20 Toronto restaurants where you can leave your wallet at home
The ol’ dine-and-dash is still a culinary crime, but Toronto foodies and pub fare fans alike are cashing in on a new way to eat and run — with benefits.
It’s called Glance Pay, the Canadian-made mobile payment app that lets you pay your tab instantly, and then hits you back with real-world rewards you can actually sink your teeth into.
For Toronto gastronauts, it means an easier way to divvy and dispatch your dinner bill, letting you walk out the door without having to waste time twiddling your thumbs or tracking down a credit card machine.
Diners at some of Toronto’s most buzz-worthy restaurants — like Blowfish, Bombay Street Food, Caren’s Rosedale, Figures, The Good Son, and Nomads Restobar — will never again have to bust out their billfolds before heading out.
Instead, they’ll keep heading back in, thanks to rewards that regulars love, and an easy payment process that lets focus on the things that matter most: The food and the service.
In Toronto, these 20 restaurants and bars are already well on their way to going cashless:
Blowfish
Blowfish/Facebook
Executive Chef Daniel Ken is the brains behind this social dining mash-up. Blowfish blends modern Japanese cuisine and South American flare for a culinary experience dripping with class. Here, the name of the game is “Shibui”: less is more, and simplicity is perfection.
Address: 668 King Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-860-0606
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Barsa Taberna
Barsa Taberna/Facebook
Manchego cheese, Iberian ham, patatas bravas, seafood-studded paella and more traditional tapas are on the menu at this St. Lawrence Market-area restaurant celebrating the diverse regions of Spain.
Address: 26 Market Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-341-3642
Bombay Street Food
Bombay Street Food
Sisters-in-law Seema and Amreen Omar pride themselves on their locally sourced ingredients, authentic spicing, and 100% halal meet at this Bay Street establishment. Built on the inspiration they drew from their days exploring Mumbai’s streets, Bombay Street Food boasts a cozy atmosphere, prices you can get behind, and a menu made for aunties and foodies alike.
Address: 828 Bay Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-344-7862
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Caren’s Rosedale
Caren’s Rosedale
Caren’s of Yorkville wine and cheese bar fame has migrated to midtown, bringing along its Parisian influence and favourite à la carte items. Delivering authentic French classics in the heart of Rosedale, at Caren’s you’ll find a noteworthy wine list, a chic and intimate atmosphere, live music by the grand piano, and cheese plates that will inspire you to think globally.
Address: 1118 Yonge Street, Toronto
Phone: 647-352-8111
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Carisma
Carisma
Once likened to a little black dress, Carisma is a stylish, sophisticated Italian fine dining joint dedicated to big flavours and warm welcomes. Restaurateurs Michael and Margi Pagliaro set up shop in the St. Lawrence Market area after years as the worst kept segreto of Forest Hill, and they brought with them hearty plates, elegant pastas, and good, strong old-world cooking.
Address: 73 King Street East, Toronto
Phone: 416-864-7373
Cocoa Berry
Sweet and savoury are always a-tango at Cocoa Berry, near Yonge and Steeles. Come for the jerk chicken and roti, come back again for the macarons and the artisanal cupcakes!
Address: 7181 Yonge Street, Thornhill
Phone: 289-597-0874
The Corner Place
The Corner Place/Facebook
Found at the foot of Jarvis Street in historic Old Town Toronto, the Corner Place is an Asian-inspired restaurant, bar and lounge that delivers on its promise of a lively, eccentric dining experience. The brainchild of Chinese-Filipino chef Charles Co, here you’ll find a buzzing patio, live bands and DJs, and a menu with offerings ranging from Vietnamese banh mi to ahi tuna tostadas.
Address: 11 Jarvis Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-850-1738
Bombay Palace
Bombay Palace Toronto/Facebook
Born 40 years ago in Montreal and long since gone global, the fine Indian fare at Bombay Palace on Jarvis Street will quickly reveal to you the secrets to its success. With a savoury menu accommodating a range of dietary needs, come descend on their lunch and dinner buffets next time you need to cure your hanger.
Address: 71 Jarvis Street
Phone: 416-368-8048
Daiko Indian Kitchen and Nepali Street Food
Parkdale’s Daiko Kitchen & Nepali Street Food is the west-end destination for eager and discerning eaters. For casual dining that won’t break the bank, you’ll find this gem on Queen West near Roncesvalles, but when you emerge from the extensive, alluring menu, you’ll wonder if you’re not somewhere much further east.
