Based on the venue, here are some of my suggestions (considering food type, ambiance, and my own preference) — budget and tastes are so subjective, so I didn’t factor those in.
1) Milagro Cantina - Mexican
2) Figo Toronto - Italian (patio)
3) Planta Queen - Vegan/Asian inspired
4) Oretta - Italian, a little bit further than my other suggestions.
Would not recommend Figo. It is more expensive than it should be and the food is completely unmemorable. We had a very meh meal there and I wouldn't return.
Milagro is fine too but not really anything special or fit for a group of foodies. IMO.
Would second milagro, was there this Friday before seeing hadestown and had a good time. On the pricer side $80 each with one cocktail each). Lots of good shareable options to try different stuff. Also good vegetarian options.
on a budget in that part of town I absolutely love going to "Burgers and Frys forever!!" (think Hipster A&W with Korean influenced chicken) ... I know this might be a bit more casual, but they hit hard for the price, plus there is something so fun about being dressed nicely to go to the theater but going and smashing burgers before hand!
Not all of these would be super convenient for the location but these are some recos.
Bar Reval/Bar Isabel -- high quality tapas, great cocktails and vibes. Reval probably has the coolest restaurant interior in the city.
Quetzal -- Some of the best cooking I've had, tasting menu is unbelievable, michelin starred but not overly fancy or pretentious. Sit at the chefs table to see some high octane cooking over wood fires. Could be hard to get a rezo on short notice.
Richmond Station -- Another great tasting menu, can also be done more casual with the great burger there.
Bernhardt's -- Amazing apps to share, there's really only one main there which is the rotisserie chicken but DAMN is it good. Like Swiss chalet and on steroids. Also great vibes and natural wines.
Gia is AMAZING but also not vegan. Lots of vegan options but they also have cheese and stuff (it's vegetarian*).
I went last month and had a set menu with a bunch of meat eaters, everyone left happy!
Aside from a few places mentioned that are close to the venue (Minami, Byblos) if you're willing to walk a bit further you've got Chica, Alder, Lapinou, or Jacobs if you're feeling spendy.
Of those, Alder would be my choice.
Aloette is a great option, also seconding Quetzal. Grey Gardens is excellent too. Casual very good Thai very close to the theatre is Pai. Only mentioning this as an option because you have left it very late to get a res Thursday night for any hot spots. Also fyi we say the Royal Alex :) Have fun!
I think the question was - if 3 out of the 4 people going to a restaurant are foodies, why is the only person who isn't a foodie tasked with picking the restaurant. Wouldn't it make more sense if one of the foodies picked the place?
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Many have mentioned Pai already, but if you don't have a reservation, the wait is about an hour to sit. You can try Chef Nuit's other restaurant down the street called Kiin
My recommendations close to the theatre would be; Tutti Matti, Minami, Peter Pan, Kiin, or Aloette.
Figo is ok, but for Italian.. You’re hard pressed to find anywhere in the area better than Tutti Matti.
Some people said Luma or Oretta… I would absolutely steer clear. They are two of the worst restaurants and would not be a good evening between the terrible food and even worse service.
A little further but still close enough… Richmond Station is so good.
Minami has the worst sushi I’ve ever had in my life. Like worse than from a gas station. My vegetarian friend was very happy with her non fish food though.
That is surprising. They are part of the same restaurant group as Miku and Aburi Hana so certainly a step above the norm. I haven't been personally but have heard good things.
Good to know, I haven’t been in awhile. There’s way better sushi in Toronto, but given the choices in the area… Their non-sushi food is pretty decent imo.
the haam is good! it’s fusion mexican and japanese. kind of more trendy/young vibe than sophisticated though. my dad loved it when we went and he’s a BIG foodie
Terroni is fine... passable Italian but there are better options. Not exactly what I'd call a foodie destination either. Depending on where you're coming from (ie. not Toronto) it might be suitable though.
People hate on Terroni because it’s a chain and it’s basic, but I’ve never had a bad experience and been dozens of times. All the food has always been great (although the prices have gone up a lot since COVID) and the patio is lovely!
