Categories > Guides and Tips
The 10 Best Restaurants in Queen West
To explore Queen West is an affair akin to indulging in a rich feast, where every twist and turn of the streets offers a new adventure to satiate your craving for divine flavours. Yep, that’s how Queen West is!
But fear not, for we have the list of the best restaurants in Queen West, which will leave you awestruck and hungry for more.
So read on and be prepared to embark on a tantalising journey through Queen West’s culinary havens!
Smoque N’ Bones
Website: https://smoquenbones.com/
Address: 869 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G4, Canada
Contact details: +1 647-341-5730
Operating hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday – 2 PM to 10:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 10:30 PM
Allow me to introduce you to one of Queen West’s culinary treasures, Smoque N’ Bones. Now, when I tell you this place knows barbecue, I mean, they really know their thing!
This awesome joint prides itself on bringing the tradition and authenticity of American BBQ to our beloved Toronto. They’re mixing in the best of Memphis, Texas, Kansas City, and the Carolinas right on your plate.
And hey, even if you aren’t massive on meat, they’ve got some killer sides that’ll leave you hooked.
Have you ever tasted magic? No? Well, then you ain’t tried their Smoked Mac n’ Cheese. A creamy, dreamy delight that will have you moppin’ up every bit of it
| Local tip: Order some extra BBQ sauce on the side; it’s smokin’ good! |
Queen Mother Cafe
Website: http://www.queenmothercafe.ca/
Address: 208 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z2, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-598-4719
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
As soon as you walk into Queen Mother Cafe, it’s pretty clear you’ve found something special, eh? This fantastic cafe has been going strong since 1978, and it’s all housed in a beautiful Victorian building (talk about vintage!).
The menu is a beautiful blend of Asian and European flavours, making it a truly unique experience for the Toronto foodie scene. Think about it—where else can you dig into mouth watering Khao Soy and follow it up with a drool-worthy Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie?
Oh, and don’t even get me started on their famous Ping Gai dish. Marinated in Thai spices, this grilled chicken delight is just wow!
Plus, they’ve got a solid offering of vegetarian and vegan dishes that taste so good you won’t even miss the meat. And, for all you gluten-sensitive folks, they have a whole separate menu.
| Local tip: If you’re heading to Queen Mother Cafe, make sure to get one of their famous quinoa-based burgers—it’s a total game changer, buddy! |
Planta Queen
Website: https://www.plantarestaurants.com/location/planta-queen-yorkville/
Address: 180 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3X3, Canada
Contact details: +1 647-812-1210
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Step inside Planta Queen, and you’re instantly transported into a lush, green paradise. If that doesn’t scream Queen West, what does? It’s cosy and laid-back, but it holds a certain elegance that’s just irresistible.
Planta Queen’s entirely plant-based menu has all the flair and pzazz of Asian cuisine without any animal products. It’s like they took the rulebook of the “impossible” and quite plainly threw it out the Queen West window.
But don’t let the “plant-based” label put you off, carnivores, cause this ain’t just lettuce and tomatoes. They’re serving up dishes like dumplings, sushi, and even General Lee’s cauliflower that are as flavourful and satisfying as anything you’d get from a classic Asian joint.
Now, for their craft cocktails, each one’s a concoction that screams innovation—it’s like the mad scientists of drink creation hung out here. And they’ve got smashing non-alcoholic ones for the teetotalers in the crowd, too.
| Local tip: Try the watermelon poke, a fun and plant-based twist on a classic Hawaiian dish—it’s so fresh and zingy, you’d swear it’s summer all over again! |
Nana
Website: http://www.stnnana.com/main
Address: 785 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G1, Canada
Contact details: +1 647-352-5773
Operating hours:
- Wednesday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Thursday – 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5:30 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 4 PM to 9 PM
Nana is one tense spot you’ve gotta check out as it proudly puts “Sh-Thai” cuisine on Toronto’s food map. It’s all about pumping out vibrant dishes that beautifully blend Thai and Chinese flavours.
That’s right, folks, the best of both worlds scooped onto a single plate. The foods here have a flavour punch that will knock your socks off!
The menu is packed with mammoth-sized meals that are perfect for sharing with your buds. We’ve gotta talk about the style of this place.
The decor gives you all the fun-filled vibes of a street-side food joint in Bangkok. Walls adorned with quirky posters, mismatched furniture, and a bustling open kitchen—just the kind of theatrical chaos that makes eating here so darn fun.
| Local tip: Ask for their staff-recommended dishes. You might discover a new favourite! |
Le Swan
Website: http://www.leswan.ca/
Address: 892 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G3, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-536-4440
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Alright, let’s sidle over to Le Swan, the Queen West French diner and neighbourhood gem. Gosh, it’s like a charming piece of Paris tucked into the bustling heart of Toronto.
They’ve got this awesome retro vibe going that, honestly, everyone finds endearing. Le Swan offers up an interesting mishmash of classic French cuisine with a good old dash of Americana. It sounds odd, but it works, folks!
