14 cool and fun restaurants in Toronto

Annabelle Schweineberg

As Assist. Marketing & Communications Manager Annabelle knows the concept of Le Petit Chef like no other. If you have any questions, she is the right person to contact.

Situated on the Northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is the capital city of the province of Ontario in Canada. “Peameal Bacon Sandwich” is the locals famous secret, a cooked peameal bacon (a back bacon) on a Kaiser roll, topped with mustard. But that’s not it! Toronto has so much more to offer! We invite you on a journey, exploring 14 cool and fun restaurants in Toronto!

Tip #1: Kinka Izakaya

“Transport yourself to Japan” is the slogan of Toronto’s answer to a Japanese pub. On a communal table enjoy sizzling stone rice bowls, Japanese curries and Udon. Oshizushi, pressed sushi, blow torched to order and Japanese tapas varieties are on the menu as well. The restaurant introduces guests to Japanese cuisine beyond just sushi. Meals are made to share, which is traditional in Japanese culture.

Not only is the food menu worth a try, also the Drinks menu is very special in its own way. Japanese influenced cocktails, a variety of sake, the traditional rice wine and also typical non alcoholic drinks are featured on the menu. “Kinka” stands for Happiness in Japan. Since 2009 the restaurant has been serving Happiness through food at the Harbourfront.

Lunch Hours: Sat – Mon: Closed, Tue – Fri: 11.30 am – 2.00 pm ; Dinner Hours: Sun – Thu: 05.00 pm – 10.30 pm, Fri – Sat: 05.00 pm – 11.00 pm
Kinka Izakaya 110 Harbour St Toronto, ON M5J 0B7
(647) 348-0110
harbourfront@kinkaizakaya.com

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Le Petit Chef

Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #2: Canoe

Canoe is considered as one of the most romantic dining spots in Toronto. How could it not be, with this view? Canadian cuisine is served with a breathtaking view on the 54th floor of a downtown office building. Beautiful light at night, amazing view over the city and Lake Ontario for lunch. This restaurant, in the top ranking of Canada’s 100 best restaurants list, celebrates executive chef Ron McKinlays fine Canadian dining ideas with an eight-course tasting menu.

Almost 30 years of experience serving people is what Canoe brings on the table. The chefs McKinlay and District Executive Chef John Horne work closely with farmers and buy locally sourced and seasonal ingredients for their changing menus. The farm to table restaurant works with over 30 suppliers in the whole country to source their ingredients fresh.

Lunch: Mon – Fri: 11.45 am – 1.15 pm ; Dinner: Mon – Fri: 5 pm – 9.30 pm ; Bar: Mon – Fri: 11.45 am – 11.30 pm ; Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Canoe 66 Wellington St. W, TD Bank Tower, 54th Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada M5K 1H6
(416) 364-0054
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Tip #3: WVRST

In for some authentic German food in Toronto? The German beer and sausage hall caters to all your needs of a typical German beer garden experience. A big variety of German sausages, wild meat types like Bison or Duck, but also vegetarian and vegan options, like their Mediterranean sausage and their vegan black bean promises fun for the tastebuds for all kinds of diets. Schnitzel Sandwiches, Bavarian Pretzels and their famous Duck Fat Fries someone can’t pass.

Twenty taps of local beers and ciders and a long menu list of imported alcoholics go hand in hand with the German style food and make sure, the German foodie experience is completed. Bar seating and the very traditional long communal beer garden tables, seat folks after ordering at the counter and getting a number. In Octoberfest style, meals and drinks come to your table!

King West Hours: Mon – Thu: 11.30 am – 11 pm, Fri – Sat: 11.30 am – midnight, Sun: 11.30 am – 9 pm ; Union Station Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.30 am – 10 pm, Sun: 11.30 am – 8 pm
WVRST 609 King Street West Toronto ON M5V 1M5 ; Lower Level Union Station 65 Front Street West Toronto, On M5J 1E6
(416) 703-7775 (King Street) ; (416) 283-3251 (Union Station)
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Tip #4: Mildred’s Temple Kitchen

Let’s go to Mildred’s – is what foodies in Toronto since the 70’s say. In the heart of Liberty Village Brunch lovers from all over the world, but also from Toronto, savor on the fluffiest pancakes in town. Not to fool you, Mildred’s is an almost all day (until 3pm) restaurant, but their breakfast is famous. Blueberry pancakes, Huevos rancheros and poached egg sandwiches are breakfast items food lovers wait in line for.

