An old standby favourite. The food is decent, the drinks are very good (the piña colada especially), and the service is hit or miss (some friendly, some not as friendly). This place has quite a following on a weekend night, it gets packed, but there is a lot of seating, and nice outdoor patios. read more

I'm extremely disappointed with their customer service, especially how they handle order mistakes (that were made on their end!). I ordered Grilled Salmon Salad and NY Striploin steak with Tiger shrimp. The server brings our food, but we realized that she had forgotten to add shrimp to the steak. So she apologized and brought us the shrimp later. The food was pretty good and had a great time until I asked for the bill. When I checked it, I realized that the bill had included extra 'grilled salmon'. I told the server that I didn't order any extra salmon for my salad (after all I had a 'Grilled Salmon Salad'!) but then the server was telling me that she can't do anything because I didn't tell them to remove the extra side when I got my dish. In my head, I'm like...what? Is it my fault that the server had mistakenly added extra salmon to my order?? Besides how the heck am I suppose to know that extra salmon was added to my dish if my order was supposed to have salmon, to begin with? By the way, the salmon wasn't one piece. There were a bunch of salmon strips. If there were 2 chunks of salmon, I would have asked. I should have known better when some salmon strips were served in a separate dipping bowl... ugh Is it my fault that the server put down the wrong order in the beginning? (fyi, she didn't write down the orders on paper) Is it my fault that I wasn't able to spot 'extra' salmon on my plate? I think the restaurant should revisit their policy on how to handle order mistakes, and train servers not to trust their memory. read more

Hemingway's Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I came here with some friends to watch the Superbowl. I was happy to hear they had a heated patio since I'm a big fan of hanging out on patios. They had some good specials that the four of us shared. We ordered their pizza, wings and fries, popcorn shrimp and chicken poutine. I found it all very delicious! They also had an awesome selection of beers and you could buy jugs to share. This patio had a couple of big screens at either end that made watching the game easy. Since it had been my birthday a few days back, one of my pals ordered me a slice of cheesecake. It was also delicious and the waiter didn't bother charging my friend for it. Great service overall! I'll definitely try to visit again one day. read more

Hit or miss. Long lines and the location can use an update on their decor. Lots of stairs to get to the top floor. Other options in the area - not worth waiting in line to get in. 3.25/5.0 read more

Fat cat not like cults.. So FatCat get very suspicious when he see many people doing similar things at same time, without good reason.. Example.. This winter FatCat notice many people wearing jacket called Canada Goose. FatCat not know why. Something fishy going on. FatCat starting investigation to try to get to bottom of this very soon.. FatCat keep you posted if he discover something sinister.. FatCat notice this especially at trendy/pretentious neighbourhoods like Yorkville - place of Hemmingways. Things FatCat like - Amazing patio - summer or winter. - FatCat eat before but not remember quality of food. Stay tuned. FatCat might update on food later. Things FatCat not like - Sometimes waitresses too snobby - but not always. - Not like crowd too much. FatCat walk out of bar sometimes feeling like he need shower from being around slippery people. Maybe FatCat always go when after work crowd is there? Not sure. - Too many posers in neighborhood just driving around block endlessly in expensive cars. One time FatCat sit outside of bar for one hour to count how many times same expensive car will drive past FatCat. FatCat lose count. FatCat know.. not Hemmingway fault. But give you idea of kind of people in hood. SIDE STORY: FatCat have similar suspicion about another cult few years ago when FatCat see many ladies dressing up feet to look like llama feet (FatCat find out later that ladies wearing boots called uggs - funny name.. Maybe short form for Ugg-leees? FatCat not want to offend anyone so he not speculate too much) FatCat get to bottom of llama foot trend and conclude that ladies wearing llama feet not in cult. They just not care about looking good anymore. Phew!! No cult that time.. FatCat rest easy. But FatCat not trust Canada Goose trend.. Not worry yelpers... FatCat investigate and let you know if danger.. UPDATE: FatCat finish investigation of Canada Goose. See bar volo review for FatCat's analysis and conclusion. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Hemmingway's gets one star for their outdoor patio. They have a big patio in a great location. If you're waiting for friends, it's a good place to grab a beer and watch well-dressed eye candy (whatever your taste) pass by. It's super close to Bay Station (Cumberland exit) so it's convenient. However, the service is awful. I have been here plenty of times and given this place many chances. I always have a miserable server, who expects a high tip, despite a lack of charm or enthusiasm. My last server was bored and looked like she may have been on the verge of suicide. Duh, I know people have bad days, but if you can't fake happiness then don't work in the service industry. She got annoyed when we asked her what was on tap (even though she didn't give us a menu) and she took forever with our drinks. Beer isn't cheap and food isn't great. I got: 8oz steak and fries for $18.29. The steak was boring and tasted like a heated TV dinner. Beet and pear salad for $12.59. My friend got this and refused to share. It looked delicious and if I ever go back, I would order it. She claimed it was good. Check out their menu online: It actually has a lot of meals that look like they might be good. http://www.hemingways.to Hemmingway's is always busy, which I like. Obviously the crowd is different, depending on the day and time. If you want to party with your friends on a weekend, I would avoid Hemmingway's. It's overpriced and far from other bars and pubs. If you want to come here with coworkers on a Tuesday afternoon, then do it. You can afford one drink and a sandwich on a pretty patio. Location: 142 Cumberland Street, Toronto (416) 968-2828 Subway: Get off at Bay Station (Bloor line). Take the Cumberland Exit. When you exit the Station, Hemmingway's is just accross the street. Look left and you'll see the patio! read more

