With a population that’s more than half non-native, Toronto brings an astounding number of options for cross-cultural dining. From traditional fusion to menus packed with globe-trotting, palate-pleasing plates, Ontario’s capital has no shortage of options — along with design chops to tempt the eye. Whether you’re day-tripping through the city with your best friend or looking for the perfect spot for a romantic tête-à-tête, we’ve got you covered. Not near the T.O.? Find a spot that’s right for you at one of the more than 48,000 restaurants on OpenTable worldwide.

Diwan at the Aga Khan Museum
The flavors of the Middle East come together in perfect harmony with splendid views inside and out at Diwan, which overlooks Aga Khan Park. The interior features floor-to-ceiling windows and 19th-century hand-carved and hand-painted rich wooden panels from Damascus that are part of the museum’s permanent collection. The menu pulls from India, with samosas; Lebanon and its surroundings, featuring labneh cream cheese in the roasted beet salad, with a sumac lime vinaigrette; and even special seasonal dishes inspired by exhibits. Make a reservation at Diwan at the Aga Khan Museum.

Drake Commissary
No, it’s not named for Toronto’s most famous rapping son — but it deserves some cred in its own right. Home to one of the city’s best brunches, this restaurant bills itself as a “creative culinary hub,” which is altogether appropriate given its Junction Triangle location right near the Museum of Contemporary Art. In fact, it’s more of a made-from-scratch collaboration, with myriad chefs, bakers, and guests contributing to the eat-in restaurant, grab-and-go concept, and prepared sauces and bakery section. Pull up a seat to admire the modern artwork here, alongside a menu that features smørrebrøds (Dutch open-faced sandwiches) like delicata squash and farmer’s cheese; kimchi hash with mustard greens and sourdough aioli; and warm and fluffy scones. Make a reservation at Drake Commissary.

AGO Bistro
How could the fare not be inspired in a space designed by Frank Gehry? More than any ol’ gallery cafe, AGO Bistro takes it to a whole new level, with modern Danish furnishings and bright tabletops with Douglas fir accents. The Big Lonely Spruce cocktail takes the outdoor vibe and runs with it with gin, pinot grigio, and spruce tincture. Don’t miss the Cinq-à-Sept happy hour menu, with charcuterie, truffle fries, and crispy cod cakes. Make a reservation at AGO Bistro.

El Catrin
The mezcal menu isn’t the only thing bringing the heat northward — executive chef Olivier Le Calvez comes straight from Mexico City with a resume that spans the globe (he’s half-French and studied with Paul Bocuse). His specialties include tacos Pastore, the pineapple and pork treats that cross Middle Eastern shawarma with guajillo-rubbed grilled pork served by street vendors in Mexico as one of the original fusion foods. It’s all set against the backdrop of eye-popping mural best enjoyed with a selection from the impressive tequila menu. The installation sets the scene of the lively 350-person interior — it took 100 days to paint its massive sombreros and sugar skulls. Make a reservation at El Catrin.

Maxx’s Kitchen
Who says Convention Center dining has to be a snooze? This newcomer at the sleek, brand-new Library Collection Hotel X just across the street has amazing views of Lake Ontario with a spacious wraparound patio. Winters get a warm-up with a fireplace and open-concept kitchen. Local (think Ontario braised-beef short rib flatbread) meets international, with a slew of dishes inspired by Italian cuisine (Nonna’s sauce on Italian-style veal); homemade falafel; and Asian-style seared sea bream with edamame, bok choy, and shiitake mushrooms. Make a reservation at Maxx’s Kitchen.

Mamakas Taverna
Classic Greek cooking meets contemporary flair at Mamakas, where 85 seats transport diners back to the Old Country, thanks to owner Thanos Tripi’s intimate white-brick dining room and Aegean-blue accents. Whether it’s by land for savory paithakia lamb chops, by sea for signature psari whole-grilled fish of the day, or with local flair like Saskatoon berries alongside cheese saganaki, there’s a romantic vibe to this Ossington Ave. charmer, with the bar seating and open-grill concept near the door that chases away any winter chills. Make a reservation at Mamakas Taverna.

Canis
Given the name, it would be easy to confuse Canis with Toronto’s wildly popular “green” cafes, but this restaurant puts the “Can”-do spirit into a tasting menu that’s all all-things Canada. Welcoming wood interiors match what chef Jeff Kang and general manager Adam Ashukian call the “inspired simplicity” of a seven-course tasting menu that differs based on season, but diner-favorite mainstays include the chicken liver parfait and buttermilk, along with the grape and white chocolate dessert. Make a reservation at Canis.

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Whether you’re bringing the fam, are in Seattle on business, hitting the town for a date night, or just all business about the art of fine dining, there are options for every size party and palate. Whether your preference is the city’s signature salmon, Syrian cuisine, or a sexy dinnertime cabaret performance, here’s a guide to Seattle’s most essential restaurants. Not in Seattle? Browse more than 48,000 restaurants on OpenTable to find one that’s right for you.

