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Hemingway's Restaurant
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Bars, Canadian (Traditional) [Edit]
142 Cumberland StToronto, ON M5R 1A8
Neighbourhood: Yorkville
(416) 968-2828
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
53 reviews for Hemingway's Restaurant
Review Highlights
"I love my sweet potato fries."
(in 3 reviews)
"Also, the outside patio in the summertime is wonderful."
(in 29 reviews)
"...good, and they have the best fish and chips in Toronto."
(in 4 reviews)
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Q H.
North York, ON
1/6/2012
I dine at Hemingway quite randomly and rarely. Maybe once or twice a year when I need a quick light meal. Usually with my gf. The foods are a bit vulgar in its construction and chemistry, but they taste nice.
Calamari is really good with balanced flavors and crispy texture. The sauces are tasty as well. I've had different salads over the years, and they were fresh and delicious. Salmon salad is probably the best item on the menu. Fruity flavors nicely compliment the fish while acidic tone with a hint of sharp spice explodes in your mouth. I normally share foods - salad + calamari. And it's more of snacks than full meals to me.
Other than that, I don't really have nice things to say about sandwiches, burger, pasta and pizza. They tasted very unexciting and boring. They tasted like something you would eat at Wendy's.
It is a noisy place. Service isn't really satisfying either. Foods come out a bit slow, and servers are not really attentive. Very impersonal in their attitudes as well. Tables are decent size, but they are placed a bit close to each other.
The patio is lovely. Every time I visited this place in summer, I enjoyed the atmosphere. Good place to spend time with someone. -
Review from Chris P.
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was pleasantly surprised to walk in here at 8:00 on a Friday night and not find it packed. My group of 8 easily got a table.
The waitress was there immediately and got our first round order taken. For dinner I went with the gourmet pizza off the snack menu. I really enjoyed it. It was a great blend of ingredients on a perfectly cooked thin crust. I would say the price was a little high, but considering you're in Yorkville, it's pretty reasonable.
The service could have been a little better. It's not that our server was bad, just that she was really busy and seemed like they were short staffed.
Overall a good experience and I'd come back here without question.
Nov. 30-day challenge 41/30 -
Review from Julie N.
10/26/2011 2 photos
BEST Pad Thai I've ever had...I was hesitant to order it because this isn't a Thai restaurant so I wasn't sure if it would be good. I'm so glad I decided to go for it because I still compare all of the Pad Thais I've had since then to this one and it's been TWO years since I had it. Full of meat, full of flavor and just full of goodness in general. If you go for dinner and you like Pad Thai or hell even if you don't... def order it and you'll LOVE it!
Only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars was because the service was a little slow -
Review from Jess F.
Toronto, ON
2/2/2012
I left my hat there. I called them one hour later and sat on the phone while they located it. Went to pick it up and it wasn't there. These people either lie or steal. This place is grimy and gross. Damn them. I loved that hat with my cute pink pompom.
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Review from Tara Z.
10/26/2011
Ugh. Terrible service (our waitress dropped our menus on the table while carrying on a conversation with the people at the next table) and the food was awful. The pizza tasted like something out of a box, and we couldn't bring ourselves to finish the sticky toffee pudding--and it was the dessert our waitress had recommended! I don't want to imagine what the less-favored options taste like.
I hear there are lots of attractive people here during happy hour, so maybe that's what keeps bringing people in the door, but we didn't have any such luck the night we went. -
Review from S D.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2012
For some reason, I always end up at this place, for either pre-drinks before going to a club or upscale lounge, or after having been to a nicer place. It's a good place to chill and grab drinks, but stay away from the meals! Finger food is fine, their sweet potato fries are great, but I'm consistently disappointed by their entrees and desserts. The pad thai in particular was inedible - I was lucky to have a friend who was starving who was able to finish it. It was soaked in tomato sauce, was sickly sweet, and was literally 45 minutes late.
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Review from Christine R.
Scarborough, ON
10/20/2011 6 photos
Strolling through Yorkville looking for somewhere to have an early dinner.
