Golden Diner in Toronto

On of the last classic diners around

Seems to be one of the institutions of the hood. Very close to Yonge and College/Carleton. Portions quite generous. Waitress quite fun and friendly. And despite restaurant packed, service was great. Wheelchair accessibility: So sorry, none. Restaurant is slightly below ground level. About five steps.

I had a great experience at golden diner! My server was very nice and my food was delicious. The prices here are also great, with my total coming to ~$18 for three good sized chocolate chip pancakes and a drink, with a 15% tip included. The service was also so fast, I was surprised when my food came so soon. I loved the atmosphere, it really does have an old school diner feel. Also kudos to my server (I wasnt sure her name) but she waited the entire restaurant alone, ensuring everyone had everything they needed. Thanks for the great meal, Ill definitely be back! :)

Old school diner, cheap,fast & tasty

Woow what a great steak and pork chop. Fantastic portions and even better prices. My go to place downtown Toronto for a great quality deliciously cheap steak.

Great breakfast for the price with coffee AND juice included in the price. For $10.99, you get 3 eggs, your choice of bacon, sausage or ham, plus ACTUAL homefries and toast. Best price for breakfast in the entire city, in my opinion. With tip, usually no more than $15, plus they refill your coffee

Its a basic diner experience with inexpensive breakfast. Classic is the word that comes to mind.

The food is very delicious

Okay place but nothing great. Potatoes in the breakfast could have been more cooked for me.

A cosy and more American atmosphere. Regards the quality of food is not fresh or delicious! You dont get the sense of cleanliness at all from everything such as the black colours of waitersclothes till tables surface, dishes and everywhere.

Good food but really bad service. Server barely looked at me, dismissive attitude, took forever to even get waters and a menu once I was seated. However the veal parm was lovely, and was very well priced.

The food was literally so delicious and the kind of affordable you don t see often anymore!! The place looks like it hasn t changed since the 90s in the best way and creates a great atmosphere. A local suggested it to me and I couldn t recommend it more :)

Great spot and great price for breakfast

For a diner, absolutely wonderful. The staff are super friendly, like family. Portions are huge, and food is decent.

Prompt, friendly service and the food was absolutely delicious! Cant wait to go back!

Good diner breakfast. Was surprised to have real fresh potatoes and not frozen. Exactly what we were looking for. Will be back next time in Toronto.

The best chicken club I ve ever had Parking: there s a parking lot right beside it Food : 5/5 |

I have never had a bad experience, the menu is random but everything is good

Good family restaurant and good prices.

Impeccable old Toronto atmosphere thats unmatched. Great prices that have always remained affordable. Golden Diner is my happy place for a reason and I hope it never goes away. I absolutely love it here

The upholstery, the only thing keeping this place from 5 stars. The staff is wonderful, the food is good.

I think local residents mainly come here. Its in the basement and the tables are too close together. The server was friendly, but the taste and restaurant atmosphere were not satisfactory for the price.

Went in with my wife and our small service dog. The waitress was so rude. She dropped the menus on the floor and walked away. She even did not say hello or anything. Then when other people entered she said hello and how may I help you. She did not bring us water or came to our table. We will not be coming back and if you have any kind of service animals do not go!!!! The most rude service I have ever gotten in my entire life. I just called to talk to the owner and the lady hung up the phone. I called back she said the owner was there bur had no time to talk to me. Everyone should not come to this place it horrible.

Great brunch place!

A Charming Breakfast * I want to highlight this establishment that serves breakfast and lunch all day long, until 8 PM. It s a lovely touch for those who have a different daily routine. The overall atmosphere reminds me of the 1970s and 1980s, but everything is very clean, and I didn t notice any major issues. I should mention the service is provided by a very lovely woman, who is likely the owner, given her age. The food is delicious, with generous portions and reasonable prices. I have to repeat the steak I had was the best steak I ve ever had for breakfast, even better than what you find in some high-end, expensive places. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience, and I look forward to coming back! --- A lovely place for breakfast and dinner I want to highlight this establishment which serves breakfast and lunch all day, until 11 p.m., I believe. It s a nice touch for those who have a different schedule. The overall atmosphere reminds me of the 1970s and 1980s, but everything is very clean, and I havent noticed any major problems. I should mention that although the decor is quite old, everything is well maintained, and service is provided by a very friendly woman, who is probably the owner, given her age. The food is delicious, with generous portions and reasonable prices. I have to say it again the steak I had was the best steak Ive ever had for breakfast, even better than some high-end and expensive places. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience, and I cant wait to come back!

