The Senator in Toronto

249 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1V8, Canada

★★★★☆
(1487 reviews)
Categories: Restaurant

About

At the Senator, we've been feeding guests for generations and have been the go-to common place for high-quality, comfort food. We offer contemporary dining options that honour our long held tradition of sourcing the finest local ingredients and curated wines. We believe in supporting local and work with a variety of Ontario vendors to bring you and your family food that is anything but commonplace. Reserve or walk-in and see what makes the Senator so special, as Toronto's oldest restaurant.

Website
thesenator.com
Address
249 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1V8, Canada
Plus Code
MJ4C+78 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Sunday
9:30 AM–2 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
5–8 PM
Wednesday
5–8 PM
Thursday
5–8 PM
Friday
5–8 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM–2 PM – 5–8 PM

Services

Service options
On-site services Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Great tea selection
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Healthy options Organic dishes Spirits Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner Counter service Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Toilets Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Parking
Paid parking lot Parking

Photos

Reviews

4.3
★★★★☆
1487 reviews

Most Mentioned

brunch (88) eggs benedict (39) pancakes (37) home fries (14) challah (11) jam (11) peameal bacon (10) dundas square (9) huevos rancheros (7) chicken pot pie (6)
5 stars
850
4 stars
400
3 stars
133
2 stars
48
1 stars
56
★★★★
November 17, 2024

Food was good but nothing too special. Tried the burger, was a bit dry. However, they have possibly the best homemade chocolate chip cookie in the city. Make sure you ask for it warmed up, you won’t be dissatisfied. Overall a great place to eat.

★★★★
November 14, 2024

Always a great outing at The Senator! Wonderful selection of hot beverages, but we all miss the milkshakes. The pancakes used to better, as well. Now, they are a little too doughy and dense, whereas they were lighter with a slight crisp of caramelization on the outsides previously. Service was very good, but everything took a very long time to get orders in and get food and drinks. Otherwise would've been 5 stars across the board! Will definitely be back again!

★★★★★
October 6, 2024

Absolutely amazing experience. Every time I visit the service is over the top. Best restaurant in Toronto.

★★★★
July 5, 2024

A beautiful, cozy restaurant, this is actually Toronto's oldest, established in the 1920s. We got wine and cosmopolitan for drinks their food was good too but they restaurant on too closes pretty early around 8 the bar downstairs on the other hand stays open much longer.

★★
May 20, 2024

The food is pretty underwhelming for a highly rated place. Neither the egg Benedict nor the French toast stood out in anyway. Overpriced got what you get so I would not recommend.

★★★★★
September 11, 2023

What a delightful place for brunch. Staff was so polite and friendly. The food service was quick. The food was hot and delicious. Had eggs benedict - salmon. Veg option with Avocado. Peach pancakes- with some fruit, syrup, butter n whipped cream. Delicious, delicious, delicious. There is a reason why this place has been going strong after so many decades. Please visit, highly recommended. My new favourite for brunch in the city.

★★★★★
August 14, 2023

I really enjoyed this spot for brunch and coffee. The Senator Restaurant offers good variety of breakfast and brunch options. The egg benedict that I ordered along with the homefries side were amazing. Service was also spot on and the waitress was very attentive and the food came our pretty quick. The ambiance and atmosphere were also great.

★★★★
January 3, 2023

Came here for brunch with some friends. Service was good and our server was friendly. The mimosas were reasonably priced compared to other places. The food was decent and they had a decent selection of foods but a bit on the pricier side from what I was expecting. I wouldn’t mind coming again for sure because it had a cozy vibe to it and overall had a good experience.

★★★
December 16, 2024

Nice place although expensive for what it is. Waiter got our order wrong and seemed upset with us about it. The cocktails are small. The food was tasty! Chicken pot pie

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 14, 2024

Daughter and I had a good breakfast with quick service

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

We were staying at Pantages Hotel down the road and were looking for somewhere to eat on our last night and discovered those place, what a find, everything was lovely, we dared to have dessert and a massive slab of chocolate cake and pecan pie arrived, what a find! Thoroughly recommended 10/10

★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

I ordered the avocado toast and it its a very well served portion! Also, paid 5dollars in a mimosa. The place is cute, a little noisy, but very cute. I will be back, definitely!

