Where to Eat in Toronto’s Theatre District
A bustling hub of entertainment, Toronto’s theatre district is home to some of the country’s most exciting performances. From the glorious songs of Hadestown to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical masterpiece Hamilton, the city is exploding with can’t-miss productions that will have you singing and dancing in your seat.
Whether you’re gearing up for a midday matinee or venturing downtown for dinner and a show, there are plenty of places to fuel up near the city’s top theatre venues. To help showgoers map out where to dine in the theatre district, we’ve curated a few top spots for a quick pre-performance dinner or a lingering lunch post-show.
Read on to explore our favourites below!
Elevated & Approachable: Luma
Located on the second floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox, just steps from both the Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra theatres, Luma is ideal for an upscale yet approachable pre-show dinner. Enjoy a menu of fresh fish and seafood, quality meats, and seasonal vegetables in its warm and inviting dining room or grab drinks and bites in the lounge while taking in the view of King Street West. Plus, enjoy $8 drink features during Magic Hour every Tuesday to Saturday from 4–8pm!
Fast & Fresh: Canteen
Just one floor below Luma is Canteen, the TIFF Bell Lightbox’s casual, street-level restaurant features an airy dining room and wrap-around patio on the corner of King Street West and John Street. Try the selection of hearty salads, housemade sandwiches, oven-baked pizzas, flavour-packed tacos, and creative plant-based options for a quick bite before or after showtime. A stone’s throw from popular nearby theatre venues as well as Roy Thomson Hall (if you’re checking out the Toronto Symphony Orchestra), stop by for its starring lineup of $5, $6, $7 and $8 drink deals from 5–8pm.
Vibrant & Lively: Leña
If you’re visiting the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre or catching a performance at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, why not reserve a table for lunch or dinner at Leña, a respective two- and seven-minute stroll away? Offering some of the city’s best Latin cuisine showcasing the vibrant essence of South American cooking, enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner in its stylish downtown dining room or nibble on some bar bites during Happy Hour from 2:30–5pm Mon–Sat for something quick and delicious before the curtain drops.
Tried & True: Jump
Small but mighty productions taking place at the Jane Mallett and Toronto Operetta theatres located inside the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts are ideally paired with lunch or dinner at Jump, where classic New York style meets modern eclecticism. Its bustling dining room, hidden-gem courtyard patio, and wrap-around bar serve as the perfect backdrop for its honest, fresh, and flavourful cuisine. For the perfect matinee meal, stop in for the $28 Lunch Combo or kick off the weekend with a show and Jump’s $65 three-course Friday Night Prix Fixe. As a bonus, parking is only $2 from Monday through Friday after 5pm with validation.
Whether you’re making spur-of-the-moment plans or securing a reservation perfectly timed for your performance, O&B’s versatile menu offerings, attentive service, and friendly staff will ensure you make your performance with a full belly and a big smile to boot! Just be sure to let your server know you’re catching a performance nearby so they can ensure you get in and out with time to spare. Now, places everyone… the show is about to begin!
Explore our menus online and book your table today!
