Well known for their food truck, The Food Dudes have finally set up shop in Harbord Village. The rustic interior makes for a perfect spot to taste chef Adrian Niman’s internationally inspired dishes. From a delicious medley of mushrooms in the truffle gnudi to the strip steak topped with pickled shrimp and jalapeño, the menu gives global flavours a local twist. With their set Mondays consisting of a tasting menu, reduced price drinks and live music, there’s no better place to kick off the week.

After a tweet from Jamie Oliver heralded Executive Chef Rob Gentile a “humble genius”, Buca skyrocketed to the top of Toronto’s lists of must-visit restaurants. But let’s be honest, it was heading there anyway. With a large selection of charcuterie from both Canada and abroad, homemade pasta and pizza, Buca brings traditional Italian fare to a new level of refinement.

With a wood oven burning and local wines flowing (yes, Canada produces wine) Woodlot offers a warm and elegant atmosphere to enjoy the comfort food of Canada. Situated on the eastern edge of Little Italy, the restaurant has become a mecca for Torontonians because it has a separate vegetarian menu and always takes an inventive approach to its ever-changing menu.

The buzz surrounding Bar Isabel has been going strong for over two years, and for good reason.

While the city is overflowing with Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, Byblos puts a stylish spin on classics like acharuli, a Georgian street food of bread and melted cheese, and Turkish manti dumplings with smoked eggplant, yoghurt sauce and molasses. Located in the city’s financial district, the attention to detail extends to the transportive décor, which is accented with beautifully patterned plates, geometric tiles and warm colours.

It’s almost impossible to mention Bar Isabel without talking about Bar Raval, another one of Grant Van Gameren’s Spanish taverna ventures.

With Toronto’s sea of sushi joints, Kinka Izakaya was a welcome and refreshing addition to the city’s Japanese food scene. The small, shareable plates include izakaya favourites like takoyaki, baked oysters and deep-fried chicken. Combining boisterous staff and an imaginative list of cocktails, you’re guaranteed to have a good time any night of the week at this lively spot.

The excitement of being in the bullseye of the famous Toronto International Film Festival’s HQ and cinema, the TIFF Lightbox, really adds to a dining experience at Luma. Catch a movie (perhaps something by Jean Luc Godard?) before you chow down on the excellent snails with bone marrow.

Inject a bit of Hollywood glamour into your lunch at Sotto Sotto, which probably hosts more celebrity patrons than any other Toronto eatery. The walls are covered with photographs of the great and good eating here: Mariah Carey, John Hamm, David Beckham, Paul Rudd… and of course, Drake.

Recently reopened after a full-scale refurbishment, Sassafraz brings French flavours mixed with Indian and Mexican influences to Toronto in the midst of fresh white decor that’s will brighten your mood. Their fish dishes work without having to try hard – simple wild salmon with vegetables or fish tacos are the best on the menu.

Canuck comedy legend Ivan Reitman directed Ghostbusters and Kindergarten Cop and produced Canada’s favourite comedy, the movie version of Trailer Park Boys, as well as the recent Ghostbusters reboot. His Toronto restaurant is plastered with photographs from his films, while the Italian fare is comforting and filling. Share a huge rib-eye steak (with their renowned kale salad) and finish with speciality cheeses like “dark side of the moon”, which is coated in coffee.