Tis the season for succulent dinners and festive feasts with your people! Whether you’re gathering for a work function, family night out, friendsmas, or a romantic date to end off the year, these classy restaurants all around Toronto are serving up luxe holiday menus and dining experiences this December.
Enjoy a multi-course tasting menu, casual date spots with unique holiday themed items, a romantic atrium while dining on ultra-Instagrammable courses and more at these spots below!
Minami’s Holiday Set Menu
As the holiday season fast approaches, Minami is offering a delectable holiday prix-fixe menu that will take the hard decisions off your plate (and put delicious food on it)!
Until December 30, 2023 the menu comes with or without wine and sake beverag pairings ($110 dinner, $40 beverage pairings). It starts off with an appetizer trio including Atlantic salmon crudo, sweet lemon Aburi maguro crudo, and Aburi Oyster. Then, a sushi selection of a Minami roll, Aburi salmon oshi, Aburi ebi oshi, Aburi hamachi oshi, and three pieces of chef selected Aburi nigiri comes. The main is AAA beef tenderloin, seared foie gras, sautéed garlic mushrooms, charred carrot, shichimi garlic butter. And finally for dessert, dark chocolate almond sponge with silken tofu dark chocolate cream and mango passion fruit curd.
Reservations for Minami Toronto can be made HERE.
Festive Experiences at Living Room, W Toronto
Scent & Sip Experience with Guerlain
W Toronto has partnered with legendary Parisian perfumery Guerlain to offer Scent & Sip – a sensory experience pairing luxury fragrances with signature W cocktails.
You’re invited to explore three exclusive Guerlain perfumes, discovering the scent that speaks to their personal taste, paired with three distinct cocktails curated by W’s expert mixologists in Living Room at the hotel. When you experience Scent & Sip, you’ll also receive a complimentary consultation at the Holt Renfrew Guerlain boutique just next to W Toronto.
Available daily. $22 per person. Book here.
Festive Bites & Sips in Living Room
W’s in-house Mixologists have crafted elevated festive flavours and cocktails alongside seasonal playful nibbles. Holiday-inspired bites include Turkey Stuffing Croquettes featuring Christmas stuffing, smoked turkey, cranberry and mulled wine compote with herb salad; Snowballs featuring tapioca and cheddar bites and parmesan snow; and Sweet Potato Christmas Trees with butternut squash and cranberry purée.
Available daily. Book here.
Holiday High Beau-Tea
Pamper yourself with Holiday High Beau-Tea, a festive twist on W Toronto’s beauty-inspired High Tea. The seasonal iteration features unique sweet and savoury bites with festive features like Candy Cane Lipsticks, Chocolate Yule Logs and more along with signature favourites including clotted ‘night’ cream and chocolate ‘lip smackers’ – all delivered to the table in a tiered custom makeup case.
Reserve your treatment Thursdays – Sundays, $95 per person. Limited walk-ins available on a first come, first serve basis. Bookings here.
Fireside Fondue
Experience a cozy festive treat for two in the plush indoor Firepit area, served sweet or savoury. Enjoy luscious melted Gruyère paired with delectable bites or ruby or dark chocolate, paired with assorted berries, nuts, brownies and more, all served ‘fireside’ for the season.
Available daily. $50 for two (2). Book here.
Festive Experiences at Skylight, W Toronto
This festive season, indulge in an opulent Mediterranean-inspired feast at Skylight, W Toronto’s enchanting rooftop oasis restaurant and bar.
The Decadent Festive Dining Experiences crafted by W’s masterful chefs offer a choice of three prix fixe holiday menus all season long. Each menu begins with elaborate family style mezzes followed by a choice of decadent entrées served plated or family style for the table to enjoy.
Or indulge in the Festive Reception Menu, a selection of delectable canapés, grazing and live action stations, perfect for festive mixing and mingling. New holiday-inspired faves include the Kataifi Shrimps with saffron labneh and Duck Croquettes with zhug aioli. Indulge in one of Skylight’s lavish desserts, such as the Baklava Cheesecake or Date Tiramisu Verrine, included with each holiday offering.
To Inquire & Book: Groups & Events on Skylight.
The 12-course Kyō-Kaiseki Experience at Aburi Hana
Now this is a (possibly) once in a lifetime dining experience that brings on the luxury! Michelin-award winning Aburi Hana is now offering its winter 12 course Kyō-Kaiseki experience which will carry on into early 2024. $430 per guest before taxes and beverage pairings. The courses included:
- Sakizuke: Sawara Yakishimo – Sawara (Spanish mackerel), hanawasabi, Natane, Tosa Gelée, Yuzugama, Yuba and Benitade.
