This new coffee brewery is actually the first of its kind in Canada. Using a modified steeping process, the company cold brews coffee on a mass scale. Previously only available wholesale, there's now a retail shop and cafe, plus widespread distribution across the city.
Read my review of Station Cold Brew in the cafes section.
There's a brand new brewery coming to Toronto's east side next year. The still unnamed space is slated to open in Little India at 242 Coxwell Ave. at Gerrard, and it'll include a 140-seat brewpub.
According to Ben's Beer Blog, Luc "Bim" Lafontaine, who used to head up the Montreal-based microbrewery Dieu du Ciel, is behind the project.
This nearly 6,000 square foot brewery, restaurant and bottle shop will start serving up craft beer before the end of next year. It'll open in a space that at one point housed a Dollarama but has been vacant for a few years.
Toronto is not a budget-friendly city so it's really no surprise that Canada's priciest workplaces are located in the heart of our Financial District.
As the Globe and Mail reports, Bay Street is home to the most expensive office space in the country with cost of rent averaging out to $68.19 per square foot, according to the JLL real estate firm.
Vancouver's Burrard Street comes in second place ($57.72 per square foot) with Ottawa ($49.34 per square foot) trailing in third.
Are you surprised by these rankings? Let us know in the comments.
Photo by twurdemann in the blogTO Flickr pool.
Toronto's Velvet Underground is not disappearing after all. Instead, Embrace Entertainment is taking it over and will be revamping the 20-year-old club as a (much needed) live music venue.
The Liberty Entertainment Group closed the Queen West goth club back in September to focus on its portfolio of wine bars.
Despite its new operators, this Toronto mainstay will be keeping its name. So, get ready for re-opening night when the The Velvet Underground 2.0 returns on Friday, February 12.
The best fitness bootcamps in Toronto will have you breaking a sweat without setting foot on a StairMaster. These classes will amp up your workout through high intensity interval training, producing much better results than you'd see from hiking on a treadmill for an hour. If you're looking to get fit, give one of these a try.
Here are the best fitness and body bootcamps in Toronto.
Fit Factory Fitness
This King West studio specializes in military-style bootcamps that will whip your body into shape through a series of drills. Run by a former Marine Corps drill instructor, the gym's approach to fitness may not be sympathetic (you'll endure a fair bit of yelling), but it gets the job done. Expect to do jumps, sit ups with medicine ball throws, push-ups, and more in an hour-long class.
CrossFit Toronto
CrossFit Toronto in Leslieville prides itself on having an efficient and effective approach to fitness. The bootcamps here are tailored to fit all ages and sizes and use reps of jumps, mountain climbers, weights and full body movements. Each bootcamp runs for four weeks with one class on every work day.
Fit Chicks
Fit Chicks offers indoor and outdoor group bootcamp classes for ladies. Its FIERCE IN 8 program focuses on high intensity interval training that'll have you gaining muscle and shedding some pounds. The classes take place at locations across the city.
Fit Body Bootcamp
Located in the Yonge and Wellesley area, Fit Body Bootcamp is where to go if you need help reaching your fitness goals. The classes here mix high Intensity interval training, exercise stacking and active rest periods to produce results. If you're not into monotonous routines, the classes offered here are perfect.
Best Body Bootcamp
Best Body Bootcamp operates out of three Toronto locations: Waverley Road Baptist Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church and Artscape Youngplace. You'll be doing a combination of resistance training and cardio intervals designed to help you lose weight and build muscle. There are month-to-month plans and full year membership options available.
Krudar Muy Thai
If you'd rather skip military-style classes, Krudar Muy Thai offers a martial arts-based bootcamp in both Kensington Market and North York. Each hour-long program will have you incorporating kettle bells, sleds, sandbags, and battle ropes into your work out, making it a little more interesting than your average high intensity workout.
Elle Fitness
This King West gym offers two bootcamp classes geared toward women: Barre Bootcamp and Bikini Bootcamp. The Barre Bootcamp uses vertical bars and hand weights to tone your lower body and core. The Bikini Bootcamp is a more high intensity option, incorporating cardio, dumbells and gliders. You can opt for a membership or pay class-to-class.
