Over the past 6 years, I visited Toronto on many occasions and love eating and trying new restaurants in the downtown core. The top 5 gem restaurants listed below are truly gems that you must include to eat at when visiting Toronto with your family!
Family Gem Restaurants in Toronto
360 The Restaurant
360 The Restaurant is located at the top of the CN Tower and offers a revolving view of Toronto! A full 360-degree rotation of the restaurant, so you can view all of downtown Toronto, including the harbour, in about 90 minutes. 360 offers meals made with Canadian ingredients and a wide selection of Canadian wines. For lunch, you can select food items from the steak and seafood à la carte or prix fixe consisting of 2 courses at $55 or 3 course at $69 (they offer a similar menu for dinner at a slightly higher cost).
One of the best features of purchasing a prix fixe meal is it also gives you complimentary access to the look out and glass floor levels of the CN Tower following your meal. I would definitely make reservations ahead of time. It’s also a good idea to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your reservations since you have to be screened before entering the lobby of the CN Tower, present yourself to 360 the Restaurant counter, and use the elevator to head up to the restaurant. Bring the family for an exceptional meal and view of Toronto!
301 Front Street West Toronto, Ontario
Reservations for 360
(416) 362-5411 or online
Arriba Restaurant
The Sportsnet Grill is centrally located in the heart of the Entertainment District within the Renaissance Hotel. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and also offer a lounge. Not only does it have a contemporary look, serves awesome pre and post game meals, it also offers incredible views of the Rogers Centre. You can see the Blue Jay’s play from the window seating while eating your meal!
You must call and reserve a table if the Blue Jays are playing as they do get booked fast. They are renowned for their innovative menu including fresh fish dishes with local produce and house made hamburgers with Canadian ground beef. Executive Chef creates multi dishes to satisfy you taste buds! The Sportsnet Grill is ideal for a family meal, a gathering with friends, and for baseball enthusiasts! A must to eat in Toronto!
1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
P 416-341-5045
arriba.info@renaissancetoronto.com
O & B Canteen
The O & B Canteen is a casual, fresh market café and bakery, as well as a ‘grab and go” counter located in the heart of the Toronto’s Entertainment district in the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The executive chef, Michael Wilson, prepares meals that only use fresh ingredients, from house-made sandwiches and breakfast butties to roasted half chicken and oven-baked pizzas. The servers are cheerful and the meals are served quick.
Their diversified menu is sure to please all family members! If you are attending a Blue Jays game, make sure to stop by the O & B Canteen for their signature dog commemorating the iconic bat flip of 2015, The Brat Flip, a seed to sausage bratwurst decked out with Mill St. Organic braised onions, Kozlik’s sweet and smoky mustard, and spicy garlic pickles. It’s available at every home game day! When visiting Toronto, you have to eat a meal at the O & B Canteen!
TIFF Bell Lightbox
330 King St. West, Toronto
(647) 288-4710
Little Anthony’s Italian Restaurant
Little Anthony’s is a casual, energetic and affordable downtown Toronto (Financial District) Italian restaurant. It’s the perfect restaurant for a date, a family meal or reunion, or to have a meal amongst friends. They have a “Boardroom Table” that can host up to 10 guests. It’s elevated from the main dining room to add privacy and surrounded by art decorations. The other private dining room can seat up to 42 guests and is perfect for a business lunch or a family gathering.
They offer a variety of delicious pastas, salads, risotto, meat, desserts, and of course wine! Both of our meals were served hot and tasted so scrumptious! The Tagliatelle alla Carbonara includes bacon and garlic and the New York Striploin has braised escarole, roasted mushrooms, and veal jus. The meat was so tender! We totally devoured our dinners! If you are in the mood for Italian dishes, I strongly recommend making a reservation at Little Anthony’s (LA’s)
121 Richmond St W, Toronto
(416) 368-2223
info@littleanthonys.ca
Lula Lounge
The Lula Lounge is Toronto’s home to great live music such as salsa, jazz, Brazilian, and African. They also offer free salsa lessons from Friday to Sunday. Dance instructor, Miko Sobreira will teach the entire family salsa lessons so everyone can get comfortable dancing some basic salsa moves on the dance floor. He will have all family members dancing together in no time!
The Lula Sunday brunch offers a variety of featured items from week to week such as scrambled eggs, sausages, potatoes, green salad, stew, rice and beans, fresh fruits, rice pudding, and cake. If you are looking to have your family dance to the beat of the salsa music or for live music entertainment while enjoying your meal, the Lula Lounge is the place to be!
1585 Dundas St. W.,Toronto
416-588-0307
Oh wow! These sound like amazing restaurants!\
I think the view of the 360 and the music at the Lula lounge would be my top picks 🙂
Never heard of any of these but they sound worth checking out. Will have to check one out next time we go to Toronto.
I’d love to do the 360 restaurant !!! My daughter is seriously considering moving to TO to try to find a job in her industry (I am scared sheetless about that btw, do I let her be a homeless person? Do I interfere in her dreams? I remember being young and wanting to conquere the world but being too scared to take that first step!!)
I hope that one day I do get to go there and to that city
We have to give the younger generation some credit, she won’t want to be homeless!! You can definitely share your concerns with her and offer her some solutions/advice. Maybe she has already figured out where to stay?
I’ve always wanted to visit 360 The Restaurant. Only problem is, I hear it’s outrageously expensive.
some great places you’ve listed! We’ve been to the 360 a couple of times, always great to be there!
I have only been to TO once so no fave yet but this sure looks like a great place to try next 🙂
I think I would go to the Lula Lounge, looks like a great atmosphere!! I would love to also go to the 360 but im not sure i could take that elevator to get up there.
If height is an issue, close your eyes as you are up there in like 30 seconds:)