Toronto Landmarks Where Cuisine Meets Architecture

Sharp Staff May 3, 2024

Range Rover & SHARP

Looking for your next great dining experience? Consider this handpicked selection of Toronto’s most striking eateries, where distinctive designs dovetail with delightful, sometimes dramatic details. Meals transform into immersive experiences through a blend of art and architecture.

The One with the Golden Cascades and Sushi Bar

Studio Munge crafts an elegant, contemporary Japanese dining haven at Akira Back in Bisha Hotel. The entry’s cascading gold volumes lead into a space with tactile black and charcoal finishes, illuminated by a vivid custom ceiling graphic. The restaurant features an immersive cove ceiling and a striking gold-layered sushi bar, offering a sophisticated blend of traditional Japanese and bold contemporary design. Noteworthy are the meticulous details that create a holistic, glamorous ambiance, inviting diners into a world where heritage meets modernity.

The One Where Light Sculptures the Space

Partisans’ Vela in the historic Parisian Laundry Building boasts a grand hotel lobby bar atmosphere within a contemporary dining space. A sculptural ceiling sculpts with light, directing guests from the grand staircase through the champagne bar to the main dining area. The mix of classical exterior detailing with a modern, organic interior includes leather banquettes and a concrete bar, showcasing a commitment to lasting design and functionality.

The One With Vintage Glamour & Gold Leaf

Designed by Future Studio, Bar Prima is a meld of vintage glamour with a modern dining twist, featuring a low-lit atmosphere under a gold-leafed inset ceiling crafted by artisanal gilders. The space echoes a 1960s marble floor pattern inspired by Cy Twombly’s Roman apartment, surrounded by bright blue dining chairs, wood and mirrored panelling, and plush velvet drapes. The retro-glam aesthetic is complemented by servers dressed in crisp white uniforms and antique cigarette cases for bill presentation, enhancing the classic fine dining experience.

The One Crafted From Earth & Art

Located in the Gardiner, Clay by Denizens of Design embodies Canada’s ceramics museum through elements of earth, water and fire across its 4,000-square-foot space. The design focuses on modularity and flexibility, facilitating transitions from daily service to evening events while reducing dependency on external vendors. Drawing from the museum’s architectural features and ceramic collections, the space celebrates a cohesive and inspired dining environment, recognized by several design awards for its innovative integration of aesthetics and utility.

The One Where Dining Meets Cinema

Studio Paolo Ferrari designed Daphne to immerse diners in a cinematic dining ambiance, with each room portraying a unique film-inspired setting—from Nancy Meyers’ comforting spaces to Stanley Kubrick’s intense atmospheres. The Great Room features a residential vibe with vaulted ceilings and checkerboard flooring, while the burnt orange Drawing Room offers an intimate contrast. Custom-designed furniture and lighting, along with a mural-lined mirrored corridor leading to a bar with green, wavy banquette seating, elevate the explorative cinematic experience.

The One With Flames & Flickering Embers

Minami in the Entertainment District is a fiery spectacle inspired by its signature flame-seared sushi. Orange and red hues dominate the interior, amplified by natural light through large windows. Dynamic back-lit arches and a custom hanging fabric art installation by Moss and Lam add intimacy, simulating flickering embers. A mural by Hideki Kimura, featuring vibrant East Asian symbols, adds cultural depth, separating the dining and lounge areas with a translucent glass display.

The One With the Cathedral of Wood

Omar Gandhi Architect redefines commercial space with refined residential aesthetics at Prime Seafood Palace. A discreet brick façade encloses a “light-filled wood cathedral,” where a two-story wood slat vault and custom furniture by Coolican & Company cast a serene ambiance. Vertical brass screens ensure privacy while natural materials like white maple and brass create a timeless environment that evolves with Chef Matty Matheson’s culinary artistry.

The One Where Industrial Meets Bespoke Underneath

Alder sits beneath the Ace Hotel, a fusion of industrial chic and bespoke elegance in a subterranean oasis. It features concrete walls and a copper bar, complemented by an open kitchen, creating a spacious yet intimate ambiance for 100 guests. The design integrates terracotta-coloured brick floors that reflect the building’s exterior, with vintage and custom furnishings that fill the space alongside artworks linked to Toronto. Custom copper wall sconces and a niche filled with firewood add refined touches, showcasing a commitment to thoughtful, artisanal design.

The One That Feels Like Aunt Fern’s

Florette, designed by Denizens of Design, channels the homely atmosphere of a fictional Aunt Fern’s residence. Its façade, painted in heritage mauve with a pitched design, welcomes diners to an interior marked by floral wallpaper and custom wood trim under expansive barrel-vaulted ceilings. Victorian-inspired chenille upholstery and a dark-stained oak bar with brass accents complement the organic assembly of furnishings, reflecting a collected, personal space with a story to tell.

The One With Heritage Wood & Skylights

Omar Gandhi Architect’s redesign of Lady Marmalade in a 19th-century brownstone melds heritage with modern design. Extensive use of Baltic Birch wood across its airy interior highlights the historic charm, contrasted by 100 wall-mounted plants that add a green, lush feel. The triple-height entryway invites an influx of natural light, enhancing the serene and architecturally enriched brunch environment.

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