Great local diner, typical breakfast / brunch place with eggs, bacon, etc. Prices are perfect for budget conscious, and portions are respectable. One of my favorite local diners in the area. Definitely a go back often regular place.

The food was delicious and it was made very fast, but the server was quite slow bringing our check. The overall experience was great

Amazing restaurant where you get delicious meal and amazing service by Sharu. Value for money.

Long wait worst food ever

Exactly what it should be. Solid service. Solid food. Solid prices.

Good service, good food, good prices

An incredibly cozy, spacious place to dine and enjoy an hour or two of your time. Free wifi, plenty of seats and nicely sized tables, plus the meals are very affordable. Would wholeheartedly recommend!

Great food for a great price.

I was on vacation in Toronto with a guide in hand and Internet on my cell phone. Somewhat tired of looking for restaurants, cafes... we wanted something authentic with a Canadian flavor, and this place undoubtedly delivers. We move to Canada in the 1950s. Burly men, more men than women, who eat an abundant breakfast. Local in semi-basement, porcelain coffee, plate with full breakfast, including 3 eggs... For the same price as a meager breakfast in the surrounding cafes. If I return to Toronto I will look for this place again, although I fear its days are numbered. Civilization corrupts everything and in Toronto it is seen on every corner.

Simply Dreadful service We will never return Why is the waitress/server Maria so angry? Food was ok but we are still shocked at how cranky she was. Hopefully my friends will also provide reviews of this experience

Great fluffy pancakes, bacon & eggs cooked perfectly. Only thing that would ve improved my experience is if the waitress had more patience in taking our orders. She came by 3 times in about 5 minutes after I asked for more time. Never asked or refilled my coffee. Hot hamburger burger and fries were good but the gravy was over salted to the point of almost ruining the dish

Good grub that s close by. A greasy spoon that satisfies when you need it the most

Very nice family run diner. The food was delicious and cheap. The staff was extremely nice, they regular checked on us if we needed anything. Totally recommend it :) Food : 5/5 |

Good portion size, great taste, awesome price and friendly service. What more could you want?

The food was bad.

Amazing eggs!! The home fries need seasoning they are just potatoe chunks. The coffee is killer!! Love this spot.

Small diner but that is to be expected in Toronto, service was atrocious and food was sub par. Toast was rock hard, bacon tasted like it was days old and the pancakes were like plastic. Wouldnt recommend to anyone

Decided to try this place out randomly. Was a great surprise I was worried that is was going to be bad dinner food. But was amazing, I ordered the cold turkey sandwich. Was shocked to be asked what I wanted on it and when it showed up and it was actual sliced turkey and not deli meat. Want to come back and try their homemade chili

Came in and waited for 15 minutes then left after being completely ignored by the staff. No one brought us menus we had to get up and get our own. No one came over to offer us water but had no issues getting water for the people who came in after us. We decided to leave after overhearing the 2 staff argue about not wanting to take our table. I get that you re busy but completely ghosting customers isn t ok. Do better.

Had a delicious breakfast with generous portions and excellent service in a charming, old-style restaurant. You won t be disappointed give it a try!

Service was very good

Had lunch here today. We were greeted immediately upon entering, and escorted to a seat right away. We knew what we wanted and actually ordered before we were fully seated! The food order was prepared very fast, and it was delicious. The vibe in this place is straight out of the 50s. And I dont mean one of those modern places thats meant to look retro....this is OG retro. Loved the atmosphere and the furnishings and finishes. Will def visit again next time I am in the area.

Been going here for bout 20 years . Love it

The fish and chips we ordered was just horrible, the batter is thick and crumpy like bread, the fish is dry, tasteless and very small portion. It looked way bigger wrapped with the thick batter. Fries and vegetables is just fine. The service is average and we had to put up with a person with some sort of mental instability that kept talking loudly and repeatedly. We have been here for regular breakfast twice before and they were okay. In my opinion, they shouldnt be serving fish and chips as they dont know how to make one.

