Where to grab dinner in Toronto’s theatre district

Toronto’s theatre district has a lot to offer visiting show-goers and local foodies alike. These restaurants are all about the show, transporting guests to Southern California, Italy, New Orleans and Thailand with stunning decor, authentic ingredients and home-style hospitality. [Feature image courtesy of Los Colibris]

Where to grab dinner in Toronto’s theatre district
Christine Ottoni By

O&B Canteen

1
330 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3X2

Oliver & Bonacini’s Canteen is a casual eatery located on the ground floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox at King and John Streets. Canteen offers spacious table and booth seating under a towering ceiling, blending rustic and modern fixtures to create an airy and utterly Canadian vibe. Canteen is known for its varied, seasonal menu, and offers staples like salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas and entrees at a great price point.

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Hey Lucy!

2
295 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1J5

Hey Lucy is a trendy Italian restaurant that serves up wood-fired pizzas in zebra print booths. Hey Lucy’s signature drink is the martini, and they boast a solid list of martini classics from lychee to chocolate. This is the perfect spot for a pre- or post-show bite, and is known for its warm staff and stylish rooftop patio.

N'awlins Jazz Bar & Dining

3
299 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1J5

N’Awlins is a Cajun-Creole restaurant with live jazz every night of the week. A long dimly lit dining room, high ceilings and heavy curtains evoke New Orleans vibes. It’s a casual but classy dining experience. Enjoy the perfectly spiced gumbo or the rich seafood medley and some local musicians.

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Pai

4
18 Duncan St, Toronto, ON M5H 3G8

PAI serves up casual Northern Thai cuisine in a bustling eatery that will transport you to the streets of Thailand, flags and Bob Marley posters included. Wooden beams run the length of the sprawling restaurant and give the underground space a warm, natural feel. The dishes at PAI are great for sharing. You won’t want to miss the papaya salad, which is served on a platter surrounded by shrimp chips, rice noodles and pork rinds. Ice-cold Singha and Chang are available by the bottle and there’s refreshing cocktail options to impress every connoisseur.

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Il Fornello

5
214 King St W, Toronto, ON M5H 3S6

Il Fornello’s King West location serves traditional pasta and Neapolitan pizzas in a relaxed space, making it a longtime favorite with the theatre crowd. This family-friendly restaurant has delicious pizza options for the kids and its classic menu is made up of simple, quality dishes. House favorites include the gnocchi gorgonzola, with deliciously plump gnocchi tossed in a creamy house sauce. The King West location also offers the Mirvish prix fixe option for your next dinner and a show.

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Montecito

6
299 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1P7

Montecito is a sleek, sprawling resto-lounge that is committed to highlighting local, Canadian ingredients. Located on Adelaide Street, just behind the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Montecito cultivates a Southern Californian vibe with an airy interior and natural accents. The menu proudly features food made with ingredients sourced from local farms, and the dishes bear a strong seasonal focus. The winning Montecito dinner combination is the finely chopped kale Caesar salad and the JW chicken. The super-fresh salad is tossed in a creamy anchovy dressing, breadcrumbs and Pecorino, while the uber-juicy chicken is topped with a bright salsa verde.

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More from Christine Ottoni Christine Ottoni
Christine Ottoni is a writer based in Toronto. A worshipper at the altar of Brunch, cycle fiend, and mom to a rescue dog, Christine spends most of her days exploring what the city has to offer, notebook in hand. She attended the University of Toronto where she completed her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and Philosophy.
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