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Historic Restaurants in Toronto You Need to Try
Written By
Posted Sep 27, 2022
Historic Restaurants in Toronto You Need to Try
Written By
Posted Sep 27, 2022
Toronto is home to some of the city’s most beloved and historic restaurants, many of which have been serving up exceptional cuisine for decades. These iconic dining spots offer more than just a meal, they carry a rich culinary history passed down through generations of passionate chefs and devoted patrons.
Whether you're craving perfected classic dishes or eager to step into a restaurant steeped in tradition, Toronto’s historic eateries have something for every food lover. From century-old institutions to hidden gems in vibrant neighbourhoods, these restaurants offer a taste of Toronto’s cultural and gastronomic heritage.
Check out our guide to the best historic restaurants in Toronto that are a must-try for locals and visitors alike.
The Beaches
2379 Queen St E
The Garden Gate Restaurant
The Garden Gate Restaurant – known as The Goof – is an old-fashioned spot that’s been operating since 1952 and is a beloved spot in The Beaches neighbourhood. Indulge in Chinese eats and American fare that you can enjoy in classic booth seating.
The Garden Gate Restaurant
The Beaches
2379 Queen St E
The Garden Gate Restaurant – known as The Goof – is an old-fashioned spot that’s been operating since 1952 and is a beloved spot in The Beaches neighbourhood. Indulge in Chinese eats and American fare that you can enjoy in classic booth seating.
Vesta Lunch
Reputable since 1955, Vesta Lunch offers diners Greek-Canadian cuisine including breakfasts, burgers and souvlaki that you can enjoy for 24 hours a day Thursday to Monday.
Vesta Lunch
Reputable since 1955, Vesta Lunch offers diners Greek-Canadian cuisine including breakfasts, burgers and souvlaki that you can enjoy for 24 hours a day Thursday to Monday.
Yonge and Dundas
249 Victoria St
The Senator
The Senator is a 1940s-style diner complete with jazz-inspired decor, offering breakfast and classic comfort-food dishes. It was first called The Busy Bee Diner in 1929 and became The Senator in 1948. If you're looking to step back in time, head to this spot for a delicious meal.
The Senator
Yonge and Dundas
249 Victoria St
The Senator is a 1940s-style diner complete with jazz-inspired decor, offering breakfast and classic comfort-food dishes. It was first called The Busy Bee Diner in 1929 and became The Senator in 1948. If you're looking to step back in time, head to this spot for a delicious meal.
Fran's Restaurant
Fran's is a family-owned and operated restaurant serving home-style cooking in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Open since 1940, this 24-hour greasy spoon is a staple in the city for early morning breakfast or late night comfort food.
Fran's Restaurant
Fran's is a family-owned and operated restaurant serving home-style cooking in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Open since 1940, this 24-hour greasy spoon is a staple in the city for early morning breakfast or late night comfort food.
Fashion District
667 King St W
Wheatsheaf Tavern
Open since 1849, the Wheatsheaf Tavern is a beloved waterhole that is Toronto's oldest bar. If you step into this spot, you can indulge in classic tavern fare, live music and aged whisky complete with 1,200-song options in the jukebox.
Wheatsheaf Tavern
Fashion District
667 King St W
Open since 1849, the Wheatsheaf Tavern is a beloved waterhole that is Toronto's oldest bar. If you step into this spot, you can indulge in classic tavern fare, live music and aged whisky complete with 1,200-song options in the jukebox.
North York
506 Lawrence Ave W
United Bakers Dairy Restaurant
Known as the restaurant that ‘feels like home’, this spot brings classic Polish flavours to Toronto. Long-running since 1912, this diner focuses on diary, vegetable and fish dishes alongside fresh pastries. Perfecting their recipes for over 100 years, you’ll need to add this classic spot to your list of Toronto restaurants you need to try.
United Bakers Dairy Restaurant
North York
506 Lawrence Ave W
Known as the restaurant that ‘feels like home’, this spot brings classic Polish flavours to Toronto. Long-running since 1912, this diner focuses on diary, vegetable and fish dishes alongside fresh pastries. Perfecting their recipes for over 100 years, you’ll need to add this classic spot to your list of Toronto restaurants you need to try.
Etobicoke
9 Old Mill Rd
Old Mill Toronto
The Old Mill Toronto has been a part of Toronto's restaurant scene since the early 1900s. A historic spot since 1914, the Old Mill serves afternoon tea, brunch, lunch and dinner. You can also enjoy live entertainment events, culinary experiences and events.
Old Mill Toronto
Etobicoke
9 Old Mill Rd
The Old Mill Toronto has been a part of Toronto's restaurant scene since the early 1900s. A historic spot since 1914, the Old Mill serves afternoon tea, brunch, lunch and dinner. You can also enjoy live entertainment events, culinary experiences and events.
Danforth Village
2638 Danforth Ave
Len Duckworth's Fish and Chips
British
This popular eatery is well-known for their traditional fried fish 'n' chips, plus shrimp, scallops and coleslaw. Established in 1929 (yes, the sign does say 1930), the fish has been perfected for almost 100 years and customers are guaranteed the freshest ingredients from the best possible source. It’s so good, the UK might just have some Canadian competition.
Len Duckworth's Fish and Chips
Danforth Village
2638 Danforth Ave
This popular eatery is well-known for their traditional fried fish 'n' chips, plus shrimp, scallops and coleslaw. Established in 1929 (yes, the sign does say 1930), the fish has been perfected for almost 100 years and customers are guaranteed the freshest ingredients from the best possible source. It’s so good, the UK might just have some Canadian competition.
British
Dundas West
1132 Dundas St W
The Lakeview
American
The Lakeview, a Toronto staple since 1932, is a classic diner at Ossington and Dundas open 24/7 and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night eats alongside drinks and desserts. Beloved for decades and appearing in classic movies and TV, The Lakeview blends vintage charm with lively atmosphere.
The Lakeview
Dundas West
1132 Dundas St W
The Lakeview, a Toronto staple since 1932, is a classic diner at Ossington and Dundas open 24/7 and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night eats alongside drinks and desserts. Beloved for decades and appearing in classic movies and TV, The Lakeview blends vintage charm with lively atmosphere.
American
The Avenue Diner
This classic diner oozes old school charm with a menu that hasn't changed much since its opening in 1944. A favourite among locals and celebrities alike, you can enjoy all-day breakfast items that are sure to provide the ultimate comfort.
The Avenue Diner
This classic diner oozes old school charm with a menu that hasn't changed much since its opening in 1944. A favourite among locals and celebrities alike, you can enjoy all-day breakfast items that are sure to provide the ultimate comfort.
Downtown
7 Elm St
Barberian's Steak House
Steakhouse
Barberian's is one of Toronto's most infamous restaurants offering steaks that are top-grade, dry aged and butchered in-house. Established in 1959, this spot has been perfecting their dishes for decades and are sure to keep you coming back for more.
Barberian's Steak House
Downtown
7 Elm St
Barberian's is one of Toronto's most infamous restaurants offering steaks that are top-grade, dry aged and butchered in-house. Established in 1959, this spot has been perfecting their dishes for decades and are sure to keep you coming back for more.
Steakhouse
Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe
In 1959, the classic tastes of Italian gelato were brought to Toronto. Sicilian's is a authentic Italian Gelateria that's beloved in the Little Italy neighbourhood and has been serving gelato, waffles and coffee for decades.
Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe
In 1959, the classic tastes of Italian gelato were brought to Toronto. Sicilian's is a authentic Italian Gelateria that's beloved in the Little Italy neighbourhood and has been serving gelato, waffles and coffee for decades.