The Best New Restaurants in Toronto, 2013

The best restaurants that opened in Toronto during 2013 draw on diverse sources for inspiration, though there are at least a couple of recurring themes. Snacks, a.k.a tapas or bocaditos, played a major role on menus across town, as did wood-fired cooking of all types, including slow and low smoking and flash-fired pizza-baking. Also worth a note is the clip at which new restaurants continue to open in this city. This is a culinary boom time, one which shows no signs of slowing down.

Here are the best new restaurants in Toronto from 2013.

Bar Isabel

Grant van Gameren’s tapas bar on College has garnered a whirlwind of acclaim since opening last year. Cured meats and cheese play a prominent role on the menu along with delicacies like tongue on brioche and whole sea bream ceviche.

The Chase Toronto

Boasting a prime penthouse address with a killer rooftop patio, this elegant bistro in the Financial District will readily indulge champagne tastes. It's easy to be enamoured with the luxurious menu listing seafood platters, foie gras spiked vegetables and suckling pig.

Oddseoul

The menu at this Ossington snackbar showcases a novel take on fusion cuisine. Korean comfort foods are influenced by a soft spot for iconic American fast foods. Expect to find ssam platters listed alongside a bulgogi cheese steak, wings and deviled eggs.

The Carbon Bar

Near Queen and Church, this civilized smokehouse offers an informal menu from chef David Lee (also of Nota Bene) and one huge dining room. Standout selections include fried chicken skins, split pea fritters, octopus and lobster gumbo plus an array of meaty, wood-fired fare.