Named by Vogue as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, West Queen West is a dynamic hub that reflects Toronto’s creative spirit and diverse cultural landscape. Toronto’s West Queen West is an undeniably cool neighborhood offering a vibrant blend of art, culture, dining, and nightlife that has captured the attention of locals and visitors alike.
West Queen West comes alive with a vibrant nightlife when the sun sets. Beyond dining, the area is dotted with eclectic bars, lounges, and music venues that offer everything from live performances to DJ sets. Iconic spots like the Bovine Sex Club and the Gladstone Hotel’s Melody Bar are just a few venues to experience Toronto’s lively music scene. The neighborhood’s nightlife is as diverse as its daytime offerings, ensuring that there’s always something happening, no matter your mood or musical taste.
West Queen West is also famous for its street art, particularly in Graffiti Alley, where local artists have transformed the walls into a vibrant canvas of color and creativity. This legal graffiti space allows artists to express themselves freely, resulting in some of the most stunning street art in the city. The neighborhood’s fashion scene is equally impressive, with a mix of independent boutiques and major retailers offering unique styles and trends.
It’s a great place to go on a first date! So get ready as we dive headfirst into the pulsing heart of Toronto’s West Queen West, where the air is thick with the scent of possibility and the sizzle of hot grills.
La Banane
About the name: it’s from a French phrase, avoir la banane—meaning “to have a banana,” referring to that massive smile on your face, the inevitable result of Chef Brandon Olsen’s charming creations. La Banane isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an interpretation of French cuisine that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about food. Chef Olsen, the mad genius behind this joint, has created a menu that’s part classic bistro, part fantasy, and entirely unforgettable. From the minute you walk in, you’re hit with a wave of vitality that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into mild Parisian delirium. The decor is all sleek—lines and warm woods—with pops of color that’ll make your eyes dance.
I recommend you start with the oysters, and no, they aren’t your run-of-the-mill bivalves—these gems are dressed in a mignonette guaranteed to make your mouth water. Another star of the show is the magnificent Eurobass en Croûte—a whole bass lovingly wrapped in pastry as if a gift baked to golden perfection. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything here. Try the trout. Have the Wagyu—or even the Fillet Rossini, which is reassuringly old-school with its foie gras and truffles. People just don’t eat like this anymore, and we are worse off for it.
And, whatever you do, don’t skip dessert. The Ziggy Stardust Disco Egg is a chocolate masterpiece—part confection, part performance art—and watching it shatter into a kaleidoscope of chocolatey shards is like witnessing some cocoa-coated big bang.
Le Banane is pricey. But that’s ok. You can’t put a price on the look of pure, unadulterated joy that’ll spread across your date’s face when they take that first bite. Trust me, it’s worth every damn penny.
Oddseoul
Some first dates go exceptionally well. It’s late, you’ve had a few drinks, and now you’re in the mood for something that will impress your date without seeming like you’re trying too hard. That’s where Oddseoul comes in. This Korean-American fusion, born from the Culinary minds of brothers Leeto and Leemo Han, has been delighting taste buds since 2012. Oddseoul is a hole-in-the-wall in the best possible way. It’s dimly lit, buzzing with energy, and packed to the brim, but that’s all part of its charm. You’re not here for formalities; you’re here to experience some of the best food in the city.
I recommend starting with the Squash Poutine—a Korean-Canadian fusion that’ll make you question why no one thought of this before. It’s all: crispy squash, cheese curds, curry gravy and kimchi. Then go with The Loosey. It’s a burger, but not like any you’ve had before; the cheese melted into the patty and topped with kimchi hollandaise. It’s messy, delicious, and the perfect excuse to get closer to your date as you both try to navigate this beast of a sandwich.
Wash it all down with a selection from the killer cocktail menu. The Tiger Buck made with Moon Peach Soju is a favorite, and it’ll put a spring in your step. Oddseoul isn’t fancy. It’s not where you go to impress someone with your wine-pairing knowledge or ability to choose the right fork from the lineup before you. It’s where you go when you want to show your date that you know where the real action is. It has attitude and suggests a zest for living and a sense of fun, which is, quite frankly, the stuff that most of us want more of.
Bar Raval
The moment you step inside Bar Raval, you’re hit with a visual sucker punch. The place looks as if Gaudí himself decided to carve a bar out of mahogany—complicated curves and swirls abound—and you find yourself amid a highly unusual space. Raval is a pintxos bar, which means small bites that pack a lot of flavor. Forget the old charcuterie board; we’re talking about heightened bites. The jamón ibérico de bellota is just so good it should come with a slight warming label and be illegal—it’s nutty, complex, and melts on your tongue like a porcine snowflake and worst of all, you will never look at ham in the same way again.
The pulpo a la gallega—octopus—is tender enough to spoon and seasoned to perfection, while the boquerones, a favorite in Spain, take the often-maligned anchovy, elevating it to star status.
The wine list is excellent and Spanish, while the vermouth selection may give you cause to reflect. If you want to impress your date, order a gin and tonic. Served in giant goblets, garnished with everything from star anise to edible flowers, they are mixed with such precision you’d think the bartenders were trained as chemists. A sidenote—Bar Raval doesn’t take reservations in the traditional sense, but they offer a waitlist, so add your name, show up, and hope for the best. Honestly, it’s part of the charm.
Aloette
First things first—forget everything you think you know about diners. Aloette takes the concept of the classic diner and turns it on its head, then spins it around a few times for good measure. The place looks like what would happen if a 1950s soda fountain had a torrid love affair with a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The menu here is a greatest-hits collection of comfort food, with each dish remixed and remastered to blow your mind. Take the Aloette Burger, a perfectly cooked patty topped with Beaufort cheese, shredded lettuce, and triple-cooked fried. Of course, the Wagyu Truffle Burger is also served with truffle gruyère, pickled onion, and black truffle jus, served on a beautifully toasted bun that’s more like a cloud than bread. The Aloette Fried Chicken is served with yuzu honey, takuan, hot sauce, and bibb lettuce—it is crispy and perfect.
For dessert, again, Aloette goes deep into diner territory. The lemon meringue pie has a buttery and flaky crust that practically disintegrates on taste. The lemon curd walks a perfect line between tart and sweet, all topped with a towering meringue torched to golden perfection. It’s like eating a slice of sunshine, if sunshine was made of butter and happy dreams. The cocktail menu is tight, focused, and above all, the Aloette Sour stands out.
Aloette doesn’t take itself too seriously. The food is outstanding and the service impeccable, but there’s none of the stuffy, white-tablecloth element. It’s where you can have an excellent culinary experience while still feeling comfortable enough to laugh too loud or steal a fry off your date’s plate. In other words, for many, it’s a great place to have a first date! So here’s an idea: sit at the counter if you can—it’s the best seat in the house. Order a bunch of dishes to share, and so, over shared plates and stolen bites, if the conversation lulls, just take another bite of that burger. Trust me, it’ll give you plenty to talk about.
West Queen West is undeniably cool, offering rich experiences that reflect Toronto’s diverse and dynamic spirit. Whether exploring its art galleries, savoring its culinary delights, or enjoying its vibrant nightlife, West Queen West promises an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Toronto’s creative pulse.