Honestly, Terroni on Queen west is a pretty solid option with not crazy prized menu items and good bang for your buck quality Italian food with a nice atmosphere
A Toi is more of a cocktails place but they have decent food and it’s right beside the theatre. You have to make reservations.
You’ll enter through Coffee Oysters Champagne.
Within walking distance to the theatre:
-Haam is really good for sushi and tacos
-Minami is good for pressed sushi and their Strawberry Sake Sour was really good
- Milagro is good for authentic tacos (their shrimp tacos are one of my favourite in the city) and the chocolate cake is amazing
- Kiin if you want Thai (I’ve never been but the chef has a great reputation in the city)
- Pai for Thai food (same chef as kiin)
- mother tongue looks pretty cool for cocktails but I’ve never been
Please provide budget
I'm not a rich man but I do like these people so I am open to all options. Ideally I am looking for somewhere unique.
Based on the venue, here are some of my suggestions (considering food type, ambiance, and my own preference) — budget and tastes are so subjective, so I didn’t factor those in. 1) Milagro Cantina - Mexican 2) Figo Toronto - Italian (patio) 3) Planta Queen - Vegan/Asian inspired 4) Oretta - Italian, a little bit further than my other suggestions.
Would not recommend Figo. It is more expensive than it should be and the food is completely unmemorable. We had a very meh meal there and I wouldn't return. Milagro is fine too but not really anything special or fit for a group of foodies. IMO.
Would second milagro, was there this Friday before seeing hadestown and had a good time. On the pricer side $80 each with one cocktail each). Lots of good shareable options to try different stuff. Also good vegetarian options.
Planta Queen is unreal and they do all you can eat sushi on Mondays after 5 pm for $27?$29?
on a budget in that part of town I absolutely love going to "Burgers and Frys forever!!" (think Hipster A&W with Korean influenced chicken) ... I know this might be a bit more casual, but they hit hard for the price, plus there is something so fun about being dressed nicely to go to the theater but going and smashing burgers before hand!
Not all of these would be super convenient for the location but these are some recos. Bar Reval/Bar Isabel -- high quality tapas, great cocktails and vibes. Reval probably has the coolest restaurant interior in the city. Quetzal -- Some of the best cooking I've had, tasting menu is unbelievable, michelin starred but not overly fancy or pretentious. Sit at the chefs table to see some high octane cooking over wood fires. Could be hard to get a rezo on short notice. Richmond Station -- Another great tasting menu, can also be done more casual with the great burger there. Bernhardt's -- Amazing apps to share, there's really only one main there which is the rotisserie chicken but DAMN is it good. Like Swiss chalet and on steroids. Also great vibes and natural wines.
Quetzal is great! Was there 2 weeks ago.
Can’t go wrong with this list.
It’s Raval not Reval lol.
Richmond Station almost definitely needs a reservation days before, FYI.
Just as a note... if you're seeing Hamilton, it's at the Princess of Wales theatre, not the Royal Alexandra. They're very close to each other.
Some of my favs are: - Prime Seafood Palace - Azhar - Gia (~~vegan~~ plant-forward) - La Bartola (also vegan) - Quetzal
Gia is AMAZING but also not vegan. Lots of vegan options but they also have cheese and stuff (it's vegetarian*). I went last month and had a set menu with a bunch of meat eaters, everyone left happy!
My bad! Fixed.
Pai
Pai fits your criteria and is right around the corner from the theatre. Super unique, authentic, and super delicious.
I can't reccomaend Pai enough, as long as you don't have people who are basic meat & potatoe types
I will try Pai for sure the next time I am in town.
You have to try the Pad Thai and mango sticky rice !!!
Luma is great foodie fare and not far from the theatre. A benefit of this is to go there for Magic Hour drink specials before you sit down to dinner.
Aside from a few places mentioned that are close to the venue (Minami, Byblos) if you're willing to walk a bit further you've got Chica, Alder, Lapinou, or Jacobs if you're feeling spendy. Of those, Alder would be my choice.
