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5 Best Lunch Restaurants in Toronto (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Thorne Savarin
By Thorne Savarin, Culinary Explorer · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Toronto's midday crowd doesn't have patience for a slow kitchen, and the lunch restaurants in Toronto below have logged a combined total well over 34,000 reviews between them. JOEY Eaton Centre alone carries nearly 14,000, more than double the next closest name, and every spot on this list holds at least 4.4 stars, so the real question is what kind of lunch you're after: a downtown power lunch, an all-day brunch spread, or a fast, flavorful bowl between meetings.

Short answer: JOEY Eaton Centre leads on scale with 4.7 stars across 13,890 reviews, right in the heart of downtown. L'Avenue holds the highest rating on the page at 4.8 across 4,010 reviews for its brunch-forward menu. For a quieter power lunch, Richmond Station (4.7, 3,754 reviews) runs a rotating tasting menu, and Cafe Landwer is the budget-friendly Mediterranean pick at 4.4 across 6,109 reviews.
Jump to a business

Toronto's top lunch spots, side by side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 JOEY Eaton Centre 4.7 13,890 Overall / downtown groups View ›
2 Black+Blue Toronto 4.7 6,445 Steak and special occasions View ›
3 L’Avenue 4.8 4,010 Brunch-forward lunch View ›
4 Richmond Station 4.7 3,754 Tasting menu lunch View ›
5 Cafe Landwer 4.4 6,109 Casual, budget-friendly lunch View ›
5 Best Lunch Restaurants in Toronto (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

JOEY Eaton Centre logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

JOEY Eaton Centre

4.713,890 Google reviews

JOEY Eaton Centre is a casual dining restaurant sitting at the Times Square of Toronto, right off Yonge-Dundas Square, part of the JOEY Restaurants chain with locations across North America. The globally inspired menu spans starters, entrees, and desserts alongside a dedicated cocktail and happy hour program, and the space includes private dining for larger groups. Reviewers consistently praise the poke bowls, apple pie, and molten lava cake, though service is described as inconsistent depending on the day.

What people praise

  • Generous, well-executed dishes across a wide-ranging menu
  • Complimentary champagne and dessert touches on some visits
  • Great for groups thanks to private dining and happy hour deals
  • Central downtown location right off Yonge-Dundas Square

Worth knowing

  • Service quality varies noticeably depending on which server you get
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume13,890 · 97th
Confidencevery high
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown81% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed lunch spot on this page by a wide margin. A reliable pick for a group lunch downtown, though service can be hit or miss on busy days.

1 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3

Black+Blue Toronto logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Black+Blue Toronto

4.76,445 Google reviews

Black+Blue Toronto is a steakhouse, seafood, and sushi restaurant in the King Street West entertainment district, part of the Olive Group's portfolio of Toronto restaurants. The menu centers on premium cuts including wagyu and tomahawk steaks, alongside oysters, a signature butter cake dessert, and an extensive cocktail and wine program. Reviewers repeatedly describe personal, detail-oriented service, including thoughtful touches for first-time visitors and celebrations.

What people praise

  • Wagyu and tomahawk steaks consistently praised for quality
  • Signature butter cake dessert called out repeatedly as a highlight
  • Servers add personal touches for birthdays and first-time visitors
  • Strong cocktail and wine list to pair with the meal

Worth knowing

  • One reviewer found a hair in a dish, though staff replaced it promptly and apologized
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume6,445 · 92nd
Confidencevery high
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown87% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick for a special-occasion lunch or client meal where quality of the steak matters more than the price.

130 King St W, Toronto, ON M5X 2A2

L’Avenue logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

L’Avenue

4.84,010 Google reviews

L'Avenue is a brunch restaurant at The Well in downtown Toronto, serving an eclectic, generously portioned menu spanning pancake flights, savory benedicts, and globally inspired dishes. The restaurant does not take reservations for weekend brunch, and reviewers consistently mention a wait, though staff work to make the wait worthwhile once seated. The pancake flight and Bangkok-inspired dishes come up repeatedly as reviewer favorites.

What people praise

  • Highest rating on this page among restaurants with deep review volume
  • Generous portions with a wide variety of options for different diets
  • Servers named individually for high energy and thoughtful recommendations
  • Vibrant, eclectic room that suits a livelier lunch

Worth knowing

  • No reservations for weekend brunch means real wait times
  • Service pacing can slip when the restaurant gets busy
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume4,010 · 76th
Confidencevery high
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown88% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The top choice for a weekend brunch-style lunch, as long as you're prepared to wait or arrive early.