It doesn’t surprise that the restaurant published its own cookbook “Out to Brunch” and they even have a Mildred’s pantry, where you can take dry mixes (like a Mildred’s pancake kit) and more of your favorite breakfast items, home. Comfort food and convivial vibes combined!

Tip #5: Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery

It’s an ice cream shop, not a restaurant. But Bang Bang is so cool and much fun. So cool and fun, that people stand in line for ice cream sandwiches, super unique flavors and Hong Kong style bubble waffles all summer long. Sometimes even after hours. The bakery in the back of the house produces a variety of goodies like their special Cinnibun, Chiffon cake or the Puff.

Good news: You can have ice cream served in almost everything they produce.

The freezer case in the small shop offers pints and grab-and-go ice cream sandwiches. Flavors are as unique as they sound: Banana Pudding Custard, Burnt Toffee, Matcha-Genmaicha Tiramisu, Maltease Me, to mention just a handful of them.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Le Petit Chef

Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #6: Fat Pasha

This restaurant is even iconic for its name. Fat Pasha is a funky Middle-Eastern inspired restaurant, serving Israeli and Sephardic food in the Annex neighborhood. Chef and owner Anthony Rose is serving street food like mezze spreads, shawarma and mixed grilled meat options, but also caters to Vegetarians and Vegans.

The tahini-smothered cauliflower and the whole roasted cauliflower with skhug, tahini, halloumi, pomegranate and pine nuts at Fat Pasha are famous. They can be enjoyed on their generous outdoor patio seating, as well as the creamy hummus with crispy falafel and baba ganoush.

Tip #7: Tilt Arcade Bar

When it comes to fun restaurants in Toronto, Tilt is unlimited fun! Toronto’s largest retro arcade offers unlimited play for $10. Play pinball, console booth and a variety of arcade machines – but don’t forget to eat! Tilt’s menu is as much fun as the games. Typical bar food at its best. Corn Dogs, Mach&Cheese bites, deep fried pickle tokens with buttermilk ranch sauce can only be topped by the desserts: Deep fried cookies and candy bars served with chocolate dipping sauce.

Visiting Tilt Arcade Bar is time traveling back to much childhood fun. The fully licensed bar, with a wide selection of beers, reminds you of being an adult. Gladly! Minors are welcome to play, eat and hang until 8pm. The Downtown bar is a fun restaurant for old fashioned eats and plays.

Tip #8: Bobbie Sue’s Mac&Cheese

Mac&Cheese is life! Kids and adults all over the planet would confirm this saying. And they would go crazy over Bobbie Sue’s Mac&Cheese. The “hole in the wall “ has been serving comfort food since 2015. Owner Frederic and Nicholas Laliberté are using a bechamél base, with a five cheese blend for their classic Mac & Cheese.

The traditional version of the comfort food can be spiked up with extras. Pulled chicken or pork, broccoli or house buffalo sauce. The vegan mac is made with their in house made cashew blend and soy bacon bits. Even gluten free mac are available.

The small restaurant is take out only. The colorful shack has a big take out window and offers mac to go, perfect for a sunny day and lunch in the park.

Tip #9: Sportsnet Grill

For all sports enthusiasts seeking great fan-favorite food and a lively atmosphere, visit Sportsnet Grill, one of the best sports bars in Toronto. Located in the Marriott City Center Hotel, this modern sports bar offers stunning views into the Rogers Centre and plenty of TV screens to catch major sporting events.

Sportsnet Grill offers ballpark-style food with an upscale twist. ‘The pre-game warm-up’ appetizers include ‘Touchdown Tacos,’ ‘Match Point Meatballs,’ and ‘Slam Dunk Sliders.’ ‘The Main Event’ meals include Fish & Chips and Steak Frites, as well as a Chef’s Seasonal Weekly Special. When reservations are open for the season, window tables with panoramic views of the Blue Jays‘ batting practice and home games are bookable for a viewing fee of $10 per person.

