Award-winning

R&D Restaurant - Toronto

Name: R&D Restaurant - Toronto
Address: 241 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 2E2
Telephone: (416) 586-1241
Price range: CAN$31 to CAN$50
Rating: 4.5

4.5 (1625)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Asian

241 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2E2

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 16, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 20 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Good for groups
Innovative
Good for special occasions

R&D is an urban casual restaurant in the heart of Toronto’s iconic Chinatown, headed by first-ever MasterChef Canada winner Eric Chong and his mentor, Michelin-starred restaurant owner Alvin Leung. The stylish interior reflects R&D's dualistic nature: open & abuzz with energy while preserving an intimate atmosphere.

At R&D, eastern dishes meet western style in the form of modern Chinese sharing plates, where classic ingredients are given a vanguard treatment.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Contemporary Asian, Asian, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of Operation
Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(416) 586-1241
Website
http://www.rdspadina.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Eric Chong
Private party facilities
With its eclectic and laid-back interior, animated Chinatown home and daring Asian fusion fare, R&D is an ideal venue for lively cocktail receptions, intimate group dinners and more.
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
241 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2E2
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
Neighbourhood
Chinatown / Kensington Market
Cross Street
Spadina & Grange
Parking details
Street parking available on Spadina Avenue. Public parking available on Sullivan Street.
Public transit
Accessible via the 510 Spadina streetcar. Located in front of the Sullivan Street stop.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Late Night, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

Best Duck in the City
Multiple dates available
Savour Chef Eric Chong's famous whole-roasted Pekin Duck for $120. Featuring roasted garlic hoisin, leeks and steamed baos, you're in for a formidable feast for two (or more)! We require 24 hours' notice to prepare your duck. Please book your reservation at least one day in advance and indicate how many ducks to prepare in the reservation note. Kindly ensure that you select 'The Best Duck in the City Experience' when making or rescheduling your reservation.
Summerlicious — Prix Fixe
Jul 4, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025
We’re excited to be participating in this year’s Summerlicious event, Toronto’s favourite culinary celebration. From July 4—20, enjoy a $55 three-course dinner featuring bold, globally inspired dishes like Po’ Boy Bao, Khao Soi, and Pandan Beignet — each crafted with the season’s freshest ingredients.

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Popular dishes

CSB$15.00
char siu, housemade milk bun / 2pcs
Spinach Dip Spring Rolls$15.00
gruyère, pecorino romano, pickled jalapeño / 3pcs
- 3 Pcs$14.00
Pork & Crab Siu Mai$18.00
dungeness crab, shrimp, red thai curry, coconut / 4pcs
- 4 Pcs$16.00
Shrimp Toast$20.00
preserved lemon emulsion, milk bread, lemon, chives
Grandpa's Fun Guo$25.00
chicken, brown butter leeks, porcini, fresh black truffle / 3pcs
Kalbi Beef Bao$15.00
beef short rib, kimchi, kewpie / 2pcs
- 2 Pcs$14.00
Foie Gras Sou$14.00
foie gras parfait, hazelnut, sour cherry, maple / 2pcs
- 2 Pcs$14.00

Choi

Vegetables

Baby Gem Salad$16.00
preserved beancurd, pine nut confit, cilantro dressing
Brussels Sprouts$16.00
deep-fried, chili glaze, wild rice
Charred Broccoli$16.00
'nduha xo, aged cheddar sauce, wild rice
Wok-Fried Long Bean$16.00
preserved black beans, lap cheong, crispy garlic
Yu Xiang Eggplant$16.00
chili crisp, chipotle, ramps

Siu

Small

Vietnamese Beef Carpaccio$22.00
nuóc châm, crispy garlic, thai basil
Salmon Sashimi$24.00
heirloom tomato, yuzu kosho, smoked kalamata olive
Popcorn Shrimp$19.00
prawn-crusted nobashi shrimp, crustacean emulsion
Lamb Spiducci$18.00
gochujang, wasabi peas, korean furikake
Crispy Squid$24.00
typhoon shelter crumb, leek butter, thai chili

Dai

Large

Fried Chicken$29.00
mandarin gastrique, 16-spice blend, togarashi chili
R&D Fried Rice$33.00
mushroom xo, porcini butter, maitake, olive leaf, singapore crunch
Cavatelli$34.00
mala spices, oyster mushrooms, doubanjiang, dry-aged pork
Lamb Chow Mein$36.00
xinjiang style, fresh tagliatelle, lamb jus
Ibérico Char Siu$46.00
roasted pluma, scallion, wildflower honey, natural jus
Chicken Fried Skate$37.00
chili & ramp rémoulade, cured egg yolk, housemade preserves
@wok_lobster$75.00
lobster dashi, caramelized carrot purée, vermicelli, poached tail
Wagyu Beef$120.00
a5 japanese wagyu strip loin, ponzu borderlaise, pomme purée, pearl onion
Best Duck In the City$120.00
whole roasted pekin duck, roasted garlic hoisin, cucumber, leeks, steamed baos

