Pre-Theatre Dinner in Toronto: Five Tables Near the Stages

The best part of a night at the theatre starts an hour before the curtain: a good table, an easy walk and a plan that does not involve running.

How do you plan dinner before a show in Toronto?

Start with the stage. The Royal Alexandra Theatre is at 260 King Street West, one block west of St. Andrew station. The Princess of Wales Theatre is at 300 King Street West, just east of John Street in the Entertainment District. The CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre is at 244 Victoria Street. Mirvish calls the Royal Alexandra a national historic landmark.

Mirvish keeps a list of neighbourhood restaurants and invites guests to dine before or after a show. All five places below appear on that list. We describe distance in the words each restaurant and Mirvish use, not in minutes, because a walk depends on the crowd, the weather and the show. Check each restaurant’s own site for reservations and hours, and book the table before you book the babysitter.

This guide sits inside our wider best restaurants in Toronto pillar, so the same rule applies: we only list places we have confirmed are open now, using a live booking page or recent post plus an independent source.

What else is within reach of the Mirvish stages?

Mirvish says the Princess of Wales Theatre is situated next to the TIFF Bell Lightbox. TIFF describes the Lightbox as a film and cultural centre in the first five floors of the Festival Tower, on the northwest corner of King Street West and John Street. Its address is 350 King Street West. TIFF says the closest subway stop is St. Andrew on Line 1, a 450 metre walk west. It also says the King streetcar, Route 504, stops at John Street, directly in front of the building.

Roy Thomson Hall is the other big night out. The hall describes itself as the home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and a major venue for the Toronto International Film Festival. It also says it is known for its distinctive circular design. We do not time walks from these venues to the restaurants below, because a walk depends on the crowd and the weather. Treat them as part of the same evening: dinner on King West or Adelaide, then a short trip to whichever stage has your ticket.

How long does it take to reach each theatre?

Mirvish gives walking times from Union Station, which is useful if you are arriving by train. It says the Royal Alexandra is a ten-minute walk, west along Front Street to Simcoe and north to King. It says the Princess of Wales is also a ten-minute walk by the same route. It says the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre is a fifteen-minute walk from Union Station. Those are Mirvish’s figures for the station, not for the restaurants below, so we leave dinner distances in the restaurants’ own words.

Each theatre has its own story too. The Princess of Wales opened on May 26, 1993 with the Canadian premiere of Miss Saigon, according to Mirvish. Mirvish says the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre first opened in 1920 as the Pantages Theatre. Mirvish says the Royal Alexandra was built in 1907 and calls it a masterpiece of beaux-arts architecture. It says the theatre underwent another restoration in 2016. Mirvish describes the Princess of Wales as a modern 2,000-seat theatre featuring artwork by Frank Stella. The CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre sits at 263 Yonge Street, with its main entrance and box office at the rear on Victoria Street. Mirvish says its auditorium was completely renovated in 2021 and 2022 and can be set up with 1,600 or 2,000 seats. A little history makes a great table topic while you wait for the appetizers.

Which restaurants are closest to the Mirvish theatres?

1

Fox on John

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Fox on John, which Mirvish lists as the Fox and Fiddle at 106 John Street, says it is steps from the Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra theatres. A relaxed spot for a group that wants to eat together and still arrive early.

2

Kiin

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Mirvish says Kiin, at 326 Adelaide Street West, is within walking distance of the Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra theatres and serves Royal Thai-inspired cuisine. Our pick for an opening night or an anniversary.

3

Blu Ristorante

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Blu Ristorante, at 214 King Street West, describes a menu of Italian cuisine with subtle influences from other culinary traditions. Italian before a big musical is a safe, happy bet.

4

Minami

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Mirvish lists Minami at 100-225 King Street West. Its own site describes Japanese tapas and cocktails, with aburi oshi sushi and a tasting menu on offer. Good for a group that likes to share plates.

Where can you eat with city views?

One more stop, also listed by Mirvish, comes with a view.

5

Canoe

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Canoe is on the 54th floor at 66 Wellington Street West, and Mirvish describes it as regional Canadian cuisine. Its site gives the TD Bank Tower, 54th floor, as its home and mentions views of the city. Book a table for the golden hour and let the city do the opening act.

Which restaurant fits which kind of night?

Match the table to the show. A big family musical calls for a relaxed room where everyone can order something they like, and Fox on John or Blu suit that mood. A date night at a drama or a ballet calls for a calmer, more special table, and Kiin or Canoe are good fits. If your group is just two friends with a free evening, Minami’s shared plates give you a place to talk.

A few small habits help too. Tell the restaurant you have a show and ask what it recommends. Eat a little earlier than you think you need to. Leave the dessert decision for after the curtain if a place is close enough for a nightcap.

What should you ask before you book?

Three quick questions save a stressful evening. Does the restaurant take reservations, and does it say anything about pre-show service? How far is it from your theatre, in the restaurant’s own words? And what does the kitchen suggest if you are on a tight schedule? Each restaurant’s site is the place to look, and a short email beats a rushed order.

Looking for more ideas for the rest of the week? Try our guides to brunch, cheap eats and pizza.

Send this to the friend you would bring to the show, and let them pick the restaurant.