Cafe Paradise, located at 1014 Bloor Street West, has served the neighborhood since 2022 as an all-day café and restaurant. In October 2024, it underwent an exciting transformation under the guidance of Toronto chef Victor Barry of Piano Piano fame. Now a popular destination spot, the café is set to rebrand as The Paradise Diner, reflecting its evolution into much more than a coffee-and-pastry shop.
The revamped menu and elevated comfort food have made this light-filled, airy space a hit. Featuring whitewashed walls adorned with posters, blond wood accents, terrazzo and wood flooring, oversized lamps, and a takeout counter with a bakeshop. The aesthetic is warm and inviting. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., The Paradise Diner serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, offering a casual, no-fuss experience with something for everyone.
The menu highlights include Toronto’s best chicken matzah ball soup, packed with pasta, chicken, and vegetables—essentially a meal in a bowl. The homemade bagels with various toppings are a must-try, as is the Victory Burger, a juicy contender for the city’s best burger. You can customize it with a fried egg or thick-cut bacon, and it’s served with perfectly crispy crinkle fries. For lighter fare, salads or smoothie bowls are excellent choices, while dinner brings hearty options like shrimp cocktail, steak and frites, fish and chips, spaghetti cacio-e-pepe, and rigatoni Bolognese.
The bakery section offers an irresistible selection of cookies, donuts, scones, fritters, croissants, focaccia, and sourdough bread to go. While the bagels aren’t for sale yet, we’re crossing our fingers they’ll add them soon. Drinks, including cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer, and cider, are available throughout the day.
With friendly service, a relaxed vibe, and delicious food, The Paradise Diner has become a family favorite—even impressing our party of seven, which is no small feat. Toronto could use more spots like this: casual, accessible, and undeniably satisfying.
Recommended.
Happy dining,
Shanea
12/05/2024
