At Pukka, we love surprising our guests with unexpected combinations that elevate every dining experience, whether it's a lively happy hour or a refined fine dining Toronto evening. Our modern Indian menu celebrates bold flavours through sharing-style portions, vegetarian and vegan options, and a vibrant atmosphere in St. Clair West. With thoughtfully curated cocktails and wines, we've become one of the best fine dining restaurants Toronto has to offer.

If you haven't visited us yet, you're missing a meal that brings together flavour pairings to awaken your palate, laughter-filled group moments, and the perfect blend of casual and upscale dining, Toronto style. In this article, we'll share seven unexpected pairings of cocktails, wines, and dishes that make both happy hour and upscale Toronto restaurant experiences truly memorable.

1. Happy Hour Small Plates with Craft Cocktails

Happy hour gives us a chance to create an atmosphere of lively conversation and shareable plates. We make this time special with cocktails that complement lighter dishes. This approach helps us shine among upscale Toronto restaurants and creates lasting memories through unique cocktail and food pairings.

Crowd-Pleasing Starter Pairings

Pakoras + Spicy Margarita: Crispy fritters paired with a tequila-based cocktail, balancing subtle spice with zesty citrus.
Sweet Potato Samosas + Purple Quartz Boozeless Cocktail: Fruity and floral notes complement tamarind and coriander-mint chutneys.
Gunpowder Prawns + Gold Rush: Rum and citrus balance the sweetness of pineapple chutney and the aroma of curry leaves.

Why This Works

Our cocktails highlight aromatic flavours without overpowering the food, ensuring every bite feels fresh and satisfying. These cocktail and food pairings work beautifully for group gatherings, pre-dinner indulgence, or for anyone exploring a lighter take on Indian cuisine. At Pukka, we bring together casual dining and the finesse of fine dining in Toronto in one happy hour.

2. Aromatic White Wines with Vegetable-Forward Dishes

White wines bring refinement and elegance to vegetable-forward plates. We curate thoughtful wine and food pairings that give vegetarian and vegan dishes the same depth as traditional mains. These selections capture the spirit of upscale dining in Toronto while offering nuance and vibrancy.

Signature Pairings

Kale Salad + Grüner Veltliner Spiegel 2023: Crisp acidity enhances the cashew dressing and dried cranberries.
Pumpkin Curry + Chardonnay Estate, Stratus 2023: Buttery and oaky notes balance the creamy coconut curry.
South Indian Vegetable Curry + Albariño, Viña Cartín 2023: Aromatic lightness pairs seamlessly with coconut and mustard seed flavours.

Enhancing the Fine Dining Experience

Pairing wines with vegetarian dishes ensures every guest enjoys a layered and flavorful experience. These wine and food pairings highlight the creativity in our vegetarian options and reinforce our place among standout venues for fine dining in Toronto.

3. Bold Red Wines for Hearty Non-Vegetarian Mains

Bold red wines complement the richness of hearty mains, providing depth and balance. At Pukka, we bring together meat-based dishes and structured reds to create indulgent fine dining Toronto experiences for guests who love powerful flavours.

Perfect Matches

Butter Chicken + Cabernet Sauvignon, Jordan 2022: Creamy tomato sauce paired with structured tannins.
Garam Masala Duck + Shiraz, Alkoomi 2021: Aromatic duck enhanced by bold Shiraz.
Short Ribs + Malbec, Uvas 2020: Deep tannins heighten the richness of slow-cooked beef.

Upscale Dining Toronto Tips

Pairing red wines with curries elevates a meal into something remarkable. It's this attention to detail that places us among the best upscale restaurants in Toronto and ensures every guest walks away with a memorable experience.

4. Sparkling Wines with Street-Inspired or Appetizer Dishes

Sparkling wines bring energy and a sense of celebration to any table. Their crisp and refreshing nature makes them ideal with appetizers or street-inspired bites, adding a festive touch that reflects the spirit of the best fine dining restaurants in Toronto.

Effervescent Matches

Eggplant Tartare + Prosecco Brut, Sorelle Bronca NV: Sparkling bubbles brighten roasted eggplant and roti crisps.
Pakoras + Cava Brut, Castell d'Or NV: Acidity cuts through the richness of fried pakoras.

