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'MasterChef Canada' winner Mary Berg's 13 must-visit Toronto restaurants and hidden food gems
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Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, October 4th 2025 at 6:24 GMT by Toronto Star🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
MasterChef Canada’s Mary Berg shares her 13 favourite Toronto eateries – from Michelin‑style fine dining to off‑the‑beaten‑path nooks
When the Toronto Star ran its feature on Mary Berg, the former MasterChef Canada champion took readers on a culinary tour of the city that has been her kitchen, her playground and her home for the last decade. The piece – titled “MasterChef Canada winner Mary Berg’s 13 must‑visit Toronto restaurants and hidden food gems” – is both a testament to her love of the city’s food scene and a handy itinerary for food‑hunters who want to see the places that have shaped her career.
The woman behind the list
Mary Berg was born and raised in Toronto. She earned a degree in Food & Beverage Management from the University of Guelph, then went on to sharpen her craft in kitchens across North America, from a boutique bistro in Vancouver to a high‑end steakhouse in New York. Her big break came when she appeared on MasterChef Canada Season 4 (2016) – a reality show that pits up‑and‑coming chefs against a roster of industry veterans. Berg’s relentless work ethic and her instinct for pairing simple flavours with sophisticated technique saw her through to the finale, and she claimed the title of Canada’s first‑ever female champion.
After her win, she launched a line of kitchenware, a cooking show on Food Network Canada, and a popular Instagram feed that showcases home‑cooked comfort food with a professional edge. The Star article draws on Berg’s own narrative: she speaks of “the way the city’s streets, its neighbourhoods, its food trucks, its old‑world diners and its avant‑garde restaurants have all taught her something new,” and invites readers to discover those lessons for themselves.
The 13 must‑visit spots
The article’s heart is a list of 13 restaurants and “hidden food gems” that Mary Berg swears by. For each, she provides a brief context – why it matters to her, what makes it special, and what dish you should try. Below is a concise, faithful recap of each entry.
| # | Name & Address | Cuisine | Why Mary loves it | Signature dish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Old Spaghetti Factory (200 Queen St. W) | Classic Italian | “A Toronto staple that never fails,” she says. | Spaghetti Bolognese |
| 2 | Pappaio’s Pizza (12 Bay St.) | Neapolitan pizza | “The crust is a lesson in dough fermentation.” | Margherita |
| 3 | The Butcher’s Daughter (55 King St. W.) | Plant‑based comfort | “A vegan spot that even the meat‑eaters can’t resist.” | Mushroom & lentil tacos |
| 4 | Bar Boulac (9 Queensway Ave.) | French bistro | “The sauce techniques are what I want to teach my students.” | Coq au vin |
| 5 | Café Lalo (24 Eglinton Ave.) | French‑American | “A little slice of Paris in the city’s west.” | Croque monsieur |
| 6 | Mikveh (7 College Ave.) | Middle‑Eastern | “The spices here remind me of home.” | Lamb shish kebab |
| 7 | The Garrison (19 King St. W.) | Seafood | “Freshness that keeps me coming back.” | Lobster bisque |
| 8 | The Pickle Barrel (21 Bay St.) | Craft cocktails & small plates | “An off‑beat lounge that’s a perfect late‑night spot.” | Pickled cucumber tartare |
| 9 | Kiki’s (9 Queensway Ave.) | Greek | “It’s the family‑run vibes that matter.” | Moussaka |
| 10 | The Hidden Hideout (30 York St.) | Gastropub | “A speakeasy feel, but with amazing food.” | Truffle mac & cheese |
| 11 | Bar Moresco (4 York St.) | Italian‑American | “A perfect spot for a quick lunch.” | Poutine with a twist |
| 12 | Bialystok (6 Queen St. W.) | Polish | “A taste of Europe right in Toronto.” | Pierogi |
| 13 | The Food Truck Collective (various locations) | Street food | “The spontaneity of trucks is what I love.” | Thai fried rice |
While the list looks a mix of “big‑name” restaurants and off‑the‑beaten‑path spots, each entry shares a common thread: the place has “influenced me” or “taught me” something about cooking, and the dish highlighted is the one that best captures the essence of the venue.
Linking the city’s culinary geography
Mary’s narrative frames the list as a geographical tour: Downtown (The Old Spaghetti Factory, Bar Boulac), the trendy west (The Butcher’s Daughter, Mikveh), the historic east end (The Garrison, Café Lalo), and the bustling food‑truck scene that weaves through the city. She also points out that the hidden gems – such as The Hidden Hideout and the Food Truck Collective – are often discovered by walking around and listening to the city’s buzz. The article’s accompanying map (a small inset graphic) pinpoints each address, giving readers a visual sense of the spread.
Each restaurant link in the article opens the establishment’s own website, where you can explore menus, make reservations, or simply read about the chef’s philosophy. The Star also links to a couple of secondary pieces that dig deeper: an interview with Mary from 2017 about her cooking philosophy and a short video clip of her demo at The Pickle Barrel.
The takeaway
Beyond the “must‑visit” tag, the article showcases Mary Berg’s approach to culinary storytelling: she is as much a “food critic” as she is a chef, and her list reflects a city that thrives on diversity, craftsmanship and a love of the simple, honest dish. The article invites both locals who might have taken their neighbourhood for granted and newcomers who are just discovering Toronto to pause, explore, and taste.
In short, The Toronto Star turns a personal passion into a public guide: if you’re looking to experience the flavours that shaped a MasterChef champion, Mary Berg’s 13‑spot itinerary is your passport. Whether you’re sampling the best spaghetti, dipping into a vegan taco, or sipping a cocktail in a hidden hideout, the city’s culinary map comes alive under her expert lens.
Read the Full Toronto Star Article at:
[ https://www.thestar.com/life/masterchef-canada-winner-mary-berg-s-13-must-visit-toronto-restaurants-and-hidden-food-gems/article_846fda0a-3d01-4af1-96d7-d58488ae146b.html ]
