Most notably known for Trinity Bellwoods Park, the eponymous neighbourhood is one of the city's most well-loved foodie destinations. Jam-packed with about every kind of restaurant you could think of, there's something for everyone in Trinity Bellwoods.
From La Banane, the French bistro that consistently ranks among Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, to dive bars dishing out snack plates, this neighbourhood has it all.
Warmer weather sees Trinity Bellwoods Park packed with people engaging in all kinds of fun.
In the Dog Bowl, pups run around off-leash; musical performers often make an appearance; and there is rarely a day when you won't see people trying to balance on slacklines or booting a ball around.
Get takeout or delivery from one of these restaurants, grab some bottles or brews (to sip discreetly), set down for the day and enjoy the ambience.
Once patios (and eventually indoor dining) reopen, plan out the perfect Trinity Bellwoods bar crawl.
The watering holes in this neighbourhood vary from swanky spots with swish decor to down-to-earth dive bars where weekends get rowdy. In the meantime, bottled cocktails and cocktail kits are available to keep us placated.
Here's where to find the most delicious bites and sips in Trinity Bellwoods.
Trinity Bellwoods' best bars and restaurants
Bar Koukla
88 Ossington Ave.
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Melt-in-your-mouth grilled lamb ribs served with a side of creamy tzatziki; crispy sesame bread dipped in a rich honey butter; and a delicate sea bream crudo with a zest of colourful citrus — need we say more? The menu at Trinity Bellwoods' Bar Koukla is jam-packed with Greek greats. Don’t skip out on the cocktails, either.
Soos
94 Ossington Ave.
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Soos brings modern interpretations of Malaysian street food to Ossington. Colourful sharing plates take up entire tables. Currently, they’re running a twice-weekly pop-up called Fat Choi, serving vegan Malaysian fare.
Mahjong Bar
1276 Dundas St. W.
Dumplings, fried rice, noodles and Taiwanese fried chicken all make their way onto the flavourful menu at this 1960s Hong Kong inspired snack bar. Tucked behind a bodega storefront through a keyhole shaped doorway, this hidden gem is a lively spot in non-COVID times.
Bar Mordecai
1272 Dundas St. W.
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Mahjong Bar’s sister spot and next-door neighbour, Bar Mordecai had just barely been born when the pandemic hit and forced them to shutter. Now the new kid on the block is dishing out more than a dozen different cocktail kits and bottled cocktails that combine the best of both bars.
La Banane
227 Ossington Ave.
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Got a date you want to impress? La Banane should do the trick. It’s sleek, it’s sophisticated — just like you, eh? In usual times, you’d don your best outfit and take a seat at the marble-topped bar before heading to your table for a French-inspired meal so glamorous you might as well be sat eating it in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
The seabass en croute — served encased in a pastry lattice — is the restaurant’s showstopper. It gets brought to your table so you can admire it in all its beauty before it goes back to the kitchen to be carved and served.
At the moment, that kind of pomp and fanfare is off the cards, but you can still bring a hint of La Banane’s je ne sais quoi to your apartment with their takeout menu.
Hanmoto
2 Lakeview Ave.
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Off to the side of the Lakeview Avenue Parkette, an unmarked doorway leads to some of the best Asian fusion fare to be found in this city. While the small space may have divey decor, the snack plates and inventive cocktails are top-notch. Go for the dyno wings — by some unholy, delicious magic, they debone the wings and stuff them with dumpling filling for a lip-smackingly crispy yet juicy bite.
Golden Turtle
125 Ossington Ave.
This iconic Ossington staple knows what’s up when it comes to pho — they’ve been open since 1987 (an eternity in restaurant years). You could easily get through all 20 pho options on their menu with prices this reasonable and soups that tasty. From the classic rare beef Pho Tai to the spicy satay chicken, Golden Turtle’s delicious pho will make you feel warm and fuzzy in no time.
