A collection of recommended restaurants, quick eats, and cafés from a self-proclaimed Beli aficionado
McDonalds (196 Bloor St W). Don’s is always going to be the answer. It’s there for you at your lowest, to celebrate your triumphs, and for when you’ve grown tired of the pizza given out at lunchtime events. Here’s a collection of honourable mentions, though:
The next J’s Java is in a month, what are some good value eats to hold me over until then?
Truth be told, some of the best value meals around town are found right on U of T’s campus. It might not be the most glamourous option, but it sure is edible! The food trucks camped outside of Robarts offer a variety of cuisines at a price that won’t break the bank. The shawarma food truck regularly has a deal for two wraps under $10, for example. In the other direction, St. Michael’s College (81 St Mary St) has all-you-can-eat meals offered on weekdays for under $15. The dining hall isn’t difficult to access, but you do have to suffer through looking like an undergraduate freshman—make sure you bring your Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law merch along on your visit.
If you’d rather not compromise your identity as a burgeoning legal professional, you can venture to Scotty Bon’s Caribbean Grill (402 Bloor St W), where you can find bountiful platters and sandwiches for under $15. Notably, you can order online and find BOGO promos without needing to experience human interaction. On the other hand, Juicy Dumpling (280 Spadina Ave) and Okonomi House (23 Charles St W) offer a variety of comfort food for under $15.
I want to expand my palette a little bit
Som Tum Jinda (76 Gerrard St E) is a Thai place for those contrarians that insist there is something better out there than PAI (and they would be correct!). From papaya salad to crispy catfish, there are several unique dishes to explore at this restaurant. It’s also got some of the spiciest Thai dishes around the city if you want to feel something after deciding to go to law school.
Saigon Lotus (687 Yonge St) is a pho joint that is a 10 minute walk from the law school and has vegan offerings. Alternatively, NaiNai Indonesian Food (109 McCaul St) has a slew of meat and seafood plates if you’re interested in trying southeast Asian cuisine.
I survived an on-call class without speaking and want to celebrate the occasion with friends
Congratulations! Lucky for you, there’s plenty of food experiences around the city that are elevated by the company of others. Right at the north end of campus, there’s Gyubee Japanese Grill (35 Bloor St W). The cook-it-yourself style of dining is an amusing experience, and there’s myriad choices for mains and sides to cook. If you want something less involved but equally filling, try Sad Songs Cantina (1211 Bloor St W). This taqueria has excellent drinks and an all-you-can-eat special to help you forget about all the readings you’re procrastinating. On the sweeter side of things, Nani’s Gelato (6 Charles St E) is a quaint spot that offers high-quality dessert and shareable sizes.
The fishbowl fills me with dread, what are some cafés I can go to instead?
The easiest solution to quelling your anxiety is absolutely more caffeine. A personal favourite, 5 Elements Espresso Bar (131 Avenue Rd) is a small café with plenty of sandwich and beverage options, a cozy lounge and fireplace, and an outdoor patio for the two days a year where the weather is nice. Newly-opened The Coffee (150 Bloor St W) is just steps away from the law school in case you need the whispers of the Constitution Act, 1982 to keep you motivated. If you’d like to put some reasonable distance between you and the law school however, there’s Rooster Coffee House (568 Jarvis St). This roastery has plenty of seating and offers high quality beverages and pastries. A nice compromise is Greenhouse Matcha Bar (1 Yorkville Ave). While the seating is quite limited, this café is just steps away from the Toronto Reference Library or the ever-charming Yorkville Public Library; you get the library experience to feel like an academic weapon without being surrounded by noisy jurisprudence!