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143 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1N2
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Open now 11:30 am - 1:00 am
Editor’s Pick

Methods of Payment:

  • American Express
  • Interac
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Rates:

  • $26 To $60,
  • $11 To $25,
The glow of comfortable tradition warms Allen's. Opened in 1987, the restaurant has achieved near-institutional status, as its bar, featuring 340 whiskies, over 100 VQA wines and 140 beers, and dining room are considered the very best of type. Customers travel from all over Canada, the U. S. and Europe to sample the unique offerings, but a solid core of local regulars maintains a consistent atmosphere of good cheer, conversation and welcome. The menu focuses on Ontario farmed and grown produce, with an urivalled presentation of naturally-raised or organic meats from area farmers. Breed, feed and age of every animal served is included on the menu. The wine cellar, with VQA selections from all regions of Ontario and British Columbia, serves as testament to Allen's commitment to Local Fare. In fine weather, there is no better spot in which to dine al fresco than Allen's backyard, where a dedicated chef cooks to order over charcoal a daily-changing menu of local specialties. more... See more text

Opening Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Cuisine type

  • Regional,
  • American,
  • Irish,

Dishes

  • Seafood,
  • Comfort Food,
  • Hamburger,
  • Brunch,

Features

  • Extensive Wine List,
  • Restaurant With Live Entertainment,

Atmosphere

  • Trendy,
  • Casual,
  • Family,

Products and Services

  • Open Sunday,
  • Full Dinner Menu,
  • Daily Special,

Languages Spoken

  • English,

Meet the owner

Named after owner John Maxwell’s mentor (Joseph C. Allen), Allen's is a restaurant, informal in style, but utterly civilized, specializing in local food and drink. The Danforth Avenue haunt has been serving local residents and visitors since 1987. “It occupies the status of an institution,” says John. “It’s institutional because of its legendary hospitality, warmth of welcome and a VQA wine list, which is one of the largest — if not the largest — in the world.” Allen’s is also renowned for its beer selection (140 strong, many microbrews) and a whisky list that numbers 300.

John has been in the restaurant business for more than 50 years. He opened his first Toronto dining establishment Joe Allen in 1980 and later opened Italian hotspot Orso in 1985. Both are now closed, but today John owns one other bar in addition to Allen’s, Dora Keogh’s on the Danforth.

Many members of John’s staff at Allen's have been with him for more than 20 years. This guarantees, he explains, that customers are not just welcomed, but recognized and feel like they are part of a family. “We know a large proportion of our customers,” John says proudly. “As with other restaurants that succeed by making guests feel welcome, we don’t 'wow’ them, but instead comfort them.”

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Menu & Prices

Brunch MENU - Allen's

SERVED SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND HOLIDAYS. OUR HORMONE AND ANTIBIOTIC-FREE, FREE-RANGE BROWN EGGS ARE SUPPLIED BY THE BOAR AND CHICK, TROY, ONTARIO.

ALLEN'S BREAKFAST PARFAIT

SEASONAL FRUIT WITH NATURAL LOWFAT YOGHURT AND HOMEMADE CRANBERRY-ALMOND GRANOLA

$5.95

THREE EGG FRITTATA

WITH ORGANIC GREENS OR SWEET POTATO HASH BROWNS

$12.50

EGGS BENEDICT OR FLORENTINE

WITH SWEET POTATO HASH BROWN

$13.00

EGGS BENEDICT ROYALE

(SMOKED SALMON REPLACES PEAMEAL BACON) WITH SWEET POTATO HASH BROWNS

$15.95

WILD SALMON HASH WITH POACHED EGGS

3 POACHED EGGS ON BRITISH COLUMBIA SALMON HASHED WITH YUKON GOLD POTATOES, SMOKED BACON, RED ONION AND CHIVES

$14.95

3 EGG-WHITE OMELETTE

PLAIN OR WITH TOMATO AND FRESH HERBS OR WITH CHOPPED SMOKED HAM AND ONTARIO CHEDDAR CHEESE WITH ORGANIC GREENS OR SWEET POTATO HASH BROWNS

