indicates patio
1. La Palette
492 Queen W, at Portland, 416-929-4900, lapalette.ca.
Not only is Shamez Amlani an avid pedal-pusher (that’s his rickshaw parked out front of the quirky Queen West bistro), but he’s also one of the instigators of Kensington Market’s wildly successful car-free Pedestrian Sundays, the first of which takes place Sunday (May 27).
Lunch and brunch daily 11 am to 4 pm, dinner nightly from 4 pm till close. Licensed. Access: barrier-free, washrooms in basement.
2. Jet Fuel
519 Parliament, at Winchester, 416-968-9982, jetfuelcoffee.com.
Don’t show up on a clunker if you expect to impress the cycle- and caffeine-crazed crowd who make this Cabbagetown java joint their unofficial clubhouse. Buy a Jet Fuel jersey and help support Canada’s longest-running bike team.
Daily 7 am to 8 pm. Unlicensed. Access: barrier-free, no washrooms.
3. Campagnolo
832 Dundas W, at Euclid, 416-364-4785, campagnolotoronto.com.
Though owner/chef Craig Harding’s super-hot trat may take its handle from the Italian word for country (that would explain the rustic Tuscan-inspired dishes on the carte), Campagnolo is also the name of a celebrated maker of high-end bicyle components. Coincidence?
“Not at all,” says Harding. “I knew calling it Campagnolo would give us cachet with cyclists. We’re even thinking of having an art installation of vintage Campy parts!”
Dinner Wednesday and Thursday 6 to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 6 pm to midnight, Sunday 6 to 11 pm. Closed Monday, Tuesday, holidays. Licensed. Access: one step at door, washrooms on same floor.
4. Three Speed
1163 Bloor W, at Pauline, 647-430-3834.
Located in the original home of Bloor Cycle, this laid-back Bloordale resto-bar from the gang responsible for the Communist’s Daughter features ex-Swan chef Jane Ferriss’s comfort food card and one of the nabe’s best backyard patios.
Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm, dinner nightly from 5 pm. Bar till close. Licensed. Access: barrier-free, washrooms in basement.
5. Sonic
60 Cecil, at Spadina, 416-834-8304.
Bike gets a flat on the way to work? If you’ve got an inner tube, this idiosyncratic coffee shack set in a coach house across from Grossman’s will lend you the tools to fix it.
Monday to Friday 8 am to 2am, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 2 am. Licensed. Access: barrier-free, short step to small washrooms.
6. Coppi
3363 Yonge, at St Germain, 416-484-4464, coppiristorante.com.
Named in honour of famed Italian cycling champ Fausto Coppi, this way-upscale north Toronto resto features bicycle-themed artwork as well as a wall of bike forks.
Lunch Monday to Friday noon to 2 pm, dinner Monday to Saturday 5:30 pm to close. Closed Sunday, holidays. Licensed. Access: barrier-free, washrooms in basement.
7. Caplansky’s
356 College, at Brunswick, 416-500-3852, caplansky.com.
Artisanal smoked meat sandwiches, slow-cooked brisket dinners and chopped liver on Silverstein’s rye delivered by bike.
Free delivery daily 11 am to 10 pm with a minimum $20 order in the immediate area ($5 further afield).
8. Lahore Tikka House
1365 Gerrard E, at Highfield, 416-406-1668, lahoretikkahouse.com.
Sprawling family-friendly Pakistani resto-slas-patio in Little India with a gaudily decorated pedi-cab out front ideal for photo opportunities.
Sunday to Thursday noon to 1 am, Friday and Saturday noon to 2 am. Unlicensed. Access: barrier-free.
9. Corner Cafe @ The Drake
1150 Queen W, at Beaconsfield, 416-531-5042, thedrakehotel.ca.
Next time you’re having a latte at this casual west-side boîte, make sure to check out Zach Ridgeley’s clever installation piece fashioned from welded-together bike frames hanging from the ceiling.
Sunday to Thursday 8 am to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 8 am to midnight. Licensed. Access: barrier-free.
10. Tati Bistro
124 Harbord, at Major, 416-962-8284, tatibistro.com.
Annex resto named for French film director Jacques Tati. That’s Tati’s iconic alter-ego, Monsieur Hulot, on his bicycle in the bistro’s logo.
Dinner nightly 6 pm to close. Brunch Sunday 11 am to 3 pm. Licensed.
