The Senator

What is The Senator? Anchoring 249 Victoria Street just steps from Massey Hall and Yonge-Dundas Square, The Senator is Toronto’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, serving comfort classics on this plot since the 1920s. Owned and faithfully preserved by Bobby Sniderman since 1984, the room retains its original 1940s mahogany booths, classic diner counter stools, and warm jazz-age mood. It is a rare heritage haven that delivers authentic mid-century hospitality right in the middle of downtown.

The Senator Menu & What to Order Everything here is built on scratch fundamentals, using farm-fresh eggs, house-reduced stocks, and daily fresh-squeezed orange juice. Weekend brunch is anchored by The Senator Fry Up with peameal and maple baked beans, along with thick-cut challah French toast and buttermilk pancakes. For dinner, the iconic Senator Burger—topped with blue cheese and onion rings—and the scratch chicken pot pie served with whipped potato remain perennial benchmarks. Pair your meal with a rye Manhattan or a label from their thoughtfully curated wine list, and note that the kitchen handles gluten-free modifications with ease.

Know Before You Go Dinner reservations can be booked directly by email or phone, making this an essential pre-show destination for Massey Hall and the Elgin Theatre. Weekend brunch operates on a walk-in basis for parties under five, so aim for the 9:30 a.m. open to slide into a booth without a wait. Transit access is effortless via Dundas subway station, with Green P parking available nearby on Victoria Street.