Best Restaurants for Back-to-School Dining in Toronto

Busy trying to get the kids organized for school and yourself all set for what is likely your busiest time of year, no matter what your industry. So now that you've had some time to collect yourself (and others), I though it might help to have a handy list of places where you can take the family for a quick bite. No muss, no fuss.

By Stephanie Dickison

McSorley's Wonderful Saloon and Grill

1

1544 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G 3B6

• Phone Number
  • 416-932-0655Primary
• Directions
• Menu

The Leaside/Bayview 'hood has been lucky to have long-standing McSorley's in its midst since 1991. And little has changed – there are pool tables to keep the kids occupied until the food arrives, and a bevvy of foods to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The menu is classic pub fare, served in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Busters Sea Cove

2

27-93 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1C3

• Phone Number
  • 416-369-9048Primary
• Directions
• Menu

Located at the very back of the St. Lawrence Market south building (back right corner), BSC has been serving up fantastic seafood for years. Trust me, after just a few bites, you'll be transported to Cape Cod's coast.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Best restaurants for lobster rolls in Toronto
• Best food trucks in Toronto
• Best seafood restaurants in Toronto

AAA Public House

3

598 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y3

• Phone Number
  • 416-901-8711Primary
• Directions
• Menu

This relative newcomer is not only nestled in a child-centric neighbourhood (Riverdale/Leslieville), it was designed with kids in mind. The whole back area of the restaurant is for the little ones - a blackboard wall allows their creative side to come out, and a play area lets imaginations run wild.

Hungry Thai Bar And Eatery

4

196 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L6

• Phone Number
  • 416-595-6405Primary
• Directions
• Menu

Half of this delightful, yet wonky menu offers Hungarian specialties such as cabbage rolls, schnitzels and goulash, while the other boasts Thai classics including Pad Thai, cashew nut veggies and fried rice. This might confuse your adult palate, but between the thick breaded cutlets and soft sweet and sour noodles, the kids will be in heaven.

Penrose Fish & Chips

5

600 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S 2M8

• Phone Number
  • 416-483-6800Primary
• Directions

My first trip was when my parents took me - I was five and in kindergarten. We took the newspaper-wrapped fish and chips to Davisville Park, just a few blocks away. Crisp golden batter gave way to moist cod, and fresh-cut fries (with skin on), heavily salted with a good dose of malt vinegar, is what I've held all fish and chips up to as a standard all these years.

More from Stephanie Dickison

Former editor of Dine.TO and industry expert Stephanie Dickison has been covering the Toronto food and restaurant scene for over a decade. In addition to profiling top chefs and interviewing celebs, her Open/Closed column is a must-read every Thursday for the newest openings, and latest news and events.

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