Recently, I tried their most popular dish, the Laotian grilled chicken (ping gai), and it did not disappoint. The cilantro-marinated chicken was packed with flavor, perfectly grilled, and the portion was very generous for $26.95. I also ordered the house-made Laotian smoky chili sauce, jaew bong ($1.25), to go with it and absolutely loved the deep smokiness and heat--it paired beautifully with the chicken. The atmosphere was very chill and inviting. I immediately felt comfortable settling in, hanging out, and chatting, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. read more

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Really friendly staff and atmosphere. The food is delicious and a great portion size, not too big my partner and I were able to finish our meal but still very filling. I'm a cane user and the bathroom was in the basement so minus points for that. read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Queen Mother Café has that rare quality of feeling both timeless and personal. From the outside, it blends into Queen Street's rhythm, but inside you step into something more layered--a space with history, character, and just enough quirk to make it memorable. The hidden patio seals the deal, a tucked-away pocket of calm. The menu is eclectic--Sri Lankan dishes sharing space with Thai favorites among others. There's an old-school warmth here, the sense that the café has been woven into the city for decades. And then there's the woman at the helm: gracious, genuine, and clearly the heartbeat of the place. Her presence is the kind of detail that makes you return. read more

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The restaurant was packed but they found us spots at the bar before we were seated. Dim Sum Quartet and Samosas were the perfect starters. Then we shared the Pad Thai, Ping Gai and Khao Soy Gai - each one more delicious than the next. The fragrances and spices made each dish rich in flavour. The service was excellent. It's now one of our favourite spots for Thai food. read more

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Food: Had the Khao Soy Gai and pad Thai. The Khao Soy was warm and full of flavor, perfect for a cold night. The pad Thai was flavorful and filling, but could've used a couple more shrimp. The Mardi Gras cake was fine, but had a slight freezer burn taste. Service: Friendly and efficient. We didn't lack for anything, but we weren't smothered either. Ambiance: Warm and cozy. Noise level wasn't intrusive. read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Khao soy gai - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Convenient spot on Queen for fusion-inspired dishes. The pad thai was pretty good and my friend enjoyed the red curry seafood pot. Service is good and the food was served fairly quickly. The interior is cozy and larger than it appears on the outside. read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Pad Thai - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

i recently visited this restaurant in downtown toronto, and it was a pleasant experience from start to finish. we had a funny start when we got there because the door seemed locked, but the staff spotted us right away and opened it with a smile. once inside, i loved how calm and lowkey the ambiance felt--no flashy colors or decorations, just a warm and welcoming vibe. we even got to choose our own table, so we picked a cozy window seat that gave us a nice view of the busy street. the staff really stand out for their friendliness. although i can't recall names, my server made a genuine effort to chat with us and see how our day was going. now, onto the food: absolutely phenomenal. i tried the ping gai first, and i'd easily give it a 6/5. it's a large portion of chicken that's not only juicy but also packed with flavor, like it's been marinated for hours. there's not a huge amount of rice, but you get so much chicken that it's more than enough. plus, they provide a little salad on the side and a tangy dipping sauce, which balances everything nicely. for the quality and the portion size, i found it super affordable. the second dish i had was the khao soi, and i'd rate it a solid 5/5. the noodles were a different experience for sure but i wont complain. the broth was wonderfully rich and creamy, with just the right balance of heat and sweetness. the noodles were cooked perfectly, and the serving size was satisfying. my only minor complaint was the abundance of shallots on top, which can be overpowering if you're not big on onions. still, it was so tasty overall that i'd definitely order it again--maybe i'll just ask for fewer onions next time. overall, i really appreciate how unpretentious this place is. the staff are warm and attentive, and the food truly delivers. would i come back again? absolutely, 100%. if you're looking for a relaxed spot with outstanding dishes in downtown toronto, this should be high on your list. read more

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It's a must-try in downtown Toronto; one of the oldest restaurants on Queen Street. They offer Thai and international comfort food. And of course desserts. They also offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. They have a very cute and cozy dining area and a garden patio. The staff are very friendly and helpful. We ordered "Ping Gai", which included grilled chicken, rice, salad and broth; highly recommended. The "Beefeater Burger" was perfectly cooked and seasoned and more than enough for one person. "Chicken & Shrimp Bah Me Hang" was very delicious and had a kick to it. We finished off our delicious meal with "Cappuccino Chiffon Cake". read more