- Shinogi: O’toro & Caviar Sushi Monaka – Monaka (Japanese Rice Cracker), O’toro, sushi rice, nori, kimizu, caviar, Shio flower, chrysanthemum, Iburigakko (smoked and pickled daikon) and dashi soy.
- Agemono: Kobako-Gani Croquette – Croquette (dashi simmered ebi imo and boiled snow crab meat then deep fried), dashi sauce with Kobako gani and Mizuna, sliced ginko nuts and shiso leaf.
- Owan: Kumoko Tempura – Kumoko, dashi, Kiku flowers, Mitsuba, wasabi and Uguisana (Japanese small turnip).
- Sashimi: Maguro Flower – Bluefin Tuna (dry-aged for 14 days), Midori Daikon Tsukemono, Daikon Oroshi Mizorezu, Dashi Shoyu sauce, shiso oil, shiso flower, grated horseradish and dried ice with Hinoki mist.
- Sustainability Course – Rainbow trout, Canadian oyster, oyster sauce, tartare sauce, trout roe sauce marinated in miso, celery roots and Oba (shiso) frites.
- Hassun: Botan Ebi Uni – Uni and Botan Ebi, caviar and topped with fresh uni, dashi soy and alyssum flower.
- Yakimono: Unagi Sumibiyaki – Unagi (spring water eel from Aichi), Kinome, Sansho powder, Gobo Sanshoni (burdock roots), fresh figs and grated cucumber
- Meat: A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Shabu Shabu – A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Ribeye, Omi Kabura (turnip), Ankake dashi with Kuzu, Shungiku, Nejiri ume parsnip and black truffles
- Gohan: Lobster Gohan – Nova Scotia lobster, dashi and lobster rice, spinach, Ontario chicken soboro, Tamago dashi maki and shaved black truffles
- Extra Course: A5 Wagyu and Bluefin Tuna – A5 wagyu topped with Hokkaido uni, dashi soy, and shaved black truffles plus Bluefin tuna topped with fresh Hokkaido uni, dashi soy, shiso flowers, and sturgeon caviar.
- Intro Dessert: Sake Kasu Komekoji Ice-cream – Kome-Koji ice cream: Komekoji (Rice Koji) mixed with Sake Kasu (Sake Lees, ABV 8%), Mugi (barley) miso candied cashew nuts and rice puff sheet
- Grand Dessert: Amaretto Vanilla Panna Cotta – Amaretto Tahitian Vanilla Panna Cotta, Shikuwasa Granita, white chocolate Espuma, kumquat compote and sugar tuile
Nutcracker Afternoon Tea at Shangri La Toronto
Step into a world of holiday enchantment with our Nutcracker Afternoon Tea, a culinary tribute to the timeless elegance of The Nutcracker ballet.
Each course is a symphony of flavours, from the exquisite Turkey Pot Pie to the ethereal Smoked Salmon Cannoli. Indulge in savoury marvels like the Caramelized Onion Pate au Choux and Squash Arancini, followed by a duet of freshly baked scones. The sweet crescendo features delights like the “Yule Log” and “O Tannenbaum”. End on a playful note with “Lump of Coal” and our sweet finale, “Ornament”.
This is available Thursdays to Sundays until December 30, 2023 and as a bonus, if you reserve your spot in advance, you’ll have a chance to win a pair of tickets to The National Ballet of Canada‘s, The Nutcracker (in partnership with The National Ballet of Canada).
Live Chef Stations at the Shangri La Toronto
Join the Shangri La in keeping the holiday spirit alive as their talented culinary artists serves up a delectable array of festive treats in the Lobby Lounge on various dates this December! Stop by, indulge in a delightful holiday treat, and discover all the exciting offerings we have in store for the festive season and the new year ahead.
Find them at the hotel noon to 4pm on the following dates:
• December 21st – Maple Taffy on “snow”
• December 22nd – Churro Station
• December 23rd – Chocolate Fountain with sweet treats
It’s completely free!
Reign Holiday Dining at Fairmont Royal York
Fairmont Royal York is known for hosting time-honoured holiday traditions in their gorgeous, regal hotel. Seasonal food, festive music, and one-of-a-kind experience with friends and family gathered nearby await you! At the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Reign, Chef, Roland Torok-Ducharme, and his talented Culinary Team have curated special holiday menus fit for all to enjoy.
REIGN Holiday Lunch Buffet
Gather round with friends, colleagues, and loved ones for a festive feast. Until December 15
Weekdays only, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. $69 per person
REIGN Christmas Dinner
Celebrate Christmas with a holiday 3-course prix fixe menu. December 24, 25 & 26. $99 per person.
REIGN Christmas Day Brunch
Join us on Christmas Day for a festive buffet to remember! 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM. $99 per person.
