Advertisement

Food & Drink

Pride Eats

BRUNCHES AND LUNCHES


WISH

Genteel South Beach-inspired Wish draws visitors from both Yorkville and the village to its covered front patio. Brunch is a favourite, but if you sleep in late (as you should if you’re doing Pride right), the standard menu balances lighter fare with updated comfort food like tequila-battered fish and chips or the fried chicken club with cider-glazed bacon.

3 Charles East, at Yonge, 416-935-0240, Tuesday to Saturday 11 am to 11 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.


SMITH

Patios and Pride go together like sunscreen and public nudity, and this brunch spot, the little sister of the Wish/7 West family, has three tucked in and around its brownstone home. The brunch section of the seasonal, locally oriented menu is a fave – it’s hard to resist house-made doughnuts or brisket hash topped with poached eggs and hollandaise.

553 Church, at Gloucester, 416-926-2501. Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 11 pm, Friday noon to 2 pm and 5 to midnight, Saturday 9 am to 4 pm and 5 pm to midnight, Sunday 9 am to 5 pm.


HAIR OF THE DOG

This two-floor resto at the foot of the village ain’t the trendiest, but it’s got all the makings of a reliable crowd-pleaser: a selection of Bennies at breakfast, nachos, burgers and curry poutine in the evening, and a bustling side patio.

425 Church, at Wood, 416-964-2708. Sunday to Wednesday 11:30 am to midnight, Thursday and Friday 11:30 am to 2 am, Saturday 10:30 am to 2 am.


_MG_2370_lola_pizza_web1.jpg

Michael Watier

Lola’s pizza

LOLA’S KITCHEN

Slightly north of the Pride hub, chow down on homey eats in an equally homey old Victorian (or outside on the stellar front deck). The menu is studded with vegetarian and gluten-free options, many of them customizable with plenty of add-ons for the picky eaters in your party.

634 Church, at Hayden, 416-966-3991. Monday 11 am to 4 pm, Tuesday to Friday 11 am to 10 pm, Saturday 10 am to 10 pm, Sunday 10 am to 3 pm.


HOUSE/MAISON

The biggest, sunniest, most glorious patio on Church? You’ll find it wrapped around this Victorian mansion – formerly the Vic public house, now home to a kitchen that balances duelling British and French influences. Take note: they’re rolling out a special brunch menu for Pride as well as a Sausage Party slate of artisanal Olliffe sausages on buns.

580 Church, at Dundonald, 416-324-1001. Tuesday and Wednesday 4 to 10 pm, Thursday and Friday noon to 10 pm, Saturday 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday 11 am to 10 pm.


7 WEST

Trying to recuperate from a night that’s looking more and more like a morning? This bohemian 24-hour spot has what you need to refuel on its wide-ranging menu – whether that’s carby snacks, all-day breakfast, flatbread pizzas, a slice of cake or coffee (loads and loads of coffee).

7 Charles West, at Yonge, 416-928-9041. Open 24/7.


SANDWICHES


FOOD-GetMelted-1572_web.jpg

Photo credit: David Laurence

Get Melted’s Club Melt Sandwich.

GET MELTED

It’s always 4:20 somewhere – specifically at this grilled cheese shop/medical marijuana lounge, where you can quell your munchies with an array of trad grilled cheeses or a sweet-and-savoury dessert melt.

600 Church, at Gloucester, 647-350-6358. Monday to Thursday 10 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am to 3 am, Sunday 11 am to 9 pm.


LITTLE SHMIDDY’S HOT MEAT HOUSE

Crews & Tangos isn’t the only hot meat house in town. (Zing.) Head over to Cabbagetown for hearty platters of charcuterie, brisket poutine, pork belly, duck confit, steak frites and other indulgent animal products.

584 Parliament, at Wellesley, 416-961-1600. Monday to Friday 5:30 to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 am to 3:30 pm and 5:30 to 10 pm.


PIZZA PICK


NORTH OF BROOKLYN

Skip the Pizza Pizza on Wellesley (though its new rainbow paint job is quite snazzy, no?) and get a taste of Naples at this basement pizzeria underneath Woody’s. The thin-crust pies stay mostly traditional, with a few twists – kale and bacon tops one, while sesame seeds finish off the otherwise classic pepperoni.

469 Church, at Maitland, 647-980-7990. Sunday to Thursday noon to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday noon to 11 pm.


CAFES


THE RED BENCH

Coffee houses are scarce in the village, but this likeable spot on Yonge goes above and beyond by pairing the usual espresso and tea with DIY ice cream sandwiches (on 14 different kinds of house-baked cookies!) and organic frozen- yogurt. 

