches the polished digs on Wellington St. and ups the ante on standard bistro fare. Le Select also offers one of the most extensive wine lists in the city. More »
Delux
Like a certain pizza place on Ossington, it can be tough to come by a table at this bistro formerly occupied by Sparrow. The reason? Chef Corinna Mozo produces some of the finest French cuisine in the city. Cuban influences appear during warmer months, but winter is reserved for staples like braised short ribs and trout with brown butter. More »
Loire
The minimalist exterior and clean decor hint at the refined cuisine on offer at this relatively recent addition to the Harbord strip. The chef and sommelier team of Jean-Charles Dupoire and Sylvain Brissonnet keep the dining experience casual, but strive for perfection when it comes to pairing the food and wine. Special emphasis is placed on the cuisine of the Loire Valley, where both grew up. More »
La Palette
This Kensington Market fixture is everything a bistro should be - casual, relatively inexpensive, and consistently busy. The menu doesn’t offer much in the way of surprises (except for horse tartare!), but never ceases to meet my expectations. An extensive selection of wine is eschewed in favour of a beer list that’s big on both local and international choices. More »
Celestin
The warm and intimate dining room is an ideal setting to enjoy the exquisite offerings of modern French fare. And while on the expensive side, the attention to detail on the part of the kitchen and wait-staff makes a meal at Celestin an exercise in understated luxury. An award wining wine list caters to those with deep wallets. More »
Didier
Quietly uncompromising, chef Didier Leroy crafts some of the most exquisite and upscale French cuisine in the city. The Yonge and St. Clair location hasn’t changed much since its last incarnation as Rhodes, but with food this good it doesn’t really matter. The wine list isn’t cheap, but does offer some nice values on local producers. More »
Le Paradis
An Annex staple, Le Paradis is known more for its wine than its food. Not that the food is bad – the kitchen produces competent takes on standard bistro dishes – it’s just that the restaurant consistently sources fabulous bottles from the South of France. Most of these make for a great pairing with my favourite dish, the roasted half chicken with tarragon. More »
Avant-Gout
The dimly lit dining room gives Rosedale locals a nice combination of the upscale and casual. A refreshing change from many of the city’s other bistros, the menu reveals obvious North African influences along side traditional French favourites. Wine prices aren’t ridiculous, but they do reflect the location. More »
Tati Bistro
The small room fills up early, and the ensuing chatter sets the perfect tone at this Harbord bistro. This is not the place to be concerned about your butter consumption, as most dishes reveal a fearless doling out of this most enriching ingredient. A smart wine list with ample by-the-glass options keeps prices in check. More »
Coquine
The Art Deco signage looks a little bit forced (and cliche), but once inside this Yonge and Eglinton bistro, it’s clear that owner Rob Pete has got the atmosphere down pat. The same goes for the food. While the menu is predictable, I’m not generally looking for surprises when doing the bistro thing. More »
Merlot
The narrow room is quick to come alive with the healthy bustle of servers tending to Etobicoke locals. Nothing too fancy here, the food is solid and the wine affordable. The virtually perfect pommes frites are a sign of well-oiled bistro (no pun intended). More »
Pastis Express
Long before Le Petit Castor came around, Pastis ruled as Rosedale’s it-spot for French dining, even if the patrons have always been older. And while the crowds have migrated south, Pastis remains a lively and upbeat bistro. Why? Food and service of this quality are pretty much trend-resistant. The wine list could be longer (and cheaper), but it’s well chosen. More »
Bistro 990
Lovers of wine (like myself) enjoy the cellar-like surroundings at this annual TIFF hotspot. The menu offers upscale interpretations of classic bistro fare, an example of which is quite possibly the best French Onion soup in the city. The servers are good with more than just movie stars, and the wine list remains within reach of non-celebrities. More »
Discussion
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What about Provence Delices in Cabbagetown?
It has been around forever and has wonderful brunch.
http://www.provencerestaurant.com/
Really?
No Jacques Bistro Du Parc??
I am shocked and surprised....
everytime BLOGTO does a "best of" something, people ask "what about this? what about that" "you left this one out" etc etc
people please, its a "best of" and people voted, deal with it.
Pascal Ribreau sold Celestin earlier this year, I've heard no reports either way if it is still as good under the new regime.
La Palette is so so overrated!...
I refuse to go to LE SELECT....love the food for sure. But the OWNERS TIP themselves out at a rate of over 30%. its disgusting.
I know Le Paradis is a not the best food, but I still love it. And Auberge is to die for, if you can afford it!
