Don Alfonso is a Michelin-starred restaurant I first experienced in Italy, and when I found out they had a Toronto location, I knew I had to come. Nestled inside a hotel with its own private elevator, the entire arrival experience already sets the tone for something special. The atmosphere is nothing short of stunning. You get sweeping Lakeshore views, a refined yet warm dining room, and service that is both professional and genuinely welcoming. The servers make you feel completely taken care of without being overbearing, which is exactly what you'd expect at this level of dining. As for the food--unsurprisingly, everything is exceptional. Every dish feels carefully thought out, beautifully plated, and full of flavor that balances creativity with tradition. This is not just dinner; it's an experience. Even the small details stand out, from the wine pairings to the impeccable timing of each course. And here's something unexpected: the bathroom is worth a visit on its own. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls give you the feeling of floating above the city--but don't worry, they assure you it's one-way glass. It's a little surprise that adds to the unforgettable character of the evening. If you've ever wanted to understand what Michelin-star dining feels like--without leaving Toronto--Don Alfonso is the place. It's elegant, memorable, and easily one of the most unique culinary experiences in the city. A must-visit for anyone who appreciates fine dining. read more

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Good attempt, but not what I was expecting from a Michelin rated restaurant. The restaurant was really beautiful and the waiters were really nice but had some issues. The food itself was not amazing. The truffle butter was the best part. Really great. The dish with duck and squash really did not taste like a good pairing. The pastas and the bison were both really under seasoned. The opener and the dessert were both ok, but not memorable. read more

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We had a very personal happy event that we thought deserves a special celebration with exceptional food - and decided that Don Alfonso would be the place! Overall, we had a very good experience. First of all, location. What a nice view. We were seated at the table a little bit before the time of sunset, allowing us to enjoy the beautiful colors of the evening sky and panoramic view of Toronto's waterfront. While we are deciding what to eat, we cheered with beers (Otus Pilsner & Otus IPA). Look at the foam. I have never seen beer presented so beautifully like this. Crispy, chilly and refreshing. We chose to go for A La Carte ($150) option. Starting with a plate of warm, freshly baked artisan bread - wow - including nut brioche, grissini, a small multi-grain loaf, and tomato focaccia. Came with fluffy truffle butter and aromatic olive oil. BEST focaccia - moist, raised high, light and flavourful. Canapés Elegant and each had its world with different texture, flavor and color. The delicacies opened our 5 senses up for the night! My favourite was squid ink puff with lobster filling, topped with uni. Tuna tartare's cup was super thin, crisp and buttery giving delicate contrast with melt-in-the-mouth tartar ! Antipasto - L'ANGUILLA (me): Savory eel gelato, with caviar. Accompanying tagliatelle was thin, soft but with slight firmness and rose fragrance. The egg yolk, herb-y sauce and briny caviar - so rich. - L'ANATRA (hubby): Seared duck breast. Perfectly medium rare, so tender. Loved the demi glaze sauce with a hint of anise. Primi - IL RISOTTO (hubby): Nicely grassy risotto with green peas - rice retains nice bite with gluey-ness. It had a great textural contrast with crispy/ melt-y meat pieces. I wished it were a bit warmer. - I RAVIOLI (me) : Same with above - I wished it a bit warmer. And I am a dumpling lover (Ravioli is Italian dumpling to me) - meaning, my main focus is first and foremost, the the wrapper/filling balance and texture. This ravioli was definitely tasty with cheesy sauce with black truffles. But the sauce and the topping overpower the ravioli itself. I really did not have chance to enjoy the ravioli itself. Secondi - IL BISONTE (me): BEST of the day. Medium rare bison tenderloin wrapped in buttery, crusty thin bread, which itself was perfect. It came with roasted mushrooms, truffle slices and nutty sauce for additional flavors to enjoy. Bravo! - L'ASTICE (hubby): Lobster dish - we felt it was overcooked - it came out a bit gummy and dry. This was disappointing. Dessert (not included in A la carte course) - IL TIRAMISU Why shaped skull? lol See the picture - I thought I got my order wrong. It looks like a tiny skull white chocolate. But there is tiramisu inside - thin crunchy white chocolate was followed by the rich burst of mascarpone mousse, coffee-soaked biscotti, and salted caramel. Tiny world of delicacy. But why skull spape? lol. We also enjoyed their cocktails - Thyme is money: It was not as boosy as I wanted lol. But presentation was beautiful! Fruity (with fresh strawberries inside). Perfect for pre-meal drink. - Don Alfonso Espresso Martini: This was the best Espresso Martini! Creamy, spicy and good caffeine kick. - Clover Club: LOVED this. Highly recommend. Foamy, fruity and boozy. Classic gin sour! Tasted fresh. At the end of the dining - a surprise desert tray was brought to our table, with a chocolate message, "congratulations!" & card & gift (special wine cork) - so sweet!! A delightful selection of house-made petit fours presented with dry ice, creating smoke to enhance our celebration. All the dishes were Multidimensional and elegant. Absolutely worth a visit to enjoy special presentation and rare delicacies. The person who attended our table - Olivia - was attentive, kind, pleasant and quick. Very helpful when deciding drinks. One thing that was odd was how table servers delivered food to the table. Each dish was brought to the table by different individuals. The way some of them (not all) explained the food was like reciting textbook from memory. Fast, standardised and somewhat impersonal. But overall, most of the dishes were super sophisticated at every turn, giving unique experiences to all our senses. Worth the money for the experiences! read more

