We know y’all love visiting downtown Toronto to catch a Jays Game or head up the CN Tower so we figured we’d share our list of best places to eat near the CN Tower and of course the best restaurants near the Rogers Centre. From quick bites to fancy cocktails and of course, kid friendly restaurants- there’s something for every mood and group size!
Best Places to Eat Near the CN Tower
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Where to Eat Near the Jays Game
My main criteria for this list of restaurants near the CN Tower and Rogers Centre is that it has to be within a 12 minute walk from the Toronto attraction. Whether you’re looking for a pre-game meal or post game drinks, there’s plenty of fabulous options near by that aren’t generic chain restaurants. And if you’re visiting Toronto and heading to the CN Tower with kids in tow, you definitely need something close by that’s family friendly, so we have some options for you too!
Steam Whistle Kitchen : The former bottling area of this brewery has been converted into a restaurant and they offer upscale pub grub and have a kids menu too. They are also located next to the Rec Room and the vintage train yard in downtown Toronto, making them a great spot for beer lovers and families.
Rec Room : If you need to stretch those legs and dispel some energy, the Rec Room is a great option. The food and drinks selection is fairly mainstream but the highlight here are the many games on offer. They have sections for VR, arcade style games, shuffleboard, ping pong, pool, video games and more.
Soco Kitchen + Bar : Located inside the Delta Hotel, this is a great spot if you’re looking for something in-between a pub and a fancy schmancy spot. They offer a variety of globally inspired dishes from morning to night, make great cocktails and offer kids menu options too!
Union Chicken : This is a great option for commuters especially because it’s located inside Union Station and they offer discounts and promos for Presto card holders. If you enjoy a good fried chicken sandwich with a cold beer, this is certainly a great spot to eat near the CN Towe or before/after hitting up a Jay’s game.
WVRST at Union : Sausage hall anyone? Yup, you can find this bar inside Union Station as well and they offer a great list of craft beers, ciders and wines. Oh they have vegan options too! Saddle up to their bar or book a booth. If you’re in a group, make a reservation because they take pride in providing personalized reserved notices!
Amano Italian Kitchen : I have one more recommendation inside Union Station and if you love a hearty Italian meal, you must dine here. I absolutely love the pasta here and have enjoyed quite a few craft bevies (alcoholic and non alcoholic) here. Let me tell you, it’s all about the pasta here but they also make solid pizzas.
Milagro Cantina : I like this place for a group dinner setting because it’s fun, vibrant and casual. Also, there’s no going wrong with tacos. The decor is fun and the margaritas pack a punch.
Amsterdam Brewery : A perfect pre-game place before a Jays Game! This brewhouse is located with a lake front view and offers some fab bar food that includes burgers and beer bites with a mix of dishes like Thai Curry. They always have a steady stream of new brews which is why they made our list of best places to drink beer in Toronto!
Click here for a list of things to do at Toronto’s Waterfront.
Loose Moose : We’ve enjoyed many pre-game drinks at this Toronto bar and similar to some other spots I’ve mentioned, they offer burgers and some great ass sandwiches but also have some solid healthy salad bowls. Here’s what you can expect when you dine at this restaurant near the Rogers Centre.
Antler Room : If you’re looking for post game drinks in Toronto this bar is a fab spot to drink near the Rogers Centre. They often have live music and if you’re feeling adventurous, go up to the bar staff and tell them to let you take a dare from their jar!! It’s definitely a great spot for late night hangs in Toronto.
La Carnita : This taco spot has been a long time favourite for us because they have some stellar drinks, tacos and Mexican street corn here. Service is speedy and we’ve never had a bad experience during the decade so we’ve patroned this location. Try to time your visit within their happy hour and then this will be a great cheap eats option too! Oh and if you have kids with you, Sweet Jesus next door has some fun ice cream flavours!
Hey Lucy : This King Street restaurant has stood the test of time and it’s a laid back but funky spot for a quick date night before a Jay’s game. They serve a medley of Italian dishes and have some fun martinis too (great happy hour deals too).
Pai : I don’t know anyone who isn’t a fan of Chef Nuit’s creations so I know you’ll enjoy this street food style Thai restaurant near the CN Tower. Get the Khao Soi, the Pad See Ew and the Pad Gra Prow because those are my go-to options but honestly nearly every dish here is stellar and the atmosphere is lively.
If you want to watch a Jays game over looking the field, Sportsnet Bar and Grill is an experience!
Shore Club : For something a bit more upscale, head here for some seafood and steak. I love the vibe here and have always had a great meal.
Real Sports : Make reservations before you visit because this upscale sports bar is a very popular restaurant before a Raptors game because they’re located right by Scotiabank Arena. Luckily they’re also only a 11 minute walk from Rogers Centre. Yes this is an energetic Toronto restaurant to watch most games at but their solid menu also makes them a great choice for pre and post game eats. Of course they’re also not too far from the CN Tower.
Minami : I love this Japanese restaurant near the CN Tower and find it fabulous for a date night. That said, we’ve taken our tweens here and had to fight them for the last piece of Aburi sushi! This restaurant near the Rogers Centre not only offers Aburi Oshi Sushi but they’re also one of Americas’ Best Designed Restaurant (according to the 2021 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards).
Tips for taking your kids to the Jays Game
Cheap Places to eat near CN Tower
If you’re looking for budget friendly options I recommend the hotdog stand on Front Street and of course Wendy’s . You also have a selection of chain restaurants like Jack Astor’s and Kelley’s Landing near the CN Tower. There’s definitely no shortage of fast food restaurants near the CN Tower so these would be your best bet for cheap places to eat near the CN Tower. Oh and if you time your visit with the various happy hours nearby, you can definitely stay within budget!
Kid-Friendly Restaurants Near CN Tower
Whether you’re visiting the Aquarium or the CN Tower as a family, there’s plenty of great options nearby when it comes to meal times. All spots I’ve listed above allow kids to dine in but my favourites when we have young kids with us is to lounge at the Steam Whistle brewery (especially in the summer time) because they have the trains in their yard. Selva, the glow in the jungle restaurant is a smidge further away than my preferred 10 minute walk but if you don’t mind a 15 minute walk, that restaurant is always a crowd pleaser with kids of all ages.
Best places to Eat Near Jays Game Downtown
Our usual go to places to eat near a Jays game in downtown Toronto include Pai, La Carnita and Milagro when we have a group with us because the food comes out fairly quickly and it tastes great. For drinks and nibbles we also like Loose Moose.
What have we missed? Tell us your favourite places to eat near the CN Tower!
