Winterlicious has always been a beloved fixture of Toronto’s dining calendar, but 2026’s edition is shaping up to be the most successful the festival has ever seen. Just days into the prix-fixe event, restaurants across the city reported exceptional turnout — and more than that, the arrival of first-time visitors who were returning again after their Winterlicious introduction.
The magic of Winterlicious lies in its accessibility. With over 240 participating restaurants offering set menus at approachable price points, the festival consistently introduces diners to spots they might have bypassed otherwise. This year’s edition stretched from casual neighbourhood haunts to some of the city’s most prestigious dining rooms, giving newcomers and regulars alike a low-pressure entry point into restaurants they’d been meaning to try.
Chef Roland Torok-Ducharme, executive chef at REIGN inside the Fairmont Royal York, put the phenomenon best: “Winterlicious consistently introduces us to first-time guests, many of whom return afterward for regular service, celebrations, or special occasions. It’s often the first chapter in a longer relationship with the restaurant.”
Highlights this year ranged from REIGN’s own elevated prix-fixe to an unforgettable Hong Kong-style menu at a rooftop restaurant in Kensington — crispy dill pickle tofu, prawn toast okonomiyaki, Iberico pork char siu — to a rising Chinatown gem led by chef Eric Chong serving Kung Pao wontons, scallop ceviche and Korean fried chicken in a single, remarkable meal.
Winterlicious runs annually and marks one of the best times of year to explore Toronto’s dining scene. If you missed this edition, start planning now for next winter. Your next favourite restaurant might be one Winterlicious visit away.