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It was my first time fine-dining and my first time experiencing a Michelin-star restaurant. Definitely a very memorable meal. We opted for the A La Carte set. The service was truly top notch. Our server was so attentive and treated us with such care and professionalism for our special occasion. We were even treated with Petit Fours (dessert) on the house. The view and ambiance were spectacular, especially at sunset. The tables are spaced far enough away from the other tables that it gives you privacy. Now for the food: the flavours/dishes were definitely innovative. The Michelin star is well-deserved due to the presentation and creativity. Was it necessarily the best tasting food I've ever had? Not really. But I'm probably not cultured enough to fully appreciate the flavour and ingredient combinations presented to me. My favourite dishes (which matched my palate) had to be the carpaccio, ravioli, and the dark chocolate soufflé. The most inventive/unique was L'Anguilla (eel gelato?! that's super unique and quite the experience). If I had to nitpick, I had minor critiques of all the other dishes, whether it had to do with the cook or the temperature or the flavor profile or the saltiness. But nothing serious. Overall, everything was enjoyable and felt upscale. read more

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We arrived at Don Alfonso, a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Toronto Harbourfront. As we approached the hostess desk, our eyes were immediately drawn to the panoramic, breathtaking view of the harbor and the city skyline. We were seated at a lovely table with stunning views. The ambiance was elegant -- white tablecloths, clean lines, soft velvet ottomans for the ladies' handbags, and a curved feature wall lined with fine wines. A beautifully curated space. Our server began with sparkling water, and we ordered cocktails -- one of their specialties. I had the Bellwoods Manhattan and absolutely loved it. Made with Hennessy, Grand Marnier, Flor de Caña rum, tawny port, tonka bean, and a spiced cordial -- it was complex and outstanding. Our son ordered the Life is Beautiful, with aged rum, mango, lime, black lime syrup, and infused Angostura -- also excellent. The bread service was memorable: a piece of focaccia, a specialty roll, a rustic breadstick, and Italian crusty bread served with truffle-infused butter and exceptional extra virgin olive oil. We were then pleasantly surprised by a beautifully plated amuse-bouche -- four tiny appetizers we hadn't expected, a very nice touch. For antipasto, I had the carpaccio -- tender, melt-in-your-mouth, with subtle, refined flavors. For primi, I chose the paccheri with braised lamb shank and saffron rice cream -- rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. For secondi, I had the wild herb-scented organic Ontario lamb, served with chili pepper rapini sauce and topped with crusco peppers -- a great combination. My wife started with the seared duck breast with roasted carrots, followed by ravioli stuffed with pheasant, king oyster mushrooms, Grana Padano, and black truffle. For her secondi, she had the lobster, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Our son had a similar lineup but added the signature bison. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark -- the outer pastry was soft and would've been better with a crisp finish. All in all, while Don Alfonso is certainly a showpiece, I personally find that restaurants which focus more on presentation than flavor tend to leave me a bit underwhelmed. I prefer Michelin-level places that lean more toward homestyle cooking -- less showy, more soul, and big on taste. Saluti read more

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A lovely dining experience for the books! You will need to take an elevator up to the restaurant as it's located on the 38th floor of The Westin Harbour Castle. Upon arrival, there's a check in counter where they can take your coats before seating. The views were very beautiful. I went during winter so you could see snow and ice outside, it was mesmerizing. For dining, there's 2 options to choose from - signature tasting menu ($225pp) or a la carte ($150pp). Our table opted for the signature tasting menu that featured a nice combination of different carbs, protein, and dessert. As much as I appreciated that the menu had such a wide range of flavors, textures, and uniqueness of each dish, I felt the mains didn't really stand out and was missing that wow factor. My favorite dish was the bread service where it came with three types of bread, truffle butter, and olive oil from Italy. As a Michelin- starred restaurant, the service really met expectations. The workers really set a peaceful, open space to enjoy the dining experience. read more

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Situated on the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle in downtown Toronto, Don Alfonso 1890 is a Michelin star experience. Excellent service, great tasting food, and pristine presentation. The view from our seat in the restaurant was stunning, overlooking frozen Lake Ontario while the water taxis make their path to and from the islands. We didn't have any drinks, but Don Alfonso offers tap/still/sparkling water and both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. For food, you have an option of a 3 course a la carte ($150) or a tasting menu ($225 for either vegetarian or non vegetarian set). The restaurant requests that everyone at your table does one of the tasting menus, or the a la carte . We chose the tasting menus, and as expected the food was presented delicately and tasted good. I don't go to Michelin starred restaurants often. The price does feel steep if you're only thinking about the food, but in combination with the service and atmosphere of the restaurant, and considering that it's the going rate of Michelin restaurants, I'll say the price is fair overall. read more

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Don Alfonso was long due on my wishlist to try, and I finally tried their dinner lately. The restaurant was located on high floor near the harbour so you get really good lakeview throughout the meal. On their menu, they offered three course a la carte dinner at $140 and two tasting menus (usual or vegeterian) at $220. Overall, the food was served with very small portion here with okay quality. Appetizers were wowing but mains were mediocre. Servers knew the food well but lack of awareness of timing. We communicated with two different staffs at the very beginning that we only had two hours for dinner to catch a show, but the communication wasn't passed back to the kitchen and food was served pretty slow. We had to rush to finish the last two courses and that wasn't relaxing at all. Now the food. We decided to go with the a la carte menu given the time limit we had. The chef provided us a few different bread/pastry to start with and the server gave us instructions of which one should go with truffle butter and which one go with olive oil. They were all savoury and I liked them all. The chef was so good at making doughs and love to use herbs. I dipped my bread very gently on the herb in the olive oil, and that was strong enough to bring out the scent of the herb. One of the bread had sun dried tomato on top. Very Italian. After the bread, the chef also brought out a plate of tasty appetizers. From sesame cracker to lobster bread, from fish carpaccio to tomato balls. All of them wowed me. I really enjoyed all the surprise appetizers. For first course (appetizers), we tried eel gelato and cured smoked amberjack. We were told for the eel dish, it's better to include a little bit of everything in each bite. I understood the reason immediately at my first bite. The mixed savoury flavour of the caviar, the eel, the chive, the egg yolk based sauce just went so well together. I felt like I had the entire ocean in my mouth. The amberjack was also perfectly cooked and flavoured. Both dishes wowed me again. The second course was pasta. We tried the lamb shank pasta and the pheasant ravioli. I liked the ravioli much more. It was so creamy and flavourful. The pheasant did not taste dry at all and went well with the mushroom on top. I didn't like the lamb shank pasta. The texture of the pasta was too chewy so that any flavour didn't go in easily. It was pretty strong flavour from the ground lamb but the pasta itself was completely flavourless. Last but not least were the mains. They were not good at all. The lobster was fresh but super salty. The bison tasted plain. The main dishes were not even comparable to a lot of other lower end restaurants. Total disappointment on the mains. Overall, Don Alfonso provided great dining environment and good quality of appetizers but plain mains. The food was quite pricy considering the super small dinner portion. Very likely you may feel hungry after dinner. It's definitely not gonna be on top of my restaurants to revisit list. read more