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? read more

Dear hemingway's, I'd like to thank you for teaching me some valuable lessons about the restaurant business. I was fascinated to learn that an Alfredo sauce is not made with butter, garlic or cheese, but is just a thickened cream that you pour over your store bought noodles with the taste of boiled milk and the consistency of warm classroom paste! Who would have thought! Certainly not me, my Italian mother or any of the fine people from the school of "classical cooking". Your restaurant is so adventurous they didn't even bother to salt their boiled milk sauce, but just spooged it out like Jesus himself always intended. Fabulous. I would never have learned how to make an Alfredo sauce if it weren't for a helpful waitress, who took the time out of her busy shift of sitting around the bar with the other wait staff who were having a drink to argue with me. Stupid me had thought that the sauce was disgusting, but she was kind enough to not accept my criticism, and to offer the counter-opinion that Alfredo sauce is not made with cheese. WOWEE woo wowo what service! You want to know what is the BEST? When a waitress argues with you about what you think. That's just so so so peachy. Also I was very interested to learn a customer service tactic I'd never seen before: give half your patio customers a free snack and mysteriously leave out the other half. It truly added a sense of mystery and a certain... Oh what's the word... Dumbness, to the day. Yes dumbness. Not stupidity. Dumbness. That's the right word for hemingway's. All in all a meal fit for a king (of rats. Or perhaps fungus) and an afternoon of pure delight second only to having my toes boiled slowly in a hot tar pit. read more

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. read more

Ahhh, Hemingway's. What to say, what to say. I go here about 10x a year. I work across the street. It serves as a standby for coworker lunches, after-work drinks and the occasional take out lunch (I like to take out from here in those -20+ temps b/c then I don't have to go far). I have tried many of the menu items, but as of late, I only ever order the clubhouse sandwich with a side caesar. I love it b/c it is simple, yet delicious. A couple of wins on this meal: good caesar, not under-dressed, sandwich is neat and tidy and uniform, the chicken is tasty, the bacon is never undercooked. The mayo on the side has some sort of crack-cociane in it, truly delicious and addictive. What do I dislike about Hemingway's? Food is relatively uninspired and ho-hum. The service is either great or terrible, never in between. Finally, they almost always screw up my take out order and I'm so rushed and dumb that I often forget to check (perhaps the last time it happened will finally be the last time! I'm not that foolish, I hope). Nothing worse then getting back to your desk and realizing that the crack-mayo is not included or they gave me fries instead of salad. For that Hemingway's, you get 3 stars. Don't waste your time here AND ALSO don't worry about ending up here. A true 3-star place. read more

