Cathy MerrittBayview Village is one of the most underrated neighborhoods in the city. I love coming here with my family whenever I have spare time because this area has many green spaces, and we do love a relaxing picnic or a casual stroll.
This neighborhood also has several cool restaurants offering different kinds of cuisines, such as Italian and Indian. The best part is that most of them are affordable too!
If you’re visiting Bayview Village soon, be sure to check out the following restaurants.
IL FORNELLO
Address: 2901 Bayview Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 8:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—11:30 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14162271271
Operating since 1986 and with several locations in the city, IL FORNELLO is a local favorite serving classic Italian fare. As you can probably guess, pasta and pizza are their bestselling dishes.
They have many options for pasta and pizza, but so far, my go-to order is Linguini Pollo e Pesto. I love the nutty-savory flavors of the pesto sauce, especially when paired with the smoky grilled chicken and the charred tanginess of the roasted cherry tomatoes.
For pizza, I recommend Pizza Salsiccia Italiana. It has a tomato sauce base and is topped with mozzarella, Italian sausage, and caramelized onions, so every bite is just a symphony of salty, spicy, and sweet.
| Pro Tips: If you’re sensitive to gluten and dairy or you don’t eat meat, this spot has gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based menus. They also offer catering services if you’re interested. |
Parcheggio
Address: Parking Lot, South, 2901 Bayview Ave #300
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday—12 to 9 pm
- Wednesday to Friday—12 to 10 pm
- Saturday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Sunday—11:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16479436780
When I first heard that this restaurant is named Parcheggio, I was intrigued because it’s the Italian word for “parking lot.” And when I discovered that the restaurant’s location is indeed a parking lot, I was so amused that I decided to check it out.
Now, I’m a returning patron because I love their Italian offerings so much. I usually come here for lunch, and my favorite dish is the Braised Beef and Ricotta Gnocchi because I love how tender and savory the beef is, and the sauce has a nice tang to it.
I also recommend getting the lamb T-bone chops. The meat falls off the bone and melts in your mouth like butter, and the apricot agrodolce (a kind of Italian sauce) adds sweet and sour notes to every bite.
| Pro Tips: If you’re planning a special event, you can book this restaurant as a venue. This restaurant participates in the Summerlicious festival (usually held in July). During the festival, you can enjoy limited tasting menus with multiple courses. Every Wednesday evening, their pasta dishes get a nice discount! |
Tabule Bayview Village
Address: 2901 Bayview Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14162225424
If you’re craving Middle Eastern cuisine specifically, then you should hit up Tabule, which is located within Bayview Village Shopping Center.
You can’t go wrong with the Kefta, a dish with two juicy skewers of ground mixed lamb and beef with onions, parsley, and garlic. I love how the meat tastes savory and spicy, and I love pairing it with a falafel salad.
Don’t pass up on their desserts as well. I recommend the baklava, a layered pastry slathered with sugary syrup and topped with pistachio and cashews. It looks so simple, but every bite is heavenly and decadent!
| Pro Tip: This restaurant offers catering services if you’re interested. |
PŌPA Burmese Kitchen
Address: 2901 Bayview Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16473438555
Named after the active volcano in Burma that has become a sacred site with many temples, PŌPA Burmese Kitchen aims to introduce you to the vibrant Burmese cuisine. You can also get a taste of Macanese and Balinese cuisines here.
The Oh No Khowsuey is their signature dish, and I recommend it as well. It’s such a fragrant dish, and I love how creamy the coconut curry is. The curry also tastes kind of sour because of the tamarind, and it’s served with rice noodles and diced chicken.
The Burmese Pad Thai is also a must-try. It tastes herby, salty, and nutty, and the flat noodles are perfectly springy.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant sometimes participates in Winterlicious, the winter equivalent of Summerlicious (usually held in February). You can enjoy a limited-time prix fixe meal during the festival, so check it out when you can. |
Goa Indian Farm Kitchen
Address: 2901 Bayview Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16473521661
Goa Indian Farm Kitchen is such a stunner, with its marble tile floors and sparkling chandelier. The food is exquisite as well, and as you can gather from the name, the dishes here originate in Goa, a coastal Indian state.
