Looking for the best restaurants in Markham? Well, you’re in the right place!
In a hurry? Check out our top 2 recommendations – Smash Kitchen and Bar and Inspire Restaurant.
Located northeast of downtown Toronto, the city of Markham is a booming city with a diverse community and a brilliant variety of yummy dining options.
The food landscape of Markham is constantly growing, possibly making it difficult for you to find the best Markham restaurants.
Well have no worry – we’ve compiled a list of the 13 best Markham restaurants to dine at below for you!
1. Smash Kitchen and Bar
Smash Kitchen & Bar serves southern-inspired comfort cuisine in an upscale casual atmosphere.
This stylish restaurant also features a patio – a beautiful setting perfect for those planned and unplanned date nights.
If you’re there for brunch, try the Crab & Shrimp Toast.
A refined version of seafood eggs benny, this one has blue crab and tiger shrimp scrambled eggs atop a brioche toast and comes covered in a silky hollandaise sauce.
Smash Kitchen and Bar truly “smashed” it out of the park with their Smash Burger. The two beef patties come well seasoned and grilled to perfection.
And the caramelized onions, pickled cucumbers, and especially the smash sauce make the burger easily one of the best you might have had.
Looking for some true comfort? Try the L.A. Mac & Cheese. Wait, we have a better idea – Mushroom Mac & Cheese with truffle cheese sauce!
Though the traditional version tastes absolutely divine, the addition of truffle in the latter along with roasted mushrooms tastes so rich and heavenly without being overwhelmingly cheesy.
Finish your meal with their famous Smash Donuts – you wouldn’t regret the extra calories!
What to order: Crab & Shrimp Toast, Smash Burger, L.A. Mac & Cheese, Mushroom Mac & Cheese, Smash Donuts
Address: 4261 Hwy 7 E., Unionville, ON L3R 9W6
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2. Inspire Restaurant
Inspire is an Asian fusion restaurant serving some interesting dishes in generous portions and extraordinary flavours. The space is trendy and intimate with a full bar, and the food is nothing short of incredible.
The Udon Bolognese is a delicious Japanese fusion of the popular pasta dish.
This contains applewood smoked bacon, braised beef, creamy shiitake sauce, and cheese, topped with a quail egg. The portion is pretty huge, and the dish itself tastes as amazing as the original if not better.
The O.G. INSP Burger comes with high-quality prime beef patties, seared pork belly, cheddar, fried egg, and tarragon aioli.
The patties are huge and juicy, and so is the pork belly. The cheese melts with the oozing egg yolk, creating a finger-licking good combination along with the herby tarragon aioli.
The Lemongrass Chick & Frites, served with creamy, garlic-ky, and strong miso aioli, and topped with Thai chilis for a nice spice kick, is incredibly addictive!
Served with sweet coconut rice, rice and earthy shiitake demi, and a sunny side egg, the INSP Loco-Moco with beautifully cooked prime beef is so satisfying that it makes you want more!
What to order: Udon Bolognese, The O.G. INSP Burger, Lemongrass Chick & Frites, INSP Loco-Moco
Address: 144 Main Street N, Unit 1, Markham, ON L3P 5T3
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3. Ding Tai Fung
Before you go on raving about how you love the food from this Taiwanese restaurant chain, let’s make one thing clear – this is NOT Din Tai Fung, but Ding Tai Fung.
Yes, it’s a knock-off of the popular brand but nevertheless manages to satisfy Shanghai-style noodle and dumpling fanatics.
The Steamed Soup Dumplings at this shopping-plaza eatery are mouthwatering.
You can choose from a pork filling (Xiao Long Bao), which is one of the most ordered versions, or a mix of crab and pork or scallop and pork.
Of course, the meat filling is as you expect it to be – soft and tender, and the wrapper is super thin, allowing you to enjoy it bursting inside your mouth.
Their Braised Beef Noodle Soup is filled with tender pieces of beef, flavourful broth, and slightly chewy noodles – a bomb combination!
If you like buns, do try the pillowy soft Pan Fried Pork Buns here.
What to order: Steamed Soup Dumplings, Xiao Long Bao, Braised Beef Noodle Soup, Pan Fried Pork Buns
Address: 3235 Hwy 7 #18B, Markham, ON L3R 3P9
4. Markham Sushi
A true hidden gem that cannot be easily spotted when you drive by! Markham Sushi is a humble family-run restaurant serving quality and tasty Japanese food paired with great service.
The dimly lit interior matches its hidden gem vibe, where you can taste some of the best specialty rolls, tempura, and teriyaki in the region.
Typically the same, their Black Dragon Roll and Green Dragon Roll contain the same elements – shrimp tempura, avocado, crab, and cucumber.
Simply put, you cannot go wrong with the rolls here at Markham Sushi; they always come out fresh and warm.
