Where Taylor Swift fans can eat in Toronto during the Eras Tour

Toronto is bracing for Taylor Swift’s arrival on November 16. With 240,000 Swifties expected to attend her six shows at the Rogers Centre, downtown is about to get more chaotic than a Ticketmaster pre-sale. Swifties will want a spot close by to grab a bite before the concert, so we’ve rounded up 10 restaurants within walking distance of the venue. Instead of trying to guess where Swift herself might eat (we’ll leave that to the “Mastermind” detectives), we’ve created a list inspired by her lyrics, her likes and her looks.

Taverna Mercatto

The inspiration: Este wasn’t there / Tuesday night at Olive Garden, at her job or anywhere —“No Body, No Crime” The distance: 450 metres (a five-minute walk) The rationale: Since the nearest Olive Garden is in Niagara Falls (the American side), we’re steering you toward a real-deal pasta joint

This trattoria slings top-notch thin-crust pizza and some standout pasta—think pappardelle with rabbit ragu, roasted squash and fried sage or chitarra alla carbonara with guanciale and a Conestoga Farms egg yolk the colour of that orange dress. For those with less culinary daring, the ricotta gnocchi or bolognese lasagna are Italian classics for a reason. And while the salads may not be unlimited (in this economy, all-you-can-eat anything seems like a distant memory), there are a few excellent leafy options to choose from, like the beet-kale-ricotta option. Alas, there are no breadsticks here, but there is freshly baked olive oil and sea salt bread (which is an upgrade, if you ask us).

Milagro

The inspiration: You are somebody that I don’t know / But you’re taking shots at me like it’s Patrón —“You Need to Calm Down” The distance: 550 metres (a seven-minute walk) The rationale: Mucho, mucho tequila

Since 2006, Arturo Anhalt’s cantina has held its place as the go-to spot in the Entertainment District for tacos, tostadas and tequila, with an extensive collection of mezcals and tequilas from all over Mexico. So, yes, there’s Patrón, and you can do shots of it, but if you want to branch out, try the Black Oaxaca, a cocktail made with mezcal, Kahlúa and an espresso shot. It’s like an espresso martini with an extra kick that’ll make you say olé!

Clockwork

The inspiration: And now I love high tea, stories from uni and the West End —“London Boy” The distance: 850 metres (an eight-minute walk) The rationale: Fancy afternoon tea with celeb-spotting potential

Since afternoon tea at the Fairmont Royal York is a weekend affair, there’s a chance Swift will pop in before one of her Saturday shows (or on her Sunday off). Heck, she might even be staying at the 95-year-old hotel—it’s where both Queen Elizabeth and the Biebs have rested their heads, after all. Positioned at the heart of the lobby, Clockwork is prime for people-watching and potential celeb sightings, though it’s tough to keep your eyes off the parade of sweet and savoury treats that come with the tea service (and it gets even trickier after that second flute of bubbly).

Hazukido (Union Station)

The inspiration: And she is yelling at a bridesmaid / Somewhere back inside a room / Wearing a gown shaped like a pastry —“Speak Now” The distance: 900 metres (a nine-minute walk) The rationale: The pastries, obviously

This grab-and-go Japanese bakery doesn’t require reservations, but good luck waltzing in without encountering a queue during peak times. Their croissants? Flakier than a Tinder date no-show. The classic pastries aren’t responsible for the lineups, though; it’s the funky flavours that pull people in, like raspberry panna cotta, strawberry custard, salted egg yolk and truffled crab. If someone compares you to one of these pastries, take it as a compliment, not a serrated Swiftie jab. Adorned with edible flowers and perfectly piped meringue, these croissants aren’t just food—they’re the kind of confections that inspire love songs.