City Dance Corps
City Dance Corps' Ballet Bootcamp is a fat burning workout that combines traditional ballet moves with pilates exercises. This Queen West studio will have you listening to Buddha Bar music while toning your body to perfection. Classes are drop-in, so you won't have to spend money on a pricey membership to take part.
Buns of Steel
Buns of Steel operates out of the Riverdale Presbyterian Church on the Danforth. The classes here will engage your entire body using full body movements and a few pieces of unintimidating equipment (think kettlebells). There are a range of bootcamp-style classes, available on most days of the week.
Photo of Fit Factory Fitness by Jesse Milns.
There's a new 39-storey condo coming to Toronto's swanky Yorkville neighbourhood. But despite its height, this incoming building is slated to have only 53 units.
As Urban Toronto reports, the tower, designed by architect Douglas Cardinal for Diamante Development Corporation, will feature massive units. Floors 22 to 39 will each hold a single 4,319 square-foot suite; floors 5 to 21 will include two suites, each one measuring more than 2,000 square feet.
Along with ground floor retail, floors two and three will hold the condo's amenities as well as commercial space.
Cardinal is using nature as his design inspiration. He aims to have the building "open up like a flower to the sun," notes Urban Toronto.
Images via Diamante Development / Urban Toronto.
If you're craving shawarma, you better head towards Bathurst and Eglinton soon because after nearly four decades in Forest Hill, King Falafel will soon be shutting its doors for good.
This north Toronto institution, known for its simple, but delicious Middle Eastern fare, will serve its last pita on New Year's Eve.
For 38 years, King Falafel has been offering up falafel, shawarma and hummus from behind its no-frills counter. Savour it over the next 10 days.
Will you miss King Falafel? Let us know in the comments.
Winter events and activities for kids in Toronto aren't all about staying indoors and hiding from the cold air and the snow. From cultural and artistic activities to those with an athletic bent, there's more for kids to do than ever in the winter so long as you know where to look.
Here's a round-up of things to do with kids in Toronto this winter.
See some winter theatre
Bundle up and head to the Brick Works for the Common Boots Theatre, which is showing Tails from the the City throughout the month of December. No, that's not a typo, this is a production about our city's furry inhabitants, so perfect subject matter for the aspiring playwright to be.
Get interstellar at the ROM
Airheads and space cadets may want to investigate the ROM's interstellar expo of space finds at Planet ROM, including a special Star Wars-themed display of three of Rodarte's dresses.
Watch some tricks
If you prefer to take in your theatrics indoors, TRACES will also be in town over the holidays. This contemporary fusion of acrobatics, dance, and street sports has been immensely popular since it launched in 2006. Now's your chance to catch it at the Panosonic Theatre.
Go on a snowshoeing expedition
Snowshoeing is a novel way to explore Toronto's ravines at a time when most have packed it in for the season. You can rent snowshoes at Mountain Equipment Co-op, and then explore the array of trails that we have in the city. Your best bet is to hit the places where mountain bikers and hikers go the other three seasons of the year.
Get immersed in eye-popping design
Sometimes events that are ostensibly organized for adults can be great for kids as well. The Gladstone's Come Up to my Room design festival surely fits this bill, as artists and designers let loose in the hotel's rooms with wacky decor and fun designs that the little ones will like just as much as the adults.
Lace 'em up and hit the ice
Live up to your Canadian stereotype and strap on the skates, with the covered pad at Greenwood Park or at the revitalized outdoor rink at Regent Park. Hit nearby Sumach Espresso Bar for a post skate winter warm up.
Experience the circus-version of Avatar
Cirque du Soleil is back in town this winter with an ambitious project to recreate James Cameron's Avatar on stage. Toruk: The First Flight lands at the ACC in January, and comes billed as an immersive experience that'll wow attendees with acrobatics, lighting, and a phenomenal set design.
Go ice fishing
You can't ice fish on Lake Ontario, but a short drive up the 400 will get you to Lake Simcoe where there are hundreds of huts spread across the frozen lake in the winter. Heated huts cost $40 per person at Terry Goy's Blue Hut Rentals, which included live bait and transport to and from the shack.
Get creative at the AGO
The AGO features some brilliant programming in their dedicated art space at the Weston Family Learning Centre, with drop off and side-by-side classes blending art mediums to inspire the next generation of mini Monets. Hit the galleries to make it a whole day affair.
Hit the slopes
There are ski slopes dotted around Toronto, but when kids are first learning, the hills at Earl Bales are the perfect for practicing that pizza slice/French fry formula. Meanwhile, the Toronto Islands offer good conditions for cross country.
Try out dog sledding
There are few more authentic winter activities than dog-sledding. You'll have to make the trip to Haliburton, but it could be well worth it for the team of Siberian Huskies that Winterdance boasts. This is the real thing, for those who have always wanted to try the quintessential winter backwoods mode of transportation.
Become a sharpshooter
Katniss-aged kids can take aim at one of Toronto's many indoor archery ranges, or better yet, you can fire back at them in a heated game of archery-based battle tag.
Try Toronto's newest rock climbing centre
Set to open next month, Basecamp Climbing will features Toronto's tallest indoor climbing surface, with over 7,000 feet of wall space and routes that range from beginner to expert level. Just don't think about what used to occupy the space.
Hit up an indoor obstacle course
Toronto's indoor obstacle course is adult-focused most of the time, but Sunday mornings are reserved for Play Your Best at Pursuit OCR, a program developed specifically for kids 12 and under to flex and frolic around Pursuit's ropes, bridges and bars.
Careen down snow-covered hills
Well known hills like Riverdale Park are almost always packed, but explore off the beaten path options like the hilly public golf course at Don Valley or Forest Hill fave Cedarvale Park.
Indulge in marshmallow waffles
The Christmas Market might be gone, but the Distillery District still boasts Montreal import Cacao 70, which has been torturing diabetics with their Willy Wonka-esque desserts, like the insanely sweet (and therefore kiddy favourite) Marshmallow Waffles. There's a ton of hot chocolate on offer as well, naturally.
Have a family snow day
Why spend family day cooped up indoors when you could spend the day at Todmorden Mills. There will be snowshoeing through the Don Valley and a host of other indoor activities so that no one freezes to death. The event is organized in support of the Canadian Cancer Society, so you'll also be supporting a good cause.
Check out Canada's largest inflatable park
Kids Fest T.O. goes down in February at the International Centre this winter and features Canada's largest inflatable amusement park, with 90 feet of inflatable structures to bounce away then day in. There will also be a Ferris wheel and a host of other rides. Have fun, but watch out for collisions!
Take part in Totsapalooza
Inspire your kids literary spirt while having fun at the 8th annual Totsapalooza. Presented by Small Print Toronto at Revival Nightclub, the event is a celebration of picture books, crafts, and music. There will be drawing stations, live bands, and plenty of readings from prominent children's authors.
Witness Robert Munsch's stories brought to life
Are your kids Robert Munsch fans? The Munsch Mash animates some of the celebrated author's most popular stories on stage. Wee fans can look forward to performances of PIGS PIGS PIGS, David's Father, Angela's Airplane and Jonathan Cleaned Up, and Then He Heard a Sound. Runs from mid February to March at Solar Stage Theatre.
Cheer for the Raptors' farm team
The Hershey Centre is home to the D League Raptors, which this year all but guarantees seeing the likes of Sim Bhullar and other home town heroes on the cheap.
Head to the woods for a maple syrup festival
If tapping trees isn't part of your repertoire, leave it to the pros and head up north to the Kortright Centre for an education on this syrupy breakfast staple. Happily, heaping pancake breakfasts are included. Arrive early to avoid huge lineups to get into the parking lot.