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

Outstanding food and service. Large portions were worth the price.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Amazing experience

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Beautiful old style Cafe from 1948 Staff are very friendly and helpfull. Food was amazing I had the eggs Benedict great display and cooked perfectly. Girlfriend had the spinach bowl and she loved it. We ha mimosa and a Senator Caesar which was made with their own custom Caesar mix. Best Ive ever had

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Wonderful dinner with our friends last night before Tina Turner show at Mirvish. Food was delicious & service attentive. The chicken pot pie was outstanding.

August 21, 2024

Their website says they open at 9:30 on Saturdays, but the place was dark and locked up tight (with a padlock on the front gate) well after 9:30 this morning. Don t waste your time!

★★
August 21, 2024

$56 for two breakfasts it s the new normal now! Ordered eggs over easy received them over hard! Home fries way over cooked with 2 1/2 pieces of peameal bacon and half a small container of beans! This is apparently their signature breakfast but definitely was a one time visit only. Overpriced for what little you get!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Usually 20 min wait at peak hours. Thats a good thing

★★
July 21, 2024

The service is good and the building is beautiful but the price very high and the food is also not very good.

★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Food is fine, as expected. They forgot our order. Gave us the whole can of beer when we ordered a second while we waited. I wonder what they did with the last third of the cans from our first ones...? Its a pretty famous place, kind of fun. Very noisy!

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Great spot. Assumed it was a breakfast place only and were pleasantly surprised when they accommodated us last minute for dinner. Love the atmosphere and kind and caring staff. Retro diner feel! Food hit the spot too. Shrimp was surprisingly spicy. Steak was great done just as requested and a nice char. Check it out!

★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

The food was terrific, albeit a little pricey. The servers meant well, but I had to ask multiple times for things as simple as syrup (who orders pancakes and expects not have syrup included!?) The atmosphere was great, really cool place. Overall, it was nice, but I would get there early to avoid the crowds.

Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Great folks, but disgusting pricing now. Do they have to bribe the chickens to lay a few eggs? 2eggs, bacon, fries and toast $24, plus $5 for a cup of coffee. Prices have tripled. Go to Sunset grill...3 eggs, 4pieces of bacon, fries and toast $12.99 Dont support the thieves.

★★★★★
June 21, 2024

Great weekend brunch spot. Get the Benedict with the cheddar biscuits, incredible!

★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Friendly and fun brunch. A traditional greasy-spoon, North American diner with traditional eggs, omelettes and benedicts etc. very good for a casual weekend breakfast/brunch

★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

A bit pricey for what it was. Came up to around $50/person. The food came out very slow. But overall the atmosphere was great. Love the old fashion diner feel to it

★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

The Senator is located across the street from the Mervish Theatre on Victoria Street - therefore it is a good choice for theatre goers. The food, service, selection and ambiance, were underwhelming to say the least. Dont order the chicken pot pie.

★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Clean, a little claustraphobic and very charming. The food was excellent, we had breakfast. Good prices, not as expensive as you may be expecting. Food came quickly. The space is very tight. With noise it doesnt feel too bad, however be prepared to be sitting pretty close to a strangers table.

★★
May 21, 2024

Went here recently before a show. The service was friendly and fantastic. The booths are extremely uncomfortable. The soup was so salty it was inedible.

★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

My experience here was good. Standard breakfast food. Good service, good food and a good atmosphere. The senator is priced at a higher tier than other neighboring breakfast places. Doesnt offer much for the price. The menu is really confusing as it doesnt allow you to get separate items. Maybe if you ask ? Good place to try... Maybe just for tourists and not locals. Cute booths :)

April 21, 2024

Service - ok Food - overpriced and terrible Seating uncomfortable Cramped space Won t return

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Top tier experience, do recommend. The smoked salmon Egg Benedict is what I had and is delicious, same with the home fries. Staff was friendly and accomodating, and the general atnosphere was top notch.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Delicious, please do yourself a favour and try it if you havent been yet.

★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

I loved the vibe and ambiance of the place, unfortunately, I didnt quite enjoy the food. The restaurant had a charming atmosphere and the service was prompt and friendly. However, the breakfast options didnt quite meet my expectations in terms of flavor and quality. Despite this, I appreciate the effort put into creating a welcoming environment.

Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Has really gone down hill. Who knows when its open ? Food has suffered as well

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

First time at the restaurant. Had an amazing Saturday lunch. Will be back!

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

First time back in many years and enjoyed every minute.

