They call Vaughan Ontario’s culinary crossroads, where the 400 meets global flavors. Venture north of Toronto, and you’re in for the best elevated dining crawl you can take without a reservation at some impossible-to-book hotspot—featuring craft cocktails, wood-fired pizzas, innovative small plates, one hell of a wine list, and so much more. You don’t even need a downtown address, just a sense of adventure and an appetite. Here’s where to drink and dine in Vaughan.
Neway KTV
$$ | (416) 222-3753 | WEBSITE
Neway KTV is one of Vaughan’s most modern karaoke spots, the kind of place where you’d swear the ghosts of past birthday parties still linger in the air, along with wisps of customized lighting and high-quality sound. It’s perfect for a grand celebration, but don’t overlook the pleasures of a spontaneous, hooky-playing weeknight here.
Skedaddle north past the usual bars, and sneak into one of their stylish rooms for dumplings that you’ll need to eat with chopsticks, unless you hate the shirt you’re wearing. Even at 7pm on a Wednesday, you’ll spot more than one group singing their hearts out.
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar – North York
$$$ | (416) 733-2555 | WEBSITE
If you only saw the name ‘The Keg Steakhouse + Bar,’ you might miss one of Vaughan’s most satisfying dining experiences. Inside, the restaurant is a sanctuary with crisp white tablecloths atop every table, and assertively delicious yet comforting dishes like the striploin steak with grilled shrimp: tender beef and succulent seafood paired with a perfectly baked potato and fresh vegetables. And yes, there’s a welcoming outdoor rooftop patio tucked beyond the dining room.
So far, we’ve been too content with the indoor ambiance to inquire about sitting outside, but this is our public promise to request a table on the patio on our next visit. And to extensively enjoy a blue black margarita from the happy hour menu first.
Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill
$$ | (289) 553-1313 | WEBSITE
Arguably no spot along the Vaughan dining scene offers a more satisfying casual experience than Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill. And we’re confident you won’t find this particular blend of lively atmosphere and friendly service anywhere else. Inside this cozy bar and grill, among TV screens and welcoming tables, you’ll find staff like Heer, Fagun, and Nishi ensuring orders are correct and the experience is enjoyable.
You can get your meal with standout dishes like the garlic bread with the chicken club sandwich and fresh, hot fries, or with the surf and turf 7 Oz sirloin with half a lobster tail that customers recommend as a great deal. Or better yet, try both.
Han Ba Tang
$$ | (416) 546-8218 | WEBSITE
Vaughan’s strip malls are not, broadly speaking, a destination for culinary adventure. But tucked inside one, you’re in for a firecracker of a Korean meal at Han Ba Tang. At a cozy wooden table, under warm Edison bulbs and exposed brick walls (life’s rich tapestry), the jokbal—an explosion of flavor and texture, alternately cloud-soft and gelatinous-rich—could restore the light in anyone’s eyes, even after the indignities of a long week.
The spicy rice cake delivers that perfect sweet-heat punch, while the seafood pancake stays miraculously crisp from first bite to last. Maybe suburban dining isn’t so bad after all. Maybe.
Café Nicole & Bar
$$$ | (416) 860-5151 | WEBSITE
Every time we wander through the historic St Lawrence Market area, we get a little giddy over the inviting aromas wafting from charming Café Nicole & Bar. This place makes us feel like we’ve discovered a hidden treasure, except instead of gold, it’s table after cozy table after welcoming booth of alluring brunch and lunch options. Start your visit at the pasta station, sampling fresh-made noodles—topped with as many sauces as you can handle—sized for a leisurely weekend appetite.
The seafood selections like haddock beurre blanc shine, while the traditional breakfast choices and smash burger satisfy every craving. The Easter brunch buffet alone, with its omelette stations and dessert bars, could keep us coming back for months. Fantastic service and that cozy atmosphere make this Vaughan gem worth every subway stop.
MIKAKU Izakaya Toronto
$$ | (647) 748-2340 | WEBSITE
It’s impossible to be in a bad mood at MIKAKU Izakaya Toronto when you’re surrounded by outstanding flavors—and by other customers also in great spirits, because they too made the wise choice of stopping into MIKAKU. Let the knowledgeable staff guide you to smokey sliced pork with a side of rose teobbokki, or maybe a refreshing beef tartare. The maze udon’s great, too. (And while you’re already in this hip section of Vaughan, consider a late-night eat at MIKAKU, just around the corner.)
ZUI Beer Bar
$$ | (647) 686-5519 | WEBSITE
Head to Vaughan’s bustling food scene and look for the glowing Chinese lanterns marking ZUI Beer Bar’s entrance. This vibrant Chinese-style bar is probably the most energetic spot to gather with friends in the area. The fried skewers, drink towers, and variety of snacks make for a perfect group feast, but ZUI is ideal just for a casual round of beers, too.
Sample from their selection of unique drinks—the fun MBTI cocktails with personality coasters stand out—or go all-in with a towering, frosty beer tower. The accommodating staff keeps things lively, though during peak hours you might need to wave them down. Still, with generous portions and delicious flavors, it’s a fantastic place to create lasting memories over skewers and drinks.
Gabby’s
$$ | (416) 484-4101 | WEBSITE
You’ll find the pulse of Vaughan’s dining scene scattered throughout the city, with popular spots like other bar-restaurants clustered in various neighborhoods. But Gabby’s, tucked away in its location, is worth a special visit too. You’ll feel comfortable among booths filled with friends cheering on the game, kids happily munching on their burgers, and servers who won’t hesitate to recommend their favorite wings.
Bring a hungry crew (and maybe some extra napkins) to tackle the massive sweet chili Thai wings. The perfectly crafted drinks taste as satisfyingly delicious as they look: wonderfully balanced, refreshing, and flavorful.
Dave & Buster’s Vaughan
$$ | (905) 760-7600 | WEBSITE
This stretch of Vaughan is home to a number of great, long-time entertainment destinations like arcades and family fun centers. Of these, our favorite is Dave & Buster’s—the only one with a Human Crane Arena, and also the only one with a vibrant, game-filled atmosphere that spans an entire venue. Established as a reliable chain, and open late into the evening, this lively restaurant has an enormous, diverse menu ranging from Barbacoa Fries to accommodating dietary restrictions.
When in doubt, go with some form of satisfying, well-prepared snack. (Sorry, wallet—those drink prices can add up during special promotions.)
The Hunt Pub
$$ | (905) 833-5311 | WEBSITE
King City might be the single most refined dining destination in Vaughan, if not the entire region. More than a dozen gourmet dishes are served here, and the blocks surrounding the historic downtown have become a destination for elegant ambiance and professional service, among many other fine dining qualities. But one place keeps us coming back, and not just because it’s classy: the restaurant The Hunt Pub.
Consider the delicious gourmet meals—warm plates revealing a beautiful presentation of flavor and texture—mandatory. The Hunt Pub’s dining room is almost always elegant, but we have never been happier to have such little volume issues. (There’s also occasional live music events to enhance the atmosphere.)
Safari Bar and Grill
$$ | (416) 787-0998 | WEBSITE
It’s a pleasure to experience Safari Bar and Grill’s warm, inviting pool hall atmosphere wherever you’re coming from—now in Vaughan and beyond—but we have a particular fondness for the original spot, where we swear the Safari Burger is just a little juicier under those cozy interior lights. Don’t skip the fresh promise of the day’s catch Red Snapper, either, which is flaky and perfectly seasoned on the outside, yet wonderfully tender on the inside.
Then settle into the beautiful patio during spring and summer, to enjoy a great drink with friends, garnished with even more good times.