TONO by Akira Back

What is TONO by Akira Back? Perched on the ninth floor of the W Toronto at 90 Bloor Street East, TONO transforms the hotel's former rooftop lounge into an energetic showcase for chef Akira Back’s Nikkei concept. Executive chef Karen Kim steers a high-ceilinged dining room anchored by an open sushi bar, sculpted cloud installations, and floor-to-ceiling glass opening onto a sprawling terrace with sweeping Yorkville skyline views. Seating shifts from low-slung plush banquettes and bustling counter perches indoors to deep lounge sofas on the outdoor deck.

TONO by Akira Back Menu & What to Order The kitchen balances Japanese precision with Peruvian acid and smoke, starting strong with crisp tiger prawn Tono Cigars served in a wooden box and a bluefin tuna Tono Tartare resting in bright leche de tigre with nori-dusted rice crackers. Hot shared plates hit with the Jumbo Prawn Dynamite laced with spicy aji chilies alongside glazed Tajima Wagyu short ribs paired with bamboo-husk tamales. Pair the raw bar's pineapple-slicked Yellowtail Crudo with theatrical drinks like the cloche-smoked Smoky Toronto Morning or selections from the curated Japanese whisky and sake lists.

Know Before You Go Reservations on OpenTable are practically mandatory for peak Thursday through Saturday evenings, as walk-in space is sparse and rarely guarantees access to prime rooftop terrace tables. A smart-casual dress code is enforced, and the space sits directly above the Bloor-Yonge subway interchange with valet parking available via the hotel driveway. Dinner service runs nightly starting at 5:00 p.m., winding down at 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday.