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We can all agree that a day off in the midst of a hectic workweek is sometimes all you need to recharge and re-energize your system. If you’re looking to unwind with a nice daytime meal, the best lunch spots for a day off in Toronto won’t be rushing you out the door the second you sit down.
With most restaurants being used to flipping tables during the fast-paced rush of lunch service, these gems are perfect for when you have some extra time and want to enjoy every second of your work-free day. From casual sit-down eateries to high-demand locales to upscale hotspots, there is surely somewhere special for you and your pals in this guide of the best lunch in Toronto for a day off.
Fonda Balam
Officially opening their doors today, September 29, this Mexican restaurant backed by chef Matty Matheson and lead by chef Kate Chomyshyn and chef Julio Guajardo is bound to make quite an impression after a successful run as a Birria-focused pop-up. There is nothing like a long lunch filled with juicy carnitas, birria, guacamole and plenty of margaritas to be wishing you took more time off to begin with. We're expecting this to be a buzzy opening, an optimal place to check out for lunch!
Fonda Balam
Officially opening their doors today, September 29, this Mexican restaurant backed by chef Matty Matheson and lead by chef Kate Chomyshyn and chef Julio Guajardo is bound to make quite an impression after a successful run as a Birria-focused pop-up. There is nothing like a long lunch filled with juicy carnitas, birria, guacamole and plenty of margaritas to be wishing you took more time off to begin with. We're expecting this to be a buzzy opening, an optimal place to check out for lunch!
Liberty Village
171 E Liberty St Unit 127A
Aloette Liberty
If you don't feel like a sit-down lunch but are looking for something a little more elevated, head on over to Aloette's latest location in Liberty Village. Grab their scrumptious lemon meringue pie, juicy cheese-laden burger, decadent wedge salad and finish it off with one of their canned cocktails to-go.
Aloette Liberty
Liberty Village
171 E Liberty St Unit 127A
If you don't feel like a sit-down lunch but are looking for something a little more elevated, head on over to Aloette's latest location in Liberty Village. Grab their scrumptious lemon meringue pie, juicy cheese-laden burger, decadent wedge salad and finish it off with one of their canned cocktails to-go.
West Queen West
1122 Queen St W
Hello 123
Vegetarian
From the same team who brought you Kupfert & Kim comes this cozy, exposed-brick spot open every day for lunch, with a varied menu of vegan tapas, smoothie bowls, handhelds and all-day brunch. Pro-tip, try the waffle topped with fruit, hemp seeds and coconut-cashew cream.
Hello 123
West Queen West
1122 Queen St W
From the same team who brought you Kupfert & Kim comes this cozy, exposed-brick spot open every day for lunch, with a varied menu of vegan tapas, smoothie bowls, handhelds and all-day brunch. Pro-tip, try the waffle topped with fruit, hemp seeds and coconut-cashew cream.
Vegetarian
Yorkville
131 Bloor St W 2nd Floor
Amal Toronto
Lebanese
This stylish Lebanese restaurant on Bloor Street West serves up meze, skewers, grills and platters, so you can relax while you sip on a cocktail and nibble on some delicious eats in their lush interior or on their landscaped exterior terrace.
Amal Toronto
Yorkville
131 Bloor St W 2nd Floor
This stylish Lebanese restaurant on Bloor Street West serves up meze, skewers, grills and platters, so you can relax while you sip on a cocktail and nibble on some delicious eats in their lush interior or on their landscaped exterior terrace.
Lebanese
Entertainment District
80 Blue Jays Way 44th Floor
Kost
Californian
Grab some seasonal dishes inspired by Bajan cuisine at this airy restaurant on the 44th floor of the Bisha hotel, with towering views of the city. The weekday lunch menu is full of delicious options like the Baja Tuna Sandwich, the Smoked Turkey BLT and Avocado Toast.
Kost
Entertainment District
80 Blue Jays Way 44th Floor
Grab some seasonal dishes inspired by Bajan cuisine at this airy restaurant on the 44th floor of the Bisha hotel, with towering views of the city. The weekday lunch menu is full of delicious options like the Baja Tuna Sandwich, the Smoked Turkey BLT and Avocado Toast.
Californian
Baldwin Village
23 Baldwin Street - Floor Unit
Light Cafe
This Taiwanese-inspired spot in Baldwin Village offers gourmet café food with a contemporary and innovative twist. You may recognize them for their brunch boxes which became increasingly popular during the pandemic, but their dine-in menu is even more impressive with a vast array of options, so you'll need the extra time to decide what to order.