$13.95

OUR FAMOUS BUTTERMILK-PUMPKIN WAFFLES

WITH PORTER LAKE, ONTARIO, 100% PURE MAPLE SYRUP

$11.95 with 4 strips smoked Ontario bacon $13.95 with a buttermilk fried free-range chicken leg and half-breast $16.95

FRUIT PANCAKES WITH PEAMEAL BACON

AND PORTER LAKE, ONTARIO 100% PURE MAPLE SYRUP

$13.95

TWO EGGS ANY STYLE

WITH CHOICE OF HAM, OUR OWN SAUSAGE PATTIES, CORNED BEEF HASH, PEAMEAL BACON OR STRIP BACON WITH SWEET POTATO HASH BROWNS

$12.95

HENRY TRAYNOR LIMOUSIN BEEF STRIPLOIN STEAK (6 OZ.)

WITH 2 EGGS ANY STYLE AND OUR YUKON GOLD FRENCH FRIES

$22.95

SOUPS MENU - Allen's

GALWAY SEAFOOD CHOWDER

Wild Salmon, Wild Halibut, Shrimp and Ahi Tuna with Carrot, Onion, Celery and Light Cream

$9.75

CURRIED PARSNIP SOUP (Vegetable Stock) with SHREDDED APPLES and YOGHURT

$9.25

BLACK BEAN SOUP (Vegetable Stock) with GREEN ONION SOUR CREAM

$8.50

APPETISERS

FOR DEEP-FRYING, ALLENS USES NON-HYDROGENATED, ONTARIO GROWN AND PROCESSED 100% CANOLA OIL

GRILLED CHILI-RUBBED COLOSSAL SHRIMP COCKTAIL with AVOCADO-CORN SALSA

$18.95

ALE-STEAMED MUSSELS with GARLIC and DIJON MUSTARD

$14.95

DEEP-FRIED CALAMARI with MONGOLIAN FIRE SAUCE

$13.95

ROASTED CREMINI MUSHROOM and MONTEREY JACK QUESADILLA

Mango-Ginger Chutney

$12.95

OAK-SMOKED IRISH SALMON with POTATO CAKES, CRÈME FRAICHE and CHIVES

$15.95

MANHATTAN CAPON WINGS with BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

$12.95

HERBED GOATS CHEESE DIP with GARLIC TOASTS

$8.95

GRILLED SWEET POTATO with CILANTRO-LIME MAYONNAISE

$8.25

BAKED ROSEMARY-POLENTA CHIPS with CURRIED MAYONNAISE

$8.25

SALADS

ORGANIC GREENS with SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

$8.75

CAESAR SALAD with SHAVED PARMIGIANO REGGIANO

$12.95

CAESAR SALAD with SHAVED PARMIGIANO REGGIANO

With a Grilled, Sliced Chicken Breast

$18.95

BLACKENED POTATO SALAD

$8.95

SMOKED HERITAGE DUCK BREAST, ORANGE GLAZED CARROT and ARUGULA SALAD with LINGONBERRY VINAIGRETTE

$16.95

POMEGRANATE, BOSC PEAR, GORGONZOLA and BABY SPINACH with MUSTARD DRESSING

$14.95

ROASTED WALNUT, CHICKPEA, CHERRY TOMATO, ASIAGO and BABY SPINACH SALAD with RASBERRY VINAIGRETTE

$12.95

MAIN COURSE

THIN-CRUST PIZZA with ROASTED CHICKEN, SWEET PEPPER, ONION, OREGANO and MOZZARELLA; OR with OVEN-ROASTED TOMATO, MOZZARELLA and ARUGULA

