Taberna Lx is Toronto’s standout new tribute to modern Portuguese dining

Dundas West has no shortage of talked-about restaurants, but until now, it’s been missing one thing: a venue where Portuguese food goes beyond Piri-Piri chicken. Enter Taberna Lx, a polished, high-design ode to modern Lisbon right in the heart of Little Portugal.

At the centre of it is Taberna Lx’s owner, Kelly Amaral, whose parents helped shape the neighbourhood in the 1960s by opening its first Portuguese grocery store, something that was not present on Dundas West when they immigrated in the 1950s. What grew around it would later become known as Little Portugal.

Dundas West has become a destination for food and wine, yet Amaral has always felt something was missing: a restaurant that truly honours Portuguese food beyond the clichés. Taberna Lx is her way of reclaiming that story, rooted in heritage, elevated in design and deeply personal. A longtime dream for Amaral, who is partnered with Paris Paris chef Jonathan Poon and Gani Shquier. Taberna Lx brings the trio back together — this time with a deeply personal lens on Portuguese culture.

“This restaurant is a way of honouring where I come from while celebrating what modern Portuguese food, drink, and lifestyle has become. It’s soulful and full of confidence,” says Amaral. “We’re taking familiar flavours and reimagining them through a contemporary lens. The wine list is proudly Portuguese, with a focus on volcanic Azorean selections and wines that represent the entire country, exclusive to Lx. Bringing this kind of dining experience to the neighbourhood, one that feels both rooted and refreshed, is incredibly meaningful to me.”

The menu

The menu is a refined and playful interpretation of Portuguese cuisine, helmed by Chef Poon. For Taberna Lx, Poon eschews strict authenticity in favour of innovation that reflects the global influences shaping Lisbon’s dining scene. From inspired dishes that nod to the Portuguese influence in Asia, a tribute to chef Poon’s Hong Kong roots, Taberna Lx offers a vibrant, dining forward experience unlike anything currently available in the city.

The drinks

Bar Manager Isabo Leblanc leads a confident, refined bar program that reimagines what a “Lisbon drink” means. The cocktails echo the sleek, elevated atmosphere of the space. The approach is minimalist in presentation but bold in flavour and deeply rooted in Portuguese tradition. Expect expertly crafted cocktails featuring distinctive liqueurs, including rare pours such as the iconic Ginjinha Espinheira and select ports. Staple favourites like the Last Word, Porn Star or a classic Martini are reinterpreted with Portuguese ingredients. Bartenders are happy to add a Portuguese twist to guest favourites. It’s not just about the drink, it’s about the tailored experience and genuine hospitality.

Krysta Oben of Grape Witches has curated an all-Portuguese wine list, including Toronto’s largest selection of volcanic wines from Pico — an island in the Azorean archipelago where Amaral’s parents immigrated from. The full wine list takes you on a journey through the many wine regions of Portugal.

The vibe

Designed by internationally acclaimed Lisbon-based designer, architect and artist Joana Astolfi, the space mixes tradition with irreverence. The space features hand-painted tiles from the legendary Viúva Lamego, founded in Portugal in 1849. Mosaics reminiscent of Lisbon’s tiled restaurants are seen throughout. Guests will dine on dishware from Casa Cubista, co-founded by designer Arren Williams. The rooftop patio, set to be the largest in Toronto’s West End, is a sun-drenched perch adding to the experience, anchored by a 26-foot-tall mural by Canadian artist Madison van Rijn. The mural, depicting the iconic Lisbon archway and scenic Douro imagery, was created in collaboration with Graham’s, one of Portugal’s oldest and most prestigious port houses.

The scene

With seating for 70 – 80 across two floors and an additional 40 outdoors, Taberna Lx is designed for unforgettable experiences. While the food brings you through the door, the cocktails make you linger. Expect everything from soulful Portuguese house to Fado vibes, making it a place to feel, indulge, sip and celebrate.

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