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I tried the signature $220 menu and I loved it!! It was such an experience. As a Michelin star restaurant, this lived up to its title. All the dishes that came out were a piece of art and you can tell how much thought goes into making each plate. My favourite was the believe it or not...the bread. It was delicious. I also enjoyed the selection of canapés with its unique flavours. The service was phenomenal as what you would expect from these restaurants. The setting was also beautiful located by the waterfront. They also encourage you to walk around to see their open kitchen which was pretty cool! Overall, a lovely spot for a fine dining experience. read more

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If there's a place in Toronto that delivers a truly heavenly dining experience--with the finesse of a Michelin-starred kitchen, unobstructed lake views, impeccable service, and a chef who feels like family--it's Don Alfonso at the Westin Harbour Castle. We've dined at Don Alfonso before, back when it was located elsewhere. So, when we made our way to their new penthouse location at the Westin, we thought we knew what to expect. But wow--Chef Davide Ciavattella (yes, I stumbled over his name too, which only proves how authentically Italian he is--lol) completely turned things up a notch. Or several. From the moment we arrived, we were transported. Our table faced the lake with a direct view of the Toronto Islands and the endless horizon beyond--simply breathtaking. Our server was warm, attentive, and intuitive, anticipating everything we could possibly need. We started the evening with some bubbly, and then the tasting menu began to unfold like a beautifully orchestrated symphony. To make the evening even more special, the manager, Filippo Alviani, kindly offered us a 360° tour of the restaurant. No pun intended--the dining room itself is beautifully circular, which made the experience feel even more immersive. It was a real treat to explore the space and admire the thoughtfully curated art pieces throughout--every part of the restaurant felt like an extension of the experience: elegant, refined, and full of character. Signature Menu Highlights: * Fresh Baked Artisan Bread Service * Collection of Canapés * La RicciolaCured smoked amberjack, chive yogurt, orange emulsion, fava beans, ginger * L'AnatraSeared Muscovy duck breast, roasted carrots, organic mizuna salad, 'Ratafia'-marinated blackberry, anise demi-glace, parsley powder * I TaglioliniFresh tagliolini pasta cooked in white fish broth, red snapper carpaccio, bottarga, wild fennel * Il TonnoP.E.I. otoro, puttanesca-style, red cherry tomato sauce, Nocellara olive purée, dried capers & smoked eggplant pesto * Il BisonteOrganic Manitoba tenderloin wrapped in Swiss chard, buffalo mozzarella, salsa verde, San Marzano red chili reduction * TiramisuMascarpone mousse, coffee-soaked vanilla biscotti, white chocolate crunch, salted caramel * Chef's Selection of House-Made Petit Four Each dish was a revelation--visually stunning, delicately composed, and layered with vibrant, complex flavors. The timing between courses was perfect, and every bite was a reminder that we were experiencing something truly special. Four hours flew by in what felt like minutes. When it was finally time to leave, it felt like coming back down to earth from somewhere magical. Without question, this was the best dinner of 2025 so far. As Ferran Adrià, the legendary chef of El Bulli, once said: "Cuisine is the most important art to share. It's not enough to create it--you must live it." And at Don Alfonso, you don't just taste the food--you live the experience. read more

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The restaurant is inside the Westin overlooking the harbor. It's got a great view and sophisticated lounge like ambience. I got the à la cart menu items and it was surprisingly filling. It also comes with bread service with truffle butter. Bread was fresh and hot. All of the items I got, including the caviar were explained well and beautifully set. The bison was the most tender i have ever tasted. Service was friendly also. Bravo. read more

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Don Alfonso has the stunning 360° views and equally as beautiful plating. Service and food were good, but there is definitely room for improvement, especially for a restaurant with a star. We came here on a Tuesday evening to celebrate my parents' anniversary. As a party of four, we were seated at one of the booths by the window. We opted for their 'a la carte' menu, which is not really a la carte, but more so a prix fixe experience, where you can pick 3 items for $140. I feel like they should consider rebranding this menu. Everyone starts with a bread course that consisted of focaccia, a bread stick, and fig loaf. Not only was the bread delicious, but they came with some wonderful truffle butter. Strong start. We also got some amuse-bouches - my favourite was the tuna. From the 'a la carte' menu, I chose the eel gelato with wild rose tagliatelle, mackerel vermicelli, and lobster. I don't think the eel would be for everyone with its rich flavours, reminiscent of foie gras, but I was pleasantly surprised. The mackerel was alright, but I did like the pairing of pine nuts with vermicelli. The lobster was overcooked, which is unfortunate because there was about a 20-minute wait between our Primi and Secondi courses. Our servers were kind and attentive, but there wasn't quite the attention to detail that we noticed at other Michelin star restaurants in the city. Menus were quite slow to come out. For the delay of the main course, we weren't really offered any communication or explanation, just some apologies when the food did arrive. Because it was my parents' anniversary, the restaurant was kind enough to offer two desserts on the house. Overall, I enjoyed the unique ingredients and innovate presentation of dishes, and had a great dining experience overall. There are only a few restaurants in Toronto with a star, so I feel like Don Alfonso didn't quite live up to my expectations for this elite group. read more