Cheap, friendly, good value for money.

Its such a great place to go dine with your loved ones. The ambiance, food, and pricing are very good. Highly recommend

A hidden spot great for Comfort food the traditional breakfast and eggs. Thats the main. Youre very old school feel like a old diner back in the 50s. The three egg home fries toast and jam .It turned out to be pretty good. This was my first time here. What most liked? Are there Roast Beef or corn beef sandwich.

Food C- Atmosphere C+ Service F Food : 2/5

I really enjoyed my time eating here, this is the diner where you come in even if it s the first time, it s like you re their regular costumer. Thank you, Maria and staff!

Nice staff and good food!

Went here over decade ago while visiting Toronto went here recently and I swear place hasn t changed a bit waiters aren t so nice but food and quality of this old style diner is amazing The beef burgers is most delightful amazing burger you ll ever have

Pretty authentic American diner experience. Run by a family and some staff. Was fairly busy on a Sunday noon. Service was a bit slow as a result. However that said, food was delicious and very well made. The prices are very reasonable of these large portion sizes.

Love this place! Been our usual go-to for weekend breakfast dates, love the old-school diner feel, the food is spot-on and the prices are hard to beat!

Great old school diner, very good service. Great prices! Highly recommend

One of the citys last old school diners and one of the best. Service is great, prices fair, and you just cant beat that turquoise paint. Get the souvlaki plate, you wont regret it!

I really want to give this place an almost perfect score. The food is AMAZING and prices are good despite how good the taste and portions are! A tad on the slow side when busy, but how busy they get is a aign of how good it gets here!

To start off order to Rye and Cokes. Chevron 2 diet Cokes and two glasses of ice. Not the liquor Them we HAD to ask for menus!! Then because she doesnt understand English one but, and didnt understand or complaints, she refused to serve us, and the dishwasher had to service for the complete meal. NEVER coming here again and been coming here for 30 years. With myself, friends, and clients. NEVER AGAIN!!!!

The food are extremely good even with delivery,love this place.

Didnt wipe the table, no one gave us menues, no one took our order. 30 mins walked out

Whatever you order will be delicious, and a fair price. Take a suggestion, add gravy to your order. Youre welcome!!!

One of the hidden gems of downtown. Amazing food, great prices, and amazing staff. If you go in, you are stepping in a time machine, and you can forget about the hussle and bustle while you dine from all-day breakfast to an amazing steak. Dietary restrictions: If you be sure to mention any allergies they do their best to be safest and accommodate.

Despite being lactose intolerant, Ive had no issues when dining in Golden Diner. This assures me that everything at this store is truly authentic. Without a doubt, one of the finest diners and restaurants in Toronto. Ill definitely be returning.

Nice Place.

Very good Greek-style brunch food and friendly staff, though a bit too slow. The interior of the restaurant does feel old and out-dated. But overall, a pretty good restaurant.

Decent breakfast - four strips of bacon, three eggs, potatoes (okay - a bit plain), toast, coffee and juice (ages since I ve had juice). Small coffee cup with plenty of refills. 1940s decor is in good condition. Friendly and attentive server. Good price for downtown Toronto.

I order from here on Uber eats. Very reasonably priced, very good food, great portions and extensive menu.

Old fashioned service, super quick, good traditional breakfast. Large portions and fresh food. Bit of nostalgia but clean. Worth a visit. Pricing is very fair.

Parking: Typical downtown diner parking is restricted to nearby streets. Good transit though. Wheelchair accessibility: Located on lower level narrow door and awkward steps down to lower level. No accessibility.

Old and dirty place. Overall bad experience.

