I had lots of fun when we came in for a Thursday evening trivia night. I arrived some time between 6 and 6:30 PM and managed to reserve a table at the back of the 2nd floor common area. It does seem to fill in fast, so anyone wanting to join the trivia game should arrive way early before 7PM. The waiters or servers were all very nice and helpful. I ordered the Falafel Burger and it came with fries. The serving size was a good amount for an individual. The price, however, was a little bit much. I understand that the pricing premium maybe due to all the other entertainment present and provided by the establishment. There was trivia night during Thursdays, and I believe there was also an Irish night announced, and other days when there is some music being played. I was really impressed with the trivia night items and the format. A lot of thought was put into the narrative and overall theming of all the questions. My only complain was that I wished they did not spend too long in between question sets and rounds. The game show started at 7 and finished sometime closer to 9. If it was a Friday, there will be no issue about the ending time; but considering that it was a Thursday evening some people may have work the following day. read more

Whelan's Gate Gastropub - Falafel Burger - Irish Pub Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I loved this pub so much I got married here! We had a small ceremony (20 people) on the dreamy back patio and a medium reception (55 people) on the upper floors. Steve and his staff were a dream to work with. I won't get into all the details but it was like working with a proper wedding planning team with the benefit (and cost!) of a casual, cozy pub wedding. Everyone raved about the food and the staff. It's so cliche but it was the best night of my life. These are just some snaps from friends' phones. I may update when I get the professional photos. read more

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Made a visit here the other night during COVID takeout-only service. The five stars isn't for sympathy however. Its because the crispy chicken sandwich I ordered was legit one of the best I've ever had. The chicken patty was made of chicken thigh (NOT mixed meat) which made it tastier. Great breading and the hot sauce was almost a bridge between buffalo and Memphis taste and heat. Amazing crunch too and loved the creamy dressing that was on. The bun was almost brioche-style. The accompanying fries were shoestring which isn't my fav, but it still couldn't bring down the experience of the divine sandwich. Anyway, I did not expect to be as floored as I was by how good it was. The sever was super-friendly too and I'm sure would make this place even better during regular service. read more

This place is incredibly underrated. The BURGER. Not knocking any fast food burger joints but this burger is probably the best burger in Toronto many have not yet discovered. All the ingredients are fresh and you can tell that they're made with love. Garnishes are made in house as well which is so rare to see these days it's great that they're sticking with true culinary skills. Everything put together in this burger is juicy with a lettuce crunch. Now for the fries. I judge a lot of places on the fries especially because a lot of pubs treat it as a drunken after thought. Not this place, fries are not background dancers. These fries are perfect complement to the juicy burger, beautifully golden (see pic) crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The whole meal is perfect in any season. They have an amazing selection of whiskey for whiskey fans as well that you can enjoy in an open air back patio. The patio is like a hidden Toronto gem that's surrounded by landscaped greenery for groups, catch-ups or chill date nights. Drop by and have some drinks and this epic burger! read more

Whelan's Gate Gastropub - Burger and fries - Irish Pub Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I've been here dozens of times over the years and always enjoyed the ambiance. Service for the most part has been really good. Unfortunately, the food has consistently NOT been good (sometimes terrible) especially over the past few years. The few times it was okay, it was still overpriced with very small portions. I hope they can improve, as the venue itself is fabulous. read more

This was a very small pub on Bloor Street West. The place was virtually empty when we were there. The service was good but despite the fact they were open the kitchen wasn't ready for customers. The food was solid however. The fried chicken sandwich was delicious. Small serving but good. House made fries were good but not done to my taste. My dinner mate had the steak & he said it as really good. Decent supply of draft beer as well. I won't go again but if your in the area & want a fried chicken sammy...this was very good. read more

Whelan's Gate Gastropub - Irish Pub Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Best fries ever man. It's crispy salty and the way it's supposed to be. Beef steak was perfectly pink in the middle and perfect for me read more

