lost restaurants toronto

33 photos of beloved Toronto restaurants that no longer exist

Losing restaurants, including those famous, beloved or too easily forgotten, is nothing new in the city, and looking back at what used to feed Toronto can bring on an overwhelming sense of nostalgia for some.

It would be nearly impossible to put together a definitive list of iconic or noteworthy restaurants that have shuttered over the years, but there's enough establishments with a photo history to warrant a look back.

The list below isn't anything close to a definitive list, but rather a random selection of restaurants that existed in Toronto over the last number of decades. 

Here are some photos of restaurants in Toronto that were once loved but no longer exist.

Flora Dew

Flora Dew at Hanlan's Point.

Dutch Sisters restaurant

Dutch Sisters on Lake Shore Road (now Blvd).

Varsity Restaurant Toronto

Varsity Restaurant, Spadina and Bloor.

Sword Restuarant

Sword Restaurant, Yonge and King.

chop suey restaurant torontoChop Suey House near Elizabeth and Dundas.

Sign of the Steer

Sign of the Steer, Dupont and Davenport.

The Flame Restaurant

The Flame, Yonge and Heath (1950s).

shopsysShopsy's on Spadina north of Dundas.

Brown Derby

Brown Derby Tavern at Yonge and Dundas (1970s).

Pickin Chicken

Pickin Chicken, Lake Shore Blvd West (1980s) by Patrick Cummins.

Canary Restaurant

Canary Restaurant, Cherry St. by Patrick Cummins.

Frank Vetere Pizza

Frank Vetere Pizzeria.

Bobby Orr Pizza

Bobby Orr Pizza.

Ponderosa Toronto

Ponderosa Ad.

Cyranos restaurant toronto

Cyrano's and Steak & Burger on King East.

Steak and Burger Toronto

Steak & Burger at Yonge and Bloor (1970s).

bassels

Bassel's Restaurant at Yonge and Gerrard.

eds restaurant toronto

Ed's Warehouse at on King West.

Lime Rickeys

Lime Rickey's near Yonge and Eglinton.

Organ Grinder

Organ Grinder, The Esplanade.

Penrose Fish Chips

Penrose Fish & Chips, Mt. Pleasant Rd.

Captain Johns

Captain John's.

4Ds diner toronto

4D's Diner, Yorkville.

Eddie Shack donuts

Eddie Shack Donuts.

China House

China House, Eglinton Avenue.

Centro

Centro, Yonge north of Eglinton.

Peoples Foods

People's Foods near Dupont and St. George.

Mr Greenjeans

Mr. Greenjeans at the Eaton Centre.

Seniors steakhouse

Seniors Steakhouse, Yonge south of St. Clair.

steak pit torontoThe Steak Pit, Avenue Road north of Lawrence.

dangerous dansDangerous Dan's at Queen and Broadview.

Lead photo by

Hector Vasquez at Randy's. Writing by Derek Flack.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

Village by the Grange is Toronto's most international and underrated food court

Christmas Eve and holiday hours for the LCBO in Ontario

30 restaurants open on Christmas Day 2024 in Toronto

Notable bars that closed in Toronto this past year

5 new restaurants on Dundas West in Toronto you need to try at least once

Is Costco Canada planning to ditch Pepsi for Coca-Cola?

Canadian grocery tycoon Galen Weston Jr. shortlisted for an award nobody wants

New barbecue restaurant in Toronto opening in 'destroyed' historic building