Beyond Souvlaki - 27 Non Greek Restaurants on the Danforth

It's no secret the Danforth is Toronto's Greektown. Come the summer, the whole neighbourhood gets fixated on the annual Taste of the Danforth where it's almost impossible not to eat some tzatziki and meat on a skewer. But for the last decade, the area has slowly expanded beyond the Mediterranean, and the stretch from Broadview to just past Pape has filled in with dozens of worthy non souvlaki related eats.

In fact, if there's one thing the Danforth should be known for it's the variety of its restaurants. Aside from a handful of exceptions, things like fashion, design, art and books is something of an afterthought here. But food. No way. There's Indian and Thai, sushi and Italian. There are some seriously good burgers, fish 'n chips and more pubs then you think could exist within ten blocks of each other. And there's Cuban, organic, seasonal, vegan, Brazilian and seemingly everything in between.

So forget about moussaka, spanakopita and dolmades for a moment. Here are 27 alternatives for non-Greek eats on the Danforth:

Allen's

Allen's boasts that it has air conditioning but with that lead it's really selling itself short. Capon wings, Angus steaks and one of the best burgers in the city are mainstays on what is otherwise an evolving menu at this institution that is now going more than 20 years strong. More...

7 Numbers

If we had a short list of the best Italian restaurants in Toronto I suspect 7 Numbers would be on it. Not to be confused with its also excellent sister location on Eglinton, this spot at the corner of Bowden is never guilty of lacking ambiance. And can you possibly not order something called Rosa's sexy duck leg? More...

Lolita's Lust

There's lamb on the menu here but that's as close to it gets to being Greek. Fish and seafood rule the day with mains like Ahi tuna and baked halibut, plus sexier than duck sides such as polenta fries, rapini and gnocchi. More...

Globe Bistro

The Globe wins the award as the swishest spot on the strip. With a stunning rooftop patio and open kitchen, there's plenty of eye candy to provide the backdrop for some serious local and seasonal creations not least of which is Nose to Tail Suckling Pig. More...

Three's Company Cafe

Not only does this part-time catering operation make a mean eggs benedict, they continue to pack in the regulars throughout the day for bistro-type fair in laid back digs. There's also live music. More...

Lily 86

Just up Broadview, Lily 86's white tablecloths hint that this isn't your average sushi joint. Pricier than others in the 'hood, it's where you go when you're up for a little splurge and some raw fish goodness beyond the standard spicy tuna. More...

Prerna

One of the newest kids on the block, Prerna takes over the space formerly known as Cafe Next Door to bring the neighbourhood some Indian food with heart. Their Masala salmon is organic and the daal inspired by the dhabas on the highways outside of Mumbai. More...

Mong Kut Thai BBQ

A testament to their popularity in the neighbourhood, Mong Kut Thai recently opened a second location a little further west specializing in Thai BBQ. Each table here is equipped to turn the most kitchen challenged diner into the next Bobby Flay. More...

Katsu Sushi

Katsu knows its way around a sushi bar, but what distinguishes this Japanese restaurant from the rest of the bunch is the surprisingly affordable all your can eat dinner and lunch buffets. More...

The Old Nick

The Old Nick wins the pub sweepstakes when it comes to the weekend brunch. Everything on the menu is organic. And the rest of the time there's all the usual pub staples like nachos, wings, shepherd's pie and bangers, beans and mash. More...

Mambo Lounge

In a city devoid of Cuban restaurants, Mambo isn't quite Julie's Cuban, but where else are you going to find Mussels Mohitos and more than a dozen types of tapas that are better than anything cooking in Havana. More...

Deep Blue Fish 'N Chips

Deep Blue might look like just another fish 'n chips joint, but a closer look at the menu reveals they do things a little different here. Not only is there an almost unheard of gluten free batter option, but who can resist jerk battered cod? More...

Euro Crepe Cafe

If you traveled to France and had one of these crepes you probably wouldn't write home about it. But in Greece - that's a different story. Same goes here. Euro Crepe Cafe may not top many Best Of lists, but for some sweet and savoury tastes on the Danforth you could do worse. More...

Taste of the Silk Road

When your boyfriend wants Chinese food, your best friend feels like Malaysian and your former roomate's second cousin is up for Indonesian this is where you go. Taste of the Silk Road is just that, serving Tsing Tao beer to wash it all down. More...

Dora Keogh

From the owners of Allen's, Dora Keogh puts a stake in the ground as Toronto's most authentic Irish pub. The catch? You gotta bring a lot of friends. Next to a massive wood burning fireplace, Yer Ma's Kitchen offers home cooked meals for groups of eight plus. More...

Embrujo Flamenco

While I can't admit to being a huge fan of the food in Spain, like most tourists I ponied up for the enchanting sights and sounds of Flamenco. And that's what they have here, accompanied by all sorts of tapas and three types of paella for two. More...

Mocha Mocha

Mocha Mocha is what you say when you're strung out on a few two many macchiatos. It's also the name of this incredibly popular cafe and breakfast, lunch and dinner spot that serves spicy creations infused with Latin and African flavours. Plenty of veggie options available. More...

Big Carrot

Why is a health food store on this list? It's not because of their juice bar (which itself is worthy of consideration) but rather their huge range of freshly prepared healthy vegan fare offered by weight either to-go or eat in next to ma picking up the groceries. More...

Auld Spot Pub

What was that I wrote about pubs? Oh yeah. Here's another one. But not just another one. Auld spot is many locals' favourite and wins fans for its pulled pork sandwich, Kobe beef brisket and ridiculous number of beers on tap. More...

Sushi Delight

It may not have table cloths or an all you can eat buffet, but Sushi Delight more than makes up for it with some value priced maki, sushi and chirashi. Service can be inconsistent but in a Sushi on Bloor kinda way owing to its popularity. More...

The Only Cafe

Push beyond Pape to Donlands and be rewarded by The Only Cafe. Just don't make the mistake of going here for dinner. Food is best left for brunch and lunch; although there are plenty of pub type snacks waiting to be washed down by some late night microbrews. More...

Red Violin Brazilian Steakhouse

This massive second floor restaurant was one of the first Brazilian steakhouses in the city and is still popular for group outings to eat as much meat you can handle for $50-$60. Just don't mess up and fill up on all the bread and salads! More...

Magic Oven

It all began at this location on Broadview for the burgeoning pizza empire that is Magic Oven. Now with two locations in the area (the other at Woodycrest Ave. past Pape), this is the place to go for some of the healthiest gourmet pizza in Toronto. More...

La Cabana

In a city with a lot of average Mexican restaurants, La Cabana doesn't do much to distinguish itself. But after a recent restaurant makeover this casual cantina remains the Danforth's best option not named El Sol for nachos and guacamole. More...

Sher-E-Punjab

Before Prerna this restaurant held fort as the only butter chicken option on the Danforth. Serving North Indian fare since 1975, Sher-E-Punjab is a dinner only operation serving tasty chapati and a killer prawn saag. More...

Il Fornello

Il Fornello is to the Danforth what Terroni is to West Queen West. In other words, this outpost of the local restaurant chain is basically a license to print money. It's continually packed and recently made the switch to offering an extensive array of locally-sourced fare. More...

Bangkok Spoon

Offering a bit more of a contemporary feel than Mong Kut Thai, Bangkok Spoon doesn't raise the bar for Thai food in Toronto but they win points for an extensive menu. And where else but here can you pair honey fried banana with a Mythos beer? More...