Eat Lokaal local.

Lokaal is surrounded by some great, independently-owned restaurant options that are open for lunch. Here are some of our fav’s in no particular order:

Lion Coffee downstairs has an awesome breakfast sandwich called the “512” (named after the streetcar).  Half size is usually good but if you are super hungry go full size! No judgments! Naturally, they also have the best coffee in the hood and some pretty darn good pasties and baked goods too! Can you say “butter tarts” without salivating? We can’t!

Atomic 10 just 2 blocks east on Lauder just south of St. Clair) has possibly the best tacos in the city. Highly recommend the “Tipsy Chick”, “Baha Fish”, and “La Bamba” (shrimp) tacos.  They also have some wickedly good sandwiches on plantain like the “Pollo Loco” and “Cubana”. Be prepared to enter a food coma after as the sandwiches are filling.

Marcello’s is a neighbourhood institution serving up some of the best pasta and wood-fired Pizza in Mid-town. Just a few doors west of Lokaal on the south side of St Clair. Great for sit-down lunch meetings but also offer take-out.

Bull BBQ Pit for pulled meat (pork or beef) sandwiches; good salads and healthy bowls options too. The “Fidel Castro” and “Fidel’s Cousin” are favs for us. North side of St. Clair about a block West of Dufferin (just past the BMO).

California Sushi (north side of St. Clair at Via Italia) is a great spot for cheap but good sushi. Their Salmon Teriyaki Bento box is a fav. Sushi and rolls are good too (heads up they kinda go overkill on the spicy mayo if you choose a spicy sushi option)

La Morena – great Empanadas and other Columbian dishes – just a few storefronts west of Dufferin on the south side of St. Clair Ave. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays).

La Tienda (just a few doors west of Lokaal on St. Clair) has a mini food court with some international lunch counter options including Mexican, Cuban and Colombian.

Franks Pizza (north side of St Clair east of Calendonia) and Pizzaiolo (across the street from Lokaal) are winners for the best pret-a-manger, cheap, pizza-by-the-slice. About a 10-minute walk, closed on Mondays.

Tre Mari Bakery is a 3rd generation Italian business run by the Deleo family (Mama Deleo and her three sons). They have a great Italian steam table plus great baked goods (canoli anyone?) – about 8 min walk west on the south side of St Clair closer to Landsdowne.