A Michelin-starred fine dining Italian restaurant in Toronto, known for its Amalfi Coast-inspired cuisine and stunning views from the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle.
Chef Ernesto Iaccarino is a torchbearer of the esteemed Don Alfonso 1890 legacy, a family restaurant renowned for its commitment to traditional Italian cuisine with a contemporary touch. He has significantly...
Don Alfonso 1890 is the first North American restaurant of Michelin Star Chefs Alfonso & Ernesto Iaccarino. It offers a sophisticated fine dining Italian experience with flavors inspired by the Amalfi Coast. Located on the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle, the restaurant provides stunning panoramic views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto cityscape, making it an ideal destination for special occasions.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise the elegant and intimate ambiance, the stunning views, and the exceptional, attentive service where staff explain each dish. The food is described as beautifully presented, flavorful, and made with quality ingredients, with many highlighting the thoughtful combination of flavors and textures. While the overall experience is often deemed unforgettable and perfect for celebrations, some reviewers note the extremely high prices. Minor criticisms include occasional issues with washroom cleanliness and, in rare instances, a perceived lack of special acknowledgment for birthdays despite prior notification.
Additional Details
Don Alfonso 1890 offers both a prix fixe menu and a tasting menu, allowing guests to sample a wider range of dishes. The restaurant moved to its current prominent location on top of the Weston Harbour Castle from its earlier Queen Street address.
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We celebrated my husband’s birthday at Don Alfonso, and it was truly an unforgettable evening. We chose the Signature Tasting Menu, and every course was beautifully presented, creative, and full of incredible flavors.
The atmosphere was elegant, the views were breathtaking, and the service was exceptional. Every member of the team was warm, attentive, and made us feel genuinely welcome throughout the evening.
The wine selection was outstanding and paired beautifully with the meal, making the experience even more special.
Thank you to the entire team for making my husband’s birthday so memorable. We highly recommend Don Alfonso for anyone looking for an exceptional fine dining experience. We can’t wait to come back!
Had such a beautiful dining experience at Don Alfonso 1890 while celebrating my friend birthday. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance was elegant and intimate, with stunning views from the 38th floor overlooking Lake Ontario, making the evening feel extra special.
We enjoyed the three-course à la carte menu, and every dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The truffle bites were the perfect start, followed by fresh handmade tagliolini that was rich and flavorful. For mains, we had the Beef Wellington, lamb, and cod - each one cooked to perfection with incredible attention to detail. Every plate was thoughtfully crafted, and you could truly taste the quality and care in each bite.
What made the night even more memorable was the exceptional service. After each course, the staff took the time to explain every dish, which made the experience feel even more elevated and personal. They were attentive throughout the evening, clearing the table seamlessly and always making sure we had everything we needed. The level of professionalism and hospitality was outstanding.
To make the celebration even sweeter, we were surprised with a complimentary dessert cart for the birthday, which was such a thoughtful touch - and absolutely delicious. It really added to an already amazing evening.
From the food to the service to the atmosphere, everything was impeccable. Don Alfonso 1890 truly delivers a Michelin-star dining experience and is the perfect place for celebrating special occasions. Definitely a night to remember, and I would happily return, which was such a thoughtful touch - and absolutely delicious. It really added to an already amazing evening.
5
My mom ❤️ and I had an absolutely wonderful dining experience at Fon Alfanso. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the beautifully designed à la carte menu, thoughtfully curated courses, and exceptional beverage selections. Every detail reflected the high standards of Michelin-star fine dining.
Our favorite dish of the evening was the Organic Manitoba Bison Tenderloin, which was cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. Each course was expertly prepared, showcasing outstanding quality, creativity, and attention to detail.
The breathtaking waterfront view from the 38th floor made our dinner even more memorable. The ambiance was elegant and inviting, the food was exceptional, and the customer service exceeded our expectations.
A special thank you to Venu ✨ who took care of us throughout the evening. He was kind, respectful, attentive, patient, and highly professional. His warm hospitality made our first visit truly special and unforgettable.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first experience at this beautiful Michelin-star restaurant and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an extraordinary dining experience. We will definitely be returning for another visit very soon!
5
An unforgettable dining experience in Toronto. For a tasting menu that focuses on Italian cuisine, this place checks all the boxes. The progression of each dish made sense, only leaving you want more. The flavors and textures were incredible, and you can see thoughtfulness put behind each plate. The cocktail menu was another highlight of the night, and one of the best presented & executed in the city. Service was incredible, and Olivia truly made our night extra memorable. The views, atmosphere and overall experience exceeded every expectation.
2
My experience at Don Alfonso at the Westin Harbour Castle was to say a disappointment. My expectations were high as I have been to Don Alfonso twice when it was in the original location on Toronto street. My past experience was the tasting menu as well as the a la carte. Both times were amazing with great food, amazing service and lovely atmosphere. Because of this, I had high hopes for my third trip.
The hotel atmosphere is less to be desired and I'll be honest, I just did not like the feel of the hotel. Which is not Don Alfonso's fault, but it does set the tone. While the view of the water in the restaurant was beautiful, I still prefer the feel of the old location versus the new one.
I opted for the lounge menu and was told these were "sharing" plates. There were three of us in the party, we ordered 4 plates plus 1 dessert and I had to eat when I got home. I was still so hungry but did not want to order more as the amount of food for the price was ridiculous. It was so expensive and the value so diminished that it completely turned me off. The dessert was so miniscule for the price. The server asked if we wanted three spoons and we said yes, thinking it was shareable. When it came out, it literally was the size of the amuse bouche we had at the beginning. I was so insulted that the server would think this dessert was big enough for three people to share. It wasn't even big enough to satisfy one person. This dessert cost $18.
While service was okay, it still did not surpass my previous times at Don Alfonso. It just felt like I was in a commonplace hotel restaurant.
I am so sad to say that my days at Don Alfonso are over and I do wonder how these Michelin stars are awarded. I completely agree when it was first given it's star but I question whether it deserves it now