★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Not what it used to be. This was the first time I ve been to The Senator in about 5 years and I have to say that it s lost its je ne sais quoi. There was no buzz. No frenetic wait staff running around trying to keep up with orders, no hilarious host with seemingly unlimited anecdotes to entertain you. Now it s just an average, and somewhat overpriced diner.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

The food and service is outstanding!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Nice for after the show. Make reservations. Diner food is good, but not high end. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Great service. Mussels on white wine sauce with fennel accompanied by an Italian pino grigio was delicious. I love the vintage vibe!

★★★★★
January 21, 2024

Such a wonderful place! It s set back in time with a lot of class. Lovely French toast & tea.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Small intimate place that you can see was a classic dinner back in the 60s. Great food despite the smallish menu. Family owned and operated, the staff are all amazing. Always a good experience.

★★★★★
January 21, 2024

I was passing through Toronto, making time to go to the airport after an intense trip. I decided to go to the Senator Restaurant, so I could rest a little and eat something. Although they were about to arrive at closing time (it was December 24), they treated me wonderfully with a very welcoming kindness. Connor, the waiter, treated me very well and so did the rest of the team. I was delighted to have an avocado toast that was excellent. The food was really delicious, accompanied by a salad. Also, they gave me a Christmas gift, which is a jar of honey. If I go back to Toronto, I will go back and try more things to eat!

★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Food is just OK. Prices are higher than they should be. Drinks are not great.

December 21, 2023

Pros: Quality service, Retro diner vibe/atmosphere Cons: Overpriced, small portions, & limited menu. Youll leave hungry. Go to Frans Restaurants down the street for better value.

★★★★
December 21, 2023

Great service and delicious brunch. The $5 mimosas were an added bonus. It gets very busy very quickly, but it is well worth the wait.

★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

A terrible disappointment. This used to be my favourite place to eat in Toronto. It was the first place I suggest when going for brunch with friends and family because it was exceptional. Since it reopened its overpriced and pretentious. There is a $20 per person minimum for breakfast which is nearly impossible not meet because the only item on the menu under $20 is an order of two pancakes. Prices may have gone up in the industry, but this seems greedy. The staff were always great and Im sure the food is still good, but expect a large bill.

December 21, 2023

It was my worst breakfast experience in Toronto!! - We ordered two separate plate but they brought one shared one. Even when we said it was a wrong order, no one appeared to address the issue. - No one asked if we like to have milk with coffee. - It was a waste of money ($65.5) for a low quality breakfast plate! Will never try again!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

We recently went here after not being for several years and loved it. I saw the comments about how its changed and it had. We went in expected a fiber type restaurant and its now more fine dining. But I thought the prices were reasonable and cheaper than many other fine dining restaurants. And my meal was amazing. I got smoked salmon over potato latkes with a horseradish aoili and capers. Which was up there with one of the best meals Ive ever eaten. So delicious. So if you are looking for fine dining, I would highly recommend.

Local Guide
December 21, 2023

This was the most disappointing meal I ve had in quite a while. I grew up with the Senator and it did not fair well post Covid. Service was abysmal as well as the cafeteria style burger and fries. It s another tear for a fallen establishment. The minimum is a star as I can t post zero. This is all I could eat and the waiter asked if everything was ok. Um

★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Went in with high expectations after reading about the best burger in Toronto. For me it was not the case unfortunately.

December 21, 2023

Way over priced. $24 each. Breakfast for 2 total $78 . 2 eggs 1 piece of toast, frozen deep fried potatoes. 2 pieces of bacon. + $5 for coffee. Crazy. Do not recommend this restaurant.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Cute little restaurant, the staff are lovely! The fresh squeezed lemonade is perfect for a warm day

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

So happy the Senator is open for brunch again. It is one of our favourites! Visited for the first time post-COVID. Fun 50s style diner. We missed you. A few changes to the menu but the food is still amazing. One request - please bring back the club sandwich! Very friendly staff. We always have the Yogurt and fruit and blueberry pancakes. We tried a new dish today. French toast sandwich with ham and Swiss. It was dee-lish. Home fries so good! $5 mimosas!!! So glad you re back - we missed you!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

I have been planning to visit Senator for over a year, last night I had the chance to visit and have dinner at this wonderful place. The food was so good, but what I really loved about this place is the amazing service I got. They were so friendly, professional, and polite. The restaurant has very cozy and cute decorations and the tables are made in a way that will make you feel very comfy. I ordered the creamy pasta and it was so yummy. I also loved the idea of attaching hangers for coats and jackets at every table. I cant wait to try their brunch on the weekend.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Love diners