Bar Vendetta
928 Dundas St. W.
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Quite literally filling the void of The Black Hoof, Bar Vendetta is a 70s-inspired triumph from restaurateur Jen Agg. The dreamy room paired with head chef James Santon’s inventive takes on Italian classics (the Crown Cacio e Pepe is a must-try) make this a new neighbourhood favourite.
Northern Belle
913 Dundas St. W.
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An unpretentious menu with craft beer, wine and cocktails make this haunt a neighbourhood favourite. On any given night, you can find the cozy interior and patio packed with locals.
Union
72 Ossington Ave.
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While travelling may be on hold for the moment, one look at this Parisian-inspired bistro will definitely fill the void. Oysters, beef tartare and steak frites are what you can expect from this neighbourhood staple (all chased down with a glass or two of wine, of course).
Côte de Boeuf
130 Ossington Ave.
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Union’s sister bar à vin doubles as a traditional butcher shop, serving up local meats butchered in-house for dine-in and takeaway. Sit at one of the rustic barrel tables for their namesake côte de boeuf, or take one of their many baguette sandwiches to-go for a perfect picnic date.
Cocktail Bar
923 Dundas St. W.
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Peanut-washed rye, lavender-infused gin — if you were going to deviate from your regular vodka soda, it should be here. Whether it’s an old classic or a new creation from their innovative cocktail list, the knowledgeable bartenders are happy to guide you to your perfect drink.
Archive
909 Dundas St. W.
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Even during a pandemic, this wine-bar-turned-bottle-shop is still giving us the best wine and charcuterie on the block. While the lengthy menu may seem daunting, their welcoming staff and unpretentious approach to wine makes this the perfect spot for seasoned somms and newbies alike.
Foxley
207 Ossington Ave.
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Opened in 2007, this Pan-Asian bistro has become an Ossington institution. From sautéed frog legs with szechuan spices to yuzu sea bream ceviche, chef Tom Thai always delivers on bright, bold flavours and innovative ingredients.
Season Six
216 Ossington Ave, Lower Level
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Season Six serves up comfort food at its finest. In order to keep its ingredients as fresh as possible, this Ossington spot rotates its menu every two months to keep up with Ontario’s changing seasons. Expect hearty, delicious, locally sourced meals that feel like home cooking.
Rhum Corner
926 Dundas St. W.
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Whether you’re looking for good music, flavourful Haitian food or buckets upon buckets of rum (probably the latter, if we’re being honest), Rhum Corner is the place you’ll find it. We sorely miss dining in this lively room, but a takeout menu featuring oxtail, macaroni au gratin and various DIY cocktail kits has definitely made staying at home a little bit easier.
Trinity Bellwoods's best breweries for a fresh pint
Bellwoods Brewery
124 Ossington Ave.
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Back in the olden days before COVID, the patio at Bellwood's Brewery was the place to be as soon as warm weather hit. Soaking up the sun with one of their brews in hand (Jelly King to be precise) and snacking on charcuterie is what our Sunday afternoon dreams are made of. Since the pandemic hit, they've been operating their bottle shop and offering their beer for delivery.
Collective Arts
777 Dundas St. W.
Following the success of their Hamilton brewery, Collective Arts recently opened a new outpost on Dundas West in the Trinity Bellwoods hood. With a smaller brewing system, this location has the ability to make more unique, small batch beers that will have a limited run. They’ve got a bottle shop, taproom and a patio so you can enjoy brews and bites onsite or take them home.
Trinity Bellwoods' most hipster wine shops
Downtown Winery
30 Ossington Ave.
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Downtown Winery on Ossington, just north of Queen, has all the wine-country fixings, minus the vines — but we’d rather sip on grapes than stare at them, anyway. Their bottle shop has over 28 styles of wine. They specialize in Old World wines from Europe but with a New World technique — storing, ageing and blending right here in Toronto. There’s also a small food market.
