18 Best Wine Bars near East York

“Great food. Great service. Definitely will return to try other dishes. Spicy 😥“

“We had a large party to celebrate our daughter’s engagement to her fiancé last weekend with well over 80 people to feed. The food from Skara was on time, hot and delicious! Our guests kept asking us where the delicious gyros was from. Skara! I would highly recommend Skara for your catering needs. I will definitely continue to use them. #bestgyros #skaracatering #catering #partyfood“

“Man, we hit up this awesome seafood spot for dinner, and it was a vibe! The Branzino Crudo was straight-up fire—so fresh, with those crispy shishito peppers and a pop of sourness from the pomelo that just tied it all together. We also dug the caraflex; it’s got this killer crunchy texture and plays so well with the cabbage.
We went all in and ordered all three pastas. My fave was the Casarecce—super chewy noodles, and the saffron with mussels? Next-level delicious. The Caramelle was wild, like no pasta shape I’ve ever seen, and the lemon zest really cuts through the richness of the ricotta.
For the main course, the trout was crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and those almonds with the sauce? Perfection. The beef brisket was so tender it melted in your mouth, and the radish and grits were the perfect match.
The place had such a great atmosphere, and the service was top-notch. Can’t wait to go back!“

“It was one of those difficult days. I was hungry and did not feel like cooking. Had no idea what to eat or where to go for some takeout. As I walk across, I see some picnic tables and bright orange umbrellas... the people seemed happy and chill, so I was like hello Ladybug!! I was greeted with a pleasant smile and a candlelit atmosphere. I sat at the bar and chatted with the waiter. I ordered a rum & coke then asked about their menu. The hot dish of the night was a Peruvian chicken... boy o boy, it did not disappoint. It had just the right kick of flavour(I'm sure they can add some heat if you ask). I ate enough to fill my tummy and saved the rest for lunch the next day.

I would recommend this place for a chill night of catch-up or a date night.

Thank you, Ladybug, for a welcoming and enjoyable dinner!!“

“What an unreal experience at a Michelin star restaurant – truly culinary art at its finest. This was everything fine dining should be about: impeccable service, an elegant atmosphere, and unforgettable food. Our waiter, Naz, was outstanding and made my wife’s birthday feel extra special. The best part? They catered perfectly to our halal dietary preferences, which was a huge plus. The menu was beautifully curated, and my personal favorites were the wagyu beef and the egg dish. And I can’t forget to mention the bread – so fresh, paired with their incredible butter and olive oil. Just an amazing night all around. Thanks for making the bday experience unforgettable!“

“Excellent food and service in a great location that is surprisingly larger than it looks. A patio right on the street, another in the grotto like entrance give a unique indoor/outdoor experience without feeling like you're sitting on the sidewalk. The inside has smaller rooms that can be cozy or allow large groups like the 15 or so they seated for a party I attended. The wait staff was attentive without being crowding, just the right combination of taking care of your experience and giving you space to enjoy it. Would definitely recommend and will return without a doubt.“

“Came on Sunday night, was surprised to see they have Sunday happy hour. There was a super nice vibe, cosy, dark, and good music (jazz, rnb, funk, rap, reggae, ext). Really nice for a date spot or just a casual hang out, some dancing even broke out. We Enjoyed A $40 bottle of wine between 2 ppl ❤️ really great time! Maybe ill get to try the food next time!!“

“One of my favourite places with tonight’s meal made perfect thanks to our wonderful server Cece, who’s incredible personality and great service absolutely made our evening. Have been a few times with friends for delicious cocktails and snacks and had to bring my partner tonight who was completely blown away by the flavors and our great service. We had originally booked a bit later and due to the city construction they had to request us to come earlier , which worked great for us. With no prompting, they treated us to some lovely Lambrusco wine to go with our potstickers and an insanely great dessert- their take on a rice krispy. We had the char siu bao, duck leg , udon carbonara, potstickers and some perfect cocktails. Great spot for the pals and the partners! Will be back for the great food, unique cocktails but most of all for wonderful Cece!“

“We visited for the first time this evening and absolutely loved the food and service! Such a great addition to the neighbourhood and we will absolutely be regulars! Highly recommended! The beef cheek was amazing!“

“I loved the assortment of bread they provided since they were buttery and tasty. We got the brussel sprouts which were crispy, soft, and delicious. We got the cod and john dory dishes. The cod was chewy and had lots of shaved truffle on it. The cod seemed over cooked and I thought that dish should have had a bit more vegetable with it. It had potato and thin slices of zuchinni but the potato did not add much texture or flavour and the zuchinni was barely noticeable because it was shaved so thinly. The john dory dish was good, but I would have preferred it without the roe. Their sauces and purees were very flavourful. We got the profiteroles for dessert which were crunchy and quite pleasant. It was a good experience overall and I would eat there again.“

