Alma (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | July 2018 |
| Founder | Anna Chen, William Dunn |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Asian fusion cuisine, contemporary Chinese cuisine with Hakka influences |
Alma is an Asian fusion dining establishment situated in the Bloordale Village area of Toronto.
History
Established in July 2018 by Anna Chen and her spouse William Dunn, Chen also holds the position of executive chef. Originating from Calcutta, India, Chen possesses Hakka Chinese ancestry and has gained culinary experience working in restaurants across Toronto and London.
At its inception, Alma specialized in a fusion menu combining elements of French, Italian, and Hakka Chinese cuisines. Chen’s objective was to create dishes that are "straightforward and accessible, yet carefully crafted." During the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant adapted its offerings to focus more on contemporary Chinese cuisine with a pronounced emphasis on Hakka traditions.
A standout item on the menu is the parmesan tapioca fritters. Every component, including staples such as miso and soy sauce, is prepared in-house.
The name Alma is derived from Latin, signifying "kind" or "nourishing."
Recognition
Alma received the Bib Gourmand accolade from the Michelin Guide at the 2022 Toronto awards and successfully retained this honor through 2023 and 2024. This distinction highlights establishments that provide "exceptionally good food at reasonable prices." Michelin drew attention to signature offerings like pan-fried radish cakes, scallion bread topped with stracciatella cheese, and pork wonton noodles.
Toronto-based food journalist Suresh Doss praised Chen for introducing a distinctive culinary approach to the city’s dining scene, notably applauding the scallion pancakes for their inventive combination of cheese and bread.
Canada's 100 Best Restaurants Ranking
| Alma | ||
| Year | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 94 | new |
| 2023 | 91 | Template:Up 3 |
| 2024 |  No Rank
| |
| 2025 | 75 | Template:Up re-entry |