Don Alfonso 1890 - Eel Gelato, Wild Rose Tagliatelle - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Second time here and the team continues to exceed expectation. The service is wonderful - with this being our second time we have a reference point. The menu is generally the same though with some substitutions we ended up tasting a new new dishes which were spectacular, almost feels like we experienced a new menu. The rotation keeps it fresh, making it intriguing to go back. There are plenty of restaurants with gorgeous views and there are plenty of restaurants with great food / service - they are usually mutually exclusive. To find one that is well rounded with both is amazing! read more

Sitting atop of the Westin Harbour Castle is a 1 Michelin star restaurant that mostly hits. The restaurant has nice views of both the lake and the city and it's unique in that it's a small donut where you can actually walk through the kitchen. Given it's prestige, expectations are a bit higher than normal. They offer 3 different menus - Signature (8 course), A la Carte (3 course), Vegetarian (8 course). We went with the Signature. [Good] Canapes were interesting little bites of flavour. L'Anatra - Perfect cook on the duck. Sauce was intense, maybe a little on the salty side but good nonetheless. I Ravioli - Nice truffle flavour. Foam was rich but the parmesan flakes did not add much. Il Bisonte - The star dish of the night. It's their signature dish for a reason. Amazing cook on the bison, perfectly tender. Feels like an alternate version of a beef wellington. San Marzano red chili reduction is unique and complemented the meat well. Same with the brown sauce. Salsa Verde was a miss for me as it was a bit too grassy. [Meh] Enzoni 1890 - Interesting cocktail that comes with a parmesan flake on top and a spoon that you're supposed to scoop that up and eat the flake with along with your first sip. It's fun but the flake was flavourless and did nothing to change the taste of the drink. I'm a fan of Hendrick's but didn't really get the gin flavours coming through. Got mostly grassy notes, which I'm not really a fan of. L'Anguilla - The most experimental dish of the night. Eel gelato was unique and great but the rose flavoured tagliatelle mostly overpowered everything else when all the ingredients combined together into one bite. This one had me wondering why rose? I didn't think the floral notes worked well with the other savoury flavours. Il Tonno - Maybe I'm just not used to cooked o toro but this dish felt ordinary. My favourite part of this dish were the crispy capers. [Worth it?] I think it'll be hard to get good value out of a $220 meal though I would say pricing is somewhat fair as you can appreciate the difficulty level and see and taste the amount of effort, attention to detail, and execution of each of the plates put in front of you. I would say the food is Italian inspired using local ingredients. I couldn't give it a full 5 stars because most dishes have an element of a miss for me whether it was the way it was cooked or the taste of the sauce or just the flavours didn't work well together. I have to say though that I am tempted just a little to return to try their a la carte menu that has dishes not available on their signature menu. I have no doubt that the food will be interesting and of quality execution. Hopefully the portions will be larger as well. read more

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We brought friends to Don Alfonso's to celebrate a birthday. We had to wait a 15 minutes or so for our table due to some unforeseen circumstances. The restaurant is at the top floor of the West Harbour hotel and has nice panoramic views of the city and the water. The presentation of the food was phenomenal. Everything looked gorgeous and was well-proportioned. We ate from the cart and I had the ravioli, the eel and the bison. Everything was good but I would t say anything was outstanding. They provided us with after dessert sweets that were really good. That was a nice touch. If you're looking for a unique experience in a place with cool exceptional views and decent food, don Alfonso checks those boxes. However, for the price, I think the food was only just fine. read more

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The view here is spectacular. The bathrooms are amazing and definitely part of the experience. The food... stunning presentation and tastes just as amazing! Staff were all so friendly and knowledgeable about the food and wines. We got wine pairing with our dinner. Was an amazing addition! read more

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A memorable dinner was had at this Michelin fine-dining establishment, voted best Italian restaurant outside of Italy. First, you are treated like royalty when you visit. From the glass elevator ride up, to the menus that light up, to the artfully presented dishes that belong in a museum, food is art at this culinary destination. We tried the signature tasting menu; I had the vegetarian one and my husband had the meat/fish. The focaccia and bread at the beginning of the meal were some of the best standouts. While it was not the best food I've ever had, I give them five stars for the experience. I loved the fact that each dish looked so opulent, and so much work goes into each presentation. The sommelier was another highlight - he is truly made for the service industry; he was very personable, knowledgeable and animated about each wine! If you want to be treated to a memorable night out, you won't be disappointed! read more

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A restaurant that lives up to its Michelin hype. I had friends visiting from the US who wanted a foody trip in Toronto and I picked Don Alfonso as one of the spots that sounded impressive. The Michelin star didn't help but I have sometimes been disappointed at Michelin restaurants. This one was not disappointment. The service was top notch, very professional, always there and friendly but without being fake or too familiar. They were also very accommodating, one of my friends could not eat fin fish and they provided many options from the tasting menu. The tasting menu itself was great. Every dish was thoroughly enjoyable, my favorites were the duck breast and the bison (which was incredible, in a puff pastry crust, perfectly cooked medium rare). No disappointments, more than enough food (my friends could not finish), good pacing. Overall, a meal worthy of multiple Michelin stars. read more

