Winterlicious 2026: A Torontonian's Guide to Eating Well (Without Freezing Your Bank Account) • Over Here Toronto

Let’s be real: January and February in Toronto can be a drag. It’s cold, it’s grey, and everyone’s hibernating. The best way to beat the winter blues? Winterlicious 2026.

It’s that awesome two-week window where you can finally score a table (and a deal) at some of the city’s best restaurants. As someone who’s planned many ‘Licious trips, I’m here to give you the real scoop on how to do it right.

Heads up: The 2026 program runs from January 30 to February 12, 2026.

Disclaimer: This guide is based on information provided for the 2026 Winterlicious program. All details, especially dates and prices, are subject to change. I recommend always checking the official City of Toronto website for the most current information before making any reservations.

What Exactly is Winterlicious?

Winterlicious (and its summer sibling, Summerlicious) is a city-run program, not just a marketing gimmick.

Here’s the “why” of it, which is important: it was created to support local restaurants during their slowest, quietest time of the year (a.k.a. the dead of winter).

Winterlicious 2026 — *Photo via Winter / Summerlicious (@liciousto) • Instagram*

It’s a genuine win-win:

Restaurants get diners in seats on a cold Tuesday night.
We (the diners) get to try over 200 of Toronto’s amazing restaurants—from neighbourhood gems to high-end spots on King West—for a fixed price.

Every participating restaurant offers a special three-course prix fixe menu (appetizer, main, and dessert). You get a minimum of three options for each course, so you still have choices.

How It Works: The 2026 Price Points

This is the most important part. The prices are set by the program, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Crucial tip: The prices below are per person and do NOT include drinks, tax, or tip. This is the number one thing people forget. That $55 dinner is realistically closer to $90-$100 after a glass of wine and a proper 18-20% tip. Plan accordingly!

Here are the official price tiers for 2026:

Lunch: $20 / $27 / $34 / $41 / $48 / $55
Dinner: $25 / $35 / $45 / $55 / $65 / $75

My Tips for “Doing ‘Licious” Right (The Experience Part)

After years of doing this, I’ve learned a few things. Here’s my advice.

1. Reservations Are a Battlefield. Be Prepared.

This is not a drill. The most popular, high-end, or “destination” restaurants will be fully booked within minutes of reservations opening.

Mark Your Calendar: Reservations for Winterlicious 2026 open on January 16, 2026.
Have a Plan: Know your top three restaurant choices, have your dates and times ready, and be online or on the phone right when the reservation window opens (usually 10 a.m.).

2. Do Your Homework: Read the Menus

The full list of restaurants and (most importantly) their prix fixe menus will drop on the City of Toronto’s Winterlicious website when reservations open.

This is my biggest tip: Always read the menu before you book. Some restaurants offer their greatest hits and amazing value. Others… let’s just say they phone it in. You can tell which spots are truly embracing the program and which are just offering the cheapest chicken breast option.

3. The Lunch Menu is Often the Real Deal

Want to try that super-fancy, impossible-to-get-into place? Check their lunch menu. You often get the same kitchen, the same service, and a similar vibe for a fraction of the dinner price. A $41 lunch at a top-tier spot is one of the best deals in the city, period.

4. Be a Good Customer

Remember, the whole point is to support these businesses. They are often operating on thinner margins for these menus.

Tip Well: Please, tip on the estimated regular value of the meal, not just the ‘Licious price. The servers are working incredibly hard during this rush.
Be Patient: These restaurants are slammed. Service might be a bit quicker than a normal, leisurely meal. Understand that it’s a special event.

5. Manage Your Expectations

You’re getting a three-course meal for a set price, not the full, sprawling à la carte experience. Portions might be slightly smaller than the regular menu, and the options are limited. Enjoy it for what it is: a fantastic and affordable way to explore Toronto’s food scene.

How to Get Official Updates

The best way to get the list of restaurants and menu details right when they’re released is to sign up for the City’s CelebrateTO eNewsletter. This is the official source, so you’ll hear it from them first.

Information for Restaurant Owners

(Diners, you can skip this part!)

If you own a restaurant and want to participate, it’s a two-step process:

Application: First, you complete an online application to determine your eligibility and price point category.
Registration: If you’re eligible, you then register to confirm your spot for the 2026 program.

Your prix fixe menu(s) must be for in-restaurant dining (indoor or patio) and follow all the program rules. You can find the full details on the City of Toronto’s site.

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