Brasserie Côte

What is Brasserie Côte? Claiming the prominent corner of Bloor and Brunswick at 400 Bloor Street West, Brasserie Côte is the Annex sister outpost to Ossington mainstays Union and Côte de Bœuf, conceived by restaurateur Teo Paul and Parisian expat Eamon O'Dea. The dining room transforms the storied former By the Way Café footprint into a classic French haunt, complete with a custom zinc bar, globe pendant lamps, arched mirrors, deep burgundy banquettes, and a sprawling sidewalk patio.

Brasserie Côte Menu & What to Order Chef Damien Cochez channels classical French bistro technique and in-house Ontario butchery, producing exceptional charcuterie au comptoir, sizzling escargots en coquille gratinés, and hand-cut steak tartare au couteau. The non-negotiable order is the steak frites with red wine shallot sauce, though the weekend poulet rôti and flaky confit mackerel are equally stellar. Pair your meal with selections from the low-intervention, Franco-centric wine list or a classic aperitif, keeping in mind that strict vegan and halal options are scarce here.

Know Before You Go Brasserie Côte operates strictly on a walk-in policy, meaning prime dinner slots from Thursday to Saturday fill up fast; aiming for an early lunch or arriving after 8:30 p.m. yields the shortest waits. The restaurant is situated halfway between Spadina and Bathurst subway stations, making public transit far easier than hunting for scarce street parking on Brunswick. The kitchen and bar run Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with doors closed on Sundays and Mondays.