Queen Mother Cafe

My experience here was pleasant. The Nam Dip ($12.95) was very refreshing with the hints of mint — it was a great way to start the meal and refresh the palate. The dipping sauce was very flavourful. The Bah Me Hang Noodles (19.95) were good but not craveable due to the mild flavors. There were nice texture contrasts with the raw bean sprouts which were needed since the egg noodles and cooked vegetables were both soft. There was a fair selection of gluten free and vegetarian options for the same price which is always great to see at restaurants. The decor and atmosphere were quite homey and displayed art for sale.

Came here for dinner on a Friday night. Food was tasty, portions were on the larger end. Would say it’s fairly priced. It did take quite a while for the food to be served (~20 min or more). Calamari was crispy, chicken was juicy and tender, seafood hot pot was surprisingly light and refreshing. All dishes had great flavour. Servers were extremely kind and helpful. Seating was comfy, lovely ambiance. Great spot for a dinner gathering!

Queen Mother Café stands out as a top choice for those seeking flavorful cuisine, a diverse drink selection, and a memorable dining experience in Toronto. Had the big wheel amber (beer) followed by hand cut fries and dimsum. Its combination of excellent food, inviting ambiance, and exceptional service makes it a highly recommended destination for both locals and visitors alike.

i recently visited this restaurant in downtown toronto, and it was a pleasant experience from start to finish. we had a funny start when we got there because the door seemed locked, but the staff spotted us right away and opened it with a smile. once inside, i loved how calm and lowkey the ambiance felt--no flashy colors or decorations, just a warm and welcoming vibe. we even got to choose our own table, so we picked a cozy window seat that gave us a nice view of the busy street. the staff really stand out for their friendliness. although i can't recall names, my server made a genuine effort to chat with us and see how our day was going. now, onto the food: absolutely phenomenal. i tried the ping gai first, and i'd easily give it a 6/5. it's a large portion of chicken that's not only juicy but also packed with flavor, like it's been marinated for hours. there's not a huge amount of rice, but you get so much chicken that it's more than enough. plus, they provide a little salad on the side and a tangy dipping sauce, which balances everything nicely. for the quality and the portion size, i found it super affordable. the second dish i had was the khao soi, and i'd rate it a solid 5/5. the noodles were a different experience for sure but i wont complain. the broth was wonderfully rich and creamy, with just the right balance of heat and sweetness. the noodles were cooked perfectly, and the serving size was satisfying. my only minor complaint was the abundance of shallots on top, which can be overpowering if you're not big on onions. still, it was so tasty overall that i'd definitely order it again--maybe i'll just ask for fewer onions next time. overall, i really appreciate how unpretentious this place is. the staff are warm and attentive, and the food truly delivers. would i come back again? absolutely, 100%. if you're looking for a relaxed spot with outstanding dishes in downtown toronto, this should be high on your list.

Went here for lunch with a bunch of friends. The cafe was kind enough to set us up on the patio, which is located at the back of the building and accessible from the basement through a rather sketchy hallway. But the patio is quite roomy, and probably a nice place for supper when the sun goes down and the hanging lights are turned on. Service was good, and everyone who works there was friendly. I started with hot and sour soup for appetizer. I was expecting the Chinese hot and sour soup, and this one wasn't it. The soup was not as thick as the Chinese variety, with plenty of cilantro and Chinese celery in it. It's a nice rendition of the dish, still pleasant for opening your palate, as long as you measure your expectation. The Ping Gai, seasoned grilled chicken, comes highly recommended by the staff. The chicken comes juicy, well seasoned, and pairs well with the hot sauce (which you can order for a fee). The Laotian Khao Soi was surprising for me, as it is not the same as the Northern Thai version. The noodles seem to be the same as ramen noodles, and the sauce is more coconut based instead of curry. The chicken chunks were a bit disappointing for me, as they were mostly without taste outside the broth that coated them. Others in our group also ordered Pad Thai, most liked it, but commented that the spice level was inaccurate, as ordering it spicy still felt mild for them. My Khao Soi was supposed to come in spicy broth, but I barely tasted any spiciness, so again, measure your expectation.

