Where to Eat and Drink… The Theatre Centre

/By Hannah Antaki / Feb 22, 2019

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Nothing beats an evening at the theatre. Except maybe an evening at the theatre preceded or followed by dinner and/or drinks. Intermission will share our top picks bi-weekly for enhancing your theatre experience at venues across the city.

This week: The Theatre Centre

Dining & Drinks

Nuit Social

Masters of the cheese and charcuterie board, Nuit also offers a great wine selection, great olive selection, and sharing plates you won’t want to share. The staff know exactly what and how much to recommend based on your tastes, but just in case they forget, and your tastes are the same as mine: always include the talleggio in your cheese selection, always include the castelvatrano in your olive selection, always get the flat-iron steak social plate, and always, ALWAYS, leave room for their parmesan cheesecake.

Address & Hours: 1168 Queen Street W. Walking distance to the theatre: 4 minutes. Sunday-Thursday: 5p.m.–12p.m., Friday & Saturday: 5p.m.–2p.m.

Superpoint

I love the by-the-slice takeout window at Superpoint, but for a long time this love blinded me to the fact that there is an actual sit-down restaurant behind the counter. So my recommendation here is two-fold. If it’s summertime, or if you’re one of those weirdos who likes the cold, grab a slice and have a nice walk down to the theatre. If it’s winter, or you want a seated meal in a fun, lively environment, grab a table and order the cream of mushroom pizza, or the soppressatta and spicy honey pizza, or, really, anything else.

Address & Hours: 184 Ossington Ave. Walking distance to the theatre: 11 minutes. Sunday-Thursday: 6p.m.–11p.m., Friday & Saturday: 6p.m.–12p.m.

The Drake Hotel

Tried, trusted, and true. The Drake is an old faithful, somewhere you know you can go for a good meal, glass of wine, and excellent service. The burger, maple buttermilk fried chicken, and spicy tuna tartare are my top dinner picks.

Address & Hours: 1150 Queen Street W. Walking distance to the theatre: 2 minutes. Daily: 7:30a.m.–11p.m.

Otto’s Bierhalle

I still don’t like sausages. But Otto’s is worth recommending because a) I’ve heard good things about the meat from people who do eat it, b) I’ve enjoyed many a beverage there from their very extensive drinks menu—one that includes quite a variety of sour beers, which is right up my alley, c) they have lots of food that isn’t necessarily sausage-based, including the Hunter sandwich, the sauerkraut fritters, and a delicious-looking brunch menu that I haven’t tried but would love to if anyone wants to go, and d) it’s just a really nice environment.

Address & Hours: 1087 Queen Street W. Walking distance to the theatre: 2 minutes. Monday-Thursday: 12p.m.–12a.m., Friday: 12p.m.,–2a.m., Saturday: 11a.m. – 3p.m. & 5p.m.–2a.m., Sunday: 11a.m.–3p.m. & 5p.m.–10p.m..

The Theatre Centre Café

I’m sitting in the Theatre Centre’s café as I write this. It’s calm, cozy, and I just ate a great chocolate chip cookie. I like it here. So if all you’re after is a quick drink or coffee before your show, come join me.

Address & Hours: 1115 Queen Street W. Walking distance to the theatre: 0 minutes. Monday-Friday: 8a.m.–4p.m., & evenings on performance days, Saturday & Sunday: 9a.m.–5p.m., & evenings on performance days.

Hello 123

Directly across the street from the theatre is Hello 123, a cozy spot that’s perfect if you want something quick, tasty, and healthy. It offers a completely plant-based menu, with many gluten-free options and a variety of dishes to suit all taste buds. The pulled pineapple sliders are my #1.

Address & Hours: 1122 Queen Street W. Walking distance to the theatre: 1 minute. Monday-Thursday: 11a.m.–4p.m. & 5p.m.–10p.m., Friday: 11a.m.–4p.m. & 5p.m.–12p.m., Saturday: 10a.m.–3:30p.m. & 5p.m.–12a.m., Sunday: 10a.m.–3:30p.m. & 5p.m.–11p.m.

Bellwoods Brewery

It’s a beautiful summer evening. A warm breeze glides over a packed patio that buzzes with happy chatter. At shared picnic tables sit people of all ages, enjoying heaping bowls of skinny fries, craft beers of all varieties, and whatever other seasonal menu items have taken their fancy. You’re among those people. Maybe you’re on your own, maybe you’re with a special someone, maybe you’re with a group of friends (but not too big a group because there’s always a wait). Pleasantly satiated, you settle the bill, stroll out onto bustling Ossington, and make your way a mere 9 minutes to your next destination, ready to enjoy some of Toronto’s best theatre.

I know. Not too shabby.

Address & Hours: 124 Ossington Ave. Walking distance to the theatre: 9 minutes. Monday-Wednesday: 5p.m.–12a.m., Thursday: 5p.m.–1a.m., Friday & Saturday: 2p.m.–1a.m., Sunday: 2p.m.–12a.m.

Transit & Parking

By Car

The Theatre Centre is located at 1115 Queen St W., at Queen St. W & Lisgar St—four blocks west from Ossington Ave or three blocks east from Dufferin Ave (depending on what side of the city you’re coming from). Street parking along Queen West can be busy on weekends, so leave yourself ample time before your show begins. There’s also a Green P lot located one block away at 110 Dovercourt Road.

By TTC

From Osgoode Station, take the 501 Queen streetcar Westbound to Dovercourt Rd. Turn left on Dovercourt, right on Queen, and walk one block west to Lisgar St.
From Ossington Station, take the southbound 63 Ossington bus south to Queen Street West. Turn right (walk west) on the south side of Queen for four blocks.

WRITTEN BY

Hannah Antaki

Hannah works in casting, the only profession that allows her to truthfully use work as an excuse to stay home and watch TV. A dropout of both preschool and law school, she loves Montreal bagels, Harry Potter, and conversations about diversity. Her diet starts tomorrow.

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