After all, who can argue with a delicious French onion soup being followed by a classic cheeseburger? Ok, and their epic rotisserie chicken is a must try!
And their apple pie for dessert? It’s a slice of heaven, and I ain’t kidding, folks!
| Local tip: Make sure to try their weekend brunch. It’s pretty rad! |
Alo
Website: https://alorestaurant.com/
Address: 163 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 2L6, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-260-2222
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 5 PM to 12 AM
Now, you might say, “I’ve never heard of Alo,” but buddy, you’re in for a treat. This joint serves some of the most creative and lip-smacking food in the city, and it delivers it all with a level of style that’s just right.
Alo takes the concept of an international menu and cranks it up to 11. Imagine going on a global culinary journey without having to leave your seat, or heck, even Queen West!
Canadian, yes, but there’s also French, Italian, and Asian dishes cooked in a creative yet tastefully effortless way. If trying new flavours tickles your fancy, then Alo is the place to be.
The dining setup here is unique too. Forget à la carte, Alo serves tasting menus, changing with the season to feature fresh, local ingredients.
| Local tip: When you visit Alo, don’t skip on their exquisite wine pairing- it’s bound to make your taste buds do a little jig! |
Jules Bistro
Website: https://bistro-jules.com/
Address: 924 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G6, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-533-5454
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10:30 PM
Alright, folks, let’s kick things off with Jules Bistro. It’s another little slice of Paris right on the hustling, bustling streets of Queen West in good ol’ Toronto.
Pocket-size as it may be, this cozy joint has a kickass menu that would make your grandma jealous, showing that size isn’t everything. We’re talking about dishes with rich flavours, delicate textures, and darn pretty presentation—they check all the right boxes!
These guys ace the classics and nail the contemporary, making the menu versatile. You can be adventurous and try their rabbit or stick to the good stuff, like lamb shank.
And what’s a French joint without a wine list? Let me tell ya, their hand-picked options are like Champs-Élysées in a glass kind of pale mix of vineyard masterpieces.
| Local tip: Ask about their daily specials. You might just find a new favourite there! |
The Good Son
Website: http://www.thegoodsontoronto.com/
Address: 1096 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H9, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-551-0589
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
From the outside, The Good Son looks like your average Toronto building. But walk in, and it’s everything but that. Comfortable seating, knick-knacks adorning the brick walls, and a brick-oven hearth, because who doesn’t love the smell of wood-fired cooking?
Alright, enough about the look; let’s dig into the grub. Globetrotters will find a bit of worldly comfort in its menu. The Good Son crafts a wonderful combination of North American and international flavours—locally sourced, mind you.
I mean, who would’ve thought wood-fired pizza and jerk shrimp could coexist so happily in one place? Only at The Good Son! Now, what’s great food without fantastic drink options?
This is where The Good Son really takes it up a notch. You can choose from a variety of classic, tastefully styled cocktails, or if you’re a beer lover, they’ve got plenty of those flowing.
And for the wine connoisseurs, there’s a decent selection worthy of a nod.
| Local tip: When in The Good Son, ask for the Lebanese Roasted Chicken; your tastebuds will thank you! |
Bar Piquette
Website: https://www.barpiquette.com/
Address: 1084 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H8, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-533-7745
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Thursday and Friday – 5 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 1 PM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 1 PM to 11 PM
Now, let’s turn our attention to bar piquet. The name might sound fancy, but let me assure you, it’s a place that appeals to us regular folks.
First off, the place has one of the most diverse wine lists you’ll find in Queen West. From old-world vintages to offbeat varieties, it’s a haven for any wine lover.
The food menu isn’t massive, but it’s a perfect accompaniment to their superb wines. The grub is simple, tasty, and satisfying without overshadowing the stars of the show—the wines, of course!
The place looks pretty chilled out—no airs, no graces, just simple and inviting. You’re not distracted by pretentious art or eye-popping colours. It’s all about comfort, conversation, and good company.
| Local tip: When in doubt, ask the knowledgeable staff for recommendations. They’ll find you the perfect glass! |
Terroni
Website: https://www.terroni.com/locations/terroni-queen
Address: 720 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E8, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-504-0320
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Terroni takes Italian cuisine to new heights while keeping its roots intact. It’s like getting a big bear hug from an Italian Nonna—comforting, warm, and oh-so-delicious!
Now, these guys are super serious about their pizzas. Wood-fired, thin crust, and perfectly charred—each pizza is a masterpiece in itself.
Their pasta mimics the classic Italian grandmother style: unfussed, hearty, and packed with flavour. The menu here is chock-full of dishes that are surefire crowd-pleasers.
Be it a date night, family dinner, or just a casual lunch with pals, Terroni has got ya covered. Plus, we can’t forget about their wine list, which is just as impressive as their food menu.
| Local tip: Terroni doesn’t make substitutions to retain the authenticity of the dishes. So order as is and prepare to be thrilled! |