Tati blows.
On two visits I experienced bored indifferent service + tasted bland everything
Provence told me they were closed when their neon sign, outdoor floor sign, and diners eating inside suggested otherwise. Between that and the impolite once-over the waiter gave me, I get the strong impression that they were only closed for me.
Last time I when to LE SELECT they tip themselve on the bill after taxes. Ridicule!!!
UMMMMMM "C'est moi qui te le dit on"........NOT sure if you are FROM CANADA, but that's the way it works. You eat. You Drink. Get the bill, pay for it. AND TIP on the ENTIRE BILL......NOTTTTTT before taxes....;)
Thanks for the note. I was unaware of the change.
UMMMMM no, you actually tip on the bill BEFORE taxes. I know people who've worked as servers for YEARS, and that's the accepted norm.
"C'est moi..." is right - a restaurant forcing a tip on top of taxes is ridiculous.
1
A restaurant forcing a tip on any bill is unacceptable.
Unless it's for a party of 10 or more.
And even then it shouldn't be more than 15-20%.
2
But tipping before taxes?
Uh, no - that's only the accepted norm amon cheapos.
Tipping 15% on $100 = 15.00
Tipping 15% on $115 = 17.25
Stay home - you clearly need your $2.25.
I know a lot of people do it and I get why, but I just find it slightly mean. Really? Who cares? It's never a huge difference between a tip pre-tax and post-tax. Why not round it up a little?
When Servers go out.....we dont look at the taxes....we tip on the WHOLE bill..as most places make the server/bartender tip out on the full amount.....some let them tip out on 'net sales' depends.......
As for Mr. Hate:........I never bring my CALCULATOR to a restaurant like most people do....LOL!.....
Elle Driver.....the server you know must 'settle for less' then.......LOL!......those who TIP before taxes are stingy and should just stay home......
Reminds me when the GST first came in,,,,,people dining out were having a heart attack about the whole thing.....and would 'dissect the bill'.......tragic really;)
Le Paradis has dropped off terribly in the past three years.
I think that Mogette Bistro has been overlooked also.
Sorry folks, but tipping before taxes IS normal. I'm just refuting the assumption that it ISN'T.
You tip on the service and food - NOT on top of imposed taxes.
Mr Hate: I normally tip around 20% for decent service, so you can sleep well knowing my extra $2.25+ still ends up in the right place.
ew nothing on the kingsway should be considered the best of any cusine
I found Tati Bistro incredibly disappointing, La Palette is always excellent and sorry guys, tipping before taxes is the rule. It may only be $2.25, but it's my $2.25.
Ah! You missed my favourite, Le Trou Normand. C'est magnifique!
I never saw people tipping before tax before the GST came in in the early 90's. People suddenly got all pissy about this new tax and waiters and bartenders fell victim to the pissyness,
You think you're making some kind of societal statement but you're really just being dorks. There's plenty of other tax included in your bill but you tip on that.
Believe me, servers notice when you do a pre-tax tip. And they think you're a cheapo for doing it.
The cost of eating out is the cost of eating out.
I've been to the Bistro 990. I was impressed with the food there. I'm not a fan of soup but I had to admit the french onion soup was pretty good.
Believe me, servers don't give a shit if you tip pre-tax as long as the PERCENTAGE of the tip itself is fair.
(But hey, if you want to stick with the "minimum" 15% - as per your calculations - who am I to judge?)
I'll let my server friends know that the Patron Saint of Post-Tax Tipping is looking out for them on the interwebs. Keep up the good fight!
it's always the servers who insist that tipping on the after tax amount is the norm. they are the same people who are trying to convince everyone that 20% is the standard for decent service. i understand why they do this but that doesn't make it any less annoying.
Salut! Forgot le Papillon on Front Street....it's amazing and the service is excellent. Reminds me a bit of Balthazar in NYC!!
I agree. No Jacques Bistro? I don't think you can get more French Bistro without actually going to France!
Tipping is and never should be the norm unless good service is provided. No customer should be required to tip. The price of an item ordered is the price for food and service. If they want to require a tip, then add that cost to the food, or mention it explicitly in the menu that it will be tacked on. An automatic tip without mentioning it on the menu is another form of lying to the customer and false advertising. Don't blame the customers for the owners' tendency to underpay their employees. That's not the customers' problem and it shouldn't be.
After reading through all of the restaurants’ menus online, I am the most tempted by Batifole!!! It reminds me the most of what is typically considered to be French favourites. I must try!!!