Winterlicious Toronto 2027: How to Book and Pick a Neighbourhood

Two weeks of prix fixe menus and one very good excuse to try the place you keep walking past.

When is Winterlicious 2027?

The City of Toronto lists Winterlicious 2027 as taking place from January 29 to February 11. The City runs it, and describes it as three-course prix fixe menus at more than 200 Toronto restaurants. Last year’s edition ran until Thursday, February 12.

How does Winterlicious work?

Participating restaurants offer three-course prix fixe menus for lunch and/or dinner, during their regular business hours and for in-restaurant dining. Each menu has an appetizer or starter, a main and a dessert, with at least three options per course. Restaurants must be table-service places located in the City of Toronto. The City has run Winterlicious and Summerlicious since 2003 and says they have served more than 8 million meals.

When will the restaurant list be posted?

Not yet: when we checked in October, the City’s Winterlicious page had no restaurant list. Eligible restaurants register to confirm their participation before each session. Last year, the full list of restaurants and menus was on the City’s website at toronto.ca/winterlicious. Watch that page, and sign up for the City’s CelebrateTO eNewsletter for updates about City-run festivals and events.

How do you book a table?

Last year, the City said participating restaurants were accepting reservations, and that reservations were strongly recommended because spots fill quickly. Our advice is to follow the same plan: decide your dates, pick two or three restaurants from the City’s list, and book directly with the restaurant as soon as the menus are live. Read each menu on the City’s page before you book, so you know what is on offer. Dietary needs? Last year more than 170 participating locations offered vegetarian options, with many also offering vegan and gluten-free choices.

What should you do between now and January?

1. Pick your dates. Winterlicious runs for two weeks, so choose a lunch or dinner that works for everyone.
2. Make a shortlist of neighbourhoods, not restaurants, until the City’s list is out.
3. Watch the City’s page, and keep the dining party small enough that a table is easy to find.
4. Book early, because last year’s advice was that spots fill quickly.

How do you pick a neighbourhood?

Last year the City said restaurants spanned neighbourhoods across the city, giving diners the chance to explore new areas. That is our favourite reason to join in. Here is how we would choose, using the neighbourhoods we know best. These are our ideas, not the City’s picks.

• Downtown: for a lunch near work or a night out in the core, start with the downtown restaurants on the City’s list, then browse our St. Lawrence Market eating guide for ideas nearby.
• Scarborough: a great excuse to head east. See our Scarborough restaurants guide to get a sense of the area’s range.
• North York: a good pick for a group outing. Our North York restaurants guide is a good place to start.
• Etobicoke: a west-end option worth the trip. Our Etobicoke restaurants guide will point you the right way.

For the other winter dates, see our events calendar and our winter in Toronto guide.

Send this to the friend who always says “we should try that place.”