Address: 1564 Queen Street West
Phone: 416 -516-4038
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Door 3
Door Three/Facebook
Third door is the charm at this swanky King West watering hole. Guest list entry, an impressive bottle service menu, and raucous weekend DJ nights? Look no further when you want to let loose and enjoy life in the heart of a truly great city.
Address: 667 King Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-768-5533
Eatalian Pasta
@eatalianpasta/Instagram
Eatalian Pasta is dedicated to doing one thing, really, really well. No surprise: it’s pasta. More than 180 pasta combinations are waiting for you at this High Park establishment, including specialty and custom dishes, ready to make your meal whether you’re dining in, taking out, or grabbing a quick treat for the family.
Address: 2323 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Phone: 647-345-3466
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Figures
Figures Toronto/Facebook
Figures of Yorkville has more than just fine food and cocktails to draw you in. Nostalgia is on the menu at this refined and eclectic establishment, promising an experience for all your sense in an upscale resto-lounge where the line between fine dining and nightlife are delightfully blurred.
Address: 137 Avenue Road, Toronto
Phone: 416-900-1022
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Fresh on Crawford
Fresh Restaurants/Facebook
The earth won’t be the only thing thanking you for eating here. Your body is bound to feel the boost from the modern vegan and vegetarian delights on offer at Fresh’s Queen Street West location. Boasting a gourmet juice bar, healthful smoothies and shakes, and a made-fresh-daily menu, Fresh’s will leave you craving more green in your life.
Address: 894 Queen Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-599-4442
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Islas Filipino BBQ and Bar
Daiko Indian KItchen/Facebook
If you’re new to Filipino food, head to Parkdale to find Islas on Queen West and you’ll leave wondering where it’s been all your life. With savoury, sizzling dishes suitable for feasting and fraternizing alike, you’ll appreciate the cozy vibe and comfort food.
Address: 1690 A Queen Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-533-0777
Maezo Restaurant
Offering big, bold dishes in the heart of downtown Toronto, Maezo’s prides itself on service and succulence. With a menu of Indian classics with a Mexican twist, be sure to bring your appetite!
Address: 67 Richmond Street West #101
Phone: 416-941-0000
The Good Son
The Good Son is a celebration of Queen West, and its long tradition of bringing together people, cultures, and ideas. Committed to putting local, seasonal and organic produce on the table, this establishment’s menu focuses on sharing plates and its Italian wood-fired offerings to create a convivial and social dining experience.
Address: 1096 Queen Street West, Toronto
Phone: 416-551-0589
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Nord Bistro
Nord/Facebook
At Nord, chef Bart Pocock has made a home for cozy, charming French bistro fare on the Dupont strip. With new expansions to Nord’s lunch and brunch menus, becs fins of all persuasions will find something to delight them here, from moules frites to bouillabaise!
Address: 406 Dupont Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-925-6673
Nomads Restobar
Chef “Chile” David leads this passionate, family-owned outfit that brings “global inspirations, local creations” to Toronto’s famous east-end strip, The Danforth. Try the roasted sweet potato chimichanga, and if you find yourself on a strange subway platform on your way to the basement restrooms, keep calm and wander on.
Address: 699 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 647- 342-7666
The Original Gyro
The Original Gyro Grill/Facebook
This Walmer Road favourite has a new, second home on The Danforth, and there could be no better place to eat the famous gyro than in the heart of Toronto’s Greektown. Saucy, meaty, full of goodness that defies explanation, grab this wrap to go or sit down, dig in, and bliss out.
Address: 547 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-598-0700
The Station Ale House
The Station/facebook
Head west, my friend, head west to Jane and Bloor for this neighbourhood favourite. You’ll find it right across from the subway station where live music, old friends, and fried pickles are the name of the game. Whether you’re after stand-up comedy or chicken and waffles, you won’t leave hungry or bored.
Address: 2457 Bloor Street West, Toronto,
Phone: 416-762-2348
This post was brought to you by Glance Pay Mobile Payments, an app that’s revolutionizing how smartphone users dine, instantly pay, and track digital receipts while accessing deals and earning exclusive rewards. Find the free Glance Pay app on iTunes or Google Play.
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