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Came here for a birthday and it did not disappoint. The service didn't feel rushed with specific time slots, and the waitress took her time to explain everything. They were also attentive to the booking notes that we had an allergy and were celebrating a special day. The view is what people go for. You can add a note in the booking if you prefer lakeside or views of the city though it's not guaranteed. They also surprised us with a complimentary birthday dessert. We went with the testing menu and our favourite by far was the ravioli with truffle and mushrooms. The lobster was super tender and cooked to perfection. It is definitely on the pricier side but when we were there most people were celebrating a birthday, graduation or anniversary. We parked a five minute walk away for $10 you can also park valet for $25 if you say you're visiting the restaurant. read more

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This was hands down the best meal I've ever experienced. It was beautifully plated, the staff was wonderful, and the food was exceptional. I had done the tasting menu, I am allergic to seafood and they allowed substitutions which I wasn't expecting. That made the experience even better as I thought I'd have to chose from the a la carte menu. read more

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Unbelievably amazing experience with a knock-out view while you dine. Love the open kitchen concept where you can go watch the Chefs in action. Every last bite was incredible. The sommelier was so great, as was our server, and I absolutely approve of the Michelin Star. I might even say this is now my favorite Michelin Star restaurant after French Laundry. Overall Toronto didn't really impress me with its food scene, but this place stands out and if you do visit Toronto and love to spend your mortgage on a meal like we do, I highly recommend! read more

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They have a Michelin star and they've been rated the best Italian restaurant outside of Italy. So, not surprisingly, the place is really good. The dining room, up high, wrapped in glass has beautiful views of the city and the water. The service from start to finish is impeccable. The food is beautiful, and refined. The whole experience was really memorable. read more

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Absolutely stunning view. Don't think you could go wrong with any of the seats at this restaurant! From the windowed elevator up to the seat, always a great view. Opted for the tasting menu and wine pairing. Menu included many dishes but the absolute show stopper for me had to have been the bison. Everything was great, but the bison for me was beyond exceptional. Service flowed well and servers and sommelier was great at explaining every dish/wine that was served. read more

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Birthday meal@donalfonsoto with Michelin ～What we ordered～ Signature Menu 220CAD per person (tips & tax excluded) One of the best Michelin restaurants we've been to, food is top-notch and service is exceptional. Every plate is like an art piece, making the whole dining experience so enjoyable. Every dish from fresh baked bread to mains to desserts tastes divine but the Organic Manitoba tenderloin wrapped in layered swiss chard and buffalo mozzarella is our favourite of the night. It's perfectly cooked, so tender, flavourful and well matched with the sauce. The birthday card and gift is such a surprise! Thanks for making my 2nd birthday spent in Toronto so memorable. Follow us on IG @kwanfoodie.ca for more! read more

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The relocated Don Alfonso sits on top of the Westin and replaces and old restaurant - think last time I visited it, it was called Toula. The restaurant is very chic and modern, I wish we visited this place when it was at Casa Loma because the historic castle may have offered a different vibe. Service was amazing from top to bottom, and everyone we engaged with was friendly and very knowledgeable- part of fine dining is exceptional service and this restaurant did not disappoint. The amuse bouche was a great start..it was a deconstructed caprese salad that offered an intense punch of flavour. Bread service was fabulous especially with the imported olive oil that smelled like fresh cut grass. L' ANGUILLA - very interesting eel dish that my wife loved (who is a picky eater) L'ANATRA - the preparation of the duck breast was so elegant and moist...great bite I RAVIOLI and IL VESUVIO DI RIGATONI were are next plates. Hate to say it but the pasta dishes were just okay. Funny that we expected to be blown away by these dishes but were disappointed. They looked beautiful but the flavours were typical. IL CROCCANTE DI VERDURE BIOLOGICHE was selected by my wife. She doesn't eat a lot of meat so she settled for this veggie dish. When they brought out the tempura vegetables she wasn't expecting a lot but we were both so impressed with the execution and flavours of such a simple dish. Very good plate of food. IL MANZO was perfect and tender. I provided my wife a few bites and she also loved it. The portion size was larger than expected. IL BOSCO DELLE FRAGOLE was very strange as a dessert but it was tasty. I didn't like olive oil in the gelato because I thought it was too strong, but my wife loved it. They also brought out PETIT FOUR, which offered additional sweets to end the meal. In summary, great fine dining experience that left us amazed and satisfied. Value for the money is always subjected and based on your own personal opinion. How many lunches and dinners could we have bought with the money we spent at Don Alfonso???? A lot...but with the service, views, and journey of beautifully plated food..having a 2 hour meal with my wife for a special occasion = money well spent. read more

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Don Alfonso has all the right pieces to be an excellent Michelin star restaurant--except tasty food. Upon arriving on the top floor of the Westin in Toronto, my wife and our friends were greeted with a fully circular floor plan with 360 degree views of Toronto and the marina. The layout was breathtaking and reminiscent of 71Above in Los Angeles. Our party went to the bar and waited for our seat, which I may add took a little longer than expected. Upon being seated, we enjoyed excellent service. Our waiter and the sommelier were both attentive and kind. One minor misstep occurred when the sommelier missed a pairing with one of the dishes. Kindly, however, our waiter upgraded the next wine pairing to make up for it. Drinks were excellent and dare I say better than the food. The bar offered featured cocktails that had lovely presentations with all the pomp and frill you could ask for. The wine pairings with dinner were great, and generally flowed with the meal. The rare red wine I had toward the end was my favorite. Unfortunately, things were a bit less rosy on the food side. Most of the dishes were forgettable and one was downright bad. One dish, the crostinis with sashimi, was delicious and everybody agreed it was the best. The pasta dish, for an Italian restaurant, was just okay. The pasta was al dente (which appeared to be on purpose) and the sardine was not particularly becoming. The worst dish, however was the bison. Not only was the meat gamey, but the crust (which appeared to mimic a Wellington) was limp and easily fell off the meat. However, the insult to injury was the sauce which tasted almost exactly like ketchup. The desserts were instagram worthy but forgettable. Ultimately, all the technique and beautiful plating in the world cannot make things taste better. All in, Don Alfonso was just "meh." It's views (especially those in the gorgeous bathrooms!) were amazing. It's service, drinks, and price were all really good. However, the food was the ultimate demise as it was just not tasty. Service: 4 Ambiance: 5 Food: 3 Drinks: 4.5 Value: 4 Consistency: N/A read more

