Aliu IsaAh, lunch, the favorite part of my workday—it’s that time of the day you always look forward to right after clocking in. I mean, who hasn’t fantasized about where to go or what to eat for lunch a couple of hours after eating breakfast?
And because Toronto is chock-full of popular lunch joints and local faves, you can grab anything you want, really. I’m talking about deli sandwiches, burgers, steaks, wraps, tacos, the best pizza in the city—you name it.
So, if you’re hungry and indecisive (been there), don’t worry—I’ll never steer you wrong. Here are the best lunch spots in the 6ix to satisfy your midday cravings.
Richmond Station
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Website: https://richmondstation.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondstation/
Address: 1 Richmond St W
Hours: Tue – Fri: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Sat – Sun: 3:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Contact: (647) 748-1444
Must-Order: Stn. Burger
Since 2012, Richmond Station has been helmed by Top Chef Canada winner Carl Heinrich. No wonder it’s hands-down one of the best restaurants in West End Toronto.
My go-to lunch order here is the Stn. Burger, which is pretty much hard to beat. Made with pasture-raised beef and stacked with garlic aioli, beet chutney, pickled onions, aged cheddar, and lettuce, this burger is lit—it even comes with rosemary fries!
Cap off your lunch with their Rhubarb & Custard dessert. It’s lemon olive oil cake, vanilla custard espuma, rhubarb sorbet, and pistachios—it’s light and bright, which will balance out any rich meal you’ve had.
And if you’re planning a corporate lunch gathering, their main dining room can host up to 22 guests. For anything larger, they’ll reserve a portion of the restaurant.
Pro Tip:
Richmond Station is also a go-to lunch spot for vegans. A popular order is their Grilled Leek & Chickpea Burger, which comes with pickled onions, beet chutney, and rosemary fries, but with a juicy, plant-based patty that’s also delicious.
Black+Blue
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Website: https://blackandbluesteakhouse.ca/toronto-home/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bandbsteak/
Address: 130 King St W
Hours: Mon – Fri: 11:30 AM – 12 AM
Sat – Sun: 11 AM – 12 AM
Contact: (647) 368-8283
Must-Order: Steak & Frites
Fancy a steak for lunch? If your answer is yes (or maybe, always), Black+Blue is the place to be—this stylish steakhouse makes weekday lunches feel like a treat.
In fact, this restaurant is one of the rare spots in the city that serves certified Kobe Beef. It has a rich, melt-in-your-mouth umami flavor that comes from its “shimofuri” marbling.
They also have an Express Lunch 45 Menu. Available Monday to Friday, this menu is designed to get you in, fed, and back out the door in just 45 minutes—perfect for business lunches and midday-meet-ups.
A go-to order of mine here is their Steak & Frites, which is a no-brainer since they’re one of the best steak frites spots in Toronto. We’re talking Canadian prime striploin, with a red wine jus, parmesan fries, and truffle aioli on the side.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss Black+Blue’s $25 Burger and Beer Fridays. Every Friday during lunch (until 2:30 PM), you can enjoy a juicy burger and cold beer combo for just $25!
PAI
Media credit: PaiToronto
Website: https://www.paitoronto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PaiToronto/
Address: 18 Duncan St, Toronto, ON M5H 3G8
Hours: Monday: 4 PM – 9:30 PM
Tue – Thurs, Sun: 12 PM – 9:30 PM
Fri – Sat: 12 PM – 10 PM
Contact: (416) 901-4724
Must-Order: Chef Nuit’s Pad Thai
PAI (one of the best dining spots near Princess of Wales Theatre) is a Michelin-recommended spot that’s always buzzing for a reason. Led by Chef Nuit, a former nurse, she now soothes hungry souls with her family recipes.
One of my favorite lunch orders is Chef Nuit’s Pad Thai, which is sweet, tangy, and savory, thanks to the house-made tamarind and palm sugar sauce. These stir-fried noodles come with bean sprouts, tofu, egg, and chives.
The best part is that this dish is totally customizable—you can choose between chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. Then, pick your heat level: No Spice, Mild, Medium, Farang Spicy (foreigner-level spicy), or Thai Spicy.