If you enjoy spicy food, and a good sushi roll, you’d be delighted with the Diablo Roll. Top the crab, avocado, and cucumber rolls with spicy mayo, jalapeno, and spicy salmon to enjoy a flavour burst in your mouth!
The Seafood Udon, with shrimp tempura, fresh seafood, and veggies comes with a smoky, savory, and satisfying aroma and taste.
What to order: Black Dragon Roll, Green Dragon Roll, Diablo Roll, Seafood Udon
Address: 17 Wootten Way N, Markham, ON L3P 2Y2
5. Azyun Restaurant
Azyun serves contemporary Chinese cuisine, focusing on dishes that are meant to be shared. The recipes of their sharing plates are modern, and so is their decor.
Enjoy some unique and modern Chinese sharing plates with good company in a cozy and contemporary environment.
Azyun Restaurant is believed to have the best Truffle Fried Rice in town. The rice has a nice medley of mushrooms and they are not frugal with the truffle either; you get a prominent truffle flavour from the rice, and there is also a soft-poached egg on top.
There is a high chance that the Azyun Buttermilk Fried Chicken would be nothing like anything you’ve tasted before. Here, the chicken is marinated in adobo for two days, which infuses it with flavour, and is then cooked to crispy and juicy – just exquisite!
What to order: Truffle Fried Rice, Azyun Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Address: 144 Main Street N #17, Markham, ON L3P 5T3
6. NextDoor Restaurant
NextDoor Restaurant is a tavern-style eatery that features modern Canadian seasonal cuisine.
Sourcing the freshest ingredients, their menu changes seasonally and consists of not just thoughtfully created plates but also modern classic cocktails and craft beers.
When you visit NextDoor for dinner, their Tocino makes for an excellent appy to start with. Served with salted egg yolk aioli, avocado crema, and pickled chilis, the grilled pork belly is fatty, juicy, meaty, and extremely flavourful.
Visit the place for brunch and you cannot forget to order the Avocado Toast.
This is not your regular avocado toast; this comes with a Japanese twist, with torched sashimi salmon, ramen egg, togarashi aioli, and more Japanese-flavoured elements that work deliciously well together.
The P.E.I. Mussels, swimming in a flavour-packed coconut and lemongrass broth, are juicy and plump, and get an enjoyable spice kick from the sambal chili oil on top.
What to order: Tocino, Avocado Toast, P.E.I. Mussels
Address: 139 Main Street, Unionville, Markham, ON L3R 2G6
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7. Sansotei Ramen
A Canadian brand specializing in authentic Tonkotsu ramen in Toronto, Sansotei is known for its modern Japanese dishes and sides.
The place itself is modern and elegant, suitable for business dinners, family get-togethers, and everything in between.
The Tonkotsu Black is a crowd favourite here.
You get to choose between thick and thin noodles to have in the delicious, rich, thick, and flavorful broth with just the right level of porkiness. The noodles are cooked spot-on – a little bit on the chewy end.
Go for the Spicy Tantan if you can handle heat pretty well. Again, the broth is thick, rich, and extremely flavourful, and they have managed to achieve a good balance of the spice level to the richness of the broth.
Zangi is a popular side dish at Sansotei. This is basically Japanese fried chicken that gets to your table hot and juicy. Squeeze some lemon on top and devour this classic goodness.
What to order: Tonkotsu Black, Spicy Tantan, Zangi
Address: 3987 Hwy 7 #4, Markham, ON L3R 5M6
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8. Peter’s Fine Dining
Peter’s is a Steak & Seafood House that has been serving Markham and its surroundings true culinary delights in a fine dining setting.
Open year round for dinner, there are some unforgettable drool-worthy choices you can get here. With dim lighting, wood panels, and a carefully chosen wine list, Peter’s Fine Dining stands true to its name.
While you warm up with the classic French Onion Soup, be sure to order the Classic Caesar Salad as well, which is prepared tableside with the freshest of ingredients.
Moving on to the main course, their signature dish is Peter’s Famous Prime Rib.
Made from USDA prime beef, the steak comes perfectly cooked to your preference and is juicy every single time. You can taste the quality of the meat with just one bite!
The Prime Rib is available in three different sizes – Lady’s Cut, Regular Cut (14 oz.), and Peter’s Cut (24 oz.).
End your meal with a shot of espresso and their famous Bananas Foster dessert – outrageously delicious!
What to order: French Onion Soup, Classic Caesar Salad, Peter’s Famous Prime Rib, Bananas Foster
Address: 5701 Highway 7, Markham, ON L3P 1B1
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9. Zen Japanese Restaurant
With fresh and quality ingredients and impeccable presentations, Zen Japanese Restaurant sets the “gold” standard for refined sushi selections.
Take a seat by the sushi bar to watch the chefs deliver their magic, or choose a table to enjoy your favourite sushi in a simple and relaxed ambience.
