A guide to the best restaurants around Yonge and Eglinton
Yonge and Eglinton: it’s busy, it’s bustling and it just may be the downtown of midtown, not least because of its excellent selection of local bistros and gastropubs. From a cleansing liquid lunch, old-school deli or a hot bowl of ramen, here are our top picks for restos just a hop-skip off the beaten Eglinton track.
Greenhouse Juice Co
5 MacPherson Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1W7If a liquid lunch is on your mind – and not the boozey kind – or if you’re in need of an energy boost, this cozy little nook offers the full gamut of raw, organic and cold-pressed juices. A local favourite, this grab ‘n go spot serves up more than ten juice concoctions in gorgeous glass bottles. There’s plenty of green juice options on offer, alongside handmade nut milks, hydrators made from Thai coconuts, and ginger, turmeric and aloe boosters. For a super boost, we recommend the Piloto, a sweet elixir of Brazil nut milk and Pilot cold brew coffee.
Phipps Bakery Cafe
420 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N 1A2Don’t go here if you’ve broken up with sugar recently. One whiff of the café’s vanilla and buttercream air and you’ll soon be making up over a slice of Mom’s Chocolate Layer Cake (sorry, but it just might be better than your mom’s). If you’ve managed to walk past the bakery case, this neighbourhood café boasts a cozy grotto-style dining area, perfect for a leisurely lunch with a friend. Choose from savoury items like home-cooked pastas, soups and quiches or filling sandwiches and salads.
Yitz's Deli & Catering
346 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N 1A2When a craving for fries, dill pickles and a Montreal smoked meat sandwich strikes, hit up one of Toronto’s most authentic old-school Jewish delis. Since 1972, this Eglinton gem has been supplying its customers with the ultimate comfort food (chicken matzo ball soup, bagels with lox and cream cheese and stuffed cabbage rolls, to name a few). Get your grub to-go or opt for a straight-up diner experience with plenty of traditional deli fare and housemade specialties like as the meat loaf (available in turkey and veggie option too!) served with hot sides of mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Mariachi's Restaurant
2084 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4S 2A3Cold cerveza served with chips and guac is truly one of life’s pleasures. If a trip to Mexico (or just a plate of sizzling fajitas with a dollop of sour cream) is on your mind, this midtown classic has been serving traditional Mexican fare since the late 90s. Mariachi’s is known for its unique dishes made with bursting-with-flavour ingredients – think spicy chipotle and tequila sauce and green tomatillo sauce with sautéed cactus.
Tou Hen Boku
2458 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P 2H5Fans of its Queen and University location know this isn’t your average ramen shop. Slurp up a hot bowl of hearty deliciousness, traditional Japanese-style: slow-cooked in chicken broth instead of pork against a cozy backdrop of soft lighting, rich wood finishes and exposed brick. Vegetarians take note: there’s an oh-so comforting bowl of veggie miso ramen on the menu served with bean sprouts, wood ear mushrooms and green onions.
Douce France
820 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1L6If you can’t whip off to a French patissiere anytime soon, not to worry; with all its fare imported from France, this dine-in and takeaway café does all the work for you. Linger over a newspaper, a cup of strong coffee and a croissant, or indulge in a quick fuel-up with a crusty baguette, cheese and olives — simple and straight-up, but oh-so French. If a craving for a Parisian sweet is on your palette, there are biscuits, candied sweets and chocolates galore.
