We’re coming at you with another neighbourhood that’s chock-full of fantastic grub: Queen St. East (See our Danforth favourites here; Roncevalles here; Queen West here). Just to be clear, we’re talking about the sweet segment just on the other side of the Don Valley. You know, Broadview to Greenwood or so. A scenic stretch hemmed in by Corktown to the west and The Beaches to the east, this portion of Queen St. (we can’t be sure where Riverdale ends and Leslieville begins, so we’re just sticking with QE) has been quietly exploding over the past few years. And should you find yourself promenading down this pleasing stretch of sidewalk anytime soon, these are five places we would always recommend stepping into whether it be for a drink or proper bite to eat.
The Ceili Cottage (1301 Queen St E)
Pronounced Kay-lee, this Irish pub is a Toronto favourite. And you won’t have to spend more than a few minutes inside to figure out why. Its quaint two-room setup consists of the original ‘cottage room’, still held up by stonewalls and furnished with church pews, and a long, thin bar room where you can get to know the locals. Run by World Champion Oyster Shucker and Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill Owner Patrick McMurray, the food and drink at Ceili Cottage are both well above what most other pubs are offering in TO. Look for the cask beer and one of the most mouth-watering desserts we’ve had in our lives: the sticky toffee pudding.
Bonjour Brioche (812 Queen St E)
If you haven’t brunched at Bonjour Brioche, you’re not doing it right. People all around the GTA make the weekend journey to this tiny Parisian-style Cafe and bakery and waste valuable weekend minutes (and sometimes hours) waiting in line just to be seated at one of the dozen or so tables. The reason for this madness is in the food, namely some of the best pastries you’ll find outside of the Arrondissements. Add delightful brunch cocktails, daily menu options, and the bustling feel of France, and Bonjour Brioche is a must-try for anyone who takes their croissants seriously.
Goods & Provisions (1124 Queen St E)
Like the menu says, Food – Liquor – Oysters. The food is heavily carnivore-focused with a slightly Asian twist. You’ll find everything from Oxtail Poutine to Korean Fried Chicken. The liquor is as brown as the dark wooden bar that houses it. Over 20 different bourbons, several single malt scotches, and nearly a dozen specialty cocktails ensure the night will go smoothly. And the oysters, besides always being fresh, are priced daily for a half-dozen and dozen, and can be easily paired with a few of their blue-plate friends on the Fish Board. G&P offers a fantastic, warm atmosphere in which to while away a winter evening.
Queen Margherita (1402 Queen St E)
Ah, ‘za. How we adore a well-made piece of pie, and Queen Margherita makes as spectacular a pizza as anyone in Toronto. Probably why they’re opening up a third location this year on Dundas West (the second is in Baby Point at Jane and Annette). It’s no wonder they’re succeeding, though. Their Neapolitan-style pies are cooked in 900-degree wood-fired ovens imported from Naples, and made with Caputo Tipo 00 flour and San Marzano DOP tomatoes, both of which are also imported directly from Italy. Come to think of it, this isn’t Queen East eating at all – it’s Southern Italian. We don’t know about you, but we’re happy to make the exception.
Ruby Watchco. (730 Queen St E)
A few years ago, celebrity chef Lynn Crawford decided to realize her dream of building a restaurant that produced plates of food that had only been locally grown, harvested, and raised. And now we’re happily getting to enjoy the benefits of that dream. With menus updated daily and weekly, there’s always something new and exciting coming out of Ruby Watchco.’s kitchen in the form of fantastic four-course prix-fixe meals. If you haven’t sunk your teeth into this ‘market inspired comfort food’ yet, we suggest you head on over to Queen St. E as soon as you can.
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