Whelan's Gate Gastropub - a steak and french fries - Irish Pub Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Went there for a casual dinner with out of town family visitors. It's in a location (High Park) without alot of other choices which is why we went there. Our group had a variety of tastes (two growing boys, ladies with light appetites and others with designs on big meaty dinners). Reviews were mixed -- kids were just OK (but they probably wouldn't appreciate the diff between fresh and frozen), other dishes were hit and miss. Steak/frites looked pretty good, burger was excellent (definitely NOT a frozen patty), ribs looked good, but nacho fries seemed small and all plates came with just a small side of shoestring fries (looked like they were pre-cut/frozen to me) and nothing else. Ketchup was not Heinz which bugs me more than it should but it does since all other ketchups taste weird to me. The menu was OK, but not extensive. Not impressed with the veggie/salad selections -- come on, would it kill you to just throw a Caesar or a garden salad on there? It was Wed night, and they had a "buck-a-shuck" special on oysters but nobody in our group were big oyster eaters, so no one tried. Seemed like a decent selections of beers but I only tried one. The food was probably a bit pricey for a pub, but not out of line for a "gastro-pub" if indeed all ingredients were freshly made on the premises (meat for burgers apparently ground in-house for example). Service was good. We were upstairs and only one other table was eating so it would have been hard to NOT provide good service. Still the waitress went out of her way, including trying to split the bill into three groups even though we didn't ask (and she almost got it right, so she gets an A just for the effort). Ambience was OK -- dimly lit (I had to literally walk over to the window with my menu to read it), background music, wooden chairs and tables, typical of your neighbourhood pub. But it felt like the chef was aspiring to be so much more, yet the surroundings were holding him/her back? It was a strange mix of a menu trying too hard, paired with a pub that wasn't trying at all. They're probably having a hard time pleasing anyone with that combo. Music was on upstairs, loud enough to enjoy (if you're into 90s retro new wave) but they only have about 40 to 50 minutes of music (10 songs?) on a repeating loop! When "Rio" comes on for the second time in the evening, it's your choice -- either time to get up and dance or time to pay the bill and head out..."just like that river running through a dusty land"... read more

Incredible food, fabulous drinks, this place is such a Toronto gem. The vibe inside is so cozy, and everyone is nice. The burger is exactly as good as people say it is- the best in Toronto by a landslide and the Steak Frites make my mouth water just thinking about them. What a place!!! read more

Amazing food and very nice service. Cute inside, larger upstairs. Also enjoy their low key patio in the summer. Highly recommend their kale cesear salad. Best I've ever had!! read more

The food sucks my fish came over cooked and there telling me to eat it. Cuz I'm still paying for it Not happy at all this place is way over priced I will never come back and I will tell everyone this place suck read more

New fave pub in Toronto by a long shot! This place is so cozy and quaint, great vibe on a Friday evening. Visited during the Christmas break with some girlfriends. Originally came in for a beer but ended up ordering some wicked appys too. We shared the cauliflower and the crispy beets; both were phenomenal. Service was out of this world too. Unfortunately, I didn't catch his name but he was so friendly and personable, he was the man! He recommended the High Park IPA which was a hit. Forever on my recommendations list! read more

I love this place. Cozy, little neighborhood joint with great music, good prices, chill vibes, and perhaps the best burger in town. The staff and owner are down-to-earth folk who have real personalities (withtout even a hint of pretense) and actually provide attentive service. I think *all* of their food is made in-house, too! NOT traditional, previously frozen bar bites. There's board games on hand, weekly trivia night (virtually now that it's the pandemic!), and a great selection of wines--considering this is an Irish pub. The patio out back is adorable, too. One of my favourite places in the Junction/Bloor West 'hood. read more

Honestly, this is hands down the best pub food in Toronto. By faaaar the best burger in all of Toronto (and I've had many burgers) but if you can resist getting that delicious burger, the fried chicken sandwich and the buffalo wings are also incredible. Staff is always incredibly friendly and there's a cute (though small) backyard patio upstairs. I've lived in Toronto for 6 years and I've never found a pub that I have loved this much. I hope they stay here forever because regardless of where I move I'll always comes back. read more

I love Whelan's, so much so that I'd even call it my favourite pub in Toronto. They've got a good amount of space inside and it's all really cozy. They have a sweet back room with a foosball table, fireplace, and board games. They've also got an adorable patio. The vibe is quite mellow any time I've been, even on a Friday/Saturday night. The music choice is good too--think Gorillaz instead of Bon Jovi. Their beer list is solid, they've got a bit of something for everyone and some ciders too. Their food is elevated pub food and it's all really good. My friends consistently rave about their wings and burgers (seriously, try the burger). The service is standout. Everyone is so genuinely friendly and sweet, Whelan's just feels very welcoming and like a place I'd want to keep coming back to. read more

