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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.
By The Way
Review
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.
Features
CUISINES
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Canadian
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Is this a Canadian restaurant?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 10:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Monday
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Contribute
3.6
(108)
Excellent
19
Good
51
Average
21
Poor
11
Terrible
6
Justmyopinion
Toronto2055 contributions
Feb 2019 • couples
I wasn't expecting much but It was a really good breakfast.
I liked the Middle Eastern flavor of the potatoes.
The bagel was toasted but obviously fresh.
Eggs cooked over easy.
Never had to ask for coffee on the endless cup.
I liked this place.
Very homey, good food and service.
Breakfast for 2 with tip $27
Written February 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.
Laura T
4 contributions
Sep 2018 • friends
Lovely patio and a nice take on brunch but made mediterranean style. A little pricey for what you get.
Written January 15, 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.
Dorten
Cambridge139 contributions
Sep 2018 • family
If you want a meal where the ingredients are pretty good and it is not too bland or saucy this will do. Don't expect to be blown away. The Hake was fine. Salads fresh. Dependable. But you won't be surprised and you can cook better at home. But if you don't feel like cooking or blowing your wallet, this will do.
Written September 15, 2018
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
Toronto2930 contributions
Aug 2018 • friends
All four of us had Middle Eastern dishes -- falafel balls and fig salad in my case -- and all four of us enjoyed them. The service was good, the prices were reasonable. There is lots of competition for one's dinner dollar along this stretch of Bloor Street, and By the Way manages to hold its head up. Recommended.
Written August 15, 2018
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.
Bob Porter
Squamish341 contributions
Jun 2018 • friends
First time here and having lunch with an old university friend.
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern + basic Canadian dishes for breakfast, etc.
Food was good and portions large.
My friend enjoyed her Eggs Florentine, me a Western Omelette. Plenty of potatoes.
Staff were friendly and didn't mind our staying long to talk.
Outside covered patio was nice. More comfortable than inside, which is not large.
Will be back.
Written July 26, 2018
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.
Dianevalerie13
Thornhill68 contributions
Jul 2018 • couples
Visited this lovely cafe on a hot evening. Nice outdoor seating and delicious food. Will definitely return.
Written July 22, 2018
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.
Ingo S
Karlsruhe186 contributions
Jun 2018 • solo
I had the Jerusalem Eggs. Given that two eggs and a bagel isn't much for a breakfast in Canada, i expected a substantial amount of salad, but all i got were maybe ten cubic centimeters of salad (tomatos, cucumbers, onions), five cubic centimeters of feta, and about eight pitted olives. I definitely like that style of salad, but the little amount there was was partly spoilt by the dressing: too much vinegar, no noticeable amount of herbs. Definitely not worth twelve dollars. It is possible that i was just unlucky with my choice, some of the breakfasts served at other tables looked from afar as if they might have been better.
I normally prefer unobtrusive to excessively enthusiastic service, but some people might find the service here slightly disinterested, maybe even more shy than friendly. Besides, they kept me waiting quite some time for the bill, and then again for the change.
Written June 22, 2018
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.
floodnik
Edmonton96 contributions
Feb 2018 • friends
Cozy place for Brunch with great service and tasty food. Fun to people watch those on Bloor street, lots of little dogs going by. Nice variety.
Written February 25, 2018
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.
LamAng2
St. George2 contributions
Jan 2018 • couples
Very nice restaurant. Food was fabulous. Our Falafel balls were tasty. Had fresh chicken special cooked in cream sauce, done to perfection! My French Martini was exceptional. Our desserts, apple tart and chocolate cake was very good. Our server was very friendly and efficient. We definitely plan on returning on our next visit to Toronto.
Written January 7, 2018
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.
andross2
17 contributions
Dec 2017 • friends
This is my "go to" place whenever I come down to Tafelmusik or Bloor Street Hot Docs Theatre. Food is always great and service is attentive and friendly. Kufta is one of my favourites but soups and apps are also fabulous. Great ambiance and reasonable brews and wines are available. Very good value and consistently great food.
Written December 7, 2017
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.
Rebecca K
Toronto225 contributions
Mar 2017 • couples
By The Way Cafe food is mediocre and over-priced. The patio is lovely, the staff are nice, but the items offered for the price is unreasonable. There is nothing special about their food, nor are the flavours that amazing. I hate to be harsh, but the food is mundane. The service is mediocre. I have been to the BTW Cafe twice now with family and both times were a let down.
Written October 18, 2017
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.
savvysolo
Toronto348 contributions
Sep 2017 • friends
We enjoyed a spontaneous patio meal, splitting the vegetarian special of the day. Nice server, no delay, and satisfying. On one side, we could have gone to Aroma. Always a line and same price point, but self-serve. On the other side, we could have gone to Fresh, twice the price and three times the noise. So, if on the Bloor corridor from Spadina to Bathurst, By the Way is a good choice... even if their lavatories could do with a clean-up...
Written September 14, 2017
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.
Kulbi
Thornhill2558 contributions
Sep 2017 • couples
Brie a la shum served as a heated dip with apples and pita. Lentil soup ok but could have more oomph. Fig salad had nice combo of ingredients but could have more of each. Bf really liked the fish special done as a lightly breaded filet.
Written September 4, 2017
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.
Ryan B
14 contributions
Aug 2017 • family
The BTW patio is a nice place to enjoy a drink or two. We had a late night snack here and it hit the spot!
Written August 22, 2017
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.
Dorten
Cambridge139 contributions
Jul 2017 • couples
Omelettes here are always superb as is the French toast for breakfast, but at supper I found the tuna Nicoise average. The fish was not the best. A little dry as were the chicken kebabs. The lamb was sinewy. The Baba Ghanouj was tasty as was the salad. OK.
I would always come for breakfast but supper was mediocre.
Written July 10, 2017
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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