To round out your Thai experience, grab one of their signature drinks like the PAI Sangria (Red) for that perfect fruity and boozy twist.
Pro Tip:
PAI keeps some reservations limited at lunch so that they can welcome more walk-in guests. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, lunch reservations start at 2 PM.
Fox on John
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Website: http://hello.foxonjohn.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxonjohn/
Address: 106 John St #3
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9 AM – 2 AM
Contact: (647) 748-0369
Must-Order: Lobster Pasta
Fox on John is a modern British pub. It offers comfy seating, charming exposed brick, and a patio with one of the best sidewalk views of the CN Tower.
My typical order here is their Lobster Pasta, which never disappoints. It’s a rich, comforting plate of pappardelle tossed with lobster, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy sauce that ties everything together.
As for their desserts, everything is made in-house. Their popular options include cheesecake, crème brûlée, tiramisu, and chocolate almond brownie.
Don’t forget to check their socials for seasonal promos like Father’s Day offers, holiday menus, and more.
Pro Tip:
Fox on John is also a fantastic option for corporate and private events. They offer multiple spaces such as the dining room, which seats 42 or stands 90, the library, the bar, and their full interior.
JOEY Eaton Centre
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Website: https://joeyrestaurants.com/location/joey-eaton-centre
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/3448177/joey-eaton-centre/
Address: 1 Dundas St W
Hours: Mon – Sun: 11 AM – 1 AM
Contact: (647) 352-5639
Must-Order: Blackened Chicken
JOEY Eaton Centre is just steps away from Yonge-Dundas Square, known for its Enomatic wine dispensary that’ll allow you to try premium wine bottles by the glass.
When it comes to the lunch menu, one crowd-pleaser is their juicy Blackened Chicken. It’s served with potato salad, bacon, horseradish aioli, and coleslaw—all the comforting flavors that you love.
If you’re planning a special lunch event, check out JOEY’s private dining options. They have a globally-inspired menu, plus you can arrange for live-action chef stations, family-style sharing plates, or go all-in on an elegant list-down dinner.
Don’t forget to peek at their online deals and promos. For instance, every Tuesday, you can get up to 50% off bottles of wine.
Pro Tip:
After grabbing lunch at JOEY Eaton Centre, why not stay for their daily Happy Hour? It runs from 3 PM to 6 PM in the lounge, bar, and patio.
The George Street Diner
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Website: https://thegeorgestreetdiner.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegeorgestreetdiner
Address: 129 George St
Hours: Wed – Fri: 8 AM – 9 PM
Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 3 PM
Contact: (416) 862-7676
Must-Order: Chicken Quesadillas
The George Street Diner is one of those feel-good, homey diners that just instantly wins you over. Tucked away in downtown Toronto, this charming red diner is owned by an Irish woman who moved to Canada at the tender age of 19.
For lunch, I always find myself coming back to their Chicken Quesadillas. These things are stacked with tender chicken, black beans, gooey melted cheese, pickled jalapenos, peppers, and onions—all grilled in a warm tortilla.
This spot is also low-key famous for its soda bread, which you can actually bake yourself. Just buy Farrelly’s Famous Irish Soda Bread Mix from their shop—one pack makes two loaves.
Note that this diner can be a bit cramped. If you want to avoid the lunch crowd and score a seat, your best bet is heading in around 11 AM or a bit later at 2 PM.
Pro Tip:
You can support this local diner by grabbing some of their merch while you’re there or online. They’ve got baseball caps, shirts, mugs, and even pretty little postcards.
Cheffry’s Bistro
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Website: https://cheffrysbistro.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_cheffrysbistro/
Address: 388 Richmond St W
Hours: Monday: 12 PM – 9 PM
Tuesday: 11 AM – 9 PM
Wed – Fri: 11 AM – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 12 PM – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 12 PM – 9:30 PM
Contact: (437) 996-7357
Must-Order: Short Rib Orzo
Cheffry’s Bistro is led by Chef Rocha, a 5-star international executive chef with over 35 years of culinary experience. It’s safe to say you’d be having an amazing lunch here.