Most iconic: Dahlia Lounge

About to celebrate three decades in 2019, helmed for one of those decades by executive chef Brock Johnson, the love for Dahlia’s local, sustainable, and organic cuisine blooms eternal between Seattle visitors and regulars alike. If you’re looking to taste quintessential Seattle fare, this is the spot. Expect seasonable entrees inspired by the Pacific Northwest including Dungeness crab cakes, Washington Coast lingcod, and Neuwaukum Valley squash soup. Movie buffs may recall that the original Dahlia Lounge on Fourth Avenue was captured in time in Sleepless in Seattle. Make a reservation at Dahlia Lounge.

Great for seafood: RockCreek Seafood & Spirits

While salmon may be Seattle’s signature staple, there’s way more than that to explore on a globally sourced menu at RockCreek that also features tropical fish like Kona kampachi and Hawaiian ono, or East Coast stalwarts like striped bass. Even Vietnamese flavors like nuoc cam make an appearance in the seared Norwegian mackerel salad with roasted eggplant, mint, basil, and tomatoes. There’s plenty of room to spread out for a spread with an urban-industrial two-story “fishing lodge” setup, a large indoor dining area, oversized patio, bar, and an upstairs loft with a separate private dining room. Make a reservation at RockCreek Seafood & Spirits.

Best for a large group: Mamnoon

The flavors of Lebanon and Syria are brought to the table in Seattle in a vibrant rainbow of colors, flavors, and spices at Mamnoon. Family-style, fixed-price dinners and lunches bring many of the same favorites from the a la carte menu, including harra frites with aleppo, fresno, cilantro, za’atar mayonnaise, and harra ketchup; mahi-ye-sabzi, with herbed stuffed seasonal fish, barberries, local zucchini, almonds, and caramelized yogurt; and salatet fattoush with local chicories, celery, fennel, radish, sweet onion, sumac, olives, herbs, pepitas, and crispy pita. A portion of all restaurant proceeds support civil liberties and refugee organizations so you can feel just as warm about eating here as the freshly made hummus. Make a reservation at Mamnoon.

Best for brunch: Bar Melusine

Green and white tiles evoke the colors of the sea at Bar Melusine, where James Beard Award-winner for Best Chef Northwest Renee Erickson brings French-Atlantic fusion to life in the form of oysters in cucumber and lemon sauce and buckwheat crepes filled with smoked ham and camembert. The lamb, meat, and vegetables served here are from her 30-acre farm, La Ferme des Anes (The Donkey Farm), on nearby Whidbey Island. Make a reservation at Bar Melusine.

Bachelor/bachelorette spot: mBar

Sexy and modern, along with amazing views and outdoor seating for all of the best selfies, Mbar (pictured, top) manages to be both a romantic date spot and one that ups the cool factor for groups of friends bidding singlehood sayonara. Cocktails are clutch for the latter scenario, so squeeze into the stilettos to sip the Weekend Lover featuring gin, honey syrup, lemon, butterfly pea flower, and lavender bitters; or the Love Out Loud with gin, chardonnay, spearmint, orgeat, lemon, orange flower water, and bitters. Small plates are meant for sharing among friends. Make a reservation at mBar.

Best splurge: Salare

The American South, Africa, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe — especially Italy — all come together at splurge-worthy Salare, appropriately in the Italian neighborhood of Ravenna. James Beard Award-winning chef Eduoardo Jordan was introduced to the term “salare” (to add salt to) when learning to make salumi in Bel Paese, and ancient methods for preserving foods is what inspires his menus back in the States. Besides a selection of homemade pastas featuring Trinidad chili curry and local Dungeness crab, for instance, there’s a large selection of international small bites like jerk wings with crème fraîche. There’s even a kids’ menu for adventurous eaters, featuring duck hash or cheesy polenta. Make a reservation at Salare.

Best view: Westward

The Space Needle restaurant is closed for reservations, but there are still plenty of other tempting views at Westward — along with more than a few tempting dishes. Wood-oven-roasted rainbow trout, scallop crudo, and steamed razor clams with harissa are all standouts on a menu that pays homage to “imaginative water-inspired Northwest fare.” The atmosphere is casual and laid-back with views of Lake Union and the city skyline. It’s not just valet, either — guests can pull up to the 100-foot dock via kayak, boat, or paddleboard. Make a reservation at Westward.

Dinner with a show: Pink Door

Finding iconic Pike Place Market is easy, but the Pink Door restaurant nestled nearby it, perhaps not so much. That’s all part of the charm, along with rustic Italian specialties that include homemade pastas and spicy cioppino seafood soup. That’s no surprise given the city’s proximity to the water and seafood markets, but what does raise eyebrows is the rotating schedule of fun entertainment like cabaret, trapeze artists, and tarot card readers. For a date night, consider the intimate dining room, or spend a more casual evening checking out incredible views of Elliot Bay from the deck. Make a reservation at Pink Door.

What are your picks for Seattle’s top restaurants — and on what occasion do you visit them? Let us know here or over on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter. And, remember to snap + share your #dishpics with us on Instagram for a chance to win in our weekly giveaway.

Carley Wade is a travel writer whose experiences eating street food in Japan, English peas in the UK, free-range steak in Argentina, and Brussels sprouts at Estragon tapas in her hometown of Boston have provided unforgettable culinary inspiration. Shout out at carleythornell@gmail.com.