Light Cafe
Baldwin Village
23 Baldwin Street - Floor Unit
This Taiwanese-inspired spot in Baldwin Village offers gourmet café food with a contemporary and innovative twist. You may recognize them for their brunch boxes which became increasingly popular during the pandemic, but their dine-in menu is even more impressive with a vast array of options, so you'll need the extra time to decide what to order.
Downtown Toronto
165 University Ave
Cafe Landwer
Israeli
Inspired by Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, this casual outpost has created a diverse, fun and presentable menu to maximize your lunchtime enjoyment. All dishes are served with unique touches and plating designs that will add to your dining experience.
Cafe Landwer
Downtown Toronto
165 University Ave
Inspired by Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, this casual outpost has created a diverse, fun and presentable menu to maximize your lunchtime enjoyment. All dishes are served with unique touches and plating designs that will add to your dining experience.
Israeli
Leslieville
1372 Queen St E
Mira Mira
Grab some delectable comfort food and indulgent desserts on a large cheery patio at this diner in the Beaches. The menu boasts an array of fantastic dishes like shrimp cocktail, blue crab & artichoke dip, fish & chips and steak & eggs.
Mira Mira
Leslieville
1372 Queen St E
Grab some delectable comfort food and indulgent desserts on a large cheery patio at this diner in the Beaches. The menu boasts an array of fantastic dishes like shrimp cocktail, blue crab & artichoke dip, fish & chips and steak & eggs.
Midtown
2388 Yonge St
Stock T.C.
The team behind Terroni, Cumbrae's and Sud Forno have opened this laid-back destination with a rooftop patio. Located just north of Yonge and Eglinton, they offer sandwiches, rice bowls, pizzas and baked goods, plus a grocery section for some much-needed casual post-lunch browsing.
Stock T.C.
Midtown
2388 Yonge St
The team behind Terroni, Cumbrae's and Sud Forno have opened this laid-back destination with a rooftop patio. Located just north of Yonge and Eglinton, they offer sandwiches, rice bowls, pizzas and baked goods, plus a grocery section for some much-needed casual post-lunch browsing.
Yorkville
81 Yorkville Ave
KOKO Share Bar
Korean-Japanese
If you like bibimbap, you will love spending your day off at this snug spot offering Japanese-Korean dishes intended for sharing, plus sake and homemade soju infusions.
KOKO Share Bar
Yorkville
81 Yorkville Ave
If you like bibimbap, you will love spending your day off at this snug spot offering Japanese-Korean dishes intended for sharing, plus sake and homemade soju infusions.
Korean-Japanese
Leslieville
810 Queen St E
Tabule Middle Eastern Cuisine - Queen
Middle Eastern
Located in the heart of Riverside on Queen St. East, this spot is the second restaurant by chef Rony Goraichy and Diana Sideris. Founded in 2012, their chefs have created fresh interpretations of traditional dishes offering some of the best Middle Eastern Cuisine in the city.
Tabule Middle Eastern Cuisine - Queen
Leslieville
810 Queen St E
Located in the heart of Riverside on Queen St. East, this spot is the second restaurant by chef Rony Goraichy and Diana Sideris. Founded in 2012, their chefs have created fresh interpretations of traditional dishes offering some of the best Middle Eastern Cuisine in the city.
Middle Eastern
Dimmi Trattoria
An Italian spot in Yorkville for simply prepared light fare and an expansive wine list, plus comfortable rooms and a patio for you and your day-off pals to sit back and relax, as you sip the afternoon away.
Dimmi Trattoria
An Italian spot in Yorkville for simply prepared light fare and an expansive wine list, plus comfortable rooms and a patio for you and your day-off pals to sit back and relax, as you sip the afternoon away.
Yorkville
115 Yorkville Ave
Kasa Moto
Japanese
Perfect for when you have time to spare, grab a couch seat on the rooftop of this sophisticated Japanese eatery in Yorkville, serving up delectable cocktails and mouthwatering eats like Waygu beef steamed buns, rock shrimp and pressed sushi.
Kasa Moto
Yorkville
115 Yorkville Ave
Perfect for when you have time to spare, grab a couch seat on the rooftop of this sophisticated Japanese eatery in Yorkville, serving up delectable cocktails and mouthwatering eats like Waygu beef steamed buns, rock shrimp and pressed sushi.
Japanese
Harbourfront
25 Dockside Dr
Against the Grain
If you're taking a day off stroll down the waterfront boardwalk, stop into this casual eatery with water views and a sprawling patio that serves up eclectic fare, plus a rotating selection of draft brews.