Italian ‘Vintages’ Holiday Menu at Via Allegro, Etobicoke
At Via Allegro, Chef Claudio Aprile and Executive Chef Marco Zandona joined forces to create a new roster of dishes that blend classic Italian cuisine with inspiration from Japan, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.
The ‘Vintages Menu’ is a throwback to legacy Via Allegro dishes (with a twist!) from their 1996 opening day menu. Highlights include: Bone Marrow (Crostini, salsa verde), Rabbit Pappardelle (Mushroom, guanciale, spinach), Spicy Bad Girl (Nova Scotia lobster, puttanesca, linguine), Golden Spoon Duck (Dry aged breast, roasted foie gras, confit risotto).
Impress your guests, or your date, with stunning tableside experiences, including the crowd-pleasing parmesan wheel pasta prep, the Lamb Speducci served over smoking coals, the scallop crudo over a steaming plate dry ice, and the decadent chocolate dome filled with liquid nitrogen that guests smash to reveal an assortment of macarons and fresh fruit.
Miku’s Holiday Set Menu
The chefs at Miku have crafted a holiday menu that will elevate your festive celebrations to new fine-dining Japanese culinary heights.
Until December 30, 2023 the menu comes with or without wine and sake beverag pairings ($175 dinner, $60 beverage pairings). It starts off with an amuse bouche of Wagyu tartar, Japanese wafer, Acadian caviar, gold flake, sushi rice; a Sashimi course of Chef’s daily selection. Then, the second course, or Hassun, comes with Miso marinated sous vide duck, hamachi yuan yaki, radish tsukemono, topped with lobster tempura truffle saikyo miso sauce.
From the sea, get Monkfish, purple potato, lotus root, mushroom ankake, and chrysanthemum; then a ‘Land’ course of A5 Awaji wagyu sukiyaki style, Snake River wagyu, truffle veal jus, black garlic soy, truffle kimizu, and seasonal vegetables. Before dessert, enjoy a Sushi course including Hirame kobujime nigiri, dashi soy marinated maguro nigiri, foie gras oshi, and Aburi salmon oshi.
For something sweet after all of that, the dessert course comes with a Rosemary honey yogurt semifreddo, yuzu-lemon sable, strawberry gel, white chocolate crumble, and fresh raspberries.
Reservations for Miku Toronto can be made HERE.
Chef’s Tasting Menu at Di Marios, Burlington
At Di Marios, Chef Claudio Aprile created a menu paying homage to many Italian ‘greatest hits’, but with a flair all his own. Di Mario’s is an intimate eatery and has been a favourite of the community for over two decades.
Experience the Chef’s Tasting Menu, curated by none other than top chef, Claudio Aprile. Available for up to 4four guests, this private tasting brings world-class quality to Burlington!
Enjoy an all-new lineup of craft cocktails, including festive drinks that your whole party can sample as part of a memorable night out.
‘Tis the Season Burger at Wahlburgers Toronto
Celebrity Chef, Paul Wahlberg, is bringing back his beloved ‘Tis the Season Burger for another holiday season! Made with a AAA Canadian beef patty, smoked cheddar, Applewood smoked bacon, and maple glazed butternut squash, it’s a hamburger fit for the holidays.
The ‘Tis the Season Burger will be available at Wahlburgers Toronto (46 Blue Jays Way) starting on December 1, 2023. Available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery (via all of the apps) for $16.95.
Miss Aida
Looking for a fun new holiday tradition? Head over to Toronto’s newest Levantine restaurant, Miss Aida, and eat a feast Middle-Eastern style — by sharing an assortment of smaller dishes with your loved ones!
Miss Aida is rolling out a generous new brunch menu in time for the chilly weather! On weekends from 10am – 3pm, brunch lovers can indulge in a Levantine-inspired brunch spread for just $26/person. Included in the price are four delicious sides (Labneh, Hummus, Halawa, Debes & Tahini), fresh pita, and a choice of one main dish per person. There are also four new weekend cocktails, and a $10 ‘Weekend Mimosa’ (or make it a Bottomless Mimosa for only $22!)
Holiday guests can also enjoy the newly opened ‘Salon’ — a hidden back room that seats 26 and includes a ‘Chef’s Choice’ menu along with our growing lineup of elevated Levantine cocktails.
Christmas Dinner at Teller’s Bistro & Bar
Celebrate this Christmas in style at Teller’s Bistro & Bar, located at One King West Hotel & Residence. Enjoy their exquisite four-course Christmas Dinner with an optional wine pairing, complete with live music for the perfect festive ambiance on December 24 and 25, 2023.
Make your reservation and select your course preferences by December 18, 2023.For reservations, call (416) 548-8130 or email OutletsManagement@onekingwest.com. You can also book online at tbdine.com.
Now, all you need is something to wear to all these delicious dates!
