Belle Isle

What is Belle Isle? Located at 1455 Gerrard Street East in Little India, Belle Isle is the high-energy, irreverent sibling to Lake Inez from Zac Schwartz and crew. The room borrows aesthetic cues from Detroit's historic public aquarium, packing jade-green mosaic tiles, stained glass, and dim lighting around a central bar and snug dining tables. With chefs Keith Siu and Ronan Shaftoe heading the pass, the kitchen delivers sharp, contemporary Cantonese cooking wrapped in a spirited neighbourhood bar vibe.

Belle Isle Menu & What to Order Start with the silky tendon and shank terrine cheung fun draped over confit onions, followed by the crisp, golden shrimp toast slathered in spicy shrimp mayo. For sharing, the soy sauce chicken and the rich clay pot duck à l'orange with dried tangerine soy consistently hit the mark. Pair the meal with witty house creations like the "This Cold Pizza Is Curing My Depression" cocktail, and make sure to finish with the brûléed fried milk pudding.

Know Before You Go Dining room tables fill up weeks in advance on Resy, but the bar counter is kept open for walk-ins if you arrive right at 5:00 p.m.. The room stays loud and lively with upbeat playlists, making it far better suited for group hangs than whisper-quiet dates. Streetcar access is effortless via the 506 Carlton along Gerrard, while street parking is tight on peak weekend nights.