“Amazing restaurant. The outdoor space in the back is great even in the winter. The sharing plates are so good and the wine selection is amazing.“

“Not only the best place to eat in the neighbourhood; one of the best in all of Toronto. Always imaginative additions to the menu. Great service.“

“What a beautiful spot with perfect service and great ambience! Recently discovered and now one of the favorite spots on the map to chill out!Sheesha so far is the best in the area, smooth and smoky. Service for Kalyan is very attentive and impeccable.Reasonable pricing, lounge musicNot crowded during regular hoursPatio is very beautifulDefinitely a must visit place“

“The menu does not do justice to the item "roasted squash"

This is one of the top dishes I had this year. Make sure to get some challah to soak up all the dressing!

Also come for a great selection of wine!“

“Midfield is my favourite place!! The wine list is wonderful with special descriptions under each wine, there was this wonderful creamy and textured chardonnay blend which I am still dreaming about . Not only a wine bar, midfield is also a food gem in the city! the chef has a farm where the vegetables are grown with love and you can tell, there are very creative/thoughtful dishes with the best seasonal ingredients. I have especially loved when celtuce is in season and on the menu, but year round the salmon crudo in its different iterations always hits the spot.
Beyond the food and wine, the atmosphere is warm and very cozy. Everyone working is always incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, and they seem to have an uncanny knack for recommending what I should drink, its like we have the same palate.
If you're looking for a place with amazing wine, outstanding food go to Midfield!!!!“

“On a Thursday evening we sat on the patio where the city was hopping, so a great time from that perspective. The only downside was the service. It took forever to get our drinks. I noticed there were bringing up one or two at a time for other tables. So they were terribly disorganized and inefficient. Oddly enough our food came out near the same time as our drinks.“

“Parkdale Grows Up (But Keeps a Flask in Its Sock)

Intro Scene

Once upon a 3 a.m. in Parkdale, you’d stagger out of Stones Place with half your shirt untucked and a stranger’s cigarette in your hand. The streets were sticky, the air smelled like tequila and existential crisis, and nobody owned a yoga mat. But things have changed. Now, I sip house wine in daylight, politely request a volume adjustment, and smile at someone’s dog in a sweater. This isn’t the old Parkdale. But damn it, I think I like it.

What Was Ordered

At Happy Coffee & Wine:

Espresso that could file your taxes for you

House red that was light, cheeky, and surprisingly grown-up

A flirtation with a pastry still in the oven

A quiet table under a wood-and-glass canopy where the ghosts of old bars go to detox

Service Commentary

Not a trace of Parkdale’s old barkeep indifference here. The server smiled, listened, adjusted the music, and didn’t once make me feel like I was bothering them. A strange, refreshing experience—like discovering the bouncer at Bambi’s reads Proust.

Vibe Check

This is what happens when the kids from the Stones Place era grow up but still want a little chaos with their caffeine. People here are stylish in an unbothered way. There’s a guy on a laptop who’s definitely editing a zine. There’s a couple sipping orange wine like it's holy communion. The vibe is soft-spoken rebellion.

The Space Itself

Inside: wood slats, mustard stools, wine bottles arranged like they’ve read Kinfolk. Outside: a back patio that feels like you stepped into a tiny Montreal film festival. All light, no ego. You could host a breakup or a book club here, depending on the weather.

About the Neighborhood

This is King West meets pre-gentrified Parkdale, where Tilt Arcade screams across the street and the memory of The Cadillac Lounge lingers like stale beer in a dive bar hoodie. The ghosts of Not My Dog, Wrongbar, and Stones Place still pace these blocks—waiting for a bartender who no longer works here and a jukebox that no longer plays The Clash.

Hits & Misses

✓ Espresso and wine both nailed it
✓ Back patio perfect for quiet plotting
✓ Staff were warm, no Toronto attitude
✓ Space has depth and intention
✗ Not many pastries if you show up late
✗ You might miss the chaos of old Parkdale if you're too nostalgic

Final Verdict

Happy Coffee & Wine is Parkdale’s clean-shaven older cousin who still has “Miss You” on vinyl. It’s soft but sharp, minimal but warm, and just chaotic enough to keep things interesting. If you’re mourning Stones Place, don’t worry—this spot has good wine, good light, and just enough weird to make you feel at home.

Rating: 4.2/5

Perfect For

Reformed party kids who now drink Pinot

Second dates that might turn into shared leases“

“Always good food and drink.“