Greasy burgers, giant milkshakes, your butt plastered to a squeaky vinyl seat. Who doesn’t love a diner? We’ve put together a guide to the best diners Toronto has to offer. Go admire that checkered floor and bask in retro nostalgia.

THE SENATOR

diner pancakes

An institution since the ’40s, this one of the most historic diners in Toronto. They’ve got eggs, pancakes, and sandwiches down to a science here. See where it says “add a freshly baked biscuit to any egg dish for $2?” Do that.

Where: 249 Victoria St

GEORGE STREET DINER

george street diner

This place has such a classic look, it’s actually been used as a filming location. Come relax in a star-studded red booth and enjoy some comfort food to comfort you in your comparable lack of fame.

Where: 129 George St

THOMPSON DINER

thompson

This is one of the more upscale diners on the list, so it’s perfect if you want to squirt ketchup all over your hashbrowns with more class than usual.

Where: 51 Bathurst St

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SUNSET GRILL

pancakes

Take advantage of their made-to-order philosophy and order as much freshly squeezed orange juice as you can handle- you won’t regret it until the third jug. The Beaches location is the original, but you’ll find them all over Canada now.

Where: 2006 Queen St E

HARRY’S CHARBROILED DINING LOUNGE

harry's

Don’t let the name fool you, they didn’t charbroil the dining lounge. Dad jokes aside, enjoy the twinkly lights, the odd decor, and the fries that taste like 1968 in all the right ways.

Where: 160 Springhurst Ave

LAKEVIEW RESTAURANT

lakeview diner

You may need to unhinge your jaw like a snake to fit one of their stacked sandwiches in your mouth, but they’re definitely worth the challenge.

Where: 1132 Dundas St W

OK OK

ok ok diner

Ok ok, we’ll go a third time this week. Your food probably won’t stay on your plate long enough for a Snapchat, but that’s a good thing.

Where: 1128 Queen St E

HOLLANDAISE DINER

hollandaise diner

Debatably one of the most solid places for eggs benedict in this whole list, we challenge you to see how many cups of bottomless coffee you can wash it down with. This ain’t no one trick pony, though: they’re eggs benny famous but the pancakes are spot on, too!

Where: 2231 Danforth Ave

CHEW CHEW’S DINER

chew chew's diner

It could be chew chew, it could be choo choo. You guessed it, this place is train-inspired. They don’t take reservations and it’s one of the best greasy spoons in the area, so don’t sleep in. All aboard the all-day breakfast train!

Where: 186 Carlton St

VESTA LUNCH

best diners toronto

This cozy, 24-hour diner doesn’t just have the diner classics like all day breakfast. You can also snack on a souvlaki sandwich or fish and chips.

Where: 474 Dupont St

So, which of these classic Toronto diners are we going to first?

Curiocity Staff

With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. We help you get the most out of your city and focus on the easy-to-miss details so that you’re always in the know.
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