Hey Toronto do you enjoy dining al fresco? If so, this list was made for you!
Fine french cooking? We’ve got it! Classic pub fare? You bet! Indian dishes that will have your tastebuds dancing with joy? For sure! What about pasta that will have you shouting MAMMA MIA!? Oh we might have a few options. 😉 Longing for a beer to quench your thirst? How about an instagram worthy cocktail? Maybe a chilled pinot? Come clink glasses and celebrate summer.
Scroll on to discover must try menu items from some of our local patios. Your table is waiting!
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Le Papillon on Front
Must Try Menu Items:
Appetizer: French Onion Soup – Since 1974, we have been known for our French Onion Soup, made with white wine, topped with toasted bread smothered in melted Gruyere cheese.
Main Course: Lamb Shank – Slowly braised in our merlot-tomato sauce, served with daily potatoes and vegetables.
Dessert: Creme Brulee – French vanilla cream custard topped with a layer of caramelized sugar, it is yummy and gluten free!
69 Front Street East, 416-367-0303
Tues – Sat: 4pm – 10pm
Instagram:@lepapillononfront
www.papillononfront.com
Cantina Mercatto
Must Try Menu Items:
Appetizer: Calamari Fritti – Fried calamari with shishito pepper & fennel crema.
Main Course: Chitarra alla Carbonara – Fresh pasta topped with pancetta, Conestoga Farms yolk, black pepper & pecorino.
Main Course (Friday Only): House Ground Short Rib & Brisket Burger – House burger with oregano crema, spicy bomba, smoked scamorza, fries.
20 Wellington Street East, 416-304-0781
Tues – Sat: 12 – 8pm
Instagram: @mercatto.to
www.mercattoto.myshopify.com
Benares
Must Try Menu Items:
Main: Butter Chicken – Chicken cooked in an onion, ginger, tomato, creamy sauce.
Main: Prawns Coconut Curry – Prawns cooked in a coconut, curry leaf sauce.
Main: Lamb Methi – Tender Lamb cooked in a fenugreek, garlic, tomato creamy sauce.
49 Front Street East, 416-955-9000
Open: 12pm – 10pm
www.benares.ca
Goose Island Brewhouse Toronto
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Fresh Craft Beer Brewed Right in the middle of Old Town Toronto! – A selection of seasonal, rotating craft beers, brewed fresh right here on the Esplanade. From crisp Pilsners to robust IPA’s to creamy Nitro Stouts, we have something for every taste. We are always pouring fresh fan favourites and new innovations, so stop by the brewhouse or visit our online menu to see what’s on tap today!
Appetizer: Seared Honey Tuna Sashimi – Seared tuna sashimi with Asian vermicelli vegetables, finished with a light honey soy drizzle.
Main Course: Chicken or Pork Schnitzel – Hand breaded, fried crisp and finished with lemon butter. Served with Emmental Cheese spaetzle, braised cabbage and pan gravy.
70 The Esplanade, 416-862-7575
Sun – Wed: 11:30am – 10pm. Thurs – Sat: 11:30am – 12am.
Instagram:@gooseislandca
www.gooseisland.ca/menu
The Corner Place
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Pink Lemonade – Vodka, Malibu, Cranberry, Lemon, Sprite
Main Course: CP Breakfast – 2 eggs, bacon, sausage, pemeal bacon, smashed red potatoes, toast and fresh fruits. (Great for hangovers 😉 )
Main Course: Tuna Tataki Salad – Yellow Fin Tuna, spring mix, cherry tomatoes, radish, edamame beans, nori, shaved almonds, sesame seeds, scallions, avocado, Japanese dressing
11 Jarvis Street, 416-850-1738
Instagram:@thecornerplace
www.thecornerplace.ca
C’est What?
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Al’s Cask Ale -A mini-cask of Al’s Cask Ale. An all-Cascade hopped, malt-forward, smooth, sessionable pale ale in the tradition of an English bitter. Nitro-infused, cask-in-a-can: For best flavour and presentation, shake five times, wait five seconds, open and pour into the centre of a pint glass.
Main Course: Jambalaya – Chicken, house-made chorizo, shrimp, and rice in a piquant tomato-vegetable sauce.
Main Course: Bison Burger – Extra lean, minced bison grilled to medium, lettuce, tomato-onion chutney, onion straws, coleslaw.
67 Front Street East, 416-867-9499
Tues – Fri: 4pm – 10 pm. Sat: 12pm – 10pm. Sun: 12pm – 8pm.
(Closes one hour later on front patio.)
Instagram: @cestwhatto
www.cestwhat.com/fooddrink
Balzac’s Coffee Roasters
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Sparking Lemonade – Available in Raspberry Hibiscus or Mint Cucumber, our sparkling lemonade is a refreshing taste of summer served in a to-go cup.
