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$ | The Beach |
Every boardwalk needs a solid burger place—and this cute takeout counter ably covers all bases, from burger and hot dog combos to soft serve and house-made canned cocktails.
1681 Lake Shore Blvd. E, Toronto, Ontario, M4L 3W6, Canada
Known For
- Crispy-edged smash burgers
- Cult-fave spicy chicken sandwich
- Psychedelic retro decor
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$ | West Queen West |
Toronto is filled with quick bubble tea—including many chains from Taiwan and other parts of Asia—but Icha Tea is a slower, homegrown shop that brews high-quality loose-leaf teas.
996 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H1, Canada
Known For
- Educational tea tastings
- Loose-leaf teas sourced from China
- For-sale plants from Springer Garden and fashion accessories by June Studio
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$ | Kensington Market |
In a neighborhood where the bohemian vegetarian lifestyle is the norm, King's Café has become a mainstay for artists, students, and young professionals seeking vegan grub with an Asian accent. The setting is a serene and airy eatery with wide windows looking out onto bustling Augusta Avenue.
192 Augusta Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2L6, Canada
Known For
- Vegan takes on dim sum classics
- Purple rice in lovely bento boxes
- Tea and spices for sale
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$ | Leslieville | American
This is the ultimate place to fuel up, and we're not just talking about the gas tank. Leslieville Pumps is a 24/7, kitschy gas station and general store with a look straight out of a John Wayne western. But—surprise!—it serves some of the best barbecue in town. Slow and low is their cooking philosophy, which they show off in tender pulled pork and brisket sandwiches. Country sides such as BBQ corn salad and Southern coleslaw make the meal complete. At 9 pm every night, the joint is busy serving up their curry and butter chicken with rice. It is the go-to place for cab drivers looking for a late-night bite.
929 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 1J6, Canada
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$ | Parkdale |
The Tibetan dumplings are super-tasty at this no-frills family-run counter-serve spot.
216 Close Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6K 2V5, Canada
Known For
- Daily menu written on chalkboard
- Cheap but delicious eats
- Friendly family staff
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | Kensington Market |
For a unique take on cheap eats, head east of Bathurst to Market 707, a strip of food stalls built out of repurposed shipping containers. Highlights include poutine at Nom Nom Nom; authentic lamb-fat-infused Damascus-style shawarmas and burgers from Chef Harwash; soul-warming Filipino at Kanto by Tita Flips; and authentic Japanese rice balls stuffed with burdock and red miso pork, along with other hearty staples from Omosubi Bar Suzume.
707 Dundas St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2W6, Canada
Known For
- Huge variety of cuisines available
- Street-side eating
- Innovative urban design
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Yonge and Eglinton |
Asian desserts are all the rage in Toronto, so find out what everyone's talking about at this Korean favorite that specializes in organic milk soft-serve ice cream layered with toppings like cotton candy, honeycomb, and jelly beans.
2651 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2J6, Canada
Known For
- Soft serve with exciting toppings
- Mouth-watering macarons
- Loaded crepes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | West Queen West |
This hot-pink patisserie is a top destination for Torontonians with a sweet tooth. Long glass cases are filled with French macarons, cakes, and fanciful pastries, as well as savory options like croissant sandwiches and salads, while the walls are lined with a candy shop's worth of sweets (all made in-house). There's delicious espresso, as well as ice cream offered in a second storefront around back.
780 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2R5, Canada
Known For
- Location on the corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park
- Chocolates in cute packaging
- Rainbow-color macarons
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$ | Queen's Park |
Whether you're in need of an espresso, a pour-over, a hojicha tea latte, a sandwich, or a gorgeous slice of cake, this modern Japanese café has you covered.
770 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Top-quality local espresso
- House-made baked goods
- Industrial-chic interior
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$ | Old Town |
Located on a quiet side street, NEO COFFEE BAR is a well-loved shop that serves quality coffees and teas, with a focus on creating Japanese fusion pastries. Opened in 2015, the shop’s beautiful space combines the best of Japanese and Scandinavian design with its warm wood finishes, concrete surfaces, and minimalist furniture, which has won it design accolades. Aesthetics aside, NEO is a warm and hip community hub with a loyal clientele due to its friendly service and use of quality, organic ingredients to create delicious drinks and sweets; popular menu items are the matcha latte and roll cakes, as well as seasonal drinks and pastries.
161 Frederick St., Toronto, Ontario, M5A 4P3, Canada
Known For
- Matcha latte made from Uji Matcha from Kyoto
- In-house-made roll cakes
- Seasonal drinks and pastries
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Debit and credit cards only
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$ | North York |
This legendary deli has been serving kosher-style kishkes, knishes, and oversize smoked-meat-on-rye sandwiches for four generations.
