Summerlicious 2016 in Toronto runs from July 8 to 24 and it's almost time for you to book your table. Reservation lines open on Thursday, June 23 for the citywide restaurant promotion and with over 220 restaurants participating, there's surely something here to whet your appetite.

This year, Summerlicious spotlights three-course lunch menus for either $18, $23 ot $28, and dinner menus priced at $28, $38 or $48. Reservations are strongly advised, especially at the most popular venues.

Here are my picks for the top restaurants to try at Summerlicious 2016.

NEW THIS YEAR

Summerlicious welcomes two dozen first-time participants this year, including these notable newcomers.

• Beaumont Kitchen (menu) - Take this opportunity to try out the newest O&B restaurant at Saks Sherway Gardens.
• R&D (menu) - Enjoy an eclectic menu spotlighting modern Canadian-Asian dishes in Chinatown.
• Rose & Sons (menu) - See what all the fuss is about at Anthony Rose's restaurant on Dupont.
• Ufficio (menu) - Discover the meatless Italian menu at this Dundas West restaurant where pasta and fish are the stars.

HOT TICKETS

Considering their usual prices, reservations are highly recommended for these sought-after spots.

Canoe (menu) - Book a table at this iconic restaurant on the 54th floor of the TD Tower.
Cafe Boulud (menu) - Indulge at this Yorkville restaurant from an internationally renowned chef.
Momofuku Daisho (menu) - Discover Momofuku's second floor restaurant.
Nota Bene (menu) - Outstanding food from Chef David Lee should be on every Toronto foodie's bucket list.

OLD FAVOURITES

These Summerlicious veterans return for another year.

• Bestellen (menu) - Participating in Summerlicious for its sophomore year is this always impressive College Street steakhouse.
• Edwards 1290 (menu) - No need to leave Leslieville to take advantage of this year's prix fixe promo.
• Frida (menu) - Modern Mexican food in Midtown.
• Lamesa (menu) - The Filipino kitchen will be offering selections like duck lumpia and chicken adobo.
• Lee (menu) - Dine at Susur Lee's eponymous restaurant and enjoy options like spicy jerk ribs, grilled octopus and more.

VEGETARIAN OPTIONS

This year's prix fixe program offers an abundance of options for meatless eaters.

• District Oven (menu) - This Middle Eastern restaurant on College can accommodate both vegetarian and vegan eaters.
• Diwan (menu) - Lunch at the Aga Khan Museum can easily be a meat-free affair.
• Mata Petisco Bar (menu) - Cassava gnocchi with wild mushrooms, reggiano cheese and truffle oil is one tempting, veg-friendly main.
• Pukka (menu) - An impressive collection of hearty veg dishes are available at this modern Indian restaurant on St. Clair Avenue West.

CHEAP BUT GOOD

The most reasonable Summerlicious price range of $18 and $28 (for lunch and dinner, respectively) is hardly lacking in excellent options.

• Bar Buca (menu) - Chef Rob Gentile's $18 lunch menu and $28 dinner menu is a steal.
• Hawker Bar (menu) - The $28 dinner menu from this Southeast Asian snack bar on Ossington won't break the bank.
• Windup (menu) - Modern Caribbean cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Bryan Birch is on for $18 at lunch and $28 at dinner.

Photo of R&D by Jesse Milns.