Posted : February 11, 2014
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
York Region is home to some fantastic restaurants and offers a plethora of cultural dining experiences for those visiting the area.
The local community is very diverse and you will find everything from Chinese, Malaysian, Italian, Indian to Mediterranean and Fusion establishments serving up some mouthwatering dishes.
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in York Region, here’s our top picks:
1. Old Country Inn
Located on Main Street Unionville, Old Country Inn serves up tasty Austrian fare like goulash and schnitzel.
It is a popular restaurant frequented by families on weekends and business people during the week.
Recommendations: Any schnitzel dish. If you’re looking for something unique try the Holstein Schnitzel – a breaded cutlet with fried egg and anchovies on top.
2. Il Postino Ristorante
Another hot spot on Main Street Unionville is Il Postino Ristorante – an upscale restaurant that serves classic Italian dishes.
It is one of the longest standing restaurants on Main Street and is the perfect place for a romantic meal.
Recommendations: Osso Bucco
3. Shiso Tree Cafe
A few steps away from Izakaya Ju in J-Town is Shiso Tree Cafe – a simply decorated and cozy restaurant serving up some unique and mouthwatering Japanese Italian fushion dishes.
It is a small restaurant with only a few tables and is often overlooked by many who visit J-Town.
Mouthwatering Italian pasta dishes with a Japanese twist make up most of the menu but the most popular item at Shiso Tree is the Nori Fries – fresh cut fries topped with seaweed and homemade wafu dressing.
Recommendations: Nori Fries & Shrimp Okonomiyaki (Spaghetti sautéed with bacon, and topped with garlic shrimp, steak sauce, Japanese mayo & bonito fish flakes).
4. India’s Taste
For an authentic Indian dining experience, make sure you visit India’s Taste in Markham.
This home-style restaurant offers diners a taste of Northern Indian cuisine that will be sure to satisfy vegetarian and non-vegetarian foodies. Butter chicken, samosas, chickpea salads and traditional Indian desserts line the buffet tables at India’s Taste.
Recommendations: Curry Goat
5. Northern Dumpling Kitchen
Located in Times Square in Richmond Hill, Northern Dumpling Kitchen isn’t a fine dining experience but you’ll get to feast on dumplings, noodles, and other Northern Chinese classics at very affordable prices.
Recommendations: Steamed Pork and Leek Dumplings, Pork Slices with Spicy Garlic Sauce, Smoked Pork Slices with Spring Onion Pancakes.
6. Federick Restaurant
Federick Restaurant in Markham is a great place to try traditional Hakka (Chinese Indian) cuisine.
If you can handle spice or like a bit of kick in your food, this is the place to visit although there are many non spicy items on the menu too.
Federick’s consistently delivers tasty dishes and it’s not surprising that this hidden gem fills up quickly with families on weekends. If you want to avoid the lineup you can order takeout and save 10% on your food bill.
Recommendations: Chicken Pakora, Manchurian Fried Rice, Hakka Chow Mein
7. Inatei
Located in Richmond Hill,Inatei offers high quality fish for sushi connoisseurs. With its à la carte menu, Inatei is a welcome change from the sushi buffets that you see frequently in the area.
The menu is superb with a mixture of sashimi and sushi dishes along with traditional Japanese favourites like black cod and teriyaki.
What most people don’t know is that Inatei offers omakase (chef’s tasting menu). Starting at $70 per person, these meals must be reserved a few days in advance.
Recommendations: Omakase. Black Cod & Chirashi from the à la carte menu.
8. Joe’s Hamburgers
Don’t let the name fool you, Joe’s Hamburgers in Richmond Hill is known for its Middle Eastern offerings as well as hamburgers.
Generous serving sizes can easily be split between two people. It’s very common to find the line up out the door around dinner time here.
Recommendations: Lamb Souvlaki Dinner, Chicken Shawarma Dinner Plate
9. Nak Won
For an authentic Korean dining experience, head to Nak Won at First Markham Place in Markham.
Nak Won serves up traditional Korean fare including Kimchi Stew, Don Katsu and Bimbimbap.
Recommendations: Pork Bone Soup and Korean Style Pork Bacon made on the Table BBQ
10. Desserts and Snacks
York Region offers many places to satisfy your sweet tooth.
There’s Old Firehall Confectionery on Main Street Unionville where you can watch staff make fudge, buy a candy apple and other sweet treats.
Sweet Note Desserts at Commerce Gate in Richmond Hill serves up one of the best soufflés in the region – you just have to be prepared to wait 20 – 30 minutes as they are made on demand.
Ruelo Patisserie in Times Square in Richmond Hill offers macaron fans a bevy of flavours to choose from – including wasabi grapefruit, cassis and cream cheese orange.
If you really want to indulge, head on over to Hilton Toronto Markham for their afternoon high tea.
Cheryl is founder of Kids On A Plane – a blog dedicated to family travel in North America and the Caribbean. When she’s not on a plane, you can find her exploring York Region and the GTA with her two young children and husband.
