The Best Restaurants in Etobicoke, Compared: From Waterfront Sichuan to Old-School Italian

Etobicoke rewards diners who look beyond the downtown core. Bordered by Lake Ontario, the Humber River and Etobicoke Creek, it pairs walkable waterfront neighbourhoods with a dining scene that runs from white-tablecloth Italian institutions to modern Sichuan near the water. Here is how some of its best-known restaurants compare, and how to choose depending on the occasion.

For a Special-Occasion Italian: Via Allegro and Pulcinella

When the night calls for something grand, Via Allegro is an Etobicoke institution famous for an award-winning wine list and signature dishes like Ossobuco alla Milanese and lobster risotto, making it a natural pick for anniversaries and celebrations. Pulcinella, which earned the Gem of Etobicoke-Lakeshore award, offers upscale regional Italian cooking in a similarly refined register. Choose Via Allegro when the wine list is part of the occasion, and Pulcinella when you want polished regional Italian without the encyclopedic cellar.

For Steak and Seafood: The Keg, JOEY and New Orleans

For a dependable steak-and-seafood night, The Keg Steakhouse + Bar at Sherway and JOEY Sherway are the reliable, crowd-pleasing options near the mall. For something with more character, New Orleans Steak + Seafood relocated to South Etobicoke after 30 years on St. Clair and specializes in Cajun and Creole cooking alongside its steaks and seafood. Pick The Keg or JOEY for a safe, lively dinner, and New Orleans when you want the same category with a distinctive Louisiana accent.

For Modern Asian by the Water: Tis Two Cities

Tis Two Cities serves authentic Sichuan cuisine with modern twists in a stylish room near Humber Bay Shores, making it a strong choice when you want bold, contemporary flavours paired with a waterfront-adjacent setting. It is the pick for a stylish dinner that still feels current rather than traditional.

For Classic Comfort: Mandarin and Old Mill

For nostalgia and familiarity, Mandarin, founded in 1979, remains beloved for its buffet and famous wonton soup, while the Old Mill Toronto offers a storied, atmospheric setting along the Humber. These suit family gatherings and occasions where a sense of tradition matters more than novelty.

For a Casual Bite: 850 Degrees Pizzeria

When you just want something easy and good, 850 Degrees Pizzeria bakes stone-fired pizzas with a nice char and smoky flavour. It is the low-key choice for a relaxed weeknight or a casual meal with kids.

How to Choose

Let the occasion lead. For a celebration with a serious wine list, Via Allegro; for refined regional Italian, Pulcinella. For steak and seafood, The Keg or JOEY, or New Orleans for a Cajun twist. For a stylish, modern dinner near the water, Tis Two Cities. For tradition and family comfort, Mandarin or the Old Mill, and for an easy casual bite, 850 Degrees. And because so much of Etobicoke hugs the lake and the Humber, many of these pair naturally with a pre- or post-dinner walk along the waterfront trails.