Twice a year, hundreds of Toronto restaurants offer three-course prix fixe menus at set prices through the City of Toronto’s Winterlicious and Summerlicious festivals. They are a good way to try a restaurant you would not normally book, or to treat yourself during the slow post-holiday weeks. The next edition, Winterlicious 2027, runs from January 29 to February 11, 2027.
Each participating restaurant chooses a price tier and creates a three-course menu (usually an appetizer, main and dessert, with a few choices for each). You book directly with the restaurant, mention or select the Licious menu, and order from it on the day. Restaurants usually also keep their regular menu.
According to the City, the two festivals have served more than eight million meals and generated more than $353 million in economic activity since they began in 2003.
| Winterlicious 2026 | Summerlicious 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | January 30 to February 12 | July 3 to 19 |
| Participating restaurants | More than 240 | More than 230 |
| Reservations opened | January 15 | Before the July 3 launch |
For Summerlicious 2026, the City reported that about 75% of participating restaurants offered three-course vegetarian meals and 40% offered gluten-free options. The 2026 theme was “Taste the World in a City.”
The City sets six matching price points for lunch and dinner. Prices are per person, for food only.
| Tier | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $20 | $25 |
| 2 | $27 | $35 |
| 3 | $34 | $45 |
| 4 | $41 | $55 |
| 5 | $48 | $65 |
| 6 | $55 | $75 |
Remember to add drinks, 13% HST and a tip. A $45 dinner can easily become $70 or more per person once those are included.
Prix fixe prices look simple, but the final bill depends on what you add. Here is an illustrative calculation for two people at a $45 dinner tier (your own total will vary with drinks and tipping):
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Two prix fixe dinners at $45 | $90.00 |
| Two non-alcoholic drinks (example) | $12.00 |
| Subtotal | $102.00 |
| HST at 13% | $13.26 |
| Tip at 18% of the pre-tax subtotal | $18.36 |
| Total | $133.62 (about $67 per person) |
Ordering wine or cocktails can raise the total considerably. If you are watching your budget, the lunch tiers and non-alcoholic drinks make the biggest difference. Our Toronto cost of living guide has more on everyday food costs in the city.
The City’s search lets you filter for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus, and for restaurants that highlight locally sourced ingredients. For Summerlicious 2026, the City said about three-quarters of participating restaurants offered a full vegetarian three-course option. If you have allergies, call the restaurant before booking: set menus have fewer substitutions than a regular menu. If you use a mobility device, ask about step-free access and washrooms when you reserve, since many older Toronto restaurant buildings have stairs.
Since 2003, the City has used Winterlicious and Summerlicious to promote Toronto’s restaurant scene. For restaurants, the festivals bring in new customers; for diners, they lower the price of trying a place for the first time. Participation changes every edition, so a favourite from last year may not be on this year’s list.
The City’s search tool lets you filter participating restaurants by neighbourhood, so it is worth looking beyond the downtown core. Choosing a restaurant in a neighbourhood outside the core can mean easier reservations and simpler parking.
Most participating restaurants are near TTC lines. Our TTC guide explains fares, and GO Transit is an easy option from the 905; see our GO Transit guide. Winterlicious falls in the coldest weeks of the year, so it pairs well with other winter activities in Toronto.
January 29 to February 11, 2027, according to the City of Toronto.
The City had not published Summerlicious 2027 dates when we checked. It usually runs for about two and a half weeks in July.
No. Prix fixe prices cover food only. Drinks, tax and gratuity are extra.
It is strongly recommended. Book directly with the restaurant.
Last updated: November 2026
Toronto GTA News covers Toronto, the GTA, Ontario, Quebec and Canada: local news, real estate, money, health and the trending stories people are talking about.
Comments are off for this post.