For those seeking out a delicious lunch in Toronto, the options are plentiful and diverse. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, the city has something for everyone. From trendy cafes to iconic diners, Toronto's culinary scene is sure to delight even the most discerning palate.
With so many choices available, it can be overwhelming to decide where to dine. That's where the list of The 16 Best Lunch Spots in Toronto comes in. This carefully curated selection includes a variety of eateries that offer a range of cuisines, atmospheres, and price points. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot for a solo lunch or a lively restaurant to catch up with friends, this list has you covered.
Before ranking this guide we review each business's track record, what its customers say and how clearly it explains its work. The result is an editorial selection that we update as things change.
Featured positions are clearly marked and only offered to businesses that already earned their place in the guide.
Pick one to read the short summary below.
#1Seasonally rotating menu
Canadian cooking
Lunch and dinner
Richmond Station serves Canadian cooking with a seasonally rotating menu, making it an option for lunch when you want to follow what is currently on the menu. The Toronto restaurant combines a cosy, upmarket setting with cocktails, and also offers dinner, desserts and catering for occasions beyond a midday meal.
#2Thai cuisine
Cocktails
Takeaway available
PAI offers Thai cuisine and cocktails in Toronto, with a spacious dining room for those who want to sit down for a meal. Dine-in, takeaway and delivery provide different ways to enjoy its food, whether visiting the restaurant or arranging a meal to eat at home or elsewhere.
#3Breakfast, brunch and lunch
Classic diner setting
Coffee
Breakfast, brunch and lunch define the offering at Patrician Grill, a classic Toronto diner serving coffee and scrambled eggs. Its casual, cosy and family-friendly atmosphere suits a meal with loved ones, and the restaurant operates on a cash-only basis with an ATM available on site.
#4Open kitchen
Eggs and bacon
Burgers
An open kitchen and a casual, cosy diner setting shape the experience at Avenue Open Kitchen in central Toronto. Eggs and bacon, other breakfast classics and burgers feature among the food choices, with breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner available. Catering extends its offering to meals beyond the restaurant.
#5Middle Eastern dishes
Shareable plates
Hot honey fried chicken
Byblos Downtown serves Middle Eastern food in Toronto, with shareable dishes that include fried eggplant and hot honey fried chicken. The sophisticated, cosy setting suits a meal built around sharing plates, whether you are dining as a family or looking for a romantic setting for two.
#654th-floor views
Canadian-inspired dishes
Canoe pairs Canadian-inspired dishes with views from the 54th floor, giving the setting a clear role in choosing a meal here. This Toronto restaurant suits diners looking for a romantic occasion or a celebration, with the elevated outlook providing a backdrop to the food throughout the meal.
#7Irish breakfasts
Pancakes and breakfast wraps
Retro diner setting
The George Street Diner brings a retro setting to a menu that includes Irish breakfasts, plain pancakes and a breakfast wrap. The Ultimate Irish Breakfast and Massive Irish Breakfast are both named options, while coffee and a selection of teas round out a casual meal in Toronto.
#8Small plates
Brunch and lunch
Cocktails and wine
Aloette Restaurant offers Canadian dining in Toronto, with small plates and a drinks selection that includes cocktails, beer and wine. Its casual, cosy yet upmarket setting spans brunch, lunch and dinner, making it an option for either a midday meal or a later visit with dessert.
#9Cocktails
Sports atmosphere
Outdoor seating
JOEY Eaton Centre combines cocktails and a sports atmosphere with a lively restaurant setting in Toronto. Outdoor seating gives diners another setting to choose from, while takeaway and delivery are available for those planning to eat elsewhere, with fast service also listed among the restaurant's features.
#10All-day breakfast
Western omelet
Super breakfasts
Sunset Grill serves all-day breakfast in Toronto, including a western omelet and super breakfasts for diners who enjoy breakfast food beyond the morning. The casual, cosy restaurant welcomes families and LGBTQ+ diners, with dine-in, takeaway and delivery options for enjoying eggs and other breakfast dishes.
#11Italian cuisine
Vegan options
Organic dishes
bosk serves Italian cuisine in central Toronto, with vegan options and organic dishes among its offerings. A romantic atmosphere and cocktails make it a choice for a meal where the setting matters alongside the menu, while outdoor seating provides another way to dine at the restaurant.
#12Rooftop seating
City and Lake Ontario views
Coconut Pancake
KŌST serves Californian food with rooftop seating overlooking the city and Lake Ontario, making the outlook a distinct part of a visit. Coconut Pancake and Egg Benedict Avocado are among the named dishes, and the Toronto restaurant's setting also lends itself to birthdays and other celebrations.
#13Burgers and milkshakes
Fish and chips
Breakfast through dinner
Open 24 hours
200 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R3, CanadaFran's Restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner in a cosy, casual Toronto diner setting, with burgers, milkshakes, fish and chips, and the Big Breakfast among its choices. Desserts, cocktails and a selection of teas round out the menu, while outdoor seating, dine-in, takeaway and delivery offer several ways to enjoy a meal.