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We dined at Don Alfonso for the second time on January 8, 2025, with high expectations, given its Michelin one-star status and strong reputation. During our previous visit, we had enjoyed the food and drinks while seated at the bar. However, this time, while there were a few highlights, the overall experience fell short, particularly at this price point. Highlights * The cocktails were exceptional. "Thyme is Money" and the "Bellwoods Manhattan" stood out for their creativity and perfectly balanced flavors. * The three types of fresh bread, accompanied by truffle butter and high-quality olive oil, were delightful and set a promising tone at the start of the meal. Disappointments 1. Antipasti: * The "L'Anatra" Muscovy Duck Breast was disappointing. Sliced into small, bland pieces, the dish lacked depth, with no discernible anise flavor in the demi-glaze. A simple red wine reduction would have been far more flavorful. * The Wagyu beef fared slightly better, with a well-executed sauce and complementary hazelnuts, but it failed to wow us. 2. Primi: * The "Paccheri" Pasta was a significant letdown. Overly al dente, it lacked the advertised braised lamb shank, instead featuring unidentifiable chunks of meat that resembled ground turkey or sausage. The overall taste was unimpressive and forgettable. * My partner's ravioli had better flavor, but the filling, purportedly "pheasant Genovese," was indistinguishable. She did enjoy the black truffle shavings and caviar, but the dish failed to deliver on substance. 3. Secondi: * My Nova Scotia Lobster tasted like previously frozen lobster, paired with an uninspired mushroom and trout roe sauce. It lacked the freshness and flair expected at this level. * My partner's "Madeira Glazed Organic Veal Shank" was puzzlingly bone-free and had the texture of processed meat. It resembled something mass-produced rather than a high-quality cut of veal. 4. Dessert: We declined dessert due to our dissatisfaction with the meal. Despite attempts to pacify us with complimentary options, the gesture fell flat given the lackluster quality of the main courses. Final Thoughts As a Michelin-starred restaurant, we expect fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared dishes. Unfortunately, many aspects of this meal felt rushed, uninspired, or poorly executed, more akin to the work of culinary school graduates than an acclaimed establishment. All the food came out to our table warm, not hot! While the cocktails and bread were great, they could not compensate for the disappointing antipasti, primi, and secondi courses. While I'm at it, the host could learn to pull out the heavy chairs for female guests, rather than stopping short at the table and watching them struggle with the furniture. Additionally, it would be appreciated if any of the many servers and helpers who came to the table actually cleaned or wiped off the tablecloth, as is customary at fine dining establishments. The Don Alfonso 1890 at this price point leaves much to be desired. People are dining out at theses types of restaurants to have an experience; a good one hopefully. The food should leave no room for doubt about the quality of the ingredients or the chef's (Davide Ciavattella) mastery. Sadly, this experience did not live up to Don Alfonso's Michelin one-starred reputation. read more

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When it comes to Italian fine dining, Don Alfonso is THE PLACE to try and I couldn't wait to be here! 1. Location and view is amazing, you have valet available downstairs too. 2. I preferred the A la carte menu because there is a wider variety you can go with. Now let's start: The OLIVE OIL here is the best I have ever seen, coming directly from Sicily, this olive oil is like a revolution in your mouth! The truffle butter is also amazing, very balanced. Don Alfonso is about flavours being together without overpowering each other, something you can barely find. The IL CARPACCIO here is the BEST I've ever had! Everything is balanced in it and the portion is actually very decent. The wagyu itself was tender and sliced well, not too thin, not too thick. The L'ANGUILLA, is like myriads of flavours together performing an orchestra, SPLENDID! Now for the second course, I do suggest the I RAVIOLI. It is very unique and not something you have tried before. The I PACCHERI is also decent, maybe not too unique but the saffron in it makes it perfect! The IL BISONTE presented beautifully with various combinations of sauces, and I do not really like bison so the fact that I had it makes it very good! L'ASTICE is plated well, and has a creative combination of lobster and mixed mushrooms. Finally, the espresso shot here was AMAZING, I do not know how but it was also the best I have ever had! I would like to appreciate our servers, as they were very helpful and sweet! Don Alfonso truly deserves the Michelin Star read more

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This is a place to try at least once. Come for the views and take in the ambience. The best part of this restaurant is the details in the decor. From the presentation of the food to the art displayed around the space. We enjoyed the lounge service and would come back for drinks as we had appetizers and coffee. The lobster tempura was my favourite choice for lounge bites. The citrus sauce was a unique contrast to the crispness of the breaded tempera. This spot is great to celebrate an occasion. It's very easy to access and conveniently located right at the waterfront. Make sure to check it out! read more

