Whether you’re traveling for a conference, meetings, or a quick overnight trip, having reliable go-to spots in a city can make all the difference.
At Dakota, we’ve spent years on the road meeting with allocators, industry professionals, and investment managers across the country and around the world. Along the way, we’ve learned firsthand which hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops consistently deliver. The ones that turn a business trip into a productive, enjoyable experience.
That’s why we created Dakota Recommends. The insider list for business travel exclusive to Dakota Marketplace Members, or with a subscription.
Built by executive business travelers for executive business travel, it’s a curated collection of hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and event spaces designed for professionals who expect more from every trip.
Unlike tourist guides, it’s built for business. Every spot is Dakota Verified, tested by the same team behind Dakota Marketplace and trusted by thousands of firms.
Now live inside Dakota Marketplace, Dakota Recommends includes more than 1,000 verified locations across 25+ U.S. cities, London, and Paris. Each listing features “Dakota Must Trys”... our insider dishes and experiences our team swears by.
Toronto
Toronto is the financial capital of Canada and one of the leading financial centers in North America. As home to some of the largest pension funds, banking institutions, private equity firms, and insurance companies, Toronto is a critical market for investment managers targeting institutional capital, private wealth, and cross-border investments in both Canada and the broader North American market.
Key allocators in Toronto include:
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) – One of the largest pension funds in the world, managing a diversified portfolio across public equity, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure. CPPIB is a significant player in global investment, with a focus on long-term capital and sustainability.
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) – Another major institutional investor with a global portfolio, including allocations to private equity, infrastructure, and hedge funds.
Manulife Financial and Sun Life Financial – Two of Canada's largest insurance companies, both with significant investment arms managing capital across real estate, fixed income, public equity, and private markets.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank), and Scotiabank – Canada's largest banks, which also operate substantial asset management arms, allocating capital across traditional and alternative asset classes.
Toronto is also home to a growing network of family offices, private wealth managers, and multi-family offices that cater to Canadian business owners, entrepreneurs, and legacy wealth. These allocators tend to focus on global diversification, real estate investments, and private equity, with an increasing interest in ESG and impact investing.
The city benefits from being part of the North American financial ecosystem, with strong connections to the U.S., Latin America, and Europe. Toronto's role as a financial gateway to both domestic and international markets makes it an attractive base for investors seeking to deploy capital in a variety of asset classes, particularly in real estate, private equity, and infrastructure.
For investment managers targeting institutional capital, private wealth, or sustainable investment strategies, Toronto is a top-tier market offering access to high-quality allocators and substantial opportunities for long-term growth.
That’s why we’ve expanded Dakota Recommends here. To help our members navigate the city with the same level of precision they bring to their meetings.
Here’s what’s new inside Dakota Marketplace:
- 3 Hotels from downtown balancing comfort, proximity, and convenience
- 7 Restaurants perfect for client dinners, networking events, and post-meeting meals
- 1 Coffee Shops ideal for morning meetups or quiet working sessions
- 3 Event Venues for hosting investor receptions, private dinners, and networking events
Every spot meets the Dakota standard: Elevated, professional, travel-tested, and never crowdsourced. These are the same venues our team uses when hosting events, meeting allocators, and building relationships in Toronto.
Dakota Recommends
Dakota Recommends isn’t just a list, it’s a toolkit for business travelers. These are the places that have helped us at Dakota deliver successful meetings, memorable events, and efficient trips time and time again.
When you're traveling for work, trust the spots we've already vetted. You’ll find them all in Dakota Marketplace, organized by metro area, ready to support your goals on the road. We've also incorporated "Dakota Must Trys" under each place listed!
Whether you're planning your next trip or refining your meeting strategy, book a demo of Dakota Marketplace to explore the people and places that keep our team coming back.
