Your Hintonburg Takeout Food Guide

All of the best local culinary hotspots – for whatever you’re craving

A variation of this post was first published on the Westboro Connection blog.

It’s hard to believe how much our relationships with local restaurants have changed over the last year. Not so very long ago, we took for granted the idea of going out for a meal – now, however, it’s anything but commonplace.

In recognition and celebration of our beloved neighbourhood restaurants, we’ve put together a list of recommended places to try. We hope you’ll discover a new favourite dish, a must-try cocktail kit, or a bit of comfort you didn’t know you’d been missing. Bon appétit!
 

The Hintonburg Public House

It could be the cozy, feels-right-at-home atmosphere that locals love about the Hintonburg Public House, or it could be the inspiring collection of local contemporary art adorning the walls. Either way, the Wellington Street West vibe certainly translates into the takeaway menu (and if we can’t relax and enjoy a drink and a bite with friends inside, isn’t well-prepared takeaway the next best thing?). 

Imagine elevated comfort food done exceptionally well! You can expect favourites here like the HPH Burger, fish and chips, a grilled cheese you need to taste to believe, and desserts like the must-try baked-to-order cookies. Don’t forget to check out the impressive selection of craft brews and artisanal cocktails too!

Takeout and delivery options available.
 

Bar Lupulus

As a dine-in experience, Wellington Street West’s Bar Lupulus has carved out its own culinary niche – somewhere between mouth-wateringly innovative and esoterically-minded. Sophisticated charcuterie and cheese boards stand alongside Mediterranean-inspired dishes, but the truly awesome craft beer (the restaurant’s name comes from Humulus lupulus, which is Latin for ‘the common hop’), natural wine and cider menu often threatens to take centre stage. Hefty varieties of the iconic pizzas are available in classic pepperoni, vegetarian, sausage, and rotating specials, but it would be wise to save room for their duck wings (perfectly coated in Gochujang and honey sauce) and wild boar jalapeño poppers (as decadent as you can imagine). This is comfort food on a whole new level.

Takeout and limited patio seating currently available.
 

Carben 

At first glance, you might mistake the dishes from Hintonburg’s Carben as edible works of art, so beautiful and vibrant is the culinary imagination of wife-and-husband team Caroline Ngo and Kevin Benes. And with an interior design as modern and sophisticated as the food, Carben’s dine-in experience was something to talk about. 

For the time being, however, Ngo and Benes have adapted their menu to accommodate the necessity of takeaway meals – all without sacrificing any of the nuance, flavour, and imagination that has made Carben a go-to destination for locals and out-of-towners alike. 

Keep an eye out for a weekly revolving takeout menu with a heavy emphasis on comfort food: soft-as-a-cloud Hokkaido milk buns (seriously – try the milk buns ASAP) with miso butter, hearty rabbit with braised lentils, and uplifting salads tempt just as much as wood ear mushrooms with a miso glaze and fried hen with celeriac remoulade. And then there’s the selection of Ngo’s dessert tarts – made to order – including the decadent chocolate tart with milk chocolate and white chocolate ganache, pretzel sweet crust and a chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream.

Equal parts comforting and sophisticated, Carben’s menu is one to try at home along with a nice bottle of wine and some good company (even if the company’s over Zoom!).

Takeout options available.
 

The Soca Kitchen

Perhaps one of the more unexpected results of the pandemic is how restaurants have upped their takeaway game in exciting and innovative ways. No doubt that Holland Avenue’s The Soca is at the top of the list when it comes to offering lavish and elaborate takeout meal options – whether it’s to celebrate the end of another week, or simply for the joy of a meal bursting with flavour.

The restaurant offers several globetrotting ‘dinner for two’ options such as a Caribbean-themed meal with shrimp ceviche, plantain bandera, a whole fried fish and more. The Mexican-themed option is also drool-worthy its house-made guac, shrimp tostadas, cochinita, carne asada, and chicken tacos. But these meals are only a small part of what’s on offer – The Soca’s specialty market boasts a wide selection of house-made products including reductions, sauces, preserves, and more. Depending on your meal choices, you’ll want to find some time before tucking in to enjoy their house-made cocktail mixer kits.

Takeout options available.