The Lakeview Diner

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-restaurants-in-toronto

The 27 Best Restaurants in Toronto

"Stepping into The Lakeview is like stepping into the Toronto of the past. A long, narrow space lined with vinyl banquettes and a bar with round seats, this 24-hour diner has been serving up all-day breakfast, potent Caesars and greasy spoon favorites since 1932. For a greasy spoon, The Lakeview's menu is refreshingly non-greasy, and offers all the classic diner favorites with a few off-beat additions. For instance, you can order a classic Eggs Benedict, or you can opt for the Chicken N'Waffle Benedict, a glorious pile of waffles, crispy cornflake fried chicken, and rivers of hollandaise and authentic maple syrup. The thick-cut Beefeater Onion Rings are a go-to for anytime of day or night (but especially night), and the Deep-Fried Mars Bar served á la mode is every bit the indulgence you'd hope it would be." - Todd Plummer

https://onthegrid.city/toronto/dundas-west/the-lakeview-restaurant

On the Grid : The Lakeview Restaurant

"Lakeview is a neighbourhood staple that is literally always open. Around since 1932, it was completely gutted and restored in 2008 to feature cozy booths and a brand new menu. Whether you want to grab brunch on a Sunday or stumble in at 3 am after playing Frogger at Get Well, there’s something for everyone. Lakeview boats $3 mimosas, $4 daily pints and Caesars, along with an extensive menu that has everything from eggs benny to fried pickles to The Majestic Burger." - Sovereign State

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/rediscovering-toronto-through-its-food-scene

Rediscovering My Home City of Toronto Through Its Ever-Changing Food Scene

"An iconic diner serving comfort food in Toronto since 1932."

Multicultural Restaurant Mix, Toronto

@afar

"Poutine in Toronto If you ask someone in Toronto where to get great poutine in Toronto, there's going to be a debate. It doesn't matter if it originated in Quebec, Torontonians love their cheese curd, gravy and fries mash-up. So where to go? Some will say Smoke's Poutinerie (I approve); others will say Poutini's House of Poutine (great name with the subtitle of "Om Nom Nom" on their sign but I'm not overly impressed). My pick is The Lakeview. Located in the heart of new nightlife central spot, Ossington and Dundas, you can get a few different options of poutine here. My go-to is the pulled pork poutine. The gravy is thick. The fries are hot. And the pulled pork is plentiful. The best part? It's open 24-7."

"The Lakeview Restaurant, Dundas West by Sovereign State. Lakeview is a neighbourhood staple that is literally always open. Around since 1932, it was completely gutted and restored in 2008 to feature cozy booths and a brand new menu. Whether you want to grab brunch on a Sunday or stumble in at 3 am after playing Frogger at Get Well, there’s something for everyone. Lakeview boats $3 mimosas, $4 daily pints and Caesars, along with an extensive menu that has everything from eggs benny to fried pickles to The Majestic Burger."

Toronto

Mars Needs Zombies

Google

Great place to stop by after work, most places are closed by the time I get off so it was nice to find a place that runs 24/7. The atmosphere is lovely, although a bit worn the warmth of the decor makes me feel at home, nostalgic for a time that I'm too young to know. The food was also very homey, stereotypical diner quality (positively speaking), and HUGE portions. The photo doesn't do it justice but the pancake stack was intimidating when placed in front of me but made the higher cost much more understandable. I believe that it's more than worth it in terms of price and will definitely be coming back (:

Google

You certainly feel like you're in a time warp here. You're transported to the 50s and the feeling is kind of cool. Unfortunately the food is sub par and the service just adequate. The onion rings were very good, the club sandwich and wings were just okay but the fish and chips were terrible. Generous portion sizes are great when the food is wonderful, but they're a curse here. The apple pie milkshake is overrated. Will not return.

Julian Broderick

Google

I like that The Lakeview Diner is 24 hours and so close to Trinity Bellwoods park a great place to stop by after a night of partying or just after visiting the park. The food and menu here is great I just find the venue has been around so long it needs a revamp of the inside.

Mon

Google

I love this place is open 24 hours🩵 the food was good, we ordered a pastrami sandwich, pancakes, eggs and vegan sausages. I loved the vibe of the place.

Katy Thomson

Google

Lakeview never disappoints. I usually visit with my friends at least twice a month. My favorite sandwich is the Lakeview Club,another dish I recommend is the Freedom Toast, and of course their famous milkshakes,my favorite is the apple pie. The service is excellent; the staff is always smiling and friendly. Marvi has served us a couple of times, and we love it! She always greets us with a smile and is very helpful. Lakeview is one of my favorite restaurants. I grew up in the neighborhood my parents visited often, and now we enjoy it too. The atmosphere and music are another part we really enjoy.