Omakase Sushi is a must when you visit Zen Japanese Restaurant.
You can choose from different variations of the course, all of which will contain several hand rolls, sushi, and more. Not to mention, you can expect top-notch food on your table.
From the a la carte menu, try the Gindara Saikyo Yaki. This miso flavoured black cod is grilled to absolute perfection that you will drool just thinking about it even after several days.
The deep-fried Soft Shell Crab tastes yummy with the citrusy, tart, and tangy ponzu sauce.
What to order: Omakase Sushi course, Gindara Saikyo Yaki, Soft Shell Crab
Address: 7634 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, ON L3R 2N2
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10. Bingz
A hugely popular and rapidly growing Chinese burger chain, Bingz is known for their “Chinese Crispy Burgers” in a variety of flavours, offered in a family-friendly, cafeteria-style setting.
With Bingz burgers, it’s the crispy buns that make all the difference.
Start with The Signature burger. It has a pork shoulder filling with natural spices – mild and flavourful, which tastes amazing with the freshly made crispy buns.
Not a fan of pork? Try the Signature Beef, which has an aromatic slow-cooked beef brisket filling.
And we just love the Black Pepper Beef. The combination of juicy beef knuckle cut and oyster mushrooms in a peppery and spicy black pepper sauce pairs well with the super crispy buns.
You cannot enjoy a burger without some fizz! Their Sparkling Plum Fizz is the perfect accompaniment to the mouthwatering crispy burgers.
What to order: The Signature, Signature Beef, Black Pepper Beef, Sparkling Plum Fizz
Address: 3229 Hwy 7 Unit 11&12, Markham, ON L3R 3P3
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11. Providential 9
Providential 9 is a lowkey spot offering a variety of dim sums and other Cantonese dishes. The dining area is elegant and traditionally furnished. This is one of those establishments where people don’t mind lining up for a table during a busy weekend lunchtime.
The Deep Fried Chicken Knee in Spicy Salt Pepper is light, golden, spicy, and super crunchy, and would make an excellent first plate.
A classic, their Pork Shrimp Spring Rice Roll has plump shrimp and juicy pork for its filling, and the rice noodle/roll is light, slightly chewy, and comes steamed to perfection.
And the Crispy Short-ribs with Honey & Lemon Sauce are sticky, messy, and finger-licking good!
What to order: Deep Fried Chicken Knee in Spicy Salt Pepper, Pork Shrimp Spring Rice Roll, Crispy Short-ribs with Honey & Lemon Sauce
Address: Unit A 8425 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, ON L3R 2P4
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12. Cafe De Hong Kong
Located in a small unit in First Markham Centre, Cafe de Hong Kong serves quintessential Hong Kong-style street food classics with authentic home cooked taste.
The place is so popular that it is almost always packed, with long lines, so we suggest that you get there early.
Without any hesitation, you should start with their Signature Hainanese Chicken Rice. The rice comes seasoned and cooked to perfection, and the chicken is juicy and flavourful; this is comfort food at its best!
The Signature Pineapple Bo Lo Bun Sandwich comes with ham, tomato, egg, mayo, and a slice of butter layered in a HK bakery classic pineapple bun. The sweetness of the bun goes well with the savoury elements, making this sandwich a hit.
If you wish to taste the authentic HK-style pineapple bun, just get the Pineapple Bun with Butter, and prepare to fall in love!
Of course, how can you forget the Hong Kong Style Milk Tea?!
What to order: Signature Hainanese Chicken Rice, Signature Pineapple Bo Lo Bun, Pineapple Bun with Butter, Hong Kong Style Milk Tea
Address: 11 Fairburn Dr Unit 12-15, Markham, ON L6G 0A4
13. Bellafornia Restaurant & Bar
Bellafornia is a restaurant, bar, and lounge serving Italian cuisine, made with fresh and high-quality ingredients, in a welcoming and calming environment.
With its farm-to-table approach, the restaurant uses organic produce, thereby delivering crisp, clean, and unprocessed dishes, which are all Insta-friendly as well.
The Burrata Tradizionale would be a true, authentic, and pleasing antipasto to your Italian meal at Bellafornia. Creamy, soft, delicate, and heavenly burrata served with fresh tomato and basil – it cannot get any more Italian!
Bellafornia serves amazing pizzas, and the Pesto di Pollo is one of the popular ones. The crust is nice and thin, and crispy and airy that you could eat just that and feel satisfied.
You get a peppery taste from the kale pesto, which tastes unique and delicious. This pizza will definitely make you want to come back and try more.
What to order: Burrata Tradizionale, Pesto di Pollo
Address: 7181 Yonge Street, Unit 11, Markham, ON L3T 0C7
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If you’re pumped to explore the most diverse food scene in Canada, there is no better place than Toronto. From ramen to jerk chicken to French delights to local Canadian fare, our best restaurants in Toronto list covers it all.
How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.