Stumbled upon Hemingways so I decided to give it a go!
There are 3 different floors to this restaurants, The Main Floor / Dining Room, Second Level Smallest of them all with a Bar with Tv's, and Third Floor Patio that is open all year round, heated and covered.
After surveying the 3 I opted for the main floor, just seemed less busy/crowded than the patio and more interesting than the 2nd floor. The crowd here ranges from grey haired men in suits to young females.
The hostess said we could sit wherever we liked and then she'd come over with the menus. After seating ourselves in the back beside the main floor bar along a comfy banquet our waitress Jose returned with the menus. She asked if we knew what we wanted to drink. We inquired if they had sparkling lemonade (I know most restos dont) however she said they have regular lemonade but she could whip of a sparkling one, we asked if she could add strawberry syrup to it (i know a little demanding) she said they didnt have strawberry syrup but she would add strawberry daiquiri mix to it. Anywhoo when she returned with our Drinks, it totally blew me away, she did such an awesome job it tasted delicious!
We were given two menus one was a snack menu with more informal things like pizza, burgers, and appetizer foods and the other was the main menu with dinner items. I was in the mood for a sandwich but I was totally surprised that the dinner menu had no sandwich section! I believe this is the first time Ive never seen a sandwich list on a bar style resto menu! Therefore I opted to go formal and have a proper dinner, I do love fish and they did have good options so I decided to try that route tonight.
For Apps we decided to try something from the Snacks Menu
Cheddar and Potato Periogies with Fried Onions and Bacon and Sweet Potato Fries. The periogies came out piping hot and slighlty golden brown. I liked that they served chunks of bacon instead of bits and side of cold sour cream, traditional but still delicious. The sweet potato fries were cooked perfectly crispy outside and soft inside and I loved the cajun mayo dipping sauce it was served with.
Mains from the dinner Menu
Rosemary Trout - Fillet of rainbow trout with rosemary herb, served with a cherry tomato relish, fresh vegetables, and vegetable rice.
I've never had rosemary on fish before but it tasted excellent! The fish was cooked perfectly and I really enjoyed the tomato relish! The rice was simple but still it went well with the fish.
Butter Chicken - Chunks of chicken in a smooth Indian curry sauce, served with steamed vegetables, rice and mango chutney.
My sister didn't like this...she said it was not spicey at all, did not like the mango chutney, nothing outstanding in this dish...
Finally for Dessert
Mississippi Mud Pie - Mocha ice cream on top of a chocolate oreo crumb curst with hot fudge, sliced almonds, and whipped cream.
When the pie came out I realized it was missing the almonds, I alerted our waitress and she explained that they had ran out of almonds (would have been nice to tell us before serving it) however she offered to bring us some chopped peanuts which I agreed to. The pie was really good and I loved the oreo crumb crust and the addition of peanuts made it even more tastier.
Our red rose tea came out piping hot they way I like it with the tea bag already placed in the pot! Good to go!
Overall I believe this place is better suited for drinks and food from the snacks menu. Come with large groups and head up to the heated patio or a casual drink and an appetizer and this is the place to go!Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Mark F.
My mothership of bars. Beam me home n
3 trips during my week in Yaletown breaks all my rules. Random acts of drunkenness is required in a city of this size. While I did participate in that scenario, I found Hemingway's home.
After dinner I passed this way and chilled at the bar for a pint or four. The beer was good but what I experienced was a true, neighborhood pub. Everyone knows your name and genuinely asks how you've been.
The beer is cold, the fish and chips rock out with their cod out and the scene is young old, hip to hip replacement. Everyone comes and all are welcome. Oh, try the Pad Thai too.
I'm just happy I could experience it.
Cheer Hemingway's and I'll see you soon1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/30/2011
Hemingway's needs more visits. Many more visits to get the review right.
Lunch was a good price and… Read more »
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Review from Ayesha A.
9/9/2011
Always and I mean always packed.
Cant tell just how humungous this place is from the outside but dang! The patio is lovely and large, but its still tough to get seating if youre in a group on a Friday or Saturday on the patio
Great location
Average prices -
Review from Lauren M.