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Came here because it was right across the street from the Ed Mirvish Theatre. Food and drink were decent and not too overly priced.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Sometimes, you get lucky! When me & my wife first travelled to Toronto, we stayed at a Hotel in downtown and planned our breakfast at Senator (without looking at reviews, without searching for other places). Incidentally, this place turned out to be one of the finest weve ever have been to in Toronto in last 4 years. The coffee here is the best weve had in the city, the cozy sitting is awesome & the breakfast - decent. I checked recently and think this place does not take any reservations which is unfortunate.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Finally reopen for brunch, Saturday and Sunday morning 9:30am-2:30pm

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Smoked salmon Eggs Benedict... a must have!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Delicious brunch.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

The Senator is a Toronto staple that will continue to be for the coming years! Nestled away on Victoria street, the senator is a no frills, good food, good service, good atmosphere restaurant that you should visit. Although they dont have an ambitious menu, they are doing things right with what they are serving!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Best place for breakfast in the city!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Came here for brunch, had the best breakfast and such lovely energy. Our server was so friendly, I never asked for his name but he was amazing! Very friendly and he was so nice! When stopping by in Toronto please make sure to come by here! If possible please ask for him as your server hes great!(:

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

A bit expensive but good food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Fascinating hidden spot to dine. Good food, service, and excellent ambiance. Mature clientele.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

The best avocado toast in the world

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Shakshuka is top-notch. Also, their signature drinks are great.

★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

We went to the Senator for breakfast today and boy were we disappointed. Three of us ordered of eggs, peameal bacon, toast and home fries. The only thing that past the test was the bacon which is pretty hard to screw up. The toast was cold, the potatoes were cold and the egg portion which was supposed to be two eggs scrambled was barely one egg scrambled. It is a very busy place which might explain the gaps in food preparation, presentation and service but it s not the Senator of old. At the prices the Senator charges you re better off with O&B Canteen which offers a great breakfast at a comparable price.

★★★
December 21, 2023

Our waiter started out good however very quickly that changed. He pretty much disappeared. When the food finally arrived, one of the orders didnt arrive at all. My club sandwich was bone dry and had awkwardly cut pieces of dry chicken. The bacon on my Husbands order was raw. When the pancakes finally arrived, they were raw. On the other hand, my daughter had a Bennie and it was delicious. All in all it was a disappointment. Sorry

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

#TheSenator Review from March 2023 #SundayBrunch at #Torontos oldest, continuously run restaurant, in the same place. Luckily they ve survived the pandemic, unfortunately they still haven t returned to full menus and full daily meals. However Brunch today was fabulous. $5 #mimosas made with fresh juice and Prosecco was a wonderful beginning to our meal. #coffee #tea and #warmAppleCider accompanied our dishes. My husband ordered the #buttermilkPancakes with fresh #AppleCompote and #mapleSyrup he really enjoyed them. He also enjoyed a lovely side of #Bacon. I went with their brunch special. While not a full English breakfast, which I had hoped to order, It did have #bakedBeans #eggsOverEasy wonderfully cooked #homeFries #ChallahToast and to make it Canadian I had luscious #peaMealBacon I was fortunate to eat it with some #HPSauce which made it English. The server said they discontinued the Full English Breakfast due to people not eating the Blood Pudding, Heathens!! Overall a wonderful yummy brunch, in a cool place, with an old jazz vibe. My husband talked about eating at The Senator back in his University days or eating lunch while working down the street. I love hearing and seeing Toronto history, I m glad I had the opportunity to eat here, I d visit again #eatLocal #LocallySourced #TorontoHistory #TheSenatorRestaurant

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

My husband and I stopped in after a day-long bus tour of Toranto. We were needing a warm drink before getting on the road for the 2 hour return to Niagara Falls, Ontario. They were very busy with reservations but happily welcomed us at the bar for delicious coffee. The server even gave us a refill to go. The bar tender and the manager both took time to answer a couple of questions about the restaurant. Loved the vintage vibe! Would definitely reserve a table if were back in Toronto!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Came at a bad time and had to wait for a table but well worth the wait!! Love the little curved booth! And the food was phenomenal

★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

I went to The Senator with 3 people. I was there at 1 oclock. The menu was Brunch and the selection was very limited. I had been there a few years ago and I was disappointed that I couldnt order lunch items such as a salad. It was pricey. The atmosphere is good. My husband used to frequent this restaurant when he worked downtown but he was not impressed.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Egg benedict was amazing, service very friendly and everything fresh.

