The 10 Best Spots for Comfort Food in Toronto [2022]

Best Spots for Comfort Food in Toronto

Everyone needs a break sometimes and what better break is there than digging into some comfort food. Comfort food looks different for everyone. For Toronto foodies, they can choose from all kinds of classic eats. 

In our list, we’ve included classics like juicy burgers, fresh Mexican food, and Japanese ramen.  These restaurants were chosen based on the kinds of food they serve, customer satisfaction, and the quality of the food. 

If you’re still hungry and it’s getting late, consider going to one of the best late night food spots in Toronto.

Summary

What are the Most Popular Comfort Foods in Toronto?

Toronto is a foodie city with a huge range of different cuisines. You can get everything from fresh sushi to classic Canadian dishes.

The most popular comfort foods in Toronto include:

  • Burgers 
  • Mexican food 
  • Ramen 
  • Grilled cheese 
  • Pizza 
  • Chicken wings 
  • Mac and cheese 
  • Poutine 
  • Ice cream 

There are endless possibilities when it comes to finding comfort food in Toronto. The city has a little bit of everything and there’s something to satisfy every craving.

The Best Places for Comfort Food in Toronto

If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed by the choices, consider going to one of the classic comfort food restaurants on our list. You can’t go wrong with any of these delicious options.

1. Cabano's Comfort Food

Cabanos Comfort Food is an old-fashioned restaurant and fast-food outlet with exposed brick and a streamlined, modern look. Most of the beef that Cabano’s serves is never frozen and is raised in the restaurant’s vicinity in Ontario. 

The restaurant is known for its Cabano Burger, a double burger with cheese on the bottom, served on a bun made fresh daily and topped with lettuce, onion, deep-fried jalapenos, and the restaurant’s own burger sauce.

The joint offers a range of various house sauces, including Burnt Chile and the Deep South Mustard-Based Hot Sauce. Visitors will be happy to hear that owner and chef, Kevin Boyd has a background in Michelin-star restaurants. Their menu is proof of his cutting-edge fusion of modern American cuisine and traditional fast food styles.

If you are looking for excellent old-style fast food to go to, Cabanos is the place for you as they offer fantastic food, a fantastic atmosphere, and overall an amazing experience.

Business Information:

cabanos.ca
contact@cabanos.ca
75 St Nicholas St #104, Toronto, ON M4Y 0A5, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“I came here thinking this is going to be another overhyped Instagramesque spot, however I was wrong! This place is worth the hype. I had the chicken sandwich meal and it was amazing! The chicken was fresh and juicy, the buns were incredibly good and the fries were AMAZING hand-cut style fries. Service was great too. I would definitely be back to try their burgers. Also, the location is so convenient for students!”
“I would one of the best smash burgers I've had in the city. Soft bun with a crispy exterior on the patty. Price point is right for a special burger, but for a regular double is the same price. I would come back to try the chili fries and chicken sandwich.”

2. Dirty Food Eatery

Dirty Food Eatery is a great takeout joint that offers a large selection of incredible homemade comfort food! The restaurant, located in The Junction, has a weekly rotating brunch menu featuring eggs benny, breakfast sandwiches, decadent grilled cheese, and other delicious stuff.

And to boot, they offer just as large a selection of takeout beer and cocktails to complement their great food. When you visit them for the first time, their joint will mesmerize you with a welcoming and cozy space to indulge in your favourite food.

If you are looking for a great place to spend your time in, be it alone or with your friends, then Dirty Food is the place to visit as they surely won’t disappoint with their food or their drinks!

Business Information:

dirtyfoodto.com
dirtyfoodto@gmail.com
+14168553393
3070 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z7, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“Been here many times and it's probably the best brunch spot ever! Amazing layered crispy potato home fries, and an always-interesting menu. Don't skip out on the fried green tomatoes and Caesar cocktail! Great thick & lemony hollandaise, and love their chicken and waffle specials. Also their cinnamon buns are a yummy treat. On top of this, their service is always so friendly. <3”
“We ordered the brisket benny, biscuits & gravy plus chicken, a coffee, and a hot apple cider plus bourbon. It was all delicious, high quality comfort food. The staff was friendly and the music inside was excellent. Will definitely go back!”