A fantastic brunch spot right in the heart of Toronto! The ambiance is amazing, with eye-catching wall art that adds a unique charm to the place. The restaurant is bright and beautifully lit, creating a warm and inviting vibe. We tried the Khao Soi Gai, omelet, and spring rolls—everything was fresh and full of flavor. The service was excellent and attentive throughout. What really sets this place apart is the menu—it’s a refreshing mix of Thai, Sri Lankan, and Mediterranean influences, quite different from your typical brunch fare. Definitely planning to come back and explore more of their unique offerings

My first visit was great! The atmosphere is relaxing yet vibrant. A friend brought me here to try the ping gai chicken and it was delicious. The seating is a bit tight. We sat at the two top closest to the kitchen and the floors was uneven and anytime someone walked by you really felt it. My only complaint. We had a lovely server middle aged Caucasian lady. My friend said that the service was much better than her last visit. Thank you for a wonderful meal. I'll be back

I ordered takeout based on the positive reviews but found the food to be average. The Pad Thai and chicken were decent, but nothing stood out. While the meal was acceptable, I likely wouldn’t order again, as there are better options around available for both dishes.

i recently visited this restaurant in downtown toronto, and it was a pleasant experience from start to finish. we had a funny start when we got there because the door seemed locked, but the staff spotted us right away and opened it with a smile. once inside, i loved how calm and lowkey the ambiance felt--no flashy colors or decorations, just a warm and welcoming vibe. we even got to choose our own table, so we picked a cozy window seat that gave us a nice view of the busy street. the staff really stand out for their friendliness. although i can't recall names, my server made a genuine effort to chat with us and see how our day was going. now, onto the food: absolutely phenomenal. i tried the ping gai first, and i'd easily give it a 6/5. it's a large portion of chicken that's not only juicy but also packed with flavor, like it's been marinated for hours. there's not a huge amount of rice, but you get so much chicken that it's more than enough. plus, they provide a little salad on the side and a tangy dipping sauce, which balances everything nicely. for the quality and the portion size, i found it super affordable. the second dish i had was the khao soi, and i'd rate it a solid 5/5. the noodles were a different experience for sure but i wont complain. the broth was wonderfully rich and creamy, with just the right balance of heat and sweetness. the noodles were cooked perfectly, and the serving size was satisfying. my only minor complaint was the abundance of shallots on top, which can be overpowering if you're not big on onions. still, it was so tasty overall that i'd definitely order it again--maybe i'll just ask for fewer onions next time. overall, i really appreciate how unpretentious this place is. the staff are warm and attentive, and the food truly delivers. would i come back again? absolutely, 100%. if you're looking for a relaxed spot with outstanding dishes in downtown toronto, this should be high on your list.

It's a must-try in downtown Toronto; one of the oldest restaurants on Queen Street. They offer Thai and international comfort food. And of course desserts. They also offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. They have a very cute and cozy dining area and a garden patio. The staff are very friendly and helpful. We ordered "Ping Gai", which included grilled chicken, rice, salad and broth; highly recommended. The "Beefeater Burger" was perfectly cooked and seasoned and more than enough for one person. "Chicken & Shrimp Bah Me Hang" was very delicious and had a kick to it. We finished off our delicious meal with "Cappuccino Chiffon Cake".

Visited for XMas lunch with co-workers. I highly recommend it! Everything is properly seasoned, healthy, and freshly prepared. The pad Thai and curry was both very flavourful. For the price you're paying, you get a huge portion compared to other restaurants.

Good food and great customer service. I recently visited Queen Mother Cafe and my experience was pleasant. The ambiance is great, we sat on the patio and the actual restaurant is very large and spacious. We ordered the pad Thai and the seafood hotpot curry which were both flavourful. Great spot for lunch or dinner!

After walking down Queen a west recently, having walked down Queen West since I was a kid, it's disappointing to see the gentrification and condos replacing old buildings. I was surprised that I had never been into Queen Mother, and it nice to see some old establishments are still kicking. While the food didn't feel like the best Thai food I've ever had, the ambience and servers made up for in hospitality and character. I would definitely go back for a cozy meal in our harsh city.

