108 reviews
#1,076 of 9,225 Restaurants in Toronto$$ - $$$, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian friendly+1 416-967-4295+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Mon
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Tue
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Wed
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thu
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
3.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
$15.00 – $35.00
CUISINES
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Canadian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Is this a Canadian restaurant?
Details
About
By The Way is a much-loved neighbourhood favourite that offers contemporary Mediterranean fare with Latin flare in the heart of the Annex. A reliable, tasty standby for generous, nourishing eats, BTW has all the meal bases covered, from breakfast to late-night fill-up. Omelettes, pasta dishes and eggs benny get lots of mention, as does the fine selection of Middle Eastern choices. The restaurant enjoys a particular reputation for its healthy focus. There's also a solid selection of vegetarian dishes. A surprisingly extensive wine list includes both house and vintage options. The space is bright and cheerful. The big corner patio fills up in the summertime.
PRICE RANGE
$15.00 – $35.00
CUISINES
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Canadian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service
Contribute
3.5
108 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
51
Average
21
Poor
11
Terrible
6
Saucysavory
Brampton1827 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
It is a pleasant spot looking out onto Bloor Street. A very thick curtain hangs in the doorway to help block blasts of cold air as patrons enter. The menu offers a variety of items with a Mediterranean influence. Serving portions are good. I enjoyed the beet walnut salad with chicken. It is a very popular place and reservations would be recommended. Service was cheerful but she was also very busy. It’s nice when they top up your water but this didn’t happen. We were also left sitting with our dirty dishes for sometime. Two of us couldn’t finish our meals so perhaps she thought we were still trying... I would go again. The food is good and the place has a”vibe”.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
operalover939
Toronto2965 contributions
May 2023 • friends
We sat outside even though it was cool, and enjoyed our meals and the conversation. I had the lamb pita with fries: very good.
Written May 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
4 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
Met a friend here for a quiet weekday lunch. Food and service were both fantastic. Great spot to relax.
Written March 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
Toronto1 contribution
Sep 2020 • none
I live in the area and have been coming to By The Way for a couple years. Recently I visited to have lunch and read my book quietly in a peaceful environment on a rainy day. I was the sole patron, and no other customers were present inside. After a couple hours, not long after paying my bill, and still drinking the coffee I had paid for, the very rude waiter informed me that I would have to leave because "this isn't a library". This is the first time I have been kicked out of an empty restaurant for reading a book. When I told the waiter as much, his response was "this isn't Starbucks".
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marion F
Regina12 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
We had a group supper on short notice and the staff were so accommodating and helpful to be help us all get together. The food was delicious and very interesting menu items. We came back for another meal twice over the weekend. Always really good food and service. The manager came to be like a family friend over the weekend.
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ursula K
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • family
Two slices of French toast and a tiny coaster sirop for 20 bucks. Really?
No fruit garnish.
The eggs florentine were a better choice but accompanied by some very plain fried potatoes and also 20 dollars
We were very disappointed as this seems a very popular spot and will not be back
Written September 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
operalover939
Toronto2965 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
It was raining and the temperature was about 17, but even without heat lamps the patio was agreeable to be on. I had the kufta kebob with fries (the fries are very good), and coffee. A pleasant meal.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Farkrocks
Vancouver2 contributions
Dec 2019 • family
Dumbfounded! A Very Rude manager Don kicked us out!! We just wanted coffees/teas for a 20minute stay with my wife a daughter as we were waiting on a rainy cold day. Half the restaurant was empty at 2:30, outside of the lunch/dinner rush. Still can’t believe it! Said they don’t do just coffees as we were staring at their Mazzer grinder and espresso machine. If I could rate 0 I would. Too many great places to eat in Toronto to ever step inside such an unwelcoming atmosphere again.
Written December 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justmyopinion
Toronto2068 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
There's just something different about this place that I really wanted to come back here again and was not disappointed.
It's hard to find good restaurants that serve breakfast.
This is it!!!!
Written November 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pologreyhound
Glasgow139 contributions
Sep 2019 • none
Ate under the awning. Nicely prepared breakfast serviced by lovely attentive staff. Popular for breakfast and brunch.
Written October 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PDB111
Ottawa23 contributions
May 2019 • solo
Generally Meditrranian type food with quick service. The staff was freindly and efficient. The food was tasty, fresh.and reasonably priced.
Written May 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justmyopinion
Toronto2068 contributions
Apr 2019 • couples
It does dot the i's and cross the "t's"
I had the 2 eggs, pea meal bacon and potato's.
All good. More of roasted potatoes not fried with great flavor.
The service is good too.
Like I said it covers all the bases of food, service etc.
Written April 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeCreado
Province of Granada44 contributions
Mar 2019 • couples
We came across BTW by accident, we were headed to another restaurant and noticed this quaint little restaurant on the way, as soon as we entered Jason welcomed us in and let us choose our preferred table.
The food was excellent, I had the Duck Confit on the first night and my husband the Hake, we loved the food and service so much that we returned there again the next night and the night after.
I had the Flat Iron Steak the second night and then again the third because it was so good, cooked as I like it best. I asked for a medium-rare and medium rare was what I got. The appetisers are very good too, sort of a middle eastern style.
The chef is excellent and a lovely person!
A must visit!!
Written March 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well_Travelled_TO
Toronto181 contributions
Jan 2019 • friends
This restaurant has changed hands over the years - or at least its menu has. They now offer Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food, which we generally enjoy. There was nothing wrong with the food but it was rather bland and unexciting. We chose this restaurant because it is close to the Bloor Cinema but next time we'll go elsewhere.
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saucysavory
Brampton1827 contributions
Feb 2019 • friends
We reserved for lunch and the place was packed. Very crowded in fact with little room between tables. Other guests had to move their table so we could get to ours. Service was not overly in your face but did ensure our orders got to us in a timely way. I was a bit concerned with the tables being so close that we would overhear each other’s conversation, but there was a din of noise that took care of that. Our immediate neighbours seem to be having parallel play on their phones so maybe they could hear us. Artsy kind of decor. I enjoyed the Mediterranean chicken on a pita with a lightly dressed spinach salad. So much luscious sauce dripping from the pita, it was delicious. The veggie burger was also enjoyed with crispy fries. I would go again and like to try other dishes. If you choose to try this spot expect to be close to others enjoying good food.
Written February 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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