I feel like Don Alfonso is one of those 5-or-1-star places that you either love or hate. Because what is undeniable is that it serves exquisitely tasting dishes with topnotch service and a beautiful view, but also that these dishes are microscopic in size and eye-popping in price. So you either give in to the experience or think it's nowhere worth that much. I'm leaning towards 5 stars. There was enough magic that made me think, what the heck, let's just savour this treat. We went here for dinner and tried the signature tasting menu. Some highlights of the meal were the golden brown puff of the starter bread, the squid ink chip in one of the canapes, the shockingly strong taste of the vermicelli, the swiss chard wrap of the tenderloin, and everything about the eel gelato. But you don't see stars from food alone. And at the end of the day, Don Alfonso is an experience. The view of tinkle-lit downtown Toronto, the elegant yet comfortable interiors, the endless supply of glistening cutlery, the spa-scented washrooms, all of these added to the experience. The highest praise though goes to the service, and specifically to Ashley. These places tend to have highly polished servers who can explain away all the technical details of each dish with a very cultured tone... which sometimes gives off the air of slight snobbery. She provided this best-in-class service, but one imbued with a warmth and care that you don't typically associate with $200-plus meals. And for as much as it is ultimately about the food, the experience is shaped by the people who make and serve it. And this is what made our Don Alfonso experience a memorable one. read more

Worth it for the experience, great food and great views. We got the prix fixe menu and the server did a great of giving us a brief overview of each dish and his recommendations. At this point, I was already impressed with the light up menus. They first brought out the 3 types of bread and some olive oil and truffle butter. The olive oil was so fresh that it smelled like freshly cut grass. The bread was one of the favourite dishes of the night. The amuse bouche was next, a mozzarella foam with tomato jelly. Some of the favourite dishes of the night was the eel gelato, duck breast, saffron risotto and the crab ravioli. The flavours were all very good but the portions are very small. After the savory dishes, they brought out the dessert menu. The desserts were good, but they were also small and nothing spectacular. They do also bring out a complimentary tray afterwards, with an assortment of small desserts. The service was excellent. Every server had an in depth knowledge of each dish and was able to describe it in detail and how it was made. At one point in the night, one of people in our party went to the bathroom while the next dishes were being served, so they held onto hers and kept it on ice and waited until she returned to bring it out so she wouldn't miss out on the description. Overall, it was a unique experience with some flavours that I've never tried before. read more

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Always love coming to Don Alfonso! This is my first review after several visits. We knew that DA was worthy of a Michelin star because it was always phenomenal. Starting from the service, to ambiance, taste, presentation, and much more. The taste is always excellent, but the beverages are also delightful. We always leave the restaurant full and satisfied. I also appreciate the little details like the fogged toilet windows, the special events gifts, and attendants being personable and observant. You never disappoint! read more

Don Alfonso 1890 - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Don Alfonso 1890 is located on the 38th floor of Westin Habour Castle Hotel (the same site that used to house another restaurant, Toula). Don Alfonso 1890 has changed locations over the years (previously at Casa Loma), and it recently moved into the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel location in summer 2022. It also recently coveted 1 Michelin star. There are 3 different menus: Signature Tasting, A La Carte, and Lounge menus. Reservation can be made at either the dining room or bar / lounge areas, each with different menus. We were seated in the dining room, and we had the choice of doing the Signature Tasting or A La Carte menu. We opted for ordering a la carte. We tried 3 items from each of the course sections (antipasti, primi, secondi): COMPLIMENTARY ITEMS - Amuse-bouche (2 small tomatoes filled with creamy cheese and herbs) - Selection of homemade bread (brioche bread, bread sticks, and organic raspberry bread) with olive oil and truffle butter ANTIPASTI - L'Anguilla (eel gelato, sturgeon caviar, wild rose-scented tagliatelle, pulverized egg yolk, wild herbs) - Le Verdure (crispy tarts topped with organic seasonal vegetables, roasted eggplant pesto, red quinoa salad) - La Ricciola (cured smoked amberjack tuna, Nocellara green olives, charcoaled peppers, sweet & sour onions) PRIMI - I Vermicelli Allo Sgombro (vermicelli di gragnano, carpione-style mackerel, Sicilian pine nuts, caramelized onions, alalunga tuna purée) - Crab Ravioli (ravioli stuffed with West coast crab in Mediterranean-style ragu, crispy crab legs, and cacio & pepe sauce) - Il Vesuvio Di Rigatoni (rigatoni di gragnano, San Marzano tomato sauce, organic peas, buffalo ricotta, 36-month Parmiagiano Reggiano) SECONDI - L'Astice (Nova Scotia lobster, mixed Ontario mushrooms, escarole involtino, trout roe) - Il Rombo (British Columbia turbot cooked in mugnaia sauce, cime di rapa, olive oil herbs, and Sicilian preserved capers) - Il Croccante Di Verdure Biologiche (assorted vegetables tempura of zucchini, white & green asparagus, cauliflower, carrots, crispy onions, seaweed, sea asparagus, with beet & garlic mayonnaise) Everything tasted delicious, albeit in small portions (expected for high-end fine dining restaurants). Service was great and exactly what you'd expect from a fine dining or Michelin star restaurant. They gave nice extra touches such as complimentary petit four dessert, birthday gift (a wine bottle opener), and birthday card for celebrating a special occasion there. At the end of the meal, our waiter told us that we could walk around the restaurant and go inside the kitchen to meet and chat with the chefs, as a way of extending Italian hospitality (a "mi casa su casa" gesture), which was nice. The washrooms have digital and heated toilet seats. There are digital screens displaying the temperature of the toilet seat and water. There is also water that sprays automatically when you sit. Needless to say, it's a very comfortable toilet (like the robot and automatic toilets that you'd find in Japan)! The view is probably one of the highlights. Located on the highest floor of the south tower of the hotel, you get a nice lookout of Toronto (making great photo opportunities). read more

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The big question is whether it lives up to its name and reputation in its new location at Westin? And it's a YES! Great food, service and chalk in fantastic views and you have all the elements of a great experience that is worthy of its reputation! And Michelin star!! Great place for special occasions for sure! But make sure you make reservations ahead of time. Make it easy and just order the tasters menu and hold on for an exciting ride is the best suggestion! Totally loved the experience and will be booking another visit shortly! read more

