No need for more motivation to navigate the underground PATH with these recommendations
By Tamanna Gera
Taking the bus or the subway may be great, but when it comes to traversing through Downtown Toronto, you may be better off taking the PATH, the underground pedestrian walkway spanning over 30 kilometres of food courts, cafes, shopping centers and more. With over 1,200 restaurants located in the PATH, all are equipped to provide you with every meal of the day.
After exploring each corner and cranny, here are some of the hidden gems I’ve found for all to try, ranging from morning coffee, all the way to dinner with quick grab-and-go meal options as well for anyone in a rush.
Louis BonBon Cafe & Patisserie
200 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5J 2T6
This newly opened cafe provides Toronto with a traditional twist to classic flavours with innovations such as an Iced Ube Matcha Latte or an Iced Bais and Oats Cafe, made up of cold oat coffee infused with berry flavour. Besides a variety of drinks, you can grab a bite to eat as options for breakfast, lunch and dessert options alongside daily freshly baked goods; a wide range of options for whatever mood you may be in for.
Currently, the patisserie also features a gelato ice cream stand with flavours such as hazelnut and lemon, perfect for a little sweet treat. Unable to resist, I decided to try the coffee and chocolate gelato flavour at eight in the morning walking to campus through the PATH. The gelato was honestly the most decadent and flavourful I have tasted in my life so far—who needs coffee when you can eat coffee-flavoured ice cream instead?
The Brick Room
181 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5J 2T3
Craving coffee, breakfast, and a place to sit and eat while catching up on some work? The Brick Room offers freshly brewed coffee with roasted beans imported from Brazil. Try their signature mocktail drink (non-alcoholic of course, tequila might not be the best thing to drink in the morning) which is a mix of ice and topped with foam made from whipped cream, sea salt, honey and various toppings you can choose from. Pair with one of their breakfast options ranging from various croissant sandwiches to different styles of bagels.
Fabbrica
66 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5J 2W4
If you’re craving Italian food for lunch or dinner (or even breakfast, who says pasta and pizza can’t be eaten for breakfast), then Fabbrica is the place to go. They use high-quality ingredients to prepare their meals for a gourmet menu ranging from handmade pasta and roast porchetta to Roman-style pizzas and more.
As a big fan of Italian food, I had the opportunity to try the Pesto Chicken Alfredo pasta which I can only say was delicious. The rich and creamy (perhaps “with its rich and creamy sauce paired with perfectly cooked chicken, I will definitely be purchasing it again.
Touch Indian
1 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON M5C 2V9
When craving a taste of home, I once stumbled upon a delicious Indian place serving authentic Indian dishes ranging from various curries; from shahi paneer and butter chicken catering to non-vegetarian and vegetarian people with snacks such as samosas and sandwiches like the shawarma sandwich to try. For my friend, who is an international student, this was just what he needed to get a taste of home.
I ordered the Paneer Combo which came with one other curry (I chose channa, a chickpea-based curry) and got it with rice and a side of salad. I then had the pleasure of drinking the traditional Indian drink, mango lassi, a delicious blend of mango and yogurt. A must-visit if you are looking for an “Indian-themed” lunch or dinner.
Pinkberry
161 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5J 2S1
If you’re anything like me, a sweet treat after any meal is necessary and the best way I found to satisfy this is through frozen yogurt of course. Fresh, sweet and deliciously made frozen yogurt with an abundance of flavours to choose from, Pinkberry will blow your mind. You can customize your frozen yogurt by choosing from a variety of toppings, my go-to? Brownies and rainbow sprinkles. Pinkberry also offers smoothies and juices, whether you like chocolate banana or mango pineapple, there is an option for all. Not to mention other goods such as bubble waffles, diverse croissants, muffins and more. For lactose intolerant people out there, Pinkberry even offers dairy-free frozen yogurt alternatives.
McEwan Fine Foods
66 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5K 0A1
When you’re in a hurry and need to grab a meal-to-go or a quick snack, this on-the-go supermarket offers a variety of meals ranging from Thai curry to Sri Lankan goat and offers everyday essentials for purchase such as snacks, drinks and grocery items. A bonus is that this McEwan provides everyday home essentials as well such as personal care, cleaning supplies, home supplies and more. You can purchase vegan, dairy-free, vegetarian and various other dietary accommodated meals from here as well. Walking back home through the PATH, this place always saves me the extra trip to the supermarket.
Connected to the PATH located on 595 Bay Street is the Atrium, a shopping and food concourse with various areas for people to grab a bit and chill. The atrium offers a variety of unique eateries, here are a few for you to check out!
Fresh Start Bakery and Cafe
595 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5G 2R3
This bakery and cafe offers a Turkish twist with its special Turkish coffee and tea alongside the traditional picks of coffee, lattes and cappuccinos. Alongside the variety of baked goods such as buttered croissants and the butterscotch pecan chocolate cookie, you can purchase breakfast and lunch offerings with vegan options. Lunch sandwiches such as the Italian style consisting of prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes and provolone cheese to the traditional breakfast of Istanbul simits offering a variety of flavours from the traditional made up of feta, cucumber and tomatoes to the Vegan heaven made up of avocado, hummus and tomato.
Feta and Olives
595 Bay St. Fc8, Toronto, ON M5G 2C2
A delicious Mediterranean grill with a flexible menu that allows you to customize your salads, wraps, or whatever it is that you order, giving a variety of options for both non-vegetarian and vegetarian eaters. From falafel wraps and Caesar chicken or beef salads to the traditional souvlaki dinner, this place will bring you the fresh Mediterranean taste right in the heart of Toronto.
With a few hundred more unlisted places that exist in the PATH, the options are diverse and nearly endless. The beauty of food is that there is so much to choose from. Take the time to let yourself get lost in the PATH and see which aroma you end up following and which cuisine you end up discovering.
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