Toronto's West Queen West eateries you don't want to miss
West Queen West is one of the coolest neighbourhoods, not just in Toronto, but country-wide. It’s got a gritty trendiness that appeals to hipsters and young families alike. There’s no shortage of local spots to visit, with food offerings for every type of personality.
Oyster Boy
872 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G3Skip making dinner at home and head out for some of the best seafood you can find in Toronto. The owner, Adam Colquhoun, is a certified shucking master, having won an Ontario Oyster Shucking Championship. He's also surrounded himself with other great shucking talents. But mollusks aren’t the only thing on the menu – you can dine on all things sea-related, like rich clam chowder, crispy fish cakes, fish tacos and whole Ontario trout.
Squirly's
807 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G1You’ll find food from all over the world here, with reasonably-priced dishes that are cut down further for certain weekly specials. Some of the most popular specials include cheap pints of Stratford pilsner on Wednesdays and a pizza and pitcher (True North lager) on Sundays. Even better, Squirly's offers free Wi-Fi and you can reserve the place for free for a party, depending on the size of your group.
Poutini's
1112 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H9Whether it’s lunchtime or you just need a snack to soak up the beer you’ve had at the Drake, Poutini's offerings are always world-class. It’s a family-run business, so you know each poutine has been crafted way above normal commercial standards. You'll love the little touches, such as the biodegradable cornstarch forks. Poutines come in two sizes and there's a huge variety of toppings, as well as vegetarian or gluten-free gravy options. Just don't forget that they're a cash-only business.
Noce
875 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G5At this fine Italian restaurant, quality authentic food ranks high. There's no such thing as a bad meal here – only great and greater. Start with an appetizer, such as Pesciolini Fritti (fried smelts) or Olive Ascolane (meat-stuffed fried olives) before working your way onto a main course, such as Ravioli ai Funghi (mushroom-stuffed ravioli with parmesan cheese and white truffle butter). Be sure to save room for dessert – options include sweets, cheeses and biscotti.
Nadege Patisserie
1099 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2L7A sweet tooth needs constant attention and there’s no better place to go for sweets than here. Every pastry and dessert is painstakingly crafted by hand and the effort shows. This is a world-class patisserie in the same league as any you’d find in Paris. Their coffee is the perfect accoutrement to any dessert, whether you want bite-size goodies, such as macarons or heartier fare like cake. And, if you’re craving Nadège while on vacation in Canada, they ship from coast to coast.