8/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hemingway's is a go-to after work drinking hole for business peeps working in the Yorkville area. We typically go here Fridays after work to get the party started. Later on into the evening the people get drunker and uglier.
The patrons are very diverse but definitely NOT what you are expecting in Yorkville. (psss - "Where did these people COME FROM?!") You get your scantily clad females, university students, old men, creepy men, old creepy men and your regular 9-5ers.
The pub is owned by a nice kiwi man (New Zealander) and he keeps the prices reasonable which is why this place draws such a crowd. Huge with numerous patios, the biggest and most popular one is on the third floor at the back.
I always get extremely pissed off because they have some kind of sprinkler system overheard that shoots "mist" down over all the tables on the really hot days. WTF? Stop that shit, it ruins my hair-do.
Food is typical uninventive pub crap that comes from a box and is deep fried. Burgers are passable when you are drunk. -
Review from Reynold P.
Toronto, ON
9/21/2011
When I say Hemingways you say Yuppies: Hemingways!....
No one? really? Alright then...
Yes, Hemingways is a yuppie hangout spot. I think they breed them here, in the back, near the kitchen. There's reason for this, besides it being in the middle of Yorkville it has a great yuppie patio. It's on the third floor so you can always be looking down at people, yuppie style.
They also serve decent yuppie food. Their fried calamari is probably the best I've had in Toronto. Their fries are also delicious, reminiscent of KFC fries done right (you know, with those crunchy bits attached).
The Brunch menu is nothing special however, very plain, very sandwich and breakfast platter oriented. Not creative but nothing to complain about either.
So why do I like this place? Well... I'm a yuppie. The crowd is yuppie-ish with a dash of student here and there. It's a casual setting for a relaxing night after a long week. Nothing beats a yuppie patio, yuppie beer, and a nice yuppie breeze on a summers day.
HEAT LAMPS ARE HERE FOR THE THE FALL! -
Review from Thomas H.
9/20/2011
Hemingways is alright. The food is passable. They have beers and make decent mixed drinks.
But there is nothing terribly special about it.
I live in the area, so I normally pass by on a friday or saturday night and there is a long line. Why would anyone wait in line here?!?!!?
(There are other patios in yorkville) -
Review from Isaac E.
North York, ON
10/3/2011
I love Hemmingway's, but to a degree. My biggest issue is that it is ALWAYS packed when I end up going.
But the Nachos and Quesadillas a great as most pub fare will be and so is the drinks that the bar provides. They make a decent Gin and Tonic and the beers available will match and accommodate most palates,
It does get noisy and crowded, but if you do get a chance to sit outside on a summer evening, it is well worth it. It's gorgeous and in the right spot to feel right at home in Toronto. -
Review from Alana C.
11/7/2011
Good drinks and good times...on the patio. Whenever I go here, I'm never disappointed but it isn't really my first choice. The cool part is the year-round patio...that is FOREVER packed. Their martinis are really decent, especially if you don't like anything too strong but you can get 3 oz and it still tastes like juice. A decent place for drinks. This is like the Cheers of Toronto. For more adventure, go elsewhere.
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Review from Jason S.
Toronto, ON
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Two stars says it all. My burger was meh and my wife's wings were overcooked and bland. Plus the Caesars weren't that great either.
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Review from Mauricio A.
Toronto, ON
6/23/2011
When I think of this bar I think of the holy trinity of bars in Yorkville.
Remy's -- The smartest looking one of the bunch although overpriced.
Hemingway's -- Half divey looking with a great patio
The Pilot -- The least pretentious of the three, a bit more divey looking but also with a nice patio.
So Hemingway is sort of the the mid-point and probably the most used of the three when I do have large get togethers.
Now, I have read some of the other reviews and I simply cannot relate to the "snobbish" attitude some of the other Yelpers have gotten in this place. In 9 years going there, no one has ever been snobbish to me. They may be very busy and at worse get a bit distracted but this place gets *packed* but that is different.
