Located in the basement level of the Royal York Hotel, 45-year-old Benihana's used to be a happening tourist trap, but it's popularity has waned over the years.
What most people come here for are the aerial food tricks that the chefs perform on the teppanyaki grill, often flipping and tossing food, catching it with their cooking tools. The majority of the chefs here have been around for about 20 years or more; most of them aren't too chatty but tease them a little and they will probably spice it up for you! And while the show is entertaining and there is no chance you'd leave hungry, this place is by no means affordable for the average Yelper.
The prices start at $33 for the vegetarian saishoku and go all the way up to $59 for a 12-ounce teriyaki steak; you'd be relieved to know that this price does include onion soup, salad, shrimp appetizers, hibachi vegetables and rice. The one thing that I have fallen in love with here is the tempura; the light batter is perfectly exquisite and fairly high quality. Hands down it is probably THE BEST IN THE CITY! I've never had better anywhere else in Toronto!!
Cheaper option for teppanyaki: Yamato's in Yorkville