Pre-game like a pro before heading to Rogers Centre at some of our fave restaurants in and around the South Core neighbourhood.
Want to eat well downtown before a concert or Toronto Blue Jays match-up at Rogers Centre? Each of these restaurants is less than a 20-minute walk from the stadium, so you’ll be well-fed and in your seats for showtime.
Best tacos near Rogers Centre
Take a cue from the lineup out the door of Wilbur Mexicana—these tacos are worth the wait. A casual, quick-serve type of taco joint, Wilbur’s got the classics, such as chicken tinga and carne asada, but also inventive ones, such as cauliflower al pastor and bulgogi.
Rounding out the menu is a selection of burritos, bowls, fajitas, quesadillas and salads, plus there’s a robust selection of salsas to choose from.
Best Thai near Rogers Centre
Several of the Toronto Raptors are fans of PAI, and for good reason: executive chef Nuit Regular’s cooking will ruin you for pretty much any other Thai cuisine.
The Northern Thai menu features standbys such as pad thai, khao soi and green curry, but be sure to order some sai ua (the fragrant, flavourful northern Thai sausage) and grabong (red curry paste–battered buttercup squash fritters).
Best Japanese near Rogers Centre
In the Bisha Hotel, you’ll find the eponymous restaurant of MICHELIN-starred chef Akira Back. The contemporary Japanese menu includes dishes that take inspiration from the chef’s world travels and Korean heritage.
Order the tuna/mushroom pizza with micro shiso, truffle oil or miso black cod, and you will plant this meal firmly on your best-dinners-ever list.
Best Middle Eastern near Rogers Centre
Sure, you’ll find an exceptional hummus at Byblos, but this upscale Middle Eastern favourite also doles out fantastic Turkish manti, a dreamy labneh, juicy wagyu beef kofta and their signature sweet jewelled rice—a fragrant and life-changing bowl of saffron rice with carrots, barberries and almonds.
Save room for dessert, though: the chocolate olive oil cake makes for the perfect sweet finish.
Want more Middle Eastern? Dig into Middle Eastern food on The Danforth.
Best Californian near Rogers Centre
The Bisha Hotel’s light and airy KŌST restaurant boasts enviable CN Tower skyline views from its perch on the 44th floor (complete with infinity pool, naturally).
Dishes include refreshing, light bites such as shishito peppers and substantial entrees such as whole grilled branzino and ricotta agnolotti. Finish off with gelato or sorbetto (try the Ontario strawberry and basil), sourced from Toronto’s much-loved Death in Venice.
Best vegan cuisine near Rogers Centre
The Planta Queen location of this plant-based chain leans into Asian flavours and has chic lantern-esque light fixtures and dragon motifs to match.
Dig into a selection of sushi (including the super satisfying spicy tuna roll made with ahi watermelon), bao slider (with mushroom standing in for fried chicken) and noodles such as udon in a truffle mushroom cream. Non-vegans may be swayed to eat more plant-based after a meal here!
Explore more like this: Toronto's Best Restaurants for Plant-Forward Dining
Best chicken wings near Rogers Centre
Sometimes you just need a pile of wings. Stop into St. Louis Bar & Grill for some juicy wings—but be prepared to make some decisions as their wings are available in over 25 flavours.
Go with their top seller (the medium dry rub), or if you’re feeling adventurous, try one of the less conventional choices, such as garlic parm or General Tao’s sauce. Non-wing lovers won’t go hungry either—there’s everything from ribs to salads rounding out the menu.
Best steakhouse near Rogers Centre
Where’s the beef? You’ll find it at Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse, a contemporary spot complete with a piano bar just off of King Street West, where the robust steak menu boasts everything from tenderloin from CDN Prime Hereford x in nearby Guelph, Ont., to a striploin hailing from A5 Kobe-Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
Non-red meat eaters at your table? There’s chicken, sea bass and lamb as well, along with a slew of appetizers and sides.
Also see: 10 Best Steakhouses in Toronto for a Blowout Birthday Dinner
Best French bistro near Rogers Centre
Escape to Paris via the classic bistro menu at Le Sélect. Your Gallic cravings will be well satisfied here, from the escargots and coquilles St-Jacques to the moules frites and duck confit.
And having at least one glass of wine is essential—Le Sélect has one of the largest wine cellars in the country and the wine list is over 1,200 labels strong. Vintage French posters, red leather banquettes and bistro tables complete the Parisian-inspired oasis.
