While plenty of us hope to travel to faraway places this summer, there are seeminly no end to the things that can get in your way. Luckily, Toronto is home to a diverse array of restaurants that'll make you feel like you've stolen off to Europe without ever leaving the city.

Here are my picks for Toronto restaurants that make you feel like you're in Europe.

Athens Restaurant

Greece

Any self-respecting Toronto resident knows that Danforth is the place to go for a taste of Greece in the city. While the view from this nearly 50-year-old institution may not hold a candle to Santorini, the dishes they serve definitely do.

Whelan's Gate

Ireland

It's no surprise that one of Toronto's best Irish pubs will make you feel like you've been transported to Dublin (minus the plane ride.) With rustic, cozy interiors, full selection of classic Irish beers on tap and a menu of hearty pub dishes, you may even consider taking a real trip.

The taproom at Whelan's Gate feels like an instant trip to Ireland. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Mrakovic Deli

Bosnia and Herzegovina

This homey, family-run spot in Etobicoke is still run by the family who opened it in 2003 after fleeing Bosnia. A combination grocery store, deli and bakeshop, their fresh bourek, grilled cevapi and sweet tulumba will make you feel like you just stepped off the streets of Sarajevo.

Le Paradis

France

If the elevated patio and royal blue awning at this Annex brasserie and bistro don't scream Paris to you, their extensive menu of Old World wines and French cuisine will most certainly get you there.
 

Bar Raval

Spain

This trendy bar may be in Little Italy, but the Gaudi-esque design of its interiors will make you feel like you're standing outside of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia. Pair that with an extensive tapas menu and Spanish-inspired cocktails, and you're basically there.

The curved design of Bar Raval's interior pays homage to famed Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

The Prague Restaurant

Czechia

Aptly named after the country's capital, this Scarborough spot's bright, airy dining room, expansive patio and natural surroundings make it the perfect spot to imagine you're mowing down on a schnitzel (one of their most popular dishes,) at the foot of the Sudetic mountains.

Budapest Restaurant

Hungary

Traditional Hugarian cuisine is the name of the game at this Danforth East restaurant by seasoned chef Edit Csmoa, who serves gigantic schnitzels, cabbage rolls and beef stew in a space laden with Hungarian decor.

Mercado Restaurant

Portugal

The groovy, buzzing interior at this Castlefield Design District restaurant are only one piece of the puzzle, alongside massive shareable platters laden with grilled meat and seafood, and a curated cabinet stocked with tinned fish and preservatives imported straight from Portugal.

The interior at Mercado invokes Lisbon's lively atmosphere. Photo by Fareen Karim.

Cafe Polonez

Poland

Serving some of the city's best schnitzel, perogies and cabbage rolls, you can rest assured that you'll find some of the most authentic Polish cuisine west of Warsaw at this Roncesvalles go-to, which also features an intricate mural of the capital city.

Otto's Berlin Doner

Germany

This Kensington sandwich shop invokes Berlin, not only through its name, but through its selection of German dishes like doner and currywurst, towering mugs of German and Belgian beers and bright, Pop Art-inpired interiors.

The Dorset

Great Britain

Emulating the sights, sounds and, most importantly, flavours, of the English countryside was of the utmost importance when Toronto hospitality giant, O&B, opened this spot in The Well, so it's no surprise that everything from the menu to the atmosphere makes you feel like you're in jolly old England.

Both the interiors and menu at The Dorset were crafted to resemble coastal and countryside England. Photo by Fareen Karim.

Barrel House Korchma

Ukraine

Bright, fresh and beautiful Ukrainian dishes — from potato pancakes to Bograch — are centre stage at this Etobicoke restaurant that also sells various pieces of merchandise to raise funds for citizens currently affected by the war.

Moldova

Moldova

While the name of this North York restaurant does a pretty good job of explaining what type of cuisine it serves, it doesn't tell the whole story. Here, you can also find a selection of Russian, Romanian and Ukrainian dishes, much like you'd be able to in the small European country.

Tiflisi

Georgia

While the Eurasian country from which this restaurant gains its cuisine isn't particularly known for its beaches, its location in Toronto's Beaches neighbourhood is the perfect spot to savour Georgian delights like Badrijani and Mstvadi within a cozy, wood-panneled dining room.

Tiflisi's wood panelling and brick walls will make you feel like you're dining at a cozy Georgian cabin. Photo by Fareen Karim.

Lokum Eats

Turkey

Everything from traditional Turkish breakfast dishes to mezes and mains are on the table at this charming Junction spot that's filled with enough lamps, copper accents and decorative plates to rival any Istanbul eatery.