One of the only places in Toronto that you can pay $20 for two breakfasts!!! Diner from the 70s with amazing food, service and prices - highly recommend! Coffee and orange juice comes with your meals too ;)

Absolutely luv this spot. Its my go to for dine in and online ordering for my mom and myself. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

Had such a wonderful experience at Golden Diner before catching a concert at Phoenix! Maria was a great server and very sweet. I had the fish and chips which was delicious and super well-priced! My friend and I shared the house wine in a comfy booth. Really recommend for budget-friendly yummy meals and cozy atmosphere! Will be back for sure :)

Great place, good food big portions low prices. I highly recommend

I loved this place, I will definitely go back

All-round great diner with excellent food and service. Definitely a staple breakfast place for me and my favourite item in the menu is the crabcake benny. Comes with coffee and orange juice per order as well. Portions are large but are affordably priced. Service sometimes slows down in the late mornings though, would definitely suggest coming early if possible.

Very good and helpful

Great spot for a cheap breakfast or lunch! Old school diner with fantastic staff. Decor is way out dated... but who cares!!! Breakfast was fantastic. Wheelchair accessibility: Steep stairs to get in to this lower level restaurant.

Had a lovely time here thanks to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The place has a unique charm, especially with the adorable elderly folks running the show. Patience is key, though, as the service tends to take its sweet time. But hey, it s all part of the experience, right?

The food is very different from what is shown in the picture on the menu. It was not bad, but it had nothing to do with the image at all.

Best old style breakfast all day restaurant in the core of Downtown Toronto. Good prices

Joined the waiting list at 11am on a Sunday morning and were seated by 1:30pm. The waiting time is a real deal but if youre prepared for it you wont really be disappointed. For brunch, or rather lunch by the time we were seated, we ordered the following: Honey Butter Pancakes (5/5): the stack was perfectly prepared - had the right rise and perfect consistency. The lemon zest was present and made itself very much known as did the subtle salt in the pancake batter itself. The honey butter was golden. All in all, this order had the right level of jazz and spunk while maintaining the true and classic essence of a good ol diner pancake. We also opted for a side of the Berry Compote to bring in that extra zing for when you want to add depth and more versatility to the luxurious pancake mouthfuls. This is the Apex of a good stack! Breakfast Egg Sando (5/5): the scallion brioche bun is soft and fluffy in the best way possible. The salted eggs and cheese scramble is silky smooth, and paired along with the crispy, oily hash-browns has all the right textures and flavors in every bite. This is an ideal brunch sandwich. Quite memorable and a very repeatable order! Side of Katsu Fried Chicken (3/5): to add a little more depth to our order, we ordered a plateful of Chicken Katsu but this did not serve. While somewhat generous in quantity, we felt that the flavor was lacking - no salt, no pepper, nothing. Seasoning at every stage of the cooking process is a must, no matter where the fried chicken would end up- as a side or in their Katsu Sandwich. This was a miss! I would absolutely recommend their Pancakes and Egg Sando to anyone making their way in!

Loved it! Will be back

Really good value for money, the portions are huge. For $15, the chicken souvlaki comes with a salad, potatoes and rice. I had enough for lunch and dinner! The atmosphere is pretty old though

We had a delicious breakfast. I got the classic breakfast that was huge. The waiter was very kind, and it seems that a glass of OJ is in the house. Good food, service, prices. Great coffee. Highly recommend!

classic

This is an old fashioned diner and the food is great, large helpings and simple preparation. Staff were excellent, friendly and always there to refill your coffee. Their breakfasts all have three eggs rather than the regular two.

Had the Montreal smoked meat sandwich, fries and hot chocolate. Pretty good. Mustard is optional on the sandwich. The meat I think is smoked roast beef, thinly sliced. Fries was large and nicely cooked. Comes with coleslaw. Staff is friendly. Would come back again.

My all time favorite diner whenever visiting Toronto. Reminds me of getting my breakfast back home on Long Island.

The restaurant has an old-fashioned atmosphere. The dishes are delicious, but the service is not flawless.

Top notch servers and always feel welcome here. Legendary spot.

I ate the best pork chops of my life at this diner in 2019. I didn t write down the name or location, but I came back to Toronto for holidays and knew I had to find this place. Today I m back and it s as glorious as I remembered! Good prices for vast portions, and great flavor. Writing the name down this time.

If you love an old fashioned dinner...this is the place for you...they even make a real milkshake with the original stainless steel cups and equipment...awesome...I find the prices reasonable as well...great place...I wish there were more places like this in Toronto

How in the wall dinner, small. Good breakfast food. Good value.