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Visited for XMas lunch with co-workers. I highly recommend it! Everything is properly seasoned, healthy, and freshly prepared. The pad Thai and curry was both very flavourful. For the price you're paying, you get a huge portion compared to other restaurants. read more

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After walking down Queen a west recently, having walked down Queen West since I was a kid, it's disappointing to see the gentrification and condos replacing old buildings. I was surprised that I had never been into Queen Mother, and it nice to see some old establishments are still kicking. While the food didn't feel like the best Thai food I've ever had, the ambience and servers made up for in hospitality and character. I would definitely go back for a cozy meal in our harsh city. read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Khao Soy Hai - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Good food and great customer service. I recently visited Queen Mother Cafe and my experience was pleasant. The ambiance is great, we sat on the patio and the actual restaurant is very large and spacious. We ordered the pad Thai and the seafood hotpot curry which were both flavourful. Great spot for lunch or dinner! read more

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Good food, nice service and ambience. What's curious was The Internet's Girl from 2015 on repeat in the background during the entire stay lol. Granted it is a nice song with Kaytranada beats. read more

Came here for lunch after having this spot on my list for ages. Their menu is very intriguing with classic western fare like burgers and salads but has lots of SE Asian items including Laotian dishes thanks to the long time Laotian chef. I tried the spicy chicken samosas and the ping gai. The samosas were hot and freshly fried, served with a fresh cucumber raita. I wish the filling had more body and spice since the raita really mellowed out the flavours. The ping gai was what I was most curious about and it was marinated in a beautiful green marinade with fresh notes of coriander. My personal preference would be to have a more allicin garlicky punch. The dipping sauce it's served with is excellent. My only objective complaint is that one end of my chicken was burnt which I wish they had removed (see pic). My friends spicy peanut noodle bowl had overcooked broken up noodles but good flavours. Portions are great. Staff are friendly and the location is buzzing with energy. They accept reservations. read more

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Came here for a colleague's farewell party. The vibe is cozy and there's more room at each booth due to the floor plan nature. So I've got a friend who's actually laotian and I've also eaten my fair share of thai food. This menu is very fusion-y (if you can call it that?) There's thai dishes, laotian dishes, italian dishes, sri lankan dishes and then BURGERS all of a sudden?? LOL. Anyways, service was great at the start when all of us arrived. Once the waitress got us our drinks and took our orders, it took like a good 45min to an hour for the food to finally come out. We saw folks around us who ordered after us, getting their food first which was disappointing. The waitress also came around once in a blue moon but she was magically super nice and attentive once we asked for the tab. Food-wise, I can't say it tasted bad. The chicken in the ping gai was actually super tender and moist. The khao soy gai was made w/ the wrong noodles (I'm not a stickler for authenticity but these noodles were strange for the soup base that was used). It's traditionally a thai dish. I took a picture and sent it to my laotian friend who also confirmed that the wrong noodles were being used. Aside from that, the portion size was quite big. Drinks were quite tasty and interesting, although at equal price point I'd much rather go to King Taps or Craft Beer Market. TL;DR: Fusion food (that's avg), expensive pricing, satisfactory drinks, mediocre service. Would I return on my own? Probably not, unless someone else chose it. read more

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It's official, I'm in love with @queenmothercafe  Didn't know what to expect my first time here, I went in with really low expectations & to my surprise I LOVED it. I got their dinner special of the week, Hahnchen Schnitzel , a little dry but love the breading on it. Their potatoes are my Fav! Whatever spices they put on it, you're doing the right thing also the amount of veggies on their dish, please continue Then I got their famous dish, Ping Gai. Damn this grilled chicken is softer than my heart, I LOVE every bite of it. 6 FAT slices of chicken, who am I to say no to that?! For apps, we got the Calamari, I have to say this might be one of the best in Toronto Anyways, love the vibe. Pretty busy on the weekdays so y'know it's good. Will come back again 5 stars for me read more

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First time trying Queen Mother Cafe, and we had a great time. It's a low key spot with a spacious outdoor patio and friendly servers! I love spots like these where you can find a selection of food, drinks and an easy going atmosphere. Fun fact, the cafe has been open since 1978 and we found that out at the end of our receipts, making it part of the Toronto culture! I liked the variety on the menu, we tried the Khao soy and the chicken/potato samosas both of which were really good. The noodles for the Khao soy was a little different from the traditional thicker noodles im use to, it was more ramen style, but it was still good, and the curry very flavorful - my friend actually took the carrots on the side of the samosas to finish the curry with. There was enough filling in the samosas (not just crust) and it went well with the dip. I'm really glad we came and we'll definitely be back for more! read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Khao soy - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I have been visiting this restaurant every time I went for a show at Four Seasons. The food has always been delicious and I like that they have a lot of items from ethnic cuisine- Ping Gai is my favourite, but everything else is very tasty as well. The selection of deserts is amazing. Highly recommend for casual dinners. read more

Many of the dishes here are Thai or normal cafe food, but all the noodles, the red curry seafood hot pot, the ping gai & the first 3 starters are Laotian. The spring roll was decent. Inside there was a lot of jicama. It was slightly different from a normal spring roll. The sauce was a sour peanut sauce which was nice. Red curry seafood hot pot had the consistency of Thai panang curry, but a lighter flavour (it still had a coconut milk flavour). It was served with Western vegetables. It was decent. Ping gai was good. It had a nice grilled flavour. The sauce was mild. The salad was an interesting & good side. read more

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Never would have guessed that this was a Laotian place! My coworker introduced it to us. I have to admit that I've walked by it many times on Queen Street West but didn't know it was there. The outside makes it look like an older sort of historical building with not as much as the modern glitz of the other stores on the street. Inside is an homage to Queen Elizabeth with all sorts of art depicting her image and what you'd think of as British royalty. I was told that the Ping Gai is a must try. I opted not to because I was worried that the spicy lime coriander dipping sauce would be super spicy but it isn't at all! Will definitely check that out next time. My coworker ordered it and loved it. I ordered the Cosmic Burger since I was curious about the plant-based patty they offered. It's really unique - not an Impossible Burger or anything else off the shelf. The patty was pretty tasty in itself and there were actually whole grains and nuts that you could see. They also made for very interesting texture. The cheese that it was served with seemed to have melted really well so I don't think it was vegetarian cheese - definitely ask if you're vegan or lactose intolerant! read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Spring Rolls - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Gosh, I had not been here for ages. Met a friend her for lunch and boy was it hopping. We did not have a reservation, but fortunately I arrived just before noon so managed to get a decent table. Lots of people had reservations so all the booths were taken. The menu is very eclectic. Things like burgers and cannelloni along side salads, Pad Thai and a range of curries including a veg roti. I had the Khao Soi. It was ok but not what I was used to from other Thai restos. They used vermicelli noodle which is unusual (normally a more broad noodle). My friend had a salad which was fresh and tasty looking. The place was hopping and people waited for tables once it was full up. Located on Queen West near Duncan. read more

Food was confusing but I'm not mad. Inside was antique and cute. Except the cream it was spunky read more

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curry was creamy, packed with umami. it's almost sweet. my first bite felt like that scene in ratatouille. it taste like i'm back in the south on the shore. the veggies just melt in your mouth. would eat it again and again read more

Queen Mother Cafe - seafood hot pot - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We really enjoyed this place. I'm told it is a little bit of Toronto history. One of the few restaurants that is still around in this neighborhood after gentrification happened long ago. We sat on the back patio which was a little funky to get to (down stairs, down a corridor then back up again), but they let my mom walk through the kitchen since she can't do stairs easily. The meal was wonderful and everyone who ordered dessert loved it. They had some gluten free meal options too. Just a wonderful spot to enjoy good food, friends and a little bit of Toronto history. read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Cocktails - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Went here for brunch last Saturday, and boy was this place charming! You can definitely tell its been there for decades by the late 20th century décor, which is pretty neat to see in one of the busiest area of downtown. The staff were phenomenal, all vety friendly and inviting. The food was amazing! Better yet, the sevice was exceptionally quick!! I am definitely going to come here more often!!! 10/10 read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Smoked salmon plate - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Queen Mother Cafe has an eclectic menu consisting of dishes from mostly Southeast Asia (mainly Thai and Laotian), in addition to Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Italian, general Western, and fusion. They're most famous for the ping gai (Laotian grilled chicken) that comes served with steamed rice, salad, and lime coriander dipping sauce. My friends came here specifically for the ping gai. I opted for the vegetarian option (Kale, Roasted Tomato, Pumpkin Seed, and Chickpea Salad) which was pretty good and came in a pretty hefty portion. Other vegetarian options include Coconut Curry Spinach Lentil Soup, Nam Jeun (Laotian spring rolls), Guacamole, Sri Lankan Vegetable Curry Roti, and The Cosmic (vegetarian) Burger. You can choose to have the veggie burger served inside a pita or burger bun, and it comes with either salad greens or fries. They tend to change up their salad selections from time to time (they used to have Quinoa Salad on the menu). The interior has a dark and cozy feel with brickstone wall. It has a full bar and regular dining tables (combination of booth-style seatings and regular chairs). Ambience is casual. The entrance on Queen St. West is easy to get to (via streetcar or a short walk from the nearest subway station). read more

Love the Ping Gai !! So damn good. I've come here a few times just to have the Ping Gai. read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Ping Gai !! - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I went with two friends who both got the ping gai, so I felt like I had to get something different (and only regret it a little bit). I got the khao soy gai, and enjoyed it, it's got a nice very mild heat to it with lots of thin noodles and a flavorful soup. But I tried some of the ping gai and it was mind blowing! The most tender chicken and so well seasoned, I would love to go back and have it all to myself. The coronavirus outbreak was happening when I went so the restaurant was pretty empty and tables were pretty spread out. Service was awesome and everyone was so nice but it is typically pretty crowded there. read more

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Living in the neighbourhood, I have been frequenting Queen Mother for 20 years. Love the personnel and the food! If I was forced to pick a single restaurant to eat in till the rest of my days - this would be it! :) I have a dairy allergy and Khao Soy Gai and Ping Gai are my absolute favourite, can't go wrong with salads and the specials are also fantastic! With after-office crowds and theater goers, it tends to get busy 5-7 PM. Be prepared for a longer wait time to be seated and for the meal to arrive. Just take your time and enjoy. All well worth it! read more

We have been patrons for decades. From sharing this institution with family to marking a visit to celebrate personal and professional milestones - the cafe has been a cherished part of our traditions. During the pandemic we have come to rely more and more often on because of their high quality, consistency and friendliness levels. Plus you can beat the Pin Gai (must admit I now have moderate addiction to it) it is simply one of the best chicken dishes you will ever taste. Lastly shout out to the staff that make Queen mother stand out beyond its amazing menu. read more

Customer service was good, ambience was good. But the proportions are really small for it's price. The only thing you will be paying for is really the vibe and atmosphere of the place. But food wise. I will recommend elsewhere. read more

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Came here on a Wednesday evening with two of my girlfriends. The shape of the place almost makes it seem like two restaurants. It's quite dim inside, which results in an intimate aura. It's labelled as Asian Fusion/Thai but there is a good chunk of the menu that does not fall under either of those categories. I ordered the Pad Thai, while my friends ordered the ravioli (a special) and the nam dip. All the ingredients in my dish complemented each other well, but definitely too much for one person. Service was decent (a bit slow during the paying process), but this would be a great place for a group that wants a variety of cuisines. read more

The Queen Mother, like all patios, is off limits right now. Despite that, we regularly order takeout from them as a way of supporting local businesses. Their ping gai is really the go to (with a side of their house-made hot sauce if you're feeling brave) and is easily enough for two (or lunch the next day). The nam dip (fresh spring rolls with tofu) are divine and a great snack on a warm day with a cold beer. They've been around forever for a reason, and I'm grateful for their backyard patio (with access off Renfrew Place) which is a haven of tranquility with a homely feel to it. Most of the servers have worked here for a very long time and I'm glad to have gotten to know them by name over the years. Pro tip: Order takeout on Ritual and it'll be ready for pickup when you arrive! read more

The ping gai chicken is probably one of the best chicken dishes I have had in a really long time! It's definitely a must have at this place. They are usually crowded so we always had to wait for the tables. However the food makes it worth while. Patio looks amazing during summer read more

I went there after Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Surprisingly it's not a typical vintage England restaurant, they actually serve really nice South Asia fusion. Patio is cute, but I love their interior design the most. read more

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Just reading the other reviews and I'm stumped as to why they say they had bad service. I'm here at least once a month, at lunchtime, and I can honestly say, the service has been awesome. Even when you have to wait for a table, they come back and update you regularly. I use to come for the veggie burger in a pita (amazing with that yummy sauce) until i tried the Ping Gai. Omg, omg, omg it's just so good. Like there's a ton of food and you want to stop eating so much but its so good, you can't stop. You know? The moist chicken thighs with that incredible dipping sauce, side of rice and salad. Yea, I think this is happening again next week. read more