Came here for lunch after having this spot on my list for ages. Their menu is very intriguing with classic western fare like burgers and salads but has lots of SE Asian items including Laotian dishes thanks to the long time Laotian chef. I tried the spicy chicken samosas and the ping gai. The samosas were hot and freshly fried, served with a fresh cucumber raita. I wish the filling had more body and spice since the raita really mellowed out the flavours. The ping gai was what I was most curious about and it was marinated in a beautiful green marinade with fresh notes of coriander. My personal preference would be to have a more allicin garlicky punch. The dipping sauce it's served with is excellent. My only objective complaint is that one end of my chicken was burnt which I wish they had removed (see pic). My friends spicy peanut noodle bowl had overcooked broken up noodles but good flavours. Portions are great. Staff are friendly and the location is buzzing with energy. They accept reservations.

Never would have guessed that this was a Laotian place! My coworker introduced it to us. I have to admit that I've walked by it many times on Queen Street West but didn't know it was there. The outside makes it look like an older sort of historical building with not as much as the modern glitz of the other stores on the street. Inside is an homage to Queen Elizabeth with all sorts of art depicting her image and what you'd think of as British royalty. I was told that the Ping Gai is a must try. I opted not to because I was worried that the spicy lime coriander dipping sauce would be super spicy but it isn't at all! Will definitely check that out next time. My coworker ordered it and loved it. I ordered the Cosmic Burger since I was curious about the plant-based patty they offered. It's really unique - not an Impossible Burger or anything else off the shelf. The patty was pretty tasty in itself and there were actually whole grains and nuts that you could see. They also made for very interesting texture. The cheese that it was served with seemed to have melted really well so I don't think it was vegetarian cheese - definitely ask if you're vegan or lactose intolerant!

Came here for a colleague's farewell party. The vibe is cozy and there's more room at each booth due to the floor plan nature. So I've got a friend who's actually laotian and I've also eaten my fair share of thai food. This menu is very fusion-y (if you can call it that?) There's thai dishes, laotian dishes, italian dishes, sri lankan dishes and then BURGERS all of a sudden?? LOL. Anyways, service was great at the start when all of us arrived. Once the waitress got us our drinks and took our orders, it took like a good 45min to an hour for the food to finally come out. We saw folks around us who ordered after us, getting their food first which was disappointing. The waitress also came around once in a blue moon but she was magically super nice and attentive once we asked for the tab. Food-wise, I can't say it tasted bad. The chicken in the ping gai was actually super tender and moist. The khao soy gai was made w/ the wrong noodles (I'm not a stickler for authenticity but these noodles were strange for the soup base that was used). It's traditionally a thai dish. I took a picture and sent it to my laotian friend who also confirmed that the wrong noodles were being used. Aside from that, the portion size was quite big. Drinks were quite tasty and interesting, although at equal price point I'd much rather go to King Taps or Craft Beer Market. TL;DR: Fusion food (that's avg), expensive pricing, satisfactory drinks, mediocre service. Would I return on my own? Probably not, unless someone else chose it.

It's official, I'm in love with @queenmothercafe  Didn't know what to expect my first time here, I went in with really low expectations & to my surprise I LOVED it. I got their dinner special of the week, Hahnchen Schnitzel , a little dry but love the breading on it. Their potatoes are my Fav! Whatever spices they put on it, you're doing the right thing also the amount of veggies on their dish, please continue Then I got their famous dish, Ping Gai. Damn this grilled chicken is softer than my heart, I LOVE every bite of it. 6 FAT slices of chicken, who am I to say no to that?! For apps, we got the Calamari, I have to say this might be one of the best in Toronto Anyways, love the vibe. Pretty busy on the weekdays so y'know it's good. Will come back again 5 stars for me

First time trying Queen Mother Cafe, and we had a great time. It's a low key spot with a spacious outdoor patio and friendly servers! I love spots like these where you can find a selection of food, drinks and an easy going atmosphere. Fun fact, the cafe has been open since 1978 and we found that out at the end of our receipts, making it part of the Toronto culture! I liked the variety on the menu, we tried the Khao soy and the chicken/potato samosas both of which were really good. The noodles for the Khao soy was a little different from the traditional thicker noodles im use to, it was more ramen style, but it was still good, and the curry very flavorful - my friend actually took the carrots on the side of the samosas to finish the curry with. There was enough filling in the samosas (not just crust) and it went well with the dip. I'm really glad we came and we'll definitely be back for more!