3856 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ontario, M3H 3N3, Canada
Known For
- Towering meat sandwiches
- Traditional matzo ball soup
- Shareable platters
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$ | Leslieville |
Pilot is known for roasting some of the city's finest beans and running a growing mini-empire of cafés; this spacious, laid-back location was their first. (Be sure to peruse the bags of beans on display and grab a couple for your suitcase.)
983 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Top-notch espresso
- Chill front patio
- Variety of coffee gear for sale
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$ | Yorkville |
If you want your latte made by a robot, this is the spot to get it. The first location of a new automated coffee kiosk concept that's slowly creeping across the city, the Robo Café makes the specialty espresso-based coffee drinks like cappuccinos, cortados, and flat whites---complete with ice or oat milk---you'll find at indie coffee shops throughout the city, but taking the barista out of the equation. A step above vending machine coffee (they actually don't use the "v" word), it's a blue window with a screen where you press in your order, pay with a tap of your debit card, and then you're on your way.
1255 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2A9, Canada
Known For
- High-quality coffee made by a robot
- Alternative milk options like almond and oat
- Iced drinks in the summertime
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$ | Parkdale |
In a city filled with independent "third wave" coffee bars, competition-trained espresso guru Sam James is a pioneer of lovingly made cappuccinos and lattes. The big, open, black-and-white styled Parkdale shop is filled with friendly local characters, a laid-back vibe, and an on-site bakery.
6 Brock Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6K 1L7, Canada
Known For
- Skilled baristas and flavorful coffee
- Freshly made sourdough from baker Patti Robinson
- Friendly neighborhood vibe
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$ | Distillery District |
Try adventurous, rich ice cream and vegan sorbetto flavors such as Mango Passion Fruit, Cajeta Swirled Goat Cheese, or Roses of Paradise at Scooped by Demetres. This spot is owned and operated by beloved Toronto dessert shop Demetres, which has been creating artisanal, handcrafted ice creams for more than 30 years. Their creations are made with the finest ingredients sourced from around the world, such as chocolates from Belgium and vanilla from Indonesia, resulting in a rotating menu of 20 decadent and memorable flavors. Make sure to get your scoop (or two) in their famous waffle cone, which is freshly made in-store.
46 Gristmill La., Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3C4, Canada
Known For
- Rotating menu of 20 memorable ice cream flavors
- Vegan sorbetto flavors
- Freshly made waffle cones in-store
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$ | Yorkville |
Yorkville is filled with ice cream and gelato shops, but Summer's is the most beloved. A family-run shop since the '80s, this ice cream parlor doesn't do anything fancy or trendy but excels with the classic, made-in-house flavors. There are always at least 26 of them, with favorites like chocolate fudge brownie, pralines 'n' cream, and Toronto Pothole (a little bit of everything) often seen on cones throughout the village.
101 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1C1, Canada
Known For
- Family-friendly service
- Prime location for people-watching
- Homemade ice cream with plenty of flavors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Little Italy |
If you're craving a specific ice cream flavor or topping, chances are this long-standing ice cream parlor will have it ready to go.
566 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- 30-plus flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt
- Throwback treats like banana splits
- Colorful retro interior
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$ | Little Italy |
Known for hefty, soft-centered cookies, from Oreo and s'more to Filipino-inspired delicacies, this bakery also ships its wares across Canada and the United States (in case you get a craving once you're back at home).
825 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known For
- Rotating cookie flavors like ube and pandan
- Coffee and glasses of milk to drink
- Gelato options in summertime
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Parkdale |
Parkdale has a number of great momo places, but Tibet Kitchen stands out with a cozy sit-down atmosphere and a menu that takes just enough liberties with classic recipes. Chicken, beef, and veggie dumplings are all great, but you can also get them doused in mild curry broth or a sweet, tangy tamarind sauce.
1544 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6R 1A6, Canada
Known For
- Chili chicken with rave reviews
- Good portion sizes
- Spacious back patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
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$ | Dundas Square Area |
TSUJIRI is a popular Japanese dessert café that came to the city in 2016 and introduced new ways to experience authentic and high-quality Japanese matcha, in the form of innovative drinks and sweets. Popular menu items include their green-tea soft serve, matcha rare cheesecake, and o-matcha espresso.
147 Dundas St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 0A8, Canada
Known For
- High-quality and authentic Japanese matcha
- Innovative matcha desserts
- Green-tea-flavored soft serve ice cream
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Cash not accepted