Of course, my favorite is the “Old Delhi” Butter Chicken (I’m a sucker for any variation of butter chicken). The butter sauce for this dish is so rich and tangy, with strong spicy undertones. The chicken, on the other hand, has that charred smoky flavor that I like.
I recommend getting the garlic naan to pair with your butter chicken. The garlicky butter flavor of the naan works so well with the butter chicken’s richness!
| Pro Tip: The menu has gluten-free and vegan options if you can’t eat gluten or meat. |
BÒN ITALIA TRATTORIA AND CAFFÈ
Address: 595 Sheppard Ave E #103
Operating Hours:
- Monday—8 am to 8 pm
- Tuesday to Saturday—8 am to 9:30 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +16472478222
Bòn Italia Trattoria and Caffè is another great spot to go to if you’re craving Italian cuisine. It also has a lovely relaxing vibe, which is why I come here whenever I’m feeling stressed.
You should try the Charcuterie Board, which is jam-packed with premium cured meats, cheeses, olives, dried fruits, crackers, and fresh bread. This is the perfect order if you’re with a group.
If you want something more filling, you can’t go wrong with the Pasta Di Burrata Al Pesto. The pesto sauce is perfectly creamy and nutty, and the burrata cheese makes it even creamier.
| Pro Tip: Pair your meal with an alcoholic beverage. This spot has many options for beer (there’s even a tap) and cocktails! |
Issai Japanese Eatery
– From: amu.wong
Address: 101 Esther Shiner Blvd
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday—4 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14162271111
Whenever it’s raining outside, I love to come to Issai Japanese Eatery and order a steaming bowl of ramen. It warms me up and fills my stomach in no time!
I recommend the spicy tonkotsu ramen. The pork bone broth has a rich and umami taste with a strong hint of spice. The soft-boiled eggs add even more richness to the dish, and the pork belly toppings are fatty and savory.
If you don’t like ramen, you can try donburi (rice bowl) instead. So far, my favorite out of all the options is the oyakodon, which is a simple chicken and egg rice bowl. This dish is so comforting!
| Pro Tip: This place is pretty small (there are only five seats available), so prepare to line up before it’s your turn. You can avoid the queue if you come during off-peak hours, but even then, there’s no guarantee. |
Taro’s Fish
Address: 800 Sheppard Ave E
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Saturday—12 to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14167308555
If you’re a fan of sushi and sashimi, Taro’s Fish is the place to be!
There are so many options here. I love getting rolls in particular, and right now, my favorite is the dynamite roll, which has tempura black tiger shrimp, avocado, cucumber, and spicy mayo. The tempura is perfectly crunchy, and the sauce adds a nice punch.
If you’re dining with other people, treat yourself to a party tray. It’s jam-packed with different kinds of sushi and rolls!
| Pro Tip: Taro’s Fish also serves as a fish market, so you can buy sushi cuts of fish that you can use later. |
Shatter Abbas Express
Address: 804 Sheppard Ave E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 9:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 10 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14165909287
Shatter Abbas is a well-known Persian restaurant in Toronto, with several locations in the city. I always visit the one in Queens Quay, but you can imagine how thrilled I was to discover that there’s another branch in Bayview Village, and it’s right next to Taro’s Fish.
I recommend ordering the Torsh, which is a skewer of beef tenderloin with basmati rice. The meat is so tender, and I love that it tastes kind of sweet because of the pomegranate molasses marinade. The rice smells heavenly, thanks to the saffron.
If I’m in a hurry, I usually get a sandwich, particularly the Zaban sandwich. It’s made using beef tongue, which I was surprised to learn, but I was even more surprised to discover that it’s actually pretty tender and fatty.
| Pro Tip: There’s limited seating here, so prepare to wait a while. |
