Where to eat, drink and shop in the Danforth

Written By

Christine Peddie

almost 2 years ago

As neighbourhoods go, the Danforth is more commonly pigeonholed than most. If you imagine it saturated in blue and white decor, its restaurants ouzo soaked, with golden loukoumades crowding its bakery windows, you’re not alone. Despite its deserved renown as home to Greektown, stroll further along Danforth Avenue and you’ll find that the area’s merits go beyond its Grecian flair.

Named for American contractor Asa Danforth, Danforth Avenue extends from the Don Valley Parkway to Kingston Road, passing through several neighbourhoods along the way. Originally cut off from the city centre by the Don Valley and Don River, it was the area’s remoteness that first defined its reputation. With a wealth of natural resources making it ideal for brickmaking, it was also soon recognized as an important industrial zone.

With the area’s annexation to the city came improvements to accessibility and transportation. Running along Danforth Avenue, the Danforth line of the Toronto Civic Railways opened in 1913. Five years later, the completion of The Prince Edward Viaduct System (aka, the Bloor Street Viaduct) formally connected the city’s west and east ends. These developments coincided with an influx of European immigrants to the city, many who made their homes in the up-and-coming area.

Now one of the city’s most pedestrian-friendly routes, Danforth Avenue boasts a giddy number of eateries, mom-and-pop shops, and bars. Of these, many have grown with the neighbourhoods around them, establishing deep roots within the community. An area best discovered little by little, you’ll want to set aside ample time to relish every one of the Danforth’s significant charms.

Where to eat

The Wren

1382 Danforth Avenue

Part bar, part restaurant — all saloon-style swagger — The Wren is the type of spot that makes longevity in the restaurant industry seem like child’s play. With a casual approach to hospitality, The Wren has quietly pressed on for a decade, winning over the hearts, and stomachs, of locals, and securing its status as one of its neighbourhood’s most cherished, if most modest, gems.

Billed as a “craft beer pub,” The Wren takes its lagers and ales as seriously as you’d expect. On tap, there’s a who’s who of local microbrews from purveyors like Muddy York, Left Field, Godspeed, Great Lakes Brewery, and more. Alongside, a menu of hearty, globally-inspired fare is big on flavour, comfort, and portions. Each and every dish — from the succulent French Onion Burger to the zingy Big Dill Chicken Sandwich — is a study in devil-may-care cooking that’s as fun, and feel-good as food gets. The promise of a unique daily special only adds to the gleeful feeling of dining out at The Wren. No, The Wren doesn’t take reservations. But, if you subscribe to the same relaxed ethos as the people calling the shots, you won’t mind one bit.

Mezes Restaurant

456 Danforth Avenue

Home to Greektown, one of North America’s largest Greek neighbourhoods, the Danforth is as close as you’ll get to the Hellenic Republic this side of the Atlantic. As all Torontonians know, when you’re craving the flavours of Greece, head to the Danforth and you’ll find them, in spades.

At Mezes, a staple of the neighbourhood since 1996, guests won’t just find classic Greek cuisine. They’ll also encounter a welcome that’s as warm and genuine as if an Aegean yia-yia herself had taken you under her wing. Meant to be shared, abundant platters crowd tabletops as hungry guests yield to the menu’s temptations. Unsurprisingly, given the restaurant’s name, Mezes’ list of starters is as long as the catalogue of Zeus’ offspring, and offers a culinary junket across Greece’s varied regions. Tender garlic pita accompanies dip whorls, while kefalograviera cheese arrives to the dramatic spark of fire, and requisite “Opa!”. Mains of pork, chicken and lamb souvlaki compete for attention with baked whole fish, while bright produce that’s been marinated, grilled, and gussied up offers plenty for vegetarians to devour. A place that thrives on creating memorable moments for guests through shared meals, Mezes doesn’t just serve up a taste of Greek cuisine; it shares a vivacious slice of Greek culture, one dish at a time.

The Wood Owl

1380 Danforth Avenue

If ever there was a logical next step to owning and operating a successful craft beer pub, opening a wine bar must be it. At least, that’s how Dennis Kimeda and Rhonda Wade-Kimeda followed up their success at The Wren. Opened in 2021, next door to The Wren, The Wood Owl was built from a similarly affable foundation, with the focus simply shifting from beer to wine.

