Top 10 Family-friendly Restaurants in Toronto

Don’t want to sacrifice quality for crayons? Thankfully in Toronto you don’t have to. These local eateries love small fry (and vice versa) but won’t make discerning parents cringe.

TERRONI

There’s always something delicious cooking at Terroni. With its rustic décor, comfortable seating, and laid-back atmosphere, this Southern Italian inspired restaurant

is a great place for a family meal. You’ll love the selection of fresh pastas and extensive wine list, while your kids will love the 28 pizza options and dessert menu.

720 Queen Street West | 416-504-0320 | Terroni.com

BARQUE SMOKEHOUSE

Barque Smokehouse offers delicious, feel-good barbecue fare that will have everyone licking their fingers (and plates!). Its Kid’s Menu includes a drink, meat selection, side dish, and cookie or gelato for $10.00. Also, every Sunday is family night, which means huge and affordable platters for sharing.

299 Roncesvalles Avenue | 416-532-7700 | Barque.ca

IL FORNELLO ON THE DANFORTH

Danforth Avenue is known mainly for its numerous Greek restaurants, but Il Fornello serves up Italian fare that rivals the best of them. From calamari, to chicken

parmigiana, to seafood linguini, there’s plenty here to appeal to mature palates. Smaller mouths will love the spaghetti & meatballs and pepperoni pizza.

576 Danforth Avenue | 416-466-2931 | IlFornello.com

UNCLE BETTY’S DINER

Family owned and operated, Uncle Betty’s Diner specializes in gourmet comfort food that is enticing to kids and kids-at-heart alike. Options for all ages include hotdogs and sloppy joes, while their dedicated 13-and-under menu features other kid-approved favourites like mac ‘n cheese and chicken fingers. The ice cream bar provides a sweet ending to a tasty meal.

2590 Yonge Street | 416-483-2590 | UncleBettys.com

THE ACE

The children’s menu at The Ace includes more than your standard fare. Yes, there’s grilled cheese and spaghetti, but there’s also more sophisticated dishes like broccoli with aged cheddar sauce. Grown-ups have options ranging from arugula salad to Ace’s famous country-fried chicken, any of which can be paired with a cocktail or glass of wine from the extensive drink menu.

231a Roncesvalles Avenue | 416-792-7729 | TheAceToronto.com

MAGIC OVEN

Known for its healthy pizzas made with fresh, local and organic ingredients and Magic Oven has multiple locations around the city. You’ll find plenty of families at the Danforth location on Mondays between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., when kids eat free. The Kids’ Menu comes with a quiz and puzzles to keep tots occupied while they wait for their food to arrive. Nutritious and delicious!

798 Danforth Avenue | 416-462-0333 | MagicOven.com

MANDARIN YONGE

With several locations in the Greater Toronto Area, Mandarin has long been a favourite destination for families. Its all-you-can-eat Chinese-Canadian buffet provides options for all tastes. If your kids aren’t crazy about wonton soup and maki rolls, they can always head for the oven-baked pizzas and barbecued chicken instead.

2200 Yonge Street | 416-486-2222 | MandarinRestaurant.com

LISBON BY NIGHT

A popular spot for family get-togethers and celebrations, this authentic Portuguese gem cooks up a delicious”rodizio” fish exactly like how they used to in the old country. Kids who haven’t developed a taste for seafood yet can fill up on chicken fingers or penne with tomato sauce. Live music on the weekends provides entertainment for the whole family.

802 Dundas Street West | 416-603-6522 | LisbonByNight.com

CHEESEWERKS

Nestled right in the heart of downtown Toronto on Bathurst Street, Cheesewerks is all about the cheese. Everybody in your family will love their ooey-gooey delights such as the mac ‘n cheese, grilled cheese or their famous fondue. Be sure to check out one of their trivia nights – it’s a fun way to pass an evening!

56 Bathurst Street | 416-243-3327 | CheeseWerks.com

PAN ON THE DANFORTH

Opa! A star on the Danforth’s constellation of Greek restaurants, Pan on the Danforth has been providing loyal customers with delicious Hellenic fare, entertainment (including live music and belly dancers), and dazzling table-side service for 10 years. Truly a Toronto institution, Pan will have everyone in your party mesmerized and totally sated.

516 Danforth Avenue | 416-466-8158 | PanOnTheDanforth.com