★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Cool look and good vibe, just a bit overpriced and stingy for a pretty standard breakfast diner experience. Service was good, drip coffee was bad.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Pretty good brunch. It was full when we walked in on Sunday at 11 am but we did not have to wait to long - very pleasant staff made sure we were greeted and seated in order of arrival

★★★★
December 21, 2023

The food here is very good. But if you want a nice, full bodied glass of white wine, you are out of luck.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

My husband and I went in for a brunch on Saturday. The place was lively and packed but we were seated almost immediately. The food was so yummy!! My first time going and I loved it. My husband has had it before and said the quality is just as good as he remembers it.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

My wife and I came here on a Saturday morning as they opened at 9.30. It was great, had a special coffee and two breakfasts. My wife is gluten free, and found something that worked for her, although we didnt get into details with the server. Food was great, highly recommended. Atmosphere was great, its cozy and good inside. Better than a diner like Frans, which is down the road!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

The atmosphere was fun, and the food was delicious!!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Our favourite spot to visit while in Toronto. We have previously visited for brunch and were super happy with the food and service. Last night we visited for dinner and WOW! The whole experience was really great. I had the Chicken Pot and my husband had the Branzino. Fresh! Delicious! and the service was spectacular. Wine list is very nice and a good assortment of beer, cider, and specialty cocktails. We cannot wait to visit Ann and the team again. Thank you all for a special night.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Great atmosphere with even better service. I wish service could be as good in other places we had here. Efficient and thoroughly professional. We went for brunch before a show at Ed Mirvish. Long lineup at Senator but with precision and good planning by the hostess we were able to get a table, and had a great brunch. Plus made it on time for the show.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

The VERY best place for breakfast.......lunch and early dinner....& Elton Johns favourite place for a burger (& the ONLY place for him & David F. too.) Waiting patiently for The Senator to reopen...hopefully Spring/Summer 2022

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

May 2022:. Temporarily closed. When does it become permanently? Instagram account says reopening Fall of 2021 *** Breakfast steak and eggs with coffee. 8 AM and the long corridor of booths is already packed. I manage to snag a seat at the back with a line forming. Bustling business and a variety of people from students, blue and white collar and retirees add to the charm. My order is quickly taken with politeness and a smile. The steak arrives as ordered, medium rare. A nice cut of beef. The coffee is strong enough and the roasted potatoes with onions are perfectly done. Oops. My dry rye is adorned with butter. Unless horrified, no need to bother the kitchen. Besides, they already have an issue with two customers whose order was botched. But rectified within minutes. It is also nice to see the front staff immediately get involved. An old joint one can attend casual or dressed up. Everyone fits in.

★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

Nice diner to get something to eat before a show. Friendly staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

Will you be reopening?

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

This place is in one of the oldest original houses in T.O, the food is priced well for area and is super fresh and homemade. Jams good:) Has been closed with signage on since pandemic with little sign it will open soon though Hope so its missed!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

We were greeted outside (coincidence, but nice). Our reservation had been lost, but it wasnt neccessary as there were plenty of empty tables. Service was excellent. Staff are eager to make sure everything is exactly how you want it. The food was good too. That said, the lamb was requested to be pink/medium but served rare. It was delicious nonetheless. The smoked salmon was very fresh. My guest substituted asparagus for the yam his order would have come with. It looked wonderful, it cut nicely and the texture was perfect. My guest was very happy with it until he tasted it. My guess is the fault was with the asparagus itself because we could find no other fault with it. Dessert was espresso and a salted chocolate truffle. A little more salt in the truffle than I like, but still good. I didnt recognize the region of the coffee used for the espresso, but really liked it too. I plan to try what looked like an amazing chicken pot pie on my next visit.