433 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1E3

Richmond Station logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days

Richmond Station

4.73,754 Google reviews

Richmond Station is a Canadian restaurant in the financial district, run as a stopping place for both quick weekday lunches and a rotating six-course tasting menu available for dinner. The kitchen focuses on local, seasonal ingredients, and the lunch menu is known especially for its burger, alongside fresh salads and well-executed fried sides. Reviewers describe the restaurant fitting equally well for a quick business lunch or a slower, more considered evening tasting menu.

What people praise

  • The burger is repeatedly named as a standout, worth the trip alone
  • Seasonal tasting menu offers thoughtful, well-paired courses
  • Works for both a quick business lunch and a slower dinner
  • Staff explain dietary accommodations clearly and thoughtfully

Worth knowing

  • A few reviewers wish the regular menu had more variety beyond the standout dishes
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume3,754 · 71st
Confidencevery high
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown79% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong choice for a business lunch that still wants to feel like a proper meal, not just a quick bite.

1 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H 3W4

Cafe Landwer logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days

Cafe Landwer

4.46,109 Google reviews

Cafe Landwer is a Mediterranean and Israeli restaurant with several Toronto locations, including one near University and Adelaide, serving an all-day menu of shakshuka, falafel, pasta, and a range of coffee and smoothie options. The chain has operated in Toronto for years and draws repeat visitors who make it a tradition on every trip downtown. Reviewers describe generous portions at accessible prices, with a warm, lively atmosphere.

What people praise

  • Affordable pricing relative to portion size and quality
  • Warm, cozy atmosphere that works for a relaxed lunch
  • Wide menu spanning Mediterranean dishes, pasta, and coffee
  • Consistent quality across repeat visits, per longtime customers

Worth knowing

  • Can get loud when busy, less suited to a quiet conversation
Reputation scorecardrank in Toronto
Rating4.4 / 5
Review volume6,109 · 87th
Confidencevery high
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown67% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The budget-friendly, casual pick on this list, good for a relaxed lunch without the wait times of the brunch-focused spots.

165 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5H 4E7

6

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Watch: 5 Best Lunch Restaurants in Toronto (2026)

How we score

Rating is the live Google average. Review volume measures how many customers actually left a review, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence weights the rating by that volume, so a perfect score built on a handful of reviews scores lower than a strong average built on thousands. Recency checks how many people are still reviewing the restaurant today. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

How much does lunch cost in Toronto? (2026)

Prices vary by restaurant and course selection, generally running higher at dinner-oriented spots like Black+Blue and Richmond Station and lower at casual, all-day cafes like Cafe Landwer and L’Avenue.

JobTypical price
Casual lunch (Cafe Landwer, L’Avenue)CA$20 - CA$40 per person
Sit-down dinner-style lunch (Black+Blue, Richmond Station)CA$70 - CA$100+ per person

Ranges compiled August 2026 from reviewer-reported per-person prices on Google.

Serving all of Toronto

These restaurants cluster in and around downtown Toronto, including the Financial District, King West, and The Well, easy to reach on foot or by TTC from most parts of the core. If you’re searching for lunch near me in Toronto, most of this list sits within a short walk of Union Station or the Yonge-Dundas Square area.

What to ask before you book a lunch reservation

  • Do you take reservations, or is it walk-in only for lunch?
  • Is there a private dining option for larger groups?
  • What’s the average wait time during peak lunch hours?
  • Can the kitchen accommodate dietary restrictions?
  • Is there a set lunch menu, or is it the same as dinner?
  • Do you offer outdoor or patio seating?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge + top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these lunch restaurants?

We compared Toronto lunch restaurants with a real public Google track record, weighing their live rating alongside how many customers actually reviewed them.

How often is this updated?

This page reflects Google data verified in August 2026 and gets refreshed periodically as ratings and review counts change.

Which of these restaurants is best for a business lunch?

Richmond Station is frequently described by reviewers as fitting a quick business lunch as well as a slower dinner, thanks to its seasonal menu and steady service.

Do any of these restaurants take walk-ins?

L’Avenue does not take reservations for weekend brunch and operates on a walk-in basis, so expect a wait during peak times.

The bottom line

JOEY Eaton Centre is the safe default for a downtown group lunch given its scale and central location. For something more memorable, Black+Blue or Richmond Station are worth the higher price tag. Book ahead where you can, since several of these spots run a real wait at peak hours.

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