World Cup dining: 6 spots near Toronto Stadium worth visiting
From Italian fine dining to smash burgers and hot dogs, here's where to eat near the action.
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With thousands of World Cup fans flooding the Toronto Stadium neighbourhood for two weeks starting Friday, getting to a decent meal without waiting for Uber surge pricing is essential. The good news: plenty of solid restaurants sit within walking distance.
Hotel X, which sits directly on the Exhibition Grounds where Toronto Stadium resides, houses two options. Café Grey is a serene, sizeable restaurant with a stylish dining room and patio overlooking the grounds. Next door, Grey's Sports Bar takes a sophisticated, steakhouse-inspired spin on the sports bar—think Hanger steak and branzino crudo instead of burgers and hot dogs, with big screens throughout.
On the southern edge of the Exhibition Grounds, Blockbuster Supper Club combines eating and entertainment, serving pasta and Italian-inspired fare alongside regular events that amp up the party atmosphere.
A short walk across the train tracks via a convenient pedestrian overpass, Local Eatery offers an expansive menu and social atmosphere—expect elevated pub fare like Wagyu smash burgers and a lively yet refined vibe.
Liberty Village, just beyond the stadium, has become a hotspot. You're likely to encounter a lengthy lineup at Chicken 1921, a Liberty Village hotspot serving charcoal-grilled birds by the whole, quarter, or half with exceptional dipping sauces. For burgers, Smash is located directly next door and specializes in simple-yet-effective smashburgers—hard to do better after cheering on the home team all afternoon.
These spots beat stadium food and the chaos of major chain restaurants. Plan your walk in advance, arrive off-peak if possible, and bring cash to speed up the line.