Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Toronto / Ontario
  4. Toronto
  5. Leslieville / Riverdale
Gare de l'Est, Toronto, ON
This restaurant now offers Takeout

This restaurant now offers Takeout

Bring the restaurant to you. Order and pay for food directly on OpenTable.

Gare de l'Est

4.5
4.5
989 Reviews
CAN$30 and under
Contemporary French
An authentic, modern French brasserie in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant east end, Gare de l’Est was named after one of the oldest and largest train terminals in Paris, France. Just steps away from Crow’s Theatre, it offers an extensive menu of traditional French fare and seasonal dishes with a focus on local ingredients.

While the actual space doesn’t offer a means of transportation, its loft-like ceilings, deep hued banquettes and crisp white table clothes, will carry your imagination to whatever destination you desire.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 24 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary French

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (416) 792-1626

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    John Sinopoli

  • Catering

    We offer full catering services through Ascari Hospitality Group. To inquire further, please reach us at info@ascarievents.ca

  • Private party facilities

    Gare de l'Est Brasserie is a perfect venue for private events, sit-down dinners and brunch, and cocktail style receptions. To inquire further, please reach us at info@gdlbrasserie.com

  • Private party contact

    Karen Osler, Table 17 Catering: (416) 546-9192

  • Neighborhood

    Leslieville / Riverdale

  • Cross street

    Dundas + Carlaw, NE corner

  • Parking details

    Parking garage in building (reasonable pricing)Street parking on Dundas - 3 hour max

  • Public transit

    72-Pape bus, North or South, Carlaw Ave at Dundas St East<br />

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Half Price Oysters

    Multiple dates available
    Drop in on Monday nights for East coast oysters at half price. Served with Baco Noir mignonette, freshly grated horseradish, and lemon. Half dozen / 12 Dozen / 24
  • Half Price Wines

    Multiple dates available
    Enjoy our wine list at half price on Tuesday evenings. Explore off the beaten path varietals and unique regions our list has to offer.
  • Préfixe de Théâtre

    Multiple dates available
    Reserve your pre-theatre dinner and enjoy a three course menu that won’t have you peckish by intermission. 54 / guest gdlbrasserie.com/menu

Popular dishes

What 989 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. JimB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We love Gare de l’Est! Our delightful neighbourhood French Bistro. Great knowledgeable and friendly staff. Great food.
  2. TedD

    Toronto

    10 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Very enjoyable patio meal. Daily special was excellent.
  3. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great experience on the patio here. Wonderful service and awesome oysters. Browned butter broccolini with roasted hazelnuts was excellent. Excited to go back and try more.
  4. JaneS

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall3food1service4ambience5
    Found it quite overpriced for the food and my omelette was like a bath of oil Latte and coffe was great, service great, but food wise not worth w the price for brunch
  5. DebM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Great staff. Great location. What more could you want in a restaurant?
  6. sossamon01

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    This restaurant was a spontaneous find and completely worth it
  7. BarryM

    Toronto

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We started with an amazing bottle of beaujolais and the pate which paired beautifully. I had the duck confit which is a fav of mine and I order out often if it’s on the menu. This one did not let me down. It was very crispy where it should be and the meat tender and so delicious . My husband was having a hard time deciding on what to have from the well thought out menu so he asked our server to recommend her favs. He ended up with the agnolotti which he said was delicious. We ended with a very light (whipped?) cheese cake. It was a great end to our night out. We have been to this restaurant many times and have always been pleased.
  8. Ar1962

    Montreal

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Decided to beat the Mothers Day crowd and celebrate on the Monday ! Good decision . Excellent meal , service and ambiance - highly recommended!
  9. Georgina

    Toronto

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Service was friendly but not very attentive, we were not asked how our food was or get checked in on once, only to ask if more alcohol was needed. The French Onion Soup was far too salty as well as the roasted beet/goat cheese & kale salad - the walnuts were far from candied. The lamb shank was fall of the bone, quite good but the butter beans were tough and bland. The green beans cooked well but bland and the mashed potatoes, well they didn't arrive. The steak was quite good and the fries were again, too salty....reminded me of hickory sticks. The cheesecake was just OK as well as the creme caramel. Open Table shows a "$$" for this restaurant and it is clearly a "$$$", but they really needs to step up to their pricing. Being a culinary graduate, salt is used to enhance the flavour, not overpower it.
  10. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great Mother’s Day at Gare de l’Est. Service, food and drinks were great. We dressed up a little and we’re pleased to see others do the same. It’s not required but it felt right in the space and the service carried the vibe. Apps and mains were great and the cheesecake was excellent.
  11. HeatherA