Many of the dishes here are Thai or normal cafe food, but all the noodles, the red curry seafood hot pot, the ping gai & the first 3 starters are Laotian. The spring roll was decent. Inside there was a lot of jicama. It was slightly different from a normal spring roll. The sauce was a sour peanut sauce which was nice. Red curry seafood hot pot had the consistency of Thai panang curry, but a lighter flavour (it still had a coconut milk flavour). It was served with Western vegetables. It was decent. Ping gai was good. It had a nice grilled flavour. The sauce was mild. The salad was an interesting & good side.

Food was confusing but I'm not mad. Inside was antique and cute. Except the cream it was spunky

Gosh, I had not been here for ages. Met a friend her for lunch and boy was it hopping. We did not have a reservation, but fortunately I arrived just before noon so managed to get a decent table. Lots of people had reservations so all the booths were taken. The menu is very eclectic. Things like burgers and cannelloni along side salads, Pad Thai and a range of curries including a veg roti. I had the Khao Soi. It was ok but not what I was used to from other Thai restos. They used vermicelli noodle which is unusual (normally a more broad noodle). My friend had a salad which was fresh and tasty looking. The place was hopping and people waited for tables once it was full up. Located on Queen West near Duncan.

We really enjoyed this place. I'm told it is a little bit of Toronto history. One of the few restaurants that is still around in this neighborhood after gentrification happened long ago. We sat on the back patio which was a little funky to get to (down stairs, down a corridor then back up again), but they let my mom walk through the kitchen since she can't do stairs easily. The meal was wonderful and everyone who ordered dessert loved it. They had some gluten free meal options too. Just a wonderful spot to enjoy good food, friends and a little bit of Toronto history.

Went here for brunch last Saturday, and boy was this place charming! You can definitely tell its been there for decades by the late 20th century décor, which is pretty neat to see in one of the busiest area of downtown. The staff were phenomenal, all vety friendly and inviting. The food was amazing! Better yet, the sevice was exceptionally quick!! I am definitely going to come here more often!!! 10/10

Living in the neighbourhood, I have been frequenting Queen Mother for 20 years. Love the personnel and the food! If I was forced to pick a single restaurant to eat in till the rest of my days - this would be it! :) I have a dairy allergy and Khao Soy Gai and Ping Gai are my absolute favourite, can't go wrong with salads and the specials are also fantastic! With after-office crowds and theater goers, it tends to get busy 5-7 PM. Be prepared for a longer wait time to be seated and for the meal to arrive. Just take your time and enjoy. All well worth it!

Queen Mother Cafe has an eclectic menu consisting of dishes from mostly Southeast Asia (mainly Thai and Laotian), in addition to Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Italian, general Western, and fusion. They're most famous for the ping gai (Laotian grilled chicken) that comes served with steamed rice, salad, and lime coriander dipping sauce. My friends came here specifically for the ping gai. I opted for the vegetarian option (Kale, Roasted Tomato, Pumpkin Seed, and Chickpea Salad) which was pretty good and came in a pretty hefty portion. Other vegetarian options include Coconut Curry Spinach Lentil Soup, Nam Jeun (Laotian spring rolls), Guacamole, Sri Lankan Vegetable Curry Roti, and The Cosmic (vegetarian) Burger. You can choose to have the veggie burger served inside a pita or burger bun, and it comes with either salad greens or fries. They tend to change up their salad selections from time to time (they used to have Quinoa Salad on the menu). The interior has a dark and cozy feel with brickstone wall. It has a full bar and regular dining tables (combination of booth-style seatings and regular chairs). Ambience is casual. The entrance on Queen St. West is easy to get to (via streetcar or a short walk from the nearest subway station).

Love the Ping Gai !! So damn good. I've come here a few times just to have the Ping Gai.

curry was creamy, packed with umami. it's almost sweet. my first bite felt like that scene in ratatouille. it taste like i'm back in the south on the shore. the veggies just melt in your mouth. would eat it again and again

Customer service was good, ambience was good. But the proportions are really small for it's price. The only thing you will be paying for is really the vibe and atmosphere of the place. But food wise. I will recommend elsewhere.

I went with two friends who both got the ping gai, so I felt like I had to get something different (and only regret it a little bit). I got the khao soy gai, and enjoyed it, it's got a nice very mild heat to it with lots of thin noodles and a flavorful soup. But I tried some of the ping gai and it was mind blowing! The most tender chicken and so well seasoned, I would love to go back and have it all to myself. The coronavirus outbreak was happening when I went so the restaurant was pretty empty and tables were pretty spread out. Service was awesome and everyone was so nice but it is typically pretty crowded there.

