Family-friendly restaurants in Toronto’s east end
Whether you’re looking to grab a quick bite with the kids incognito, or dress up and celebrate good grades with the entire fam, there’s no shortage of restaurants in Toronto’s east end that aim please every member of the clan. When it’s time to gather your picky eaters, meat lovers and health-conscious vegetarians, make sure you check out these family-friendly east end restaurants. [Image credit: iStock.com/Imgorthand]
The Burger's Priest
1636 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1G3Burger’s Priest near quiet Queen and Coxwell is like a contemporary, local A&W for the modern cheeseburger-loving family. You can order your burger smothered in chilli (the Red Sea), or top it with blue cheese and crisp bacon (the Magnum). There are many options, including vegetarian, to choose from.
Beacher Cafe
2162 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 1E4With a calming east coast atmosphere, The Beacher Café is a great spot for fancy family gatherings. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a fantastic view of Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood while the walls showcase new local artists each month. You can order New York sirloin and sip wine while the kids slurp spaghetti bolognese and soft drinks. The menu has a little something for everyone.
Greenwood Smokehouse BBQ
673 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1L2An A+ in class deserves an afterschool treat, right? Celebrate good grades at Greenwood Smokehouse with a family platter of ribs, pulled pork, brisket and wings. This meat-lovers meal comes with three (vegetarian) sides and dishes. A kids menu with the likes of macaroni and cheese and a pulled pork sandwich ensure everyone enjoy their meal (and kids options come with a free milk or soft drink).
Braised Restaurant & Bar
896 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1J3With colourful artwork, booth or window seating, retro lighting, cocktails and Shirley Temples, the whole family will enjoy dining at Braised. Even your pickiest little eater won’t be able to resist the simple penne with butter dish from the kids menu. Adults on the other hand can enjoy the penne with short rib bolognese, or try seared ahi tuna with quinoa and wilted kale. To boot, it’s got a lovely industrial-romantic interior, making this Leslieville restaurant a great place to gather for celebrations and special occasions.
Brooklyn Tavern
1097 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1K7Every night is family night at Brooklyn Tavern. This cozy Leslieville restaurant features a fun starter menu (think chickpea frites with spicy eggplant and roasted red pepper dip). Plus, just about every night, there’s a dinner special to save money on. If you love PEI mussels, for instance, this is the place to be on a Friday night. As for dessert, we know your little ones will be keen, so end your night out with a plate of apple crumble and vanilla ice cream.
Reliable Halibut & Chips
954 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1J7Known by Leslieville folk for its delicious, super-sized portions and the smell of malt vinegar that permeates through its walls onto the street, this hidden gem is the go-to restaurant for busy, health-conscious families on a budget. An order of halibut (more fish than batter, deep fried in canola oil) with fresh-cut fries is just $12.99. Plus, with the quaint and clean mom-and-pop type interior, it’s the perfect casual space for a family dinner.
Completo
5 Coady Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2Y9Fresh and fast best sums up the east end’s Completo restaurant. This little Latin-inspired restaurant in Leslieville features hard-shell tacos with four fillings to choose from, plus organic hotdogs served on a toasted buns, and fries topped with goat cheese and tomato-cilantro salsa. All ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, making both adults and kids plenty of delicious and nutrient-rich options. Cute (but compact) outdoor patio? Check.
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