The Old York Tavern

I really like to think of Old York Tavern as a hidden gem, but I’m sure they’re more of a local legend. Their menu is small, but has such interesting combinations. They’re always worth every penny, and I’ve been visiting the restaurant for their food multiple times. If I had to ever recommend a restaurant to people visiting the city, this would be probably on the top of my list of recommendations. Literally, every single item from their brunch to dinner menu, including their drinks (personally a big fan of their ceasar and breakfast martini) makes me foam at the mouth. The staff there are super friendly and sweet. Shoutout to George! He always remembered me, and never missed saying hello when he saw me. The service is always great, but I think it’s unique in the way that it feels like a community to me. This was my perfect third place (a place outside of work and home). It’s more than just a restaurant with good food, it’s also a vibey atmosphere with really cool people. A city gem. 11/10

Unassuming pub tucked off of king street serving incredible food. The calamari and the onion dip with the homemade chips were my favourite but everything was delicious. Service was good and they have a dog friendly patio - will definitely be back!

Grossly overpriced. Two burgers and fries without any drinks came in at over 70 dollars after tip. If you've got money to burn on burgers then you'll definitely enjoy it, but comparable food is offered around the city for much less. Burgers were both to be served medium with fresh cut fries. They were juicy and tasted good, but each of our burgers were definitely cooked to different levels. Regardless, they were both yummy. Large covered patio or plenty of indoor options. Patio seating includes combos of chair and bench options. Definitely caters to a more yuppy crowd. Service was good: prompt, efficient and knew when to come and go. They read that we weren't in a chit chat mood and left us to enjoy our meal.

The food. The vibes. It’s all there at the old York tavern! We visited the old York tavern this week for a department lunch - my first time trying it - and I was amazed at the food! The quality and taste of everything I tried was exceptional. We started with calamari and French onion dip, and I had the tavern burger for my main. Our server even brought us extra chips for our French onion dip because there was some more dip left over. The food was complimented by a great atmosphere. The interior is really lovely and circumvents an unassuming facade outside. My only note to first time visitors is to definitely check out the menu before you visit. The food is fantastic but options are limited, so if you’re not sure if there’s something you’d like, it’s worthwhile to check in advance. One add to this is that the breakfast menu is available until 3, so that adds to your options for lunchtime dining! TL;DR It’s delicious and a great vibe, but check the menu first to see if you’d like it.

I came here with a friend for an early dinner appetizer, and it turned out to be a really good spot to relax and chit chat after work. The vibe is cozy yet lively, and the patio seating made it feel casual and welcoming. We ordered the fresh bread and dip, which was nicely charred with a chewy texture, and the dish with yogurt, nuts, and edible flowers that looked as beautiful as it tasted, layered flavors, creamy, and very refreshing. Overall, a lovely place to share plates and conversation. Would definitely come back for another after-work catch-up.

I visited for a solo Sunday afternoon meal and was pleasantly surprised by the warm atmosphere and well-managed reservation system. As a solo diner, I was given what felt like one of the best comfortable tables in the place, though I did notice another solo woman guest unfortunately seated right next to the hostess stand, which seemed less ideal. The vibe is very young and hip. I was the oldest customer, by far. I ordered the $36 Lobster Benedict, which turned out to be a Florentine Benedict with some lobster added. It came with a mixed green & spinach salad rather than the gem lettuce noted on the menu. After two incorrect attempts, the kitchen and servers did finally correct the dish to match the menu, but I noticed that the quantity of lobster decreased with each version. Additionally, the lobster was overseasoned, which masked the natural sweetness of the meat —disappointing for a dish that should be a standout. That said, I really appreciated how the staff handled the situation. My server K offered a small discount on the final bill and topped up my glass of white wine as a thoughtful gesture of apology. K also mentioned that they would update and correct the ingredients listed on the menu. Despite the missteps with the food, I’d definitely return to try the burger and explore other items on the dinner menu. The customer service and elevated menu make it a place that would be worth becoming a regular.

Came here for dinner because of the rave reviews. This is a cute little spot that definitely gives the local diner vibe. The staff are all very friendly and attentive. The menu isn’t extensive which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because it means they can perfect all of their dishes and none of them are a bad option. The portion sizes were a bit small given the price point, but I will note the quality of the food is great. Would definitely come again.

Menu is fresh, and staff are very kind - highly recommend. Had a friend’s birthday there and this was the set menu!

This is a high energy restaurant with a cool upscale casual diner vibe. The staff is super friendly and attentive, and the chef is uber talented. Everything was delicious, but my favorite dishes were the boquerones and the gnudi.

Our first time here, and I'm happy to report that I have a new favourite squash dish in Toronto! To be fair, I didn't already have one, but still-- this one came with the most wonderfully rich sauce, and it was terrific. I ate it with some of my fellow diner's fries, and together, this was a great pairing; I wish this dish came with fries on its own! Meanwhile, I'm sad to say that the burger was a miss; it was a bit burned on the outside, and very pink on the inside. Perhaps it was an off-night, since we came during a sudden rush. We would've ordered another entree, but the menu is quite limited. We were able to walk in without waiting, but the place soon filled up with groups, couples, and families. By the end of our meal, it was too hard to speak to each other, because the music and the fellow diners were so loud. I would try this place again; perhaps for brunch-- though the server said that sometimes, there's a 2-hour wait! Luckily, this place takes brunch reservations; a rarity in Toronto.

Such a good homey non pretentious vibe. Really good ingredients, everything is well cooked but doesn't break the bank. Menu has some unique stuff that makes you want to keep going back. Staff is also super nice and friendly. New fave spot and will be going back soon!

Stopped by Old York Restaurant Tavern on a rainy day to catch up with some friends. It's a cozy spot with a classic diner vibe that's perfect for smaller groups (tables mostly suit parties of four or fewer). It does get busy, so arriving early is your best bet if you want a seat. The service was great, friendly and attentive without being overbearing. We ordered the salmon breakfast and the classic breakfast plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, salad, and bread. The salmon was fresh and flavourful, while the classic plate was solid too. Personally, I prefer my scrambled eggs less runny, but that's just personal taste--it was still a satisfying meal overall. If you're after a laid-back brunch in a casual setting, Old York is a solid choice.

This restaurant features a rustic interior and comfort food, perfect for your next brunch spot (despite the higher price point). It was not too busy the day I went, but we waited for a while to be seated, to order, and also to pay- luckily I wasn't in a rush!! I ordered the bacon and egg breakfast plate (classic brunch dish) and tavern hash (braised beef and french potatoes) for brunch and thought they were both flavourful and filling. Although a little expensive, I would go back for the hash for a special occasion!

Their Chicken Liver Mousse was amazing! There was a liver taste, but it wasn't heavy. The overall flavour profile had a sweet and sour tone and was super smooth. If you can handle liver, I promise you'll fall in love with it after the first bite. The burger was also fantastic. Fresh beef patty with charred onion, melted cheddar, and flavorful aioli sauce - the best burger I've had recently (although I haven't had many burgers lately, lol). The lemonade tasted great, just a bit pricey. Service was nice too, attentive and crisp. It's a nice spot with a patio and cute lights, perfect for a summer hangout. Food (quality, creativity, consistency) - 4.5/5 Drinks (quality, variety) - 4/5 Ambience (interior design, cleanliness) - 4/5 Service (courtesy, knowledge, timeliness) - 4/5 Value (quality vs. price) - 3.5/5 OVERALL - 4

Great food, sterling service and the most exquisite martini on the planet! Thank you for a great culinary experience.. See you soon!