Handcrafted Pasta
Rolled, cut and shaped in-house every morning, then finished to order in classic French-Italian sauces rather than held in a pan.
The NOLA Story
Blending Two Culinary Worlds
The vision behind our approachable luxury experience, right in the heart of Toronto’s East End — where French technique meets Italian soul on Queen Street East.
01 Our Philosophy
A vision for the Toronto East End
NOLA Eatery & Bar was founded on a vision to create something genuinely different in the Toronto East End dining scene: a sophisticated yet welcoming destination offering authentic French-Italian fusion cuisine.
We saw an opportunity to blend the structure and finesse of French cooking with the robust, comforting flavours of Italian food — dishes that feel both familiar and exciting. That commitment to approachable luxury defines every plate we serve.
Approachable luxury — fine dining that never asks you to sit up straight. The cooking is precise; the room is not precious.
02 In the Kitchen
Four things we refuse to rush
French discipline sets the method; Italian generosity sets the portion. Everything below is made or finished in-house, every service.
Premium Steaks
Carefully sourced cuts, seared hard on a properly hot grill and rested the full time before they reach the pass.
Fresh Seafood
Delivered fresh and treated simply — cured, seared or grilled, with sauces that support the fish instead of covering it.
The Bar Programme
Signature and classic cocktails built to order, beside a curated list of Old- and New-World wines poured by the glass.
03 Extended Hospitality
Rooted in the Leslieville community
Situated in the dynamic Leslieville neighbourhood of Toronto, we pride ourselves on delivering an approachable luxury experience that fits into your daily life — not just your special occasions.
Unlike smaller, dinner-only rooms, NOLA is built to serve the neighbourhood right through the week. That means extended availability, our high-demand weekend brunch, and a happy hour programme running Monday to Friday.
Open seven days — dinner nightly, brunch Friday through Sunday, and the bar open in between.
04 How It Unfolds
An evening at NOLA
There is no single right way to eat with us. This is simply how most evenings on Queen East tend to go.
i.
Arrive at the bar
Walk-ins are welcome at the bar, whether you are waiting on a table or making an evening of the stools. Happy hour runs Monday to Friday with featured cocktails, wines by the glass and bar plates.
ii.
Start with something raw or cured
Beef tartare with grilled crostini, cured salmon with dill and pickled onion, or carpaccio with rocket and parmesan — the French half of the menu making its introduction.
iii.
Then the pasta course
Made that morning, sauced to order. This is where the Italian side takes over, and where most tables decide they are staying longer than planned.
iv.
A steak, a fish, or the whole pan
Premium cuts from the grill, seafood handled with restraint, or a shared skillet for the table. Your server will steer the wine list to match.
v.
Dessert, and one more glass
Coffee, something sweet, and the unhurried part of the night. The 501 streetcar runs late, and nobody is rushing you out.
- 7 Days
- Open every week
- Daily
- Pasta made in-house
- Fri–Sun
- Brunch service
- Mon–Fri
- Happy hour
- 501
- Queen streetcar at the door
05 Ways to Dine
Four reasons to come back
Dinner is only part of it. Here is everything the room does across a week in Leslieville.
Dinner · Nightly from 4 PM
Pasta, Steak & Seafood
Our main service — handmade pasta, premium cuts and fresh seafood, with a wine list built to sit beside them.
Brunch · Fri 11–3, Sat & Sun 10–3
Weekend Brunch
A slow, sunlit brunch on Queen East. Savoury plates, sweet classics, espresso pulled properly and morning cocktails.
Happy Hour · Monday to Friday
The Bar & Happy Hour
Featured cocktails, wines by the glass and bar plates in the front room — walk-ins always welcome at the bar.
Private Dining · By arrangement
Celebrations & Events
Birthdays, engagements, rehearsal dinners and team dinners, with tailored set menus and optional wine pairings.
06 Finding Us
1161 Queen Street East, Leslieville
We sit on the corner of Queen East in Leslieville, a short ride from downtown Toronto and walking distance from Riverside and Riverdale.
Getting here
The 501 Queen streetcar stops at our door, running east from downtown Toronto and Union Station. Street parking and Green P lots are close by.
Reservations
Neighbourhoods we serve
- Leslieville
- Riverside
- Riverdale
- The Beaches
- Corktown
- Downtown Toronto
| Monday | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Thursday | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Brunch3:00 PM – Close Dinner |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Brunch3:00 PM – 10:00 PM Dinner |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Brunch3:00 PM – 9:00 PM Dinner |
— Good to Know
About NOLA, answered
What does French-Italian fusion actually mean at NOLA?
It means French method applied to Italian generosity. We use the structure and finesse of French cooking — proper searing, resting, sauce work and curing — and pair it with the robust, comforting flavours of Italian food, including pasta we make in-house daily.
What does “approachable luxury” mean in practice?
The cooking is precise and the ingredients are premium, but the room is relaxed. There is no dress code, walk-ins are welcome at the bar, and you are just as welcome for a weeknight plate of pasta as for an anniversary dinner.
Where exactly is NOLA Eatery & Bar?
At 1161 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 1L3, on the corner in Leslieville. The 501 Queen streetcar stops at the door, and we are a short ride east of downtown Toronto, close to Riverside, Riverdale and the Beaches.
Do you serve brunch and happy hour as well as dinner?
Yes. Dinner runs nightly, brunch is served Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and happy hour runs Monday to Friday in the early evening at the bar and front room.
Can you host a private event or large group?
Yes — we host private and semi-private dining for birthdays, engagements, rehearsal dinners, corporate dinners and holiday parties, with set menus tailored to your group and optional wine pairings. Parties of eight or more can email [email protected].
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend brunch and dinner service. You can book online, or call +1 416 461 7663. The bar keeps seats for walk-ins every night.
— Come See Us
The rest of the story is on the plate
Book a table on Queen East, or come sit at the bar and let us pour you something first.