WVRST (Union Station)

The inspiration: Taylor’s french fry costume in the music video for “You Need to Calm Down” The distance: 900 metres (a nine-minute walk) The rationale: Because this sausage hall makes some dang good fries

Carry brat summer into the fall with an order of bratwurst and a side of delightfully crispy duck-fat fries. Wvrst always feels like a big Bavarian party, and while it doesn’t necessarily scream Swift, it definitely seems like a spot her beau, Travis Kelce, would gravitate toward. Plus, they carry far more sausage links than your typical beer hall, with exciting game options like venison and wild boar. Not a big meat eater? They also whip up a great fondue—perfect for a chilly November day.

Miku

The inspiration: Getting lunch down by the lakes / She said I looked like an American singer —“Invisible String” The distance: 1 kilometre (a 12-minute walk) The rationale: It’s a fancy restaurant and it’s near the water

Hardcore Swifties should know that she despises sea urchin, but as a Nobu regular, we’re betting she at least enjoys other kinds of seafood. Occupying a sprawling 7,000 square feet of prime lakefront space, harbour-adjacent Miku is renowned for its aburi oshi sushi (torched and pressed). You might even snag a table as a walk-in. But the best seat in the house is at the sushi bar, where head sushi chef Junnosuke Fujikawa masterfully slices fresh filets of o-toro, maguro and more, straight from Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Market.

Le Gourmand Café

The inspiration: I’m so gangsta you can find me baking cookies at night / You out clubbing, well I just baked Caramel Delights —“Thug Story” The distance: 1 kilometre (a 10-minute walk) The rationale: Arguably some of the best cookies in Toronto

The walnut chocolate chip cookies at this Spadina stalwart aren’t just baked for Instagram. These are Toronto’s original over-the-top, who-cares-about-the-calories cookies—and they’re absolutely worth it. Any cookie monster worth their salt knows these hefty, gooey, butter-packed creations are the best in town.

The Butcher Chef

The inspiration: The album Red
The distance from the venue: 1.1 kilometres (a 13-minute walk) The rationale: Nothing screams red louder than a prime cut of beef cooked medium-rare

This steakhouse from the owner of Michael’s on Simcoe treats meat like a religion, sourcing prime products from local farms and top international suppliers. Melt-in-your-mouth A5 Kobe strip loins are served with $600 Damascus steel knives from Salter Fine Cutlery—because why slice perfection with anything less? The space is equally extravagant: over-the-top decor includes a gleaming tiger’s eye bar top, black American walnut tables, a wine cellar encased in Starphire glass and—crowning it all—an opulent French 18-karat-gold-plated chandelier.

Kome Yogurt

The inspiration: Teal was the color of your shirt / When you were sixteen at the yogurt shop / You used to work at to make a little money —“Invisible String” The distance: 1.2 kilometres (a 17-minute walk) The rationale: It’s a yogurt shop

With a sort-of-secret speakeasy hidden in the back, Kome is easily the coolest a yogurt shop can get. By day, it’s all about wholesome, probiotic-packed yogurt with heritage grains, but after dark, it ferments into its indulgent alter ego, After Seven. Want to get in? Just book a spot on OpenTable. Once inside Kome, locate the vending machine door salvaged from an auto shop, tap in the provided code and open sesame! The fun continues with creative cocktails (yes, some are made with yogurt) and a surprisingly solid selection of Japanese whisky. Who knew a night out could come with a side of good gut health?

The Senator

The inspiration: Morning, his place / Burnt toast, Sunday / You keep his shirt / He keeps his word —“You Are in Love” The distance: 2.3 kilometres (a 33-minute walk) The rationale: It’s a diner with excellent avocado toast and a Swift connection

While they don’t typically serve up burnt anything at this iconic Toronto diner, they do make a mean avocado toast. Yes, we know it’s a bit of a stretch—and a longer walk—but stick with us. The real reason we shoe-horned the Senator in? This twee time capsule of a diner, running strong for 76 years, is a favourite of none other than Sir Elton John. Rocket Man fans will know that Elton is a newly baptized Torontonian, having scooped up a penthouse in the still-under-construction Treehouse condos (that cubist behemoth slowly rising on King West). Since Taylor and Elton are famously friendly (he recently teased a collab with her), odds are she got his list of must-visit spots.