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All restaurants or bars are licensed, take debit or credit cards and are open seven days a week unless otherwise indicated.
On the Waterfront
Against the Grain
25 Dockside, at Queens Quay E, 647-344-1562, atgurbantavern.ca. Patios by the lake are as rare as rice crackers in Rob Ford’s fridge. Problem is, everyone and his smarter brother heads there on the same sunny day as you. This corporate resto-lounge next to Sugar Beach right on the harbour is bigger than most – 150 seats – but you’ll still need a reservation to snag a table any time other than 3 pm on a cloudy Tuesday.
Bluffer’s
7 Brimley South, 416-264-2337, bluffersrestaurant.com. Large resto complex in the park with two large decks right on the water in the middle of a marina.
Cabana Pool Bar @ the Sound Academy
11 Polson, at Cherry, 416-461-3625, sound-academy.com. Massive 50,000-square-foot Miami Beach-style party space right on the harbour from Charles Khabouth and company. Opens June 15.
Palais Royale
1601 Lake Shore W, at Roncesvalles, 416-533-3553, palaisroyale.ca. Booked solid all summer for corporate events and lucrative weddings, this historic Sunnyside dance hall offers a $15 “nothing fancy” lunch buffet every Wednesday from noon. All proceeds go to charity.
Queen’s Own Rifles
1395 Lake Shore Blvd W, at Dowling, 416-532-8892, qor.com/community/legion.html. Bargain-priced booze and a sunny patio right on the lake hidden behind the Legion. Everyone’s welcome, but we’ll keep that our secret, right?
Rectory
102 Lakeshore, Ward’s Island, 416-203-2152, rectorycafe.com. Never knew there was a year-round restaurant on the island? Follow the south shore boardwalk east from Centre Island till you find this peaceful café nestled in a glade of whispering pines.
Spencer’s on the Waterfront
1340 Lakeshore Rd, at Nelson, 905-633-7494, spencers.ca. Spectacular modernist Burlington supper cub and wedding venue overlooking a reflecting pool, Spencer Smith Park and the lake beyond. Warning: Spencer’s is ‘spensive!
Watermark
207 Queens Quay W, at York, 416-214-2772, watermarkirishpub.ca. Wraparound Oirish pub at the south end of the Terminal Building close to York Quay Centre.
