Summerlicious and Winterlicious: how Toronto's prix fixe festivals work

Toronto has two big restaurant festivals a year: Winterlicious in the depths of winter and Summerlicious in early July. During each one, hundreds of restaurants serve special three-course prix fixe menus at set price levels. They are a great excuse to try somewhere new, if you book early and choose carefully.

What are Summerlicious and Winterlicious?

They are city-run food festivals organized by the City of Toronto. The idea is to bring diners out during slower times of year for restaurants. Participating restaurants, chosen by the city, offer three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at a handful of fixed price points.

When are Summerlicious and Winterlicious?

• Winterlicious usually runs for about two weeks in late January and early February.
• Summerlicious usually runs for about two weeks in early July. In 2026, it ran from July 3 to 19 with more than 200 restaurants.

Dates change each year, so check the City of Toronto's festival site. The list of restaurants and their menus is usually published a few weeks before each festival.

The most popular places are fully booked within days of reservations opening. Decide quickly.

How do you book Summerlicious or Winterlicious?

1. Browse participating restaurants on the official festival website.
2. Read the menu carefully before choosing.
3. Book directly with the restaurant, online or by phone.
4. Tell them you want the festival menu and mention any dietary needs.

Is Summerlicious worth it?

It depends on the menu. At their best, festival menus showcase a restaurant's signature dishes at a lower price than the regular menu. At worst, they are a simplified menu with cheaper ingredients. Look for:

Promising	Less promising
Dishes from the regular menu	Generic dishes unlike the usual menu
A real choice for each course	One option per course
Signature dishes included	Best dishes offered only as surcharges
A menu that suits the restaurant	A menu that feels thrown together

How do you choose a restaurant for Summerlicious?

With hundreds of restaurants taking part, the list can be overwhelming. A few ways to narrow it down:

• Filter by neighbourhood so you can combine dinner with an evening out nearby.
• Filter by cuisine to try something you would not normally choose.
• Look for restaurants with strong reputations that you have always meant to try; the festival lowers the barrier.
• Read recent reviews from people who went during a previous festival, if you can find them. They are the best guide to whether the festival menu lives up to the regular one.
• Check accessibility and patio options if they matter to you; summer menus are often best enjoyed outside.

Is lunch or dinner better value at Summerlicious?

Lunch menus are usually priced lower than dinner, and are often the best value of all. They are also easier to book. If you can take a long lunch, it is a great way to try a high-end restaurant for less.

Are drinks included in Winterlicious menus?

Usually not. The fixed price covers the three courses of food. Drinks, wine pairings, Ontario's 13 percent HST and the tip are extra. Tip on the full value of the meal, around 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill.

Can you get vegetarian or gluten-free festival menus?

Many places offer a vegetarian option on their festival menu, and some can adapt for other dietary needs. Check the menu online and mention any requirements when you book. If no option is shown, call the restaurant and ask.

How do you get the most out of Toronto's food festivals?

• Try restaurants you have never been to, rather than your regular favourites.
• Go on a weeknight, when it is easier to get a table.
• Go in a group and order different menus if choices are offered, then share tastes.
• Treat it as a preview. If you love a place, go back and try the full menu.

Are there similar festivals in other Canadian cities?

Yes. Vancouver has the Dine Out Vancouver Festival every January and February, and many other cities run restaurant weeks with fixed-price menus.

Mosey is built around rating dishes, not just places. A festival menu is a great way to taste what a kitchen is proudest of, and decide whether it deserves a second visit.

More guides to read next:

• Mississauga and Brampton food guide: Punjabi, Pakistani and Caribbean food in Peel Region
• How to check DineSafe results in Toronto: pass, conditional pass and closed
• Ontario restaurant bills and liquor rules: HST, the $4 rebate, bringing wine and tipping

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.