Dive into Toronto’s past with a unique collection of photos from the Toronto Archives, chronicling the evolution of the city’s restaurants from 1900 to 1990. This blog offers a glimpse of iconic eateries, from bustling diners to upscale fine dining, that have shaped Toronto’s dining scene. Experience the history through images of vintage signs, classic interiors, and the restaurants that were once the heart of Toronto’s social life. These archives provide a window into the culinary landmarks of the past century, inviting readers to explore a visual narrative of Toronto’s diverse restaurant heritage.
1910 – Boat livery and restaurant, Humber River.1910 – Gem Saloon1910 – Restaurant sign1910? – Lettering on restaurant window is partially in Hebrew. Photo appeared in the Toronto World, December 4, 1910, “Picturesque if not Artistic–Glimpses of ‘The Ward’.” – Chicken warehouse, Agnes Street.July 28, 1911 – P.V. Meyer & Co. Restaurant, 1801 Queen Street West looking east.April 15, 1913 – Humber Valley looking to Gough’s Restaurant on old Bloor Street West1913 – Orr Brothers restaurant, adjoining billiard academy, with over-hanging Humphrey gas arc lampsOctober 15, 1913 – High Park — restaurantca. 1916 – Interior of long narrow restaurant with bentwood chairs, mosaic floor and ceiling reminiscent of a railway carApril 7, 1923 – Sunnyside RestaurantKing, Queen and Roncesvalles, north-west corner1924 – Sunnyside Pavillion1928 – Main entrance to Sunnyside Pavilion Restaurant193? – Yonge Street near Wilton Square – Royal Restaurant on far right.1950 – 382 Yonge Street, Charles’ Restaurant1950 – 331-333 Yonge Street, occupied by Le Coq d’Or Tavern, 333 Yonge Street, with Olympia Bowling and Billiards on the 2nd floor, 331 Yonge Street1950 – 357-361 Yonge Street, occupied by S.C. Cooper Drugs, 357 Yonge Street, Rosticceria-Tavern, 359 Yonge Street, and Geo. Richards Men’s Shop, 361 Yonge Street1950 – 367-371 Yonge Street, occupied by the Dominion Grill, 367 Yonge Street, Robinson’s Clothes, 369 Yonge Street, and Acme Wines Ltd, 371 Yonge Street1950 – 379-383 Yonge Street, occupied by the Bermuda Tavern, 379 Yonge Street, and the Yonge Street Mission, 381-383 Yonge Street1950 – looking south-east toward 387-391 Yonge Street, at Gerrard Street, occupied by Bassel’s Lunch1950 – New Empress GrillOct. 19, 1953 – Exterior views of “The Flame” restaurant.April 7, 1954 – 389 Yonge Street (Bassel’s Restaurant)1955 – Dufferin Street, Eglinton to Wilson.1957 – Ace Restaurant – The Queensway widening1958 – G. Tamblyn Ltd., drug store, 2772 Bloor Street West, New Kingsway Restaurant, 2994 Bloor Street West, and Canada Paint Co. Ltd., 2998 Bloor Street West, north side at Willingdon Boulevard1958 – 2995 Bloor Street West, Hong Kong Gardens Restaurant1960s – Janewood Restaurant – 2701 Jane StJan 26 1961 – Seaway Restaurant – King Street West near John Street during snow storm.June 15, 1971 – View of Harry’s Steak House on Church Street at Maitland Street1974 – Fuller’s Restaurant, Eglinton Avenue EastApril 16, 1975 – View of Century Restaurant on the west side of Yonge Street, south of ScollardMay 3, 1975 – View of Gatsby’s restaurant, on Church Street north of Carlton Street.1976 – Varsity Restaurant, 328 Bloor Street West, north side, east of Spadina Road1978 – Nanking Restaurant and Tavern, famous – Chinese cuisine, Hagerman and Elizabeth.May 31 1979 – El Toro Steakhouse on Colborne Street1980 – Flickers Restaurant at Ontario Place.1980-1984 – Ontario Place restaurant patio.July 31, 1982 – View of the Loop restaurant at 1201 Bathurst Street, across from Hillcrest.1988 – Restaurant on corner of Pearl and unidentified street.1980-90 – Water’s Edge restaurant at Harbourfront Centre.Oct. 9, 1981 – King St W – “Ed’s Warehouse” restaurant – view is east from Duncan.Oct. 9, 1981 – King St W – “Ed’s Warehouse” restaurant – outside.Aug 6, 1983 – Restaurant on corner of Pearl and unidentified street.1980s – Restaurant patios at Ontario Place or marina.1990 – 4D’s / Flo’s restaurant, 10 Bellair at Critchley Lane
Browse more old photographs of restaurants on the Toronto Archives. Stay tuned for our next gallery of old photographs.
![Restaurant sign. - [ca. 1910] Old Photographs of Restaurants in Toronto](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1910-Restaurant-sign.jpg)
![Main entrance to Sunnyside Pavilion Restaurant. - [1928?]](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1928-Main-entrance-to-Sunnyside-Pavilion-Restaurant.jpg)