★★★★★
December 21, 2022

We were going to a show nearby. Came across this place by accident. Decided to give it a try. I love the interior, it s like taking a step back in history. The 3 of us had sliders because we were in a pinch for time. Food was delicious. As we saw the chicken pot pies going to other tables we wished we had of ordered that instead. Smelled delicious as orders were going by our table. Maybe next time.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

Went here before a show. Really liked the ambiance, like a diner vibe. The food is more high end now. Less diner more dinner. I had the steak. It was soooo good!! It was perfectly tender and melted in my mouth. The garlic butter on the top was excellent! I wish I had more. I got the bowl of fries. When they say a bowl, they mean a BOWL. It was a lot of fries. They were nice, but they would be even better if they had some salt. I had the chocolate cake for dessert. It was very rich and I enjoyed it. I also tried the apple crumble which was impeccable. Over all, I loved my dining experience here.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

Excellent food, beautiful interior with character, and the best service Ive had at a restaurant in years. Everyone is so kind and helpful- and genuine. Thank you!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

If you are seeing a show at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, you must plan a meal at The Senator. Setup like a diner, they fool you until you salivate over the seafood-dominated menu. My mother and I shared the mussels, croquettes, ratatouille and French fries, and there wasn t a morsel left behind. Do yourself a favour and come here soon! P.S. the servers are so friendly, efficient and helpful.

★★★★★
December 21, 2022

Our dinner was super . Our server was perfect . Thank you Dietary restrictions: I am a celiac . GF options were presented to me Food : 5/5 |

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

The best brunch in the city

★★
December 21, 2022

Headline: Eat somewhere else I went for lunch here recently and was very disappointed. The prices are incredibly high and the quality and portion size of the food do not meet what youd expect for the cost. The food was not great and we both left hungry because of how little food you get. We ended up needing to go and eat somewhere else directly afterwards despite spending over $50 for 2 meals here. (Also a cup of coffee is $5!!) Very disappointed in this restaurant. I would not recommend it. Your stomach and wallet will thank you for eating somewhere else.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

Great brunch experience.

★★★★★
December 21, 2022

From the moment we entered this gem of a place, we knew it would be perfect. How charming to have a doorperson to welcome us! Let me start by saying I called to ask about their menu as I do not eat dairy and red meat. Ann explained all the options that were available to me. Upon arrival, I found out she had asked the kitchen to keep some fish specials aside for us. Im glad they did because it was terrific. First, however, we enjoyed a cocktail with seafood croquettes which came piping hot and delicious. The seafood special was a red snapper papillote that did not disappoint, and my husband enjoyed the lamb. We thought the evening couldnt improve, but dessert arrived, and we were again blown away. Im sure that whatever you order here will be perfect. We will return to this little gem of a spot in the heart of the city. Thanks, Alyssia, Ann and Sam, for the perfect friendly service! See you soon.

★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2022

Really expensive for an average experience!! The food was average & their service was not quite well. Honestly it felt like a small diner which could be nice by itself but because it s located at Yonge & Dundas now you have to pay twice for half portion of a typical diner. It doesn t even worth to try.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2021

a bit over priced but the vibe is just right

Local Guide
December 21, 2021

Location is closed. Please update your hours!!!

★★★★★
December 21, 2021

Good restaurant. I try to visit whenever I am in the area.

★★
December 21, 2021

Not worth the price at all. I was totally disappointed with the food. Id heard great things about their brunch, but the dinner was horrible. The best thing out of everything wed ordered was the fries. The chicken sandwich lacked flavour, the veggie burger looked horrifying and the bun was so dry. If youre looking to grab dinner with friends, Id look else where.

December 21, 2021

DO NOT COME HERE, THE RESTAURANT IS CLOSED. We tried going three straight days - there s no indication online that the place is closed, but every time we went, it was. They really need to put out some kind of notice, because everything online says it s open for business.

December 21, 2021

Visited last Saturday but were closed there was a line of people too! Please update Google

★★★★★
December 21, 2021

The hours on Google are wrong, see below from their website: Monday closed Tuesday 7:30am to 2:00pm (take-out/patio) Wednesday 7:30am to 2:00pm (take-out/patio) Thursday 7:30am to 2:00pm (take-out/patio) Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm (take-out/patio) Saturday 8:00am to 2:00pm (take-out/patio) Sunday closed

★★★★
December 21, 2021

I absolutely love having brunch here, however they are now closed. My husband and I made the trip to town on a Wednesday for our Birthdays and were really disappointed to find out they were closed. Their website says they are open as well as Google so there was no indication of the closure.

Local Guide
December 21, 2021

Showed up but closed, even their hours on the website is wrong...

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2021

I tried the huevos rancheros and was impressed. The place offers food for a good price and the ambience is quite unique.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2021

Last time I was there for a live blues night which was lovely, the food was ok, nothing to write home about.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

The ambiance, the food, the service and most of all many years of memories

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Tried Egg Benedict for breakfast. It was cooked to perfection. The staff were friendly. If you are visiting Toronto and looking for a hearty breakfast option, this place is just for you.