We have been patrons for decades. From sharing this institution with family to marking a visit to celebrate personal and professional milestones - the cafe has been a cherished part of our traditions. During the pandemic we have come to rely more and more often on because of their high quality, consistency and friendliness levels. Plus you can beat the Pin Gai (must admit I now have moderate addiction to it) it is simply one of the best chicken dishes you will ever taste. Lastly shout out to the staff that make Queen mother stand out beyond its amazing menu.

I went there after Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Surprisingly it's not a typical vintage England restaurant, they actually serve really nice South Asia fusion. Patio is cute, but I love their interior design the most.

I have been going to this place for over thirty years and remember when it was kind of new and refreshing. The service is still good, the prices reasonable, but the food wasn't great. The pad Thai tasted like ketchup and the noodles were clumpy. Sticky rice with peanut sauce (there could have been more sauce) was good but honestly that's a low bar. Rest of the meal pretty forgettable. I love to have drinks at this place-location is great and the patio lovely, but nostalgia isn't enough to make me eat there again.

Came here on a Wednesday evening with two of my girlfriends. The shape of the place almost makes it seem like two restaurants. It's quite dim inside, which results in an intimate aura. It's labelled as Asian Fusion/Thai but there is a good chunk of the menu that does not fall under either of those categories. I ordered the Pad Thai, while my friends ordered the ravioli (a special) and the nam dip. All the ingredients in my dish complemented each other well, but definitely too much for one person. Service was decent (a bit slow during the paying process), but this would be a great place for a group that wants a variety of cuisines.

Perhaps be a little choosy what you order at the venerable Queen mother Café on Queen St., West, Toronto. Yes, if you like Ping Gai (delectably-marinated and crispy-grilled Laotian chicken thighs) this is usually pretty good! I've gotten a nearly stone cold order once so that was not fun to eat while my dining companion's was piping hot. I've had the Phad Thai chicken a couple of times. My impression was dull flavours and a bit greasy presentation, lacking any little snap of freshness and vibrancy I seek in Southeast Asia food. The food here can seem very indifferently thrown together. I've also had a Burmese Khao Soi Gai curry soup maybe twice, and it was definitely lacklustre today. The aroma of the dish was uninspiring for what this dish should be. Everything also lacked evident freshness - pasty gummy egg noodles in a stock that was kind of ok but the flavors seemed a little tired. These two key elements of a good Asian soup were missing. The few little chunks of chicken breast (?) were a bit sad and mushy, and the final addition of fresh chopped vegetables and herbs on top was rather spare, accented with the addition of a sole lemon wedge rather than lime which I think is proper. I could even give a pass for the omission of fresh lime (in an 'Asian fusion' kitchen, really??) but only if there was otherwise any effort of freshness of flavour & generosity in the presentation of this dish. Even for $18.99 it's pretty unworthwhile. I was hungry so slopped my way through the unfortunate noodles and toppings and mostly left the curried stock which did t tempt me much at all. It was a decently large bowl of soup at least. Prices here are quite reasonable for the area. Queen Mum is a classic old I guess 80's style bistro, very relaxed and worn in vibe yet classy enough. There's a great patio in the back for warm seasons, and I recall the downstairs washrooms are clean. If it's a nice day you can also walk your takeout container over to the nearby Grange, a very beautiful park. For future visits I may try their vegetarian dishes that are well-rated.

The ping gai chicken is probably one of the best chicken dishes I have had in a really long time! It's definitely a must have at this place. They are usually crowded so we always had to wait for the tables. However the food makes it worth while. Patio looks amazing during summer

The Queen Mother, like all patios, is off limits right now. Despite that, we regularly order takeout from them as a way of supporting local businesses. Their ping gai is really the go to (with a side of their house-made hot sauce if you're feeling brave) and is easily enough for two (or lunch the next day). The nam dip (fresh spring rolls with tofu) are divine and a great snack on a warm day with a cold beer. They've been around forever for a reason, and I'm grateful for their backyard patio (with access off Renfrew Place) which is a haven of tranquility with a homely feel to it. Most of the servers have worked here for a very long time and I'm glad to have gotten to know them by name over the years. Pro tip: Order takeout on Ritual and it'll be ready for pickup when you arrive!