Dan Villeneuve

Google

We were looking for a place to have lunch in the area when we got off the bus right in front of this restaurant, the stainless steel sign and beautiful terrace caught our attention and we gave it a try. We had never heard of it, and oh my god, what a beautiful surprise! We had the best time ever. The place feels frozen in time—so beautiful, well preserved, with a classic modern retro, Art Deco-inspired. We were greeted by the best waitress in town (thank you, Pat, you made our day!). She was fun, attentive, and took care of everything we needed. My partner is celiac, and she assured us that all the gluten-free options were completely safe and guided us through the menu. And the food—sublime! I had probably the best burger I’ve had in a long, long time. My partner ordered the Captain Canuck sandwich and loved every single bite. It was amazing. From now on, we will be calling the Lakeview "Our Place" because we truly loved our experience.

Sandra McGowan

Google

Great croissants and excellent coffee. Prices are higher than similar west coast establishments. Good WiFi

Farhan M.

Google

a proper diner! if you are looking for a restaurant where you can experience good north american food, you can pay them a visit. our server james was absolutely delightful. fast service, fantastic recommendations, and helpful attitude set him apart. we had beef brisket poutine (chef’s kiss), paul rueben sandwich (the brisket was something that would take you back to this place), and chicken finger (tender, juicy, yet crispy on the outside). we highly recommend ⭐️x5

Taz M.

Yelp

My wife insisted on giving this long tenured diner a try, so we did and its what you'd expect from a diner atmosphere seating wise and old traditional movie poster and music. The people that worked there seemed to wear their own random clothes and its not uniform attire, but service is there when you need it. Here was what we ordered. Coffee-$3.75 - standard refillable coffee Hot Chocolate-$5.50 - This comes with whip cream on top and the taste was decent and not powdery like others as it had some chocolate syrup The Standard Breakfast-$15 - 2 eggs, rye toast, home fries and 1 sausage. - With diner breakfast stuff its nothing special, but this sausage is thicker and bigger than traditional ones... Maybe that's why it was only one. Fish & Chips-$20 - Two pieces of fried fish & fries and pickled coleslaw and tartar sauce. - I've tried quite a bit of fish and chips in my time, and I got to admit, this is the WORST I've had anywhere... The fish is definitely frozen and the batter was really noticeable as it looks like a swollen inflated piece of fish. It was also watery because its frozen. - The server was gracious enough to allow me to exchange for something else which I got the mac n cheese, but that dish was okay. Its a bit creamy but not cheesy at all, and it was quite salty. Apple Pie w/Vanilla Ice Cream- $9 - This was probably the highlight dish along with the one sausage piece and the home fries were decent too, but again a bit on the salty side. Oh, the tartar sauce for the fish n chips was pretty good! Overall, we'd probably one and done for this establishment.

Nadine C.

Yelp

A great late night spot to get together with friends to grab a bite after hours in Toronto! This place insta to transports you back in time with its diner vibe from the 80s. It's a very laid back spot! We just came to get some late night apple pie milk shakes and it definitely didn't disappoint. Also was able to add a fireball shot in ours as it was the servers special

Katie B.

Yelp

After a long overnight drive to Toronto. The Lakeview was exactly what we needed. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for in a diner, and the food really hit the spot. We were disappointed that pancakes and benedicts were unavailable, but we did just fine. We had a great time with our server, James!

Amy V.

Yelp

We saw this on a food network show and thought we'd check it out while in Toronto. I was aware that ownership had changed, and reviews weren't perfect but thought we'd try anyway. I thought my husband would love the apple pie milkshake. He did enjoy it. It did NOT have a big hunk of apple pie on the edge like we'd seen on TV, but it was still good. We each got the Turbo Sandwich with peameal bacon. It was amazing. Perfect amount of mayo. And those home fries... When they came out they were super dark so thought they may be overdone, but no. They were perfectly seasoned and crispy. The ambience is awesome since it's old school and looks original. They even played 50s and 60s music. Our server was super friendly and got our orders right even with modifications. Not sure what the diner was previously, but we'd happily eat there again. Lots of other yummy options we'd want to try!

Nada S.

