Winterlicious Toronto — and its summer counterpart Summerlicious — are the city’s twice-yearly prix-fixe restaurant promotions where 200+ Toronto restaurants offer specially priced 3-course menus at significant discounts off normal pricing. Running for two weeks in late January / early February (Winterlicious) and again in mid-July (Summerlicious), the festivals offer chances to dine at top fine-dining restaurants for fixed prices: $25, $35, $48, or $58 for lunch; $35, $48, or $68 for dinner. From Canoe’s 54th-floor skyline-view tasting menu to neighbourhood favourites and Michelin-starred kitchens, Winterlicious Toronto and Summerlicious deliver some of the year’s best dining value. This complete guide covers the festivals in 2026 — how to book, top participating restaurants, what to expect, and answers to the questions visitors ask most. For broader context, see our complete best restaurants in Toronto guide.
For the official Winterlicious Toronto and Summerlicious participating restaurant list, see the official City of Toronto Winterlicious page.
Winterlicious Toronto: Quick Facts
Festival Period: Winterlicious runs late January through early February (typically 14 days). Summerlicious runs mid-July (typically 14 days).
Participating Restaurants: 200+ Toronto restaurants in each edition.
Pricing Tiers (Lunch): $25, $35, $48, or $58 per person.
Pricing Tiers (Dinner): $35, $48, or $68 per person.
Reservations: Required. Open about 2 weeks before each festival.
Best for: Foodies, Toronto residents, special-occasion-but-budget diners, restaurant samplers.
Winterlicious Toronto: How It Works
Pricing Structure
Each restaurant chooses 1–2 pricing tiers (e.g., $48 lunch + $68 dinner). The fixed price includes 3 courses: appetizer, main, and dessert. Drinks, taxes, and tip are additional.
How to Book
Reservations open about 2 weeks before each festival. Book early; the most popular restaurants fill within hours of opening.
Most participating restaurants accept Winterlicious and Summerlicious reservations through OpenTable, Resy, or directly via the restaurant’s booking system.
The official festival website at toronto.ca/winterlicious lists all participating restaurants with menu samples.
What’s Included & What’s Not
Included: 3 courses (appetizer, main, dessert) at the chosen pricing tier.
Not Included: Drinks, taxes, tip, and any add-ons (extra appetizers, side dishes, etc.).
Tip Strategy: Tip on the original menu price, not the discounted Winterlicious price. Servers depend on tips; the discount is for the diner, not the staff.
Substitutions
Most Winterlicious menus offer 2–3 choices per course. Some restaurants allow substitutions from the regular menu at additional cost; others are strict to the prix-fixe.
Winterlicious Toronto: Top Participating Restaurants
Fine Dining
Canoe: The 54th-floor Financial District tower restaurant. Modern Canadian cuisine with stunning skyline views.
Splendido: Long-running Toronto fine-dining institution.
Pukka: Contemporary Indian fine dining (often participates).
Auberge du Pommier: French haute cuisine in midtown Toronto.
Lai Wah Heen: Fine-dining Cantonese at the Metropolitan Hotel.
Hotel Fine Dining
Café Boulud at Four Seasons: Daniel Boulud’s Toronto outpost.
Joni at Park Hyatt: Forbes Four-Star modern Canadian.
ONE Restaurant at Hazelton: Mark McEwan’s flagship.
Toca at Ritz-Carlton: Forbes Four-Star Italian.
Mid-Range Standouts
Buca Yorkville & Buca King: Modern Italian.
Ki Modern Japanese: Sleek Financial District Japanese.
Drake Restaurant: Modern Canadian at the Drake Hotel.
El Catrin: Upscale Mexican at the Distillery District.
Cluny Bistro: French-Canadian bistro at the Distillery District.
Steakhouses
Harbour Sixty Steakhouse: Classic Toronto steakhouse near the harbourfront.
Jacobs & Co Steakhouse: Yorkville steakhouse.
BlueBlood at Casa Loma: Steakhouse inside Toronto’s castle.
Multicultural Fine Dining
Many Toronto multicultural restaurants participate including Greek (Pantheon), Italian (Sotto Sotto), Spanish (Bar Isabel), French (Le Sélect Bistro), and other ethnic kitchens.
Winterlicious Toronto: Reservations Strategy
When Reservations Open
Reservations typically open 2 weeks before each festival. The opening date is announced 1–2 months ahead. Set calendar reminders.
Top Restaurants Fill First
Canoe, Splendido, Café Boulud, and other premier restaurants book within hours of reservations opening. Have backup restaurants in mind.
Mid-Week vs Weekend
Weekday reservations (Monday-Thursday) are easier to land. Friday and Saturday evenings book first.
Lunch vs Dinner
Winterlicious and Summerlicious lunches are typically easier to book than dinner. Lunch tier pricing is also lower ($25–$58 vs $35–$68 dinner).
Group Reservations
Tables of 6+ are particularly hard to book. Reserve as soon as possible.
Cancellation Policies
Many restaurants charge cancellation fees if you cancel within 24–48 hours. Check specific restaurant policies.
Winterlicious Toronto: Tips for Visitors
Plan ahead. Identify 5–10 restaurants you want to try; book the day reservations open.