Cool place with an awesome back patio. The drinks are really good, and the food is decent! read more

Hemingway's Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

All the alcohol served is watered down!! Even scotch on the rocks is diluted. Ambience and food are good, but beware of drinks - this place is a rip off. read more

The serving staff was exceptionally friendly. I had a salmon salad with mango and avocado. The spinach was beautiful and crisp. Everything was fresh and flavourful. I felt it could have used a more robust dressing. The patio is a perfect place to people watch. read more

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! read more

I'm a fan! This place has a covered heated patio upstairs that is quite busy all the time! Came on a Thursday evening for drinks and the place was hoping! It was a miserable, rainy day outside, but the patio was still nice. Service was fast, friendly and consistent. Drinks were kind of watery, but not overly expensive (considering this place is in Yorkville). It gets quite loud, so if you're looking for something more intimate, this might not be your place. But I liked the bustling and loud atmosphere. read more

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. read more

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. read more

I would give an extra star for their events - I was there for a trivia night and it was great! They have special themed cocktails for $9 each. I also love the idea of silent disco that they have on some nights But solid pub food on any given day, I had the fish tacos. The fish was moist on the inside and crispy on the outside with some good chipotle mayo inside, and fresh tomato salsa. However, the inside also just had bagged shredded cheese and the tortilla was the plain ol ones from the grocery store, so it didnt feel very special. The ceaser salad side was an extra $2 which was alright, I should have opted for the free garden side or their fries (which are the generic costco ones but was still good in all its deep fried goodness) It was a big portion and I was very full after. The jerk chicken burrito that my friend had looked pretty good though. A few of the servers were also lovely and was very friendly! Not somewhere I'd choose immediately when im in the area but if someone suggests it, I wouldn't oppose to hard. read more

Among Hemingway's, Remy's, and the Pilot, Hemingway's is the weak link. Wouldn't really go here for food. They have an eclectic menu, which it supposedly reflective of New Zealand. I guess I kind of get what they're saying (diverse sources of influence on the cuisine), but it's not exactly promising when jambalaya, butter chicken, fajitas, and pad thai are all on the menu. To no surprise, the food is mediocore. If you're just going for drinks, it's not bad. Prices are fair for Yorkville. Can be difficult to get a table in the evening, and late enough, can be difficult to get in at all. This place draws a huge crowd. Once it gets busy, the service gets slow as well. Okay place if you're going for drinks and manage to get a table. There's better alternatives, though. read more

Do yourself a favor and don't order anything to eat here. The food is barely average and the beer selection is your typical mainstream offerings. This place serves pub food that's not too overpriced for the area. The servers seem to have too many customers and end up running around too much so service is not a strong point either. This is an everybody spot with a big after work following. This is not a bad meeting spot for bigger groups but I wouldn't waste a full evening here. Hemingway's actually used to attract a nicer crowd a few years ago but I'm not sure what happened. Right now, this is not the type of place I would frequent and would only come back if the choice wasn't mine. Keep your expectations low if you decide to come here. read more

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. read more

The food is a 3 out of 5, and the atmosphere is a 4 during the day, but a 5 in the evenings. Service is alright. The servers aren't very attentive, but they'll get the job done. Their fish tacos are apparently amazing. I've had it once, and I've had better, but they're still delicious. I've also had their chicken sandwich, and their chicken souvlaki - I'd order both again, but I'd stay away from their side salad (leaves were wilted and carrots were really dry and some were squishy..). I'd come here just for their fries and a beer. Their fries are like Costco's. Super crispy and they almost taste like there's some other seasoning on them, because it's not as plain as salt and pepper. read more

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A Yorkville staple for the locals! I've been a few times and have had great food and even better service. Pear salad, pizzas, nachos, sweet potato fries and the cocktails are all great. It's a causal pub like environment and perfect spot for getting together with friends after work. Enjoy! read more

