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When plant-based restaurants first descended upon Toronto in the late ’90s, they primarily catered to a niche, healthy audience. Planta founder Steven Salm quietly revolutionized vegetarian and vegan food in the city by making it appealing to staunch carnivores. David Lee, co-founder and executive chef, worked in numerous Michelin-starred restaurants before applying his culinary know-how to the diverse menu, often eliciting counterintuitive praise for how “meaty” dishes taste.

We’ll now be restricting our drinking at the city's best bars to certain hours of the day: happy hours. And if you can forgo the frills of fancy décor, well-dressed waitstaff and elaborate plating, there’s an abundance of no-fuss joints serving delicious and cheap eats — just try not to look at the fluorescent lighting.

From a sandwich shop specializing in bacon to a street festival where you can feast on Jamaican food to the oldest pho restaurant in Toronto, each point on this map indicates a stop on Peterson's whirlwind tour.

If you were unable to pick up your gift due to the pandemic-related store closures, Sephora is also offering an extra 30 days to pick up your gift.

arcade machines, and local graffiti plastered on the walls. Then he presents you with epic sandwiches wide enough to rest your head on. The Big Ass Chicken Sandwich requires you to unhinge your jaw to enjoy two deep-fried thighs tossed in Carolina butter sauce and finished with spicy ranch, crunchy slaw, and sweet-and-sour pickles.

  A post shared by The Wolff Girl (@erikawolfff) This popular eatery is a staple of Queen West and for good reason. The munchies are always tasty and the prices are right at just $5 for a classic grilled cheese, $4.

Journey south to Chile with a visit to Jumbo Empanadas, a cozy and welcoming spot that specializes in traditional empanadas. 

Copy Link Chef Jinda Witthayarak’s restaurants are cherished in Laos and northeastern Thailand, so it’s a gift to have her open her first North American location in Toronto. Her daughter, Khun Jiab Nattanid, runs the day-to-day operations, serving a menu Dinner Discount Toronto that echoes the family’s Southeast Asian eateries. There’s a section dedicated to som tum (papaya salad) in its vast iterations, including tum Thai puu, which glitters with bits of salted crab, garlic, chile, peanut, green beans, and dried shrimp — combined together with enough heat to burst through your skull.

The Momo House puts Himalayan cuisine on the map one momo at a time. Get your fix of scrumptious momos, Tibetan-style filled and steamed dumplings, at any of their three locations.

Entertainment District Illstyl3 Sammies does epic sandwiches like Philly cheesesteaks for under $10, and they do hoagies and breakfast sammies for similar prices.

Located all over Toronto, the best happy hours will ensure you can have your cake and eat it too. From deals on signature cocktails to bar rail, beer, wine, food and more, you and your pals can dabble into a little bit of everything without having to break the bank.

One of their highlights is their Phud Thai, which allows you to adjust the spice level to your liking. It’s a great way to try Thai flavours without emptying your wallet.

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