Lunch is a very important time for Harbord students. Common spots to eat lunch include places like the mall, or even the hallways. Harbord students, however, also have the privilege of leaving the school and exploring. So, to ensure every student is maximizing their lunchtime, I conducted some interviews to find out the five student-favorite lunch spots.

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1. The Best Atmosphere at What a Shawarma

Located on the corner of Bloor and Manning, The Middle Eastern restaurant What A Shawarma is known for its savory shawarma, cheesy pizza, and crunchy doner. With a 4.7 star rating on Google Reviews, and quality attested by Harbord students, What a Shawarma guarantees  fun. The restaurant prides itself on its cool atmosphere and open seating area, perfect for large groups. Interviewed students state the reason for its popularity: a “moderate price point” and “great pizza”. 

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2. The Best Food at Simple Burger

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Located on the corner of Grace and Bloor, this American restaurant is known for its “good fries and burgers”. Its menu consists of many gourmet burgers, with lots of unique options and interesting flavors. It is popular among the masses, with a 4.6 rating on Google,and indoor and outdoor seating. Simple Burger is also located right across from Christie Pits so if you are looking for somewhere just to grab a bite and then go to the park this is the spot for you!

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3. The Cheapest Food at Tim Hortons 

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Tim Hortons is a classic cafe enjoyed by many Canadians. Its large menu has many options and something for everyone. Tim Hortons’ cheap prices and sweet treats make this a very beloved spot for Harbord students. One Harbord student went as far as to say “Tim Hortons is the best place on earth!”. Located two stores away from Christie station, the 4.0 star-rated take-out and cafe is also very good if you are planning on taking the subway anywhere. Although it is a great spot to hang out and get snacks, it does lack nutrition

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4. Chatime (Best for Hanging out)

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Right in between Basecamp and Snow Day Bingsu Cafe sits Chatime, the renowned Taiwanese bubble tea store rated 4.0 stars on Google Reviews, beloved by Harbord students. The store’s delicious drinks are perfect if you are craving a sweet treat or a little something to keep you refreshed. However, Chatime does not have food options for lunch so it's not ideal if you need to buy lunch. Regardless, if you are looking for “somewhere to just chill and hang out with your friends” while also enjoying a snack, Chatime is the place for you. Chatime also lets you eat outside food, so you don’t have to buy anything to sit there, although it is recommended.

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5. P.A.T. (Best for buying snacks)

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Rated at 4.5 stars, P.A.T. is the first Korean grocery store in Canada, located at the corner of Manning and Bloor. Harbord students say they tend “to usually go there to get snacks”, so it’s not a very good fit if you are looking to buy lunch. However, if you're looking for cheap snacks, P.A.T. is the place for you. This does not mean it has no lunch options, but the pickings are slim. P.A.T. also lacks seating, something all the other places have, which is another negative. Being a grocery store and not a restaurant does make it more of a store than a lunch spot.

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Overall these locations are all very good spots for lunch and this list is not ranked either. Each has its pros and cons but I'm sure each one has a little something just for you. Also, keep in mind these are not the only lunch spots to go to or maybe not even the best in your opinion. Bloor Street is loaded with many cool and unique restaurants waiting for you!

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