With four locations of Mabel’s Bakery & Specialty Foods across the city, Toronto has no shortage of sweet bakeshops to help you spend the weekends the proper way—surrounded by a pile of sweets. Each location has become a favourite due to Mabel’s use of local and organic ingredients. All meals, salads, and snacks served here
Mantra, located in the Shops at Don Mills “restaurant row,” is redefining what modern Indian food looks and tastes likes. Under the guidance of chef Ashish Sethi — who was under the guidance of his father, Sanjiv Sethi, the man responsible for the Host chain — Mantra does everything from Indian-style high tea to a
We may no longer have to venture out to Little India to find great Indian food anymore, but MotiMahal Restaurant has been a standing favourite for locals and those willing to make the trek. It is a popular take-out spot that doesn’t have much by way of decor where food is served on plastic trays
This TTC-style bar wants every wandering stranger to feel at home in the city. The tile walls finished with “Nōmads Station” decals and a TTC-painted doorway are so perfectly executed that your trip to the bathroom might be a bit discombobulating. Nōmads Restobar is a gathering place for people of all walks of life and
The Oliver & Bonacini empire’s Café Grill is wrapped around the corner of Yonge and Front Streets. The giant outdoor space is fit for a soiree of sorts, with an outdoor bar and seating for about 150 people. The menu here is similar to its other establishments in that it features globally inspired dishes with
Phipps Desserts (not to be confused with Phipps Bakery Café on Eglinton Avenue W) has been a staple of the dessert scene in Toronto for decades now. Originally established in Cabbagetown, it mostly sells its treats as a wholesale retailer, but also has a location for the average customer. You can head to Phipps’s North
In opening a new Indian restaurant on St. Clair Ave. West, business partners Harsh Chawla and Derek Valleau didn’t want to settle for the status quo. So they enlisted the talents of three former Amaya chefs to take care of the food, and they took on renowned sommelier Peter Boyd to handle the wine. The result is Pukka, which opened in mid-October.
For every flavour, texture or drink you’re craving, Reds Wine Tavern has you covered. Offering a chic but relaxed atmosphere, a meal at Reds consists of shareable dishes (with a seafood bent) plus a vast wine collection that touches nearly every corner of the earth. Important to note is that Reds is a scratch kitchen,
The next time you take a stroll along Queen West during lunch, try not to be enticed by the delicious, exotic aroma of traditional Sri Lankan fare wafting from Saffron Spice Kitchen (hint: it's nearly impossible). Although the place also serves up salads and soups, it’s the butter (or tandoori) chicken, curry lamb or the roti that will surely get your senses going.
For when the late night becomes early morning, Sizzler Kabab is there to crush that Pakistani food craving. And it’s halal! Right at the border of Kensington Market and Baldwin village, this spot is also a great option for a lunch to take back to the office or dinner after a day of exploring the
Toronto’s very own board game café, Snakes & Lattes, is the place to go and hole up with a vintage game, a silky latte and a couple of pals. With three locations in the city, this board game café just keeps growing. Along with the city’s largest collection of games to play, the once café
If you’ve heard all the hype around Spicebros, that’s because it’s entirely worth it. Spicebros offers a taste of Indian cuisine with a modern twist. Specialties on the menu include tandoori chicken, butter chicken, Bombay fish, samosas, and butter paneer. With a cozy ambiance and friendly, fun staff, this takeout spot has plenty of seating
The only thing better than going to a bar to watch a Blue Jays game is when that bar literally overlooks the Rogers Centre with floor-to-ceiling windows. Located inside the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, Sportsnet Grill offers up exciting takes on traditional pub fare, like pulled pork mac and cheese, on a menu organized
If the tandoori at your local “authentic” Indian lunch spot doesn’t taste smokey then you’ve been tricked. In India, all tandoori is made in an authentic coal tandoor, creating that signature smokey flavour. But, in Toronto, the majority of Indian restaurants use a gas tandoor, which doesn’t give the meat that burned-on-coals taste. At the
In Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood, you’ll find The Queens Head, serving up a wide selection of classic pub dishes alongside international eats including Thai and Indian. About nine TVs and even a wide screen projector show NFL, NBA and soccer events, it’s an ideal place to get your sports fix. Featuring an impressive international selection of