$15.95

BAY SCALLOP and SHRIMP LINGUINE with PARMIGIANO-REGGIANO

Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce

$17.95

ULSTER FRY

TWO EGGS with BUTCHERS OF DISTINCTION PURE PORK SAUSAGE, PEAMEAL BACON, BROILED TOMATO and SWEET POTATO HASH BROWNS

$12.95

OMELET OF THE DAY with ORGANIC GREENS

$13.95

DUBLIN LAMB SHANK BRAISED in GUINNESS with CHAMP

$17.95

VIJIS EXCELLENT CURRIES, SERVED with NAAN:

VEGETABLE - POTATO, CHICKPEA, CAULIFLOWER, GINGER, and GARLIC. Green Chili Yoghurt

$16.95

VIJIS EXCELLENT CURRIES, SERVED with NAAN

BUTTER CHICKEN - ONION, GARLIC, GINGER, ROASTED CASHEW NUTS and YOGHURT. Turmeric-scented Rice

$17.95

VIJIS EXCELLENT CURRIES, SERVED with NAAN:

SHRIMP - SLIGHTLY HOT, WITH RED PEPPER, SHALLOTS, GARLIC, GRATED COCONUT and CHILI PEPPER. Turmeric-scented Rice

$17.95

ALLENS SPECIAL LAGER-BATTERED WILD HALIBUT with OUR FAMOUS

YUKON GOLD FRENCH FRIES and HOUSE-MADE LEMON-DILL TARTAR SAUCE

$17.95

CHICKEN, LEEK, PEA and POTATO POT PIE

$16.95

OPEN-FACED OAK-SMOKED IRISH SALMON SANDWICH

on HOUSE-MADE SODA BREAD with RED ONION and LEMON

$17.95

ATLANTIC SALMON HAMBURGER with CAPERS and LIME ZEST

Dill Pickle Mayonnaise, Pickled Ginger
Warm Cider-Braised Red Cabbage with Apple and Butter

$17.95

GRILLED FREE-RANGE CHICKEN THIGHS with SPICY MISO MAYONNAISE

Matchstick French Fries

$16.95

TURKEY MEATLOAF

Garlic, White Cheddar and Chipotle Mashed Potato

$17.95

PAN-SEARED WILD HALIBUT with TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

$20.95

THINLY-SLICED ANGUS PROVIMI CALFS LIVER SAUTÉED with MUSHROOMS, CHARRED ONIONS and BALSAMIC VINEGAR

$22.00

HAMBURGERS MENU - Allen's

Served with Lettuce, Tomato, Dill Pickle and Onion

THE BASIC HAMBURGER

$15.95 With AGED ONTARIO CHEDDAR or ONTARIO SWISS $16.95 With DANISH BLUE CHEESE $16.95 With QUEBEC GOATS' CHEESE $17.25

In Addition

ONTARIO PEAMEAL BACON

$2.35

GRILLED ONIONS

$1.75

SAUTEED MUSHROOMS

$2.75

ONTARIO STRIP BACON

$2.25

THICK-CUT, SKIN-ON YUKON GOLD FRENCH FRIES

$5.95

MATCHSTICK YUKON GOLD FRENCH FRIES

$5.95

GRILLED SWEET POTATO with CILANTRO-LIME MAYONNAISE

$7.95

BAKED ROSEMARY-POLENTA CHIPS with CURRIED MAYONNAISE

$8.25

ROASTED ANCHO CHILI ONION RINGS

$7.95

ORGANIC GREENS with SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

$8.75

SOUPS MENU - Allen's

GALWAY SEAFOOD CHOWDER

Wild Salmon, Wild Halibut, Shrimp and Ahi Tuna with Carrot, Onion, Celery and Light Cream