Tip #10: Simit & Chai

No, this is not just a bagel restaurant! Simit & Chai produces, daily fresh in house, the most ancient form of a bagel: Simit. First references of Simit are found in 1525. The origin of the molasses dipped and sesame rolled circular bread is in Istanbul. Simit & Chai is serving the vegan bread as different lunch sandwiches. With smoked salmon, smoked meat, but also all vegan with smashed fava beans.

Owner John and Dee Ulgen operate the Turkish bakery and cafe in a spacious, modern space with high ceilings. Don’t miss taking a glance at the kitchen, when ordering your food. The simit is baked from adapted family recipes and served not just with chai, but also with Turkish coffee. Brunch options are also available. The typical Shakshouka, poached eggs in a tomato sauce with bell peppers, but also a “Vegan Nest” for plant-based eaters.

Tip #11: The Shameful Tiki Room

You wanna escape into another world? The Shameful Tiki Room is your choice of a fun restaurant in Toronto. It’s the daughter of Vancouver’s Shameful Tiki Room and a vintage style themed Tiki Bar. Opened 2015 in Toronto’s Parkdale neighborhood, owned by Rod Moore, the bar has capacity for 70 people and offers fun cocktails, bowls and eats.

Rum based cocktails with names like “Pain Killer”, “Cobra’s Fang” or “Zombie” are the main items of the drink menu. For good drinkers Tiki Room offers alcoholic bowls to share between two or three people. The menu consists of bar food, like Crab Rangoon, Spring rolls (vegan), Coconut Shrimp or Popcorn Cauliflower. Sandwiches, Fried rice and chicken tenders are also part of the Tiki Room bar menu.

Tip #12: O.Noir

O.NOIR is a “Blind” restaurant. It’s based on the involvement of people with disabilities. The original concept of O.NOIR was to show the difficulties a blind person struggles with in this world. But also to increase the sensitivity of the taste buds and smell. Customers sit in a completely dark room enjoying their meal, they can’t see what they are eating. Founder Moe Alameddine invites to this sensory experience restaurant in Downtown Toronto.

Customers are greeted by a host who explains the concept of the restaurant and takes the orders. After being seated, the lights are turned off and the guests are served by visually impaired or blind servers. The restaurant caters to special dietary restrictions, but serves meat and vegetarian options as well. Even a surprise menu can be ordered.

Tip #13: 360. The restaurant at the CN Tower

First to admit: This is not a restaurant for the small wallet. The 360 restaurant at the CN Tower is fine dining with a breathtaking view. If you are a guest at the panoramic view Downton restaurant, you can’t just sip on a coffee. A minimum food purchase of $75 is actually easy to achieve. Customers enjoy their meal 1,151 feet above the ground and the rotation completes every 72 minutes.

Regional ingredients are accompanied by Canadian wines from the “Cellar in the sky”, which holds over 9000 bottles, featuring over 500 wines from around the world. The several awards winning, cool restaurant in Toronto, has also been voted as the “most romantic place to eat”. If you are a beer drinker, 360 has its own beer, created in partnership with Railway City Brewing in St. Thomas, Ontario.

Tip #14: Snakes and Lattes

Snakes and Lattes is the first and biggest board game bar and restaurant in North America. The headquarter is the 2010 opened Annex Toronto location. The concept by Ben Castanie and Aurelia Peynet expanded successfully and is operating three Toronto and five US venues. Guests can choose from 1000 to 3000 games (depending on the location) and can spend as much time in the restaurant as they like.

The menu offers a good variety of Canadian comfort food, like Flatbreads, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Pressed Cubano or Truffle Mac & Cheese. For the sweet tooth Sundays and Milkshakes are offered on the dessert menu. The restaurant features great options for vegans. Beer, Cocktails and Drink specials are featured.

Board Games and food in a fun environment, interacting with other people while eating, drinking and playing, is the concept of the good sized restaurant space, which seats up to 450 people (depending on location). That makes it perfect for events. Private rooms are available for birthday parties. Trivia, karaoke and themed nights with special menus are published on their webpage. Snakes and Lattes is definitely one of the coolest restaurants in Toronto!

Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!