The Best Restaurants in Danforth (Greek Town), Ontario

The Danforth is known for its large patios and independent shops and restaurants, as well as for being the home of Toronto's Greek community, also known as Greektown. The Danforth is centred on Danforth Road, a main artery that connects Scarborough to Downtown via East York. The Bloor Line of the Toronto subway runs beneath Danforth Road, making its many quaint eateries, cafes and bars easily accessible to most residents of the city. Restaurants on the Danforth include traditional Greek cuisine along with many other options for local residents. The Danforth attracts thousands of tourists every year, hosting the "Taste of the Danforth" festival. Patrons are invited to sample Greek food from many of the delectable eateries of Greektown in this yearly street festival which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2013.
The Danforth is most famous for being home to the Greek community of Toronto. The area known as greektown can be found at the West end of Danforth near Chester Subway Station. Here, patrons can get a delicious gyros pita or pork souvlaki - traditional favourites - or try a "special recipe" Greek fries - an invention that blends traditional Greek ingredients with a North American staple. Alexandro's takeout makes an excellent Greek Fries, generously heaping french fries dabbed in olive oil, authentic feta cheese and oregano onto a plastic tray. For a slightly different twist on this local favourite, Messini's restaurant near Chester Avenue plates the fries and tops them with a generous portion of olive oil and feta before warming the entire thing in the oven for several minutes. This makes the feta slightly crispy. Messini serves greek fries as an appetizer for their over-stuffed gyros. Packed with succulent lamb, fresh tomato, flavourful onion and some salted french fries for extra substance, this just might be the best gyros you can find on the Danforth.
Diners looking for some fancier fare will have plenty of options in this neighbourhood. The Mediterranean influence here is exemplified by the restauranteurs serving fresh seafood alongside traditional Greek dishes. Enter a fine dining establishment like Kritamos Greek Fish House and you'll take your pick of raw oysters, whole fish preparations or seafood pasta in what's sure to be a decadent dining experience.
Hungry for more after dinner? The dessert options on the Danforth are almost endless, and many of them can be wrapped up and carried home for later if you're too full from the Souvlaki. Athens pastries on the Danforth is famous for its light, fluffy pastries which include staples like Spanikopita (pastry stuffed with spinach and feta) and Tiropita (pastry stuffed with a fluffy, salted cheese). Although selection at this traditional bakery is somewhat limited, the doughy and sweet loukoumades are the perfect way to round off a meal and also make a great midnight snack. For a more Italian style dessert, North Pole bakery is a hidden gem along the Danforth that takes its inspiration from traditional Italian recipes and creates decadent desserts and meals. Here you'll find an endless array of sweet cookies and breads, pastries and even small grocery items.
There's no better time than the Taste of the Danforth festival to pay a visit to Greek town and see what's on offer at the many great eateries there. This festival happens every summer and is a favourite of Toronto residents and tourists alike. Celebrating not only the food of the Danforth, but also the culture and history of the people there, this weekend festival brings in thousands of tourists to the neighbourhood each year, both from the rest of Toronto and around the world. The local Business Improvement Association donates all of the profits from this event to local charities and organizations such as the East General Hospital, Greek Student Association of York, and even to Neighbourhood schools. The festival itself shuts down Danforth Road in Greektown and features numerous attractions on multiple stages, including dance showcases and musical performances. The main attraction, however, has always been the restaurants. During Taste of the Danforth, local restaurants take to the streets, cooking and serving food on the sidewalks for street food prices. You're guaranteed to get your fill of delicious Greek food at this great yearly event.
The Danforth is more than just a neighbourhood - it's the home of a unique culture and history preserved for decades and present in the local restaurants, bars and patios. With one of the highest concentrations of restaurants in the city, you're guaranteed to feel at home in any of the numerous quaint and delectable restaurants on the Danforth. Better still, you're guaranteed to go home with a full stomach.