Visit the Children's Discovery Centre before it closes
Tiny tots love rearranging the space that is the Children's Discovery Centre, designed for play based learning for kids under six, including a musical room and a replica campground. The museum is now open until the end of May 2016.
Get outside and go birdwatching
A long walk along the lake delivers spectacular views as well as ample birding opportunities. Kids will dig mimicking bird sounds, while the simple act of carrying binoculars makes everyone feel more important.
Pay a visit to the most Canadian art gallery of them all
Celebrating the Group of Seven and Painters Eleven and their abstract art are great reasons to make the short trip up to Kleinburg. Youth programming is a a fixture throughout the winter.
Thanks to Cravetv for sponsoring this post.
What did we miss? Add your favourite kid-friendly winter events and activities in the comments.
Writing by Libby Roach and Derek Flack. Photo of Come Up to My Room by Natta Summerky.
The TTC is getting ready to phase out tokens and Metropasses in favour of pre-paid Presto fare cards. So, to commemorate 2016 as its last full year on the old payment system, the TTC is selling special collectible monthly passes.
Perhaps you're ready to say good riddance to your $141.50 Metropasses. But, if you'd like to get your money's worth and hold on to them, you'll be happy to know that the 2016 cards will each feature an "iconic Toronto image."
And, all 12 Metropasses from 2016 will fit together to form a very special, $1,698 collectible piece. If you want to get a head start before the back-to-work rush, you can pick up your January card now.
It's beginning to look a lot like....spring? As you might have noticed it's not exactly wintery in Toronto right now despite what the calendar might say.
While we've had few cooler days, the forecast for Christmas in Toronto isn't just green, it's a balmy 13 degrees on December 24. That's 15-18 degrees above seasonal temperatures and may exceed the record of 12.2 set in 1964.
Last year was similar, with temperatures reaching double digits on Christmas Eve. But, lest we forget, it was an entirely different story in 2013. Yes, today marks the two year anniversary of the holiday ice storm that ravaged Toronto, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
After the storm swept through the city, temperatures plummeted, keeping Toronto encased in a layer of ice. It was a sight to behold, for sure, but I doubt you'll find anyone who'd be interested in a repeat performance from Mother Nature.
So, while any romantic dreams of a white Christmas have been dashed, you can rest assured that things could be so much worse. And that, my friends, is a tidbit of cynical cheer that I'm happy to spread this holiday season.
Photos by Hangar Ent. and Greg Stacey.
Today in Toronto it's time to put your ugly Christmas sweater to good use. The Tennessee is hosting a live music jam and asking all attendees to sport their most horrendous holiday garb (nice ones are acceptable, too). If you'd rather slip into something fancier, opt to hit up The Karaoke Cult holiday bash at Round instead.
For more events, click on over to our events section.
Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.
There are no closures to report this week on DineSafe, but plenty of recognizable names earned conditional passes. If you ever need reassurance not to eat at a strip club, this might be it: House of Lancaster on Bloor is on the list, which I suspect should evoke a general feeling of ickiness.
See which other restaurants landed on DineSafe this week.
Don Don Izakaya (130 Dundas Street West)
Inspected on: December 14, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Freshii (2300 Yonge Street)
Inspected on: December 14, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to maintain hazardous food(s) at 4C (40F) or colder.
Mullins Irish Pub (1033 Bay Street)
Inspected on: December 14, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 2, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Noodle Bowl (348 Bloor Street West)
Inspected on: December 14, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 3)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Regina Pizzeria & Trattoria (596 College Street)
Inspected on: December 15, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Sfizio (401 Bloor Street East)
Inspected on: December 17, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4, Crucial: 1)
Crucial infractions include: Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated.
Spiceman Mexicana (596 College Street)
Inspected on: December 17, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 2 (Minor: 1, Significant: 4)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
House of Lancaster (1215 Bloor Street West)
Inspected on: December 18, 2015
Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
Crucial infractions include: N/A
Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.