Love the relaxed, old-school atmosphere. Better prices than other spots in the area, and the foods great.

Wonderful old school diner with huge portions and excellent prices!! Wheelchair accessibility: This place is NOT wheelchair accessible due to stairs leading down to the restaurant. Food : 5/5 |

Great spot, dont change a thing.

The place is clean, the food is very delicious and the coffee is refill. The staff is kindly at all times and makes you feel comfortable.

Great food, large portions definitely worth the visit and will visit again!

The service was great and it is in a convenient location, but the food was just okay. I got the 3 egg classic breakfast with sausages. The eggs were solid, but the sausages were chewy and tasted a little bit old so I only ate one.

The best diner in town! Golden Diner is a hidden gem nestled within the heart of our city. As a family-owned business, it exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. Offering a diverse menu bursting with flavors from around the world, this restaurant satisfies both adventurous eaters and those seeking familiar comfort food. What sets Golden Diner apart is not only the exceptional taste of each dish but also its affordability, making it an ideal destination for families and budget-conscious diners.

Perfect classic diner, good portion size and very friendly service. I would recommend.

Great tasting food. Price very reasonable. Will return. Large portions

cozy place to get great food at an affordable price. A bit understaffed in the morning but not a big deal. Quality of the food is very good, better than a lot of instagram restaurants.

Great place for wholesome food!

Most staff r nice & food is good & reasonably priced

Food was awesome, you get a lot for what you pay for and service was great. Give it a chance for sure.

Cute reasonably priced little diner.

Delicious!!, Highly recommended

This is a wonderful option for regular lunch or breakfast - quality understandable food & quick friendly service in a busy area is what you need when its lunch time and you dont want to spend hundreds Great value for money ratio!

Best Diner in town. Great service nice food and a very nice atmosphere with 80s style seating. Food

It was very nice and because it is close to my place of course Im going there more ... but our food was ok not super, the lady who was serving us was super nice and caring, but also the atmosphere was ok and the washroom was filthy so I cant give more than 4 star ... washroom was really dirty and bad .... Im so sorry

Good food. Very much old style diner. Service was good. Good prices.

Everything was delicious the service is always great. Thank you Maria. The cook always has a big smile on his face. Old school style. Love it. Kid-friendliness: Maria the waitress welcome my baby with open arms and a big smile she offered us a booster seat or a high chair right away. She was very attentive to my childs needs.

This diner is very old. Some may consider it a greasy spoon. Prices are reasonable, the employees have been there, 25+ years that s what makes it worth it. it s small and very quaint. Anytime we are in Toronto. We make a point to go and have breakfast there. We have also referred a few people and suggested they try it, as there is no other place like it in the surrounding area.

If you like old style, greasy big breakfast... This is the place. Old mom and pop run the place. Food is great and good servings. And the get the eggs right. Over medium is difficult for most breakfast places but not here. Bad news is that they do things a little in the not sanitary way. Ice is in a bucket and scoop with the glass, hope no one had a broken glass. And she used her hand to keep ice in glass when scooping. Ok. So no water with ice but the place has great food. Unless you want ice, then maybe not for you

Excellent breakfast place! Best than the franchises. Will come back again. Edit: My wife and I discovered this place a year ago and we have been visiting every month ever since. Recommended. Food : 5/5

This place made me feel like the SpongeBob meme, also what s up with the plate

Their chicken souvlaki on pita was really good! Loved the cozy ambience, I might ve found my new go to brunch place.

Good food at a great price. You get value for your money with all day breakfast options and lovely service. A real diner experience in down town Toronto. The real deal!

This place is a fantastic find. It does not have AC so it can get a little hot and humid in the summer. They have fans but I still sweat. Food

Both the breakfast and lunch menu are full of options. The portion is generous, the price very much reasonable and may I say this is some mighty fine souvlaki

Took a while for my order to be taken. Waitress seemed annoyed at everyone and not friendly. Ordered a club sandwich with fries and gravy. The coleslaw which came as a side was absolutely disgusting, warm and a brown/green colour. Gravy had no taste. Sandwich was good though. The restaurant needs updating as the vinyl seats are ripped.