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience4
    The special potato soup and mashed potatoe was tasteless and the salad with radish was actually really salty. The bread you get for $6 was not worth the money. I would have thought french food at this price point would have been amazing. This was school cafeteria or cooking school quality.
  12. none

    Deactivated - Far North Queensland

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Good food and good service marred by the choice of techno euro beat music over the former Piaf and other more appropriate soft french music they used to play
  13. PatriciaVaillancourt

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We arrived early for our reservation and were happily seated Service was excellent, the food delicious and the ambiance uplifting and pleasant It was my Mothers Day lunch (after puppy yoga) with my daughter and first time at Gare de l'Est ... will definitely go again
  14. LauraP

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We enjoyed our brunch, the food was very tasty! Two small notes… it would have been nice to hear French music playing and on the menu where it says “for the table” if you could indicate that the croissant is “each” for $5 it would have helped. Other than that, delicious!
  15. MelaniN

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    One of my favourite places to go! The service is perfect, fun, sassy....love it! In the past food has been great. This visit, had the steak fries and the it was a touch tough...but the flavor was awesome. I'll go back anytime.
  16. SusanneS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    Perfect ambience for a romantic or girls night out dinner. Not too loud so you can have a conversation. The service is friendly, helpful and entertaining. Moules and Frites, pasta and creme caramel were totally delicious.
  17. MammaBear

    Toronto

    56 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    56 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great meal before theatre. Great service, great food, and out on time without having to rush.
  18. sophia

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Our experience was enhanced by our server, Jacob who was very pleasant and accommodating to our needs to make our meal a special occasion
  19. Paul

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall1food4service1ambience2
    James is aware of what happened Thursday evening May 11 ( spoke to him and shared our unhappiness and the reasons for it). I don't know the cause, but it appeared to be either insufficient or inadequately trained kitchen personnel. For the fixed price meal, we were served the main one hour and ten minutes after seating (at 6:20), and more than thirty minutes after the appetizer--during that wait, no one (e.g. our server Kelly) came by to apologize for the delay, though the young man who brought the main did apologize for the long delay. As a result, for the performance at 8:00 pm, we did not have time to savor the desert, nor to enjoy a glass of wine. On the positive side, the salmon was superlative (best my wife has had at a restaurant) and the cornish hen was also excellent. I would not recommend the restaurant (as I have done in the past), at least for a while, until I observe or hear about about changes.
  20. MarchG

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This review is not perfect only because I wish they were open or lunch. The food, atmosphere and especially the staff are magnifique! The doors, bathroom and staff are very pro wheelchair
  21. Elizabeth

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The service stands out most to me. Our server, Rachel, was fantastic and seemed really enthusiastic about the place - recommended some food, encouraged us to get drinks, she called us “my lovelies” whenever she stopped by and was just really great all over, I loved when she stopped by to chat with us. The food was great, the French onion soup was delicious and the baguette held together really well, the bowl was PIPING HOT learned that the hard way but that’s not important and also embarrassing for me, I got the salmon which was so soft and flakey, and had this great crispy skin, my brother who was with me got the steak tartare (with the most orange egg yolk we had ever seen it was beautiful) which looked fantastic and came with these lattice chips, which were so good. We were seeing a play next door and they had us in and out with time to kill.
  22. Robb

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and friendly and professional service.
  23. Anonymous

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 2, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience3
    Food was good but smallish portions. French fries not very imaginative. Fair amount of gristle on the thin Steak Frites - but it was tasty and lightly cooked (very nice). Steak tartar was original and very good. Desserts excellent.
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Everything was wonderful but I found the brunch menu had very few great choices.
  25. Peter