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Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto(@donalfonsoto) recently earned its Michelin One Star. Modern yet classy decor, amazing view, attentive service (our server Kelly was excellent) & tasty food! Our experienced there well worth the price tag & Michelin Star was also well earned!! Recently went with my GFs (4 of us). We've tried the $200 Signature Tasting Menu: Fresh baked Artisan Bread Service Collection of Canapés L'anguilla L'anatra I Vermicelli allo Sgombro IL Rombo IL Bisonte IL Trionfo alla Nocciola Chef Sélection of House Made Petit Four Drinks: Modena Mimosa $24 Mai Tai $26 Reservation well in advanced on Open Table! Don't forget to also check out the nice water front view from the washroom!! Would you come here for the view&/or food? 1 Harbour Square, Toronto (top of @westinhabourcastle) Follow me on Instagram & TikTok @eatntravelrepeat for more food adventures read more

Don Alfonso 1890 - Bison steak - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Best Italian restaurant outside of Italy? Not sure that's true, but we had a nice meal with the Signature Menu, nonetheless. European-focused fine dining bores me to tears at this point, but Don Alfonso presented enough creativity to keep me interested--and not regret the $185pp. Standout items were the eel gelato and beet pasta. Portions were a bit small for the main meat and seafood courses, but they made up for this in the end... ...With a complimentary, stunning platter of free pastries and petit fours to help us celebrate our special occasion. I know dry ice is all style no substance, but damn if it doesn't make a great photo. Besides...free. And they were delicious too! We also received a high-quality, embossed wine stopper and card as a parting gift. The takeaway here is definitely come to Don Alfonso for special occasions. read more

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I have mixed feelings about Don Alfonso. I came with a group of family members to celebrate a birthday recently. The restaurant itself is beautiful, it's on a high floor of a hotel so the views are stunning. The menu is a tasting menu, and this is one of the first Michelin-starred restaurants I've been to, so I had pretty high expectations. Don't get me wrong, some of the dishes were delicious. The ravioli stuffed with pheasant was a favorite at our table, it was so savory and flavorful. The toro was probably my personal favorite part of the meal, and the desserts were also phenomenal. But a few things just felt lacking to me. I was surprised that some of our cooked dishes came out lukewarm - for example, I think I would have loved the bison Wellington dish much more if it came out hot, because it had a wonderful flavor, but it was just too cold when it was served to us. I also honestly just had expectations of a more Italian-inspired menu since Don Alfonso had won awards specifically for its Italian food, but it was really nothing like the food I had in Italy. There was one dish that our table actually did not like at all - the colored noodle with eel gelato was just straight up strange, and none of us ate too much of it to say the least. I realize I'm being a little harsh, but for a restaurant with a Michelin star charging over $200 per person for a tasting menu, I was just a bit underwhelmed. One thing that was really positive about our experience was the service; our waitress was extremely attentive and wonderful. Overall I just can't really recommend Don Alfonso in a city like Toronto where there are so many really incredible restaurants. read more

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So let's off by saying this place could get a 10+ stars that's how good and amazing this place is I found this place on social media and I was like wow I need to try it out they have different menu one you could order different stuff or one the chef cooks for you We picked the one the chef cooks for us wow he was amazing they asked what we like and don't like and they worked around our dish the service was amazing and the staffs were wow great place very upscale just how I like it highly recommend this place if you are in the area don't miss out read more

Don Alfonso 1890 - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Best meal of my life (in full transparency, I'm not an experienced 'fine diner', this is my second Michelin starred restaurant and I'm more of a steakhouse / seafood spot kinda guy for nice meals). Back to it - I thought this experience was incredible and almost perfect. Food was incredible from bread to second desert tray...wine pairing really sealed the deal for me (Jeff was incredible and elevated the experience), and the bonus restaurant / kitchen tour / meeting the chef with Franco to try some chocolate / biscotti / Sambuca type liqueur while learning about some of the art and history of the restaurant was an exceptional finish to cement this dining experience as my #1 overall. Huge thanks and keep it up to the crew, and shout Out to Jeff / Franco appreciate yall taking care of me and the falil read more

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I personally think that the Michelin Guide is either a hit or miss. Some places I'm like YAAS so deserving, others I'm thinking... but how. This evening we opted for the tasting menu Collection of canapes: These reminded me of Chinese shrimp crackers with various types of tartare ontop. The first two bites were a little gamey and flavor wise not exciting L'anguilla: This is one of their signatures with the eel sauce, caviar and a single bite of tagliatelle. The eel was creamy with lots of flavor but the tagliattelle felt like it had been sitting out for too long, it was just a lump of cold noodle L'anatra: This duck breast was tender and juicy but there was so much going on. There was apple puree, spinach, balsamic vinager, cinnamon and a powdered herb. I thought these flavors were confusing together Vermicelli Allo Sgombro: This was a fish pasta with mackeral, caramelized onions, tuna sauce with pine nuts sprinkled ontop. This was probably my favorite dish of the lineup as the flavors complemented each other Il Rombo: This next dish was just fish with sauce, the sauce was nice but nothing special in terms of the cooking method or the flavors of the fish Il Bisonte: This was a lean cut of meat (tenderloin). I didn't think that the thin layers of mozzerella or swiss chard added much to the flavors Il Trionfo All Nicciola: This was delicious! The hazelnut was smooth and crunch inside gave it dimensions Petit Fours: We were told this was a "special dessert" for the birthday girl but realized that it was already on the menu. The macaroons were hard, the truffles were meh, the only decent thing were the pistachio pops. Even before we got the food I noticed a few red flags. The first being that the silverware were supposed to be all black but looked hella worn, dented, bent as if they've been used a looooong time or were just cheap and the color came off. I also noticed all the food was lukewarm or even cold when it came out. Even though the overall service was good, I was highly disappointed in the food experience. They didn't deserve a star and I don't plan on revisting read more

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