Best of Toronto
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 »
Discussion
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Hands down, I vote for the amazing Grilled Cheese at the Gladstone's Melody Bar. I get it every time I go there. Layers of what I'm guessing is white cheddar and maybe gruyere with apple slices on whole grain bread? Delicious!
Nice! I love Grilled Cheese and Tomatoooooooooo Soup!
Too bad we don't have a GRILLED CHEESE TRUCK here in Toronto, like they do in L.A....http://www.thegrilledcheesetruck.com/
shanghai is so overrated
I second that sammy Amy! Love the salty sweet.
Rebel House. The end.
Shanghai is overrated? Amoung who? Dirtbags that hang out on the unfortunate stretch of Queen Street?
I think Shanghai is a top-notch dive.
Funny they didn't mention Reggie's Old Fashioned Sandwiches @571 King St. West; that place makes amazing grilled cheese sandwiches or any type of sandwich for that matter...Speaking of which, it's almost lunch time!
Hey can you guys add more than one link on the map if the place has more than one location? Like a 1 at Queen and Augusta too. For the people that are not aware that there is two. That would be helpful. Thanks.
Gladstone grilled cheese...drool. So good. It isn't on whole wheat...it is on walnut raisin bread usually.
Bar Wellington has the best. They're grilled cheese are what I imagine an angels baby would taste like!!
Kind of shocked at the absence of the Gladstone.
To echo above, it's probably the best I've had in town.
My mommy makes the best grilled cheese sandqiches
I love the grilled cheese at Yasi's place... plain or with avocado & red onion!
tasty!
i can't believe flo's diner didn't make it. it's my absolute favourite.
HAY! No prices?
How can we compare, if there are huge price point differences.
What about Vesta Lunch, $3.00, pass on the fries though. Cheap and cheerful and greasy goodness, kinda like old Kresge's.
Any of these joints do a gluten-free grilled cheese?
ADAM 12..........check check........LOL!
Go here: Gluten Free Ontario (Toronto) Maybe you will find G. Freeeee Grilled Cheese....http://www.glutenfreeontario.ca/toronto.htm......Also Chowhound covered the topic here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/332867
Sadies has a mean vegan grilled cheese! And great fries too.
grilled cheese sandwich is gross..the first time i had gross sandwich was when i was studying in NYC.. my first reaction was " you must be kidding me!"... i would rather have toast spread with evaporated milk or Kaya
I can't believe the grilled cheese place in Kensington is even ON that list. THEY DON'T USE ANY BUTTER OR OIL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE BREAD! the result is a tough, carapace-like sandwich without the flake and richness that a great grilled cheese always provides. three thumbs down (the third is my penis)
are you kidding?
hope street cafe in the village is far superior to many on the list, especially shanghai
Glad to see the Swan grilled cheese on that list... I get cravings for it.
there's feta in the lakeview grilled cheese too! yum.
Agreed! Sadies vegan grilled cheese is awesome. They use Earth Island cheese, my favourite! Plus the place is all vegetarian, so you don't have to worry about pig-grease on the griddle.
I never thought I'd order a grilled cheese sandwich in a restaurant until I tried the Rebel House version with back bacon. That's a sandwich.
Well, let's define our terms here. Should the filling be just cheese? Grapefruit Moon has the awesome Sunny's GC with avocado and red onion. Loïc near Queen & Broadview does an excellent croque monsieur/madame, but I guess that's stretching the definition.
My favourite grilled cheese sandwiches are from Portuguese bakeries. Fresh bread, cheese and ham; mmmmm...
I agree with Yasi's place on Wallace Ave...
Yasi's!!!!!
For all the grilled cheese lovers out there...Joey's has a lobster brie grilled cheese sandwich. A must try....
I third with Yasi's
Hahahaa!!! I saw this list and was totally thinking Yasi's – and then I go to comment, and notice that I'm clearly not the first!! Yasi's makes an amazing grilled cheese, serve with homemade soup, potatoes or salad. YUM!!!
Carole's Cheesecake in Yorkville has a stunning grilled cheese sandwich. If this ain't on the list, how can I trust it!?
Yes, yes!! I agree - the best grilled cheese sandwich EVER from Leslieville Cheese Market - THANK YOU for telling Toronto!! Mwuh (kisses)
Leslieville Cheese, yes, amazing. Consider this, they earned best in toronto with their simplest recipe, the classic. They have better ones. Grilled pear and blue cheese. Old white cheddar and bacon.
also noteworthy- the negroni panini 3 cheese sandwich. the only thing its missing is a hefty side of ketchup, so good!
This list is wrong. Leslieville was way over rated!
Handsdown the best grilled cheese is About Cheese!