The Commoner

What is The Commoner? Anchoring the corner of Dundas West and Howard Park on the northern cusp of Roncesvalles, The Commoner reimagines the classic neighbourhood watering hole with polished sophistication. Inside, the sunlit 95-seat dining room centres around a sleek marble bar with custom leather trim, while a 40-seat sidewalk patio handles summer overflow and casual alfresco gatherings. It expertly bridges the divide between a family-friendly local fixture and a refined sports-forward tavern.

The Commoner Menu & What to Order The kitchen delivers elevated tavern fare built from scratch, prioritizing seasonal ingredients and precise execution over greasy pub shortcuts. Start with the velvety whipped feta dip scooped up with warm, buttery paratha, or share a plate of the eight-hour braised short rib sliders. The crispy Nashville hot chicken sandwich packs authentic kick and crunch, though meat lovers should make a beeline for the 40-day dry-aged New York strip plated with duck fat fries and street corn. Wash it down with a draft pour from the rotating Ontario craft beer taps or the Honey Smash, a refreshing shaker of vodka, strawberries, mint, and honey.

Know Before You Go Reservations via OpenTable are highly advised for weekend brunch and Friday dinner rushes, though solo diners can usually snag an open seat along the marble bar without much delay. The restaurant is conveniently steps from the 505 Dundas streetcar line, which beats circling for spotty street parking along Dundas West. Note that doors remain closed on Mondays, with service kicking off at noon Tuesday through Friday and 11:00 a.m. on weekends.