★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Decent diner brunch but overpriced

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Everything was amazing! The bread and home made fruit jam was authentic and delicious. The orange juice is freshly squeezed daily

★★★★★
December 21, 2020

Great spot. Ordered the homemade chicken pot pie. Delicious, big chunks of vegetables and chicken. Friendly service.

Local Guide
December 21, 2020

1. A spicy caesar should not taste like lemon pepper chicken 2. A reuben with coleslaw for $18 should at the very least be more than 1inch thick + bread. Not 1inch overall! Google reuben in Montreal and look at those pics. If I want to vegan at least i know i can still order this Embarrassing to say the least! 3. Slaw... Really. Go research slaw on google look at the images and figure it out. Its not that hard.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

A piece of old Toronto that still delivers. Best breakfast spot in the core. Great food with a twist.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Great place for brunch, very cosy and the ingredients were really fresh. It s a historic site as well, which makes the experience even better! Highly recommend the French toast.

★★★★★
December 21, 2020

Ask for Meghan, she gave us the best service and the food came out quick and delicious.

★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Nice spot tucked in by Young-Dundas square. I was kind of expecting more for a place that s been around so long. Food and service were good. The club sandwich, while having all the right intentions, fails with its broken pieces of challah bread and giant, jaw-stretching hunks of chicken. Not to mention the paltry serving of coleslaw. Seriously, there are other ways to make this sandwich classic something special, without making the customer work to eat it.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

We decided to visit this restaurant after our hotel concierge recommended it for brunch, and it exceeded our expectations! Its a unique restaurant with a lot of history behind it, but aside from that, the brunch and service are excellent. The staff were so warm, welcoming and friendly. And everything we ordered, was sooo goood! Their in-house smoked salmon and biscuits make their eggs benedict a stand-out dish. Overall, a great experience and a restaurant worth visiting while in the city!

★★
December 21, 2020

Overrated.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Really good full English breakfast. Recommended it.

★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Staff was very friendly. Pancakes were ok...

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Such an amazing experience! Highly recommend. My family and I will be back soon

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Always love this place! Best food and ambiance ever!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Went here with my friends and I feel the need to eat here every day, great food great employees even better food. 10/10

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Very delicious breakfast and friendly staff, however, you have to expect about 20 minutes to have your order ready on the table.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

A timeless classic. Please go so it stays in business forever. As Dundas Square lurches forward into to a brash monument to bad taste The Senator provides a quiet and tasteful oasis.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Great diner feel. The biscuit was not so great but I was happy with everything else.

★★★★★
December 21, 2020

Nice track. Good people. Decent value and nice setting

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Great place for breakfast! I live the eggs Benedict a definite must for the hungry breakfast crowd in Toronto!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

A classic place. This has been around for decades. My dad came here as a university student, and now he is 70 years old. We often come here together when Im in the city. The atmosphere is absolutely lovely, and the food is classic as well as delicious. Servers are very friendly; its almost as if you have stepped into the past when you enter this place. Definitely something magical about it. You can dine at the bar or at one of the tables. They have extra seating on the second floor, where there is also live music. Maybe theater-goers often come here before or after a show as well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

The Senator is a real establishment! The staff are super friendly and the place itself feels very comforting but at the same time almost historic because it has been around for so long! They are open super early so a great to grab breakfast+coffee with friends. Hands down one of the best places for breakfast in the area :)

★★★★★
December 21, 2020

Great service! Great food! LOVE the new menu and commitment to sustainability! Went for the pre show seating before #Hamilton! They were courteous, fun, professional. We can t wait to return!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Great Brunch place in the middle of the week!

★★★★★
December 21, 2020

Phenomenal breakfast food. The items are all cooked from local ingredients and they taste amazing!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Great food and service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

The best eggs benny in town! Portion looks small at first but is actually extremely filling

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Live music upstairs every Friday and Saturday! A great intimate room for jazz.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Ive wanted to try the breakfast here for a while, but havent had the chance yet, but I managed to come for dinner one night before a show and ordered the fish and chips. The food was really good; the fish was delicious, the fries were a little too salty and overdone for my liking but were still tasty and the coleslaw just wasnt my cup of tea as it was too vinegary yet creamy. It was also a little on the pricey side. Definitely worth checking out if youre in the area, but not necessarily worth the trip if youre coming just to try.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Their bread and jam was so delicious! Other food was average. A bit pricey for a brunch, but still affordable. +their homemade chili sauce was spicy, and I loved it!:) Please press thumb up below if you think this review was helpful and hope you have a wonderful time here!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Went for breakfast and was delicious! Very friendly staff.

