DUNDAS WEST
(Garrison, Dakota, Painted Lady)
LAKEVIEW 1132 Dundas West, at Ossington, 416-850-8886, thelakeviewrestaurant.ca
The after-hours lineups at this round-the-clock diner are so intense, you’d swear it was brunchtime. But should you snag a booth, you’ll be treated to traditional diner chow, all-day breakfast, loaded-up poutines, cheap craft beer deals and the almighty pie shake. 24/7. Licensed.
OSSINGTON STOP 1164 Dundas West, at Ossington, 416-537-3535, ossingtonstop.ca
This bar does a brisk traffic in $4 brews and shots (no mixed drinks!), but it also serves booze-absorbing snacks like dumplings, mac ‘n’ cheese and steamed Russian pork buns until well after last call. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday 4 pm to midnight, Thursday 4 pm to 2 am, Friday and Saturday 4 pm to 4 am. Licensed.
NORTH OF BROOKLYN 1181 Dundas West, at Ossington, 647-927-5200, northofbrooklyn.com
North of Brooklyn’s Dundas location is a stand-alone counter nestled within Get Well Bar. Fresh Neapolitan-style slices range from traditional (margherita, pepperoni) to decidedly Torontonian (kale and bacon). Head back to the bar for a pint of the on-cask special and there’s your post-show wind-down period sorted. Daily 5 pm to 2 am. Licensed.
HANGOVER HELPER: SAVING GRACE 907 Dundas West, at Bellwoods, 416-703-7368
Recover from last night’s debauchery with a nice civilized brunch at this beloved Dundas West spot. You may have to wait your turn for a table, and service might be a tad slow, but sweet fruit-topped French toast and spicy eggs Rajasthan will be your reward. Monday to Friday 9 am to 2:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 2:30 pm.
COLLEGE
(Silver Dollar, Rancho Relaxo, Sneaky Dee’s, Coalition)
LET’S BE FRANK 460 Spadina, at College, 416-519-7256, lets-be-frank.ca
Once a food truck, now a hot dog shack, Let’s Be Frank is conveniently positioned just south of the Silver Dollar and the Comfort Zone and around the corner from Rancho Relaxo for optimal post-show munching. You can even get Dine Alone-branded BBQ and hot sauces on your kimchi- or macaroni-topped franks. Monday to Wednesday noon to midnight, Thursday noon to 2 am, Friday and Saturday noon until late , Sunday noon to 8 pm. Licensed.
MARS FOOD 432 College, at Bathurst, 416-921-6332
Open since 1951 and overhauled in 2014, Mars has the distinction of being open round the clock on Fridays and Saturdays (minus a break in the late evening). Were the club sandwiches and dirty breakfasts better pre- or post-revamp? That’s up for debate, but are you going to quibble at 5:30 am? Monday to Thursday 7 am to 7 pm, Friday from 7 am to Sunday 7 pm (closes briefly Friday and Saturday 7-11 pm).
SNEAKY DEE’S 431 College, at Bathurst, 416-603-3090, sneaky-dees.com
Chowing down on a King’s Crown nacho platter while waiting for the ringing in your ears to fade is a time-honoured festival tradition. In recent years, Sneaky’s teamed up with luminaries like Fucked Up, Death from Above 1979 and Lights to create over-the-top signature dishes. Come back in 12 hours for unsophisticated, if hangover-curing, Tex-Mex brunch. Monday and Tuesday 11 am to 3 am, Wednesday and Thursday 11 am to 4 am, Friday 11 am to 4:30 am, Saturday 9 am to 4:30 am, Sunday 9 am to 3 am. Licensed.
HANGOVER HELPER: AUNTIES AND UNCLES 74 Lippincott, at College, 416-324-1375, auntiesanduncles.ca
Brunch at this kitschy and kitchen-like spot would cure a broken heart, never mind a hangover. (Unless the hunger rage from waiting in line does you in first, in which case, just go back to Mars or Sneaks.) Breakfast burgers, focaccia sandwiches, banana-oatmeal pancakes and ground-chorizo tacos are all worthy bets. Daily 9 am to 3 pm. Cash only.
