NOBU TORONTO is a Japanese oasis in the heart of the city, a hotel that is excellent in every way. We love Toronto, a diverse, bustling, and cosmopolitan city known for its multicultural neighborhoods, world-class culinary scene, and vibrant arts and entertainment. A Canadian version of New York City. Where Toronto has lagged until recently (in contrast to other world class cities) is the hotel scene, which was somewhat limited in terms of the high-quality properties that ENTREE subscribers normally have come to experience in other parts of the world. 

Happily, that is changing rapidly, especially now with the launch of the Nobu Hotel in the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District. We had the pleasure of visiting the hotel recently and can confirm that Nobu lives up to the high standards that has given it such a sterling reputation globally.

The Nobu restaurant in Toronto opened in August 2024, while the 36-room boutique hotel officially opened for guests in June 2025. In that short space of time, Nobu Toronto has climbed to the top of charts in the city. 

ENTREE has had many occasions to visit Japan in the past, and we can assure you that Nobu Toronto retains the classic Japanese aesthetic that is a hallmark of all Nobu properties. “Seijaku” is the Japanese word that springs to mind: Emoting the feeling of tranquility. 

The upper level of the tower houses the hotel, affording both quiet and spectacular views of the city skyline. The suites and premium rooms all provide a beautifully minimalist, yet distinctive atmosphere, complete with Japanese wooden tubs (a wonderful feature as so many hotels now skimp on the bath and give nothing but a small shower). 

That being said, there’s also a lovely walk-in shower, if baths aren’t your thing.  Plus, the high-end Toto toilets that take bathroom activities to a whole new level. For the workout warriors, the gym has high quality equipment; there are also Alo yoga mats and blocks in the room (you can connect online to the TV and do a virtual yoga class; there are group yoga classes available at the hotel itself).

Nobu is discreetly located on Mercer Street, one block south of bustling King Street West (Toronto’s “Broadway district”), yet conveniently located to most of the city’s classic tourist sites. Whether that means catching a play at the Mirvish theatre, shopping along Queen Street,  heading to the top of the CN Tower, sampling some of the best dining establishments the city has to offer, watching a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre, or enjoying a stroll along the waterfront, everything is within close proximity to Nobu, including Toronto’s Island Airport,  mere 10 minutes drive away. 

We stayed in the spacious Mizu Suite, which provided a comfortable King-sized bed, good Wi-Fi service, and a spectacular view of the city skyline. High quality tea and coffee (all complimentary) along with a wonderful Bento box to snack on. Truly the staff here doesn’t miss a trick. In other words, as with all other Nobu properties, the service is of a Japanese standard, which is to say, nonpareil. They were all friendly and highly accommodating (but not overly intrusive), especially Cesar, who made us feel right at home from the moment we stepped into the hotel. 

If you really want a stay in Toronto which is both convenient and exceptionally high quality in all facets, Nobu is a must for Entrée subscribers. A 5-star experience with the intimacy that only a boutique hotel can provide. We would say that Nobu represents the best addition to Toronto’s hotel scene in decades .https://www.nobuhotels.com/toronto/

Restaurant Lucie is a must!!!

Speaking more generally about Toronto, the dining scene has been among the best anywhere in the world. But there’s always room for another high-quality addition. Restaurant Lucie, a Michelin-recommended dining establishment, easily fills the bill. Since its arrival some 2 and a half years ago, founder Yannick Bigourdan has managed to create one of the finest French restaurants in the city.

In order to maximize the dining experience, we sampled a 5-course tasting menu offered by chef Arnaud Bloquel.  Unlike a lot of tasting menus, the meal was pleasantly filling without stuffing us like a foie gras goose. There are a number of tasting menus, as opposed to straight a la carte menu. As cliché as it sounds, the stated goal is not only to experience a variety of fine French cuisine, but also to impart the joy of sharing a great meal together.  Mission accomplished.

Lucie goes beyond traditional Gallic fare. French techniques are blended with a number of local Canadian foods. There is also a significant Caribbean infusion as the chef spent much of his youth in Guadeloupe.

Tastes of lime, mango, and ginger combine with traditional French dishes to create a unique taste experience. The red snapper and the squab (blended with beet root and fig) were especially memorable.  The deserts were incredible.  Sweet without being overwhelming. It’s hard to believe that a dish that combines green banana with Kaviari Baeri Royal Caviar could work so well together, but the blend couldn’t have tasted better.

And full marks to our outstanding sommelier, Quentin Mereu, whose exceptional expertise came to the fore when it came to ideal pairing with the food. We sampled some exceptional, albeit less well-known, wines that complemented the meal perfectly. A barrel fermented Pinot Gris from Canada no less was a typical example of Quentin’s creative pallet. 

Lucie is creative without being pretentious. An aesthetically pleasing décor where background music was just that: easy-listening strains that didn’t overwhelm or make conversation challenging. More dining establishments should pay heed to that lesson.  Restaurant Lucie provides subtle fare that doesn’t overwhelm the pallet, along with outstanding service, typical of a high-end Parisian restaurant. restaurantlucie.com