3. Sugo

Sugo is a classic Italian food red sauce joint owned and operated by Scott Pennock, Alex Wallen, and Conor Joerin. Over the years, this place has become an Italian-American comfort food stop for all Italian food lovers!

They are primarily known for their pasta and extra saucy sandwiches on the menu. Every week, they include a rotating pasta special that makes customers want to return to their doors. Pasta, as mentioned prior, is the main attraction of Sugo. However, they also feature stuffed peppers, meatballs, calamari, and a selection of salads and sandwiches to keep their menu diverse.

If you are an Italian food lover and love enjoying this type of food, Sugo is a must-stop as they will offer you the most varied selection of delicious Italian dishes on top of their unique sauce, which is also available for takeaway!

So be sure to give them a visit because you surely won’t regret it!

Business Information:

sugotoronto.com
+14165351717
1281 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1N7, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“I love the ambiance, service, and food at Sugo. The place was smaller, and you're sitting so close to other people. Our server was great and gave awesome recommendations. We ordered the Burrata bruschetta, gnocchi with sugo, and tiramisu. Everything tasted great. Next time, I would like to come back and get their spaghetti. It was stacked!!”
“Food is amazing! We’ve been here a few times and we were always super impressed!! The menu is simple, but yet everything is delicious! Our go to orders is the Caesar salad (a must!), the rigatoni, the calamari and the mozzarella sticks but I’m sure everything on their menu is delicious! Can’t forgot to mention their portion sizes are huuuuge and, you’ll be sure to have some leftovers! The only downside is that they don’t take reservations, so be prepared for a little wait especially during peak times!!! An alternative is to do take out, which we’ve also done and it was great!”

4. Ikkousha Ramen Toronto

Ikkousha Ramen is an exclusive Japanese-themed comfort food store that offers a plethora of various Japanese ramen dishes made by professionals who have trained for years to execute dishes to perfection.

Aside from ramen, which comes in a wide variety, be it with chicken or pork, they also offer many rice dishes with different toppings, one of them being seaweed. When eating in Ikkousha, you can expect premium customer service with premium food served.

If you are looking for a great spot to introduce yourself to or enjoy some fantastic Japanese food, then visit Ikkousha Ramen, as they would love to show you what they got!

Business Information:

ikkousha.ca
info.ramen@ikkousha.ca
+14169012249
249 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z4, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“Really friendly staff. Ramen tasted great with heavy flavor pork soup based. The takoyaki was not worth trying since the octopus inside is smaller than my finger nails. They came up with free side dishes which went well with the ramen. I added toppings so there were so many things on the ramen.”
“Enjoyed Ikkousha for my birthday, and loaded up with gyozas! Ramen here is very unique, with condiments provided to adjust the flavour of each bite. I'd recommend enjoying the ramen as is, and adjusting with fresh minced garlic & toasted sesame seeds as you go. The gyoza is obviously a must as well, it's the best I've ever had. The service is always top notch!”

5. Himalayan Kitchen

Himalayan Kitchen is a restaurant that serves traditional Tibetan cuisine along with a fusion of Nepalese and Indian cuisine. Because of this fusion, you can expect a varied small menu primarily made from Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian cuisine.

The cooks at Himalayan are also very proud of their food as the dishes use only the freshest ingredients on the market so you can be assured of their top-notch taste. Aside from that, the items on their menu look delicious and taste just as good.

Regardless this place is worthy of a visit as they have something for everyone, be that person a meat-lover or a vegetarian, they got you covered. You can even check out their menu online as they have everything listed on their website, which features everything quite well and introduces you to their food.

So if you want to taste some fantastic eastern cuisine, make sure to drop by, as their food is to die for!