I have been going to this place for over thirty years and remember when it was kind of new and refreshing. The service is still good, the prices reasonable, but the food wasn't great. The pad Thai tasted like ketchup and the noodles were clumpy. Sticky rice with peanut sauce (there could have been more sauce) was good but honestly that's a low bar. Rest of the meal pretty forgettable. I love to have drinks at this place-location is great and the patio lovely, but nostalgia isn't enough to make me eat there again. read more

This restaurant is located just 5 minutes from the City Hall. The entrance was confusing lol, there were like 3 doors and only the left door leads to the actual entrance. We came at around 5:30 so we were able to get a pretty good seat near the window. My friend and I both ordered the highly praised Ping Gai. The dish was about $20. The portion is huge and they do give you quite a lot of meat. I didn't quite like the salad however, not a fan of the type of vegetables that they use. I don't remember a lot of details about this meal to be honestly, the food just felt average to me. The service was slow, it was difficult to call the waitress over whenever we needed something. One of my pet peeves is when the server not splitting the bill and sure enough here the waitress gave the combined bill. I ended up just giving the curtesy 10% read more

Queen Mother Cafe - Ping Gai - Asian Fusion Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Perhaps be a little choosy what you order at the venerable Queen mother Café on Queen St., West, Toronto. Yes, if you like Ping Gai (delectably-marinated and crispy-grilled Laotian chicken thighs) this is usually pretty good! I've gotten a nearly stone cold order once so that was not fun to eat while my dining companion's was piping hot. I've had the Phad Thai chicken a couple of times. My impression was dull flavours and a bit greasy presentation, lacking any little snap of freshness and vibrancy I seek in Southeast Asia food. The food here can seem very indifferently thrown together. I've also had a Burmese Khao Soi Gai curry soup maybe twice, and it was definitely lacklustre today. The aroma of the dish was uninspiring for what this dish should be. Everything also lacked evident freshness - pasty gummy egg noodles in a stock that was kind of ok but the flavors seemed a little tired. These two key elements of a good Asian soup were missing. The few little chunks of chicken breast (?) were a bit sad and mushy, and the final addition of fresh chopped vegetables and herbs on top was rather spare, accented with the addition of a sole lemon wedge rather than lime which I think is proper. I could even give a pass for the omission of fresh lime (in an 'Asian fusion' kitchen, really??) but only if there was otherwise any effort of freshness of flavour & generosity in the presentation of this dish. Even for $18.99 it's pretty unworthwhile. I was hungry so slopped my way through the unfortunate noodles and toppings and mostly left the curried stock which did t tempt me much at all. It was a decently large bowl of soup at least. Prices here are quite reasonable for the area. Queen Mum is a classic old I guess 80's style bistro, very relaxed and worn in vibe yet classy enough. There's a great patio in the back for warm seasons, and I recall the downstairs washrooms are clean. If it's a nice day you can also walk your takeout container over to the nearby Grange, a very beautiful park. For future visits I may try their vegetarian dishes that are well-rated. read more

I REALLY wanted to give it 5 stars - as I love almost everything about this place. But I had one experience where my sticky rice ball dish was not good. The rice is served in this adorable little bamboo basket, but at the heart of the rice - it was rock hard. It had dried out on the inside, so I had to waste 20-30% of the main component of this dish. But that was just one time out of several... so here's the experience of the other 9/10 times: ATMOSPHERE: Dimly lit, part nostalgic, part hipster and kinda romantic. Generally busy and lively atmosphere. Great place on Queen Street and in the heart of the downtown core. SERVICE: Very relaxed. But service is friendly and courteous. PRICE: Average. Matches it's atmosphere. FOOD: They serve Thai food with twist - they offer a fusion menu. One of my fave pad thai is served here. I love their pad thai more than Salad King's. More flavour and ingredients here! The serve a large selection of Dufflet cakes - so it's one of the few places that have a larger selection of sweets. Also, I love their brunch! read more

They have the cutest patio with gas burners near the table to keep you warm. I love love love their menu. Lot of vegetarian options so my veggie friends are always up for going here. We have a wonderful time having dinner in their patio Sunday night. Crew is very friendly and they all follow social distancing rules. Will definitely keep coming back!!! read more