About our rating systemTucked into the first two floors of a 170-year-old building is a restaurant with a name that banks more history than its exposed wood beams. At 10,000 years old, Byblos, Lebanon, is the world’s oldest still-inhabited city. Chef Stuart Cameron poured through enough books to fill an ancient library while figuring out Byblos’ menu. The resulting food travels to just about every nation the Ottomans ever conquered (including Lebanon), borrowing flavors and techniques from across the region. Start in Turkey with some pide; the wood-fired Turkish flatbread come in a half-dozen variations, including a halloumi-truffle option, which is intended to be shared, though often bogarted. Then, over to Egypt for dukkah-rubbed lamb ribs with a side of crispy Israeli artichokes accompanied by a preserved lemon–labneh dipping sauce. Dinner is best finished in Greece with loukoumades. The Greco doughnuts come with burnt honey ice cream—the perfect balance of sweet, rich cream with just a hint of ashy finish to punctuate the end of perfect meal. Note: Byblos opened a second location Uptown in late 2018 (2537 Yonge St.; tel 416/487-4897).
Toronto› Restaurant
Byblos
11 Duncan Street, Toronto
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Downtown West
Hours
Mon–Wed and Sun 5–10pm; Thurs–Sat 5–11pm
Transportation
Neighborhood
Downtown West
Hours
Mon–Wed and Sun 5–10pm; Thurs–Sat 5–11pm
Transportation
Subway: St. Andrew, then walk W on King, turn R on Duncan St.
Phone 647/660-0909 Prices Small plates $17–$19; large sharing plates $17–$75 Cuisine Type Middle Eastern Web site ByblosNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
