Statistically authenticated or not, Toronto is popularly considered the most multicultural city in the world, and not without good reason: about half of its 2.5 million inhabitants were born abroad. The exciting mesh of cultures existing in the city has resulted in an explosion of dining options offering a whole world of gastronomic experiences.
Toronto boasts a number of ethnic communities and neighbourhoods where cultures are nurtured through language, retail shops and restaurants. Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, Portugal Village, Little India and Koreatown all offer a taste of the wider world, conveniently in one city.
A number of authentic eating establishments throughout Toronto are committed to preserving and showcasing national cultures by serving traditional dishes in genuine settings, while others embrace a new culture through an exciting, innovative fusion of global flavours.
From casual to formal dining, Toronto offers a number of intriguing new establishments and long standing favourites that have aced the test of time. All restaurants in Toronto are smoke free in compliance with the province wide Smoke Free Act first implemented in May 2006. The legal drinking age is 19 and bars and restaurants stop serving alcohol by 2am. Also important to note is that while restaurants may present a foreign food experience, tipping culture remains Canadian: 12 ;15 percent is customary and is not normally included in the bill.