As far as myself, I have spent 99% of the time I have been here on their upstairs patios which are great on a nice summer day. Which reminds me, after their latest renovations they actually build up this canopy setup on the patio which closed them up a bit as they are trying to keep them open for longer in the season. Which in a way makes the place feel more crowded with the (sometime) coverings overhead and metal work. Which is a shame since I liked it more when it was just a "patio à la natural."
Their food is a bit above pub average/standards and their brunch is okay. You normally go here when you want to be in a place full of people and feed off the vibe. Also you can't beat the location as the thing is just across the Cumberland exit of the Bay subway station and steps away from the Cumberland 4. So it makes for the perfect post movie drink locale.
Their indoor second floor is mostly "meh" where most of the locals who want to watch a game (hockey, basketball, et al) hang out. And their first floor is where you want to go if you want a bit more peace from the loud patios and where from time to time they will have a guy with a guitar riff some songs away.
For those saying the place is not that cheap, taking into consideration the thing is in Yorkville, where you can pay $8 for a bottle of beer (at some clubs) then this place is actually cheaper. I mean, it's a pub in the end but they also know where they are located.
All in all a great, a great if divey looking place to hangout when you want away with some of Yorkville's snobbishness, like the one you can get at say, a place like Amber. But that is for another review.Listed in: My Reviews
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Review from Cody M.
Windham Centre, ON
3/5/2011
This is the most pretentious resturant I've ever been to in my whole fucking life.
So we went to see and be seen, as that is what you do in Yorkville (really, thats it...) and the female front staff here are some of the worst people I have ever met in Toronto.
Here's whats wrong with the place...
the 1st issue...
So the hostess would not seat us in the trendy up top patio, neither or deck patio, so she puts us in the corner where nobody can see us.
the 2nd issue... Gold digging staff...
Then a waitress on purpose orders wrong meals for us... we ordered a salad with no cranberries, and she on purpose left them in. And a chicken parmesan.
So after half an hour she brings us a salad WITH cranberries and get this... the "chicken parmesan" (if you even wanna call it that) was this... the pasta was fettucini alfredo (cream sauce and all) with the actual seasoned chicken with the red pasta sauce on top of the pasta WHICH DOSEN'T EVEN GO WITH IT! It soooooo done on purpose.
This waitress was a bitch from hell. She didnt come to ask how how we were doing even once during the whole meal. She was there trying to solicit the rich single men at the bar with her cheap Lindsay Lohan 6126 leggings the whole time, stupid hussy.
I've never, in my whole life, been treated so bad by wait staff at a resturant, EVER.
Maybe the waitress became the inspiration for the movie Chloe, perhaps? -
Review from Laura T.
Toronto, ON
3/22/2011
A+ for atmosphere & location - and WHAT a patio!
We traveled to Hemingway's post drink at Bedford for... another drink. Considering it was packed, we had quick service and I can't complain about a pitcher or Rickard's white. They also have a bar menu that's available pretty late - all the usual suspects; potato skins, poutine, sharing platter, blah blah blah.
It was definitely loud and crowded, but the patio is great (and sufficiently heated/covered in the winter), and there's a cool, energetic, vibe. People seemed pretty relaxed.. or maybe that was the alcohol?
All in all, a great spot for a drink in Yorkville - more laid-back than other spots and definitely less expensive. If I could give it 4 1/2 stars, I would. -
Review from Thu N.
North York, ON
2/6/2011
I find myself here 3 times in the past month - probably out of convenience of where it's located, the fun dive atmosphere in a ritzy part of town. The food is decent and the beer is tasty. I do like the patio - its nicely heated in the winter. Not too loud, you can still have conversations here.
Also I left my credit card here and they held on to it for me! Phew! Thanks Hemingways.
Good place for drinks and convos, don't expect too much out of the food. I've had the poutine, jerk chicken wrap, salad and it's palateable. -
Review from Chris E.