DANFORTH
(Danforth Music Hall)
ALI BABA’S 113 Danforth, at Broadview, 416-461-8500, alibabas.ca
No matter where you go in the GTA, Ali’s is always there to crush your falafel and hummus cravings – and this handily positioned location down the way from the Music Hall is always primed to handle hungry post-show crowds. Monday to Friday 11 am to 1 am, Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 3 am.
ALEXANDROS 484 Danforth, at Logan, 416-461-3073
There might be finer gyros in Greektown, but this worn-in takeout counter, which serves until the wee hours of the morning, holds the distinction of being the most night-owl-friendly Greek spot on the Danforth, if not the entire city. Sunday to Thursday 11 am to 4 am, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 5 am. Unlicensed. Cash only.
HANGOVER HELPER: NEW YORK CAFE 757 Broadview, at Danforth, 416-778-4444, newyorkcafetoronto.wix.com/newyorkcafe
Does peameal bacon, cut to an almost steak-like thickness, served with oily roasted Greek potatoes, toast, eggs and coffee for less than a tenner sound good to you? Yeah, it does. (Plan B for vegetarians: a spinach omelette rich with shredded feta.) Sunday to Thursday 7 am to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am to 1 am. Licensed.
QUEEN WEST
(Horseshoe Tavern, Bovine Sex Club, Cameron House, Rivoli)
SMOKE’S POUTINERIE 578 Queen, at Bathurst, 416-366-2873, smokespoutinerie.com
Craving bacon? Smoked meat? A Philly cheesesteak? Mexi fries? A vegetarian option? Toronto’s favourite poutine chain offers two dozen melty, starchy concoctions. As long as your midnight snack of choice comes on a bed of gravy and fries, they can set you right up. Sunday to Tuesday 11 am to midnight, Wednesday and Thursday 11 am to 3 am, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 4 am.
FANCY FRANKS 453 Queen West, at Spadina, 647-347-3647, fancyfranks.com
The hot dog franchise’s new location gives post-‘Shoe crowds somewhere to eat other than that A&W counter or the 24-hour Hero Burger. Dogs include tasty themed options like the Gruyère- and Dijon-laden Frankaphone or panko-fried Buffalo dog, but the carnival-style mini donuts are the secret weapon. Sunday to Wednesday 11 am to 11 pm, Thursday to Saturday 11 am to 2 am.
416 SNACK BAR 181 Bathurst, at Queen West, 416-364-9320, 416snackbar.wordpress.com
If you’ve got a little time to kill between shows, spring for a cocktail and a few nibbles at this dim, raucous night spot. The menu (squint hard!) reads like a greatest hits list of Toronto’s best snacks: empanadas, spicy tuna hand-rolls, Korean fried chicken and steamed buns. Daily 5 pm to 2 am. Licensed.
HANGOVER HELPER: THE BRISTOL 1087 Queen West, at Dovercourt, 416-901-5472, bristolbombay.com
Nothing does damage control for a hangover quite like a good English fry-up. Head to the bottom of the Great Hall on Saturdays and Sundays for the Full Monty (with black pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes – the works) or explore more adventurous pub fare like tandoori chicken ‘n’ waffles or triple-A steak and eggs with Argentinian chimichurri. Monday to Friday noon to 2 am, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 2 am. Licensed.
KENSINGTON MARKET
(Handlebar)
PHO PASTEUR 525 Dundas West, at Spadina, 416-351-7188
There’s very little in Kensington proper that stays open late into the night, so you, hungry diner, will have to do a little exploring. Luckily, there’s always this spartan pho joint at the foot of the Market, which ladles out bowls of aromatic noodle soup at all hours of the day and night. 24/7. Unlicensed. Cash only.
TASTE OF CHINA 338 Spadina, at St. Andrew, 416-348-8828, tasteofchinarestaurant.ca
No matter how late you might stumble back onto the street, Taste of China keeps belly-filling Cantonese dishes at the ready until sunrise. Jockey for table room with off-the-clock chefs downing house seafood specialties, hot and sour soup and fried rice. Sunday to Thursday 11:30 am to 4 am, Friday and Saturday 11:30 am to 5 am. Licensed.
PEOPLE’S EATERY 307 Spadina, at Dundas West, 416-792-1784, peopleseatery.com
This Chinese mom and pop shop turned fusion snack bar throws together historical influences from the Kensington area, plus a few odds and ends, to create a smorgasbord of Jewish, Chinese, Indian and Korean snacks. The General Tso Fu will sate your late-night cravings for saucy, deep-fried Chinese, but take it from me: don’t fear the beef tongue slider. Daily 5 pm to 2 am. Licensed.
