Winterlicious 2026 is back, and Toronto foodies are already scrambling to book tables at over 240 participating restaurants across the city. Running from January 30 to February 12, this beloved culinary celebration offers three-course prix fixe menus at prices that make fine dining accessible to everyone.
Whether you are planning a romantic dinner downtown, a celebratory meal with friends, or creating your own Winterlicious experience at home, the right drinks can elevate your dining experience from good to unforgettable.
At Liquor To Go GTA, we deliver wine, spirits, and everything you need for the perfect Winterlicious celebration. Here is your complete guide to pairing drinks with this year’s most popular menu items.
Understanding Winterlicious 2026
Before diving into drink pairings, here is what you need to know about this year’s festival.
Dates and Pricing
Winterlicious 2026 runs from Thursday, January 30 through Wednesday, February 12. That gives you two full weeks to explore Toronto’s diverse culinary scene.
Prix fixe lunch menus are available at six price points: $20, $27, $34, $41, $48, and $55. Dinner menus range from $25 to $75, with options at $25, $35, $45, $55, $65, and $75.
Each menu includes three courses: an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. Keep in mind that beverages, taxes, and gratuity are not included in these prices.
Making Reservations
Reservations opened on January 15, and popular restaurants book up quickly. If you cannot secure a table at your first choice, do not worry. With over 240 participating restaurants, you will find excellent options throughout the city.
Many restaurants also accept walk-ins during off-peak hours. Lunch services and early dinner seatings often have more availability than prime evening slots.
Wine Pairing Basics for Prix Fixe Menus
Winterlicious menus showcase diverse cuisines and cooking styles. Understanding a few wine pairing principles will help you choose bottles that complement your meal perfectly.
Match Weight with Weight
Light dishes pair best with lighter wines. A delicate fish course calls for crisp white wine, not a bold red. Conversely, hearty braised meats demand wines with enough structure to stand up to rich flavours.
Consider the Sauce
The sauce often matters more than the protein. Chicken in a cream sauce pairs differently than chicken with tomato-based preparations. When reviewing Winterlicious menus, pay attention to how dishes are prepared, not just the main ingredient.
Bridge Flavours
Look for wines that share flavour notes with your food. Earthy mushroom dishes complement earthy Pinot Noir. Citrus-dressed seafood pairs beautifully with wines that have bright acidity and citrus notes.
White Wine Pairings for Popular Starters
Many Winterlicious appetizers feature seafood, salads, and lighter preparations that shine alongside white wines.
For Seafood Starters
Dishes like tuna tartare, salmon crudo, smoked whitefish, and shrimp cocktail appear on menus throughout the city. These preparations call for wines with bright acidity and minimal oak influence.
Sauvignon Blanc delivers the crisp, refreshing character that makes raw and cured seafood sing. Its citrus and herbal notes complement the delicate flavours without overwhelming them.
For richer seafood preparations like lobster bisque or scallops in butter sauce, consider Chardonnay. The fuller body and subtle oak notes match the richness of cream and butter-based sauces.
For Salads and Vegetable Dishes
Winterlicious menus often feature seasonal salads with ingredients like roasted beets, goat cheese, candied nuts, and citrus vinaigrettes. These bright, acidic dishes pair well with equally vibrant wines.
Pinot Grigio offers clean, light character that refreshes the palate between bites. Riesling, especially drier styles, provides the acidity to cut through creamy dressings while complementing sweet vegetable notes.
For Soup Courses
Cream-based soups like mushroom bisque or butternut squash puree appear on many prix fixe menus. These warming starters pair nicely with medium-bodied whites that echo their rich textures.
An oaked Chardonnay matches the creamy consistency while adding complementary vanilla and butter notes. For lighter broths and consommés, stick with unoaked whites that will not overpower the delicate flavours.
Red Wine Pairings for Hearty Mains
Winterlicious dinner menus showcase the heartiest cooking of the year. Braised meats, steaks, and rich pasta dishes dominate main course offerings.
For Steak and Prime Rib
Several participating steakhouses offer their signature cuts during Winterlicious at accessible price points. A perfectly cooked striploin or ribeye deserves a wine that can match its bold flavours.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the classic steakhouse pairing. Its firm tannins cut through rich marbling while dark fruit flavours complement charred, caramelized meat. Look for bottles from established wine regions for the best value.
For Braised Dishes
Beef bourguignon, short ribs, osso buco, and lamb shanks appear on menus across the city. These slow-cooked dishes develop deep, complex flavours that reward equally complex wines.
Red wine blends often provide the complexity these dishes deserve. Wines with earthy, savoury notes complement the caramelized vegetables and reduced sauces typical of braised preparations.
Merlot offers a softer alternative for those who prefer less tannic wines. Its plush fruit and gentle structure pair beautifully with tender braised meats.
For Pasta and Italian Mains
Italian restaurants are well-represented during Winterlicious, offering everything from simple pasta dishes to elaborate secondi courses.
For tomato-based pasta dishes, look for Italian reds like Chianti or Sangiovese. Their bright acidity mirrors tomato’s natural tartness while earthy notes complement herbs and aged cheeses.
Cream-based pasta pairs better with medium-bodied reds that will not clash with dairy richness. Pinot Noir offers the elegance to complement rather than compete with creamy sauces.
For Duck and Game
Duck confit, venison, and other game meats require wines with enough character to match their distinctive flavours.
Pinot Noir is the traditional pairing for duck. Its earthy notes and silky texture complement the rich, slightly gamey flavour of properly prepared duck. For heartier game preparations, consider Syrah or blends with some spice and pepper character.