Drink: Iced Americano – Double long FairTrade Organic Espresso shot poured over ice, topped up with cold water.
Drink: Iced Café Canadien – Double short or long FairTrade Organic Espresso shot poured over ice with a shot of organic maple syrup and a generous amount of cold 2% milk.
10 Market Street, 416-368-4949
Mon – Fri: 7:30am – 5pm. Sat: 7:30am – 6pm. Sun: 8am – 5pm.
Instagram: @balzacscoffee
www.shop.balzacs.com/pages/market-street
Cafe Oro di Napoli
Must Try Menu Items:
Appetizer: Calamari alla Griglia – Grilled calamari, diced tomatoes, Kalamata olives, scallions, white wine, charred lemon
Main Course: Pappardelle Osso Buco – Homemade pappardelle, braised veal osso buco ragu, rosemary, grana padano, olive oil drizzle
Main Course: Prosciutto e Burrata Pizza – San Marzano tomato sauce, prosciutto di Parma, burrata, garlic, oregano, basil, olive oil
75 Jarvis Street, 416-315-7979
Mon – Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Instagram: @cafeorodinapoli
www.cafeorodinapoli.ca
Le Petit Dejeuner / Bar Noir
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Guinness Irish Stout – Brand new to Bar Noir. A dark bar needs a dark beer. Pouring perfectly.
Main Course: Waffles Benedict Style – Famous Belgian Waffle served with a poached egg and hollandaise with a selection of different proteins. Most popular being the house smoked salmon.
Main Course: Fish Burger – Beer battered haddock fish with lettuce apple slaw, house made tartar sauce and pickles. Served with fries or salad.
191 King Street East, 416-703-1560
Sat & Sun Brunch 9am-3pm. Wed – Sun Bar Noir 4pm-2am
Instagram: @barnoirto
www.petitdejeuner.ca
Aroma Espresso Bar
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Berry Iced Tea Lemonade: An aroma signature! Mixed Berry tea mixed with sweetened lemonade and served over ice.
Appetizer: Spanakopita – Traditional savoury Greek pie made with perfectly crispy phyllo pastry, fresh spinach, feta and ricotta cheese.
Main Course: Kale Chicken Caesar Salad – Shredded kale massaged with our house-made Caesar dressing, topped with freshly-grated Grana Padano cheese, grilled chicken breast and house-baked garlic croutons.
20 Wellington Street East, 647-748-6300
Open: 8am – 6pm
Instagram: @aromacanada
www.facebook.com/AromaCanada/menu/?ref=page_internal
Old Spaghetti Factory
Appetizer: Classic Meatballs – Four of our famous hand rolled all beef meatballs in a pesto cream and marinara sauce.
Main Course: Roasted Garlic Grilled Chicken – A breast of chicken marinated with garlic and lemon and then grilled. Served over linguine noodles tossed with roasted garlic butter and topped with pesto tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
Main Course: Spaghetti Carbonara – An Italian classic made with fresh eggs, parmesan cheese, pancetta and a healthy dose of fresh cracked pepper.
54 The Esplanade, 416-864-9761
Open: 12pm – 9pm
Instagram: @oldspaghettifactoryto
www.oldspaghettifactory.ca/locations/toronto/
CC Lounge & Whisky Bar
Must Try Menu Items:
Appetizer: Greco Balls – A taste of 1920s with a twist of 2020s. In-House Sausage rolled in Pizza Dough, served with our homemade marinara sauce. (6 Pcs)
Main Course: The Pepperoni – Detroit Style Pizza, Loaded w/ Pepperoni, Detroit Cheese Blend, Tomato Sauce, Fresh basil
Main Course: The Arugula Prosciutto Flatbread – Delicious Flatbread with Prosciutto, Arugula, Parmesan, Cracked Pepper, Tomato and Fennel Jam, Balsamic Reduction
45 Front Street East, 416-362-4777
Open: Wed – Sun
Instagram:@cconfront
www.cconfront.com
Biff’s Bistro
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: The Prince of Monacco – Dilion’s Selby pineapple gin, fresh orange juice, sage syrup, Marrakech bitters.
Appetizer: Truffled Brie – Hand wrapped in filo pastry, laced with truffle and baked. Served with grilled baguette.
Dessert: Creme Brûlée – Classic vanilla.
4 Front Street East, 416-860-0086
Open: 2pm – 9pm
Instagram: @biffsbistro
www.biffsbistro.com
Pearl Diver
Must Try Menu Items:
Appetizer: Pearl Seafood Tower – 12 oysters, crab, tuna, mussels & shrimp
Main Course: PEI Mussels – Garlic, chilli, lemongrass, ginger, green onion, cilantro in coconut cream
Main Course: PD Burger – Dry aged beef, caramelized onions, arugula, pickles & PD secret sauce
100 Adelaide Street East, 416-366-7827
Open: 4pm – 10pm
Instagram: @Pearldiverto
www.Pearldiver.to
Gabby’s
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Beer – 11 fresh beers on tap. Ask us for recommendations!
