By The Way is a much-loved neighbourhood favourite that offers contemporary Mediterranean fare with Latin flare in the heart of the Annex. A reliable, tasty standby for generous, nourishing eats, BTW has all the meal bases covered, from breakfast to late-night fill-up. Omelettes, pasta dishes and eggs benny get lots of mention, as does the fine selection of Middle Eastern choices. The restaurant enjoys a particular reputation for its healthy focus. There's also a solid selection of vegetarian dishes. A surprisingly extensive wine list includes both house and vintage options. The space is bright and cheerful. The big corner patio fills up in the summertime. more... See more text

Restaurant type

Coffee Shop,

Cuisine type

Mediterranean,
Latin American,
Fusion,
Brunch,
Middle-eastern,

Dishes

Vegetarian Cuisine,

Features

Breakfast,
Extensive Wine List,
Restaurant With Terrace,
Restaurant With Catering Services,

Atmosphere

Casual,
Family,
Intimate,

Products and Services

Open Sunday,
Comfortable Booth,

Languages Spoken

English,

Location

400 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1X5

Useful Information

Opening Hours *Holiday hours

Monday	9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Tuesday	9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Wednesday	9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thursday	9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friday	9:00 am - 11:00 pm
Saturday	9:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sunday	9:00 am - 9:00 pm

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Rates:

$26 To $60,

Methods of Payment:

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By Restaurantica12

October 15, 2007

this was the tastiest and best value meal we had...

this was the tastiest and best value meal we had during our week in Ontario. Style is med/middle east/morocco. Delicious.

Atmosphere: 4/5

Food: 4/5

Service: 5/5

Are you the owner? Reply or Contact YP

By Catherine

June 22, 2022

First post-pandemic visit - and it didn't disappoint! Sword fish on the menu - a first for them - and rare in TO. Perfectly done and service was very good. Always enjoy going there, will be back.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Janis Rubenzahl

June 17, 2022

Very consistent. I'm always happy with the food and love their patio. I'm a regular visitor.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Ellen

June 2, 2022

Food took waaaay too long- other tables got their orders long before is so that kind of killed the vibe. No reason given and barely an apology- should have comped at least the appetizer or sparkling water

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 2/5

By Meri

May 4, 2022

Outstanding servers!!! Delicious!!!

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Adam

February 27, 2022

Great food and great service. We had a great time and enjoyed every minute.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Sandy

February 16, 2022

It's rather expensive for what you get, especially considering that it's in a university student area. And the portions are quite modest in size, though tasty.

Ambiance: 4/5

Cuisine: 4/5

Service: 5/5

By Memorie

February 13, 2022

The service was friendly and accommodating and the food was great!

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Amanda

December 22, 2021

I am a loyal BTW fan of several years. I dined singly, but there is no option for that, hmm. Food is always beautifully prepared, and delicious! I am also a fan of the exceptional servers, especially Elizabeth and Maria. Side note, their smoothies are wonderful!

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Breanne

December 9, 2021

The food at By the Way is always so delicious - we love coming here for both breakfast and dinner. Great food at a good price!

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By June

November 19, 2021

A warm inviting atmosphere with a neighborhood feel. Great service and excellent food.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Laura

October 25, 2021

We had a wonderful dinner on the heated patio. The food was delicious and flavourful and the service was great - they were very accommodating of us and our baby, very friendly, and super efficient as we were short on time. Great spot!

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Parisa

October 17, 2021

Perfect atmosphere, perfect food and perfect service I definitely recommend this place to everyone 😊👌

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Tyrone

October 16, 2021

Popped in for a light dinner with a colleague. Phenomenal service, a great patio, generous menu and decent pricepoints.

Ambiance: 4/5

Cuisine: 4/5

Service: 5/5

By Anne

October 10, 2021

An extremely good experience... Thanks to the amazing staff

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Shelley

October 2, 2021

Our server was efficient but rather curt. I noticed this when she called me to confirm my reservation and firmly pressured me to decide whether we wanted to eat indoors or out.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 2/5

By Stephen

October 2, 2021

The By the Way Cafe is one of my old stand-bys. I've eaten lunch and dinner there more times than I can remember. The food is always very good, as is the service. Better than very good, really. Excellent. I've always enjoyed the patio, even before Covid-19 made patio dining a necessity. I look forward to moving back inside as conditions and regulations permit.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Kate

September 13, 2021

Wonderful Meal and exceptional service

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Tracey

September 13, 2021

Always great. Really nice covered patio. Great service and reliably good food for brunch and dinner.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Marion

September 11, 2021

From the moment we arrived all requests were met with a smile and willingness to fulfill them all. Excellent service and I continue to rave about the chilled cucumber and dill soup. We’ll be back again and again. Many Thanks

Ambiance: 4/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Ronnie

August 18, 2021

Excellent t as always

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Melissa

August 12, 2021

The sale was quite small but the calamari and omelette were great.