    Toronto

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent kitchen (the tuna carpaccio starter special at $16 was outstanding). Friendly, professional service. Reservation was moved from the lounge to the dining room, much appreciated. Pre-theatre. Timing was perfect.
  26. Stars

    Toronto

    7 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Found out their oven wasn’t working after we had already ordered a dish and been assured it would be a few minutes, but they kindly offered a complimentary replacement. A cappuccino came out initially with no foam, but they also fixed the issue promptly. The food was all very good, and the service was good as well.
  27. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious and great value. Loved the ambiance.
  28. KwongK

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful French restaurant, good foods and service.
  29. ChristianB

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best restaurant meals I have had in a long time! Thank you for the amazing service too!
  30. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love the service there. Very attentive.
  31. MarcelM

    Toronto

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was very good - as per usual. Love that they are consistent
  32. SalimaV

    Las Vegas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great choice
  33. JohnH

    Toronto

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    I love your restaurant. Your new manager is awesome, the restaurant ambiance is awesome, I want it to be home. That being said the food, is marginal, and I truly believe the cooks do not know what they are doing. The French onion soup was a bowl of wet bread, the escargot is overcooked and tasteless and anyone that knows anything about cooking French food knows attention is needed. Even the bread was overheated, and just gummy. Please you got full stars for your staff, your new manager, and the ambiance, but your food is almost inedible. Invest in good cooks and bartenders (they cannot make drinks) and in a chef, and I will be a long-time guest in your restaurant. I will come back in the hope you make these changes.
  34. AlexD

    Toronto

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Hi! Just a quick note from a happy customer. I was there for brunch this weekend, probably my 4th-5th time at Gare de l'Est, and I will definitely be back as I DO like your restaurant. However, as a French person living in Toronto, it would be nice to see a French menu that isn't filled with grammar and spelling mistakes. If you are going to go through the trouble of adopting the 'French Bistro' feel, food and ambiance, have your menu proof-read/translated/corrected but someone who knows French, it doesn't reflect well on you! Just my 2-cents! Your loyal French customer.
  35. HeliK

    Toronto

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall3food1service4ambience4
    We had steak frit. It was a 7.99 diner steak. It was full of gristle and thin cut and overcooked. No where near the $35 value on the menu. We were given 15% discount. That was kind. But ridiculously overpriced meal. Servers very nice.
  36. Gigidisimone

    Las Vegas

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Enjoyed this incredible gem for Sunday brunch. Service, food and ambiance was top notch. We started with the cinnamon brioche, followed by our breakfasts, avocado croissant, Benedict nordique and the Canadian breakfast. All were excellent. The croissant was absolutely incredible. I would definitely visit this restaurant again and will also try their dinner. Thank you to the staff at Gare for a lovely brunch! We’ll be back!
  37. NeilS

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The service was friendly and efficient. The Brunch options provided plenty of choice. An enjoyable experience.
  38. KimberlyN

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely Brunch! Croque Madame was delicious, very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Will be returning!
  39. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience3
    We booked this as a last minute anniversary dinner. Service is the best thing about this place. Poor quality food for the price.
  40. Elpoochos

    Toronto

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience5
    Food was unfortunately not the best. Folks thought they had better Benedicts and other egg dishes at other restaurants. The brunch dishes were disappointing. It was confusing given everything else was great!

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Gare de l'Est offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (416) 792-1626.

Gare de l'Est is rated 4.5 stars by 989 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 24 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Gare de l'Est

1190 Dundas St. E., Toronto, ON M4M 0C5

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Dundas + Carlaw, NE corner

  • Neighborhood

    Leslieville / Riverdale

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary French

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Parking garage in building (reasonable pricing)Street parking on Dundas - 3 hour max

  • Public transit

    72-Pape bus, North or South, Carlaw Ave at Dundas St East

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    John Sinopoli

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (416) 792-1626

  • Catering

    We offer full catering services through Ascari Hospitality Group. To inquire further, please reach us at info@ascarievents.ca

  • Private party facilities

    Gare de l'Est Brasserie is a perfect venue for private events, sit-down dinners and brunch, and cocktail style receptions. To inquire further, please reach us at info@gdlbrasserie.com

  • Private party contact

    Karen Osler, Table 17 Catering: (416) 546-9192

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo