Cathy MerrittFor most people, Liberty Village is a historic neighbourhood (it started as a manufacturing hub back in the 1800s) with a youthful energy. Art galleries and design studios are the main highlights here, but the food scene is just as thriving.
There are restaurants with a casual and cozy vibe, making them perfect for a relaxing brunch with friends. There are also spots with a wide array of beers and greasy comfort foods for after-work hangouts and fancy restaurants for romantic date nights.
Whatever dining experience you want, Liberty Village is here to deliver. These are some of the best places to eat in the neighbourhood.
- Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
- SCHOOL Restaurant
- Burger Drops
- Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery
- NODO Liberty
- Chiang Mai Liberty Village
- Aloette Go
- Liberty Shawarma
- The Craft Brasserie and Grille
- Arvo Coffee and Wine
- Balzac’s
- LOCAL Public Eatery Liberty Village
- Brazen Head Irish Pub
- Impact Kitchen
- OEB Breakfast Co.
- Levetto
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
– From: mildredstemplekitchen
Address: 85 Hanna Ave, #104 Shops at King Liberty
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 3 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +14165885695
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen is one of the most popular brunch spots in the city, so you can’t go wrong here. To make things better, this place even has vegan brunch options to accommodate vegan foodies.
My favourite thing to get here is The Manhandler, which is essentially steak and eggs in sandwich form. The flat iron steak is incredibly tender and juicy, and the runny yolks from the eggs make every bite all the richer. There’s also a hint of garlicky flavours from the sourdough.
| Pro Tips: Host a fun party or a corporate event at this restaurant. This restaurant has a shop that sells pantry items like maple syrup jugs, frozen buttermilk biscuits, and pancake dry mixes. |
SCHOOL Restaurant
– From: schoolresto
Address: 70 Fraser Ave, Toronto Carpet Factory
Operating Hours:
- Monday—10 am to 7 pm
- Tuesday to Friday—10 am to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14165880005
Another popular brunch spot is SCHOOL Restaurant. This West End restaurant has a vibrant atmosphere, so coming here always brightens my mood.
The buttermilk fried chicken and waffles is a classic. The waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and they’re topped with brown sugar butter. Meanwhile, the chicken is perfectly golden, then it’s doused in hot honey sauce.
So you can enjoy a symphony of savoury and sweet flavours, with a kick of spice at the end.
| Pro Tip: Only walk-ins are allowed here—no reservations. So, I recommend coming here as early as possible. |
Burger Drops
– From: burgerdrops
Address: 116 Atlantic Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
If you love burgers, then you can’t pass up the chance to check out Burger Drops. The burgers here are made with premium AAA beef cuts that are delivered fresh every week and ground in-house every day.
I love their take on a classic American cheeseburger. The flavour combination is salty, savoury, and tangy, with a bit of allium sharpness from the freshly diced onion.
If you don’t like beef burgers, you might want to try the chicken sandwich. The chicken is crispy and juicy, and the sauce makes every bite an explosion of savoury-garlicky perfection.
| Pro Tip: If you want to book their catering services for your special event, fill out this form. |
Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery
– From: libertycommons
Address: 42 Liberty St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—11:45 am to 10 pm
- Friday—11:45 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14163049403
Sit back, relax, and down a pint or two at Liberty Commons! This vibrant pub serves farm-to-table dishes and rich craft beers.
I come here around dinnertime, and my go-to order is the steak frites. The steak is wood-fired, so not only is it tender and juicy, but it also has an amazing smoky flavour. It also comes with a preserved scape chimichurri that adds a sharp tanginess to every bite.
| Pro Tips: On Sunday, enjoy the special roast that’s only available for this one day, from 3 pm onward. This Sunday roast already includes wood-fired rump roast, Yorkshire pudding, and more, so you’ll be full and satisfied afterward. Host a fun private event here with your loved ones! |
NODO Liberty
– From: nodorestaurant
Address: 120 Lynn Williams St
Operating Hours:
- Monday—11:30 am to 9 pm
- Tuesday to Thursday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Friday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16473688110
Experience the very best of Italian cuisine at NODO! This restaurant features classic dishes from different regions in Italy, and the atmosphere is modern and casual—perfect for brunch or a romantic date!
If you love pasta, then I recommend you get orecchiette rapini e salsiccia. This one has homemade Italian sausage and chilli flakes, so the primary flavours are salty and savoury with a strong kick of heat.
For pizza, I like Oltraggioso, despite its name (it’s an Italian word for “offensive”). It has prosciutto, mozzarella, basil, and spiced pineapple (now you can understand why it’s named like this), so every bite is a symphony of salty-sweet flavours!
| Pro Tip: Host a private event at this restaurant. If you already have a venue, you can book their catering services instead. |
Chiang Mai Liberty Village
– From: chiangmaito
Address: 171 E Liberty St, Unit 144 Liberty Market Building
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +16473428424
If you’re craving Thai food, then Chiang Mai Liberty Village is a must-visit.
Brunch is the best time to visit if you ask me. My favourite dish is the Phuket Beach Bowl, which is loaded with grilled tiger shrimp, mango, avocado, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes over garlic-ginger rice. Every bite is sweet, tangy, and refreshing.
To wash everything down, treat yourself to a tea-infused cocktail. The tea flavour is so strong that I even forget it’s mixed with alcohol (vodka or gin).
| Pro Tip: You can hire them to cater at your special event. |
Aloette Go
– From: aloettego
Address: 171 E Liberty St, Unit 127A Liberty Market Building
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14167928680
Aloette Go is the perfect place to go if you’re in a hurry but still want delicious food.
I’m a big fan of their spicy chicken sandwich because it’s so filling. I also love how the crispy fried chicken absorbs the heat from the sauce, so every bite makes my taste buds tingle.
If you want something healthier, you might like the chopped kale salad. It consists of marinated kale, avocado, grapes, edamame, piquillo pepper, crispy chickpea, and tahini dressing. It’s rich in fibre and protein, making it a great dish to eat after a workout.
| Pro Tip: You can book their catering services for your special event. |
Liberty Shawarma
– From: libertyshawarma
Address: 114 Atlantic Ave
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 4 am
Contact Number: +14167926767
While we’re on the topic of fast and still delicious food, I have to recommend Liberty Shawarma.
The dish I always order here is the chicken shawarma plate. It comes with shawarma, fries, and house salad, so it’s a very filling and satisfying meal.
Sometimes, I get falafels as a side dish. These vegetable patties taste earthy and slightly spicy, and they taste even better when I shove pieces into my shawarma.
| Pro Tip: From Monday to Saturday, there’s a different special every day. This special usually consists of two sandwiches at a discounted price. |
The Craft Brasserie and Grille
– From: thecraftbrasserie
Address: 107 Atlantic Ave
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 12 am
- Friday—11:30 am to 1 am
- Saturday—11 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14165352337
The Craft Brasserie and Grille is a sprawling pub that offers an impressive selection of 120 beers on tap—both local and imported. There are also several TVs around the place, so you can also watch sports matches with your fellow bargoers.
I come here during dinner, and my go-to order is the smoked wings that are smothered with a honey-garlic glaze. I love the combination of smoky-sweet flavours; by the end, I’m always licking my fingers.
For my drink, I get the County Pear Cider, which has notes of apple and pear flavours.
| Pro Tips: During holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are special events held here. Join them when you can. You can host a party at this bar.If you already have a venue, you can have them as a caterer instead. |
Arvo Coffee and Wine
– From: arvocoffee
Address: 80 Atlantic Ave, Jackman Reinvents
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—7 am to 6 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—8 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14165316864
I first tried and loved the Arvo Coffee and Wine outlet in the Distillery District, so you can just picture how happy I was when I learned there’s another outlet in Liberty Village.
Even though coffee and wine are the main highlights here, I actually prefer their tea. My favourite is the Assam Breakfast, which is a kind of black tea. Its primary flavour is malty, but it also has notes of cacao and prune.
For food, I usually get the brekkie roll. It’s basically an English-style breakfast but in the form of a sandwich. Such a filling meal!
| Pro Tip: Host a private event with your loved ones here. |
Balzac’s
– From: balzacscoffee
Address: 43 Hanna Ave, #123 Toy Factory Lofts
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—7 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—8 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14165347372
What I like about Balzac’s is that its interior is heavily inspired by the aesthetics of a 1950s cafe—art deco floor tiles, an airy space, and even an authentic zinc bar from Paris. Somehow, this design makes me feel at ease.
