Village by the Grange is Toronto’s most international and underrated food court

The Village by the Grange food court may be unassuming and even hidden to a certain degree from the outside, but the surprisingly bustling hub has for decades boasted the title of Toronto’s most underrated food hall — and with some recent restaurant additions, arguably its most diverse.

On any given day, the complex is swarming with OCADU students, staff from hospital row, construction crews, and those living in or visiting Grange Park, Baldwin Village, Kensington-Chinatown and the Entertainment District.

For anyone unfamiliar with the food court who’s just passing through, stumbling upon it is bound to feel like finding a true hidden gem.

Since it opened its doors in the 1970s, the Village by the Grange has seen dozens of favourites open and sadly close (places like Young Lok and Ginsberg & Wong among them). Some 50 years later, it still offers one of the most eclectic mixes of cuisines in a city known for its food scene, with a handful of tried-and-true staples alongside some new kids on the block.

Here’s what’s new and what’s still bringing daily lineups to this unexpected food world at Dundas and McCaul.

Kezy Doner

This new spot has authentic Turkish street food in whatever form you want it, with halal beef, chicken and mixed sandwiches, wraps and plates made with fresh veggies and signature house-made sauces.

Between the mains and the lentil soup, beef and vegetarian boreks, and stunning, syrupy adayif and baklava (the latter lovingly shaped into a mussel), you’ll leave Kezy anything but hungry.

Jaffna Street Food

Named for the capital of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, this trendily-branded stall is run by a father-son team who wanted to share the unique and flavourful cuisine of their home city and the Tamil Eelam region to Toronto.

Enjoy korthu rotis, wraps and rice bowls with punchy sambals and colourful toppings, fragrant teas, and fusion dishes like Jaffna fries and poutine from what is the newest spot in Village by the Grange, opened just this summer.

NaiNai

After operating as a ghost kitchen for five years, the team at Nai Nai moved into the southeast corner of the food court around a year ago, and have made the most of their small but colourful space.

Though the menu is replete with skewers, fried rice and more, the noodle dishes are the stars of the show, with an array of combos available: from mie, bihun and udon ayam (chicken with different noodle types) to mie goreng (stir-fried yellow noodles) and bakso sapi (beef balls) with vermicelli or egg noodles.

You can also buy packs of Indomie Indonesian instant ramen to eat in-house or bring home and make on your own. And, the specialty iced teas and other sweet drinks are not to be missed.

Pho369

The prices and quality are spot on at this truly authentic pho spot, which opened two years ago after owners shuttered their brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Junction, which was called Sizzling Dish.

Taking all of their expertise and the best of that menu, they now serve up delicious noodle soups, banh mi, and more here at the Grange. A ginormous bowl of their house special pho costs just $14.99, while other large mains and appetizers — served  charmingly on a newspapered tray — come in at even cheaper for a filling and healthy meal that is perfect for the colder months.

Fruteao

This bubble tea staple has been in operation for 15 years now, with all sorts of fresh fruit teas and juices, plus milk teas, fruit slushes, smoothies and more that have endless combinations of bases, fresh fruits, flavours and toppings.

There’s a different special each day of the week, and prices are notably lower than many competitors downtown — an added plus is that they’re open later into the night than most of the other stalls in the food court.

La Sani Grill

The Village by the Grange location isn’t the first for this South Indian spot, which started in 2010 and also operates outposts at Markham and Ellesmere in Scarborough and in Gerrard Square.

Known as one of the best Pakistani spots in Toronto, La Sani’s huge portions of chicken, lamb, beef and vegetable specialties paired with housemade sauces will have you drooling. And, like many stalls in this food court, they offer discounted lunch specials. Their butter chicken is a standout, though they also have all kinds of kebabs, tikkas, and more.

EatsManila

Another of the Grange’s newer restaurants, this staple for Filipino street food has dishes you won’t find elsewhere in the area, from samalamigs, kwek kwek, barbecued skewers of all sorts of meats (even chicken’s feet, isaw and bituka) and Pinoy bubble tea.

The team has been operating a food truck at various events all over the region since 2022, and has had this brick-and-mortar spot for one year.

The Bowl Korean Food

Bulgogis, bibimbaps, bone soup and more abound at this tiny stall, which has been serving up genuine Korean eats comprised of marinated meats, fresh veg, rice, glass noodles and tasty sauces for years.

Cheaper dishes include dumplings, kimchi and bulgogi poutines, japchae, dupbaps, cupbaps and soups, which can fill you up for around $12-$15.

All Spice Jerk Express

A newer and much-welcome addition to the complex is All Spice Jerk Express, a local business that has proudly moved from catering events and festivals over the last few years to its first takeaway restaurant with this location.

This real Jamaican cuisine made from the heart is sure to spice up your life with rich, well-seasoned meats like stew oxtail, curry goat and jerk chicken, served with rice and peas, on a sandwich or in a roti. Add sides like coleslaw, steamed veggies or curry potatoes, or grab a beef, chicken or veggie patty for later!