Yelp

The Lakeview is BACK folks!!!! Dear lord finally! I don't mean back from almost being shut down and gone. I mean back to the glory days!!! The food quality is back to where it was years and years ago! The food slaps again, diners and drive in days slaps! And the Mac and Cheese as good as ever. Oh dear lord thank you!!!!!!!!!! I have missed them. The vibe in the back now is so much classier although I miss the white walls the mirrors are a nice welcome touch. Just a bit dark at night wish there was more lighting back here against the mirrored wall but hey I'll take it!

Katie B.

Yelp

Hands down the worst turkey dinner I have ever eaten. Every part of it tasted terrible. Overcooked dry turkey. Small portions. My daughter ordered poutine...also terrible. Fries in a puddle of gravy with one pinch of shredded mixed cheese blend on top. A huge house centipede crawled on my daughter mid-meal. Disgusting all around.

Grace M.

Yelp

My boyfriend and I enjoyed our late dine here. I had only been here on another occasion with a group of friends later into the night, which was an amazing time. Both times, the food was fresh and the service was friendly and welcoming.

Teena D.

Yelp

I had brunch today at The Lakeview Restaurant. I ordered the Standard Breakfast with peameal bacon and a large milk. The home fries were really overseasoned so Jade asked for a new batch for me. It was a filling but a bit pricy breakfast. Jade was friendly and chatty ... thanks, Jade!

Joe T.

Yelp

Cool restaurant with great food. I ordered the smoked meat sandwich and it hit the spot! I also tried my wife's disco fries and they were delicious! The pancake medallions were delicious too. I'll be back.

Pat H.

Yelp

This restaurant is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I'm not sure why yelp says it's closed from midnight until 10am

Peter T.

Yelp

I had a very tasty chicken club sandwich with cheese where. They add a spicy sauce to it and it gives it a nice heat. The bread was nice and soft, bacon crispy along with the crispy chicken. On the whole very enjoyable. I also had a milkshake which was good but quite large... I over ate with that Int he mix... But I'd come back for sure. As others have said the service is amazing, really nice staff that make it an enjoyable occasion...

Jacob N.

Yelp

This restaurant is absolutely amazing with stunning staff and very quick food response, the vibe is super cheerful and absolutely everyone should go here! You can always find a quick seat of great comfort food, The old times vibe of the place makes it feel very impactful.

Daniel D.

Yelp

24/7 and good late night vibes, lots of fun float options (i had root beer w/ chocolate ice cream) and food seemed pretty good too. lowk pricey but oh well. shoutout jason super chill dude.

Jeff P.

Yelp

Been meaning to check this place out for over a decade -- more recently because of The Shape of Water. I guess I had medium expectations going in, and those medium expectations were met. This place smells and looks like a dive bar (except it's a diner). The reek of cigarettes and body odour is baked into the paint. Stopped in for a Sunday beer and a bite, and $70 for two mac and cheeses and two generic beers was pretty steep considering the atmosphere and smell we had to eat in. While the service was good, I recommend this place if and only if you don't have a strong nose or a taste for anything ... tasteful. It's definitely a "one and done" type of venue -- and considering the location, there are much better offerings out there.

Julia M.

Yelp

The Lakeview is an iconic Toronto establishment that I cherished, and heard about for many years from my mother's childhood before experiencing it myself. The news that it is closing made me a little emotional. But in all honesty the food over the passed 5 years or so has declined in quality and portion size but has increased in cost. It's milkshakes always remained divine though, the apple pie milkshake will forever be a favourite. I randomly went to dinner there two weeks ago before hearing of their closure and was disappointed in the cornflake chicken burger, both in taste and obviously smaller size, but the disco fries seem to remain timeless until the end. My friends came to the same conclusion in ordering the Shepard's pie special and burger. The four out of five is for the in between , in what the restaurant was and what is became. If they ever open a new location I would recommend any of the desserts/milkshakes and the pancakes have also held up through the years with the disco fries.

Ken C.

Yelp

Grabbed one of the patio tables on the last sunny and warm day of 2020. Got lucky as I arrived just after someone else had left, there aren't many tables. Had the clubhouse stack which was OK. I liked the aioli spread and there was lots of bacon but wasn't crispy like I prefer. Also the chicken was this thin breaded thing more breading than chicken. Is it just me or does it seem redundant to serve breaded chicken in between three slices of ...bread? The clubhouse was stacked alright, but mostly with bread and breading. I ordered the salad which was basically a cup of greens with vinaigrette and some toasted pine nuts. Again it was ok but nothing exciting. I think I finished it in four or five bites. It wasn't terrible, but not sure I would go back, lots of other choices in the area.

Jon D.

