We booked a table at Donna's specifically for their special monthly Sunday roast and were not disappointed. Our reservation was for 1pm, the perfect time for a hearty meal that keeps you full for both lunch and dinner. The three-course meal started with salmon and cucumber with dill, alongside a coronation devilled egg on Robinson's seeded toast. For the main, we had Sunday's best roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, carrots, leeks in cheese sauce, horseradish, and gravy. Everything was cooked beautifully, with rich flavors and great textures. Dessert was a standout--a cornflake tart with rhubarb and custard that tasted just like Peak Ferns cookies. Service was excellent, with attentive staff keeping our water topped up and the table cleared between courses. We skipped the optional oyster and cheese upgrade this time, but we are already looking forward to returning to see what their next monthly special will be. read more

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Amazing experience overall. From the atmosphere, to the servers to the owner Anne. True excellence. The star of the show however was the food. I feel confident in this enthusiastic endorsement of everything on the menu as we (party of 6) ordered the chefs menu. We had two people at the table with allergy concerns and they were eager to accommodate. I promise, you will not be disappointed with any of the interesting and thoughtful dishes they are serving up at this gem of a place! Will definitely return. read more

the intimate ambiance, made it a perfect choice for a romantic dinner. The short but thoughtfully crafted menu showcased a culinary experience that left a lasting impression. read more

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Amazing food! The service is impeccable and that Leafy salad HOLY SH*T! If you are in the area enjoy this relaxing and unique gem!

We went to Donna's for Valentine's Day, and it was a nice dinner, but unfortunately it left a little bit more to be desired on the food front. Now, seeing as it was Valentine's Day, I'm sure the staff were super busy and tired and the kitchen was probably rushing to get orders out but I had heard really good things and personally it didn't reach the standards I was expecting. The inside of the restaurant has a really nice set up. It almost feels like a cosy 80s vibe with all the interesting lights and art on the wall. For food we started with oysters which were pretty standard and the squash salad, which was my favourite dish of the night. For mains we got the beef tongue and roasted duck which were pretty good and for dessert we got rice pudding. Like I mentioned, the food was just pretty good. I thought it be a lot better considering the price (portions were quite small) and all the good things I had heard and the high reviews but maybe I had an off night due to Valentine's Day. I would still recommend checking it out. It seemed like it was more ideal for bigger groups to try out a lot of the dishes and share, but it was still nice as a date as well. read more

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Stopped in for a few sandwiches and omg we were blown away. The roast beef is too good- recommend!!! The veggie melt was also excellent- we got two sandwiches and split them. It was only a lunch experience but will def be back to try a dinner! Big fan!! read more

Donna's got 3rd Best New Restaurant in Canada 2019 (Air Canada enRoute) so I had to check it out for myself. It definitely emits hip grandma vibes but the food itself stole the show. Split between two, we ordered baked kohlrabi, rice with shrimp, braised oxtail salad, and colston basset stilton. It was just the perfect amount of food if you are not extremely hungry. The braised oxtail salad was my favourite dish of the night. Everything was delicious, no complaints. Friendly and attentive staff. read more

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Donna's is located at Lansdowne and Wallace, about a 7-8 minute walk away from Lansdowne subway station. The restaurant is a chill, casual eatery serving a variety of shareable dishes (or if you don't want to share that is fine too!). I had heard about Donna's for a while now and had been wanting to try this place out. This review pertains to the takeout service by Donna's during the pandemic. Ordering my food online, the menu and website was fairly easy to navigate. The one great thing was that Donna's had also recently extended their takeout hours (from 12-7pm) so I was able to get food after work. During the online ordering process I was able to select a specific time on when I could pick up my food. Upon arrival at Donna's, my meal was already ready and waiting for me. In terms of food I ordered a leafy salad (eggs, croutons, pickled beans, brown butter dressing) and the shrimp salad sandwich (with iceberg and dill). Both were packaged nicely and still fresh as I saved some of the food to eat the next day. In terms of the leafy salad, the overall combination worked well, I loved the eggs in the salad as it provided an overall richness to the dish. The pickled beans gave the salad a nice refreshing twist. The shrimp salad sandwich was great as well. The shrimp salad was actually quite refreshing and not too heavy. Overall, great simple food. Would definitely want to return for dine-in service in the future to see what else Donna's has to offer! read more