Toronto, ON
9/26/2011
I'd give it 2 stars, but the patios are lovely. The food, service, and drinks? Pffff. The clam chowder was tasty, but was entirely butter & cream. The caesar cocktail was the worst I've ever had; more Worchestershire sauce than Clamato. I couldn't even finish it. The kitchen screwed up 2 of our meals (one who asked for fries got salad, one who wanted salad got fries). My appetizer came at the same time as my main. My grilled cheese & bacon sammie was cold and the cheese had re-hardened. This place is OK if you want a mediocre snack & beer on a patio. Otherwise, pass. Soooo tempted to remove that third star...
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Review from Anne M.
3/19/2011
This place is decent, but for some reason I can't give it less than five stars. It's comfortable, easy and inexpensive. Need I say more?
Actually, yes: the patio is pretty dope. -
Review from Monica S.
11/28/2010
Love this place! Met some friends - I wasn't hungry but I ordered some sweet potato fries.. So far the best I've had.. and I've had it three times this week! What can I say? I love my sweet potato fries.
The beer selection was perfect and the service was really good for being so crowded on a Fri night.
Great place to hang with friends.. -
Review from A S.
Toronto, ON
9/16/2011
Solid bar. Diverse population as it's not typically priced for the Yorkville area (slightly cheaper). Decent service. Martini's aren't bad. Never had the food. The patio is full of people either smoking or clamoring for a light. People are friendly and like to start up conversations. Single men/women drink up and act like they have something to do until they find someone friendly, and as the night goes on, inch into each others laps. (So also, if you are in need of a chuckle, a great representation of homo sapien pre-mating rituals).
It's clearly an after-work watering hole for many, the atmosphere isn't pretentious, and the prices are okay. For some reason, this place has the faint vibe of a dive bar. -
Review from Alice T.
11/5/2010 2 Check-ins Here
If your looking for a busy, decent, affordable place to eat in Yorkville Hemingway's is a good choice.
The food is your usual pub fair which includes a good, pub style curry. It's not at gastro pub level, but it pumps out most of the favorites to an acceptable level.
I'd say if you've been shopping in the area with friends and are looking for a sit down meal, and drinks, but well... "you've been shopping in the area and looking for a less expensive but not fast food option" then it's a good choice. -
Review from Monica B.
Toronto, ON
9/27/2010
I've been here a few times and I sometimes wonder why I ever decided to come back here. The food is alright, the service is snobby and slow sometimes, the patio is nice but nothing great, this place can be crowded at times, and there is nothing special about the décor either. The prices are okay and the food portions are good. However, their drinks: cocktails, wine, beer etc are overpriced.
I don't think I'll be back here again. -
Review from neesa r.
7/28/2011
went there in early may when it was still a bit chilly. so the patio was covered and thus didn't really impress me. but the place itself is huge and can sit hundreds I think.
there is a bar upstairs that serves pub appetizers and there are more seating downstairs.
will have to go there in the summer to get the full feeling of their famous patio=) -
Review from Amie T.
Toronto, ON
6/1/2010
I don't know why this place gets bad reviews. It's still a bit pricy (cheap for yorkville though), a bomb-diggity patio & awesome portions of food. I recommend the curry.
It's 3 stars, not 4 only because I am a student and its not really in my budget but I still like it and I'll be back for patio fun! -
Review from Gwyn H.
Toronto, ON
8/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
A great crowd for after work drinks on the rooftop patio. Good selection of beers and not too pricy (esp for Yorkville). The samosas and curry is recommended in my books -- but to think of it there's nothing I think I've had there that I haven't enjoyed. The service can be a little hit or miss here - I've had some really great servers and some that leave a little to be desired.
But all in all I will always say yes if someone asks me to go for drinks here... -
Review from LINDA R.
6/8/2009
After leaving (thank GOODNESS) SNOBVILLE across the street where 1 glass of wine was the cost of a BOTTLE here, (do NOT got to One Restaurant - tinis $20, 1 glass of wine was $56 - yes a GLASS).
