There are power lunches—and then there’s Enigma.
At Enigma, the MICHELIN-starred restaurant tucked into Yorkville, Chef Quinton Bennett is doing something quietly radical: making fine dining feel effortless at noon. Hailing from South Africa, where he began cooking at 16, Bennett refined his craft in renowned kitchens across the UK and Denmark before bringing his signature style to Toronto. With the launch of their newly introduced five-course Lunch Tasting Menu ($165), Enigma takes the precision of its celebrated evening service and adapts it for daylight, without sacrificing an ounce of finesse.
We visited Enigma to experience the new Lunch Tasting Menu firsthand and have the full breakdown on each course and the overall experience.
The Menu: Five Thoughtful Chapters
The tasting kicks off with tea—but not the kind you sip at your desk. This is a precise blend of chamomile, yuzu, peach, elderflower, and honey. Fragrant, focused, and quietly assured, it sets the tone with subtle flair. A silent flex from the chef: we know exactly what we’re doing.
Then the meal unfolds, paced deliberately and plated with museum-level detail.
Course one brings brassica, elderflower, and basil. It’s the kind of plate that feels like a walk through a greenhouse—crisp, vivid, and botanical.
Course three arrives as a halibut fillet, swimming in courgette fondue and lobster dashi crème. It’s richer, but not aggressive. Comforting, but clean. It’s the kind of dish that wants to be eaten slowly.
Course four turns darker: Ontario lamb shoulder paired with sweetbreads, charred lettuce, and onion. It’s savory, earthy, and a little primal. The fat is rendered beautifully, the meat fork-soft. If the earlier dishes were sonatas, this is the percussion.
We finished the experience with a house-made cold brew which was shockingly smooth, fresh, and exactly what you need to step back into the real world without losing the memory of where you just were. (Note: beverages, including the cold brew, are not included in the tasting menu price.)
The Drinks
Enigma offers a thoughtfully curated selection of drinks, whether you’re in the mood for a classic cocktail, a glass from their carefully selected wine list, or something more adventurous. Guests can opt for a full wine pairing or explore a non-alcoholic flight featuring fresh-pressed juices and zero-proof cocktails. During our visit, we enjoyed a perfectly balanced cocktail and a vibrant glass of red—both subtle enough to let the food shine, yet refined enough to elevate the experience.
The Little Things
Where Enigma truly excels isn’t just in the kitchen; it’s in the rhythm, the restraint, and the unexpected charm of the entire experience. The service is remarkably thoughtful, and even the check—typically a mundane part of the meal—arrives with a touch of whimsy. Presented inside a treasure chest atop a sculptural platform, Enigma has turned paying the bill into a moment worth savouring.
Call it hospitality with a wink.
Final Verdict
Enigma has held a MICHELIN star three years running (2022, 2023, 2024), and its newly launched Lunch Tasting Menu is a refreshing evolution of that acclaim. It’s for those who appreciate fine dining but don’t want to wait until dinner to indulge or for anyone who wants to slow the day down and savour something exceptional.
At $165, it’s a carefully considered investment in both food and experience. What you get in return is more than just a meal. It’s an experience—a taste of artistry.
And if you’re not quite ready for the full tasting commitment, know this: Enigma recently expanded its footprint with a renovation that merged the dining room and bar, now offering an à la carte Lounge Menu for walk-ins, as well as private dining experiences in the Hibiscus Room, and even catering. The brand continues to evolve, but without ever compromising its soul.
Would we go again? Without hesitation.
Would we recommend it? Absolutely.
It’s probably the best way to spend an afternoon in Toronto right now—and you’ll be thinking about that yellowtail long after you’ve gone back to your inbox.
Book your table today.
