Football and fine dining: eight surprisingly elevated Toronto bars and restaurants screening the World Cup
Where foodies and fans can unite
Finding a spot to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto is like shooting fish in a barrel. Finding a place where the sports-averse can ignore the World Cup while their football-loving friends watch it—and everyone still has a good time—is the real victory. We’ve rounded up a handful of hotspots that don’t typically screen sporting events but are making an exception for the next few weeks.
Related: Where to watch the World Cup in Toronto: a place for fans of each of the 48 participating countries
Emmer
This baked-goods haven on Harbord Street attracts the kinds of sourdough stans who take bread as seriously as football fans take FIFA—and the Emmer team has decided to open its patio for evening service to screen matches. Offering a full-service wine and cocktail bar and a dinner menu that includes a smash burger, a falafel burger and Emmer’s take on a blooming onion, the venue’s only risk is that guests will be so distracted by what’s on their plates that they’ll miss the goal everyone else is celebrating. 161 Harbord St., emmertoronto.ca
Danny’s
It’s no surprise that Little Italy, home to old-school FIFA-viewing institutions like Café Diplomatico, is a hub for World Cup fans. But Café Dip has some new competition this year, and its name is Danny’s. For the duration of the tournament, both Danny’s Pizza Tavern and Danny’s Next Door will be screening every match with the volume turned up and drink specials flowing. The patio is even equipped with two televisions—in case soaking up summer weather is more your speed. 611 College St., dannyspizzatavern.com
Dbar
Watching a FIFA match from the stands? A luxury. Watching one from a bar? Not so much—unless that bar happens to be at the Four Seasons. The hotel’s swanky lobby bar has installed three large-format digital screens, paired with immersive surround sound, to bring the roar of the crowd into the room with near-stadium intensity. The menu is equally elevated: instead of the usual sports-food suspects, expect crisp duck croquettes with green peas, ramps and poultry jus; freshly shucked oysters topped with apple, yuzu and lemon two ways (gel, foam); and a lineup of Don Julio cocktails—each one better than a $25 king can of Michelob Ultra. 60 Yorkville Ave., fourseasons.com/toronto/dining/lounges/dbar
Related: A dozen of the best places to eat and drink near Toronto Stadium
Osler Records
Toronto’s newest record label (which also happens to be a coffee shop, bar and music venue) has quickly earned a reputation as a community hub—and showing the FIFA World Cup is another way of building on that. Staying true to its effortlessly cool identity, Osler is turning the audio on only for marquee matchups, but until July 19, every game will be screened either in the back room or on the television above the bar. 2 Osler St., unit A, @osler.records
Cheese Boutique
In case you needed another reason to visit Cheese Boutique, the CB Bottega laneway patio will be open for every match, serving drinks and snacks alongside the Cheese Boutique food truck’s crowd-pleasing roster and beer from Indie Alehouse. We’re calling it: football and fromage is the new unofficial FIFA pairing. 29 Ripley Ave., cheeseboutique.com/collections/cb-bottega
Taberna LX
Cheer on Portugal at the west end’s newest destination for all things piri piri with a twist. Snack on béchamel-laced shrimp patties or crispy salt cod fritters while booing any team that doesn’t call the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula home. (And if you’re not a Portugal fan, don’t say we sent you.) 1161 Dundas St. W., tabernalx.com
Related: These Toronto bars and restaurants are offering specials during the World Cup
Manita
Manita will be screening matches at both its Ossington and its Rosedale outposts, where sports fans and foodies can enjoy (or ignore) games with a glass of good wine and the restaurant’s delicious take on a quarter-pounder. But, this being the World Cup, we would encourage you to spread your wings and opt for the falafel plate with a side of boquerones. 210 Ossington Ave. and 1164 Yonge St., manita.ca
Ace Hotel
Join the Levi’s FC Lounge Watch Party at the Ace Hotel and discover that even the retro-arts crowd can get behind the World Cup. Expect DJs, food, drinks, plenty of selfie moments and levels of denim that feel wildly inappropriate for a summer sporting event. 51 Camden St., acehotel.com
Erin Hershberg is a freelance writer with nearly two decades of experience in the lifestyle sector. She currently lives in downtown Toronto with her husband and two children.