Donna's - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Part of a longer review... "Next up was a rather disappointing braised duck with olive and pine nuts. My guest and I were hoping to sink our teeth into something flavorful and satiating -- especially at a $22-dollar price point. Unfortunately, the broth that the braised meat floated in was quite the contrary -- more than a shake of salt was required to redeem this dish. On top of that, a disproportionate heap of curly-leaf parsley sat on top of the meat, almost acting as a thoughtless space-filler, and detracted from the overall flavor. I did, however, enjoy the sporadic bite of duck that included a toasted pine nut. As we grew hungrier, we dreamed of the sole on the bone being placed before us. We waited. And waited. And waited. No one came to check in, refill our water or ask if we wanted un autre verre du vin. At that point, I would have gladly obliged. Finalement, our server came over and asked if we needed anything else and we explained that we were waiting on the sole. His distant expression said it all: he had forgotten. Instead of ordering the sole at that point and having to wait another fortnight to pass, we opted to remove it from the bill." " read more

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Went for breakfast and had a great meal. Excellent execution (had the full English and Danish breakfasts). Attentive and friendly service. Cute and eclectic ambiance. We will be back to try the dinner menu! read more

Stopped by for lunch and ordered the Shrimp Salad Sandwich. It was packed and very tasty but a little small, like it belongs on the kid menu. Not sure why I thought it would come out like a banh mi size. All in all, a cute place, the waitress was very welcoming , I will come back. read more

Donna's - Shrimp Salad Sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Donna's is delightful. The restaurant décor is simple, disorientingly decadeless vintage, but so comforting. It felt like somewhere between a mom-and-pop diner and your childhood best friend's home kitchen. We arrived on a Saturday night and were seated within fifteen minutes (I expect longer waits in the near future). The menu has a large drink list including cocktails, wine and beer, in widely varying price ranges. It is divided between before (apps) and after (mains) 6pm dishes. There are some good vegetarian/vegan options. We ordered: The cold roast pork, endive and tarragon - well liked (I didn't try this one). Kirkham's Lancashire Cheese and carrot chutney - the sweetness of the carrot chutney combined with the cheese was beautiful and the small toasts were served warm. I wasn't a huge fan of the cream crackers on the plate (although I normally like them) and would have preferred more toasts. Sole with red butter, hazelnuts and a side of Brussel sprouts - The red butter sauce was warm and spicy and the hazelnuts added a nice nutty crunch. The Brussels sprouts were the best I have ever tasted. What a combination! The dish was perfectly sized for two people. The staff suggested the (locally made) bread and butter to go with the pork, which rounded out the meal nicely. Everything was flavourful and well thought-out. The quality of the food experience reminded me of those I've had at Black Hoof and Liverpool House. The service was friendly and professional. I would like to come back to try their lunch menu! Well done Donna's. read more

Do get the almond brioche. There, I said it. Now beware of it being sold out earlier than anticipated. The sausage roll IS good, however is it worth $9? You will finish it in a few bites. The broccoli quiche is also a so-so. The quinoa persimmon salad is a refreshing combo. I do enjoy the vibe and the service as you can tell they care about every detail they put out. read more

Excitedly strolled in on a late, sunny Saturday afternoon and warmly greeted at the door. With no reservations my gf and I were quickly seated at the large communal table at the back of the restaurant. The room is bright, with a worn, vintage aesthetic giving the place a relaxed, cozy vibe. A great music playlist fills the background. The communal table seats about 10, but can feel a bit cramped as drinks and dishes arrive and accumulate for all at the table. Also, be prepared to be asked to shift seats to accommodate other non-reservation diners as they arrive. We were asked to shift twice, which we happily entertained the first time, however the second time felt disruptive to our experience and made us feel like we were becoming a bit of a nuisance, so we abandoned the idea of staying for dessert and opted for the cheque instead. Service was attentive and friendly, although pacing of dishes to table was much too quick. Before the second bite of our first dish, our second and third dishes arrived and ultimately one dish suffered - super soggy lamb liver on toast :( - as it awaited our attention from the other dishes we were tearing into. The dishes were beautifully presented and delicious. The marinated mussels and terrine dishes were standouts, brightly coloured and full of interesting textures and flavours. The large leafy salad with eggs was nicely dressed and a refreshing pause in between the heavier dishes. The lamb liver toast, aside from its sogginess having awaited our attentions, was tasty as well. We also had the chicken thigh, which sadly fell a bit flat for us - a appetizing dish no doubt, but considering $25 for a single chicken thigh, quartered potato and side gravy, we expected a bit more from this humble dish. Overall, Donna's delivered on exceptional food, but service fell a bit short with the excessive speed of food service and disruptive seating adjustments. But nothing that can't be corrected. Although next time I'll be sure to make a reservation to avoid having to play musical chairs. read more