Invitingly shabby chic, The Wood Owl is as effortlessly beguiling as Paris’ most popular bistros. With a winning recipe of eclectic wines, refined food and a room bathed in a golden glow, it’s as appealing for a pre-dinner snack and sip as it is for an entire evening of fun. As at its sister spot, The Wood Owl offers a menu of seasonal fare that draws on a wealth of culinary influences and rotates frequently. On any given day, guests may be tempted by rabbit Dijonnaise, steak frites, seared King Cole duck, or pork chops napped with pineapple and ginger sweet and sour sauce. Also on offer, are a range of refined appetizers and desserts, each assembled to exacting standards and served on delicate porcelain plates. And, though a carefree approach to outings may sound devastatingly chic, those who’d like to coolly introduce a little order to their social calendar will be pleased to hear that The Wood Owl accepts reservations.

Simone’s Caribbean Restaurant

596 Danforth Avenue

Despite its Danforth Avenue address, Simone’s caters to cravings for Caribbean, not Mediterranean, flavours. When jerk and Johnny cakes, sweet plantains and buttery ackee beckon, Simone Lawrence’s Jamaican comfort food is guaranteed to save the day. Prepared with care coupled with the unmistakable depth only family recipes can give, dishes at Simone’s are as big on nostalgia as they are on bold, bright flavour. Here, meals begin with plates piled high with peppery beef patties, codfish fritters and tender Jamaican festival rolls. Roti appears blanketing sundry fillings, from fragrant curried shrimp to chana and callaloo that’s every bit as complex and gratifying as its meatier cousins. Visit often, and soon enough, Ms. Simone’s cooking will start to feel like a taste of home.

Square Boy

875 Danforth Avenue

If ever there was a team that subscribed to the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” it’s the one from Square Boy. A fixture on Danforth Avenue since the ‘60s, this is a spot that has outlasted its neighbours, has seen fads come and go, and has managed to remain unchanged as modernism encroached on the world outside. If it’s an old-school diner you’re looking for, Square Boy is the happy place you seek.

Guided by the towering sign, head inside to a formica-filled room where arcade games and the hustle of the grill lend the space its singular soundtrack. Famous since day one, it’s the charcoal-broiled Banquet Burger that first put Square Boy on the map. If burgers aren’t your thing, the affordable menu boasts plenty of options, most brought to life over the heat of the grill. Souvlaki meals, gyros, and kaiser buns stuffed with juicy steaks are all worth sampling. Rotisserie chickens — so plump and succulent they make the ones stagnating at the supermarket look like pigeons — will keep you coming back. That feeling you get from the throwback room, the eclectic clientele and the endearing service-with-a-scowl? Combined with the food, it just might be the secret to Square Boy’s continued success.

Momo Hut and Gardens

401 Danforth Avenue

Little Tibet may be Toronto’s momo hotspot but Danforth peeps need not suffer from momo FOMO. Thanks to Momo Hut and Gardens, Greektown is as logical a spot to grab fresh, hand-filled Tibetan dumplings as the city’s west end.

Informal and family-run, Momo Hut’s colourful array of dumplings is as eye-catching as the thoughtfully hung Tibetan art on the walls. Besides the obvious draw, the restaurant also offers curries, stir-fried noodles, rice dishes, and other traditional Tibetan fare. Still, if it’s momos you want, momos you’ll get. With options for vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters, dietary restrictions are no match for a menu with myriad variations on a theme. Start off with steamed rainbow momos, tinted with beets, spinach, portobello mushrooms, and more. Then, move on to tender lamb and beef momos, with a side of dumplings filled with shrimp, chicken or pork. Available in half and full plates, guests can easily enjoy a happy sampling of every momo that Momo Hut has to offer.

Len Duckworth’s Fish & Chips

2638 Danforth Avenue

If you’re not familiar with Mr. Duckworth, let this be your introduction. The son of original owners Jack and Edith Duckworth, Len assumed ownership of this eponymous spot from his parents in the 1950s. Ever since, the bare-bones chippy has been doling out its signature staples — ocean-fresh fish prepped with the team’s “world-famous secret recipe” and fried chips — and little else.

With nearly a century’s worth of delighted customers in its wake, it’s clear Len Duckworth’s is doing something, very well. The menu may not offer much for the seafood-averse, but for those who enjoy a fresh filet — be it halibut, haddock, blue cod, or sole — nirvana is within reach. Using a family recipe imported from England, the team serves plate after plate of crisp fish that’s both light and deeply satisfying. Atop a stack of golden fries, brightened with vinegar, ketchup, or enjoyed as is, it’s a dish that tastes as good today as it did long, long ago when Len Duckworth’s first opened for business.

Where to drink

Allen’s

143 Danforth Avenue

Some places just have it all. With its hearty food, crackerjack booze selection, adjacency to the Danforth Music Hall, and expansive, sun-streaked patio, Allen’s is one of the goodies. Opened in 1987, it’s also an oldie that came into its own long before social media sent influenced hoards rushing frantically from one side of the city to the other.

An excellent spot to drink, Allen’s doesn’t shy away from overpopulating its shelves with a surfeit of bottles of whisky, wine, local and international beers. From VQA treasures to singular single malts, Allen’s bar keeps customers intrigued, and coming back. There’s also comfort in knowing that, when hunger strikes, there’s a menu of elevated pub fare ready and waiting to satisfy. Pair a burger, pork rib chop, chef Viji’s signature curries, or even chocolate Guinness cake with your tipple of choice, and you’ll soon count yourself among Allen’s legions of deeply devoted fans.

The Dylan Bar

1276 Danforth Avenue

If you had close friends with a nose for business, a knack for cooking, and a keen palate when it came to cocktails, you’d want them to open a bar and invite you over, every night of the week. You may not know the owners of The Dylan Bar personally, but step inside and you’ll feel like one of the gang. A place that avidly respects adult beverages, music, and good food, The Dylan also reveres camaraderie and the art of unfussy, knowledgeable hospitality. Drinks here are local where possible, with an impressive number of craft beers, ciders and wines showcased alongside small-batch whiskies and liquors. They also pair excellently with the team’s fancified takes on pub provisions, including shareable snacks and must-have mains, from burgers and fish and chips to fried chicken sandwiches.

Whether you pop by to gawk at the beer fridge as you strategize how to fill your own, or land on the patio or at the bar to savour a cocktail, at The Dylan you’ll feel as comfortable as you do at home. Just don’t get so cozy that you forget to pay your bill on the way out the door.

The Auld Spot Pub

347 Danforth Avenue

Recently reopened after a slightly tumultuous changing of the guard, The Auld Spot Pub is hastily reclaiming its position as one of Danforth Avenue’s favourite watering holes. A neighbourhood fixture that’s open seven days a week, The Auld Spot draws in patrons thirsting to sample the extensive beverage offerings and hungry for nourishment from a revamped menu. Squeeze in amongst the throngs of regulars and take note. You’ll want a plate of signature chicken drummies to start. From there, draught and local craft beer, delightfully bracing cocktails and drams aplenty ensure there are options for every type of thirst. Open until late; The Auld Spot Pub is the type of place you head to for trivia night, stay at for dinner, then settle into for a nightcap without ennui every setting in.

Where to Grab a Coffee

Red Rocket Coffee

1364 Danforth Avenue

Strolling around the Danforth, you just might spy adults, babies, even pets, sporting red and white merch emblazoned with a rocket logo. In this neighbourhood, Red Rocket (the coffee shop, not the shoddy transportation system) stirs warm feelings of affection and fierce loyalty from legions of grateful regulars. A place that’s part bakery, part coffee pusher, and all neighbourhood staple, Red Rocket has been delighting Danforth Avenue denizens for over a decade.

First opened on Queen Street in 2006, Red Rocket moved to its current location in 2012. Ever since, its range of roasts, house-baked treats, chummy staff, and cozy nooks have made it a favourite. From parents soothing tots with one of the shop’s signature scones to freelancers seeking a peaceful spot to pump out content as they inhale a fresh-made sandwich, Red Rocket Coffee is the type of place people rely on during the week and still long to visit come the weekend.