Business Information:

himalayankitchen.ca
comments.himalayan@gmail.com 
+14165364138
1526 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1A4, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“The food was amazingly delicious. We tried two different kind of momo and the noodles. They were all tasty. The host was super-polite and accommodating. We highly recommend this restaurant to everyone who wants to try the Himalayan cuisine. BTW, it is cash or debit only.”
“The food was super delicious. We tried two different kinds of momo, the noodles & chilli fries. They were all tasty. The host was super-polite and accommodating. Must try Bombay Masala Momos, they are the best. We highly recommend this restaurant to everyone who wants to try the Tibetan Himalayan cuisine.”

6. Beach Hill Smokehouse

Beach Hill Smokehouse is a Texan-style authentic BBQ that offers excellent barbecue and southern hospitality.  As it’s a barbeque house, you will find a large amount of meat on the menu, be it smoked, cooked, or prepared in some other fashion that brings out the unique taste of specific beef.

And suppose you think that the meat will just be smoked, then you are surely mistaken. You can expect a plethora of various spices with additional meat preparation techniques that bring out unique textures of the meat that you are likely to have never tasted before!

Aside from that, you can expect a thematic experience as their restaurant is stylized around Texas. So if you are looking for a truly unique experience in the world of meat, then visit Beach Hill as they will surprise you with all the meat they offer and how unique every piece tastes!

Business Information:

beachhillsmokehouse.com
beachhillsmokehouse@gmail.com
+14167928275
172 Main St, Toronto, ON M4E 2W1, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“I ordered a takeout meal & it was finger licking GOOD, the portion was really good that I had some leftovers for my brother & he asked where did you get this chicken? He was so impressed & he's actually a chef 👨‍🍳 ❤. The chicken was unbelievable juicy 😋 😍 I really wanna go back again for some more chicken but I'm over 60km away from Beach Hill Smokehouse."
“Great smoked meats! I tried all kinds and all are great, they are that good which I cannot wait and take pics! 😀 I’ll take pictures this time for sure. My favourite is smoked brisket and stuffed potato and least favourite is chicken! If you like smoked meat then you should give them a try and you will be regular customer.”

7. Mary Be Kitchen

Mary Be Kitchen maintains that it is whole food for the soul, catering to the masses at lunch in downtown Yonge and St. Clair with DIY plates of grilled tofu and chicken served with equally nutritious sides.

Mary Be Kitchen strives to provide food that will soothe their customers. They hope that their busy patrons can still fit in a hearty meal into their busy schedules. On their menu they have a range of combo options, making it a restaurant anyone can visit.

And while doing so, you can enjoy an atmospheric and wholesome area to enjoy your time as their main lobby provides just that, an excellent place for customers to relax while ordering or waiting for food.

If you are interested in them, check them out as their location is excellent, and their website offers everything to you on a neat page that just entices you to find out more about their delicious food!

Business Information:

marybekitchen.com
sarah@marybekitchen.com
+14167927596
21B St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M4V 1K6, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“I ate here today for the first time after hearing great reviews from family, friends, and my realtor. Some health-focused restaurant brands often don’t have flavour. This is not the case here. I really enjoyed the customer service and food quality. I spent $45 for two full meals (protein and two sides x2), a cookie and top which I found fair.”
“I used to live in this area and I’m so sad that I didn’t try this spot earlier!! This is definitely one of my favourite places to eat. Everything tastes very fresh, the quality is amazing, friendly staff, and a nice spot to sit and eat. I usually order delivery since I’m not as close by anymore and everything always arrives tasting great. Even with delivery, there is always a nice presentation.”

8. Manpuku Japanese Eatery

Manpuku is a modern Japanese eatery that strives to combine the fundamental elements of three keywords into a single word, namely Eat, Drink and Enjoy. Established in May 2008, Manpuku brings together under one roof a wide array of rice dishes, noodle dishes, and specialty snacks not usually found in North American food markets.

They primarily focus on providing an authentic food and service experience, so customers will feel as if they have stepped into a restaurant in the heart of Japan. They also offer a traditional way of spectating the chef preparing food in the form of a U-shaped table for customers and the chef.

Overall, this place is impressive since its charming and wholesome area offers a lot for a single person, a group, or a family who decides to go eat out in a Japanese-themed food location.