★★★★★
December 21, 2020

Great menus, beautifully presented, and cater for gluten free so well

★★★★★
December 21, 2020

Hearty breakfast at a great price and ambience

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Excellent food, first-rate service, great atmosphere.

December 21, 2020

Wasn t done with my food when they took my plate.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

My favourite diner in the city. Go for lunch or breakfast. Their dinner is mediocre, but their lunch and dinner makes up for it. My go to dish is the smoked salmon eggs Benedict. Their Mac and cheese for lunch is also amazing. Also they have the only drip coffee that I actually like in the city.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Super awesome breakfast spot in the heart of Toronto. Good food and service. Reasonable prices.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Good selection of food. Fast service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Anyone who visits this great city should experience a breakfast at the Senator. This historical eatery gives you the feel that you are stepping back in time - without the cobwebs and grease stains. There has been a few times that we have been eating our breakfast ,Happily - the baked goods there are AWESOME, only to look up and discover a celebrity is sitting in the booth beside, in front, or behind you. The great thing, nobody seems to care about who you are (except for the amazing staff) - we all get our breakfast served on the same type of plate. It can be a little on the expensive side when you are comparing most breakfast diners. The experience is worth it. You are paying for the location, atmosphere, service and GREAT FOOD! Highly Recommended The Senator staff are busy, but always seem to take the time to

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Amazing food , excellent service . I definitely want to come back !

★★★★★
December 21, 2020

I really like the people that own this place and their staff. It is a quaint breakfast place in the heart of Toronto that you can get a very nice sandwich and breakfast. I love the breakfast sandwich with eggs, peameal bacon and a side of home fries. You can also get honey and homemade strawberry jam in jars. My kind of place

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Yum Yum!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Always wonderful. We enjoyed the patio for the last warm day of the year. Great attentive service and great diner food. The patio will be open through October we were told, weather permitting. The peach French toast was amazing.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2020

Delicious meal, chilli gives a good kick and the staff was really friendly.

★★★★★
December 21, 2019

Best diners.

★★★
December 21, 2019

its ok over priced for what you get !! good service though

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2019

Great classic brunch place with an old school diner feel, right in the heart of the theatre district! I got the Eggs Benedict with Peameal Bacon, a very nice thick cut of bacon that pairs well with the English muffin and the rest of the dish.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2019

One of those places you ll keep going back to. Excellent food, diner prices, and (usually) not very long wait times.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2019

Good food great staff

★★★★★
December 21, 2019

Hi quality breakfast.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2019

Such a cute place with interesting seating (youll see what I mean when you go!) I have wanted to try this staple of Toronto for years. I came for lunch and had the Greek salad. It was big and fresh, and the dressing was definitely home made. I liked how it came in a little jar so you could pour as much or as little as you wanted. I wish they sold the dressing because it was to die for. I really need to try breakfast here one time, and will certainly come back to do so. When I have come in the past the line has been incredibly long (out the door), so get there early! My only qualm is that they only had the tiny glasses for water - which I hate b/c I drink a lot of water with my meal. The server wasnt as attentive as I had hoped and didnt fill it up often.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2019

Definitely one of the best places in the city to go for a farm fresh tasting breakfast, totally the best tasting squized orange juice on this planet. Absolutely the eggs the best Ive tasted, thick peameal bacon, many different style potatoes, and Mr. Valdez delivers the coffee personally. Along with the the fantastic fare comes a fantastic price, but worth every dollar. Highly recommended and worth the trip downtown.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2019

This place is a cozy, friendly restaurant with a good, but limited menu. Its diner-style, in layout and operation, plus the benefit of a decent bar.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2019

Historical the lot was surveyed in 1836 and a home was built in 1850s for the Salvation Armys Council General. In 1929 the home was renovated into a kitchen and diner that served comfort food. It was called the BUSY BEE. Then in 1948 the name was changed to the Senator. Its the longest continuous restaurant in Toronto. Ive been coming here for over 30 years. Theyve got the best breakfast in the 4th largest city in North America. Everything is organically fresh and so delicious. Today, I had the pleasure of being served by Kaelee and really enjoyed our rapartee moments. On weekends always expect a lineup.