Toronto has some of the best restaurants in the world, including some recognized by the Michelin Guide, but that doesn't mean you can eat fancy every night. In fact, sometimes the cheap food can be just as exquisite, and even the best chefs in Toronto will occasionally reach for a budget meal.
So where do the top chefs in Toronto go when they want something cheap and delicious?
Narcity spoke with Chef Daniele Corona from DaNico and Chef Ryusuke Nakagawa from Aburi Hana about their guilty (or not so guilty) pleasures in the city, and they shared some great ideas for meals that cost no more than $30.
Here are six Toronto restaurants where you can get a fantastic meal on a budget, according to Michelin chefs who have tried these spots themselves.
Chef Daniele Corona from DaNico
Chef Daniele Corona is a Michelin chef at Toronto's new Italian restaurant, DaNico, located in Little Italy. He's also an executive chef at Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto, a Michelin-starred restaurant and one of the best Italian restaurants in the world outside of Italy.
Here are his favourite places to grab a cheaper meal.
Eataly
Price: $25.30
Address: 55 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Cuisine: Italian
Why You Need To Go: Chef Corona told Narcity that one of the items he loves to eat in Toronto is the A Ruota di Carro pizza from Eataly in Toronto.
"Every time I eat, it takes me back to where I was born in the streets of my beloved city, Naples," he said. "The flavour of the dough with the pizza toppings mixed with the smell of wood-fired pizza always gives an explosion of flavours to the palate."
Corona says this Neapolitan-style pizza was "known as the dish for the poor" in the 18th century. It was sold in the streets, but it quickly became a beloved dish among Bourbon nobles and remains popular today.
Holy Chuck
Price: $12.99 and more
Address: 1450 Yonge St., Toronto
Cuisine: Burgers
Why You Need To Go: Holy Chuck is Corona's second favourite restaurant for cheap eats in the city.
"I love eating this burger in true North American style as they have a visible meat grinder and they grind the beef and cook the hamburger instantly," Corona said. "The bread is very soft and pairs very well with the meat, melted cheese, pickled cucumbers and caramelized onions. I usually order it with French fries as a side; their crunchiness is something exceptional."
Mizzica Gelateria
Price: around $5.50 per scoop
Address: 307 Queen St. W., Toronto
Cuisine: Ice Cream
Why You Need To Go: Nothing puts the finishing touch on a great meal like some sweet, sweet gelato.
Corona says Mizzica Gelateria is one of his favourite cheap spots in the city, and there are many others in Toronto who love it too.
"I find they have an exceptional product with genuine flavours. The ice cream is house-made by Italians where they recreate real Sicilian ice cream with high quality ingredients," he shared. "Mizzica is an expression in Sicilian dialect, which can have many meanings based on the way it is expressed -- and one of these can be 'wow.' Maybe you will want to say this word (wow!) after tasting the 'Mizzica' ice cream."
Chef Ryusuke Nakagawa from Aburi Hana
Chef Ryusuke Nakagawa is the executive chef at Aburi Hana, a Kyō-Kaiseki Japanese restaurant in Yorkville with a Michelin star.
The Michelin Guide has recognized Nakagawa for his "modern take on the history-steeped Kyō-Kaiseki menu. His cooking is personal and intricate, weaving multiple techniques and colours into every dish."
When asked about cheap meals he reaches for, Nakagawa told Narcity that "ramen is a separate food group in itself."
"I LOVE ramen so much I try to eat it as much as I can at every chance. Since moving to Toronto, I was so excited to see the number of ramen restaurants but even more impressive was the quality and authenticity," he added.
Here are some of his go-to spots.
Tondou
Price: $16.50
Address: 596 College St., Toronto
Cuisine: Ramen
Why You Need To Go: Chef Nakagawa told Narcity he likes going to Tondou with his friends after a late night of drinking. His favourite item is the Okinawa Soba.
"It's nice and light with good ingredients and the side of Kogregusu (vodka infused with chili peppers) brings me back to life," the chef said. "I like to finish with a bottle of Shikuwasa Lemonade because it keeps me hydrated with lots of citrus boosters and I always feel better in the morning."
Also, he said that the atmosphere is very friendly and feels like "island vibes, which is what Okinawa is known for."
Ikkousha
Price: $15
Address: 249 Queen St. W., Toronto
Cuisine: Ramen
Why You Need To Go: There are two Ikkoushas in Toronto, one that serves a pork menu and the other just chicken. Chef Nakagawa said his go-to dish is the Signature Tonkotsu, which is a pork-based dish.
"People outside of Japan tend to think that ramen is more authentic if the broth is clearer but there are so many types from so many regions. I love the rich and creamy broth that's true to Hakata-style ramen. It reminds me so much of the ramen I ate when I was living in Japan. And just to round upout the nostalgic feeling, I usually order a Ramune Drink," he told Narcity.
Popeyes
Price: $11.99 and more
Address: Various locations
Cuisine: Fast food
Why You Need To Go: Fried chicken is a guilty pleasure for many people, and that includes at least one Michelin chef.
"My weakness after ramen is fried chicken. I'm obsessed with Popeyes' fried chicken and their fried chicken sandwiches. I would eat this every day if I could," Chef Nakagawa said. "I have to restrain myself to limit how many times I order from Popeyes."
6 Best Restaurants For Cheap Eats Under $30 In Toronto, According To Michelin Chefs
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