Karine’s

Vegans and vegetarians in the city have long known about Karine’s, which offers a lengthy menu of delicious homemade breakfast and lunch dishes all day, with mostly healthy, plant-based and gluten-free options to fill your plate.

Everything at this family-run spot is made with fresh ingredients and love, and served with a smile — they even cart your food out to your table, along a floral centrepiece and real cutlery, for a wholesome dine-in experience within a food court setting.

Karine’s has lasted over 10 years in the Grange, and for good reason: it’s truly beloved by its regulars. Pop by for its waffles and crepes, sandwiches, eggs (or tofu scramble), salads and more. Whether you’re itching for a gigantic platter of healthful food or a grab-and-go vegan/gluten-free baked good and a coffee, Karine’s has got you covered.

Manpuku

This Japanese fixture has its own indoor seating area inside the food court, which is often seen with a lineup out the door on any given weekday.

The standalone restaurant within a food hall has drawn crowds since its opening in 2008, though going viral on social media for its unbelievably cheap prices in recent years has helped boost its popularity even more.

You can famously nab a huge bowl of udon for under $6, with many more dishes available for under $10, making it a perennial hit with students from across the street.

Tasty Chinese Food

Another of the complex’s OG’s, Tasty Chinese is likely to have a line just as big as Manpuku’s for what it offers up. Just like its name, this is a no-frills spot for classic and authentic Chinese meat and veg dishes served over your choice of steamed rice, fried rice or noodles.

There is a rotating menu of staples from sweet and sour pork and General Tso’s chicken to garlic broccoli, green beans, spicy tofu and eggplant for the veg crowd. Whether you want a huge helping of just one item or to test out multiple dishes, you can get a towering tray for under $10 to around $15, or even less if you come at end-of-day.

Helena’s Magic Kitchen

Helena’s comfort food is truly magic in the sense that it feels like it came straight out of a loved one’s kitchen, not a packed food court.

Among the more tenured mainstays in the building, this stall right by the northernmost McCaul Street entrance is known for its quiches, meat pies, stuffed chicken breast, meatloaf, pierogies, latkes, vegetable sides and homemade gravies for healthy, hearty and colourful plates.

Bon Gung Sushi Cafe

A longtime favourite in the Grange, this sushi stall known for its chicken katsu, teriyaki, donburi, ramen and salads, alongside, of course, takeaway sushi at great prices.

From classic rolls to more inventive bites, Bon Gung should be added to every sushi lover’s list, with a classic menu that hasn’t changed much as far as its items or prices over the years.

Thai Bright

Thai Bright is another stall offering different combinations and sizes depending on your appetite, whether its chili chicken on noodles, pad thai and pad see ew, or bright, fresh green veggies fried up and served on a bed of rice.

Dishes are affordable and reliably satisfying, especially during the lunch specials or near closing, explaining why this eatery has managed to stick around so long.

Coffee Exchange

The most tried-and-true place for a caffeine fix in the area, no matter what kind of coffee-based drink you’re craving, has to be Coffee Exchange, which is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to serve bleary-eyed customers.

Sweet and speedy staff are happy to serve up one of over a dozen flavours of drip coffee that are kept fresh and piping hot throughout the day.

If it’s tea or espresso drinks you’re into, they’ve got countless choices of those, too, with all kinds of milk variations and seasonal spins available. Add on a scone, bagel, or other baked good to start your day off right or to get a much-needed midday pick-me-up from this cornerstone of the Grange.

Wafflian

Satisfy your sweet tooth with the only designated dessert spot in the Grange, which, as the name suggests, specializes in waffles.

You can dine in with a full breakfast plate where the doughy cakes are the star of the show, or get some takeaway waffles in all sorts of shapes and flavours, both sweet and savoury. Fresh fruit cups, macarons, crepes, and all sorts of desserts and meal staples are available.

McDonald’s, Popeye’s and more

Of course, there is nary a food court without an outpost of McDonald’s or another of its competitor fast-food giants — this one comes with a street-facing window that used to be functional for takeout, but has since been taken over by an air conditioner vent.

If you’re not a Big Mac girlie but still hankering for the predictable consistency and mediocre quality that only a corporate chain can provide, perhaps the fried chicken and cajun fries at Popeye’s are more your vibe.

A bit away from the main stalls and seating areas, but still technically in the Village by the Grange complex, are also a Baskin Robbins location for those with a sweet tooth, a Subway for quick and healthy sandwiches, and the long-running Gallery Sushi, which like Manpuku, has its own separate dining space.

There are also two convenience stores, Grange Green Farms and Grange Lottery and News, alongside an IDA Pharmacy By The Grange, health food store Baro Natural, and Village Custom Cleaners, which also does sewing and alterations.

The Village by the Grange food court spans from St. Patrick Street to McCaul Street on the south side of Dundas, with entrances on all three streets: at 122 St. Patrick, 109 McCaul, what is technically 113 McCaul, and 275 Dundas St. W.