Zav Coffee Shop & Gallery

2048 Danforth Avenue

Bright and vibrant, Zav Coffee Shop is a fresh alternative to the norm. As much a gallery as it is a place to refuel, the spot neatly combines the serenity of a museum with the uplifting merits of proper coffee and baked goods. Find the sunny yellow umbrellas and, once inside, you’ll be met with a quiet haven from the hurried pace outside. Family-owned and operated, Zav has an intimate, effortless feel. It’s a space that inspires heartfelt chats and bursts of productivity, as customers zone in over house-made biscotti, cookies, and, on occasion, Persian treats. A place that appeals to every one of your senses, there’s no doubt as to why Zav ranks high among Danforth locals and visitors alike when cravings for coffee hit.

Poured Coffee

2165 Danforth Avenue

If you feel as though stepping inside a coffee shop means leaving your sustainable agenda at the door, think again. At Poured Coffee, a zero-waste mantra means a weightless conscience accompanies every latte, breakfast sandwich, stuffed beignet, Reuben, and more. From reusable cups, cutlery and plates to a subscription service where cloth-bound coffee is delivered by bike courier to your door, Poured Coffee takes waste-free living as seriously as it takes its role of catering to the neighbourhood.

Open early morning until 5 p.m., seven days a week, Poured’s menu offers plenty of breakfast and lunch options, with snack fodder also available throughout the day. Homey takes on classic sandwiches and quiche attract attention alongside crisp paninis, with ample options for vegetarians peppered throughout the menu. All the same, an abundance of cake squares, energy balls, tarts, cookies and more may just inspire you to skip savouries and dive directly into desserts. To drink, creative lattes — think maple oat, honey cardamom and apple pie — will have you reconsidering your usual order. Co-existing with sister spot The RE Place, a visit to Poured Coffee means a delightful, earth-friendly meal and an environmentally-friendly shopping trip all in one.

Where to Shop

The Big Carrot Community Market

348 Danforth Avenue

In business on the Danforth for 39 years, The Big Carrot was an early proponent of local, organic, sustainable living. A natural food market with plenty of non-edible products also on offer, it’s likely you’ll find everything on your shopping list among The Big Carrot’s vast collection. Plant-powered skin care and revitalizing supplements pack shelves beside those loaded with biodegradable cleansers, and organic makeup. To eat? Fuel cooking projects with organic, often locally-sourced ingredients or assuage hunger with HMR that’s naturally free of the usual environmental impact. Stocked daily with hearty meals that feel homemade, a visit to the hot bar is the speediest route to mealtime satisfaction.

Masellis Supermarket

906 Danforth Avenue

Want to get a sense of just how long Masellis Supermarket has been in business? The year it opened, the modern seatbelt was developed, Fidel Castro became Cuba’s leader and a 24-year old Elvis Presley took a break from his blockbuster recording career to join the U.S. Army. It’s a different world now, yet, with its impressive assortment of Italian products, it’s farm-fresh produce, and deli counters chockablock with as many cheeses and cured meats as there are days in the month, Masellis is still thriving.

After migrating from Puglia, Italy, to Toronto, the Masellis family established its supermarket in 1959 in the same spot it stands today. Still family owned, it retains a type of old-world charm that’s hard to come by in our frenzied city. Lean into the vibe, and take in every inch of stock. Among the rows of cans, the columns of jars, the tiers of sweets, treats, pastas, and more, you’re guaranteed to find several gems.

Celena’s Bakery

1938 Danforth Avenue

With a striking variety of from-scratch products, snug, sunlit corners, and a welcoming crew, Celena’s Bakery feels more suburban than urban, which is what makes it shine. A Danforth Avenue fixture since 2010, the bakery runs on butter, flour and flavour. Mix in choice local ingredients, and a hefty dose of artistry and you'll understand the appeal of the shop’s coveted breads, decorated cookies, pies, layered cakes, and more.

Beloved for custom cakes — which range from elegant, towering wedding stacks to the younger set’s character obsessions du jour — the bakery is also the place to snag hostess gifts, bags of Dark City coffee and a sandwich or savoury pastry to carry you through the day. At Celena’s you’ll feel the team’s passion for its craft in every bite. With a menu that honours the seasons and most major holidays, you’ll also always find something new to try every time you visit.

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