Sparkling Wine for Celebrations
Winterlicious provides the perfect excuse to celebrate with bubbles. Sparkling wine works throughout the meal, from aperitif to dessert.
Starting the Evening Right
A glass of sparkling wine before dinner awakens the palate and sets a celebratory tone. The effervescence stimulates appetite while the acidity prepares your taste buds for the courses ahead.
Prosecco offers approachable, fruit-forward bubbles at accessible prices. For special occasions, Champagne or quality sparkling wine delivers more complexity and a finer bead of bubbles.
Pairing with Appetizers
Sparkling wine pairs brilliantly with many Winterlicious starters. Oysters and sparkling wine is a classic combination. Fried appetizers benefit from the wine’s acidity cutting through richness. Even simple salads gain elegance alongside bubbles.
After-Dinner Drinks to Extend the Evening
The best Winterlicious experiences do not end with dessert. After-dinner drinks provide the perfect conclusion to a memorable meal.
Cognac for Special Occasions
Hennessy VS Cognac is the classic choice for concluding a fine meal. Its warm, rich character provides a satisfying finish without overwhelming your palate after multiple courses.
Sip cognac slowly to appreciate its complexity. The warmth spreads gradually, making it ideal for lingering conversation after dinner.
Whiskey for Those Who Prefer It
Not everyone enjoys brandy-based spirits. Crown Royal offers smooth, approachable character that works beautifully as a digestif. Jameson Irish Whiskey provides lighter, more approachable warmth for those new to after-dinner spirits.
For whiskey enthusiasts, a quality bourbon or rye can be equally satisfying. The vanilla and caramel notes common in North American whiskeys complement the sweetness lingering from dessert.
Port and Dessert Wines
If you prefer to continue drinking wine after dinner, port and other dessert wines provide sweetness that complements rather than competes with dessert courses.
Ruby port offers youthful fruit flavours that pair with chocolate desserts. Tawny port, with its nutty, caramelized character, complements nut-based desserts and caramel preparations.
Creating Your Own Winterlicious at Home
Cannot get a reservation at your target restaurant? With over 240 participating venues booking simultaneously, competition for tables is fierce. The good news is that you can create your own Winterlicious experience at home.
Plan Your Menu
Browse the official Winterlicious menus for inspiration, then recreate your favourite dishes at home. Many prix fixe offerings feature dishes that home cooks can execute with quality ingredients and reasonable effort.
A simple three-course menu might include a seasonal salad, a braised main course that can be prepared ahead, and a purchased or homemade dessert.
Set the Scene
Restaurant dining feels special partly because of atmosphere. Create that feeling at home with proper table settings, good lighting, and background music that sets the mood.
Clear the table of everyday clutter. Use your best dishes and glassware. Light candles. These small touches transform ordinary dinners into memorable occasions.
Stock Your Bar
The complete Winterlicious experience requires the right beverages. Stock up before your dinner date so you are not scrambling at the last minute.
For a full evening, consider having:
A bottle of sparkling wine for arrival and appetizers. White wine for lighter courses if your menu includes them. Red wine for heartier main courses. A digestif like cognac or whiskey for after dinner. Mixers and garnishes if you plan to offer cocktails.
Liquor To Go GTA delivers across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, and throughout the GTA. Order in advance or take advantage of our same-day delivery when you realize you need that perfect bottle.
Cocktails to Start or End Your Evening
While wine dominates Winterlicious pairings, cocktails deserve consideration for certain moments during your evening.
Pre-Dinner Cocktails
A well-made cocktail sets the tone before you even look at a menu. Classic aperitif cocktails stimulate appetite and prepare your palate for the meal ahead.
A simple vodka martini with Grey Goose offers clean, sophisticated character that will not interfere with your first course. For something with more complexity, consider a Negroni or Aperol Spritz if you are dining Italian.
Nightcap Cocktails
After-dinner cocktails provide an alternative to neat spirits. An Old Fashioned made with quality bourbon offers sweetness and warmth that satisfies after a rich meal. A simple whiskey sour provides refreshing acidity that cleanses the palate.
Drink Quantities for Winterlicious Dinner Parties
If you are hosting your own Winterlicious dinner party at home, planning quantities prevents both running short and wasteful over-purchasing.
Wine Estimates
For a three-course meal with wine service throughout, estimate one bottle of wine for every two guests. If you are serving different wines with each course, reduce this slightly since guests will not finish full glasses before switching.
For a dinner party of six, consider:
One to two bottles of sparkling wine for arrival. Two bottles of white wine if serving a lighter first course. Three bottles of red wine for the main course. One bottle of dessert wine or port for after dinner.
Spirits Estimates
After-dinner spirits go further than wine since guests typically consume smaller quantities. One bottle of cognac or whiskey serves 12 to 16 after-dinner portions.
For pre-dinner cocktails, one bottle of base spirit yields approximately 16 drinks, depending on your pour size and recipe.
Order Ahead for Winterlicious
Do not let a missing bottle derail your perfect Winterlicious evening. Whether you are hosting at home or want wine waiting after your restaurant meal, planning ahead ensures you have exactly what you need.
Liquor To Go GTA offers 24-hour alcohol delivery across Toronto and the GTA. We deliver to Markham, Richmond Hill, North York, Etobicoke, and communities throughout the region.
Browse our selection of wines, spirits, beer, and more. Order online for fast delivery, or contact us to discuss recommendations for your Winterlicious celebration.
Make this year’s Winterlicious unforgettable. Great food deserves great drinks, and we are here to deliver both the selection and convenience you need.