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Go to this sweet little spot immediately! I've been twice in the last two weeks and I cannot say enough amazing things about Donna's! First time I had the the ham plate - I think they cure it in-house. Ham is soft, salty and silky deliciousness served with a lovely leek salad, butter and some crispy, crunchy baguette. My partner had the pork belly sandwich and loved it. I went to Donna's thinking I would get the sausage roll (I heard it was great) but unfortunately they were all out that day so I returned a few days later to try the sausage roll which completely lived up to my high expectations! Served with some hot Coleman's mustard and onion chutney. I can't wait to go back to Donna's and try other menu items. Great wine list, fun music, super nice service! I love you Donna's! See ya'll real soon. read more

Donna's - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Simple, TASTY food done right. The menu is limited, but every dish we ordered was done to perfection, that the favours really stood out. Space is repurposed and it works. I look forward to warmer weather to enjoy the restaurant's picnic tables out front. Unless your kid has a sophisticated palate, I wouldn't recommend dinner; lunch would be a better option. Good for groups. Prices are good. read more

I stopped by Donna's for a quick bite to eat on a busy Saturday morning. I was quickly seated at the communal table as I was dining alone. I had a great view of all the action going on in the kitchen and all the wonderful looking food being ordered up. I decided on a simple broccoli quiche and the short rib soup. I wasn't quite sure about the quiche when it arrived. The crust looked thin and dense, but I couldn't have been more wrong. It was firm, but flakey and buttery - a great accompaniment to the creamy filling and perfectly cooked broccoli in the quiche. The short rib soup was plentiful and flavourful while maintaining a perfect balance of lightness and umami (some type of chili pepper also gave it a slight kick). The service was top notch and the food was comforting and delicious, what more could you ask for? read more

Donna's - Short rib soup and broccoli quiche. - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Awesome spot. Small and cozy. Not stuffy at all. Friendly and helpful staff. Pretty good wine list. Food was delicious, with the lamb liver, leafy salad and the pork standing out for me. read more

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Lunch is deceptively simple but delicious and detail oriented. Lovely service and atmosphere indoors. I highly recommend the surprisingly substantial pea salad and the warm Spanish potato tortilla slice with chilli oil and cream. They take reservations. Really affordable. read more

I won't lie: I was pretty bummed when I read that one of my favorite brunch spots in the city (Hello Darling) had closed. But when I read all about Donna's and who was behind it, I was immediately excited. Donna's is on a sleepy stretch of Lansdowne, right by Wallace Avenue. The restaurant itself isn't huge, but it's got an open-concept kitchen and a bunch of cozy tables painted brightly. On the night that I decided to check it out with a pal, we were able to snag a table without issue. The menu is chill and relaxed: think cozy kitchen. We ordered a chili bowl (dried chilis with peanuts) and bread and butter as a starter. For our mains, we got the leafy salad, shrimp with rice and chicken thighs with potatoes. Can I just say: wow. So the salad gave me some serious Cobb Salad vibes, although it totally was not that. What I loved is that it was something so simple as a salad, but it was a fucking standout. My mouth is literally watering thinking about the rice and shrimp, with its brothy consistency. Bread was such a good score to soak up all those flavours. The restaurant and the staff were truly wonderful and honestly, although this place hasn't been open for long - it's going to be a top Toronto restaurant. I cannot wait to go back and check out the sole, plus I keep hearing so much about the ham plate. From my understanding, the menu will be changing seasonally. So get into it! read more

This place is a breath of fresh air in a city full of vacuous restaurants. It's quality without pretension. I was tempted to give 1 star in the hopes that it deters people and remain a neighbourhood spot...but I couldn't do that to such a talented group of people. Top picks so far (no order): 1) Shrimp sandwich 2) Ham plate 3) The humble sausage roll read more