Against the Grain
Harbourfront
25 Dockside Dr
If you're taking a day off stroll down the waterfront boardwalk, stop into this casual eatery with water views and a sprawling patio that serves up eclectic fare, plus a rotating selection of draft brews.
Limon
Located on Queen Street East in the Beaches, this casual, brick-lined Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant whips up fabulous meat dishes, falafel, hummus and sandwiches, all made with fresh, local ingredients.
Limon
Located on Queen Street East in the Beaches, this casual, brick-lined Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant whips up fabulous meat dishes, falafel, hummus and sandwiches, all made with fresh, local ingredients.
House on Parliament
This Cabbagetown staple is a busy pub with dark-wood accents, pouring local and global beers and serving chic bar bites and British fare. The portions here are rather large, so best if you have some time to eat slowly as you savour each and every bite.
House on Parliament
This Cabbagetown staple is a busy pub with dark-wood accents, pouring local and global beers and serving chic bar bites and British fare. The portions here are rather large, so best if you have some time to eat slowly as you savour each and every bite.
Financial District
1 Richmond St W
Richmond Station
Canadian
Perfect for a late lunch, this bustling hotspot known as a 'stopping place' in the downtown core releases weekly tasting menus on Wednesdays inspired by local and seasonal products from Southern Ontario.
Richmond Station
Financial District
1 Richmond St W
Perfect for a late lunch, this bustling hotspot known as a 'stopping place' in the downtown core releases weekly tasting menus on Wednesdays inspired by local and seasonal products from Southern Ontario.
Canadian
Fashion District
469 King St W
Rodney's Oyster House
Seafood
If you are taking Friday off, kick-start your long weekend by throwing back some oysters at this longtime, casual eatery on King Street West. Their lunch menu is jam-packed with incredible seasonal seafood options like steamed mussels and soft-shelled (blue) crab.
Rodney's Oyster House
Fashion District
469 King St W
If you are taking Friday off, kick-start your long weekend by throwing back some oysters at this longtime, casual eatery on King Street West. Their lunch menu is jam-packed with incredible seasonal seafood options like steamed mussels and soft-shelled (blue) crab.
Seafood
Harbourfront
10 Bay St # 105
Miku Toronto
Japanese
Flame-seared sushi is the specialty at this Japanese fine-dining destination with soaring ceilings near Toronto's Harbourfront. Perfect for a lengthy lunch date, indulge in their perfectly seasoned Aburi sushi while sipping on some premium sake.
Miku Toronto
Harbourfront
10 Bay St # 105
Flame-seared sushi is the specialty at this Japanese fine-dining destination with soaring ceilings near Toronto's Harbourfront. Perfect for a lengthy lunch date, indulge in their perfectly seasoned Aburi sushi while sipping on some premium sake.
Japanese
Entertainment District
18 Duncan St
Pai
Thai
With two locations in Toronto, this Northern Thai kitchen from chef Nuit Regular and her husband Jeff offers some of the best Thai food in the city. Though casual, the atmosphere is lively and perfect for those looking to enjoy lunch with some inventive cocktails on the side.
Pai
Entertainment District
18 Duncan St
With two locations in Toronto, this Northern Thai kitchen from chef Nuit Regular and her husband Jeff offers some of the best Thai food in the city. Though casual, the atmosphere is lively and perfect for those looking to enjoy lunch with some inventive cocktails on the side.
Thai
Trinity-Bellwoods
72 Ossington Ave
Union
Canadian
This Ossington strip restaurant serves up eclectic French cuisine in an intimate atmosphere. The menu is inspired by the classic Paris bistro and the French vigour for good food, so be sure to cozy up with a delectable glass of wine while you indulge in one of their staples like the steak frites or the polenta gratin.
Union
Trinity-Bellwoods
72 Ossington Ave
This Ossington strip restaurant serves up eclectic French cuisine in an intimate atmosphere. The menu is inspired by the classic Paris bistro and the French vigour for good food, so be sure to cozy up with a delectable glass of wine while you indulge in one of their staples like the steak frites or the polenta gratin.
Canadian
Dovercourt Village
122 Geary Ave
Famiglia Baldassarre
Italian
Plan ahead if you will be stopping by this popular pasta shop on Geary Avenue for lunch. On Wednesday to Friday, they offer a compact, rotating lunch menu for only two hours, so a day off is ideal when heading to this spot for a bite.
Famiglia Baldassarre
Dovercourt Village
122 Geary Ave
Plan ahead if you will be stopping by this popular pasta shop on Geary Avenue for lunch. On Wednesday to Friday, they offer a compact, rotating lunch menu for only two hours, so a day off is ideal when heading to this spot for a bite.
Italian