Delicious breakfast ! Good value for money.

Clean enough to eat there

Very rich

I am in Italian. I found it just walking around.. Then I love it. Fantastic feel my self in comfort and at home. For me perfect breakfast super and generous dish like chocolate pancake and delicious French toast.

If you re looking to fill your belly with a good homemade food this is the place to go, it s a little tucked in diner run by these beautiful people who put their heart and soul into what they serve you and you can taste it if you ever get a chance to check this place,bring a doggy bag or ask them for one you re gonna need it. 100% top 10 unknown diners to check out in Toronto.

Very old family style restaurant with a European, American menu. Price is good and reasonable. Your neighbourhood staple.

All time favourite. Worth every penny. Great staff and very fresh food.

Actual score 4.5 Breakfast tasted great and the price was reasonable. Good portion size. Loved that they already had a menu option that fit what I was craving. Would have loved to have home fries too (maybe next time) Food

Its a typical greasy spoon diner. Nothing special but at least they dont pretend to be something they are not...unlike Eggspectation down the street (there is no highend brunch there but they like to make you believe they do). So much so that I added a star to my rating just to spite the other place. Lol! But having said that, Id still come here when Im lazy because its close by.

Very good

This is a hidden gem in Downtown Toronto. Looks like a throw back to the 60s but the food is really amazing! Recommend Eggs Benedict any style offered. We had Steak and Eggs Benedict and an order of Blueberry Pancakes both fantastic and the steak was tender and cooked the way I asked. You wont be disappointed. Going back next trip to Toronto!

Nice little restaurant, only complaint is that there was shell in my eggs

This is a fantastic hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Portions are huge, the food is tasty, and the service is good. The prices are also great. Would recommend!

Great place with delicious food!

Good fries and gravy and other food awesome I m coming back soon

We had a super cozy and happy time here at this diner. The food was great, not the best Ive ever had but it hit the spot just right. The staff are super friendly and the prices are amazing. Throwback diner for sure. We cant wait to come back and try new things.

Wanted to love it but my burger was cold!

ordered Skip for grilled salmon and should have known better: while it tasted ok, it was barely half a proper fillet portion and was so overcooked it had the texture of rubber im sure they have an ok breakfast menu

I loved the Eggs Benedict there!

Best poached eggs in the city. Golden Diner is super consistent (both dine-in and takeout) with the best poached eggs in the city. Super affordable all-day breakfast. Excellent service. Wheelchair accessibility: Located down a flight of stairs. Not accessible.

A hidden gem. Great portions and great prices. Very friendly staff!

Fantastic experience - we went three times. The waitress - white hair took such great care of us.

10/10 eggs benny, the washroom toilets flush slow which can give you the anxiety of will it flush but can confirm it will get there eventually

Old school greasy spoon. Good breakfast and big portions. Great service by veteran servers. Small spot could use a good cleaning/remodel.

Great food and a fair price.

This restaurant has been around for years and really hasnt changed a bit. For me, its a bit of nostalgia going back to the simpler times of diners with booths and stools at the soda counter. The food is delicious, and the portions are of good value for the price. The specials are always delicious. Maria is a fixture of the place and will bring to mind your image of a diner waitress. Because the restaurant is at a lower level, you have to walk down a flight of stairs, so unfortunately, it isnt accessible for wheelchairs, etc. There is a great big window at the street that allows you to look up and out at the busy and colourful Carlton Street foot traffic for entertainment as you eat. When I lived downtown, I ate here at least once a week. Perfect place for Saturday or Sunday breakfast/brunch, but it gets busy for seating. Vegetarian options: Lots of items on the menu can easily ordered or substituted for vegetarians.

Good basic diner food.

The food was really delicious and tasty

Nostalgic. Excellent breakfast and flowing coffee to for...Must visit this small joint on Carlton Street.

Classic downtown diner. Nothing fancy but good food with solid quantities.

Nothing golden about it. Had to help ourselves to a table. Sat 15 mins while being totally ignored! Unbelievable! We got up and left. Never again. Try George Street Diner... excellent!