A small romantic pub. Those are the words I'd use to describe Whelan's Gate. Conveniently located a short walk from Keele subway Whelan's is a great first date option. Its two floors but there are only a few choice spots downstairs. I prefer to go upstairs where there is more seating. The whole pub has low, soft lighting and low indie music in the background. Its a great place for intimate conversation. The food is stellar. I highly recommend the Hunter's Whole Wings which come smothered in a delectable sauce of Herbed Barbecue Sauce / Spicy Ranch / Parmesan. I also recommend the Nacho Fries smothered in Tomatoes / Pickled Jalapeños / Cumin Beans / Cilantro / Guacamole / White Cheddar Sauce. They also have daily specials. $1 Oysters on Wednesdays. YUM! Also a great place if you are just sitting down for drinks. The staff has also always been stellar. Haven't been yet for brunch but that is next on my To-Do List! Overall a great first date place or great chill/romantic/inexpensive date place! read more

Whelan's Gate Gastropub - Nacho Fries! - Irish Pub Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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First time here. Food was excellent. I had the autumn root vegetable curry with cous cous and yoghurt, something I've never had before and it was great. Also had the wings which was also good. Service was exceptional and very friendly. Not noisy here, no loud background music so it's for getting together with friends and conversation. read more

Whelan's Gate Gastropub - Irish Pub Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

It's $10.50 for a Guinness. It's overpriced & it's bang average. Nothing would bring me back to this bar & I live 5 mins away. Go anywhere else, stay home, drink in the park. read more

My partner and I have been frequent visitors of Whelan's for more than four years and it feels like our second home. Aside from being incredibly cozy, the staff are some of the friendliest, most caring people I've met. The food is outstanding. Favourites include the cheeseburger (best in the city), steak frites and BBQ herbed wings. We would eat here every night if our pocket books and waistlines could get away with it. Thanks for being such a great place to be Whelan's! read more

At first glance it comes across as a typical Irish Pub. However once you stay for drinks and a meal the charm really starts to rub off on you. I was also surprised to find one of the best cheese burgers in the city (move over parts and labor) The rest of the food is also above average pub food. Keep up the good work read more

Great wee food, cold wee drinks and nice wee staff lol This place provides a very cozy atmosphere and respectable dining environment. Had some pints of the black stuff (Guinness) followed up by some burgers and fries, got to meet the chef here to and he was nice. Notes: -Great place to drink and have a few laughs with some friends -A little noisy but makes for good times if your up for it, just get ready to yell every conversation. -I went on a busy night and it was packed, make sure you go a little early for good seats -Bathroom was dirty but like I said it was busy and I'm sure it's not always like that -Food was good, Burger tasted like a burger with the works on top and fries were cook to perfection. -My glass was never empty and my nor was my fun meter. -Very close to the Keel subway station Cheers Whelans gate! read more

I once ordered take-out here, and decided to try the cheeseburger. I have to say it was the most mouthwatering heavenly burger I've ever tasted. I didn't get two blocks from the entrance and I finished the whole thing. I may have felt a little unwell afterwards but that is most definitely due to the fact that I inhaled an entire burger in 4 or 5 bites. I would give this 5 stars but it hasn't been consistently as mind blowing, but it's still hands down my favourite burger in the city. Nothing fancy, just absolutely tastey UPDATE I'm currently eating this burger and I cannot NOT give you 5 stars. Best burger in the city hands down, priest, chuck, Harry's, and rudys take notes read more

I had no idea how good this place was. Lived by it for years without going in. The menu is solid but the drink options seem pretty narrow. The staff are fantastic, and more importantly, Wheelan's has maybe the best patio available between Keele and Dundas West stations. read more

Came here to grab a quick bite a little later and it was super chill (and at the same incredibly warm because of lack of AC). The bartender/server was very friendly (even though he was very rushed and incredibly run off his feet). When we got there, he told us that the kitchen was closing, but he'd let them know that there was one more order coming through so we could eat. He recommended the house cheesecurger, which was pretty good as it taste like real meat! the fries with it were also hot and delicious! The bartender also took the time to let me sample a couple beers (because I am a novice beer drinker), which helped me find one I liked! The coolest part was that there was a live jam session with several older folks on instruments (guitars mostly) jamming out for everyone to enjoy. Tuesdays are definitely the day to come!!! read more

Whelan's is a great local pub with wonderful live Irish music every Tuesday and one of the best patios in the area. The beer selection is a good mix of local craft and Irish classics and we've been impressed with the food on multiple occasions. read more

