The George Street Diner
129 George Street
A few blocks north of St. Lawrence Market, the George Street Diner stands as one of Toronto’s most iconic eateries. With 18 years of service, its homey charm has led this Irish-inspired diner to be written about, filmed, and considered a local hero.
Despite the diner’s old-school style, the patio shows it’s keeping up with the city’s summertime ambience. Snacks, house-made cocktails like the George’s Peach and the Diner Mash take over the open deck after work hours.
Inside, the good mood remains. Muffins, scones, cookies and apple crumble pies decorate and perfume the steel kitchen bar. During busy mornings, orders of Irish breakfast and grilled cheese sandwiches — all made with locally sourced ingredients — fly out of the kitchen to regulars at red vinyl seats.
As MJ’s “Rock With You” and other 1970s classics hummed from the stereo, restaurant manager Denny Delgado says he enjoys the tight relationships between the staff and the clientele. “A lot of the customers that come here are almost like family.”
Pisac Peruvian Bistro
195 Carlton Street
A sophisticated South American kitchen has found a new home in Cabbagetown, and seems likely to stay. With Peruvian spices and cooking styles, this family-run restaurant aims to introduce new flavours to local palates.
Its garden-style patio looks like the perfect learning ground. Small but generous plates of fresh ceviche, savoury duck and spicy cow heart are fragrant and colourful. They’re paired with pisco sours and fruity libations.
Pisac’s doors opened in Summerhill in 2020, but last year chef Rafael Galleno decided to move downtown to welcome a growing crowd with an ever-rotating menu.
The Keating Channel Pub
2 Villiers Street
Before the bridge and the park became the faces of the renovated Port Lands, The Keating Channel Pub was one of its landmarks. An unexpected resurgence in social media has shed a new light on this generational bar, recalling its days of glory and music.
Its channel-view patio, considered by many as one of the best in the city, is the pride of the restaurant. Sunny days here are just right for sipping a local beer with your burger, especially after a drive, walk or ride on a boat. When the sun goes down, a band starts playing inside, but the sound spills out to those by the water.
Restaurateur Shakin Omar knew 22 years ago that the pub was a film bar due to its proximity to production studios. “As long as the film business was healthy and doing well, this business would be prosperous,” he explained. However, constant construction and the pandemic made the past four-and-a-half years difficult.
But the coming end of road closures and a new look in Ookwemin Minising (formerly Villiers Island) are promising. “I’m optimistic with future development, the condos, the park… The future looks great,” Omar said.
Rayah
507 Parliament Street
On Parliament Street north of Carlton is a new and inviting storefront: Rayah, a Moroccan restaurant “à la française.” Opened just a couple months ago, it has already garnered positive reviews for its food and distinctive interior.
Serving breakfast and dinner — and brunch soon — the streetside patio can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Chef Wafa el Razhir and her team offer authentic dishes, tea and desserts, all halal and made in-house. Classic couscous, full-bodied lamb and French vanilla flan with smooth custard are favourites. Sitting in the dock’s colourful chairs, the space is suitable for a long chatting session or a quiet people-seeing respite.
The inside is nothing short of mesmerizing. Moroccan mosaic tiles line the wall and reflect the ceiling lights and natural sunbeams to every corner. The backdoor patio brings in a similar sensation, where fancy pendant lights and vibrant carpets, transport you to a Moroccan summer.