Business Information:

manpuku.ca
info@manpuku.ca
+14169796763
105 McCaul St, Toronto, ON M5T 2X4, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

‘This place is a hidden gem!!! I have been coming to this restaurant regularly since university about 6-7 years ago and still coming back sometime. The price is super affordable and the quality is amazing. Can not get this deal elsewhere in TO. The best udon I have ever eaten so far, everything is mixed well together. The salad, takoyaki, dessert and Japanese snack are awesome and in amazing price too! Customer service is always quick and friendly even when they are super busy! I hope you guys stay forever in Toronto ❤️❤️❤️”
“Super affordable Japanese eatery located near OCAD. Definitely the go-to spot for students, I know I’d probably come here almost daily if I were still a student! The udon was only 4.79 and was super yummy, I wish I had more than one tofu pocket though. The chanwumushi was a lil odd, seemed like a steamed egg I made in the past but still yummy but beware the first bite is incredibly hot!! I love udon and this satisfied my craving. I wanted to get the takoyaki but they didn’t have it the day I came 🙁 maybe next time!!”

9. Parka Food Co.

Parka Food Co. is a vegan joint known for its delicious yet healthy food. Committed to offering sustainable fast food, Parka hopes to positively impact the neighbourhood while supplying a 100% plant-based menu.

The menu features five delicious mac and “cheese” choices and an array of veggie burgers, each prepared using plant ingredients and fried in vegetable oil.  Parka Food also serves upsides that include soups and gravy, which you can use to complement your mains at any meal.

And due to all of this, the guests can indulge in their fast-food fantasies while making a conscious decisions about their health and the environment. If you are looking for a healthy fast-food joint that will serve you the healthiest food possible while not compromising on the amazing taste, then Parka is your next destination!

Business Information:

parkafoodco.com
hello@parkafoodco.com
+14166033363
424 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2A7, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“During our stop in Toronto, we went here twice for lunch. Cute atmosphere. Delicious and creative planted based menu. Everything we had was great! Service was friendly & quick, we felt safe as vaccine proof was requested & a sign in form was filled out. Place was also very clean. Definitely recommend to all my follow vegans out there!”
“Excellent fast service and aesthetic space for vegan eats + comfort food. Chefs kiss to the excellent new menu items available now at Parka. I really enjoyed trying their new menu items, my favourite was the Jicama Burger and the Greek Arugula Salad. The service was fast and they kept the space very clean. I live the new aesthetic with the plants and the open concept kitchen. You can see all the fresh ingredients come into play. I recommend checking out Parka for tasty vegan eats.”

10. The Heartbreak Chef

The Heartbreak Chef is a comfort food restaurant with a delivery service known for sending out extravagant and bizarre meals right to your house. The Heartbreak Chef is known for exceptional, humongous portions of a number of preferred snack foods. 

The Big Ass Chicken Sandwich is one of the most popular dishes. Which as indicated by the name is absolutely huge. 

Another one is the Dutty Chicken Sandwich, which is a creative spin on the classic; the chicken is coated in a delicious in-house-made sauce. Overall this place is what you might call a glutton’s dream place. 

The food is delicious, the portions are ginormous, and everything else is fantastic about this spot. If you are looking for a place to just eat your soul out, then Heartbreak Chef is the place for you as you will be doing a lot of eating here, that’s for sure!

Business Information:

the-heartbreak-chef.business.site
+14372140717
823 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1V4, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“The hype is real. The sandwich was massive and delicious and the tater tots are crispy and well spiced. Love that everything is cooked fresh when you order. Blasting 90’s hip hop, incredible service what more could you ask for. Will definitely be back to try the mac & cheese”
“This is the best fried chicken experience you can have. Staff are friendly, food is superb, and I have never left here feeling anything less than amazing. The tater tots (if you can resist finishing them) are excellent the next day fried up with some eggs.”

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Final Thoughts

As its name implies, comfort food is supposed to be comforting, and these Toronto spots certainly deliver! Eat to your heart’s content at any of these Toronto comfort food spots. Whatever it is you’re craving, any of these Toronto comfort food places will satisfy any cravings of yours.

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