Yelp

This is a very special diner. A hidden gem of Toronto. A diner this old you have to come to expect the classics done simply and without flare. But there are some hidden gems in this menu. One of them is the chicken club sandwich which is the best club sandwich I've ever had. The day I went they ran out of vanilla ice cream so I couldn't try the famous apple pie milkshake. But I think about going back all the time. I am so excited to try the apple pie milkshake. The staff is friendly and the restaurant itself is like walking back in time. I love places like this that preserve the history of a location. If everything around you is closed this is the place to go.

Sunny C.

Yelp

Known for their apple pie milkshake. They're huuuuuge. If youre going with a group of 2 or 3, just order one milkshake. If you dine in they will give you the cup they prepared it in. It's a lot. Their mimosas are $3. There are also man-mosas, and pitchers. The waiter didn't accept my NY state ID and had to go check upfront which was annoying. The mimosa itself is really good. Honestly, I wish I got a pitcher because I got more than one. Bathrooms are tiny.

Emily B.

Yelp

This place is a staple in Toronto. Been there forever, open 24/7, broad menu. Most of my experiences have been stellar with free samples, laid back wait staff and decent quality of food. I usually love their poutine but was disappointed with the dish on Saturday (the last time we were there). The atmosphere of a 50's diner is still the focus of the experience. I will definitely return!

Clarissa A.

Yelp

This is a greasy spoon diner which recently changed hands and is now trying to be trendy with an overpriced menu. The food was very expensive for what it was (still just a greasy spoon, food quality has improved a bit). They didn't have about 5 of the items on their small menu when we arrived on a Tuesday at 7pm. I went for dinner and ordered the brisket burger. The meat quality was good, however, it was about 25$ and did not seem worth that. My friend ordered the steak and it was almost 30$, it looked very sad and was not cooked medium, it was pretty much rare and COLD. It took ages to get our food, and the service was just weird. Not really friendly or welcoming....I would not recommend other than the decor. So many other amazing greasy spoon places for a great burger in this city. If you want a good brunch, so many cheaper better places!

Shelley H.

Yelp

The server the night we went on our date night was the only one there, and just by the way he engaged with everyone to let them know he was serving them and took his time, everyone had great service, and the food was amazing! My husband and I were thrilled! Thank you for another lovely date night Lakeview!

Angela G.

Yelp

After a long night of drinking, playing pool and good times my friends and I were hungry. The only place that was open was The Lakeview. Very cool spot, I really like the decor and theme however the food was barley passable. The service wasn't the greatest but that was forgiven because there was only 2 people working & it was 2:00am. We all ordered our food and man oh man it was awful. The problem was that I wasn't drunk so I could actually taste my food, although my friends who had been drinking didn't like it that much either. We ordered the pulled pork sandwich with a side of poutine. The pulled pork was kinda cool and the sauce was too sweet but overall it was edible. The poutine....... oh god, it shouldn't even be called a poutine because that was a disgrace to Canadians everywhere. The fries were SO cold, the gravy was cold and the curds weren't even melted. It was gross! I won't be going back, no matter how drunk or hungry I am. McDonald's would have been a better option. Keep Eating, Angela

Lisa B.

Yelp

Cute diner setting, and great when you're in a pinch and need some 24/7 food! I had the apple pie, which was delicious and homemade. I got a grilled cheese and onion rings to go. It did not travel well. The grilled cheese was soggy and I was not a fan of the extra slice of bread in the middle - too much bread, not enough cheese. The onion rings were decent though and I'm sure would be better fresh.

Hughard H.

Yelp

The first time I remember going to the Lakeview was in the early sixties. My family lived on Ossington around the corner. The cherry pie was my first taste of heaven. Fast forward sixty years, I left Ontario during my career. I have always used the Lakeview as a standard. I went in for a meal, and was given a banquet. Went in to be nourished and left totally satisfied. My several trips there tell me that what you order doesn't matter, the combinations don't matter, and their willing to help you, it is all good. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, any time. Go for the milkshakes. Their fries and milkshake are a great pick-me-up when you're not ready for a full meal. Atmosphere: Don't be a wise-guy, it's 50s' fantastic. Staff: Warm, friendly, helpful. Tip well they work hard! Portions: Generous Meals: Been through the Card, haven't been disappointed yet. Suggestions: Milkshakes are a specialty. Pies are homemade delicious. Save room for dessert regardless of your entree. Lakeview has been around my whole life, and I hope it will be around long after I'm gone. Live Long and Prosper.

Marz R.

