Christmas in Toronto is as much about food as it is about lights. From mulled wine at the Distillery and festive afternoon tea to Christmas Eve dinners and Christmas Day brunch, here’s your guide to eating and drinking through the holiday season in 2026.
Christmas dinner out
- Christmas Eve: many Toronto restaurants serve special set menus on December 24, from Italian seafood feasts to classic turkey dinners. Christmas Eve dinner in Toronto
- Christmas Day: most restaurants close, but hotel dining rooms, many Chinese restaurants and a selection of others stay open. Book early. Restaurants open on Christmas Day
- Brunch: a festive Christmas morning or Boxing Day brunch is a Toronto tradition. Christmas brunch in Toronto
Festive treats and drinks
- Afternoon tea: the Shangri-La’s Nutcracker tea, the Fairmont Royal York, The Ritz-Carlton and more. Holiday afternoon tea
- Christmas bars: Miracle opens on November 20 on Bloor Street and at Harbourfront. Christmas pop-up bars
- Hot chocolate: the Distillery Winter Village is a hot chocolate destination, and the city has plenty more. Best hot chocolate in Toronto
- Bakeries: panettone, stollen, yule logs and Christmas cookies. Christmas bakeries in Toronto
- Market food: the Distillery’s outdoor food stalls and bars. Distillery Winter Village food
Cooking at home
- Where to buy a fresh Christmas turkey in Toronto
- Christmas dinner takeout and catering
- Italian Christmas and the Feast of the Seven Fishes
- Caribbean Christmas food in Toronto
- St. Lawrence Market for holiday shopping
Parties and nights out
- Holiday party venues in Toronto
- Office Christmas party ideas
- Igloo and winter patio dining
- Christmas cooking and baking classes
Holiday hours
Grocery stores and the LCBO change their hours around December 24 to 26 and January 1. Plan ahead with grocery store holiday hours and LCBO holiday hours.
Toronto Christmas food by neighbourhood
Toronto’s food scene is one of the most diverse in the world, and that shows at Christmas. Some starting points:
- Little Italy and Corso Italia: panettone, struffoli, the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Italian Christmas in Toronto
- The Danforth: Greek bakeries with melomakarona and kourabiedes cookies. Christmas on the Danforth
- Bloor West Village and Roncesvalles: Ukrainian and Polish delis for pierogi, poppy-seed cake and Christmas Eve supper dishes.
- Little Jamaica and Scarborough: black cake, sorrel and Christmas ham. Caribbean Christmas in Toronto
- Little Manila on Bathurst: bibingka and puto bumbong after Simbang Gabi.
- St. Lawrence Market: one-stop shopping for cheese, meat, seafood and baked goods. St. Lawrence Market at Christmas
Holiday dining calendar
| When | What to book |
|---|---|
| Early November | Office party venues and large group dinners |
| Mid-November | Holiday afternoon tea and Christmas Eve dinner |
| Late November | Christmas turkey and takeout dinner orders |
| Early December | New Year’s Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch |
| Week before Christmas | Last call for bakery orders (panettone, black cake, tourtière) |
Where to eat on the big days
- Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24, 2026): many restaurants serve set menus; some close early. Christmas Eve dinner
- Christmas Day (Friday, December 25): hotel restaurants, some Chinese and other restaurants stay open. Restaurants open on Christmas Day
- Boxing Day (Saturday, December 26): most restaurants reopen; brunch is popular. Christmas brunch
- New Year’s Eve (Thursday, December 31): book tasting menus early. New Year’s Eve dinner
Christmas dining in Toronto: FAQ
Do I need to book Christmas dinner in Toronto? Yes. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve tables fill up weeks ahead, especially for groups.
Are restaurants open on Christmas Day in Toronto? Some are, mainly hotel restaurants and a selection of independent spots. Many close, so check before you go.
Where can I get a Christmas dinner to take home? Many grocers, butchers and caterers sell complete holiday meals. See Christmas dinner takeout.
Tips
- Book Christmas Eve and Christmas Day tables by early December.
- Order turkeys and special baked goods two to three weeks ahead.
- Check holiday hours for every restaurant and shop around December 24 to 26.
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