Just reading the other reviews and I'm stumped as to why they say they had bad service. I'm here at least once a month, at lunchtime, and I can honestly say, the service has been awesome. Even when you have to wait for a table, they come back and update you regularly. I use to come for the veggie burger in a pita (amazing with that yummy sauce) until i tried the Ping Gai. Omg, omg, omg it's just so good. Like there's a ton of food and you want to stop eating so much but its so good, you can't stop. You know? The moist chicken thighs with that incredible dipping sauce, side of rice and salad. Yea, I think this is happening again next week.

They have the cutest patio with gas burners near the table to keep you warm. I love love love their menu. Lot of vegetarian options so my veggie friends are always up for going here. We have a wonderful time having dinner in their patio Sunday night. Crew is very friendly and they all follow social distancing rules. Will definitely keep coming back!!!

Let me start with dessert first as it was the best part of the meal. I had a simple slice of chocolate cheesecake. It was moist and delicious with the right amount of sweetness. My entrée was disappointing. This place is overpriced and the service is not that great. We waited a long time before our food came. The portions are also small. I ordered the Indonesian grilled chicken and my bill was over $20 for two small skewers of chicken. It's skewered chicken breast marinated with garlic, tamari an sesame oil, served with a coconut sticky rice cake, flash sauteed greens and peanut dipping sauce. It sounds delicious but it was disappointing. I got a big heaping of raw red cabbage. It was not exactly a rice cake but more of a pile of soft rice. I didn't like the taste of it and could not finish the meal. The marinate on the chicken was non-existent. Overall, I would not visit here again due to the service quality, portion size and price.

Had lunch here for the first time with my coworkers on Thursday. Patio was nice and service was great! It got quickly crowded and food took awhile to be served. But the food was worth wait!!! I ordered ping gai (chicken with rice and salad) and it was absolutely one of the best chicken dishes I have ever had! I will definitely return!

I must have been living under a rock all my life in Toronto because I've passed this place so many times not realizing the wonderful flavours that were lurking behind those windows. My wife suggested meeting here after work one night and told me it was a Thai restaurant. But when I got there I opened the menu and started seeing a lot of non-Thai dishes and started to wonder if I'd been duped. I decided to give it a chance though and we opted to share the Ping Gai and the Bah Me Hang. I started with a few bites of the Ping Gai... the chicken was succulent and the sauce that went with it, WOW! Thinking I was going to have to try to keep this dish to myself I tried some of the noodles of the Bah Me Hang and again, WOW! The flavours were intense and oh so good! I can't stop thinking about those two dishes and need to get back there ASAP! The building is also really cool and there is somewhat a piece of Toronto history with lots of cool artifacts from years gone past.

This restaurant is located just 5 minutes from the City Hall. The entrance was confusing lol, there were like 3 doors and only the left door leads to the actual entrance. We came at around 5:30 so we were able to get a pretty good seat near the window. My friend and I both ordered the highly praised Ping Gai. The dish was about $20. The portion is huge and they do give you quite a lot of meat. I didn't quite like the salad however, not a fan of the type of vegetables that they use. I don't remember a lot of details about this meal to be honestly, the food just felt average to me. The service was slow, it was difficult to call the waitress over whenever we needed something. One of my pet peeves is when the server not splitting the bill and sure enough here the waitress gave the combined bill. I ended up just giving the curtesy 10%

The food was not the greatest but it was still good. The place was a bit loud and crowded, however, I will definitely be coming back for the atmosphere. The wooden furniture and wall decorations add a sense of warmth which was very nice. The service was also great, the waiter was very nice and funny.

Amazing beer, great food & really fast service. This quaint little cafe tucked right on Queens Street was just the place to be at ! My friends and I loved the ambience and the atmosphere!! Will definitely visit again.

Cute patio, though weird-ish route with stairs to get to the patio. Heads up that it's not accessible for folks that might have trouble getting up and down. The hot toddy was not very strong. The veggie spring rolls were good but nothing special. I had a white fish special which was good (nothing too special again) and I would also call out that the white sticky rice is far superior than the purple rice. However, all of this was overshadowed by the calamari, which was THE BEST calamari I've had in recent history. All in all, if you go - just make sure you get the calamari.