Yelp

This place has a comfortable atmosphere and attentive service. I wish they'd upgrade their lighting because it is quite dated and a bit hard on my old lady eyes, but that's all I can really complain about. I can only speak of their desserts and wine specials. They have $4 mimosas and $5 sparkling wine every day. That alone would keep me coming back. They also have $5 mixed drinks and a decent selection of beer. They have a daily pie and a daily cheesecake, both $7. When we went they had apple pie and caramel apple cheesecake. My friend really liked her pie, but I'm a cheesecake fan so I'm always going to be partial to that. I'd come back to try their milkshakes, floats, and other desserts.

Tomoko I.

Yelp

The place was at a convenient location. They serve classic breakfast. The menu isn't exciting, but traditional. There are more older crowd. Foods are just okay, but expensive. The service is good. Not bad but not wow. I don't think I will come back, but there will be always people who like the place.

Erin W.

Yelp

On a trip to Toronto, our group googled the best places for a boozy brunch and this place popped up. It was a 10 minute cab ride from our downtown hotel and the website advertised cheap drinks so we were in! When we arrived, there were a couple parties waiting ahead of us. There is no host to put your name down and it's up to the guests to keep track of which order you came in. Staff calls out an open table and if it's your turn, you get the seat. The diner was opened in the 50s I believe and they haven't updated it much since. The booths present with a distressed vibe, and there is nothing fancy about the place (which is fine). We started by ordering drinks. The drinks were all a dollar more than advertised online. The mimosas were good but they were inconsistent on the amount of champagne. One of the mimosas also came complete with a hair in it. We ordered food; two eggs Benedict, one breakfast sandwich, and a burger. Our food took over an hour to arrive. This business must loose out on a ton of money as they take so long to turn over tables. Three meals came out cold and then there was an extra wait for the fourth meal. Everything was over cooked and the food was nothing to rave about. The bathrooms were what you'd expect in a dive bar. It wasn't disgusting but it wasn't necessarily clean. It definitely hasn't been updated. The most positive part of our experience was our server. She was friendly and genuinely felt bad about our wait. This place has the potential to be really cool. It's nice to find a place with cheap drinks. With a few updates (even keeping the old vibe) it would be an awesome place.

Danno W.

Yelp

We showed up for lunch mid afternoon with a decent-sized group of five adults, four kids and we were seated straight away. Our server was patient while we ordered a variety of dishes and drinks. The restaurant was busy and noisy as we waited, with all manner of patrons happily eating and chatting which only added to the atmosphere. With such a large order in a busy restaurant we didn't expect fast service and appreciated that our server kept us updated. We were impressed that once they came, all our dishes were delivered to our table pretty much all at the same time. All of the food (pancakes, eggs, poutine, cornflake chicken burger, onion rings, chicken & waffles, kids poutine, cheeseburger, tuna melt) was all delicious in generous serving sizes enjoyed by all. We couldn't have asked for anything more.

Bianca A.

Yelp

3 stars for establishments who have been around for a long time, can't bombard a place with negative comments that's been curing hangovers and broken hearts for years right? But this one time, I shall complain...a bit.. because their two berries were so disappointing to look at, let alone taste these failures beside pancakes that came out cold and bland and I could really go on and on but what did you expect from a place where staffers look fatigued out, that asking for water can lead to a resounding 'not worth it' feeling after placing a 20% tip because tipsy me was feeling generous. My server was probably confused as well, he sounded like he had a chronic back pain that made life completely uneasy for the both of us so getting tipped probably had him thinking I was too drunk for my own good or I had crush on his charismatic yawning while he took down our order. Point is, not a place I'd go back to on a whim or even being dragged into after long hours of debate on where to grab some late late grub after a night out.

Joely H.