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.. read more

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. read more

Booked for turkey meal on american thanksgiving day at 7 pm. Arrived 15 min earlier as restaurant asked majority ppl should arrived to not lose seats. Water served and waited for an hour, expected to have nice turkey meal but around 8:10 pm, restaurant told us they ran out of turkey. I sipped water for an hour for nothing and had to look at the menu to chose dish. Was so hungry, one of friends ordered French fries and I filled my stomach with it. Restaurant recommended chicken meal as a substitute so I went for it because didnot want to bother to waste more time to look at the menu. Meal arrived, Caesar salad - nothing special. Meal - I liked the stuffing only. Chicken with gravy, did not like it so I had it with ketchup. Pumpkin pie - was so so. I cannot give more than 2 stars. read more

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We were charged several $9 pints more than what we had ordered and when we advised our waitress, she claimed we were lying rather than admitting her "mistake" (...) The manager, instead of having a discussion with us, was more interested in antagonizing the situation and telling us we were drunk than finding a solution. Very disappointing and unprofessional. read more

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. read more

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! read more

In an area filled with expensive restaurants and high end stores sits Hemingways, a casual four storey resto with enough patio space to handle pretty much any event. Whether it's celebrating a birthday or enjoying an after work drink, this place has you covered. They have a pretty extensive drink menu which includes beers, wines and cocktails has a little something for everyone - definitely would recommend their red wine sangria! It's the perfect refreshing drink to enjoy on one of their four patios. I don't have a bad thing to say about their food. Must try's are the lamb burger, calamari and quesadilla, but you really cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. The place gets packed quickly with the after work crowd so be prepared to wait if you haven't made reservations. Get over there if you haven't been already and enjoy the summer on their patio with a sangria in your hand, you won't regret it! read more

The nachos were great, but unfortunately the service was lacking. The hostesses were friendly and efficient which was great, however, our server/bartender forgot one of our drinks and was generally not very pleasant. I work in the service industry and I understand that it is a tough job, but not so that you leave your guests wondering if they've offended you in some way. The bill took forever, maybe they are understaffed read more

This is the go-to place for folks in my office. They have a large covered patio that opens even during winter, though it's still quite cold despite the covers and the heat lamps. This is your typical bar food joint with a casual vibe and a team of friendly staff. It's everything you expect and a tiny bit more. read more

The last 2 times I have been to Hemingway's I have had the worst food and service of any dining experience - ever. I call BS on the Caesar salad dressing being made in house and they top it with chemical powdered fake Parmesan. We added chicken and it was bone dry. The waitress got uppity when she asked how are salads were. Don't ask if you don't want to know. Then the manager argued with us and went so far as to bring all 3 of our salads back to the table to ask is to point out what was wrong - ah, very unprofessional. Will never grace their door again. Had to give 1 star as app wont let you leave zero. read more

We went down to Hemingways for Australia Day this week and had a super fun night! The chicken parma was absolutely delicious and the imported Coopers beer made its South Australian brewers proud. I see Hemingways manager "slash" amateur magician Roberto now has a neck tattoo, doesn't jell with his skin-tight jeans aesthetic tbh. He is trying very hard though, bless his cotton socks. read more

Atmosphere was great, hostess was great, food was great (they have the best fries!) but the waitress was unfriendly at best, more like rude and disinterested. Great patio upstairs. Seating is good, wasn't too crowded. TVs to keep tabs on sports. Lots of Cider choices, which makes me happy. Food was quick, which is always nice. All was great except for the unfriendly waitress. Going to go back to try some of the desserts. read more

Hemingway's Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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. read more

Two words: Eggs Benedict. They do a great job on the brunch. Hemingway's has been known for generations as an after work spot for young Bay St. types and kids who grew up in North Toronto. It was also the place you went when you finally turned of age when I was in high school. It's usually rammed with people for after work drinks, not so busy late night and they have a covered, heated patio that's open year round. read more

Been to Hemingway's 3 times in the last few months. I was never disappointed. I had the Greek salad a couple of times and fish tacos. Good taste and good value. read more