Not exactly my speed, {a bit run down}, BUT it was a much better option to visit here where everyone was having a fun time, outside, 2 levels of outdoor patio on a fabby summer evening. All our dishes were good, so was our server, so overall, for the food and prices, it was a hit, and at least it wasn't out credit card that was! -
Review from Kevin D.
Toronto, ON
3/11/2009
Hemingway's is a great Yorkville spot, at moderate Parkdale-ish prices.
It attracts everyone from frat boys, to lawyers, to pro sports players and celebs, but has a great atmosphere on any given night. In the summer there will be a lineup on Friday and Saturdays. Service can be slow on these nights, so be patient.
I recommend the "Shotover". It's the second level, same level as the bathrooms, on the South side. The main patios get ram-jammed most nights, plus the 'Shotover' folk tend to be more chilled out.
They serve great pub food until 2am, which is a huge bonus. Check it out on a random evening with pals, you won't be disappointed.
Cheers.Listed in: KD's Toronto Nightlife Guide, KD's Neighbourhood- St.…
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Review from ness y.
Toronto, ON
8/11/2009
Basically: I was wrong.
I had this preconceived notion that Hemingway's was for the uppity, or those feigning that they belonged in Yorkville's supposed debonair setting. I imagined schmoozy - "do you come here often" - mingling along the space between the backlit bar and single, wall-lining leather banquette.
Boy, was I wrong.
The crowd at Hemingway's is actually low-key, and comfortably in the company of friends. Conversations across the patio appeared to be intimate and concentrated around tables on the roof-top, lit by the moon, votives, and a few strings of christmas (?) lights.
The venue itself is also casual. If there were drunken chaos, the second floor patio treehouse could be mistaken for a grown-up version of "The Maddy". Yet, there's a quiet murmur.
That's all I can report on as I too was entrenched in some casual and comfy convo.
I'll be back! -
Review from Eric B.
Ottawa, ON
5/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nice food - nothing extravagant, but overall pretty good quality. The service was also friendly and nice. When it gets a little nicer outside, the patios will certainly be well appreciated. Give it a shot!
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Review from Shari M.
Toronto, ON
12/16/2009
I don't get the hype about this place.
Average to below average food, average service, average decor.
Gross bathrooms that are upstairs.
I am always amazed when the Film Fest is on and you hear that celebs stop in here. Really?! Is this the best that they think Toronto has to offer? I hope not. -
Review from Ashley H.
1/15/2009
Nothing about this place is really good at all. It's really not pretty inside- we sat on the very top level, which seems to be a deck in the summer that was covered with tarp, and heat lamps that don't do the job during a snowy December in Canada. Also, the waitress was so slow I started pre-ordering my drinks anytime I saw her.
The only upside, and again, maybe it's because we don't have these at home, is that you don't have to leave the bar to smoke. There is a very odd little room off to the side with no roof and those thick meat locker plastic curtains to keep the smoke in said room.
meh. -
Review from Dardana M.
ON
12/21/2008
Oh, Hemingway's. Why do I always think every time is going to be different? Probably because you're named after a famous author (you know, that one that I know I have been meaning to/should probably/just haven't been able to get "into" yet?) and you're surrounded by the famous Yorkville glamour. Maybe cuz people wear suits to you.
Anyway, if anybody has read my reviews, you would know that food not booze always comes first. And so, this place doesn't usually do it for me. Now, don't get me wrong, the patio is pretty cool and the beer's you know, beer (in a good way), but I have wrongly stumbled in there more than once, STARVING and always leaving ~barely~ less so, and with apparent memory issues (get it?). The Pad Thai I had there last week was okay enough, but my friends found their "sampler" platter to be less than satisfying and suffering from lazy presentation. You'd think they'd be on top of that. -
Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
9/1/2008
When my girls and I feel like having our egos stroked and spending some time outside we go to Hemingway/s.
This Yorkville bar/restaurant/patio is :
1. Not a place to go to in any season but summer
2. Not a place to go to eat anything other than nachos
The upstairs patio is always busy so ideally Hemingway's is an after work place. I go there to have drinks on a Thursday or Friday between 6 and 11, that way I get the best of all worlds -- a little bit of sun, a little bit of food, and a lot of flirting. -
Review from Sara N.