Named after the Greek kafenion, this spot, which also has a location in the Junction Triangle, aims to be a community hub on West Queen West. With a comfy-yet-cool atmosphere and excellent coffee (along with a liquor license coming soon), baked goods, all-day breakfast and lunch, you can't really go wrong here.
Read my profile of Cafe Neon in the cafes section.
Fashion lovers will be sad to know that West Queen West stalwart Cabaret Vintage will be shutting its doors for good come January 31. The store has been dazzling Toronto with its wedding gowns and sparkly flapper dresses for 20 years.
Though, don't despair just yet because Cabaret will still exist online. It's bolstering its website, according to its Facebook page, to include a larger selection of clothing and accessories.
Everything - including fixtures, lights and furniture - is currently for sale. From January 2 to 31, the store will be operating by appointment and nearly everything will be at clearance prices.
It was a good year for pizza in Toronto as local pizzerias embraced a world of styles. Freshly introduced to Toronto's pizza landscape are regional American specialties, Italian street food, and even build-your-own pies.
Here are my picks for the top new places to eat pizza in Toronto.
Descendant
Detroit-style deep dish pizza was an instant hit in Leslieville when it launched this past summer. The lineup of square shaped pies includes options like the sausage and pepper pizza ($16-$28) featuring a smoked cheese blend, nduja, an assortment of sweet and hot peppers, and house-made Tobasco ranch sauce.
One Pizza
Each and every oblong pie on the menu at this King East pizzeria is priced at $12.86. Customize with a choice of over three dozen toppings, or select from the range of signature pies including the Date Night, which is built over BBQ sauce with shredded cheese, dates, fennel sausage, caramelized onions and parmesan.
Pizzeria Libretto King West
Wood-fired Neapolitan pies from the popular pizza purveyor are now available on King West. The new eatery follows the same recipe for success as its predecessors on Ossington, University and The Danforth, offering flash-fired thin crusted pies topped with seasonal ingredients.
Maker Pizza
Tucked away on a residential street in Chinatown, this newly opened walk-in and delivery joint is dishing out pizza designed by Matty Matheson (Parts & Labour). Highlights on the menu include the Napoli Dynamite ($15-$28) loaded with Italian sausage, green olives, roasted jalapenos, red peppers, basil and a trifecta of cheeses including fior di latte, parm and mozzarella.
A3 Napoli
Also from the folks behind Libretto, this Southern Italian inspired friggitoria slings street foods including deep fried pies. Order a pizza fritta stuffed with whipped ricotta, provola, and ciccoli as a battilocchio ($8), or Montanara ($13), a puffy pillow of cheese and sauce stuffed dough.
Blaze
The chain of pizzerias endorsed by LeBron James opened its first Toronto location at Yonge and Dundas this fall. The quick service concept operates a lot like Chipotle where customers can customize any pie for $10.45 as they slide down a well stocked assembly line of toppings.
Za Pizzeria
Pizzas cooked in a novel gas-grill-meets-wood-smoker oven are the specialty at this pizza parlour in The Annex. Order by the slice or in whole pies from a menu listing classic and signature pies like the Oh Canada ($4.25/slice, $14/whole) dressed with maple syrup, mozzarella, bacon and crushed potato chips.
Apiecalypse Now!
Vegan pies are the specialty at this Christie Pits pizza joint and snack shop. Order by the slice or whole pies in quirky pre-designed styles like the The White Walker ($15/$23), slathered with creamy garlic sauce and topped with spiced faux chicken, baby arugula, vegan mozzarella and jack cheeses.
Pizza Thick
Regina-style deep dish pizza featuring a dense biscuit-like crust, thick, defined layers of toppings and a final blistering cheese coating is the specialty at this pizza joint in Leslieville. Order a whole pie, or just a slice from options like the double pepperoni and mushroom.
Mattachioni
The Italian bodega on Dupont serves up a roster of salads, panini and pizze. Try the Carlo & Giulia pie ($17) -- it's a white pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, taleggio, olives, hot cacciatore salami and basil.
Top photo of Pizzeria Libretto by Jesse Milns.
The City of Toronto will make it a whole lot easier to ride a bike this winter with the introduction of priority bike lanes that will be cleared of snow, assuming we ever get any. The network includes all dedicated cycle tracks and contraflow lanes, plus the following streets: St. George/Beverely, Harbord, College, Gerrard, River, Shuter, the Bloor Viaduct, Strachan, Lower Simcoe and Lower Yonge.
Without extra maintenance, bike lanes are typically quite slippery when it snows as they don't benefit from the slow melting process brought on by vehicular traffic. As such, the city will target these routes with the goal of establishing what it calls "bare pavement" conditions.
One caveat worth mentioning for would-be winter riders is that these winter bike routes will likely be havens for salt usage, which can be pretty rough on older steel bikes and pretty much all components. Do be sure to wipe your ride down regularly should you brave the elements this season.
Photo by syncros in the blogTO Flickr pool.
A restored turn-of-the-century Victorian asks $3,188,000 on a coveted street in the Summerhill neighbourhood. This is a unique property at 83 Woodlawn Avenue, located off the Yonge Street corridor and around the corner from the best liquor store in the city.
The identical property right next door -- a semi detached -- offers a glimpse of the home pre-restoration. The classic red brick was transformed into a painted stucco exterior, and the interior gutted and renovated throughout.
Everything about this three-level house is dramatic. It's hard to miss the elaborate wrought-iron banister along the staircase, and a wealth of french doors, also wrought-iron. The main living space allows for a spacious modern kitchen and smaller rooms for dining. Upstairs, the master features a mirrored ensuite, canopy bed and walkout.
While many streets in the area are narrow and right-of-way, this property still scores pad parking. There's no garage, but plenty of green space in the backyard and the nearby community ravine. There's a balcony on every level and the yard is ultra-private -- you can barely see your neighbours -- thanks to an abundance of hanging green trees.
SPECS
NOTABLE FEATURES
GOOD FOR
The eclectic buyer. The interior is ideal for someone who wants to feel like royalty. The current design offers a unique flair for anyone bored with modernism and floor-to-ceiling windows. The custom wrought-iron banister and staircase winds its way to the third level, bypassing a Greco Roman-inspired master and dramatic ensuite with mirrored walls and ceilings.
MOVE ON IF
You could use a fourth bedroom or you have a major dislike for wrought-iron. At just 17 feet wide, the narrow dwelling is conducive to only three bedrooms. Might need to fix up that basement if you need additional room.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Like this Summerhill listing? Have your say in the comments.
Harbord Street eatery THR & Co. may be shutting down, but Cory Vitiello, who's also behind the Harbord Room, is opening up his rotisserie restaurant in its place.
Flock, known for its chicken and salad, is set to get a second location. The current spot at Adelaide and Peter is consistently packed at lunchtime thanks to its filling and relatively healthy meals.
Yesterday, Vitiello posted a photo to Instagram announcing that Flock would be making its way to Harbord. "I'm officially never leaving the block," he said in the caption.
You won't have to wait long for the second Flock because it's scheduled to open up in the fourth week of January.
Photo of THR & Co. by Jesse Milns.
This artisinal French grocery shop conveniently opened its doors a few days after its sister location on Harbord was closed for three months due to a fire. Both locations are now officially open for business, and I stopped by the new outpost to see how it compares to the well-liked original.
Read my review on Chabichou in the grocery section.
Restaurants open on Christmas Day in Toronto don't just include diners, hotels and Chinatown institutions. Whether you're in search of a festive feast or just want to enjoy the holiday without any fanfare, you've got options.
Here's a round-up of restaurants open on Christmas Day in Toronto for 2015.
The Drake Hotel
Festivus is happening December 24 and 25 at this West Queen West hotel and features holiday dinner for $30 complete with roast turkey, glazed ham and all the fixings. Call by December 21 to have them save you a seat.
Cafe Boulud
This Yorkville restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel is open from noon to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day offering a three-course prix fixe ($95) featuring options like roasted turkey or boeuf rossini.