611 Yonge, at Isabella, 647-748-4868. Sunday to Wednesday 1 to 10 pm, Thursday to Saturday 1 pm to 11 pm.


FABARNAK

Best restaurant name in Toronto? Probably, but this café/bistro in the 519 Community Centre is equally notable for its charitable aims (it trains and employs marginalized LGBT youth) and its standout menu of sandwiches, salads, wraps and other simple, wholesome eats. Grab a Square Peg bento lunch box for the best of the day’s picks.

519 Church, at Dundonald, 416-355-6781. Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4 pm, Saturday 9 am to 4 pm.


JAPANESE


GUU

From the second the staff bellow “Irasshaimase!” a meal at this crammed izakaya south of the village is a total party. Bring a crew and cast your net wide over the menu of small plates: ponzu-dressed salmon, tuna or beef tartare, piping-hot karaage and smooth, pudding-like almond tofu for dessert.

398 Church, at McGill, 416-977-0999. Monday to Friday 11:30 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to midnight. Saturday and Sunday 4:30 to midnight.


KINGYO

Had enough of yelling over the ambient noise at the Pride street festival? Take a breather at this more easygoing, eclectic izakaya in Cabbagetown. Lunch is all about generously portioned entrees like panko pork chops, while dinner is a greatest-hits of Japanese small plates: sashimi, flame-kissed beef and seafood tartares and mini servings of pork ramen and cod roe udon.

51B Winchester, at Parliament, 647-748-2121. Lunch daily 11:30 to 3 pm dinner Sunday to Thursday 5:30 to 11:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30 pm to midnight.


FOOD-Kenzo149_web.jpg

Photo credit: Michael Watier

Kenzo Ramen

KENZO RAMEN

Late June isn’t exactly soup season, but the bowls at Kenzo, a seven-location Toronto institution that predated the local ramen craze, could be enough to tempt you. The most universally beloved option might be the ultra-thick tonkatsu pork broth, but the takoyaki octopus balls are a cult fave.

522 Yonge, at Maitland, 647-340-2112. Daily 11 am to 10 pm.


SANSOTEI

Moving in on Kenzo’s turf near Yonge and Wellesley is this City Hall area import, which keeps the menu short, sweet and customizable: thick or thin noodles get doused in your choice of six broths (including the ground-pork-laced spicy tantan) and generously topped with pork belly and egg.

650 Yonge, at Irwin, 647-349-3833. Daily 11 am to 10 pm.


ELSEWHERE


120 DINER

Downstairs from Club 120 (formerly Goodhandy’s, home of T-girl Thursdays), this former Spring Rolls location hosts comedy nights and karaoke and keeps the kitchen open extra-late into the night. Hefty portions of snacks from the fryer (including crispy -chicken-skin chips) make excellent party recovery food.

120 Church, at Adelaide, 416-792-7725. Tuesday to Saturday 5 pm to 2 am (kitchen closes at midnight Tuesday to Thursday). 


THE BEAVER

DJ nights dominate this artsy little bar-café down the way from the Gladstone, but if you head there before the dance floor fills up you’ll find the alternative-lifestyle-haircutted downing lamb burgers, sweet potato burritos and vegan chilli dogs (usually with a pint of craft brew from the solid lineup of taps).

1192 Queen West, at Northcote, 416-537-2768. Daily 10 am to 3 am.


THE STEADY

The Steady is like a little sliver of Miami in Bloorcourt – faded pastel decor, kitschy knick-knacks, tropical drinks. It’s just as much of a hot spot for queer-themed events in the evening as it is for brunches and homemade doughnuts (as seen on the Food Network’s Donut Showdown) on weekends.

1051 Bloor West, at Salem, 416-536-4162. Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm (and evenings during scheduled events).


THE OLD NICK

Broadview and Danforth isn’t exactly party central (Taste Of The Danforth excepted), but this queer-friendly pub is a lively place to grab a pint. The menu of bar grub includes juicy steak sandwiches, cream- and meat-laden (and in no way authentically Italian) pasta dishes, and a highly underrated Saturday/Sunday brunch.

123 Danforth, at Broadview, 416-461-5546. Monday to Friday 3 pm to 2 am, Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 2 am.


ETHIOPIAN


ETHIOPIAN HOUSE

Feed the entire gang with hefty, brightly spiced platters of stewed Ethiopian eats for a steal at this screaming-orange spot off Yonge, a popular draw for local students. Remember to pace yourself – injera belly is a real party killer.

4 Irwin, at Yonge, 416-923-5438. Daily noon to midnight.     

Want more Pride? Go here.

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted