The Best Lunch in Toronto for a Day Off | TasteToronto

Guides / Spots

The Best Lunch in Toronto for a Day Off

The Best Lunch in Toronto for a Day Off

The Best Lunch in Toronto for a Day Off

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

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!

171 E Liberty St Unit 127A

Aloette Liberty

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.

1122 Queen St W

Hello 123

Hello 123

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.

131 Bloor St W 2nd Floor

Amal Toronto

Amal Toronto

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.

80 Blue Jays Way 44th Floor

Kost

Kost

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.

23 Baldwin Street - Floor Unit

Light Cafe

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.

165 University Ave

Cafe Landwer

Cafe Landwer

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.

1372 Queen St E

Mira Mira

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.

2388 Yonge St

Stock T.C.

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.

115 Yorkville Ave

Kasa Moto

Kasa Moto

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.

1968 Queen St E

Limon

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.

454 Parliament St

House on Parliament

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.

10 Bay St # 105

Miku Toronto

Miku Toronto

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.

18 Duncan St

Pai

Pai

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.

72 Ossington Ave

Union

Union

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.

The Best Lunch in Toronto for a Day Off

Guides / Spots

2 years ago

The Best Lunch in Toronto for a Day Off

Jordan Shore

Jordan Shore

Instagram

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

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!

18 Duncan St

Pai

Pai

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.

72 Ossington Ave

Union

Union

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.