🕘 5 min read

In search of great gifts for the food-lovers on your list? In need of cooking inspo for the holidays and/or new year? Either way, you’re in luck as top Toronto chefs and restaurateurs have released stellar cookbooks boasting signature dishes and drinks you know and love alongside exclusive creations straight from their home kitchens.

There are plenty to choose from. Discover over 35 titles exploring an array of cuisines and ingredients, and offering everything from vegan and vegetable-forward options to meat-centric selections, with everything in between. (Pro tip: Save room for dessert.) Many are new, with some older and even old school selections. Visit the restaurant, bar, bakery or shop your local bookstore in-person or online (Independent bookstores are THE BEST. See list below.) to stock up on these covetable culinary compendiums that will keep you inspired all year long.

TORONTO RESTAURANT, BAKERY + CAFE COOKBOOKS

Bobbette & Belle: Classic Recipes from the Celebrated Pastry Shop: A Baking Book by Allyson Bobbitt and Sarah Bell

Bunner's: Simple & Delicious Gluten-Free Vegan Treats by Ashley Wittig and Kevin MacAllister

The Depanneur Cookbook by Len Senater (For pre-order. Release date: March 5, 2024)

Earls The Cookbook: Eat a Little. Eat a Lot. 110 of Your Favourite Recipes Edited by Jim Sutherland

Super Fresh Super Natural, Super Vibrant Vegan Recipes: A Cookbook by Jennifer Houston and Ruth Tal

Kiin: Recipes and Stories from Northern Thailand by Nuit Regular

Kitten and the Bear Cookbook: Recipes for Small Batch Preserves, Scones, and Sweets from the Beloved Shop by Sophie Kaftal and Bobby Zielinski

Langdon Hall: A Cookbook by Jason Bangerter and Chris Johns

Maman The Cookbook: All-Day Recipes To Warm Your Heart by Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte with Lauren Salkeld

Mandy's Gourmet Salads: Recipes for Lettuce and Life and More Mandy's: More Recipes We Love by Mandy Wolfe, Rebecca Wolfe and Meredith Erickson

Mildred’s Temple Kitchen Out to Brunch by Doona Dooher and Claire Stubbs with Lianne George

The Real Jerk: New Caribbean Cuisine Book by Lily Pottinger and Ed Pottinger

OLD SCHOOL PICKS

The Bamboo Cooks: Recipes From the Legendary Nightclub by Richard O’Brien and Patti Habib

Centro Cooks: A Celebration Of The Seasons by Barbara Prevedello

The Southern Accent: Cajun & Creole Cookbook by Elena Embrioni and Frances Wood

COOKBOOKS BY TORONTO CHEFS, RESTAURATEURS, BARTENDERS + SHOPKEEPERS

For the Love of Cocktails: The Everyday Guide to Delightful Drinks for Anyone, Anytime by Evelyn Chick - Simpl Things

Hearth & Home: Cook, Share, And Celebrate Family-Style by Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk and Farm to Chef: Cooking Through the Seasons: A Cookbook by Lynn Crawford - The Hearth by Lynn Crawford

A Generous Meal: Modern Recipes for Dinner by Christine Flynn and How to Eat with One Hand: Recipes and Other Nourishment for New and Expectant Parents by Christine Flynn and Emma Knight - iQ Food Co. and The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.

The Hunter Chef Cookbook: Hunt, Fish, and Forage in Over 100 Recipes by Michael Hunter - Antler Kitchen + Bar

Matty Matheson: A Cookbook and Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery: A Home Cookbook by Matty Matheson - Cà Phê Rang, Fonda Balam, Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club, Prime Seafood Palace, Rizzo’s House of Parm

Dolce Famiglia and David Rocco’s Dolce Vita by David Rocco - David Rocco Bar Aperitivo

The Last Schmaltz: A Very Serious Cookbook by Anthony Rose and Chris Johns - Fat Pasha, Fet Zun, Schmaltz Appetizing

Cooking Meat: A Butcher's Guide to Choosing, Buying, Cutting, Cooking, and Eating Meat by Peter Sanagan - Sanagan’s Meat Locker

The Bar Chef: A Modern Approach to Cocktails by Frankie Solarik - BarChef, Prequel & Co. Apothecary

Dad in the Kitchen: Over 100 Delicious Family Recipes You'll Love to Make and They'll Love to Eat by Cory Vitiello and Chris Johns - FLOCK Rotisserie & Greens

OLD SCHOOL FINDS

Susur: A Culinary Life by Susur Lee - Lee Restaurant

Mark McEwan's Fabbrica: Great Italian Recipes Made Easy by Mark McEwan - Bymark, Fabbrica, McEwan Fine Foods

3 Chefs: The Kitchen Men by Jason Parsons, Massimo Capra and Michael Bonacini - Peller Estates Winery, Capra’s Kitchen | Boccone Trattoria Veloce, Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality

French Food My Way by Marc Thuet - Petite Thuet

COMPILATIONS

Toronto Cooks: 100 Signature Recipes from the City’s Best Restaurants and Toronto Eats: 100 Signature Recipes from the City’s Best Restaurants by Amy Rosen

INDEPENDENT BOOK STORES

For new books: A Different Booklist, Another Story Bookshop, Ben McNally Books, Book City, Good Egg, Queen Books, TYPE Books.
For secondhand books (may also carry new titles): ABC Books, Balfour Books, Circus Books & Music, D&E Lake Ltd., Doug Miller Books, A Good Read, The Great Escape Book Store, The Monkey’s Paw, Re: Reading Used Books, Sellers & Newel Second-Hand Books, She Said Boom Records & Books.

Please support local businesses whenever possible. 

Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.   

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch. 

Need help promoting your business? Get started now. 

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share using the icons below. #supportlocal