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
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
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
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
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
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
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, 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
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
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
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?