Ambiance: 4/5

Cuisine: 4/5

Service: 5/5

By Keith

August 11, 2021

We just had drinks this time first time back there since 1988. The service has always been great and friendly. Was getting together with an old friend I met there in the 1980s, we hadn’t seen each other since the late 1980s

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Louise

August 4, 2021

Great experience and coffee!

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Charlotte

August 4, 2021

The team at BTW are wonderful- professional, kind, funny . . . and the kitchen is really good. The menu offers tasty entrees for carnivores and vegetarians alike. The patio is terrific. This is the go-to spot for get togethers with friends.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Juliana

July 27, 2021

Lovely eggs charlotte (like eggs benedict but with smoke salmon). Nice patio. But don't sit out there if you are scared of birds because there is a pigeon that walks around there :(

Ambiance: 4/5

Cuisine: 4/5

Service: 5/5

By June

July 27, 2021

Friendly service, great food that is reasonably place. Enjoyed a long leisurely meal with a friend while sipping excellent margaritas, a drink I highly recommend.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Sharon

July 23, 2021

Had a great time at By The Way. Food was delicious and fresh. Our server was delightful and periodically checked in on us. Would recommend!

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By MC

July 22, 2021

We love By the Way!!!

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Lauren

July 19, 2021

Amazing service. Delicious food. So happy this place is around the corner.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

By Raeya

July 17, 2021

Wonderful to be back out on the BTW patio! One of my favourite breakfast spots in the City.

Ambiance: 5/5

Cuisine: 5/5

Service: 5/5

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Where to eat and drink in the Annex during Hot Docs

This venerable Annex café has stood the test of time thanks to its cozy ambiance and tasty menu of contemporary Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. Open since 1979, the airy dining room is comfortable but a little more sophisticated than the nearby takeout spots and student haunts. Lunch and dinner menus feature freshly prepared meze platters of hummus, babaganough and falafel balls served alongside regionally inspired salads and grilled meat kabobs. If it’s warm enough, grab a spot on the charming side patio and bask in the twinkling lights.

View this Smart List

Weekday wakeup: Great spots to get breakfast in the Annex

This intimate diner is a great spot to have a hearty breakfast with friends after a long night out. There’s limited seating, so it tends to be very quiet and makes for relaxed dining. The extensive menu has plenty of breakfast and brunch options for all tastes and appetites, including Eggs Charlotte, omelettes, hash browns and bagels. The wait staff is always happy to refill your cup, so it’s an ideal spot for some caffeine therapy when you're still trying to wake up.

View this Smart List

Bomb Bathurst eats: Annex restaurants for lunch and dinner

Contemporary Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare is the name of game at this Annex mainstay, a cozy restaurant and patio on the Bloor Street strip proper. You’ll see locals dining here at all hours of the day, since the spot serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. We suggest a few selections of mezes (falafel, Israeli salad, marinated beets, and some seriously legendary hummus) – you’ll quickly discover why By The Way has earned a reputation for some of the hood’s best healthy meets oh-so-satisfying grub.

View this Smart List

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Phone Number
- 416-967-4295Primary
Reserve
Directions
Website

By The Way

Restaurant type

Cuisine type

Dishes

Features

Atmosphere

Products and Services

Languages Spoken

Opening Hours *Holiday hours

Rates:

Methods of Payment:

Social Media

Menu & Prices

STARTERS MENU - By The Way

OMELETTES

EGGS

The Poachers

OTHER DISHES

DRINKS

OMELETTES MENU - By The Way

EGGS

The Poachers

HEALTHY EATS

MORE BRUNCH DISHES

EVEN MORE STUFF

STARTERS MENU - By The Way

MIDDLE EASTERN MEZES

BY THE WAY SALADS

FROM THE GRILL

EGGS

THE POACHERS

OMELETTES

STARTERS MENU - By The Way

MEZES

BY THE WAY SALADS

Middle Eastern Grill

SIGNATURE DESSERTS MENU - By The Way

DESSERTS

Ratings & Reviews - By The Way

this was the tastiest and best value meal we had...

Get an opinion about this business!

Appears in 3 Smart Lists

Where to eat and drink in the Annex during Hot Docs

Weekday wakeup: Great spots to get breakfast in the Annex

Bomb Bathurst eats: Annex restaurants for lunch and dinner

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Directories

Landmarks