Belle Isle

Tucked into a stretch of Gerrard St E that’s usually synonymous with curry houses, Belle Isle brings a sharp Cantonese focus to Little India. It’s the latest project from the Lake Inez crew, who have traded their usual haunt for a space decked out in jade tiles and stained glass—a nod to the Detroit aquarium that gives the room a weirdly specific, lived-in charm. Chefs Keith Siu and Ronan Shaftoe have moved the kitchen well beyond the original snack-bar concept, leaning into a high-energy, loud-music atmosphere that feels less like a formal dining room and more like a neighbourhood anchor that actually has a personality.

Start with the lamb shank terrine cheung fun, which is exactly the kind of inventive, texture-heavy dish that makes the menu worth the trip. The cocktail list is predictably whimsical, featuring drinks like the "This Cold Pizza Is Curing My Depression" that somehow manage to taste better than their names suggest. It gets busy, and since the vibe is consistently jovial, it’s not the place for a quiet conversation. If you can’t snag a table online, the bar is usually your best bet for a walk-in, but show up early if you don't want to be left waiting on the sidewalk.