50 Best Bars near East York

“My son and I were looking for a cup of coffee, and were drawn to 367 Cafe by the promise of a patio. It's in the back and can be heated. Essentially this is a cozy cafe and sports bar. The very friendly proprietor told us it isn't worth his while to try to serve meals during the pandemic. The espresso was very good, however.“

“Stepping into Sophie's isn't just about watching a game or having a bite to eat, it's like coming home. The moment you're greeted by owners George and Sophie, you feel an instant warmth that's rare to find. They don't just run a business — they're the heart of the place, always taking the time to chat and make sure everyone feels like a regular. What truly sets Sophie's apart is their deep commitment to the community. Whether they're hosting a fundraiser or sponsoring a sports event, George and Sophie consistently show up and give back. They're also unwavering LGBTQ+ allies, creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone. It's clear they care about more than just their bottom line, they care about the people and the neighbourhood they serve. Sophie's is more than a sports bar, it's a true community hub, and we're lucky to have it.“

“I would give 5 stars to the staff—they were very friendly and attentive, which made for a welcoming experience.

The ambience was convenient and cozy, making it a comfortable spot to grab a bite after grocery shopping.

Unfortunately, the food didn’t meet expectations. We ordered the Swiss burgers, which were dry and lacked quality in both taste and ingredients.“

“The food is always amazing, service is always impeccable and they always have top notch entertainment. If you want to try great Macedonian food and Balkan food in general and you live in Toronto, this is the place to visit.“

“By far the best restaurant in Toronto so far. I came here for my birthday and the experience was transcendent. First, the service was top tier level, the waiter that took care of us was gentlemen with a great vibe. Best server I had in my life. They seated us according to our request (nice seating away from the entrance). They also printed a birthday card for me which was very considerate. They also called and emailed asking us very detailed oriented questions ahead of the dinner which was top notch. They also switched our utensils every meal which is a small detail yet powerful dinner experience detail. Sparkling water was also complimentary versus other restaurants. The pace of the food was perfect as well and they also gave me a small birthday cake!

Food was immaculate. An eye opening experience. I cannot even describe the food/art that I have eaten. Nothing disappointed me. They used the best of the best ingredients. Every dish was perfectly curated and every bite was orgasmic. If I was a multi millionaire, I would come here everyday. All the food was at the right temperature, nothing got stuck to our teeth, and I would say the egg & toast dish was one very memorable.

Now as for the atmosphere, the decor was elegant but the restaurant isn’t very big, thus the difficulty of getting a reservation. It was comfy and treated us extremely well.

Overall I recommend it for special occasions, not for a huge party but great for 4 people family or with your significant other. I will be coming back for sure one day.“

“Really enjoyed the atmosphere and Ceci was a great server ! Recommend Rob’s pizza.“

“I'll keep the secret, but just go! It's delicious and perfect!“

“We had a really nice experience last night. The place was great, and even though we didn’t have a reservation, we were seated quickly at a nice table.

Caroline was amazing. She was very attentive, detail-oriented, and always one step ahead. She checked in at the right moments, gave helpful suggestions, and made sure everything was perfect. She was also very kind and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better.

We’ll definitely be back!“

“I was attending Toronto Pride this past weekend and found this beautiful hidden gem and the staff were so friendly knowing that I was alone. fantastic food and fun drinks“

“the music is amazing, staff are super friendly, and the food is yummers. i love it here and i always come by when i have the weekends off! im super glad i came by tn especially because they had the jays game on! definitely a vibe here, definitely recommend.“

“A classic French restaurant with a great atmosphere and complimentary cocktails that taste unique.“

“We had such a great experience at this izakaya. The food was absolutely delicious everything felt thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. The beef tartare was especially memorable: light, fresh, and perfectly balanced. The karaage was another standout—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and seasoned just right.

Service struck that perfect balance—not overbearing, but still attentive and timely, which made the whole experience feel relaxed and enjoyable.

The only small downside was that it was a bit on the darker side, making it a little hard to see at times.

Overall, a fantastic spot and we’ll definitely be back!“

“Had such a great experience at Bar Banane last night. The vibe was warm and intimate without feeling pretentious. Perfect for a relaxed night out.

We ordered the smoked sturgeon rillettes, which were outstanding and perfectly balanced. Easily a standout dish.

For drinks, we tried the Berry Dangerous and Eleventh Hour, and both were fantastic.

Great atmosphere, great food, and even better drinks.“

“Finally tried the famous prime rib burger and it absolutely lived up to the hype — juicy, rich, and so satisfying. The Comrade has such a dark, cozy atmosphere that makes it perfect for a date night or intimate dinner. Definitely a Leslieville staple worth visiting.“

“This is such a cool little spot! I attended a drag show and bingo event and had a great time. The inside is small but they make great use of the space and put care into the aesthetic design. I had a burger and fries to eat and they were both absolutely delicious.“

“Gabbys Danforth.... Rude staff and an even more rude owner... don't bother complaining about anything because you're just going to get cussed at... absolutely appalling behavior... the usual crowd are loud obnoxious and seriously over their limits. I've witnessed tables and chairs falling all over the place on many occasions because people are way too intoxicated to think. The owner acts like he's untouchable and says things like " you're in a bar what do you expect " . I expect to be treated as a paying customer. Never going there again. also... one of the servers is literally always drunk out of her mind... my very first visit she was crying about her ex... and almost every time I ordered wings SHE GOT MY ORDER WRONG....over and over again!! let's just say ive had many free wings and stuff from her as an apology... I gave them a chance. several actually. but after that conversation with the owner.... im done. DO NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!“

“Great bar with delicious drinks, great food, and very reasonable prices. The customer service was truly amazing. The staff really know how to interact with guests, make you feel welcome from the moment you walk in AND know how to make you laugh!! The aesthetic is beautiful and cozy, and I loved the touch of having board games available. Everything was a 10 out of 10, even down to the pricing. I stopped by on a whim, but I will definitely be a regular now. Thank you for such a great experience.“

“I visited the TO Lounge for the first time late afternoon on New Years Eve. I live in the neighbourhood and have walked by many times but hadn’t stopped in yet. Upon walking in, we were greeted with live music and a warm and cozy atmosphere. One of the owners greeted us and sat us at a table by the bar. It was clear pretty quickly that this is a special place. While we only ordered drinks, because it was New Year’s Eve, the owners brought out a spread of snacks for all to enjoy which was so sweet - not to mention delicious. It was a cold snowy night and this place was such a warm refuge from the weather, full of kind people, good food, and a real sense of community. I’ve heard great things about their food menu, most things are homemade, so I’ll be back soon for a proper meal. Highly recommend as a must stop in Parkdale!“

“An intimate but casual atmosphere with very friendly and helpful servers, great selection of beer and cocktails (not generally a wine drinker, so while they do have wine, I can't speak to their list), and food leagues better than you might expect from a relatively small bar.

They also have amazing weekend brunch that is 100% worth checking out.

Good for meals, snacks, and/or drinks. Their rear patio is A+ in summer, also.“

“I always order from this place and the food is amazing!!! The amount of food you get for the price is definitely worth it. My favs from this place are the garlic soy karage and the spicy tempura dynamite rolls. The karage is the perfect balance of batter and actual meat.“

“Came here on a Saturday night for a few drinks and apps.

For drinks, I got the non alcoholic Silent G which was super tasty.
For food we ordered the chicken and tuna melt empanadas as well as the Dumplings - all were delicious !

Atmosphere and service was also great! 😊“

“On a visit to Toronto and was taken to The Only Cafe to listen to the live music. A nice atmosphere, good selection of drinks and friendly service.“

“What a cozy place in the east end! Great beer selection and the food portions are hefty. I had a ceaser salad 15 bucks ad chicken 5 bucks!?!? And it was huge first time I’ve been bested by a salad. I would have easily paid ten bucks for the add chicken with out blinking an eye. Great job team! Keep it up“

“So tasty, and the drinks are so good, strong, and delicious. Great staff who are friendly and make you feel at home!“

“Enjoyed a lovely cocktail after the show.“

“A wonderful venue for community building and meeting new people. Great staff, artsy atmosphere and inclusive. Thanks to Joshua and team for being supportive of the arts!“

“Fresh and Savoury dishes Will return to try more very soon“

“Great staff, always helpful and knowledgeable. Comfortable environment for any and all, great game selection and Tuesday night MTG drafts!“

“We were a group of 3 people and we'd been bar hopping all night and we were on our way home when we passed Decoy Bar and loved the vibe of the place so we just went in and was greeted by our friendly bartender Brandon. My friends and I had a blast! Brandon made us instantly feel welcomed, talked to us about the drinks and we ended up ordering a cocktail called Simply Cindy and it was the best drink of the night! We had gone to two other bars previously and by far the vibes at Decoy Bar and drinks and Brandon made the night super memorable. Will definitely visit again soon!“

“Great service, classic pinball machines, good beer selection.“

“Great spot for creative cocktails.“

“Honestly, I'm not sure what more I can say—this place is amazing. I'd been here earlier last year, and they've since refreshed the menu, which I loved. I ended up discovering new drinks that somehow topped my favorites from before. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is warm and cozy, and the service is truly outstanding.“

“It was a happy accident that led me to Tommy’s on a Sunday afternoon in the summer. I had been searching High Park and Parkdale for a good coffee, only to find most places closed after 2 PM. Luckily, Tommy’s was open — and what a wonderful find it was!

The café is located on a busy, unassuming corner with lots of streetcar traffic. From the outside, it looks like a vintage convenience store, and the interior continues that quirky, retro vibe, making it a really unique spot.