Sausage rolls WILL sell-out. And the orange fennel scone are ...flaky, more croissant that scone, UNF LOVE IT. Lancaster Cheese sandwich is cold thus, to counter this wintry Toronto day, opted for the pork belly sandwich. Most excellent. Neat space, sweetest servers, will be back. read more

Donna's - Cafes Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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My wife and I moved to the GTA in 2019. Although we were happy to be back in Canada, we REALLY missed our favourite restaurants in Portland, Oregon. We found Donna's through social media and have throughly enjoyed every meal we've had here. The only reason for not giving five stars is due to the customer service. In our experience the staff has been a bit unfriendly. Unfortunately, this has been consistent along with delicious food. read more

Been here for lunch and a dinner. I'd say it's better for lunch. The roast beef sandwich was delicious. Their bean dish was really good and the lamb was fatty but good. Some really great dishes with a few so so ones. read more

Delicious food and excellent service made for a great Friday night dinner! Would highly recommend.

The most adorably toronto atmosphere ever - it was like being in a good friend's home who just happened to be a world-class chef. Comfort-food elevated to a new level. Not a single menu item I haven't loved. read more

The best local establishment to open in recent history. Excellent food, nice atmosphere, reasonable prices, friendly attentive service. We asked for s 7 pm reservation for 4 people. They considered the request and suggested that we come in at 6:45, because they had 2 fairly large groups coming in, and wanted to make sure that we got served ahead of those groups. How considerate is that? Go to Donna's. Like now. read more

I was there yesterday. The food can be described in one word: terrible. Ice cold ham hock terrine that was 20% meat only. Canned sardines and crisps as started. Floury cheese sauce with half assed cooked kohlrabi and the meat dishes were horrible. It was recommended by a friend I usually trust. I can only hope the chef was home with a seasonal cold and asked a friend who has never cooked to cover. :(. read more

Go there for the starters to share! Including the bread and butter with mussels for sure And the desserts Super hipster decor so depends on your taste but clean and fresh One issue: 1 chicken thigh & 4 prices of potato) for $25...yikes...they should take it off the menu cause not representative of the value and quality! Oh and the rice and shrimp too salty but I liked where they were going.... Good music, and atmosphere Service was great - knowledgeable and friendly servers! read more

Unbelievable! The food here was incredibly delicious. Well chosen recipes, executed well, with super fresh ingredients. Cute space, unpretentious. Lovely staff. The clams (little neck) were fabulous - with corn kernels and swiss chard in a burnt chili broth - wow what else is in that broth? I could eat that dish every day! The leafy greens salad had huge mounds green and red frilly leaf lettuce - mounds of it - with pickled green beans (strong green with a snap), a luscious quartered boiled egg (even that tasted wildly incredible), house made croutons - all dressed perfectly with a great tangy vinaigrette. The staff was wonderful. The only downsides were that the croutons were hard as rocks, burnt and could break a tooth, inedible for the most part. Fix that Donna's! And it is a tad pricey. The clams in broth at $32 should have come with bread to sop up the broth but that costed $6 extra! I've been in a bit of restaurant funk - disappointed by a lot of what is on offer in this city, but Donna's busted me out of that. And no, I'm not just saying that because my name is Donna! read more

Great new spot. Minimalist is the name of the game here....from the storefront, to the decor, to the food presentations. None of the budget wasted on things that don't improve the food quality or taste. With regards to what we had, everything was outstanding. From the bread and butter, to the ham terrine, to the fresh pea salad, to the shrimp and rice, to the steamed clams....it was all top notch. A high-end tasting experience that you can enjoy in shorts and a t-shirt. Highly recommended. read more

Love this adorable space and the insanely delicious food & drinks. The mushroom sandwich is incredible! Great spot for lunch or dinner.

Donna's is an awesome neighbourhood spot. Very difficult to describe what type of food they serve-British maybe? Doesn't matter, everything is delicious. Staff is great, room is very inviting. These guys know what they're doing. read more

Stopped in for dinner on a Saturday night. Restaurant had a great, relaxed vibe. Menu is small but everything is delicious. Highlights: the bread and butter, ham and leeks (I normally hate ham), sole, duck. Don't miss this spot! read more