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Wine on Men's Journal
A Wine Lover's Weekend Guide To Toronto
By Caitlin White,
21 days ago
Toronto is one of the world’s great drinking cities, and frankly, it hasn’t really gotten its due for that yet. If you’re in the trendy West End and other neighborhoods around greater downtown, there’s practically a wine bar, cocktail joint, or laidback dive on every corner. That’s partially a product of there not being a whole lot else to do when it’s freezing outdoors, and partly because it’s the biggest city in the country—the best and the brightest tend to flock here.
And while most spots in a city with a food and beverage scene of this caliber are usually pretty decent, you’ll have an even better time here if you seek out the spots with top-tier wine lists and plenty of other drinks on hand. While the bottle markup might give some Americans sticker shock, there’s always the exchange rate to fall back on. As the summer months approach and The Six is suddenly a much more appealing city to visit, here’s a weekend guide that covers all the bases for wine lovers visiting this city.
This hotel is the best game in town for those who love a party. Not only is it a charming boutique property in a heritage building, but there are seven separate bars spread throughout the hotel space, including a club in the basement. The lobby? Decked out with local art, and equipped with its own very small, classic bar. Every room is stocked with curated drinks and snacks, including local wine, and each different venue offers a great wine list with options from France, Spain, and nearby Niagara-On-The-Lake. Go for a glass of the “Starving Artist” from Niagara if you want to support Ontario winemakers, there’s both a Chardonnay and a Cab-Merlot blend available.
While the Shangri-La is located closer to the financial district and the actual center of downtown, this luxury hotel’s Lobby Lounge has become a go-to watering hole in the city—particularly during TIFF and other industry-focused events when film and TV people flood the city. As one of only two Shangri-La locations in North America (the other is also in Canada, located in Vancouver), the digs here are as posh as you might expect. Rooms come with sweeping city views, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathtubs and showers, and, of course, a large workspace for the business traveler the property often welcomes. But leisure time here is best spent down in the lounge, where custom cocktails are the norm, and a “five-star compendium of wines” will steal your attention. If you happen to overhear some film execs networking on the next couch over, well, just chalk that up to local culture.
It’s hard to imagine a better hotel experience than the one the Fairmont York delivers. Located directly across from the train station, the Châteauesque-style property was built in 1929 and was, at one point, the tallest building in Canada. From the minute you walk up the steps and are greeted by cheerful doormen, this brand’s reputation for stellar hospitality is on full display. There are three must-visit dining options here. The first is Clockwork , the glowy, buzzy lobby bar with an extensive champagne list that’s perfect for happy hour kickoffs or late night celebrations. Second, the onsite restaurant Reign is more than just a traditional brasserie, it weaves in local produce and classic French cooking in an excellent, understated way that never feels over-the-top. This contemporary and casual style works so well because the lengthy fine wine list does feel over the top, in the best way. Finally, the speakeasy-style Library Bar was recently lauded by 50 Best for both their devotion to literature and classic cocktail culture. In this case, you might want to skip the wine list and just get the signature drink, a Birdbath Martini, that features gin or vodka from Ontario distilleries, and is served tableside.
The platonic ideal of a neighborhood cafe, Manita is one of those places that transitions from breakfast and lunch to dinner so easily you could accidentally end up sitting here all day having “just one more glass.” From shakshuka and croque madames, to nicoise salads and falafel, all the way through to steak frites and brick chicken, everything here is wonderful. A bevy of stellar French and Italian by-the-glass options are part of what makes lingering so easy. I don’t need to tell you this, but Toronto is a dining city—make a reservation.
Ignore the advice given above for this delightful, extremely Franch spot that’s largely a local’s hang—Côte de Boeuf is walk-ins only. You might have to wait around outside for fifteen to twenty minutes, jonesing for your turn to get a steak tartare, but even if they quote you an hour and you have to get a drink elsewhere first, come back! This place is worth the wait. The fare is almost as simple as if you were actually in France, think tartare, a cheeseburger, mussels or mushrooms, escargots and oysters—but the emphasis on quality makes even an unpretentious dish into an event. The wine list is almost entirely French, and it’s also impeccably curated, so it’s impossible to go wrong.
Located on the ground floor of the 1 Hotel , which is another centrally-located property that’s great for visitors, the live entertainment and coursing music here create a real atmosphere, giving the dining room a “clubstaurant” feel. While dancers and musicians parade throughout the dining room, the Latin and Mediterranean-infused cuisine and seriously impressive drinks further the sensual, immersive mood. If you’re in Toronto during sunny months, start with some sparkling wine and move into rosé and chilled red.
On the other end of the spectrum, a night at Aburi Hana is the kind of formal, elegant omakase experience where most of the dinner takes place amid hushed tones and muted conversations. And that’s simply because watching the sushi masters work in their open kitchen is more fun than talking. The Kyō-Kaiseki tasting menu is meticulously seasonal, changing constantly, and as impressive as the freshly-prepared fish and other dishes, but the wine and sake pairing here is simply the best I’ve ever had. By the time you’re splurging on this coveted prix fixe, go all the way and get the drink pairings too, it did more than enhance the meal, it brought it to life.
Finally, a place where the world’s two best beverages can live happily ever after together. Like Manita, Happy Coffee is one of the places where the transition from day to night is so seamless, you could spend most of your waking hours here, sipping excellent brew and getting some coworking done with friends or traveling companions, and then dip into their extensive wine list without missing a beat. They also offer limited cocktails and a curated bottle shop if you want to grab some vino and take it back to your hotel room for a chill nightcap.
Already well-known for Civil Liberties , which so many locals quoted to me as the best bar in Toronto, the team behind Electric Bill is well-versed in creating a great drinking experience. This one just happens to be an Australian-themed spot with cheeky snacks like sausage rolls and hand pies available until 11 PM, a litany of cocktails christened with phrases from down under, plus a rotating beer and wine list.
If you’re privileged enough to be a member at Soho House, or know someone in Toronto who is, make sure to stop by while you’re in town. This is yet another great place to imbibe in cozy, historic digs with a fabulous wine list. Located in the historic Bishop’s Block, the three-story club is housed inside a restored Georgian building from the 1830s. The club’s rooftop bar features incredible views if it’s nice weather, and inside there’s a roaring fireplace if the weather is cold. Both settings pair quite well with their lavish bottle list and by-the-glass options.
This Spanish-inspired pintxos spot is on my itinerary every single time I come to the city—it’s that memorable. The quaint, wooden decor and bar seating gives Raval a casual air, but the vermouth and sherry lists, plus aperitifs, wine and beer on offer are some of the most decadent options in the city. Shishitos, boquerones and jamon croquettas pair well with a sherry and tonic or one of their many by-the-glass pours of Spanish red.
Not only is the AGO one of the largest museums in the country, it’s one of the biggest in all of North America. With over 90,000 works total, the gallery includes a comprehensive collection of Canadian artists, European masters, and contemporary art—plus lots of rotating exhibits that are on display seasonally. Even if you’re more of a foodie-focused traveler, this is a museum that’s more than worth perusing for a few hours. And yes, there’s wine available here, too.
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