Food tours, colourful promotional displays, patio map, giveaways and more to welcome patrons to summer/fall outdoor dining experience
Toronto, ON – [June 12th, 2023] To mark the return of the City’s CafeTO program, two Business Improvement Areas have teamed up to launch ‘Queen East Eats’ – a unique, first-of-its-kind collaboration to promote the ‘support local’ experience and a patio season like no other on their shared main street.
Experience ‘Queen East Eats’ this patio season – it’s a partnership between the Riverside BIA (Queen St E between Davies and Empire Avenue) and the Leslieville BIA (Queen St E between Empire and Vancouver Avenue). Together, they have curated an online map of over 50 must-visit outdoor dining and drinking destinations, guided food tours, and monthly contests.
With a shared mission to attract and delight visitors, Queen East emerges as the ultimate summer hotspot for al fresco dining and drinking experiences.
Why ‘Queen East Eats’?
The neighbouring BIAs share many common features, including a diverse catalogue of small independent businesses along Queen Street, one of Toronto’s economic driving forces. Queen Street East maintains a close relationship with its surrounding communities.
This relationship is a springboard to launch this exciting summer/fall dining program, with the support of partners including the City of Toronto CafeTO program, and community sponsors including Hullmark and Amex Shop Small.
Queen East Eats is a vibrant celebration of the diverse culinary talents that thrive in the area, offering an exciting range of flavours and exceptional dining experiences.
‘Queen East Eats’ features:
- An online map with over 50 outdoor patios across both BIAs, providing a quick guide with links and information for each location
- Monthly giveaways hosted by the BIAs, showcasing the diverse offerings of local restaurants, bars, and cafes
- Complimentary food tours, designed to offer an immersive and delicious culinary journey
- Exciting food and drink specials from local establishments
- An extended patio season, with the program running until October, offering ample opportunities to savour the flavours of Queen East Eats!
Patrons are invited to follow #queeneasteats across the BIAs’ social media platforms and to stay connected to these networks for exciting updates on the Queen East Eats program:
Riverside BIA: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Leslieville BIA: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
For more information, please contact us
Queen East Eats 2023 was Made Possible Thanks to Incredible Community Supporters:
- City of Toronto CafeTO program and Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth)
- Transit Construction Mitigation Grant (City of Toronto and Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)
- Our 2023 Community Supporters:
About the Riverside BIA – www.riverside-to.com
The Riverside BIA, established in 1980, is one of Canada’s first BIA’s, located along Queen Street East between the Queen Street Viaduct to just past De Grassi Street. Rich in history, green spaces and public art, the BIA includes over 100 unique eateries, retails shops, boutiques and a range of professional services. Spanning 10 vibrant tree-lined blocks, Riverside is home to many historic sites, over 4 acres of parkland, over 30 large-scale public art murals and sculptures, The Broadview Hotel, The Opera House, community centres, schools, craft breweries, and Toronto’s first cidery. Discover the area’s culinary delights and events.
About the Leslieville BIA – www.visitleslieville.ca
Representing over 200 businesses and property owners along Queen Street East from Empire to Vancouver Avenues, the Leslieville BIA strives to create and maintain a sustainable and vibrant commercial Main street. As an award-winning Main Street recognized for its marketing efforts, it taps into its biggest assets, including being a preferred destination for film, world-class restaurants, and a landing place for the creative community, to attract tourism. It maintains a strong focus on animating its Main Street to encourage patrons to walk and shop the strip.