$9.75

CURRIED PARSNIP SOUP (Vegetable Stock) with SHREDDED APPLES and YOGHURT

$9.25

BLACK BEAN SOUP (Vegetable Stock) with GREEN ONION SOUR CREAM

$8.50

APPETISERS

FOR DEEP-FRYING, ALLENS USES NON-HYDROGENATED, ONTARIO GROWN AND PROCESSED 100% CANOLA OIL

GRILLED CHILI-RUBBED COLOSSAL SHRIMP COCKTAIL with AVOCADO-CORN SALSA

$18.95

ALE-STEAMED MUSSELS with GARLIC and DIJON MUSTARD

$14.95

DEEP-FRIED CALAMARI with MONGOLIAN FIRE SAUCE

$13.95

ROASTED CREMINI MUSHROOM and MONTEREY JACK QUESADILLA

Mango-Ginger Chutney

$12.95

OAK-SMOKED IRISH SALMON with POTATO CAKES, CRÈME FRAICHE and CHIVES

$15.95

MANHATTAN CAPON WINGS with BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

$12.95

HERBED GOATS CHEESE DIP with GARLIC TOASTS

$8.95

GRILLED SWEET POTATO with CILANTRO-LIME MAYONNAISE

$8.25

BAKED ROSEMARY-POLENTA CHIPS with CURRIED MAYONNAISE

$8.25

SALADS

ORGANIC GREENS with SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

$8.75

CAESAR SALAD with SHAVED PARMIGIANO REGGIANO

$12.95

CAESAR SALAD with SHAVED PARMIGIANO REGGIANO

With a Grilled, Sliced Chicken Breast.

$18.95

BLACKENED POTATO SALAD

$8.95

SMOKED HERITAGE DUCK BREAST, ORANGE GLAZED CARROT

and ARUGULA SALAD with LINGONBERRY VINAIGRETTE

$17.95

POMEGRANATE, BOSC PEAR, GORGONZOLA and BABY SPINACH with MUSTARD DRESSING

$15.95

ROASTED WALNUT, CHICKPEA, CHERRY TOMATO, ASIAGO and BABY SPINACH SALAD with RASBERRY VINAIGRETTE

$13.95

DINNER (MAIN COURSE)

ALL OUR MEATS ARE HORMONE AND ANTIBIOTIC- FREE AND ARE NATURALLY RAISED IN ONTARIO

THIN-CRUST PIZZA

WITH ROASTED CHICKEN, SWEET PEPPER, ONION, OREGANO AND MOZZARELLA; OR with OVEN-ROASTED TOMATO, MOZZARELLA and ARUGULA

$16.95

BAY SCALLOP and SHRIMP LINGUINE with PARMIGIANO-REGGIANO

Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce.

$18.95

VIJIS EXCELLENT CURRIES, SERVED with CHAPATI:

VEGETABLE - POTATO, CHICKPEA, CAULIFLOWER, GINGER and GARLIC
Green Chili Yoghurt

$17.95

VIJIS EXCELLENT CURRIES, SERVED with CHAPATI:

BUTTER CHICKEN - ONION, GARLIC, GINGER, ROASTED CASHEWS and YOGHURT. Turmeric-scented Rice.

$18.95

VIJIS EXCELLENT CURRIES, SERVED with CHAPATI:

SHRIMP - SLIGHTLY HOT, with RED PEPPER, SHALLOTS, GARLIC, GRATED COCONUT and CHILI PEPPER. Turmeric-scented Rice.

$18.95

ALLENS SPECIAL LAGER-BATTERED WILD HALIBUT with OUR FAMOUS

YUKONGOLD FRENCH FRIES and HOUSE-MADE LEMON-DILL TARTAR SAUCE

$19.95

CHICKEN, LEEK, PEA and POTATO POT PIE

$16.95

OPEN-FACED OAK-SMOKED IRISH SALMON SANDWICH

on HOUSE-MADE SODA BREAD with RED ONION and LEMON

$18.95

PAN-SEARED WILD HALIBUT with TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

$21.95

TAMWORTH PORK RIB CHOP au POIVRE

Toasted Orzo with Chives

$22.95

ATLANTIC SALMON HAMBURGER with CAPERS and LIME ZEST

Dill Pickle Mayonnaise, Pickled Ginger
Warm Cider-Braised Red Cabbage with Apple and Butter