My barista was absolutely charming and knowledgeable, explaining all about the coffee being brewed. They use Reunion Coffee, and the iced Americano they made for me was perfectly balanced — smooth, flavorful, and refreshing. Tommy’s is a hidden gem for anyone looking for great coffee in a fun, nostalgic setting.“

“10/10

Had the pleasure of being served by Amanda and Callum. They went above and beyond to make me feel like I was a regular, even though I live 5000kms away.

If you want to enjoy a place that feels like a home away from home you need to come by Doc's for a bevy and bar snack.“

“Great place for late night drinks or brunch! I love the new buck a shuck deal upstairs in their oyster house, and they have such delicious food offerings up there as well. Will be back!“

“Every time I rent an item, it's in pristine condition. Delivery is always punctual, set up smoothly, and picked up without any hassle. Super reliable and so easy to work with! And the best part—there’s such a huge selection of stunning items to choose from for all kinds of events. Highly recommend!“

“Been going to The Horn for many, many years. We've gotten to know all the staff who are absolutely amazing. It's one of our regular spots in the neighbourhood to have a delish local lager (or three, who are we kidding, right Dave?!) a munchie and chill on one of the best backyard patios in the city. There's always a game on and the vibe on the inside is laid back and comfy. Kristin and the crew are all gems! 5/5!“

“Such a great spot it has an awesome vibe. Relaxed but lively, perfect for a casual drink or a fun night out. The service really made the experience though.

Special shoutout to Victoria. She was fantastic. Super friendly, attentive, and genuinely made us feel welcome from the moment we sat down. She checked in at all the right times and had great energy the whole night.

Will definitely be back. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area!“

“Came here for arcade games with wifey, and had a blast (literally). Shot the zombies, dominated in air hockey, and had an enjoyable virtual reality experience. Lots of fun was had all around! The drinks were great.

Couldn’t get a prize though but might’ve been a skill issue. Make sure to check this spot out!“

“Had such a lovely time here. The staff is talented and so helpful. I love the variety of different paintings you can choose from and they serve cocktails, not just wine. Love it! I will be doing this again💕“

“Sampo Snack Bar is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, the warm atmosphere and friendly team make you feel right at home. The menu strikes the perfect balance between comfort and creativity—every dish is packed with bold flavors, thoughtful presentation, and top-quality ingredients.

The cocktails are just as impressive—well-crafted, balanced, and refreshingly inventive. Whether you’re there for a quick bite, a casual night out, or a late-night hang, Sampo hits the mark every time. It’s clear the team puts genuine care into everything they do.

A must-visit spot that keeps you coming back. Highly recommended!“

“It's a cozy little bar with lots of live music by great musicians! The staff are great and there's a good beer and drinks selection.“

“Girls’ night (party of three)

We were starving, which explains why I completely forgot to take photos of our first two plates. This is 100% a sharing-plates place, and we leaned all the way in.

What we ordered:
• Aged Manchego with honeycomb - salty, sweet, gone immediately
• Tomato Bread “Royale” - so good we had to order it twice
• Grilled Savoy Cabbage with miso glaze & scallion chili crunch – interesting cooked salad? But there were bites that were too spicy for my (low spice tolerance),
• Steak Tartare - really yummy, great duck fat and toast that accompanies it (could go for another slice of a bread when sharing though)
• Ricotta Gnocchi - came HOT to the table, different texture than expected for gnocchi
• Double-layer chocolate cake - deeply chocolatey, decadent, and non-negotiable (you gotta try it - I would come back just for it)

We were stuffed after the 7 plates between 3 of us, it was $55 per person pre-tip.

I enjoyed the music, it wasn't too loud that we had to yell our life stories across the table. Service was super attentive without hovering. The only real downside? It is SO dark inside. Very on theme with the bar’s name, but definitely a “slow down, feel with your feet, and squint to find your friends” situation.

Would come again.“

“I love the concept of the place, the right portions of food at a reasonable price which goes well with the wide variety of drink choices. However, some beers and cocktails were unavailable when we dined here.

We tried 4-5 dishes from their menu and every dish was absolutely amazing. Very close to Nepali taste with a bit of Western influence 👏.Chicken momo was really good, Chatpate and Mustang Alu were both outstanding, and Chicken choila was decent but still tasted good. We also ordered a few margaritas which tasted amazing.

Would love to visit again to try other dishes from the menu and hopefully attend the live music.“

“Always a great time, great vibe and great ppl, without exception! Special shout out to Adam! 😁“

“The absolute best of Dundas West. 🔥“

“Popped into Triple A with our very elderly pup this weekend and had a fantastic time! She was treated like royalty and could get very used to it. Great selection of beers and cider on draft and a lovely mix of humans and dogs. Looking forward to coming back!“

“Food is really good. Fresh salad. Not greasy.
Tasty food and really better than a lot of Izakaya place. 5 out of 5.

Service: very attentive and caring. No complaints.

Atmosphere is warm and cozy. I could have spent a whole evening hanging out here. Then I have to be considerate and allow others to enjoy the experience.

Would I come back, absolutely yes!“