Main Course: Wings – Fresh from St Lawrence Market, 1/2 price Mondays & Wednesdays.
189 King Street East, 416-703-7771
Mon – Sun: 12pm – 2 am. Sun: Closed.
Instagram: @Gabbystoronto
www.Gabbys.ca
Duke’s Refresher and Bar
Must Try Menu Items:
Main Course: Pizza – Made-in-house dough. Premium toppings. Scratch made sauces.
Main Course: Renegade Chicken – From sandwiches to fingers, it is Chicken with an attitude. Try it to believe it.
Main Course: Epic Burgers – Cooked fresh to order on our flat top. Buns baked in house.
73a Front Street East, 416-603-8826
Open: 4pm – late
Instagram: @dukesrefresherslm
www.dukesrefresher.ca/st-lawrence-market/
Mangia & Bevi
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Aperol Spritz & Spritz Francese – Aperol Spritz – Prosecco / Aperol / San Pellegrino / Orange Slice
Spritz Francese – St. Germain / Prosecco / San Pellegrino / Lime / Mint
Appetizer: Insalata Carpaccio – Carpaccio – Crusted Pepper Beef Tenderloin / Arugula / Lemon / Parmigiano / Truffle Oil
Main Course: Vongole – Fresh Spaghetti / Fresh Clams / Onions / Garlic / Chillies / Leeks / White Wine
260 King Street East Unit A103, 416-613-1236
Instagram: @mangiabevii
www.mbresto.com
HOTHOUSE
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Raspberry Gin Lemonade – An invigorating blend of equal parts Bull Dog Gin and Lychee Liqueur finished with fresh-pressed and additive-free raspberry lemonade!
Appetizer: Mediterranean Mezze Platter – Baba ganoush, hummus, labneh, house pickled turnips, cornichons, olives, roasted red peppers and grilled naan bread with za’atar.
Main Course: Tuna Poke Bowl – Yellowfin tuna marinated in soy sauce, ginger, garlic, rice wine vinegar, seasoned jasmine rice, avocado, edamame, cucumber, heirloom carrots, pickled ginger, furikake sprinkle. (Contains seeds.)
35 Church Street, 416-366-7800
Mon – Tues: 11am – 10pm. Fri: 11am to 10:30pm. Sat & Sun: 10am – 10:30pm.
Instagram: @hothouserestaurant
www.hothouserestaurant.com
Ardo
Must Try Menu Items:
Main Course: Gnocchi – Gnocchi, Italian porcini & local mushrooms, heirloom carrots, cream, parmigiano cheese.
Main Course: Milazzo Pizza – Fior di latte, mascarpone, cantaloupe, 24 months Italian prosciutto, basil.
Dessert: Mandorla – House made almond semifreddo (Sicilian gelato style), Modica Bonajuto chocolate sauce, roasted almonds.
243 King Street East, 647-347-8930
Open: 5pm – 10pm
Instagram: @ardorestaurant
www.ardorestaurant.com
beerbistro
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Hacker Pschorr Lager – This beer is only one of two that has constantly been on our menu from the very first day we opened. This blonde lager is the finest interpretation of what is the most popular family of beers in the world, and is dry, not too bitter and driven by malt.
Appetizer: Belgian Frites – These frites have made so many Top 10 lists we’ve lost count! Golden crispy Belgian-Style frites, blanched in beef tallow & duck fat. Dip in our house-made aioli and smoked tomato ketchup, or get a side of Lager & Cheese fondue for a decadent snack!
Main Course: Mussels (Belgian White or Red Thai) – 1½ lb steamed in beer broth served with a loaf of our fresh buttermilk bread.
18 King Street East, 416-861-9872
Mon–Thurs 11:30am – 10pm. Fri: 11:30am – Midnight. Sat: 1pm – Midnight. Sun: 1pm – 10pm.
Instagram: @beerbistrotoronto
www.beerbistro.com
Score on King
Must Try Menu Items:
Drink: Score Margarita – You deserve a margarita. You’ve earned it.
Appetizer: Nachos – If you love Nachos, say no more! We suggest adding our BBQ pulled pork!
Main Course: Miami Ribs – These Korean style BBQ beef ribs are marinated in our Chef Issac’s Grandmothers secret recipe. Trust us, this dish is BBQ at it’s finest!
107 King Street E, 416-519-4654
Daily: 11am-1am
Instagram: @scoreonking
www.scoreonking.com