A must-try is their Short Rib Orzo. Not only is it halal, but it’s also packed with braised beef rib, sundried tomato, thyme, and black lemon, all tossed with orzo and finished in a delicious beef jus.
If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the Cheffry’s Lunch Special, which changes from Monday to Friday. They post daily updates on Instagram and Facebook, so check out their latest lunch offering online.
I appreciate the atmosphere here, too—there’s house music playing in the background and an open kitchen, so you can watch your food being prepared. And for those travelling internationally, make sure to grab their WiFi password for a faster connection.
Pro Tip:
Cheffry’s Bistro is a small space with very limited seating. If you’re dropping by for lunch, it’s smart to book a reservation in advance here.
House on Parliament
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Address: 454 Parliament St
Website: http://www.houseonparliament.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hop_to/
Phone Number: (416) 925-4074
Business Hours: Mon – Thurs: 11:30 AM – 12 AM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 1 AM
Saturday: 11 AM – 1 AM
Sunday: 11 AM – 12 AM
Must-Order: Fancy Bangers + Mash
The House on Parliament is a classic British pub run by a couple with a passion for cozy vibes and hearty meals.
There’s plenty of space to settle in for lunch—it has a front patio, rooftop patio, and lots of indoor seating. Plus, it’s family-friendly, complete with high chairs and a kids’ menu.
When I stop by here, I always get their Fancy Burgers + Mash—simple and satisfying. It has grilled garlic and parsley sausages from Sanagan’s, served on a bed of Yukon Gold mash, with sautéed veggies, gravy, and grainy mustard.
To wash down your heavy meal, choose from their selection of Sloan Loose Leaf Teas—from Lavender Earl Grey and Cranberry to Japanese Sencha Green and Citron Calm Chamomile.
Pro Tip:
If you’re craving a House on Parliament lunch during the weekend, you should go for their Weekend Brunch instead. Their brunch menu, good from 11 AM to 3 PM, offers breakfast and lunch pub fare that’s hard to resist.
Lebanese Garden
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Website: https://lebanesegarden.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lebanesegardento/
Address: 366 College St
Hours: Mon – Sun: 10 AM – 10 PM
Contact: (416) 551-1553
Must-Order: Grilled Chicken Shawarma
Lebanese Garden has been around for 25 years, serving healthy, traditional Lebanese food packed with whole grains, fresh veggies, seafood, and spices.
For a lunch that’s no muss, no fuss, grab their Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wrap—a fan favorite for a reason. Enjoy the juicy white chicken meat, your pick of toppings, and their signature sauce—and be forewarned, their portion sizes are huge.
They also have tons of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free options—plus, they do a good job of clearly labeling everything for allergens.
And do grab some dessert as well. Their baklava is the real deal—buttery, flaky, with just the perfect hint of sweetness.
Pro Tip:
Lebanese Garden offers catering, too. They’ll handle the food and supplies, so you can just sit back and enjoy.
Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos
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Website: https://sevenlivesto.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenlivesto/
Address: 72 Kensington Ave
Hours: Mon – Sun: 12 PM – 7 PM
Contact Details: https://sevenlivesto.ca/Contact
Must-Order: Camarones a La Diabla
Since 2012, Seven Lives has been serving Baja-style and fresh seafood tacos in Kensington Market. This little taqueria is where I go when I want a simple lunch that won’t drain my wallet.
My favorite is, of course, their Camarones a La Diabla—it’s loaded with spicy grilled shrimp and melted cheese, packed into a tortilla with just the right kick. A close second is their Baja Fish Taco, with crispy fried basa, cabbage, and creamy Baja sauce.
Each taco runs only between $7 to $9, but they’re generously stuffed. Two tacos, and I’m already full and happy.
Vegans can also enjoy their tacos. In fact, one of their bestsellers is the Mushroom and Cactus Taco, with grilled cremini mushrooms, cactus, fried halloumi, and fresh toppings.
Pro Tip:
Seven Lives does not really have that much seating—just a couple of benches and a table. I recommend having your tacos to-go while strolling through Kensington Market.