Yelp

TLDR: THOU MUST TRY THE APPLE PIE MILKSHAKE. Throw yourself back to the 1960s in this capsule through time. Equally enjoyable as a hangout with friends as it is a late night grub spot for couples. (Slightly) longer review for those not in a hurry: Taste (5/5) : The Lakeview Restaurant is renowned for their apple pie milkshake. If you search "Toronto apple pie milkshake", Lakeview Restaurant is so prominent that it exists in the sacred square space on the right side of the screen. Now, I can't really say for sure if I am qualified to give a food review for them, because I only had their apple pie milkshake, but this place is so retro and I was so blown away by the apple pie milkshake, I just had to write this review for them! The milkshake itself was a perfect blend of sweet and cinnamon. The texture of the milkshake was smooth, and the bits of apple pie was a pleasant surprise and extra treat. If I had to pick one negative about this drink, it might just be that I wish they gave us a proper metal boba straw to vehemothly inhale the milkshake instead of a soggy-too-soon paper straw. They're environmentally friendly that way though, so props to them! Place (4.5/5) : This isn't a fake retro place (those usually look fake rustic and probably a little cheap). The Lakeview Restaurant almost seems like a retro joint where Hairspray or Grease might be filmed, with teenagers from the 1960s sharing a milkshake over jukebox music (I don't know if they have a jukebox, but it sure feels like it would). Both times I went it was very late, so there was only one handsome boi waiter waiting at the tables. Neither time it was very busy though, just that the vibes were chill and the service makes the slightly longer wait all worth it. He was so nice as to give me the extras of the milkshake from the blender (as opposed to throwing out that yummy goodness like many other shops might). Definitely visit this place. It's the perfect blend of comfy, retro, and somewhat classy even? Follow my insta @joelyho for more food reviews and derpiness!

Jenny H.

Yelp

We visited this restaurant twice for a nice sit down meal and have had mixed experiences with The Lakeview. We once came here during the wee hours of the night to grab a quick bite and was very happy with our food. We ordered a hamburger and a poutine. The portions were HUGE and by the time we finished our meals we almost had to buy a larger size of pants. The service was quick and very friendly. Fast forward to a few months later, we decided to come here again for a Sunday morning brunch. The restaurant was extremely packed so we didn't mind waiting for half an hour. However, once we were seated it took ages before someone even acknowledged us. It took even longer for us to place our order. After what seemed like an hour we had to flag down our waiter to follow up on our food. This then prompted him to rush to the kitchen to bring it out. We ordered the buttermilk pancake stack and omelette. We were a lot less satisfied this time since everything was cold and the taste was just alright. It was extremely difficult for us to get any additional seasoning or sauces too. Overall if you need a late night snack, come visit The Lakeview for a nice fix but you might want to try another restaurant for brunch if you want good service.

Kimi K.

Yelp

This is a great place to be if you're in the Ossington and Dundas area and craving for a late night diner. It's lively and energetic. The staff members are always in a great mood. The milkshakes are amazing! The apple pie milkshake is so different than any other milkshake and even has apple pie pieces in it! For me, it wasn't too sweet but I really like sweet things in general. I had the Coca Cola float (can't remember what it's called on the menu) and the little bit of caramel drizzle added was just perfect. Made it taste different than any other float I've ever had. Just sucked that the floats weren't refillable for the pop. The burgers here are very good. My bf loves burgers and from what he told me, it didn't disappoint. He had The Lakeview burger. I had the cornflake chicken and tbh, it wasn't that great. I could only eat half of it before I just had to stop. The meat itself; cooked in cornflakes; tasted like it was burnt and it was black. It was hard and just difficult to eat. Maybe that's how it was supposed to be? Either way, I wouldn't recommend the cornflake chicken. All in all, like I said in the beginning, this place is lively and fun. You can even order free handshakes!

Heath F.

Yelp

The decor is nice, but actually the booths are oddly uncomfortable. The worst part is the food which is just inedible. How can you fuck up fries so much? And so damn expensive considering what it is, which is a diner. Also they have fruit flies, both in the restaurant and in the washrooms around the urinal. And it is still a very cold April. (How?)

Tito D.

Yelp

Waitress ignore me for an hour (I was the only person inside) and I was zooted out my mind so I had a panic attack and had to leave.

Ling M.

Yelp

This review is for food only. Have tried the cornflake chicken club, mac n cheese balls, and chicken n waffles. The chicken club is decent - but doesn't come with enough spicy mayo, and they charge extra 50 cents for extra. Mac n cheese balls weren't memorable. Chicken n waffles came with two poached eggs on top, and both of the yolks were cooked through. Also the 'syrup' is the glucose-fructose kind. Side of salad is good, fries are ok, the soft potato chips that come with the waffles are really good.

Kyla C.

Yelp

Lakeview has been one of my fav staples since I moved to Toronto four years ago. Proud to share I have graduated from 3AM after-bar visits to mid-morning working brunches ... sigh, I am getting older. If you can avoid the weekend morning brunch rush (and the other morning rush that occurs around 2am), you can expect to be seated pretty quickly in a "vintage" diner booth. And if you're into old-school vibes, you'll love the retro bar and old mixers in the window. Come here if you want good food, cheap prices, and a fun dive-y diner scene. Don't come expecting cloth napkins and candle light! Service is always friendly and efficient, WiFi is decent, and coffee is bottomless. What more could you ask for?