#14Vegan menu choices
All-day breakfast and brunch
Tea selection
Evviva Breakfast and Lunch offers all-day breakfast and brunch, with menu choices for both vegans and non-vegans. That makes it a useful option for a group with differing food preferences, while the cosy seating and tea selection give those eating in a setting for a midday break.
#15French toast
Three-course brunch
Decor with live plants
French toast and a three-course brunch are among the options at 1 Kitchen in Toronto, where live plants complement a cosy setting that combines casual and upmarket touches. Cocktails, outdoor seating and delivery add flexibility, while wheelchair accessibility and a welcoming atmosphere suit families, groups and LGBTQ+ diners.
#16Home fries and omelettes
Pancakes and waffles
Diner-style breakfast
Open 24 hours
20 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1K2, CanadaDiner-style breakfast and brunch anchor the menu at Fran's Restaurant and Bar in Toronto, with home fries, omelettes, pancakes and waffles among the choices. Its nostalgic, cosy atmosphere suits a casual family meal, with a selection of teas, outdoor seating, dine-in, takeaway, delivery and kerbside pickup available.
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Richmond Station | 4.7 | 3,014 | Seasonal Canadian lunch |
| #2 | PAI | 4.6 | 12,121 | Thai lunch or takeaway |
| #3 | Patrician Grill | 4.6 | 460 | Diner breakfast or lunch |
| #4 | Avenue Open Kitchen | 4.6 | 672 | Breakfast classics and burgers |
| #5 | Byblos Downtown | 4.5 | 3,162 | Sharing a Middle Eastern meal |
| #6 | Canoe | 4.5 | 3,070 | Canadian dining with a view |
| #7 | The George Street Diner | 4.5 | 1,637 | Irish breakfast and pancakes |
| #8 | Aloette Restaurant | 4.5 | 1,590 | Small plates at lunch |
| #9 | JOEY Eaton Centre | 4.3 | 4,189 | Lunch in a lively setting |
| #10 | Sunset Grill | 4.3 | 1,906 | Breakfast food at lunchtime |
| #11 | bosk | 4.3 | 328 | Italian meals with vegan options |
| #12 | KŌST | 4.2 | 4,037 | Rooftop dining with lake views |
| #13 | Fran's Restaurant | 4.2 | 3,687 | Diner lunch with milkshakes |
| #14 | Evviva Breakfast and Lunch | 4.2 | 3,572 | Brunch for mixed dietary preferences |
| #15 | 1 Kitchen | 4.2 | 734 | Brunch in a plant-filled setting |
| #16 | Fran's Restaurant and Bar | 4.2 | 4,682 | Classic diner brunch |
Before you lies a comprehensive culinary tour of the buzzing city of Toronto. With our meticulously assembled guide, discover a myriad of eateries that define Toronto's vibrant lunch scene. Spanning hidden gems to renowned hotspots, our diverse range of selections truly offers something for everyone. Embark on your gastronomic journey with this comprehensive map of all the lunch spots in Toronto.
There are plenty of amazing places to grab lunch in Toronto, catering to all tastes and budgets. For those looking for a quick bite, food courts like the one at Union Station offer a variety of options from fast food to healthy salads. If you're in the mood for something more upscale, check out the trendy restaurants in the downtown core such as Canoe or Terroni. For a taste of international cuisine, head to Kensington Market or Chinatown for delicious and authentic dishes. If you're looking for a unique dining experience, consider trying a food truck or visiting one of the many pop-up markets that often feature local chefs and vendors. No matter what you're in the mood for, Toronto has something to satisfy every craving!
Toronto is known for its diverse culinary scene, which is reflected in the wide variety of popular lunch dishes available. Peameal bacon sandwiches, also known as "Toronto sandwiches," are a local favorite and can be found in many delis and food markets throughout the city. Poutine is another must-try dish, featuring crispy fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. If you're in the mood for something lighter, poke bowls and ramen are popular choices, with many restaurants offering unique twists on these traditional dishes. Don't forget to try some Toronto-style pizza or Jamaican patties for a taste of the city's varied culinary influences.
While Toronto is known for its upscale dining scene, there are plenty of budget-friendly lunch options available for those looking to save a bit of money. Food trucks are a great choice for delicious and affordable meals, with many offering dishes for under $10. Street food vendors can also be found throughout the city, serving up everything from tacos to samosas at prices that won't break the bank. If you prefer to sit down for lunch, many restaurants offer lunch specials during the week, providing discounted prices on select menu items. Food courts and food markets are also great places to find a variety of affordable options, with many stalls offering meals for under $15.
Toronto offers a range of unique lunch experiences for those looking to shake up their dining routine. For a taste of futuristic dining, consider visiting one of the city's robot-run restaurants, where your meal is prepared and served by robots. If you're a fan of pop culture, check out one of the many themed restaurants in the city, such as a Harry Potter-themed cafe or a Game of Thrones-inspired bar. For foodies looking to broaden their culinary horizons, consider taking a food tour of Toronto, which will guide you through the city's diverse neighborhoods and cuisines. Farm-to-table restaurants and local food markets also offer a unique dining experience, with many establishments sourcing their ingredients locally and serving up fresh, seasonal dishes.
