O&B Holiday Gift Guide
11 O&B-approved gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list
Season’s eatings, Toronto! It’s the most wonderful time of year. Whether you’re browsing for the last few items on your list or have yet to start your holiday shopping, O&B is here to help. We’ve rounded up the ultimate holiday gift guide so you can spend less time shopping and more time eating, drinking, and being merry!
Get inspired and shop the guide below.
A Memorable Meal
Redeemable at all O&B restaurants (including five new downtown locations) an O&B gift card is a choose-your-own culinary adventure that never expires. Loved ones can use this uber-versatile gift to enjoy a luxurious meal above the clouds at Canoe, an elegant French affair at Auberge du Pommier, barbecued eats at Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery and more. Send an e-gift card directly to your recipient via email or purchase a physical gift card for pickup a select locations in Toronto. Stopping in for a meal? You can still purchase traditional gift cards in-restaurant, too!
Holly Jolly Happy Hour
For those who love a cheeky shop and bop, we have just the thing: a fun-filled tour of all the Happy Hour deals at downtown Toronto’s The Well! First up: Aera, a luxe destination for steak and sushi on the 38th floor with $15 signature cocktails and $12 glasses of wine paired with sweeping city views. Next in line is The Dorset, an inviting British joint where you can share a half-price bottle of wine or bubbles along with tasty bar bites. Finish the tour at La Plume, a breezy French brasserie with expertly crafted cocktails, wines, and refreshing beers.
Dinner and a Show
For the person with everything, you can’t go wrong with an experiential gift. Surprise them with tickets to a Mirvish show and treat them to dinner beforehand. Stop by Luma for the Mirvish Fixe, a delicious three-course dinner featuring a choice of app, main, and dessert for $59. Seeing Come From Away? Get in the showtime spirit by ordering Luma’s Savour Home cocktail made with a unique herb that only grows in Newfoundland. Or gift your family seats to The Lion King and enjoy a pre-show meal at Canteen, where kids can dine on the Little Cubs menu.
Oohs, Ahhs, and Yums
In the spirit of making memories, Cirque du Soleil heads to Meridian Hall for a multi-week reimagining of a Christmas classic with ’Twas the Night Before…. Just across the street, you’ll find three O&B restaurants guaranteed to make your evening even more special. Whether you’re looking for Latin-inspired bites and cocktails at Ceci Bar, comforting French favourites at Biff’s Bistro, or retro Americana dishes at The Joneses, pairing this awe-inspiring production with sips and snacks is a guaranteed winner.
Make it a Movie Night
Impress cinephile friends and family a TIFF membership for the gift that keeps on giving. Members receive free tickets to over 200 Cinematheque films, exclusive Toronto International Film Festival pre-sales, invitations to special events and more. Pair with drinks and bites at Luma or Canteen located inside the TIFF Lightbox for a package they’ll be itching to open.
Kitchen Inspiration
Inspire foodies and chefs-in-the-making with a Canadian cookbook filled with delicious recipes to try at home. Some of our favourite picks include Afrim Pristine’s For the Love of Cheese (complete with a foreword by Chef Michael Bonacini), Langdon Hall by Jason Bangerter and Chris Johns and A Good Bake by Melissa Weller. Write a personalized message on the inside cover for a thoughtful way to say happy holidays.
Sweet Treats & Holiday Eats
Can you really embrace the spirit of the season without some holiday treats? Skip the baking and let our chefs do the work! Stop by Queen’s Cross Food Hall at CF Toronto Eaton Centre to stock up mincemeat pies, sticky toffee pudding, Christmas cookies, and O&B Artisan Tourtière (if you know, you know) ― available for for pre-order and pickup at the Holiday Market Pop-up from Dec 7–24. Visiting Santa with your kiddos? Don’t miss out on the Little Elves specials for pint-sized portions, exclusive to six food stalls.
Laughing All The Way
For a fun night out, gift tickets to Second City, Toronto’s legendary improv and sketch comedy hub. Located at 1 York Street, the newest flagship location features three theatres and a full-service restaurant, The Bentwood. For a great deal, bundle your show with the $45 three-course prix fixe or time your visit with Happy Hour from 5–7pm daily in Theatre Lounge. For an extra special treat, use code OB20 get 20% off tickets for Sun–Thurs shows from now until Feb 28*! Belly laughs and full bellies… who wouldn’t love that?
*Limited ticket quantity.
Boozy and Bright
Know a couple of cocktail lovers? Made one batch at a time, Dillon’s x O&B Collaboration Spirits use locally grown ingredients and copper stills to deliver unique handcrafted spirits without artificial flavours or colours. Stock your recipient’s boozy beverage supply with Dillon’s Selby Cucumber Gin or Canoe’s Dill Pickle Vodka (hello, pickle martini?!). As an added bonus, their beautifully designed labels offer an instant glow up to any bar cart!
FAN-tastic Favourites
Bring a little holiday cheer to the sports lover in your life (see what we did there?). Leafs or Raptors tickets can be paired with our incredible Game Day deals at restaurants across the city, some of which are located just a short walk from Scotiabank Arena. For TFC fans, give the gift of season tickets paired with lunch or dinner at Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery—the ideal hub for sports fans to indulge in a flight of beer and BBQ platter.
For the Weekend Warrior
Looking to really wow your giftee? Treat them to some time away at Blue Mountain Resort for a winter wonderland escape or a March Break getaway complete with a memorable meal at Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill Blue Mountain. Fancy something further afield? A luxurious stay at Montréal’s Le Mount Stephen — the grand heritage mansion once belonging to Sir George Stephen — would put a smile on anyone’s face. Hot tip: opt for dinner at Bar George for a contemporary take on classic U.K. fare, spiked with a few Québecois quirks. Just a little further, treat them to a trip to Mont-Tremblant complete with lift tickets and après-ski bites at Léo Boire + Manger.
With tons of fun and creative gift ideas to choose from (if we do say so ourselves), even last-minute shoppers can look like a hero this holiday season. Plus, O&B has got plenty of restaurants to fuel mall-goers, too! Need a break while shopping at Bayview Village? Stop in at Parcheggio (aptly named for its location in the South parking lot). Sherway Gardens shoppers can enjoy a break at Beaumont Kitchen, while Leña’s bold South American flavours and Queen’s Cross Food Hall‘s quick and delicious fare are perfect if you’re braving the CF Toronto Eaton Centre.
Happy shopping!
Photography Credits T'was the Night Before... photo: Cirque du Soleil | Cookbook photo: Penguin Random House | TIFF Photo: Bell Lightbox
Browse Latest Events, Get Inspired.
Jacquie and Ben's Wedding at The Quay in Toronto
Jacquie and Ben tied the knot in a beautiful, warm summer wedding surrounded by 120 of their closest friends and family. View the gallery.
Megan and Erik’s Wedding at The Quay in Toronto
Megan and Erik’s June wedding at The Quay was nothing short of magical. View the gallery!
Michael & Alina's Wedding at Malaparte in Toronto
Michael and Alina's wedding at Malaparte was a beautiful celebration of love, blending soft pastel colours with a touch of Korean tradition.
Bookmark This: Where to Host Your Event in Toronto
We have an impressive list of private dining rooms across the city. Browse our newest locations at The Well as well as tried-and-true classics that are sure to impress your guests!
The Best Toronto Venues for Your Corporate Holiday Party
We’ve rounded up a selection of Toronto’s top venues currently booking into winter, so you get a head start on bringing your holiday party to life.