Andrew W.

Yelp

Have you guys ate there in the past 2 or so years. Not only was it costly. The food portions where small and it wasn't very good. I tried it about 6 times . Each time I was disappointed. There was a breaf time before the renovations and shortly after where it was fantastic. ( they dud rase prices after the renovations and it was still good). They changed the menu and it really went downhill after that. The new staff that showed up was nothing short of just plain unwelcoming and rude. So much so that last time I went I didn't tip at all. While I don't want you see a glass tower in its place. I'm not going to miss the new Lakeview much.

Jared R.

Yelp

Can't believe I have never written a review of the Lakeview. It's an institution. I like the diner style , the food is always decent if not amazing and there are always cheap drink specials of actually drinkable beer. A lot of places on the Ossingnton strip are hit or miss and fly by night so the Lakeview wins if you don't want to guess how the quality of your pint or poutine will be.

Maria L.

Yelp

Came here on Canada Day for brunch and it was quite busy. I don't think they were expecting it as there were about 3-4 servers. We were seated within 15 minutes, but the wait for food took a while. I got the chicken and waffle benny while my boyfriend got the disco poutine. The chicken and waffle benny was okay but I would have rather just had chicken and waffles. The hollandaise sauce was more like a salty and tangy mayo. The chips and salad were okay, but fries would have been better. The disco poutine was not at all what we expected - fries, some gravy, shredded cheese, a sausage cut into 3 or 4 chunks, and some scrambled eggs on top. For the price we were expecting a lot more substance. Would only come here again to try the mac n cheese balls.

Janny L.

Yelp

My friend and I had just finished working a night shift and decided to get breakfast. We came to Lakeview and shared the Ossington Massive. Seeing that we were the only patrons in the restaurant, we thought it'd be a quick in and out. However after 30 mins at 8:15 am, did our food arrive. The waitress explained that the kitchen was changing hands. Noted, but our meal was cold and stale. Sausages were burnt and cold...you would think freshly burnt sausages would be hot! Home fries tasted a day old, and our eggs felt like they had been at room temp for ages. We aren't the picky types, however we could not find any positives in this experience. Unfortunately, we were too early to get mimosas...but I think it would have made the waiting time and food more bearable.

Rosey L.

Yelp

The Lakeview is an okay diner. The only benefit is that it's open 24/7 to accommodate the after hours crowd spilling over from the West Queen West bar scene. There will definitely be line up at 1AM! It's dishevelled - paint is peeling off here and there, and the bathrooms literally didn't have toilet paper! Thankfully there was another girl in the bathroom who handed some paper over to me. Needless to say the atmosphere and service was 1/5. They have standard diner food, we tried the Mac and cheese balls, fries, and waffles. They were all OK. Also, it's cash only!

Jennifer K.

Yelp

24 hours eatery... Lakeview might not serves the best poutine or has the best services or the nicest deco... But in the middle of the night and you have some cravings for snacks for whatever reason.. or your Yelp friends just want to chill out somewhere after Elite event and want to have some more cheap booze... Lakeview is a winner! This place was so busy on a Thursday night..... Services can be a little slow but at least they have free WIFI just ask for password. Thanks fellow yelpers that shared a table with me let me took photos of their food and even let me try them all........... Onion Rings Poutine Pulled Pork Poutine Some sandwiches? Fried Mars Bar That sounded like a complete meal with appetizers, main and dessert? I'll be back to Lakeview if I am in the area when nothing else opens...but there are so many interesting places for food in the area...

Nicole A.

Yelp

Its around 1 am and we decided to go for a late night meal. I ordered the "Robert Planter" vegan poutine. The meal was okay, something was a little off with the mushrooms, and there was way too much mushroom gravy over bearing the fries and vegan cheese. I had finished my meal but felt a little off - and was waiting for our server to check in or offer water. I really needed water. Mind u its around 1-2 am so only four tables occupied. It took her a while to replenish our water and I downed it to help with my discomfort. At 6:30 am at home, i was awaked with sharp stomach pains and vomiting. My body did not accept that mushroom poutine. I do appreciate the late night hours this diner operates. But the freshness of the food is questionable at that time of night, judging from my mild food poisoning.

Emily M.

Yelp

Love the $4 mimosas. This is the perfect place for hangover brunch or catching up with friends and family. Music is fantastic and has the perfect mix to suit everyone's taste. Although our waiter was fantastic at keeping up with our ice cube needs on this hot, hot day, we did find it difficult at times to get his attention.