$18.95

GRILLED FREE-RANGE CHICKEN THIGHS with SPICY MISO MAYONNAISE

Matchstick French Fries

$17.95

DUBLIN LAMB SHANK BRAISED in GUINNESS with CHAMP

$19.95

TURKEY MEATLOAF

Garlic, White Cheddar and Chipotle Mashed Potato

$18.95

THINLY-SLICED ANGUS PROVIMI CALFS LIVER SAUTEED with MUSHROOMS,

$24.00

TONIGHTS SPECIAL MENU

MEATS OF DESIGNATED ORIGIN, WITH SPECIFIED FARM, BREED, FEED AND AGEING. CONSIDER THESE AS "APPELLATION CONTROLÉE" OR "ESTATE" PRODUCTS, VERIFIED FROM FARM TO FORK.

STRIPLOIN STEAK 10 OUNCES

RICHARD BROOKS, LYNDEN, ONTARIO.
ANGUS; HORMONE-FREE AND ANTIOBIC-FREE;
FEED GRASS, HAY, CORN; DRY-AGED 40 DAYS
Truffle Sauce

RACK OF LAMB CHOPS

ALEX McINTYRE, TROY, ONTARIO.
TEXEL; HORMONE AND ANTIBIOTIC-FREE;
FEED GRASS, HAY, BARLEY, MIXED GRAIN.
Mint Merlot Sauce

BUTCHERS OF DISTINCTION HERITAGE DUCK BREAST

EVERSPRING FARMS, ILDERTON, ONTARIO.
MUSCOVY; HORMONE AND ANTIBIOTIC-FREE;
FEED GRASS, HAY, BARLEY, CELERY SILAGE.
Mustard Cream Sauce

All Above are Served with a Fresh Vegetable and Choice of Potato:

Baked, Skin-on Yukon Gold French Fries, Matchstick French Fries, Chipotle or Regular Mashed, Champ, Steamed or Rosemary-Garlic Roasted.
We Honour the Noble Potato.

AND OUR OTHER SPECIALITIES

PAN FRIED WILD HALIBUT

Spinach Couscous; Tomato, Capers, Red Onion Dill Butter

GRILLED AHI TUNA

Curried Rice; Peach-Red Pepper Slaw

House-Made Dessert MENU - Allen's

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

WITH MALDON SEA SALT FLAKES

INDIVIDUAL WARM RHUBARB CRISP

WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CAKE

WITH SOUR CREAM ICING

HOT FUDGE ECLAIR

CHOUX PASTRY FILLED WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM AND TOPPED WITH HOT FUDGE SAUCE

MANHATTAN CHEESE CAKE

WITH GRAHAM CRACKER-WALNUT CRUST

BROWN-BUTTER PECAN PIE

WITH DARK RUM AND ESPRESSO

DRAUGHT MENU - Allen's

ALLEN'S SPECIAL LAGER

ALLEN'S SPECIAL LIGHT LAGER

BLANCHE DE CHAMBLY

BLOOD BROTHERS "PARADISE LOST" SPICED CHERRY SOUR

BROOKLYN LAGER

COLLECTIVE ARTS "RHYME & REASON" EXTRA PALE ALE

GREAT LAKES "OCTOPUS WANTS TO FIGHT" IPA

HENDERSON BEST ESB

JUNCTION CONDUCTORS CRAFT ALE

KILKENNY CREAM ALE

K.W. CIDER

GUINNESS

LEFTFIELD EEPHUS OATMEAL BROWN

PILSNER URQUELLE

WARSTEINER

BOTTLES

ALEXANDER KEITH'S INDIAN PALE ALE

ANCHOR LIBERTY ALE

ANCHOR STEAM ALE

ASAHI SUPER DRY

BECK'S

BECK'S NON-ALCOHOLIC

COLLECTIVE ARTS "RANSACK THE UNIVERSE IPA"

