With the Taste of the Danforth festival coming up this weekend, many are preparing to celebrate the city’s Greek culture – and, of course, the cuisine. Many restaurants have been institutions in Toronto for ages, helping to bring the Danforth to level of reverence it has today. Below, we rounded up some of the most iconic restaurants on the Danforth that have helped build the festival into what it is.
Athens Restaurant, 707 Danforth Avenue
While Athens Restaurant is closed for the summer holidays during Taste of the Danforth, it certainly deserves a spot on this list. It’s been open since 1977, and it serves authentic dishes served with seasonal, local ingredients as often as possible. Traditional dishes like Greek mussels with feta and meats in phyllo pastry meet salads, spreads and sandwiches to create a mouthwatering menu.
Messini, 445 Danforth Avenue
Messini’s iconic gyro plates have become the stuff of Toronto legend. It was established on the Danforth in 2003, and the simple yet flavourful fare, from sandwiches to souvlaki to salad, has become popular among the lunch crowd and the late-night crowd alike. The famous gyros come straight from the spit, and the wallet-friendly price point is a huge attraction.
Mezes, 440 Danforth Avenue
While Mezes is known for its signature dips and the mezes that give the restaurant its name, everything at this Danforth spot is cooked to perfection based on authentic family recipes. Vasha Zindros, the co-owner and manager of the restaurant, ensures that the recipes come from her father, George “Zinni” Zindros, the original owner of the restaurant.
Pantheon, 407 Danforth Avenue
Nick and Olga Parussis, along with their daughter Crystalia, have been serving up authentic Greek eats at their Danforth restaurant since 1977. The portion sizes at Pantheon are huge and the price point is exceptionally wallet-friendly, making the signature small fish plates – which serve sea bass and more straight from Greece – all the more appealing.
Soulas Modern Greek Cuisine, 500A Danforth Avenue
Owners Soulas and Christos opened this Danforth spot in 1978 with the dream of bringing authentic recipes with a modern twist to the heart of Greektown. The recipes derive from family ones, passed down through generations, and are served with a contemporary style. Their Greek specialties include moussaka, Santorini chicken and lamb dishes, as well as a huge selection of seafood dishes, souvlaki plates, and appetizers.