Hi all, I’m looking for the best classic lunch spots in the financial district. Prefer sit down and no sushi! Thank you :)

With colder weather coming, I'm on a mission to try some excellent gamjatang places. I travel around so willing to expand my gamjatang horizons! Bonus points if they have delicious sides as well. Thank you!

Places I've tried so far w/ my ratings:

• Mapo Gamjatang @yonge/Sheppard (9/10): my go-to gamjatang spot. Love the body and flavour of the soup. The fish cake side is delicious (they're nice about refills). Price point of ~$17 is an appeal.

• Damda @bloor ktown (9/10): very similar taste and price to Mapo, except spicier to me at least. Had the sujebi gamjatang and was delicious. Loved the variety of sides.

• Seoul Gamjatang @yonge/Wellesley (7.5/10): tasted average to me, not a lot of body to the soup. Very meaty pork bones was a plus (but also fatty...). Once we took the pork out of the bowl, there wasn't a lot of soup actually given 🥲 Fish cake side was more delicious than Mapo's.

• Jin dal Lee @bloor ktown (7/10): had it twice, once as a two-person hotpot style and another solo. Was good but average.

• Imonay @bloor ktown (6/10): got their $8 takeout and was edible.

• Buk Chang Soondubu @bloor ktown (5/10): was also edible but didn't really taste like gamjatang to us (idk what we expected ordering at a Soondubu restaurant)

Checked out this new-ish spot in Riverside, really solid! Not the usual bog standard fake Irish pub that Toronto has in abundance - they've clearly spent some money on the interior and it's polished and upscale, without the usual kiss-my-blarney tropes going on. Big screens were all playing the Liverpool match with full volume throughout the pub, so I imagine this will become a regular for East End soccer fans.

I had the bacon and cabbage for $19 - nice few pieces of ham, well cooked cabbage, excellent mash, and a creamy parsley gravy. Delicious, especially with a proper Guinness. Menu has a lot of things I want to try, including a Spice Bag!

It stretches to Osler Park and the lane way… I don’t think I’ve seen it this long before, considering it’s 3:30pm and 7 degrees. Great pizza but I don’t think it’s worth this wait lol

For those who have tried the pistachio croissant at Emmer and some of the fancier croissants at Le Beau, which was more worth the hype?

And, which might I be more likely to get what I want at 10am on a Saturday this time of year?

i’m a culinary student in toronto and i would really love to get a different kind of dining experience, but i’d like to find something in my budget!

any recs or is this too low of a price?

Looking for a simple authentic Italian restaurant for my birthday. I'm tired of these high-end Italian places that serve mediocre food for astronomical prices. I'm Italian myself and I often find myself thinking it would have been better to have just eaten at home. So I just want a nice bottle of wine and 3 course meal at a reasonable price. I like Cafe Oro Di Napoli, but already going there another day. Some places I've seen mentioned are 7 Numbers, Ascari, Gio Rana, let me know if you've been!

Going to Ed Mirvish Theatre this Sunday for a 2:00pm musical and looking for a great brunch spot for 3 of us before we attend the show.

Walking from Union to Ed Mirvish so hoping we can pop into one on the way there. Any suggestions? Looking for something that is walk in or will take a reso

Thanks!

Looking for some recommendations for either sheet cake that can be customized with a message or custom sugar cookies. Downtown, preferred!!

Hi all,

A few of us are interested in going out for brunch on a Saturday. We were looking for a restaurant but realize a lot of them don’t take reservations. We all have small babies/toddlers at home so we don’t be out for too long. Any recommendations on brunch places that can accommodate a group of 7 to 8 people? Thanks in advance.

I don’t know any places and I’m taking My girlfriend out for our one year anniversary. I’m looking for something with a candles on the table type of setting where u dress up real nice. Preferably not crazy expensive but I’m not opposed to spending a little.

In a land dominated by the smash burger, it’s nice to have another spot that does a full beef patty cooked medium rare.

Throughly enjoyed this, I wish I had more pics to share but it went down real fast. When you do a burger like this there is no hiding the quality of the meat. It’s the star of the show and it was paired with the perfect accessory of condiments to complement the meat.

A couple of things I had issue with. The bun was cold and a touch bit hard. Second, the fries were great just overly salted.

8/10 Worth trying as a treat

I ordered the single American with a side order of their curly fries. The lettuce and ketchup relish adds a nice touch compared to the original. Curly fries was cooked perfectly w the right amount of seasoning.

Is there anywhere in Toronto that has a jack and coke slushy machine? This came up in my memories from the states and I've never seen it in Toronto. It slaps

This is my favourite coffee in Toronto. Barista/owner can be mean at times, but he’s perfected his art so the result is in the coffee.

I moved here from Calgary, where there were a few Vietnamese restaurants you could buy bulk pho for like 35-40 bucks. They'd give you all the noodles, veggies meat etc in big bags and then you had to bring your own bucket for the broth. This was never advertised though. Any places that do that in Toronto?

Hi, would anyone know what ever happened to the original owners of Harbord Fish & Chips, on Harbord, just east of Bathurst? The mom and her son had run it for decades but has since sold to new owners a few years back now. Just curious really, as they were super nice and generous with their yummy food. I recall their place being vandalised back towards the end there. Was that anything to do with why they decided to sell? Anyhow, I hope they are well and miss their fish & chips!

Hi, husband and I went to JABS tonight for burgers and dam it didn’t disappoint. Husband got their cheesy burger and I got the fried chicken with fries. They gave this spicy sauce on the side which was chefs kiss.

10/10 recommend for authentic, not too complicated burger. The buns itself were delicious. We also got a local draft beer from Junction, what a treat.

If you’re near st Clair west and Bathurst, stop by!

Hello Toronto food friends!! I am going to a dinner on Sunday and have been tasked with picking up a dessert for the occasion!

The dinner cuisine is French and the area is downtown. I am looking for a full-size cake, tart, pie etc that fits the French theme in the downtown core that you recommend and can assure me is delicious!

Any info helps :)

Cheers

Hi! Coming up to Toronto in a few weeks for a work dinner. Initially had made a res at Blu ristorante but had read it’s very mid in terms of taste. Anyone have any recommendations? For about 6 people, caveat is that it’s on a Monday and many places are closed. Was also looking at Sotto Sotto. We have a tight budget and are Trying to stay around $500-$700 max budget across 6 people (think 1 cocktail each, a few apps to share, entree each). Also looked into osteria giulia but worried that may be a bit much!

Thanks in advance!

EDIT TO include we are NOT drinkers. Mahbe 2 people will be having a GLASS of wine. So should be more doable. Budget is $500 usd / $700 cad… sticking to yorkville due to hotel arrangements and proximity to office.

Me and few guys are looking for good wings. Ive read duffs and crown and dragon. Still the 2 best options?

Planning to visit there later this month, but was wondering if there is a difference other than the time allotted (45min/lunch, 60min/dinner) for the omakase at Sushi Yugen in terms of pieces or options available.

where does one acquire the best KLP in the city? Does House Of Chan still have them flown in from Miami? was $70 for whole pie