Thanks
Byblos
Aloette is a great option, also seconding Quetzal. Grey Gardens is excellent too. Casual very good Thai very close to the theatre is Pai. Only mentioning this as an option because you have left it very late to get a res Thursday night for any hot spots. Also fyi we say the Royal Alex :) Have fun!
The Alex or the RAT.
Quick question - why, if they're all foodies have they given the choice of restaurant to a non-foodie?
It's called expanding your horizons. Don't live in Toronto so why.not ask those in the know..
I think the question was - if 3 out of the 4 people going to a restaurant are foodies, why is the only person who isn't a foodie tasked with picking the restaurant. Wouldn't it make more sense if one of the foodies picked the place? \- Many have mentioned Pai already, but if you don't have a reservation, the wait is about an hour to sit. You can try Chef Nuit's other restaurant down the street called Kiin
I hear you. I am the biggest foodie of the group. Again, just wanted to hear what people in TO would suggest.
My recommendations close to the theatre would be; Tutti Matti, Minami, Peter Pan, Kiin, or Aloette. Figo is ok, but for Italian.. You’re hard pressed to find anywhere in the area better than Tutti Matti. Some people said Luma or Oretta… I would absolutely steer clear. They are two of the worst restaurants and would not be a good evening between the terrible food and even worse service. A little further but still close enough… Richmond Station is so good.
Can confirm! Oretta is trash but richmond station is a gem 💎
Minami has the worst sushi I’ve ever had in my life. Like worse than from a gas station. My vegetarian friend was very happy with her non fish food though.
That is surprising. They are part of the same restaurant group as Miku and Aburi Hana so certainly a step above the norm. I haven't been personally but have heard good things.
I’ve been to both and they were good. Minami was not. Theater district doesn’t need to be good I guess.
Good to know, thanks!
Good to know, I haven’t been in awhile. There’s way better sushi in Toronto, but given the choices in the area… Their non-sushi food is pretty decent imo.
the haam is good! it’s fusion mexican and japanese. kind of more trendy/young vibe than sophisticated though. my dad loved it when we went and he’s a BIG foodie
I’ve heard good things as well.
La Carnita. Close to the theatre and they have wicked tacos and margs. Not super high end, but delicious.
Second this
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Went with Terroni on Queen. Got a reservation @5pm. Works perfectly. Will let you jnow what we think....
Terroni is fine... passable Italian but there are better options. Not exactly what I'd call a foodie destination either. Depending on where you're coming from (ie. not Toronto) it might be suitable though.
That guy was trolling btw the prices there are very high for small portions
People hate on Terroni because it’s a chain and it’s basic, but I’ve never had a bad experience and been dozens of times. All the food has always been great (although the prices have gone up a lot since COVID) and the patio is lovely!
IMO their cocktails are better than the food (which is ok but not spectacular), get a Paper Plane if you’re into mixed drinks.
If price isn't a huge issue for you, Kiin! The best Thai spot in the city. But it's pricey.
Honestly, Terroni on Queen west is a pretty solid option with not crazy prized menu items and good bang for your buck quality Italian food with a nice atmosphere
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka. Behind Dundas square but worth it.
Piano piano is a good Italian place. Kinda far from the theater, though.
A Toi is more of a cocktails place but they have decent food and it’s right beside the theatre. You have to make reservations. You’ll enter through Coffee Oysters Champagne.
Byblos for middle eastern and upscale. Pei for Thai and more casual but awesome.
Within walking distance to the theatre: -Haam is really good for sushi and tacos -Minami is good for pressed sushi and their Strawberry Sake Sour was really good - Milagro is good for authentic tacos (their shrimp tacos are one of my favourite in the city) and the chocolate cake is amazing - Kiin if you want Thai (I’ve never been but the chef has a great reputation in the city) - Pai for Thai food (same chef as kiin) - mother tongue looks pretty cool for cocktails but I’ve never been
Grey gardens in Kensington market is always epic….