Short Turn

What is Short Turn? Situated at 576 Queen Street West just steps east of Bathurst, Short Turn is the streetcar-inspired sister venue from Adrian Ravinsky and Dave Stewart of 416 Snack Bar fame. Designed with curved wood millwork, salvaged transit fixtures, and a long stainless steel bar, the narrow 750-square-foot room channels the dusky romance of a mid-century passenger train car. Seating wraps along a continuous leather banquette with intimate two-tops and bar counter stools, easily pivoting from a laid-back daytime lunch spot into a moody evening drinking den.

Short Turn Menu & What to Order Chef-driven comfort food meets Toronto's cross-cultural palate with an eclectic all-day menu that bridges diner staples and global bar snacks. Crispy lox and cream cheese schmear over golden tater tots and crunchy Taiwanese popcorn shrimp make essential starters before moving to the griddled cheeseburger or char siu bolo bao breakfast sandwich. Save room for the colossal single pancake capped with cultured butter, best paired with a stiff house martini or a boozy Vietnamese iced coffee.

Know Before You Go Tables can be booked online in advance, though the bar counter reliably accommodates walk-ins throughout the afternoon and night. Prime weekend dinner hours draw a crowd, so hopping on the 501 Queen or 511 Bathurst streetcar is your best bet to bypass Queen West parking headaches. The room operates Wednesday through Sunday with all-day service, remaining closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.