Supporting Toronto's Local Restaurants

According to recent survey data from Restaurants Canada, 80% of food service businesses have been operating at a loss throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In support of our hard-hit hospitality industry, the City of Toronto has launched several programs – such as CaféTO and DineTOgether – to help local restaurants get back on their feet.

The CaféTO program was first introduced in summer 2020 to support local restaurants by providing expanded outdoor dining space on sidewalks and curb lanes throughout the City. As of July 2021, over 1,100 restaurants in 69 BIAs and 132 restaurants outside of BIAs were registered with the program. You can find out more about the program at www.toronto.ca/cafeto.

Launched as part of the ShowLoveTO campaign, DineTOgether aims to help residents explore the City's diverse culinary scene. From September 17 to October 3, patrons will be able to select prix-fixe, two-item menus ranging from $15 to $50 per person at over 270 participating restaurants.

When I helped launch the Summerlicious and Winterlicious initiatives in the wake of the SARS epidemic, it was with the same goal in mind – to encourage residents to safely support our local businesses. I am pleased to see a similar initiative happening in our City this fall.

Visit https://toronto.ca/dinetogether to learn more about the program and participating locations.