Grape Glass
1247 Dundas St. W.
Dynamic wine duo the Grape Witches have opened up their own bottle shop on Dundas West, just east of Dovercourt. Get your mitts on rare bottles of natural wine from around the world that you most definitely won’t find at the LCBO.
Trinity Bellwoods's coolest coffee shops
Tampered Press
256 Crawford St. Unit B
A prime spot across from Trinity Bellwoods Park makes this the ideal coffee stop on your Sunday morning stroll. Alongside an extensive drink menu, you’ll find a tasty selection of grab-and-go sandwiches, salads and health bars. Their baked goods are all made in-house each morning — arrive close to opening time and you'll be rewarded with fresh croissants warm from the oven.
I deal coffee & wine bar
162 Ossington Ave.
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“Ideal” is the perfect name for this multi-faceted coffee shop. Grab a bag of their fair-trade coffee to take home, or sit and stay with a latte on their large patio. Oh, and you might as well peruse their diverse wine selection while you’re at it.
Pilot Coffee Roasters
117 Ossington Ave.
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You might find Pilot coffee being served in cafés around the city, but here you can get it right from the source. In normal times, you can pull up a spot inside the spacious, airy coffee shop, but for now there are benches outside and patio seating (when that becomes a thing again). You can also buy their beans to take home and brew yourself.
Almond Butterfly
792 Dundas St. W.
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Almond Butterfly might be best-known for its gluten-free goods, but with things like prosciutto grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu this isn’t your stereotypical GF café. Instead, you’ll find sinfully delicious plates like a towering blueberry pancake stack and the A.B. burger: bread (good), patty (good), cheese (good) and bacon (very good). Of course, things have switched up a bit because of that little thing called COVID, but you can still order their gluten-free, dairy-free cupcakes.
Ella's Uncle
916 Dundas St. W.
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This cozy cafe is a local gem. Even if coffee isn't your thing, a slice of their freshly-baked banana bread is worth the visit alone.
Hamer’s Coffee
870 Dundas St. W.
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New on the block, Hamer’s boasts a paired-down menu of coffee and tea in a thoughtfully designed space. It’s quickly become a neighbourhood go-to with fresh baked goods and breakfast sandwiches made in-house daily.
Trinity Bellwooods' best bakeries
La Boulangerie
1134 Dundas St. W.
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Find an assortment of sourdough loaves and baguettes at this artisanal bakery on Dundas West, along with sweet treats like danishes, beignets and cinnamon rolls. They’ve also got savoury snacks like quiches, tourtieres and ham and cheese croissants.
Harry and Heels California Donuts
832 Dundas St. W.
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Located inside The Fourth Man in the Fire Pizzeria, Harry and Heels offers gourmet donuts covered in glistening glaze or stuffed with creamy fillings. Choose from a variety of flavours, from the familiar Hawaiian and chocolate glaze all the way to maple bacon and cinnamon toast crunch (yes, it even has the little pieces of cereal on top).
Trinity Bellwoods' nicest ice cream shops
Bang Bang
93A Ossington Ave.
As soon as the temperature climbs above a measly 10 C, this place already sees lineups down the block. They specialize in unique ice cream flavours sandwiched between two decadent cookies. Top tip: pre order their frozen sandwiches to take home and enjoy at your leisure.
Trinity Bellwoods' superlative stores
Unboxed Market
1263 Dundas St. W.
Sustainability is the focus of this Trinity Bellwoods zero-waste grocery store. Unboxed Market is stocked just like any other grocer, with fresh produce, dried goods and a meat counter — only you bring the container. Don’t sweat if you forget, they’re also stocked with reusable produce bags and plenty of jars to purchase or borrow and return.
Fresh City
111 Ossington Ave.
While the Ossington Fresh City Farms may be small in size, it delivers in a large selection of organic and sustainably sourced foods. Even if cooking isn’t your thing, they have plenty of healthy prepared foods ready for the taking.
