All-Night Eats

Well, you got your drink on and now you’re in the market for something to soak it up. Fear not, gentle nighthawk imbiber. Toronto’s blessed with an abundance of late and all-night culinary options for folks negotiating rumbly tummies in the wee morning ones. Herewith, a sampling of some of these Toronto restaurants.

The Grille, 1596 The Queensway,

Open 24 hours

Made-from-scratch pasta, chicken dishes, burgers and fajitas star at this handsome, dark-wood-bedecked family-friendly eatery in west Toronto. Specializing in continental, barbecue and Greek cuisine. Rocking patio. Special mention to the fried-in-butter homefries served with breakfast.

The Markham Station, 5117 Sheppard Ave. E.

Open 24 hours

Nurse your hangover back to health at this cheap and cheerful northeastern hideaway. Food here, like the 16-oz T-bone, looks to hit the spot. Special mention to the $4.99 all-day breakfast.

7 West Cafe, 7 Charles St. W.

Open 24 hours

Now in its twentieth year, this three-storey midnight miracle offers an alternative to French fries and wax-paper-wrapped takeaways of dubious Mediterrean provenance. Instead, try tuna melts, fresh ravioli and BLTs. House greens provide a zesty roughage accent to most meals. Special mention to the selection of sober-making hot drinks.

Owl of Minerva, 700 Bloor St. W.
Open 24 hours

This second-floor Koreatown secret makes slurred, late-night ordering easier with a four-item menu featuring noodles, vegetables, sticky rice and meat. Good service, fair prices, loud music. Special mention to the pork bone soup, a much-ballyhooed favourite whose promise to satisfy exceeds its pricetag.

King Palace Restaurant, 820 Church St.

Open 11 am to 6 am, seven days a week.

This modest, cafeteria-style diner, a favourite among Toronto cabbies, satisfies nocturnal desires for cheap ethnic tasties. Pakistani and Indian dishes—like mango lassi, chicken kasmiri and chicken tikka masala—dominate. Order combos with rice or bread. Special mention to the fresh naan.

Commisso Brothers and Racco Italian Bakery, 8 Kincort St.; 33 Eddystone Ave.

Open 24 hours

The kind of joint Tony Soprano’s boys might have landed to punctuate a night of nefarious goings on, Commisso is an all-hours convenience store-slash-bakery that’s all about the marriage of bread, meat and oil. Try the steak sandwich, swimming in near toxic banana peppers and tomato sauce so authentic someone’s mother must have made it. Special mention to the massive hot veal sandwiches.

The Counter, 550 Wellington St. W.

Open Monday to Sunday, 6 am to 5:30 am.

The Thompson Hotel's sleek new 24-hour diner brushes up a classic with decadent interior that plays host to such comfort-food staples as mac and cheese, clubhouses and grilled cheese. The fries and onion rings are greasy pleasures, and the place is filled with loud, beautiful people. The absence of an all-day breakfast sucks. Special mention to the big and messy burgers.

Xe Lua Vietnamese Cuisine, 254 Spadina Ave., among other locations

Open Sunday to Thursday, 9 am to 3 am; Friday and Saturday, 9 am to 5 am.

A pho haven, equally celebrated for its Vietnamese coffees and specialty juices. Reasonably priced and healthier than most of its late-night cohorts. Meat, vermicelli, rice dishes and, natch, variations on the Vietnamese noodle soup rule. Special mention to the beef stew with rice noodle soup, a fragrant concoction of Vietnamese heaven.

Fran’s Restaurant, 20 College St.

Open 24 hours

Fancy a three-in-the-morning plate of chips and gravy or poached eggs on toast? No problem. The last outpost of a once bustling chain, this formica-topped miracle might not be pretty to look at, but it’ll sop up your Stella. Special mention to the Big Breakfast, which offers two of everything (sausages, pancakes, toast and bacon strips).

Vesta Lunch, 474 Dupont Ave.

Open 24 hours.

Quick, cheap and tasty. This Annex landmark does what it’s done since 1955, and still does it well: all-day breakfasts, plate-crowded souvlaki dinners, Greek salads. Big portions. Neighbourly service. Special mention to the takeout (it saves you having to make conversation with the wobblies).

Mars Restaurant, 432 College St. W.
Open 24 hours

Everybody’s got a Mars story, though most are only groggily recalled. This longstanding neighbourhood diner is busy, noisy and wonderful. Large portions of greasy comfort arrive swiftly and without fanfare. Meet U of T students on spinny diner stools. Special mention to the Mr. Mars Special, where steak meets eggs with a bang.