HANGOVER HELPER: Black Metal Brunch @ GRAFFITI’S 170 Baldwin, at Kensington, 416-506-6699
Brunch is arguably the least metal meal of the day – all those mimosas and fresh fruit slices, delicate little hardboiled eggs. Thank the good lord (in this case, I’m referring to Satan) for this no-frills bar and grill and its Sunday Black Metal Brunch, where you can massacre some bacon and eggs to the sweet sounds of Slayer. Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. Licensed.
THE ANNEX
(Lee’s Palace)
BIG FAT BURRITO 529 Bloor West, at Albany, 416-792-4244, bigfatburrito.ca
This one’s a no-brainer: the BFB counter is set right into the psychedelic facade of Lee’s. Get yourself a brick of food packed with your standard proteins (along with more novel choices like roasted yam or pulled pork), spiced on a handy scale from one to five. Monday to Thursday 11 am to 2 am, Friday 11 am to 3:30 am, Saturday noon to 3:30 am, Sunday noon to midnight. Unlicensed.
GHAZALE 504 Bloor West, at Bathurst, 416-537-4417, ghazale.ca
Many an Annex party animal in search of a late-night shawarma has passed through the button-activated sliding doors of this Lebanese chain’s original location, tucked under the marquee of the Bloor Cinema. Pick up a hefty pita wrap, or mix and match some Middle Eastern mezzes if you feel like messing with utensils. Sunday to Wednesday 9 am to 3:30 am, Thursday to Saturday 9:30 am to 4:30 am. Unlicensed. Cash only.
POUTINEVILLE 296 Brunswick, at Bloor, 647-349-2345, poutineville.com
Sure, there’s a Smoke’s on the corner of Bathurst and Queen, but this Montreal import elevates the signature snack to an art form. The house special features a braised beef and red wine sauce, but you can also indulge in a filet-mignon-and-blue-cheese version or build your own dish full of deep-fried heaven. Sunday to Wednesday, 11 am to 11 pm, Thursday 11 am to midnight. Friday and Saturday 11 am to 4 am.
HANGOVER HELPER: GRAPEFRUITMOON 968 Bathurst, at Follis, 416-534-9056, thegrapefruitmoon.com
Head up Bathurst to this low-key, shabbily cute café, where they serve up a weekend menu of simple and homey breakfasts. There are lots of vegan and vegetarian options, but if you’re not of that persuasion, there’s also a breakfast burger made with a 7-ounce sausage patty. Tuesday to Friday 10 am to midnight, Saturday 9 am to midnight, Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. Licensed.
WEST QUEEN WEST
(The Drake Underground)
BARTON SNACKS 1120 Queen West, at Lisgar, 647-351-5444, @BartonSnacks
Trashy snacks like tacos and tater tot poutine are a perfect match for the WQW after-bar crowds. The taste-to-gastrointestinal-regret ratio of the White Trash hot dog (bacon bits, Cheez Whiz, crushed Ruffles, good ol’ Heinz ketchup) is shockingly forgiving. Thursday and Friday 3 pm to 3 am, Saturday and Sunday noon to 4 am. Unlicensed. Cash only.
POUTINI’S HOUSE OF POUTINE 1112 Queen West, at Beaconsfield, 647-342-3732, poutini.com
They don’t skimp on the curds at this poutine shack, creating multiple layers within your bucket of Yukon Gold fries for maximum melty goodness. Monday to Wednesday noon to midnight, Thursday noon to 3 am, Friday and Saturday noon to 3:30 am, Sunday noon to 9 pm. Unlicensed. Cash only.
HANGOVER HELPER: PARTS & LABOUR 1566 Queen West, at Fuller, 416-588-7750, partsandlabour.ca, @partsnlabour
Cross under the overpass for Sunday brunch at Matty Matheson’s Parkdale spot, with an all-ages venue below and a perpetually rammed kitchen and bar upstairs. Go a little too hard last night? We’ve got three words for you: schnitzel breakfast sandwich. Tuesday to Saturday 6 pm to 2 am, Sunday 11 am to 3 pm. Licensed.
