Hidden
Plates Toronto
Every dish tells a story. It's Hidden Plate's mission to help share it.
Welcome!
Are you new to the vibrant city of Toronto and searching for a taste of home? Are you a small restaurant owner looking to share your story with the world?
Welcome to Hidden Plates. More than a food map, Hidden Plates tells the stories of immigrant entrepreneurs who bring Toronto's world-renowned culinary diversity to life. Through interviews and restaurant spotlights, we explore the journeys and challenges these business owners face, from navigating government regulations, labour issues, and socioeconomic barriers to building a thriving business in a new country. By highlighting these experiences, Hidden Plates aims to celebrate and uplift the unique restaurants that make Toronto so special, while diving deeper into the economic and policy dynamics that shape small businesses in a globalized city.
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Join us in uncovering the stories behind one of the world's most diverse food scenes, and discover how food can reveal broader issues in immigration and public policy.
Website Features
The Food Map
Find global flavours near you... and perhaps a taste of home
The Food Map features all the ​​restaurants we have first-handedly explored and confidently recommend you to check out! From traditional dim sum to homemade pasta, from cozy hideaways to lively hotspots, with dishes from all across the globe, the Hidden Plates food map guarantees something for everyone.
Blog Feed
The blog feed is updated weekly with a new "Restaurant Spotlight," now featuring an in-depth interview with an immigrant restaurant owner. Discover their unique journeys, the challenges of starting a business in a new country, and the stories behind their restaurants. Each spotlight also includes a thoughtful reflection on the economic, social, and policy forces that shape Toronto’s small, immigrant-owned businesses.
