The Best Diners in Toronto

There's farm-to-table DNA coursing through this Riverside diner, where much of the menu relies on the seasons and nearby farms. A spot that marries cheffy attention to detail with a classic diner blueprint, it's the place to find fresh-baked bread, house smoked sausages, warm donuts and other homey comforts. 

From Wednesday to Sunday, King East residents head to this retro spot for loaded breakfasts, towering sandwiches, burgers, and other diner dishes. Sitting at the extended counter or in one of the coveted booths feels like being transported to another era. 

     Since 1932, this 24-hour diner has sated cravings for oodles of comfort-food faves, from mac n' cheese to French toast, and everything in between. A rotating menu of fresh-baked pies and elaborate shakes offers sweet-toothed patrons in particular plenty of tempting distractions.

Though the hour of your visit will dictate the mood at this historic diner, its 24-hour menu remains the same, no matter when you pop by. At Yonge & College and Yonge & Dundas, it's a go-to for substantial breakfasts, loaded burgers and hearty mains at budget-friendly prices. 

At this beloved Parkdale fixture, the coffee is piping hot, the pie is always fresh, and servers hustle the tuna melts, meatloaf and fried chicken to tables with winning swiftness. To top it off? Happy hour runs on weekends from 3-5 p.m. 

Though seating is limited at this Annex destination, the casual feel, vinyl-topped stools and affordable menu of Greek-Canadian fare are irresistible to diner stans. Open 24 hours a day from Thursday to Monday, and 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., the rest of the week, it's for first bites, late-night cravings, and midday mouthfuls of souvlaki, pancakes, BBQ chicken and more. 

Find all of the essentials—from cheeseburgers to Caesars, pancakes to chicken tenders—levelled up with Asian flavours at this chrome-kissed Little Italy restaurant. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can tuck into mapo Frito pie, galbi short ribs and strawberry Pocky milkshakes throughout the day.

Since the 1940s, this storied restaurant has built its reputation on a reliable menu of fry-ups, sandwiches, pot pies and steaks. Fancier than the average greasy spoon, it's a place that feels familiar from the first time you visit. Just check the restaurant's hours carefully before heading out: the team only serves brunch on weekends, and dinner from 5 to 8 p.m.

At this blink-and-you'll-miss-it Scarborough diner, little has changed since the doors first opened in 1954. Sure, prices have crept up, but the menu is still a who's who of diner must-haves, the portions are still generous, and décor that must have once felt au courant is as startlingly retro as it comes.