Toronto restaurants
Jul 3rd, 2012, 05:17 PM
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Toronto restaurants
I have been doing research about Toronto, but don’t want to miss anything. This is my first time in Canada. I have not been able to find much about little Italy. Is it worth going to? I have been looking into The Sultan's Tent & Café Moroc. The café is more in our price range. It has such mixed reviews. What neighbors do we have to eat in? We will be staying downtown July 28- 31st. We do not mind walking or taking public transportation. My husband is a vegetarian. I love pastries and bakeries. I have Dufflet’s on my to-do list. I guess I would describe myself as a foodie on a budget. Other plans: Steam Whistle tour, Mill Street Brewery (also like beer), ROM, ferry to the island, St. Lawrence Market, and Kensington Market. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Jul 4th, 2012, 07:05 AM
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Toronto Harbourfront hosts various music and culture festivals on weekends in the summer and the World Cafe there offers a changing variety of inexpensive multicultural foods. There is also an outdoor craft market, several patios and a number of sightseeing boat tours (within walking distance of the St. Lawrence Market, the Island Ferry and the CN Tower).
The St. Lawrence Market offers lots of food and snack possibilities (although your husband is vegetarian, you might be interested in checking out Carousel Bakery for their famous and iconic Canadian Bacon on a Bun sandwich). I see that you are visiting Saturday to Tuesday so you should note that the Market is closed Sundays (except for an antique market) and Mondays. Saturdays are liveliest.
Your say you like beer: The Toronto Festival of Beer is on that weekend. I have not attended but information at their website: http://www.beerfestival.ca/about-festival
ROM is a great museum. It's near the upscale Yorkville neighbourhood - restaurants are generally expensive but there are cafes and patios for a drink while people-watching, and window shopping (and potential celebrity-spotting) are popular and can be fun.
The St. Lawrence Market offers lots of food and snack possibilities (although your husband is vegetarian, you might be interested in checking out Carousel Bakery for their famous and iconic Canadian Bacon on a Bun sandwich). I see that you are visiting Saturday to Tuesday so you should note that the Market is closed Sundays (except for an antique market) and Mondays. Saturdays are liveliest.
Your say you like beer: The Toronto Festival of Beer is on that weekend. I have not attended but information at their website: http://www.beerfestival.ca/about-festival
ROM is a great museum. It's near the upscale Yorkville neighbourhood - restaurants are generally expensive but there are cafes and patios for a drink while people-watching, and window shopping (and potential celebrity-spotting) are popular and can be fun.
Jul 4th, 2012, 08:19 AM
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St Lawrence Market is a wonderful place for vegetarians and just an all around great place to browse and people watch. We spent 5 weeks in Toronto last fall and I never tired of the St Lawrence Market; we went there countless times. I loved the eggplant Parmesan sandwich served on the first floor close to a souvenir concession. I can't remember the exact name, but something to do with mustaches. The sandwich is huge and my husband I split it. We always determined to try something else, but always ended up with the eggplant sandwich since it was so good. I'm a vegetarian and had no problem eating in Toronto. The food is wonderful.
Jul 4th, 2012, 09:38 AM
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Another vote for St. Lawrence Market.
I'm not a fan of Dufflets, I think it's more hype than taste, but that's only my opinion.
The Distillery District (where Mill Street is located) is interesting to wander around. http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/index.php I like Pure Spirits Oyster House for lunch or dinner.
Also Soma Chocolate
http://www.somachocolate.com/
The Senator Diner on Victoria near St. Mikes Hospital (Yonge/Dundas Sq.) is great for breakfast http://www.thesenator.com/
I'm not a fan of Dufflets, I think it's more hype than taste, but that's only my opinion.
The Distillery District (where Mill Street is located) is interesting to wander around. http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/index.php I like Pure Spirits Oyster House for lunch or dinner.
Also Soma Chocolate
http://www.somachocolate.com/
The Senator Diner on Victoria near St. Mikes Hospital (Yonge/Dundas Sq.) is great for breakfast http://www.thesenator.com/
Jul 4th, 2012, 10:19 AM
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Thanks for the advice. We will add St. Lawrence Market, Harbourfront, and Distillery District/ Soma Chocolate. What are the best bakeries? Are there any good Italian bakeries in Little Italy? I love Boston's and San Fran's Little Italy. Is it at the level?
Jul 4th, 2012, 10:21 AM
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Check NOW Magazine for festivals that weekend. You can pick it up free on just about any corner or google it.
If you're in the Spadina and Bloor area (known as the Annex), there's a very popular veg restaurant called Fresh. Have dinner and then walk west along Bloor to Bathurst -- nice funky shops, restaurants, lots of yogourt/topping places. I prefer Menchies. It's a nice walk in the university area.
If you're in the Spadina and Bloor area (known as the Annex), there's a very popular veg restaurant called Fresh. Have dinner and then walk west along Bloor to Bathurst -- nice funky shops, restaurants, lots of yogourt/topping places. I prefer Menchies. It's a nice walk in the university area.