I like to come here to eat snacks in the middle of the morning or afternoon. My favourite treat is the ginger cookie because I love that it tastes rich and sweet, with a strong hint of ginger spice. It’s crispy and gooey at the same time, too!
| Pro Tip: If you have an iPhone, you might want to download their mobile app to earn rewards and other fun perks. |
LOCAL Public Eatery Liberty Village
– From: localpubliceatery
Address: 171 E Liberty St, #100 Liberty Market Building
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—11 am to 1 am
- Thursday and Friday—11 am to 2 am
- Saturday—10 am to 2 am
- Sunday—10 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14169018351
If you want a restaurant with a view, then you might like LOCAL Public Eatery. This place boasts a gorgeous view of the CN Tower, along with the neighbouring repurposed warehouses.
I love getting the ahi tuna poke rice bowl because it’s healthy and delicious at the same time. The bowl has edamame, crispy tofu, avocado, cucumbers, tuna pieces, and miso mayo. Every spoonful is rich with umami flavours, which is why I can’t get enough of it.
| Pro Tip: You can host your private event here. What’s great about having parties here is that you’ll have your own dedicated party planner, plus other perks like a DJ, custom cocktails, and more. |
Brazen Head Irish Pub
– From: brazenheadto
Address: 165 E Liberty St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Thursday to Sunday—11:30 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +14165358787
Brazen Head Irish Pub isn’t just a pub; it’s also a sports bar where you can cheer for your favourite teams! Oh, and it’s dog-friendly as well. You can now see why I included this restaurant in this list.
You should get any of the classic pub fare. Fish N Chips is the bestseller and my recommendation. The fish is perfectly crispy, and with the tartar sauce, it tastes sharp and tangy. The fries, on the other hand, are thick, golden, and crispy.
| Pro Tip: Brazen Head has special dishes that are discounted on certain days. On Monday, it’s always some form of burger, Tuesday is all about tacos, and Friday is fish and chips. |
Impact Kitchen
– From: impactkitchen
Address: 99 Atlantic Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—8 am to 9 pm
- Saturday—9 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14163061986
Are you sensitive to gluten? You might like Impact Kitchen because this restaurant is 100% gluten-free!
The breakfast burrito is my most ordered dish simply because it’s the most satisfying so far. It has avocado, scrambled eggs, Roma tomatoes, and roasted sweet potatoes. It also comes with a mayonnaise-based sauce that adds a nice kick of spice.
If you prefer something sweet, get the Paleo Waffles instead. They have a crunchy exterior, but inside, they’re so fluffy! They’re also topped with maple syrup, strawberries, and blueberries.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant offers catering services for your events. Do you like their coffee or tea? If so, you can join their subscription program. This program lets you enjoy fun perks like unlimited drip coffee, americano, espresso, and loose-leaf tea. |
OEB Breakfast Co.
– From: oeb_breakfast
Address: 125 E Liberty St, Liberty Market Building
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—7 am to 3 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—8 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14162381152
OEB Breakfast Co. started as a humble spot in Calgary in 2009, but it gradually became popular enough to expand to other cities. Currently, it has two outlets in Toronto, and one of them is in Liberty Village.
The menu includes a wide range of breakfast items—from classics to innovative dishes. The Canadian lobster and shrimp crêpe is indulgence on a plate! The lobster is sweet and buttery, and it becomes even more buttery with the hollandaise.
As if that’s not enough, the dish is topped with truffle pearls, and, if you want, organic sturgeon caviar. Sounds like a meal befitting an aristocrat!
| Pro Tip: Purchase a gift card from this restaurant and give it to a fellow foodie. |
Levetto
Address: 68 Sudbury St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 1 am
Contact Number: +16473503933
What’s so great about Levetto is its simplicity. There are fancy twists on their Italian dishes, and the interior’s atmosphere is cozy and chill, almost like I’m just dining at home.
I love the burrata pomodoro pasta; it’s just so creamy and tangy. If you like pizzas, then you can’t go wrong with the smoked prosciutto. The smoky flavours are intense (but not too intense), and the red pesto has a nice nuttiness to it.
| Pro Tip: Parking is somewhat difficult to find here, so keep that in mind if you’re driving. Your best bet is the street parking, which is free, but it can get booked pretty fast. |
