The Toston
Markham
Restaurant in Markham, Canada
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
The Toston is a practical Markham pick for an easy daytime or early-evening meal, especially when the plan is casual rather than formal. Choose it for convenience and low-pressure group dining; cross-shop Peters Fine Dining if the occasion needs a more polished setting.
About The Toston
The Toston is in Markham and has a casual dress code, with hours that start at 12 PM on open days and end earlier than a late-night plan would require. Consider it for a relaxed midday or early-evening visit, not for a plan that depends on pricing, cuisine details, seating, awards, or a formal room.
The Toston makes the clearest sense for a low-pressure outing where timing matters. If the group wants to compare with another named option, Peters Fine Dining is one reference point; for broader browsing, use Our full Markham restaurants guide to cross-shop other dining in Markham.
Better for a midday or early-evening plan than a late night out
Current schedule points toward daytime and early-evening use: The Toston is closed Monday, open Tuesday through Thursday from 12–7 PM, Friday from 12–8 PM, Saturday from 12–8:30 PM, Sunday from 12–6 PM. That makes it easier to plan around earlier visits than around a long late-night booking.
Because cuisine type, pricing, seating, reservation method are not listed, avoid building a special occasion around assumptions. The stronger move is to treat The Toston as a casual Markham option, then compare it with more clearly documented alternatives such as Bo Tree Plant-Based Cuisine, Koh Lipe Thai - Scarborough, Peters Fine Dining, Sukhothai, or SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli if those fit your wider search.
Plan the rest of the Markham day around the meal
For a fuller outing, pair the restaurant search with other Markham planning resources and keep the timing in mind. The Toston's hours work best for plans that begin earlier in the day or early evening, especially Tuesday through Sunday. For anything that depends on menu details, service format, accessibility, group capacity, or reservations, confirm directly before committing.
Planning details
- Location
- 35 Karachi Dr, Markham, ON L3S 0B5, Canada
- Website
- thetostoncolombiancuisine.com
- Phone
- +16476662400
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Toston reads like a neighbourhood independent that cares about its work. Located in Markham’s residential southeast corridor, it leans into restraint: the menu reveals what the kitchen chooses to concentrate on rather than an attempt to cover every base. That focused ethos attracts a clientele that comes with intent, rewarding consistency over spectacle. The piece positions the restaurant within a maturing local scene—less chain convenience, more deliberate craft—so the experience feels like a quietly confident, well-tuned local spot rather than a destination built on hype.
Best For
The Toston is best for local meals where familiarity and reliable cooking matter. Framed as a neighbourhood place that earns loyalty, it suits casual hangouts and family dinners where guests prioritize steady quality over trend-chasing. The kitchen’s restrained menu architecture favors ordering a few well-executed anchors and sharing plates rather than trying dozens of small dishes. For visitors who want a solid, unpretentious meal rooted in thoughtful execution, the restaurant functions as a dependable choice in Markham’s evolving independent tier.
Ordering Tips
Given the review’s emphasis on a focused menu, approach ordering at The Toston by picking the kitchen’s anchors rather than sampling indiscriminately. The signature items—tostones, empanadas and ajiaco chicken soup—are highlighted and read as menu cornerstones; make those the starting point. Portions and preparation are implied to be deliberate, so sharing a few standout dishes with your table lets you experience the restaurant’s strengths without diluting them. Expect a meal oriented around confident simplicity rather than maximal variety.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy and homey atmosphere decorated with items from the owner's Colombian hometown, creating a warm and inviting local feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Tostones
- Empanadas
- Ajiaco Chicken Soup
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli, Deli, $
- Peters Fine Dining, Notable alternative
- Sukhothai, Notable alternative
- Bo Tree Plant-Based Cuisine, Notable alternative
- Koh Lipe Thai - Scarborough, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How The Toston compares in Markham
For an easy Markham meal, The Toston is the lower-friction choice: current hours support lunch, afternoon meals, early dinner windows. Peters Fine Dining is the better fit when ambiance and occasion weight matter more than convenience, especially for anniversaries or business dinners.
If value is the main filter, SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli is clearer on category and price, with a deli format and $ positioning. Sukhothai and Koh Lipe Thai - Scarborough make more sense when the group specifically wants Thai food rather than a flexible local stop.
For dietary-led planning, Bo Tree Plant-Based Cuisine is the cleaner alternative because the plant-based angle is explicit. Pick The Toston when location and timing drive the decision; pick one of these peers when cuisine, budget, or occasion tone needs to be settled before arrival.
Explore Markham
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Toston guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Toston
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Toston | Markham | ; | ; | No published awards |
| SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli | Toronto | Deli | $ | 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand |
| Peters Fine Dining | Markham | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Sukhothai | Markham | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Bo Tree Plant-Based Cuisine | Unionville | ; | ; | No published awards |
| Koh Lipe Thai - Scarborough | Scarborough | ; | ; | No published awards |
How The Toston Markham compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to The Toston?
Keep it casual and clean. The dress code for The Toston in Markham is casual, so a neat everyday outfit is the safe move.
What should a first-timer know about The Toston?
The main details are the city, dress code, schedule. The Toston is in Markham, has a casual dress code, is closed Monday, opens Tuesday through Sunday with hours that begin at 12 PM.
Is earlier or later timing better at The Toston?
An earlier visit is the safer plan. The hours are 12–7 PM Tuesday through Thursday, 12–8 PM Friday, 12–8:30 PM Saturday, 12–6 PM Sunday, so it is not a late-night option.
How far ahead should I book The Toston?
What are alternatives to compare with The Toston?
Other named options to compare include Peters Fine Dining and SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli. You can also consider Bo Tree Plant-Based Cuisine, Sukhothai, Koh Lipe Thai - Scarborough as part of a broader restaurant search, while noting that not every comparison venue is necessarily in Markham.
Is The Toston good for a special occasion?
Only if the occasion is low-key and fits the casual dress code and earlier operating hours. For a more formal plan, compare carefully with other named options and confirm details directly.
