Cafe Landwer — Restaurant in Toronto

While you’re waiting for the mains, a hummus bowl is a great starter. The shawarma version ($14) starts with a base of thick silky hummus, drizzles on olive oil, and fills it with juicy chunks of chicken shawarma that’s incredibly flavourful.

The one topped with four small crisp falafels ($13) is just as good. Café Landwer’s creations are fluffy and moist and have a lovely green hue from the pulverized herbs mixed into it.

At first, we nursed the piece of fresh from the oven stone-baked bread since the hummus to bread ratio seemed off. Boy was it good, the hot steaming bread with the cool shawarma hummus, and a slice of pickle. We were essentially creating our own sandwiches. Once the bread was done, our server offered to bring another piece ($1). This could have easily been a meal for one.

Landwer’s famous schnitzel ($19) is good with the pork pounded thinnly, the bread crumb coating applied lightly, and cooked just long enough so that everything is still moist. It’d be even better with more salt as it was under seasoned and really needed a condiment. The ketchup accompanying the fries seemed off, my husband ended up using the tzatziki from my main, better than nothing.

Generally, it seems like Landwer under seasons their dishes. While the grilled salmon ($23) had a lovely citrusy za’atar crust, it didn’t have a speck of salt. Even the Landwer’s rice, despite incorporating caramelized onions, lentils, almonds, and being so richly hued was rather bland. In hindsight, I wish I would have just tried to flag down a server to bring us salt… it’s such a common spice that would have really made everything much tastier.

With that in mind, on a return visit I rolled the dice on having Mediterranean shakshuka ($15.95) instead. There was no way a cast iron pan of stewed tomatoes with chunks of feta would be bland. Thankfully, the bet paid off and it was indeed as full flavoured as I hoped, the tomatoes nice and thick with some onion and big chunks of eggplant. My only mistake was asking for the eggs done medium, they arrived rock hard so there was no runny yolk to dip the hot pita into. Note to self: always get the underdone since the hot pan will continue to cook them.

A bit of pita was the tomato sauce topped with nutty tahini or the cool creamy lebnah was even better. I can see why Landwer’s brunch menu is so popular as this is where the mains shine. It only puzzles me why people bother to wait for a table when there’s an all-day breakfast section on their dinner menu - I’d happily have brunch for...

My last visit 20250510 Once again: Awesome! I love the beautiful and extra kind staff I also love their food (Vegetarian for me please) What else do I love? The layout inside - Perfect!!! I also love their patio - now opened

You can park your bikes in the South West corners or leave close to the patio if you get to sit there.

If I love this place, you will love it too!!! Perfect!

New pictures added

Me and three others attended this establishment, this Christmas 2024, with reservations. Please do not get distracted by the word "cafe". This is a serious yet highly relaxed establishment that with serve you and those with you outstanding food during any occasion.

Their food, salads and beverages, all need to be noted. I had a large cappuccino with my meal. This is a healthy soup sized, delicious with milk froth shaped like a heart. A must have. We did not try their deserts, but I must say, they looked mighty good.

Upon receiving my vegetarian chicken plate, served on a full size tray with one pita like bread, very tasty. While having my first bite, I actually thought a mistake had been made and that I was received real chicken instead; however, this was my mistake. The vegetarian chicken substitute's texture and flavour were so exquisite. We received our food within a very moderate waiting period, and felt at ease all the time in this highly agreeable environment with excellent decor and comfort. A noticeable 1950's look alike round sitting arrangement is placed in the centre/back of the establishment. The young and beautiful lady who looked after us, Suhyl, according to the bill, was extremely pleasant and attentive as to us all.

We all ate like kings and even got some takeout for my mother in law.

I/we recommend Cafe Landwer to anyone wishing to have a remarkable time. Vegetarian or carnivorous. Be hungry or hoping for just a bite. Please do go there sometime, also bear in mind that this place is quite popular in the warm months, as there is a lovely patio awaiting those who prefer sitting outside. I used to live in the neighbourhood during my younger years. Avenue Road is a street with lots to offer, so plan a walk and Cafe Landwer, This will be a thrilling outing. P-Parking is available 20 meters west of the corner where Cafe Landwer is located.

Thank you Suhyl, Cafe Landwer employes, cooks and management. You have a number 1 place to be proud of. May this be a great year for you all and may you...

Sunday brunch anyone? This is THE place to go if you're anywhere near Avenue Road, south of the 401. The place was brimming with smiles by not only the clientele but the very efficient staff - from the door to the servers and bussers. The menu choices were terrific to even just anticipate, and braced ourselves after first appreciating with the eyes - for the rush of umami that followed. Our choices were rich in a variety of flavours swirling in our tongues. To not actually and pointedly savour each bite for longer than one normally might is to do a yourself a disservice. Some of their brunch menu items availability ends strictly at high noon, and while that might have proven to be a disappointment with brunch standards like the usual lovely varieties of eggs benedict ~ my brunch date and I were glad because we might otherwise not have ordered 2 of the 6 Shakshuka dishes on offer. Delightful experience! I felt like the old tv ad 'cream cheese angel' perched on cloud-9 while consuming every morsel, where we could unabashedly cleaned our platters with the housemade Moroccan pita. It came replete with the hot cast iron pan, the roasted seasoned chunky tomato sauce that our eggs were cooked in, and washed it down with the Café Landwer's own house-roasted coffee and espresso. Did I allude to Heavenly already? ....I did 😇 Btw, these coffee beans are also available for purchase to brew for your enjoyment at home. Our platters came with a yummy side salad just big enough to provide balance, for the tiny bowls of tahini and labneh yoghurt, providing creamy flavour-bursts clearly intended to counter those lovely roasted cherry tomato's repeated attempts at dominating your tastebuds. The egg parcels were cooked to absolute perfection. I went with the Merguez beef sausage and my friend ordered the Sinia beef kebabs (a type of meatball) with roasted eggplant as part of our individual Shakshuka experiences. Needless to say after reading all this, there was not a moment's disappointment at having attended brunch at their Avenue Road location. Between the 2 of us, we've given them a👍👍4 thumbs up👍👍 to punctuate our resounding cheers in celebrating the awesome Sunday brunch that the area has sorely needed for some time already. I know this: I - for one being more locally situated, am now looking forward to checking out their dinner menu as well in the very...