I recently spent three weeks back in Canada, which was mostly spent eating. Toronto has a solid selection of restaurants, covering any and every range of cuisine, vibe, and price. Although I by no means tried all the must-eat restaurants in the city, I managed to dine at a handful of solid places that I would recommend. Here you’ll find my 7 favorite restaurants in Toronto; everything from brunch to healthy eats, and budget-friendly to patios.

For a lazy weekend brunch

I was on the hunt for shakshuka in Toronto when I came across Fat Pasha. Coincidentally, a friend had also recommended this restaurant when we were looking for a spot to get together for brunch. Before arriving, I had no idea it had a large patio out back – perfect for a lazy summer brunch. Even though I came for the shakshuka, it was the hummus and lamb kofta that stole the show. Brunch is available Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.

For after work patio vibes

Bar Hop Brewco is a three-storey pub located between Queen and Richmond Street. The patio on the third floor is where you’ll want to be in the summer months. Try to arrive early, as it gets quite busy (especially on Friday) and you’ll likely have to wait for a table on the patio. Aside from the solid range of craft beers on tap, Bar Hop Brewco also has a decent bar menu. Since I was only in the city for a few weeks, I had to get my Canadian food fix, so I ordered the bone marrow poutine, which did not disappoint.

For healthy food that doesn’t skimp on taste

Most bars that I’ve been to don’t exactly have the healthiest menu and usually after a drink or two, food is required. Thankfully, District Eatery is a bar (they specialize in craft cocktails) that serves healthy dishes. They also have a decent patio upstairs as well as some street-side tables on the main floor. I’d recommend ordering the Bowl of Zen: ahi tuna, grains, kale, avocado, and other greens (be prepared for a kick, as they use fresh Thai chili).

For unique BBQ and fried dishes

If you’re looking for a super chilled out, old school spot to grab some grub, try Rose and Sons. Leave your diet at home, ’cause this tiny spot serves up fuss-free plates of fried/barbecued goodness. For a different kind of brunch, head there on the weekend for a range of interesting dishes like this brisket and brie cheese on a slab of cornbread with a fried egg on top.

For the budget-friendly

Yorkville is known for being anything but cheap, so I was surprised when I stumbled upon this hidden gem: The Pilot. Not only is the rooftop patio massive, but the food was simple and delicious. Go on Sunday’s when they offer a CAD$7 menu, featuring nachos, burgers (with insanely good fries), and pints of Ontario craft beer.

For a decadent dessert

I managed to make it to Adelaide Eats (a food market that was on this summer) after seeing a handful of drool-worthy posts on Instagram of this cheesecake on a stick from Heirloom. Authentic cheesecake is hard to find where I live (Hong Kong), so I was pumped to try this. I opted for the coconut cream pie cheesecake with caramel and it was so good, albeit a bit too rich for only me. They currently run on a pop-up only basis, though Heirloom has plans to open a permanent location in Toronto this fall.