After watching the Nutcracker at the Four Season's, my friends and I were hungry and wanted a quick bite. We wandered over here and luckily since it was past 9pm there was space for us. It's pretty small, but if you just want a drink there is great bar seating. The decor is quirky and the lighting is pretty dim so if you want to hide your pimple to your date - come here! We ordered the Mac and cheese, the chicken skewers and the Bah me hang - noodles, shrimp, chicken in a spicy lime coriander sauce with peanuts and bean sprouts. Everything was tasty but I wish there was more shrimp in the Bah me hang dish. I think only 3-4 pieces. The portion was big enough for me to have leftovers :) I've been here before for drinks but this is my first time for food. Definitely be back when I'm in the area.

Good Brunch Date at Queen Mother Cafe: We just finished attending a Sunday morning screening at the TIFF - Toronto International Film Festival and was starving. We ended up at the Queen Mother for brunch. As to be expected it was busy! However, the service was extremely fast. We were seated almost immediately by friendly staff and our server was also all smiles and super friendly. Our food came quickly as well. The French Toast stuffed with berries and toasted pecans was like eating a cinnamon roll and the portion size was just right. I didn't feel stuffed or too hyped up on sugar! My friend enjoyed her Eggs Benedict and fries. We were in and out of there fairly quickly and as I said it was busy so this was awesome to be rated and served so promptly. I would definitely go back again - I've been twice before and try other items because I was checking out other dishes around me and it all looked so good. This restaurant has also been around for a long time - since the 70s and is bustling on most days in the Queen West hood, so I think that's telling about their staying power, service and food. One tip I would mention is that the space is tight- tables too close together and narrow aisles, so I found walking to get to my seat not as accessible. So, if you have a wheelchair or stroller or crutches for that matter, be mindful of this or maybe call ahead and see if they can accommodate you.

Their Ping Gai (4/5) was the most recommended dish so that's what I got. Portion size is HUGE. There's so much chicken, so much rice and it comes with a salad as well. This is definitely a dish you can share with two persons. The chicken on its own is very flavourful. I didn't need the sauce that it came with (pardon me, I can't even remember what the sauce was lol). I must say, I do agree with some of the reviewers. The dish was good but it's not a must go for me.

Did not enjoy my lunch here at all. I can't even remember what it was I ate here but I recall vowing to never come back. I had one of their "Thai" noodle dishes and was so disappointed. I think it was the Pad Thai, but I can't be too sure as it tasted nothing like what Pad Thai should taste like. The flavours were all over the place, and I had to just add lots of lemon to be able to continue eating my meal. Incredibly incredibly disappointed with this place as I had been meaning to try this spot out for the longest time and was severely disappointed. I will definitely not be coming back unless the whole menu gets revamped.

I REALLY wanted to give it 5 stars - as I love almost everything about this place. But I had one experience where my sticky rice ball dish was not good. The rice is served in this adorable little bamboo basket, but at the heart of the rice - it was rock hard. It had dried out on the inside, so I had to waste 20-30% of the main component of this dish. But that was just one time out of several... so here's the experience of the other 9/10 times: ATMOSPHERE: Dimly lit, part nostalgic, part hipster and kinda romantic. Generally busy and lively atmosphere. Great place on Queen Street and in the heart of the downtown core. SERVICE: Very relaxed. But service is friendly and courteous. PRICE: Average. Matches it's atmosphere. FOOD: They serve Thai food with twist - they offer a fusion menu. One of my fave pad thai is served here. I love their pad thai more than Salad King's. More flavour and ingredients here! The serve a large selection of Dufflet cakes - so it's one of the few places that have a larger selection of sweets. Also, I love their brunch!

Worth coming for the backyard patio and their ping gai chicken (best dish on the menu). Other asian dishes are of questionable authenticity. Service is great, interiors are nice. We made the mistake of ordering the Khao Soi and dim sum. Dim sum tasted ok, but overpriced since it's only 4 small pcs for $10. (At Chinese restaurants they go for $3 or $4) Khao Soi noodles had no texture, flavor was alright but unimpressive. Other restaurants (Pai, Sukhotai, Khao San Road) do it way better.

The best fusion spot in t.o Service is impeccable! 10/10 great for the family or drinks with friends.. best patio!

