One of the finest examples of the hamburger to hit Toronto since Prohibition.

The Kicks
The dimly lit dining room has a 1931 diner air, accented by old advertising posters that hang overhead. Huge leather booths make for comfortable seating, perfect for eyeballing the crowd and the idiosyncratic, retro-induced details that give the space away as a crafty labor of diner love.

The grub
All you need to know about the hamburger you’ve just ordered at Lakeview Lunch is that a great burger is on it's way. This is one of the finest examples of the hamburger to hit Toronto since Prohibition. And Lakeview doesn't disappoint in other menu items, as well.

But the burger is only the beginning: The ground beef, just slightly charred on the outside and always cooked exactly to specification, achieves the precise level of fattiness necessary to maintain juiciness without crossing the line into bloody-greasy territory. Fries are of medium girth and crisp and generously proportioned -- neither the too-thin shoestring/McDonald's variety nor those unfortunately prevalent monster "steak fries."

The verdict
But as with all restaurants, Lakeview Lunch isn't without its quirks. Service can be spotty, and it's not uncommon for you to stare at an empty beer glass while your server is nowhere to be seen. And any mixed drinks ordered seem to throw some confusion behind that beautiful bar.

These minor gripes, however, take little away from the meal. The food is consistently prepared; the atmosphere pleasant; the prices a steal. Brunch for two with tax and tip came to $16. A deceptively anonymous space - 50’s retro, long arborite bar, comfy wooden diner banquettes - offering diner-type sandwiches and burgers at wallet-friendly prices.

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Reader Reviews

don't forget the pie
October 14, 2002
Shauntelle Duguay, Toronto (of course!)
Good food, no attitude. A great place to read the paper on a lazy Sunday morning while enjoying an omelet and some good coffee. And don't forget the pie. There's always room for pie!


Aaron Boros, Toronto, ON
Oct 5, 2002
After having visited a bunch of the trendier brunch places in recent weeks, Lakeview Lunch went in a bit of different direction. A typical 50's style diner with booths and old movie posters lining the walls, I half expected personal jukeboxes at our eating station reminiscent of good old Lime Rickeys.

The menu was large serving an all day breakfast ranging from your typical eggs,toast and home fries to across the globe omlettes like the "Tel Aviv" or the "Athens". The good thing about the breakfasts was that they came with baked beans, a personal favourite addition to any breakfast. The lunch menu was also quite large and we debated getting a cappacino milkshake.

I ended up settling for the Lox Eggs Benedict which was your typical eggs benedict with hollandaise on an english muffin with some lox. Nothing special and the lox weren't that tasty. The homefries were flat and soft but not too bad. My friend chose a sandwhich off the lunch menu consisting of avacado, cheese, and some fancy mayo served on a huge bed of fries

He said it was delicious and from the bite I had I would have to agree.