Try a fine-dining restaurant you wouldn’t normally afford. The Winterlicious value is greatest at premium restaurants.
Lunch is often easier. Easier to book; lower pricing tier.
Tip generously. Servers depend on tips; tip 18–20% on the original menu price (the value is for the diner, not the staff).
Don’t expect special treatment. Some restaurants run their normal kitchen with a Winterlicious menu. Others run a streamlined kitchen during the festival.
Read the menu before booking. Each restaurant’s menu is on the toronto.ca/winterlicious site.
Bring out-of-town visitors during the festival. Great way to introduce visitors to Toronto’s top restaurants at moderate prices.
Plan multiple meals. Dinner Friday + Saturday lunch + Sunday brunch makes a Winterlicious weekend.
Watch for sneaky add-ons. Bread, sides, extras — some restaurants charge for these. Confirm what’s included.
Note the no-substitution rule. The prix-fixe is fixed; you can’t order off the regular menu and pay the Winterlicious price.
Winterlicious Toronto vs Summerlicious
The two festivals are nearly identical. Same pricing tiers, same approach, similar restaurant participation. Differences:
Season: Winterlicious in late January/early February. Summerlicious in mid-July.
Restaurants: Some restaurants participate in only one or the other.
Menu Themes: Winterlicious leans into hearty winter ingredients. Summerlicious features lighter summer fare.
Patio Season: Summerlicious takes advantage of patios; Winterlicious is indoor-focused.
Most Toronto food enthusiasts attend both festivals each year.
Winterlicious Toronto: For Different Visitors
First-Time Festival-Goers
Book 2–3 lunch reservations at mid-tier restaurants. Try a mix of cuisines.
Fine-Dining Enthusiasts
Book Canoe, Splendido, Café Boulud, and other premier kitchens at the highest tier. Maximum value for normal pricing.
Toronto Visitors
Time your trip during one of the festivals. Easy way to dine at Toronto’s top restaurants without the regular price commitment.
Couples
Book a Wednesday or Thursday dinner at a romantic restaurant. Less competitive than weekend bookings.
Groups
Book early; tables of 6+ are challenging. Pick restaurants with strong shared-plate options.
Winterlicious Toronto: History
Winterlicious was launched in 2003 by the City of Toronto as a winter dining initiative to encourage Torontonians to dine at restaurants during the slowest seasonal period. The festival quickly became one of Toronto’s most beloved annual food events.
Summerlicious was added in 2003 (or shortly after) as a summer counterpart. The two festivals now run twice yearly with similar structures.
Today the festivals are operated by the City of Toronto’s Cultural Hotspot program and continue to be one of Toronto’s most-watched food events.
Frequently Asked Questions: Winterlicious Toronto
When is Winterlicious Toronto?
Winterlicious runs late January through early February each year (typically 14 days). 2026 dates are announced about 1–2 months ahead.
When is Summerlicious Toronto?
Summerlicious runs mid-July (typically 14 days). 2026 dates are announced about 1–2 months ahead.
How much do Winterlicious meals cost?
Lunch tiers: $25, $35, $48, or $58 per person. Dinner tiers: $35, $48, or $68 per person. Plus drinks, taxes, and tip.
How many restaurants participate in Winterlicious?
200+ Toronto restaurants in each edition. Lists are at toronto.ca/winterlicious.
When do Winterlicious reservations open?
Reservations typically open 2 weeks before each festival. The opening date is announced 1–2 months ahead. Top restaurants fill within hours.
Where do I book Winterlicious reservations?
Through OpenTable, Resy, or directly via the restaurant’s booking system. The official toronto.ca/winterlicious site lists each restaurant with menu samples.
Are drinks included in Winterlicious meals?
No — the prix-fixe is for 3 courses only. Drinks, taxes, and tip are additional.
Should I tip on the discounted price or the original price?
Tip on the original menu price. Servers depend on tips; the discount is for the diner, not the staff.
What’s the difference between Winterlicious and Summerlicious?
Same structure (prix-fixe pricing tiers, 200+ restaurants). Different seasons (winter vs summer). Some restaurants participate in only one or the other.
Is Winterlicious worth it?
Yes — particularly for fine-dining restaurants where the Winterlicious price is dramatically less than normal. Less impressive savings at casual restaurants where the regular menu pricing is already moderate.
Plan Your Winterlicious Toronto Visit
Winterlicious and Summerlicious are Toronto’s twice-yearly chances to dine at top restaurants at significant discounts. For first-time festival-goers, book 2–3 mid-tier restaurants in different neighbourhoods to sample Toronto’s diverse food scene. For fine-dining enthusiasts, book Canoe, Splendido, Café Boulud, or other premier restaurants the day reservations open. For couples and special-occasion diners, time your visit to coincide with the festivals for genuine value at restaurants you might not otherwise try. Whatever your style, plan ahead, tip generously, and don’t miss one of Toronto’s most beloved annual food traditions.
For more dining inspiration, see our complete guides to best restaurants in Toronto, the Toronto food scene, best brunch in Toronto, and Michelin star restaurants Toronto.