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    Don Alfonso 1890

    4.1 (86 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndItalian, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
    Closed Closed

    Don Alfonso 1890 Photos

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    DON ALFONSO 1890 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Classy
    Upscale
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Don Alfonso 1890

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    LANGUILLA
    Michelle H.

    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.

    L'ANATRA SEARED MUSCOVY DUCK BREAST, ROASTED CARROTS, ORGANIC MIZUNA SALAD, "RATAFIA" CHERRIES, ANISE DEMI GLAZE
    Frank F.

    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

    Cindy M.

    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.

    Restaurant floor
    Tyler L.

    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.

    Yu X.

    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.

    Lisa C.

    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.

    Jo C.

    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.

    Monaco C.

    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.

    Eel Gelato, Wild Rose Tagliatelle
    Cynthia W.

    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.

    L'Anguilla
    MJ L.

    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.

    Ravioli
    Marilyn A.

    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.

    Sasha H.

    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!

    Laura R.

    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!

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    Don Alfonso 1890 Reviews in Other Languages

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    Inside

    Black+Blue Toronto - Avocado & Bluefin Tuna Maki

    Avocado & Bluefin Tuna Maki

    Black+Blue Toronto - Entrance

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    Entrance

    After Seven - The green house

    After Seven

    4.6(65 reviews)
    1.7 kmDowntown Core

    There is a particular pleasure in discovering a bar that requires you to earn your entrance. After…read moreSeven conceals itself behind an ice cream counter, its existence betrayed only by those who know to ask -- a conceit that could easily feel gimmicky but instead lands with genuine charm, setting the tone for what follows with quiet confidence. The room is small, intentional, and lovely: intimate seating, a sculptural emerald bar, and an atmosphere drawn from the Japanese cocktail tradition. The aesthetic is precise without being cold, and the candle-warm lighting encourages exactly the kind of unhurried conversation that a well-made cocktail deserves. But the bartenders are the true heart of the place. On the evening of my visit, the two behind the bar moved with a remarkable synchrony -- finishing each other's thoughts, trading warmth and wit in equal measure, drawing guests effortlessly into the orbit of their easy rapport. It is the kind of hospitality that cannot be trained into existence; it is either present or it isn't, and here it is very much present. The cocktail menu is East Asian in its inspiration and genuinely inventive in its execution.

    such a hidden gem and speakeasy in toronto!! we went on a late weekday so we did not have to fill a…read morereservation, and instead was able to get seated right away at the bar area as we walked in. this place seems to specialize in asian flavoring, so drinks may taste umami on top of the sweetness and alcoholic taste of the drinks. i appreciate the art and tedious mixture of the drinks we had! this place was dimly lit and served the perfect vibe for me and my partner to chat, enjoy our beverages, and take cute pictures.

    Photos
    After Seven - Bar seating view

    Bar seating view

    After Seven
    After Seven

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    LOUIX LOUIS - NY trips frites

    LOUIX LOUIS

    3.6(173 reviews)
    1.0 kmDowntown Core
    $$$

    Perched high above the bustle of downtown Toronto, LOUIX LOUIS makes a compelling first impression…read more The dining room is genuinely handsome -- a study in polished Art Deco glamour softened by sweeping city views that lend every table a sense of occasion. On a Valentine's Day brunch visit, the atmosphere alone was enough to justify the reservation. The kitchen demonstrates genuine competence: dishes arrive with care, the pacing is unhurried, and the mise en scène -- from tableside presentation to that now-famous thirteen-layer chocolate cake -- reveals an establishment that understands the theatre of fine dining. That towering slice of chocolate cake, in particular, is a masterstroke of marketing and pastry craft in equal measure; it draws the eye, earns its reputation, and very nearly steals the show. Where LOUIX LOUIS gives one pause is in the cuisine's ability to fully match its surroundings. The cooking is accomplished and reliably pleasant, yet seldom rises to the level of genuine distinction one might hope for at this price point. Dishes satisfy without surprising; technique is evident but inspiration, at moments, feels held in reserve. For the corporate traveller or the visitor seeking a polished, geographically convenient showcase of the city's skyline, this represents an entirely sound choice. For those seeking an experience whose flavours linger as long as the view, the kitchen has room yet to grow into its magnificent stage. Service is attentive and well-intentioned, though it can occasionally want for the depth of knowledge that elevates a good meal into a memorable one. LOUIX LOUIS is, in sum, a very good restaurant striving -- not quite yet arriving -- at greatness. The bones are exceptional; one hopes the culinary vision will, in time, catch up with them.

    My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary and it was memorable to say the least. This…read morerestaurant is located in upstairs on the 31st floor of the St. Regis hotel. Coming in, it felt very luxurious. To be honest I was a little nervous because I came in feeling out of place as it is not somewhere I would eat casually, but the waitress that assisted us was so kind! We came strictly for cake as we had eaten right before, but we took a peek at the winterlicious menu, and the prices looked super affordable! We ordered the cake and yes, it maybe just be a tall slice of cake, but it was moist and decadent and probably my favourite cake. Overall, if you are a chocolate cake fanatic, this is the place to go!

    Photos
    LOUIX LOUIS
    LOUIX LOUIS
    LOUIX LOUIS - Madame Tallien Cocktail $28

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    Madame Tallien Cocktail $28

    Don Alfonso 1890 - italian - Updated May 2026

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