Jul 5th, 2012, 06:57 AM
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Queen, Dundas and College St's west of Bathurst, then north from Queen to Dundas along Ossington is currently Toronto's foodie hub (with some spots a little further afield). This area includes Little Italy somewhat. Its generally a younger crowd (mid 20s - mid 40s), not sure if that appeals...
As mentioned Fresh is a great vegetarian place, though I prefer the Queen West location (at Crawford St.) and it has a great patio.
None of the restaurants in that area are crazy expensive, but they aren't 'cheap' either - mid priced for Toronto.
Some highlights in and around that area:
Pizzeria Libretto (Ossington St. great pizza, lively atmosphere) http://pizzerialibretto.com/
Bellwoods Brewery (Ossington St. the new hottest patio, beer tastings, good snack foods) http://bellwoodsbrewery.com/
Nadage (great bakery at Queen and Gore Vale) http://www.nadege-patisserie.com/
Enoteca Sociale (great modern italian place - Dundas St.) http://www.sociale.ca/
L'Ouvrier (contemporary Canadian - Dundas St.) http://louvrier.ca/
Woodlot (contemporary Canadian - College) http://www.woodlotrestaurant.com/
Hoopgood's Foodliner (contemporary east coast Canadian food - Parkdale) http://hopgoodsfoodliner.com/
La Carnita (great taco / mexican cantina - College St.) http://lacarnita.com/
The Country General (comfort food - Queen St.) http://thecountygeneral.ca/
loads of others if these don't work...
As mentioned Fresh is a great vegetarian place, though I prefer the Queen West location (at Crawford St.) and it has a great patio.
None of the restaurants in that area are crazy expensive, but they aren't 'cheap' either - mid priced for Toronto.
Some highlights in and around that area:
Pizzeria Libretto (Ossington St. great pizza, lively atmosphere) http://pizzerialibretto.com/
Bellwoods Brewery (Ossington St. the new hottest patio, beer tastings, good snack foods) http://bellwoodsbrewery.com/
Nadage (great bakery at Queen and Gore Vale) http://www.nadege-patisserie.com/
Enoteca Sociale (great modern italian place - Dundas St.) http://www.sociale.ca/
L'Ouvrier (contemporary Canadian - Dundas St.) http://louvrier.ca/
Woodlot (contemporary Canadian - College) http://www.woodlotrestaurant.com/
Hoopgood's Foodliner (contemporary east coast Canadian food - Parkdale) http://hopgoodsfoodliner.com/
La Carnita (great taco / mexican cantina - College St.) http://lacarnita.com/
The Country General (comfort food - Queen St.) http://thecountygeneral.ca/
loads of others if these don't work...
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Jun 26th, 2013, 06:47 AM
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You'll definitely find many vegetarian options in Kensington Market. Here are a few favourite restaurants in Kensington Market:
http://www.torontonicity.com/2011/07...n-market-eats/
Here's another beer festival at the University of Toronto:
http://www.torontonicity.com/2012/06...beer-festival/
Enjoy your visit!
http://www.torontonicity.com/2011/07...n-market-eats/
Here's another beer festival at the University of Toronto:
http://www.torontonicity.com/2012/06...beer-festival/
Enjoy your visit!
Jun 26th, 2013, 09:33 AM
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I love these threads because even though I live here, I don't know half of these places.
There's also a Pizza Libretto on the Danforth (Danforth Avenue) which is also a lovely place to walk on a summer's evening. There are tons of gelato and frozen yogurt places but trust me, save dessert for the Athens Bakery -- go there and have custard in phyllo or honey balls. You can get gelato anywhere but the Athens Bakery is special.
And if you'd rather have Greek food than pizza (since it's a mostly Greek neighbourhood) go to the Pantheon at 407 Danforth (near Chester).
There's also a Pizza Libretto on the Danforth (Danforth Avenue) which is also a lovely place to walk on a summer's evening. There are tons of gelato and frozen yogurt places but trust me, save dessert for the Athens Bakery -- go there and have custard in phyllo or honey balls. You can get gelato anywhere but the Athens Bakery is special.
And if you'd rather have Greek food than pizza (since it's a mostly Greek neighbourhood) go to the Pantheon at 407 Danforth (near Chester).
Jun 3rd, 2014, 07:38 AM
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Toronto is such an eclectic little city with so many pockets. I love it here and couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
St. Lawrence Market is a must. Every type of food imaginable, under one roof. You can not go wrong. The entire Danforth strip (not just the Greek spots) hosts a variety of restaurants from Thai, Ethiopian, Hakka, Indian, West Indian.... Ossington has a few really great bars and also some quaint food spots.
If you seek it you will find it, Toronto is just that kind of town.
St. Lawrence Market is a must. Every type of food imaginable, under one roof. You can not go wrong. The entire Danforth strip (not just the Greek spots) hosts a variety of restaurants from Thai, Ethiopian, Hakka, Indian, West Indian.... Ossington has a few really great bars and also some quaint food spots.
If you seek it you will find it, Toronto is just that kind of town.
