C'est What

What is C'est What? Perched on the corner of Front and Church Street in the historic St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, C'est What has operated as Toronto's original craft beer cellar since 1988. Founder George Milbrandt carved out an unpretentious subterranean bunker outfitted with exposed brick, working fireplaces, classic pool tables, and comfortable wood banquettes. It functions as a quintessential, low-lit refuge for local brews, cask ales, and unplugged acoustic sets.

C'est What Menu & What to Order While the kitchen is best known for comfort-forward staples, its execution runs well beyond standard bar food with scratch-made dishes spanning global influences. The butter chicken poutine loaded with tender chicken, cheese curds, and mango chutney is the premier heavyweight order, perfectly paired with the house-contracted Homegrown Hemp Ale or a cask-conditioned English ale. Other reliable choices include smoked gouda varenyky perogies pan-fried with mushrooms, Ontario lamb burgers on naan, and Ontario VQA pours or single-malt whiskies if you want a break from hops.

Know Before You Go Tables turn over smoothly on most weeknights, but Friday and Saturday evenings see quick lineups for pool tables and hearthside seating, making direct bookings on their website advisable for larger groups. Note that cellular reception is notoriously spotty in the basement, so settle in for an analog night out. King and Union subway stations are both an easy five-to-ten-minute walk away.