Colette
The Parisian cafe at the Thompson Hotel celebrates Christmas with a lavish brunch buffet. Three seatings are available starting at 10 a.m..
Bosk
The restaurant at the Shangri La Hotel offers a three-course prix fixe menu for $85 per person, as well as the option to enjoy a Christmas tasting menu priced at $99 per person or $140 with wine pairings.
TOCA
The restaurant at the Ritz Carlton Hotel offers a four-course menu featuring a roasted turkey carving station.
One Restaurant
Mark McEwan's Yorkville restaurant is open regular hours throughout the holiday season, with a special Turkey dinner on offer on Christmas Day.
America
The restaurant on the 31st floor of the Trump Hotel is open regular hours and offering a festive à la carte dinner menu as well as a $49 holiday-themed buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Hollandaise Diner
Let this diner on The Danforth take care of breakfast on Christmas morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m..
Caplansky's
This College Street delicatessen is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering its regular menu of Jewish comfort foods and deli standards.
The Lakeview
The 24 hour diner on Dundas West will be serving up deep fried turkey dinner with all the fixings on Christmas Day and a portion of sales will go to support The Stop Community Food Centre.
Leslieville Pumps
As per usual, the general store on Queen Street East will be open 24 hours so you can get a big ol' breakfast sandwich before going home to unwrap presents.
Manic Coffee
You'll find the odd Tim Horton's and a Starbucks open here and there, but this indie coffee shop on College at Bathurst will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for those looking for a decent espresso.
Formocha
Get your bubble tea fix at this Eglinton Avenue West shop that's keeping Xmas hours between noon and 11 p.m..
Fran's
The chain of diners including the 24-hour location on College Street are reliably open on Christmas Day. A traditional turkey dinner for $26.95 is on offer starting December 23 and available while quantities last.
Thompson Diner
Regularly open around the clock, the diner at the Thompson Hotel is open on Xmas but will close a little early at 11 p.m.
United Bakers Dairy Restaurant
The regular menu of eggs, omelettes, sandwiches and fish dinners will available at this Jewish restaurant in North York between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Me Va Me
The Middle Eastern eatery on Queen West will be open for business and dishing out laffa on Christmas Day. The suburban outposts are open too but hours might vary.
The Emmet Ray
Need a cozy destination for after Christmas dinner? This bar on College is open 5 p.m to 2 a.m. every day of the year.
Korean Cowboy
The Korean snack bar at Yonge and Eglinton will be open from 11:30 a.m. until last call.
Roll Play
The board game bar and lounge at Yonge and Dundas is open Christmas Day from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will be hosting a party games night complete with cocktail specials.
Insomnia
This Annex staple is open from 8 p.m. until last call on Christmas Day should you need a drink after all that family time.
7 West
Christmas dinner will be served on both eve and day at this 24-hour restaurant near Yonge and Bloor.
Caffe Demetre
Multiple locations from the dessert cafe can be counted on to be open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Hapa Izakaya
Head to this Japanese pub on College Street for a festive free buffet dinner from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m..
Kingyo Izakaya
The izakaya in Cabbagetown is serving up spicy chicken wings, sushi, and udon bowls per usual on Christmas Day.
Kinka Izakaya
This lively Japanese restaurant on Bloor will be open for business as usual on Xmas.
Taste of China
Those that make a movie and Chinese food a Christmas tradition should beeline to Chinatown where this establishment will be among several open for business all day and late into the morning.
Rol San
Steamed buns, dumplings, spring rolls and more are all on the menu Christmas Day at this dim sum restaurant on Spadina.
Pho Pasteur
As always, this Vietnamese noodle house on Dundas West will be open 24 hours.
Dr. Laffa
This Kosher takeout counter that isn't observing the holiday anyway, but since Christmas Day falls on a Friday, expect the eatery to open at 11 a.m. and close up shop at 2:30 p.m. to observe the Sabbath.
What did I miss? Share the coffee shops and restaurants that you find open on Christmas Day in the comments. Photo from Cafe Boulud.
