Where to eat!

One of the first question the staff fields from newly arrived backpackers is where to eat. This being the Entertainment District of Toronto, there are quite a few places to eat in the area.

Burrito Bandidos
120 Peter Street
Toronto, ON M5V2G7, Canada
(416) 593-9191

This is easily the most popular fast food take-away among backpackers at our hostel. It is located in the basement at 120 Peter Street one block west of the hostel. It is a very small establishment and sells burritos (steak, fish, shrimp, chicken and vegetarian) in two sizes. The small one is quite heavy and filling and the large is very heavy and very filling. Very popular, expect line ups most evenings.
Prices: Between $6 and $8.

Corned Beef House
303 Adelaide Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 1P7, Canada
(416) 977-2333

This is the closest eatery to our hostel. It is on Adelaide Street kitty corner from the hostel’s front door. They serve excellent Deli Sandwiches such as Corned Beef, Roast Beef, Montreal Smoked Meat, Turkey and Black Forest Ham.

We recommend you opt for the Montreal Smoked Meat it is phenomenal! Served on choice of bread with enormous portions of meat. Ice cold Steam Whistle Beer is on tap. (Arguably the best draft beer in the area!)

Prices average $7 to $10 per sandwich and only $5 per sandwich (take out), after 5PM. Open until 7pm.

Ho Su
254 Queen St. W.
Queen & John (Across from City TV)
M5V 1Z8

Korean and Japanese cuisine. Excellent value. Great food! Located at John and Queen Streets – one block east and one block north of the hostel. Features Chicken Teriyaki and Tempura with rice, coleslaw and noodles for less than $6. (take out).
Take away meals from $6 to $8 dollars.
Eat in dinners from between $10 and $12.

The Fox and Fiddle
Address:
106 John Street,
Toronto , Ontario M5V 2E1
(416) 593-4407

Affectionately known as the “Pox and Piddle”, this is the most popular pub among our hostel backpackers. It qualifies as the hostel’s local. It has two bars on two floors with food and daily “specials”. Sundays and Mondays offer $10 pitchers of domestic draft beer and delicious chicken wings at half-price (all day). Monday’s are also Karaoke nights a popular hostel “event” well attended by backpackers. Exactly one block east of the hostel in Adelaide Street.
Pub grub: $10 - $15.

Hooters Toronto
280 Adelaide St. W.
Toronto, ON
M5V 1P6
(416) 977-4668

The name says it all! Located one block east of the hostel opposite the “Fox and Fiddle”pub.A little pricey for the taste of most hostel guests and the all-you-can- eat wings on Monday’s are not the best.
You get what you pay for and you pay for the “view”.

Pizzaiolo
Northeast Corner of John and Adelaide Streets.

If you want gourmet pizza this is the best bet near the hostel. Excellent pizza (available by the slice if preferred) is just one block east opposite the Fox and Hooters.
Eat in or take out: $3.50 to $4.50 a slice.

RaviSoups
322 Adelaide Street West
Toronto, ON, Canada
(647) 435-8365

Ravi’s soups are not inexpensive, but you get-what-you pay-for and the soup is superb.

The specialty soups include exotic ingredients such as porcini mushrooms, truffles, lentils and curried apricots. They come in bisques, chowders, hot-pots and even vegan duxelles.

Large bowls of soup average $8 to $10. Full meals for as little as $15.
Located close by (about 50 meters) to the hostel.

Alice Fazooli's Toronto
294 Adelaide Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 1P6, Canada
(416) 979-1910

An enormous upscale Italian bar/eatery tastefully and elegantly appointed. It can appear intimidating to many backpackers as it appears to be prohibitively expensive.

The bar has daily “specials” such as pints of Heinekin for $4.50 or $4.00 Stella Artois on other days. Between 4PM and 7PM they have oysters on the half shell and peeled shrimp for a mere $1.00 each in the bar/lounge.

The place is known for its stunning waitresses and barmaids. For smokers a huge mist cooled patio is located at the rear of the bar/lounge.

A couple can dine for between $40 and $50.

Black Bull

298 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 2A1, Canada
(416) 593-2766

Located on trendy Queen Street, West just two blocks from the hostel’s doors. It is an old pub that has transitioned from a once “biker bar” to a yuppie haven. It has an enormous patio - a popular place for “people watching” during the summer. Hollywood “A” and “B” listers have been spotted raising a cold pint on a hot day.
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Burgers and light pub meals are also available.

Friar & Firkin
160 John Street
Toronto, ON M5V 2E5, Canada
(416) 340-9459

A traditional “British Pub” in a semi-basement setting. Several brands of beer and cider are on tap. It has some of the best pub-grub in the area with reasonably priced daily specials.

There is a small sidewalk patio for people watchers and smokers. Located two blocks from the hostel opposite the world renowned Much Music Studios. Shakira, Britney and Pink have all performed on the sidewalk opposite the pub.

India Palace
257 Queen St W
Toronto, ON M5V 1Z4
(416) 593-7272

Hungry? Then look no further. India Palace is one of five Indian Restaurants in a row located on the south side of Queen Street between 2 and four blocks east of the hostel. All of the establishments offer a superb Indian buffet lunch (all you can eat) for a mere $10.99.
But India Palace (three blocks east) the second to last along Queen Street is arguably the best. The butter chicken and lamb curry dishes are positively addictive! Located right beside the popular Little India Restaurant.
Buffet Served until 3PM. Entrees $12 - $15.

Zupa's Restaurant & Deli
342 Adelaide Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 1R7, Canada
(416) 593-2775

Exactly one block from our hostel’s front door is a small hole-in-the-wall cafeteria eatery popular with local police officers. It opens early (6AM) and serves an excellent all day breakfast for less than $6 before 11AM.

Zupa’s is well known in the area for providing light meals, snacks and breakfast specials. Average price $6 to $10.

Chez Cora’s Toronto
Blue Jays Way
277 Wellington Street West, Toronto,
M5V 3E4 Telephone:
(416) 598-2672

This is an upscale breakfast eatery very popular with the “in” crowd. It opens early and line ups for service are common. It is a little more expensive than most breakfast establishments but breakfast specials include fresh fruit such as melon and orange slices.

Cora’s in located on Blue Jays Way (a southern extension of Peter Street) at the corner of Wellington Street. It opens for breakfast only at 6AM and closes at 2PM. On Sunday’s Cora’s opens at 7AM.

Swiss Chalet
100 King St W,
Toronto, ON
M5X 1K7
(416) 368-2702

This chain of family dining restaurants features excellent spit-roasted BBQ Chicken. House specialties are the ¼ and ½ Chicken Dinners with roll and choice of potato. (Fries are excellent!).
Located about five blocks west of the hostel along King Street opposite the Roy Thompson Concert Hall.
Dinner from $9 – $15.