Exploring Toronto’s brimming, vibrant food scene is one of the city’s greatest pleasures, but let’s be honest: it’s not always the most affordable activity. We’ve all been there: enjoying a night out for nibbles and sips with our favourite people, then having a mini heart attack once the bill hits the table.
To help maximize your restaurant-going while minimizing the impact on your wallet, we’ve compiled a list of standout Toronto restaurants where the food and drink are delicious, unique, and—most importantly—easy on the bank account—the perfect combo!
Pennies
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: American
Address: 127 Strachan Ave, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: We’d be remiss if we excluded this popular, laidback bar and patio known for its fast food-style comfort bites and cheap drinks.
The regular menu at Pennies is hardly a splurge, but the value is there: tasty options like slides in both meat and veggie varieties plus tacos and loaded tater tots are designed to satisfy without breaking the bank. It doesn’t stop there, though.
Fridays are $2 hot dog days from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Then, on Wednesdays, visitors can indulge in happy hour with cheap bevvies and free popcorn, followed by all-you-can-eat cheeseburgers and tater tots for only $17.99. But don’t expect to walk in for the latter: reservations are required!
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Gus Tacos
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Mexican
Address: Multiple locations
Why You Need To Go: They call themselves Toronto’s most beloved taqueria chain and they don’t do it lightly!
With seven locations all across the city, Gus Tacos serves up flavourful Mexican fare at an extremely reasonable price. Single tacos will only set you back $5 each, with coveted options like birria, carne asada, barbacoa, carnitas, and many more.
Other options, like $7 quesadillas or heaping $12 burritos, also offer some serious bang for your buck. This chain gets consistent top marks from local foodies and, given their enduring success, it’s not hard to see why.
Accessibility: Varies by location
Mother’s Dumplings
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Chinese
Address: 421 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: This unassuming, casual restaurant in Chinatown may not outwardly seem like it’ll bring the goods, but Mother’s Dumplings manages terrific food at reasonable prices. They’ve even received MichelinGuide recognition for their standout offerings.
Plenty of Chinese dishes are on offer here, but as the name suggests, the dumplings are the main draw. At less than $15 for 10 delicious dumplings, you’re getting great value. Served boiled, steamed, or pan-fried, expect a variety of options for fillings including pork and bok choi; melon, tofu, and vegetable noodle; beef and celery; or chicken and mushroom.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Hastings Snack Bar
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Polish
Address: 5 Hastings Ave, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Classic Polish food is the name of the game at this cozy diner, from hearty cabbage rolls to pierogis to borscht and well beyond.
Hastings Snack Bar is constantly churning out tempting specials including pork schnitzel sandwiches; homestyle chicken noodle soup; and bigos, also known as hunter’s stew. `
Coffee and house-made pastries round things out at this cozy, welcoming, family-run joint, and all of it is extremely affordable: nothing on the menu tops $20! What could be better?
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Pho Tien Thanh
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Address: 57 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Hundreds of five-star reviews on Google and a Michelin Guide nod don’t lie: Pho Tien Thanh’s menu of comforting Vietnamese soups and more is something you shouldn’t miss.
This no-frills spot on Ossington is a very popular pick for traditional, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, with their flavourful pho being the main event. Best of all are the prices: most of the menu items sit below a $15 price tag. You can’t beat that!
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Black Camel
Price: 💸
Cuisine: American
Address: 4 Crescent Rd, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Satisfying sandwiches are the name of the game at Black Camel, and they pack a flavourful punch without sucker punching your pocket money.
This takeaway joint is probably best known for its slow-roasted beef brisket or pulled BBQ pork shoulder offerings, but you’ll be just as happy with other sandwiches like the pulled chicken, BLT, or seared steak. Loaded with fresh toppings and house-made sauces, all of these handhelds sit cozily in the $10 to $14 range. In 2024, that’s a total steal!
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Gaucho Pie Co.
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Argentinian
Address: 346 Westmoreland Ave N Unit 105, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Located inside the Artisan Factory on Westmoreland Ave, Gaucho Pie Co. is a takeaway bakery specializing in Argentinian deliciousness, with the focus being their famous empanadas.
Available in varieties including beef, pork, chicken, lamb, fish, and vegetarian with different fillings, each flavourful empanada will only set you back less than $4 a pop (and trust me: you’ll want to crush multiple). Combine that with other treats like tres leches cake or South American sandwich cookies known as alfajores, and you’re in business.
Accessibility: Small step into the storefront
Carousel Bakery
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Canadian
Address: 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: St. Lawrence Market wouldn’t be the same without this iconic, old-school spot that’s been serving up tasty, no-nonsense cheap eats for decades.
Hard to miss in the market with its charming, vintage carnival facade, Carousel Bakery deals in simple Canadian comfort food. They’re best known for the famous peameal bacon sandwich that puts peameal-style bacon and a choice of sauce onto a soft, kaiser-type bun.
Running less than $8, it’s a satisfying sando at a reasonable price. But even if you’re not into peameal bacon, this stand has got plenty of other sandwiches including veal parmigiana, hot sausage, or roast beef. If you live in Toronto and you haven’t tried this place at least once, what are you waiting for?
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
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