There are few things I enjoy more than exploring Toronto’s food scene, and takeout in the west end is the perfect place to do that. From traditional trattorias to cozy bistros to nighttime hotspots with inventive menus, our corner of the world offers a little bit of everything.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has made it impossible to dine out for the time being. On the bright side, many of our most exciting local restaurants are here to help. By providing stellar takeout and delivery options, they’re making day-to-day life a little more enjoyable!
Here are five west end dining spots that can help you eat well right now…
1) Guilietta
It’s one of my go-to places for Italian. With its low-key lighting and comfy booths, Guilietta is the ideal place for date night. While you and your significant other can’t visit in person right now, you can enjoy a memorable meal from the eatery together.
Inspired flavour combinations (like Morrocan squid and shishito peppers or fennel sausage, rapini, and smoked scarmorza) make this takeout menu infinitely worth sampling. Try the set, four-course meals for two—and consider ordering a suggested wine pairing to go along with it. You can even stock up on carefully-curated pantry items, like high-quality olive oil, coffee, or flour.
2) Vit Beo
Are you a fan of Vietnamese cuisine? If you’re looking for something beyond a standard bowl of pho, I know the perfect little place to find it in Bloorcourt. Vit Beo serves up savoury bar snacks that are perfect for sharing—and now they’re available to go.
Believe me when I say, you’ll want to try everything on the menu. Think lightly fried squid with Vietnamese chimichurri sauce—or crispy cauliflower with caramel fish sauce and fried egg. The bahn mi is also a must-try, whether you opt for lemongrass tofu, bacon and egg, or pork belly. Grab some beer or cider to make it a perfect meal!
3) Cote de Boeuf
This small Ossington space is a bistro, wine bar, and butcher shop in one. Looking for a dry-aged steak or charcuterie cheese plate? How about the ideal bottle of red? When it’s French-inspired fare you’re after, there’s no better place to find it than Cote de Boeuf.
Fortunately, this Trinity Bellwoods staple is offering its signature dishes for delivery. Even better, you can procure the eatery’s high-end butcher boxes, which can include everything from beautiful cuts of meat to flavourful pate to the right bottle of vino to complement it all.
4) Sugo
Vibrant Bloordale is home to Sugo, an Italian eatery in the American tradition. The restaurant’s rustic charm makes it a great place for a casual bite, but the food definitely tastes just as good at home. Right now, you can place orders online—and pick them up at the eatery’s front door for minimum contact.
Sugo’s small plates, which include tender meatballs and lightly-friend calamari, make for ideal starters. From there, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the main courses. Whether you opt for the veal parm or the rigatoni, it’s guaranteed to satisfy. Just craving Sugo’s famous red sauce? You can order a litre of it for $12.
5) Archive
On Dundas West, between Trinity Bellwoods Park and Bathurst, you’ll find one of the most charming wine bars in the west end. Its carefully-curated selection of vino (red, white, orange, rose—you name it) has made it a favourite among oenophiles.
Archive serves up flavourful bar snacks, like mixed pickles, spiced almonds, and marinated olives. If you like a bit of spice, you have to try the homemade, fermented hot sauce! You can browse Archive’s wine selection online, just be aware that you’ll need to include at least one food item in your order if you opt for a bottle.
Looking for your ideal home in the west end? You can check out recent listings in the area here. If you have any questions about it, feel free to get in touch!
