5 new restaurants on King West you need to try at least once

New restaurants on King West are the creme-de-la-creme when it comes to ventures that have opened on the buzzy downtown strip over the past year.

Whether it’s a brand-new concept that completely broke the internet with its droolworthy dishes or the first Toronto location of a well-loved chain, these spots have brought something new to the neighbourhood, and you’re going to want to bite.

Here are some new King West restaurants you need to try.

Animl Steakhouse

While steakhouses tend to all get lumped into the same category of being stuffy, cold and pretentious (and, hey, maybe they deserve it,) this venture from the team behind Toronto hot spots like Ultra, Kost and Daphne is rewriting the entire genre.

Pairing retro-inspired interior elements like wood-panelled walls, mirrored ceilings and animal-print furniture with an upscale menu offering a full suite of steaks, seafood and other lavish bites, the vibe at this steakhouse is truly rare.

Public Gardens

We may have officially veered away from patio season for the rest of 2024, but this fall brought us one of the best rooftop patios on the entire strip, leaving the city’s residents even more excited for the spring and summer than usual.

While the charming, New York-inspired patio at this American Italian spot tends to get all the glory, it also boasts an inside space where you can get your hands on their menu of staples from Mozzarella Sticks to Chicken Parm year-round.

Hello Nori Toronto

This much-loved Vancouver-based chain has officially landed in Toronto, and it’s on a mission to make hand rolls your new favourite meal. One visit to their groovy King West spot, and you’ll be a convert.

Serving up premium ingredients, like King Salmon, Snow Crab, Truffle Lobster and Bluefin Tuna all lovingly wrapped in the titular nori, this restaurant is a must-visit whether you’re picking up a quick bite on the go or sitting down for a dinner.

Cafe Renee

When it comes to restaurants that opened in Toronto this year, it doesn’t get much more buzzy than this spot from the same people behind Gloria in the Great Hall and Bar Poet.

While that glorious, glistening sheet of ravioli might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this Portland bistro, its charming, France-inspired interiors, creative cocktails (I’m looking at you, Creme Brulee Espresso Martini,) and variety of delectable dishes have all raised it to icon-status.

East Tea Can

Tucked away inside The Well’s much-talked-about Wellington Market Food Hall, this Middle Eastern Restaurant is a charming refuge from the hustle and bustle of the epic shopping and lifestyle complex.

The second location for the Mississauga-based chain, here, you can expect to tuck into heaping dollops of hummus, Lahme Bi Ajeen and sizeable skewers all washed down with freshly-brewed coffee and tea beverages before heading back out to do some shopping.