Pre-theatre dinner in Toronto: how to eat well and make the curtain

Toronto has one of the biggest theatre scenes in North America, with big-budget musicals, plays, concerts and festivals, much of it concentrated in the Entertainment District around King Street West. A good dinner before the show makes the night, but a dinner that runs late can cost you the first act. Here is how to plan it.

Where is Toronto's theatre district?

Most of Toronto's major theatres and concert halls are downtown, especially along King Street West between University Avenue and Spadina Avenue. The area includes long-running theatres for musicals and plays, Roy Thomson Hall for concerts, and TIFF Lightbox, the home of the Toronto International Film Festival. Other venues include theatres on Yonge Street near Dundas Square, the St. Lawrence Centre near the market, and the Four Seasons Centre for opera and ballet at Queen and University.

Where should you eat before a show on King Street West?

King Street West is lined with restaurants of every kind, from steakhouses and Italian dining rooms to pubs, sushi and casual spots, many within a few minutes' walk of the theatres. Nearby, the streets around Queen Street West and John Street have more options, and the Financial District is a short walk east. Chinatown is a short streetcar ride west if you want something quick and inexpensive.

What is a pre-theatre menu?

Many restaurants near the theatres offer a pre-theatre menu: a short set menu, often two or three courses, designed to be served quickly so you can be out by curtain time. It usually costs less than ordering à la carte and takes the timing worry out of the evening. Ask about it when you book, and mention your show time.

How early should you have dinner before a show?

Show time	Suggested dinner time
7:30 p.m.	Sit down by 5:30 to 5:45 p.m.
8:00 p.m.	Sit down by 6:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. matinee	Lunch from about noon

Allow at least ninety minutes for a sit-down dinner and fifteen to twenty minutes to walk to the theatre, find your seats and use the washroom. Big musicals often have long lines at the doors.

How do you make sure dinner does not run late?

1. Book an early table and tell the restaurant your show time.
2. Order the pre-theatre menu, or choose dishes that arrive quickly.
3. Skip dessert and have it after the show instead.
4. Ask for the bill with your main course.
5. Choose a restaurant within a five-minute walk of the theatre.

Where can you eat after a show in Toronto?

Many King Street West restaurants and bars stay open after the theatres let out, especially on Friday and Saturday. Chinatown and Koreatown also have places open later. For a dessert or a drink, look for a bar with a late kitchen. Book ahead if you want a table for a group straight after a big show.

Is it busy during TIFF?

Very. During the Toronto International Film Festival in September, King Street West is packed, some streets close for festival events, and many restaurants are booked solid. If you have tickets for screenings, book dinner as early as you can, or eat away from the immediate festival area.

How much does a pre-theatre dinner cost?

Pre-theatre set menus are often among the better-value ways to eat at the restaurants near the theatres, though prices vary. Ontario adds the 13 percent HST to the bill, and tipping is expected at 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount.

Can you take kids to a pre-theatre dinner?

Yes, especially at family-friendly restaurants and for matinees, when a relaxed lunch is easier than an early dinner. Choose somewhere quick and close, and leave plenty of time for washroom stops before the show.

Where are Toronto's main theatres and concert halls?

Toronto's stages are spread across a few downtown areas, and the best place to eat depends on which one you are going to. Look up each venue's address on its own site, then match it to the area below:

Venue type	Eat nearby
Large touring musicals	King West, the Financial District
Opera and ballet	Queen West, Chinatown
Symphony and concerts	King West, the Entertainment District
Smaller and independent theatres	The local main street

Check the address on your ticket before booking dinner. A restaurant ten minutes' walk from one theatre can be twenty-five from another.

How do you get to the theatre district?

The theatres are close to St. Andrew and Osgoode subway stations and the 504 King streetcar. Union Station is a short walk south. Parking is expensive and fills up on show nights, so transit is usually easier.

On Mosey, you can rate the restaurants you ate at before a show and the dishes you ordered, keep a list of reliable pre-theatre spots, and see where friends you follow ate before their own nights out.

More guides to read next:

• Mississauga and Brampton food guide: Punjabi, Pakistani and Caribbean food in Peel Region
• Ramen and Japanese food in Toronto: styles, izakaya and how to order
• Roncesvalles food guide: Polish delis, cafés and brunch in Toronto's west end

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.