The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich in Toronto

The best grilled cheese sandwich in Toronto is a toss-up among more gastronomically diverse options than you'd expect. Adored by pauper-students and up-towners alike, the grilled cheese is the epitome of comfort and simplicity in cooking; the satisfying, back-up meal that almost anyone can throw together with zero time and resources. When those resources are plentiful, it's astounding to see what can be done with the basic staples of bread and cheese.

It's also fun to watch the way each neighbourhood's style and personality manifests itself in their respective creations.

Here are the 12 best grilled cheese sandwiches in Toronto.

Leslieville Cheese Market

There was no contest once Beemster entered the picture (though, feel free to choose another for yourself). God, I love that stuff. A cheese that truly deserves the sturdy, flavourful rosemary bread it's paired with. Like any worthy competitors, both parts make themselves HEARD, but are soothed into harmony with the perfect sweetness of green tomato chutney. Aw, you guys. More »

Shanghai Cowgirl

A spicy, greasy good time was had by all, fueled by these double-deckered monsters. Jalepeno!- an appropriately daring choice, is neutralized by chunky slices of avocado bustin' out the seams, and spiced right back up again with wasabi mayo for them sweet potato fries. Very punk rock, you'll get the kind of bite that keeps you up at night. That's what you came for, right? More »

The Grilled Cheese

Giving the people what they've been waiting for, this cozy little joint serves up ten varieties of its namesake on cute mini picnic tables. Heavy on the flavour- the garlic on my Mushroom Magic was borderline overpowering- they prove that it's perfectly acceptable to eat grilled cheese day after day. Just be creative about it. More »

Victory Cafe

The supremely laid-back service of this Annex mainstay gave me a pang of student nostalgia. The tasty blend of gruyere and tomato pesto on super-thick slices of calabrese bread soothed our other pangs (ie. hunger) and provided a hearty base for our beers. The option of bacon was strangely vetoed (better without), but their special fry sauce was not. More »

Rebel House

Described on their menu as a "snack," this version of the grilled cheese rebelliously offers the most well-rounded meal on the list. Its relative neatness befitting a child of Rosedale, it's luxuriously layered with folded-over slabs of peameal bacon and just enough melted cheddar to ooze, but stay within the lines. The sliced kettle fries offered a bit of a Eureka! moment. More »

Disgraceland

This tightly-pressed specimen enfolds a creamy mix of jack and goat cheese, and little slivers of caramelized onions throughout which add just the right touch of tangy sweetness. If you have any common sense, you'll pair it with their equally-famous mac and cheese and gritty candlelight, like we did. Extra points when it’s November-raining and you had a rough day. Like we did. More »

The Drake Hotel

The Drake offers up its usual refined simplicity with soft, white bread, one strong-ish cheese and the sweet, unexpected treat of berry preserves for dipping. It adds a remarkably vibrant contrast to the aged, white cheddar. Like the grilled cheese equivalent of a crisp, linen suit (assuming you covet such a thing). Endless faith in you, Drake, and your fries are my favourite. More »

Lakeview Restaurant

Appropriately classic, the "fromage-a-trois" is unadulterated comfort food at this legendary joint. The cheese mix (cheddar, havarti and asiago) feels like home, but was just interesting enough to add a spark of sophistication to our lazy and hazy Saturday. Ditto with the sweet chili mayo for dipping some kickass fries. I felt swaddled and coddled, which is why grilled cheese was invented. More »

About Cheese

The most unpretentious cheese shop I've ever been to offers the butteriest one of the bunch; melty-as-hell, and grilled until it's perfectly crunchy and messy. It took a few minutes to reach this specification, but I was lavished with endless samples while I waited. It's 100% takeout (no seats, no drinks to buy), but you can add prosciutto for zero dollars! More »

Chabichou

Easy - brie (or cheddar, or swiss) melted on bread and no funny business. When you've got brie (or cheddar, or swiss), you'll do yourself a favour to keep things pure and simple. Nothing to obstruct the full flavour of the cheese (which certainly held its own), unless you count butter. Obviously, you shouldn't. Just indulgently wash it down with some Rieme lemonade. More »

Swan

Swan's deft hand elevates this shockingly cheesy mess (3 of 'em!) into a work of art. The perfectly-orchestrated combination of pear and watercress gets an added depth when the sweet tomato salsa on the side chimes in. It's ridiculously filling and swooningly flavourful, and I heard the two people behind us order it without even thinking. More »

Sweet Escape Patisserie

The simple elements of pear, brie warmed to the perfect temperature and outstanding walnut bread deliver complex taste in a big way. A bigness that belies the small, unassuming patisserie and the delicate-looking sandwich I saw through the pastry case glass. As I carried it to my table, I couldn't believe that warm, nutty aroma was coming from my own plate. More »