Toronto Food-Restaurants

Toronto Food-Restaurants information

Italian

Bar Italia ** 582 College St Tel: +1 416-535-3621 Bar Italia offers a selection of Italian dishes as well as delicious snacks. On weekends enjoy live R&B and jazz acts on the second floor. Café Diplomatico & Restaurant * 594 College St Tel: +1 416-534-4637 Enjoy an inexpensive and simple, delicious Italian meal. The patio is open when it is warm and this restaurant always seems full. There is also a dinner special every evening of the week. Grappa Ristorante *** 797 College St Tel: +1 416-535-3337 Warm, cozy atmosphere and simply divine Italian cuisine. If you have questions about what to drink, the ever-present owner knows his wines well.

French

Sassafraz *** 100 Cumberland Ave Tel: +1 416-964-2222 The speciality here is French cuisine, jazz brunches, a European garden and a cigar lounge. Enjoy people watching and even catch a glimpse of a celebrity in the refined interior. An extensive wine and champagne list complements the extensive, and expensive, menu.

Jewish

Free Times Café ** 320 College St Tel: +1 416-967-1078 The popular Free Times does a great authentic "Jewish Sunday Brunch" with over 40 items to choose from, as well as live Jewish entertainment.

Tex-Mex

The Lone Star ** 200 Front St West Tel: +1 416-408-4064 Enjoy a great selection of burgers, Tex-Mex and steak. If you think you are a big eater, Lone Star's 72-oz. sirloin steak challenge might make you think again. You have to eat everything within one hour and must let the restaurant know you are taking on their challenge 24-hours in advance. If you fail the challenge, you will have to pay the full CAD39.99 for your meal, succeed and it comes free. Milestone's Grill & Bar ** 132 John St Tel: +1 416-595-1990. This restaurant and bar chain offers an amazing selection of meals with American-sized portions. Save room for desert. There is a weekend brunch menu. And don't come here without knocking back a Bellini cocktail or two, a house speciality.

Vegetarian

Fresh by Juice for Life * 521 Bloor St West and 336 Queen St West Tel: +1 416-531-2635 and Tel: +1 416-599-4442 For healthy meals visit this vegan restaurant for an interesting and eclectic menu that takes its inspiration from a variety of global cultures and cuisines. The famous juice bar offers an extensive range of shakes, smoothies and cocktails.

Fusion

Kalendar Koffee House * 546 College St Tel: +1 416-923-4138 Nestled between Starbucks and a gourmet grocery store in Little Italy, Kalendar is has a romantic dining atmosphere. The menu offers light fare for lunch and dinner, and brunch on weekends. Check out the "naanettes" which are wraps made with naan bread. The menu is very vegetarian friendly. If you are looking for a drink to unwind Kalendar has a nice selection of martinis.

Mediterranean

Astoria Shish Kebob House * 390 Danforth Ave Tel: +1 416-463-2838 Watch the chefs cook up big souvlaki skewers in the front window of Astoria before stepping inside to enjoy the tasty Greek platters and big portions that form the cornerstone of this popular eatery. Jerusalem ** 955 Eglinton St West, York Tel: +1 416-783-6494. Dine here for a Middle Eastern taste and a fun atmosphere. Dip into hummus and babaganouj then enjoy the incredibly fresh and perfectly cooked fish or a combination dinner platter for two.

Japanese

Sushi Time ** 394 Bloor St West Tel: +1 416-323-2288 This Japanese restaurant offers great sushi and bento box combos as well as lunch time specials. Make sure to check out their creative versions of the classic California Roll.

Dessert

Future Bakery * 483 Bloor St West Tel: +1 416-922-5875 If you are a dessert lover, the Future Bakery is a must. With trendy décor and a relaxed atmosphere, it is a great place to sit back and enjoy a hot drink and one of the numerous dessert choices. Lunch fare is also offered.

Bars

Toronto's bars are an eclectic mixture of American beer halls and traditional English-style pubs, interspersed with a variety of less mainstream type bars. The best areas to explore to find yourself a traditional style drinking hole is the Entertainment district along Queen Street and Yonge Street. The variety of bars along here runs the whole gamut, from the wood and brass fittings of an English tavern to the gaudty neon of Toronto's exotic dancing clubs. Ultra-cosmopolitan Toronto's lively gay drinking district is located along Church Street and Wellesley, but the atmosphere is hardly ever exclusive. Head for the waterfront for good views across the bay to the Toronto islands, there are plenty of café-style bars among the restaurants and entertainment along the front. Meanwhile, several blocks north, upscale Yorkville is home to plenty of cafés and stylish bars if you want to get out of the centre. Explore any of these areas and you'll have little problem finding a place to suit, but here are a few recommendations of our favourite bars in the city that offer something a bit different from just drinking: C'est What? 67 Front St East Tel: +1 416-867-9499 This is a great place to eat, but an even better even stop for an amazing selection of 29 home brews on tap. Check out the hemp ale and the apricot lager. The atmosphere is cozy and there are usually great live bands with an indie-edge. The Wild Indigo 607 College St Tel: +1 416-536-8797 Offers a beautiful selection of martinis in a cozy and hip environment. The bartenders are always up for a chat at the bar as you nurse along a drink or two. Panorama Lounge 55 Bloor St West Tel: +1 416-967-0000 Located on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre this bar has an incredible view of the city, an outdoor patio and a romantic feel. Pilot Tavern 22 Cumberland St Tel: +1 416-923-5716 A traditional pub among the high-end boutiques, cafés and bistros of Yorkville the Pilot has established its reputation as the hangout for writers, artists and bohmeians. Despite the old timer tavern look it's become quite the chic place to drink. Indian Motorcycle Café and Lounge 355 King St West Tel: +1 416-593-6996 Dine downstairs then move upstairs for a drink, DJ and dance floor. There is no dress code or cover here, however, after 21h00, queues to get into the bar can be extremely long. Reservations are recommended for dinner. The Docks 11 Polson Avenue, at Cherry St Tel: +1 416-469-5655 This seasonal, after-work, adults' playground is open weekends only until Victoria Day weekend (May 20), then open seven days a week until September. Not only can you drink at the nightclub, but you can sit and play billiards in the pool, hit the climbing wall, go on the giant group swing and play volleyball, basketball or mini golf. There is also a patio restaurant which offers fantastic views over the city skyline.