Tim Ban

Dessert

Sticky Toffee Pudding$16.00
palm sugar toffee, medjool dates, caramelized apples, calvados cinnamon ice cream
Calpico Panna Cotta$16.00
raspberry & milk sorbet, skyr yoghurt, garden basil
Molten Lava Cake$16.00
valrhona ivoire, lau sa, raspberry
Ice Cream$5.00
two scoops of mango, black sesame, red bean, matcha, or ube

What 1,625 people are saying

R&D Restaurant - Toronto reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

R&D Restaurant in Toronto impresses with its "incredible innovative fusion cuisine", featuring standout dishes like the "Peking Duck", "R&D fried rice", and "Brussel sprouts". While some reviews highlight service inconsistencies and noise levels, the "friendly and attentive" staff often enhance the dining experience. A must-try for "outstanding" flavors and ambiance.

1,625 Reviews

P
Paul
Toronto / Ontario1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was excellent!!! All the recommendations of Ian were superb...from the drinks to the main courses. We will definitely be back :-)
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Q
Queenly
Toronto / Ontario14 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The scallop ceviche and the Laksa sauce in the cavatelli from the seasonal menu was great. I'd return if the same laksa sauce was made into a Malay style Laksa soup noodle bowl.
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A
Ann
Toronto / Ontario28 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Helped us find a more suitable table given spouse disabilities. Much appreciated.
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A
Annie
Vancouver / British Columbia2 reviews
3.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Cool decor, high ceilings and open kitchen, but quite loud/echo-y inside. Got the summerlicious dinner menu which was excellent for the price - one of the mains (seafood pasta) was really sweet from the coconut milk so none of us enjoyed that as much as the other dishes, shrimp in the po boy was hard to chew, but overall we enjoyed the food (very unique). The service left much to be desired though so the rating mostly reflects that. Had to flag a waiter down to even place our order, had to ask for water refills and those were forgotten so had to ask again, attitude not particularly friendly (wasn't THAT busy either at 9pm)... There was one very nice young man who was great about clearing our plates and being nice, but overall it averaged out to just so-so, at least for all the front of house staff.
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B
Barb
Toronto / Ontario1 review
1.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Went for Summerlicious - appetizer was cold and tough ( ( pork )and main meal ( pasta with seafood ) was uninspired and minimal low quantity seafood Dessert ( shortbread )was stale. Did not want to make my friends uncomfortable by returning or complaining about the meal so we said the meals were ok when server enquired. I checked in with others at the table and all agreed it was a disappointing meal/ experience.
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J
Joseph VIP
New Orleans / Louisiana19 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Incredible innovative fusion cuisine. The tagliatelle and cavatelli were incredible dishes that were completely unexpected. The ceviche and wontons were excellent. Only thing they need to improve on is bar service. Long time to get our cocktails that we ordered when we first arrived. If it is busy, wait to order your first course until your drinks come.
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N
Nara
Hawaii2 reviews
1.0
Dined on July 6, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
Personal opinion: the restaurant is overrated. Nothing special
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J
Johannes
Toronto / Ontario1 review
3.0
Dined on July 5, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Not sure if the head chef has taken a step back from R&D to attend his new Akin restaurant but Obviously the summerlicious experience compromised quality for the price. Certain dishes like the shrimp po boy was like a fast food truck snack. Sauce was so bland, tasted like Big Mac. The fried chicken Haianese chicken rice was a miss. Chicken was quite dry thought the rice is flavorful. Added a la carte item like the fried shrimp toast and it was nothing like a year ago. Not as well seasoned with the shrimp paste and Lemon wedge wasn’t even bruleed like menu described. Disappointing as i personally liked R&D before.
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G
Greta
Chicago / Illinois7 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 27, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food was delicious, service was prompt and courteous. My cocktail was amazing. I would come back if I lived in Toronto.
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L
Leslie VIP
Toronto / Ontario32 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Brussel sprouts are to die for! And the duck wow.
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FAQs

You can order delivery directly from R&D Restaurant - Toronto using the Order Direct button in Additional Information section.

R&D Restaurant - Toronto is rated 4.5 stars by 1625 OpenTable diners.

R&D Restaurant - Toronto does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.