I was happy to find that Whelan's was open for take-out because I was in the area and always like their food. I ordered wings, Caesar salad, kale salad and steak frites. The wings smelled delicious, but I had a bit of drive to get home and I couldn't wait to tuck into them as soon as I arrived! Well worth the wait! The Caesar salad was awesome - I haven't had croutons that good since I worked at a lodge on Lake Muskoka! Definitely made on-site. They were crispy and delicately seasoned. The kale salad, too, had crispy shoestring fries topping it and that was delish as well. I really liked the sauce that came with the steak frites. The whole meal was good and I'm looking forward to having the leftovers for my lunch! I was pleasantly surprised to find out I could also order a cider for take-out and that was the perfect accompaniment to the meal. The staff was pleasant and everything was packed up and ready to go when I arrived. read more

Stopped in for a drink at a his bar, Small location, friendly and personal service. All local beers beers. Quaint spot in Bloor St read more

Fried chicken with mac n'cheese was delicious. Waiter/bar tender was very friendly and quick. First floor of pub is small and intimate, great for a date. read more

I haven't had a lot of things here, but the half price wings are for real. Big, juicy, and delicious. I want some wings right now. At full price, they're very good. Half off feels like robbery. Good service, too! read more

I spent my birthday at Whelan's on Sunday and everything was wonderful!! Crazy friendly staff, great food, and they even brought us cake and sang happy birthday to me. I wish I could give them more than 5 stars, and I'll definitely be back. read more

Whelan's Gate has reopened under new ownership...and those owners are friendly, welcoming and seem really driven to try and breathe new life into this local pub. For folks in the area, this is a good place to stop in and unwind after a long day. I've stopped in 3 times since they reopened and each time I have tried a different dish. So far each dish I've tried has been very good, prepared well and with good flavours.They do a very good burger (one of the tastiest I've had in recent memory), have a nice chicken pie, and a "bangers and colcannon" that was excellent. They only reopened a little while ago (I believe early Janurary) and are still finding their legs a bit with regards to potential entertainment options. Currently they offer a nice flow of music...loud enough to be enjoyed but quiet enough that you can carry on a conversation without straining to hear the other person. They have mentioned that they are looking at doing one or two things on the entertainment front in the very near future that seem really promising. Keep your eyes open for something coming up on a trial basis on Tuesday Feb. 3rd...if it comes together as I have heard it might, it could be a fun way to spend your Tuesday evenings. I never had the chance to visit this place under its old management but the new folks seem like they will breathe new life into it. Best wishes to them for a bright future may it be a long one. read more

Great selection of beers and very high quality "pub" food ... had the sausage plate and it was something to write home about, if you are inclined to write home about sausages and such .. the decor is in need of some sprucing up but, really, it's the beer and food that draws you in. read more

Delicious beers on tap, delicious food (with their own take on classic pub food along with some really unique lovely dishes), killer patio, great staff, cozy upstairs space with a foosball table - I'm a big fan. My choice location to unwind. read more

What a difference new management and a new chef makes. Awesome food, great staff, relaxed cozy atmosphere.

just about the best dang burger in this city. but don''t tell anyone or else it will become busy with looky-loos!

The steak frites were prepared just as I requested, and the fries were nicely seasoned. Decent selection of beers on tap. Only complaint is the music was too loud to comfortably talk. read more

Amazing burger. Like a super upscale Big Mac. Very similar to the Museum Tavern burger but bigger and better. Worth the commute for me. Also enjoyed the fries and great service. Nice cozy ambience too. read more

Awful. My friend and I ordered the steak frites which were supposed to be great. The food arrived cold and we sent it back. When it arrived again it had obviously just been re- nuked. The steak sat on top of the fries in a small plate making the steak impossible to cut. The steak was tough and sinewy and cold. The "frites" were processed. The horseradish aioli had no hint of garlic or horseradish and appeared to be processed mayo. The steak and frites were very very salty. There was no garnish on the plate and the presentation was terrible. When we complained we were told we should have said something sooner. Hard to do when we had already sent the food back once and there was only one server for the entire upstairs. And he was busy. We were offered a free drink but no offer to refund our dinner which we had barely touched. This item was the most expensive on the menu at $18.00. We left hungry and angry. Never again. Gastro pub? No way. read more

The atmosphere here is great, especially for couples. Very romantic. Had the hunters whole wings and it was ok. Nothing special or outstanding and the sauce was like marinara sauce. The server did offer a green looking sauce that have it an extra kick. Was a lot better. Service excellent and location. Def be back. read more

We decided to check out our local pubs and we stumbled across this one. What a gem! It is cozy, great service, good beer selection and small but well rounded menu. The buffalo wings with home made potato chips had a nice kick and the herb mayo was delicious. The nacho fries... ohhhh.. so good. read more