Went for Sunday brunch to this classic spot in the city, and of course service and food were amazing as always! I had the Smoked Eggs Benedict with a cappuccino and I am for sure going back and having the same order... it tasted amazing. For a Sunday morning it was not as busy as expected, so would recommend going here if you are not willing to wait on long line for a Sunday brunch at downtown Toronto. The eggs Benedict come with potatoes and a slice of strawberry and orange, in my opinion they could serve more fruit.

All I have ever had is the Ping Gai chicken and all I ever need to try is Ping Gai chicken because let me tell you..the..ping..gai..chicken. Not sure if this is their signature dish or perhaps the most popular- but I heard from a friend about Ping Gai which is what led to my discovery. The dish is served with 2 perfectly grilled and charred pieces of boneless chicken, steamed white rice, salad and sauce. I like to put half the sauce on the chicken and half on the rice. It is a very filling meal (I usually save half for later) but SO SO SATISFYING. The chicken is marinaded with ingredients from heaven itself and the sauce perfectly compliments the chicken, rice and/or salad. I recommend making reservations as its quite busy especially during lunch time. The restaurant is pretty small and casual atmosphere. The washrooms are downstairs. The stairs are EXTREMELY steep so walk with caution and the ceiling is very low once you go downstairs (I am 5'1 so if I feel its low, its low). Service is quick and friendly (enough) but they arent very attentive when it comes to filling up the drinks or asking if we need anything else. Overall, yes yes yes go visit and try the....ping gai chicken ;)

It's actually kind of crazy how long I've been meaning to check out Queen Mother Café. It feels like it's been on Queen Street forever and I've been hearing for years that their Pad Thai is something special. So when the opportunity finally arose to sit down for a meal there, I was more than happy to finally break my streak of simply walking past its ornate doors. I knew walking in exactly what I wanted to eat: Pad Thai (surprise, surprise). I asked for the dish, which is prepared with "soft thin rice noodles stirfried with chicken, shrimp, bean sprouts, scallions, egg, chopped peanuts and ground roasted chillies, in a tangy, sweet and sour sauce," extra spicy and even requested their "home made jaew bong sauce" on the side. It arrived to the table piping hot shortly after and it's...fine. I mean, it's far from the worst Pad Thai I've ever had, but it's also not even close to being the best. There's plenty in the dish that really works - the chicken and shrimp is plentiful and the noodles are cooked quite well - but the sauce the whole thing's swimming in is just so lackluster (to put it mildly). The pronounced lack of Thai flavors is certainly a big problem here, but it's the sickly-sweet sauce that transforms this dish into a bit of a chore to finish. (I did eat the whole thing, but the last few bites were not pleasurable at all.) With Pai and Khao San Road just around the corner, this kind of below-average treatment of a venerable dish just doesn't cut it anymore. (Heck, I'd sooner eat the surprisingly tasty Pad Thai at Thai Express before I'd order the Queen Mother Café's interpretation again.)

Sadly I have to downgrade Queen Mother Cafe to a 3 star. A bunch of us came here for a late snack after an Elite event since their kitchen closes late. Services still top notch and QMC is definitely great for groups as our waitress able to provide us all with a separate bills. However the food was just disappointing. Nam Dip ($8.95) has this dried rice wrapping and my Khao Soy Gai ($13.95) was just a mess of overcooked and soggy noodle in the bland broth. The Fried Calamari though tasted great, should have ordered that instead. Maybe I should have stick with Ping Gai which was so delicious last time I ate here?! But I do want to try different items on the menu....

Queen West area of Toronto. We walked here after visiting Ripley's Aquarium- 15 minute walk north. Very interesting restaurant with Thai, Laotian, Sri Lankan, Italian and burger options plus rich desserts - all under one roof. Most everyone in the restaurant were having the south Asian food. I had the Laotian Khao Soy Gai - Chicken simmered in a spicy broth served with egg noodles, being sprouts garnished with mint , shallots and bok choy. The coconut based curry went well with the egg.noodles. Two in my party had the Bah Me Hang one prepared with shrimp and the other with Tofu. I had a taste of both - both were excellent. The desserts looked too appetizing to pass up. We shared the Pink Velvet cake. The cake was delicious with. Chocolate cake base. A great ending to a mostly South Asian themed lunch. Interesting lunch in Toronto's hip Queen West district.