CORONA EXTRA

CREEMORE SPRING LAGER

CZECHUAR

DIEU DU CIEL! "DISCO SOLEIL"

DIEU DU CIEL! "ROSÉE D'HIBISCUS"

DOS EQUIS AMBER

DOS EQUIS LAGER

ERDINGER ALKOHOL FREI 500ml

GROLSHCH

HEINEKEN

HOPTICAL ILLUSION

INNIS & GUNN AGED OAK ALE

INNIS & GUNN TOASTED OAK ALE

KROMBACHER PILS

LES TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES "HORS SÉRIE GOSE"

McAUSLAN APRICOT ALE

McAUSLAN PALE ALE

MCAUSLAN OATMEAL STOUT

MILL ST. STOCK ALE

MILL ST. TANKHOUSE ALE

MOOSEHEAD LAGER

MUSKOKA DETOUR IPA

NICKELBROOK RASBERRY UBER

OLD SPECKLED HEN

PAULANER HERE-WIESBIER

RED STRIPE

ROLLING ROCK

SAM ADAMS BOSTON LAGER

SIERRA NEVADA PALE ALE

SCHNEIDER & SOHN WEISSE

SLEEMAN CLEAR

SLEEMAN CREAM ALE

SLEEMAN HONEY BROWN

SMIRNOFF ICE

STEAM WHISTLE PILSNER

STELLA ARTOIS

TRAQUAIR HOUSE ALE 7.2%

TUSKER

UNIBROUE EPHEMERE APPLE

UNIBROUE LA FIN DU MONDE

UNIBROUE MAUDITE

UNIBROUE TROIS PISTOLS

WARSTEINER

WEIHENSTEPHANER HEFE WEISSE

WEIHENSTEPHANER WEISSEDUNKEL

X.O. COGNAC BEER

BELGIANS & RELATED:

CHIMAY BLUE

CHIMAY PREMIERE 7% 750ml

CHIMAY WHITE

DUVEL 8.1%

FRÜLI

HOEGAARDEN

JACOBITE ALE

KARMELIET TRIPEL 8.4%

KWAK 8.4%

LEFFE BLONDE

LEFFE BRUN

ROCHEFORT 8 8%

ROCHEFORT 10 10%

ST. PAUL DUBBEL

ST. FEUILLIEN SAISON

ST. FEUILLIEN TRIPLE

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Ratings & Reviews - Allen's

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How would you rate this business?
  • Atmosphere: 5/5
  • Food: 5/5
  • Service: 5/5
Language:
BigJosh
By

Easily My Favourite Toronto Restaurant!

I first visited Allen's back in the 80's, not long after it opened, and I was instantly smitten. So much so, in fact that I moved into the neighbourhood! First I was a regular, then a nuisance, and finally a piece of furniture. I finally moved back to Markham in 1998, and cannot justify going anywhere south of Steeles Avenue without stopping into Allen's for lunch. The food is imaginative, superbly prepared, and so delicious, that even when I'm full, I often look at the menu again, just to see what I'll be ordering on my next visit! And the patio? Don't get me started......

Atmosphere: 5/5
Food: 5/5
Service: 5/5
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Appears in 9 Smart Lists

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With more than 100 Scotch whiskies to choose from and a killer burger on the menu, you can't go wrong with Allen's.

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You’d never know it from the front of Allen’s, but out back, a magical wonderland awaits you. A large tree offers not only the feeling of being in a lost garden, but a bit of shade from the sun’s powerful rays. Slim wood tables and chairs suggest a Muskoka setting or perhaps somewhere in Europe. What matters most is that you’ll seem elsewhere, outside of the city, for at least a little while. And sometimes, that all the respite you need.

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Often touted as “The Best Wings in the World,” Allen’s has been living up to that title with its Manhattan Capon Wings. Unlike its Buffalo-style counterpart, Manhattan Capon Wings are not breaded and have a spicy, sweet and sour sauce. Allen’s serves its wings with a side of blue cheese dressing. Take out is available.

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