Perfect for Celebrations

Whether guests are here for an event, catering, or casual gatherings, sparkling wines create a mood of joy. Our ability to balance sophistication with fun is why we're often counted among the top upscale Toronto restaurants.

5. Dessert and Dark Spirit Pairings

Desserts deserve to shine just as much as mains. At Pukka, we enhance sweet dishes with dark spirits and bold cocktails. These indulgent wine and food pairings give our desserts the spotlight they deserve in the fine dining Toronto experience.

Indulgent Matches

Chocolate Chilli Torte + The Magellan: Rye, apricot, and port float add layers to the chocolate with subtle heat.
Sticky Toffee Pudding + Bombay Sour: Gin, cassis, and lavender bring chai caramel notes to life.

Elevating Fine Dining Desserts

Dessert pairings with spirits transform the end of the meal into something memorable. This attention to detail shows why Pukka remains a leader in the best fine dining restaurants in Toronto, where desserts receive the same care as every other course.

6. Rosé for Light Starters and Vegetarian Mains

Rosé offers balance and freshness that make it perfect for light starters or vegetarian dishes. At Pukka, we use rosé to highlight flavours that feel both modern and traditional, offering a playful side to upscale dining in Toronto.

Refreshing Pairings

Hakka Tofu + Rosé Roselana, Pearl Morissette 2023: Sweet peppers and onions enhance fruity rosé notes.
Stuffed Paneer + Rosé Beausoleil 2023: Light rosé balances the richness of grilled cheese and mushrooms.

Accessible Fine Dining

Rosé shows that fine dining in Toronto can feel welcoming while still maintaining refinement. Guests who want vibrant and approachable dishes in an elegant setting will find what they're looking for in our upscale dining Toronto offerings.

7. Non-Alcoholic Pairings for Everyone

Inclusivity is central to what we do at Pukka. We want every guest to feel part of the dining journey. For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, our mocktails prove that cocktail and food pairings are exciting without alcohol, making us one of the best upscale restaurants in Toronto.

Creative Boozeless Matches

Pakoras + Annapurna: Pandan, cinnamon, and ginger beer pair perfectly with tomato chutney.
Mango Lassi + Sweet Potato Samosas: Creamy and fruity notes highlight tamarind chutney.
Dolomia Water + Kale Salad: Sparkling or still water keeps the palate refreshed.

Inclusivity Without Sacrificing Flavour

Our non-alcoholic options provide the same balance and refinement as our cocktails and wines. Guests enjoy an equally thoughtful experience, making our approach to fine dining in Toronto both inclusive and memorable.

First-Timer's Guide: What to Try First

We know our menu can feel overwhelming at first glance, so we've created a guide to help new guests begin their journey. These recommendations offer a balanced introduction to our wine and food pairings and cocktail and food pairings while making sure the experience stays approachable.

Starters to Begin Your Journey

Pakoras or Sweet Potato Samosas: Shareable bites with bold flavours.
Eggplant Tartare: Roasted depth without overpowering spice.

Easy-to-Love Mains

Butter Chicken: A familiar favourite that pairs beautifully with wines or cocktails.
South Indian Vegetable Curry: A vegan dish that shines with white wine or sparkling water.

Drinks to Start With

Boozy: Spicy Margarita or Gold Rush.
Boozeless: Mango Lassi or Annapurna.
Wine: Chardonnay Estate, Stratus 2023 or Rosé Roselana 2023.

Why This Helps

This guide ensures first-time guests enjoy flavours that feel inviting and easy to explore. We aim to make the first visit as enjoyable as possible, which is why we're often mentioned among the best fine dining restaurants in Toronto.

Conclusion

From happy hour to elegant evenings, we at Pukka take pride in creating pairings that turn each meal into a lasting memory. Our dedication to thoughtful wine and food pairings and cocktail and food pairings is what sets us apart in fine dining in Toronto.

Whether you're joining us for a group dinner, to celebrate something special, or just to have a casual night out, we promise an experience worthy of the best fine dining restaurants in Toronto. With catering, seasonal menus, and gift cards available, we invite you to see why we're recognized as one of the leading upscale Toronto restaurants.

Join us at Pukka to discover pairings that surprise and delight, from happy hour to fine dining. Reserve your table today and experience why we're one of the top upscale Toronto restaurants.

From Happy Hour to Fine Dining: 7 Pairings You Didn’t Know You’d Love