Social media star Andy Hay may hail from Nova Scotia, but the two-time “MasterChef Canada” alum has been spending a ton of time here in Toronto of late — and has fallen in love with our food scene’s famously fantastic diversity.
“This is especially obvious to me when coming from Halifax. To walk down the streets of Toronto is to travel the world. There’s amazing Chinese, Caribbean, Italian, Middle Eastern, Eastern European: literally everything is at your fingertips,” said the host of “Andy’s East Coast Kitchen Crawl” (now streaming on-demand on Citytv+). “For someone from outside of Toronto, I am always blown away at the options for food. It can be overwhelming to try to just make a decision on what to eat.”
Here are the places that have truly captured his east-coast heart during his frequent visits.
Best date-night spot
Taverne Bernhardt’s, 202 Dovercourt Rd.
“I love the casual, unpretentious vibe here. The roast chicken is totally out of this world, and it’s the kind of place where you can settle in for a long meal and a bottle of wine without feeling rushed.”
Best bakery
Daan Go Cake Lab, various locations
“Christopher Siu is a genius; his pastries are incredibly creative, beautifully executed and somehow manage to be both playful and technically impressive. I love anything matcha that his team does.”
Hidden gem
BB’s, 5 Brock Ave.
“I went here for brunch recently and it was so fun, with a small dining room where you feel right in the action. I had an amazing ube cocktail, and I ate nearly the whole menu. It’s playful and just so well-done.”
Repeat reservation
Bar Isabel, 797 College St.
“A classic for a reason. The room buzzes with energy, the service is always spot-on and I’ve never had a bad meal there.”
The last best thing you ate
DaiLo, 503 College St.
“I have thought about the cumin lamb neck, served with bib lettuce and condiments, so much since I ate it. You eat it like a lettuce taco. It was mind-bendingly tasty, and I am a sucker for anything interactive.”
Current obsession
Prime Seafood Palace, 944 Queen St. W.
“I know the brioche bread service is just bread and butter, but honestly, what is better than bread and butter? The brioche is perfectly sweet and salty, and the butters haunt my memory. I need to go back for more.”
Fancy dinner
Sunnys Chinese, 60 Kensington Ave.
“The unexpected excitement that happens when you walk through the front doors is like nothing I have experienced before. So fun, and the food is perfect.”
Best dessert
Aloette, various locations
“Their lemon meringue pie is classic, simple, perfect. I always have room for lemon meringue pie, and this is probably the best I have ever had.”
Lunch spot
Union Restaurant, 72 Ossington Ave.
“I love the relaxed vibe of this restaurant and I absolutely love the charcoal-grilled merguez sausage. It’s a perfect lunch or dinner spot, but I love going there for lunch.”
Best late-night craving spot
PG Clucks, various locations
“A classic Spicy for me! Messy, spicy, soooo satisfying. Sometimes, after a long night, this is where happiness lives: in a spicy chicken sandwich.”
Best takeout
Madras Masala, 796 Bloor St. W.
“I’m usually in Toronto for work, which can be long days of filming. Sometimes I just don’t have it in me to go to a restaurant so I order take out. I love Indian food, and this place is my favourite. I get the dosas as they travel well for take out.”
Favourite weekend brunch place
Maha’s Egyptian Brunch, 226 Greenwood Ave.
“The falafel Scotch egg blew my mind. The entire menu feels unique and thoughtful, and it’s one of the few brunch spots I genuinely get excited about.”
Place I’m dying to try
Miss Likklemore’s, 433 King St. W.
“I’ve had multiple friends tell me I need to get there. The food looks incredible, and it’s been sitting at the top of my Toronto hit list for a while now.”