3/13/2010
On a very recent trip back to Toronto, a couple of girlfriends took me out to Hemingway's. I'm pretty easy going when it comes to this city, seeing that I don't know my way around any longer. So, instead, I follow.
I've been wracking my head for a good excuse to pass my experience off as somewhat decent, but I just can't. There is no excuse at all.
It's a relaxed bar with multiple levels and plenty of seating to house several hockey teams, but I suppose it was a venue I wasn't expecting to see in Yorkville - the snooty and snarky comments can begin/end now.
Beyond the decor, or lack thereof, and general atmosphere, the food was less than desirable. We (when I say we, I mean Angela) ordered off the Snack Menu, which by the way, seemed to have traveled all over the world during an apparent crisis of some sort. From the grilled teriyaki NY strip loin with melted cheddar cheese, butter, sour cream, all stuffed in a baked potato (what the heck?!) to the edamame beans, spring rolls, and samosas, I began to wonder if anyone actually ordered any of this stuff.
And then I got my answer.. not only did Angela order edamame but she also ordered the samosas! Tragic, really, because even when I could foresee the car crash that was about to happen, she was genuinely disappointed when neither snack tasted all that good. Now mind you, they do have the usual bar fare of chicken fingers, wings, calamari, nachos, etc. but nothing that I could bring myself to eat.
On a positive note, I thoroughly enjoyed the company. Old friends, old loves. Love not the place, but the company you keep. -
Review from Lauren W.
Toronto, ON
6/16/2010
If you're there on a Friday or Saturday, the place is so overcrowded it's hard to move. The food is mediocre at best, and the service isn't anything to write home about.
What pissed me off the most about this place was the snobby attitude I got from of one of the servers. I had literally been inside the place for maybe five minutes when I went to the washroom with one of my friends. As I was coming out of the stall, I tripped over my 4 inch heels. (Yes - I wore heels to a bar, don't judge!) Anyway, I guess some waitress happened to be in the washroom when I tripped, and it wasn't like I took a huge spill, as I said, I just stumbled in my heels. The attitude on this broad was beyond appalling, she started asking me who my server was and telling me I was cut off.
Now, yes, I like to binge drink when I go out as much as the next person, but I was by no means intoxicated at this point, as I had literally just got to the bar. I was so annoyed at her snide remarks and attitude that it turned me off of Hemingway's for a while.
I ended up back there a few weeks later (not by choice,) and just didn't really enjoy myself. The atmosphere is seriously lacking.
Oh and their smoking section is a disgusting box of a room, that even makes smokers repulsed by smoke. -
Review from Abraham P.
12/16/2009
Whenever I am in Toronto, I love stopping by here for a bite to eat. The appetizers are great to start with, you can just order apps and you will be pretty full. I can say everything on the menu here is great.
Also, the outside patio in the summertime is wonderful. The staff is friendly and they love to make sure the customer is feeling right. Keep up the great food and service. -
Review from H S.
6/19/2010
We stopped for lunch on a Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed the food (burger for my husband, fish and chips / clam chowder for me). Huge selection of perfectly cold draught beer (Molson = $5.50, Rickerts Red = $6..yum!) The fish was Halibut and perfectly cooked - crispy and delicious batter, two large pieces and a healthy serving of "chips" (Fries) for $13. Great value for the area...for anywhere actually.
We were lunching with my 13 year old son and sat outside. The waitress was kind enough to overlook that he'd brought a sandwich with him that was just purchased at a nearby Deli. When the smoker's ashes from the balcony above us landed on my husbands lap - twice before he heard us holler up to ask him to stop - the waitress noticed, assured us that the Manager was going there to talk to that group, and then offered us a complimentary dessert to make up for it.
We were stuffed and declined the dessert, but over-tipped the waitress. Great atmosphere, clean ladies rooms (downstairs), and excellent people-watching location - - throw in great food and why wouldn't you pop in here??