Kerr N.

Yelp

Finally tried this place... & i'm not impressed at all. The menu for one was way too overwhelming, and of course in the dim lighted dining room that made it harder to focus. It is priced on the higher side. We tried the mint chocolate shake and that was good. Very flavorful. Didn't lack in any mint or chocolate taste. It was 6.99? Most shakes at restaurants go for that price anyways. We got this deep six on the menu which offered a variety of different finger food that equaled to 6 different foods. This wasn't worth it at all. The beefeater onion rings were super cold, the sweet potato fries were more on the burnt potato fries side, the chicken wings were very hard and tasted burnt. The deep fried mac n cheese was ok. the fries were alright as well.. and i don't eat pickles lol. Everything had the same burnt taste to it. With a really hard crunch. I think it's time to change the oil? I don't think i'll ever be back. The comfortable looking booth seats aren't as comfortable. They go downwards which is pretty hard and awkward to sit on. The service was meh

Darien W.

Yelp

Pros: Atmosphere Location is nice Food served on time Comfortable seating Price is reasonable Delicious food! The menu selection Chicken club Chocolate mint Milkshake!!! Open 24/hrs Fast seating Great for groups Cons: Staff service is mixed (either great or horrible) Noise level can be crazy Cleanliness I guess since our waiter made a big deal about it LOL (see personal note below) Music played too many hit songs of the same artist (specifically they played only Michael Jackson- I've just had enough after 5 hits) Summary: Better than Fran's for a date-worthy spot that you won't be embarrassed about taking your date. The personal note below this paragraph set the mood for us ordering our food and thus a three star rating instead of 4/5. Long story short, the food was great! I took a photo of the food and was satisfied like Buddha after eating. I had the club sandwich with fries and a side of gravy. I think my boyfriend had the cornflake chicken sandwich... ask for extra condiments on the side as the food is a bit bland without it. Waiters are either great or bad. Took forever to pay our bill, we had to beg to pay and scrambled to pay with cash to save waiting for the interact machine ... P.S. Yes eat here but note that you may leave inheriting the undue stress that the waiters put on themselves ... seriously it's OK if the table is dirty and the customer basically demands you don't wipe their table (with probably a really dirty cloth in the first place).... ^^final conclusion PERSONAL note--- I usually have a great time however went yesterday & the waiter was very intense; he mentioned our table wasn't cleaned properly & we said don't worry about it. We honestly just came from a long bike ride and could care less, especially since the table was clean to me. He said, "well at least let me get that coffee stain for you." I said don't worry about it, but before I could assure him, he went off and got a cloth. I said don't worry about it again as the table will just be wet. He said he needed to and wiped our table after we politely offered/said AND told him not to. We just wanted to order our food... THEN the hilarious and sad part; he ran off, grabbed about 2 dozen napkins ..... then wiped the small spot of water off our table. Advice to that waiter: Chillllll it's okay. We love you if you bring us food. We were dressed for biking and are flattered you wanted to clean the table that was cleaner than us after biking around all day. Also it felt horrible that you forced us into the OCD ritual when we just wanted to relax. Maybe you were new? I hope so. Cause your service was really anxious even though when I politely asked you said it was a slow day......

D S.

Yelp

Man, what a difference a year can make! Came here for the first time in a year - service is still awesome, but man the food has gone very south in my oppinion. Got an app that was burnt, co-diner got a turbo with salmon and it had 2 loonie size pieces of salmon on it super thin, my panko mushroom burger was just two giant watery mushroom caps with almost no filling. It was pretty bad..... and only 1 year ago I was at a 5 star review with this place, wtf happened?!?!!? I will take some time off, maybe another year, then try here again. But man, I am shocked the quality of food has slid down so much. Everyone in my party actually was with me when I ate here last year too, and all felt the same way "What the heck happened?".

Nick H.

Yelp

This is a fun place. I liked the food, chicken was super crispy and flavorful. Will definitely be back

Jason G.

Yelp

I've been here several times and just love this place, excellent food, fast service, open 24hrs. Its and old style 50's diner and the interior has not changed much since. It's clean, and well kept for a restaurant that busy and of that age. The eggs benedict are fantastic, even down to the super tasty side salad, just absolute perfection, everything else is really good including their poutine of course. really there's not much else to say other than, if you enjoy a classic comfort food meal in a well run 50's style diner at literally any time of day, then the Lakeview is the only place worth going, i'll be back again and again...

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"An iconic diner serving comfort food in Toronto since 1932."

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