Good Friday Dining: Which Restaurants Are Open?

Good Friday is a Christian feast day commemorating the death of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most widely observed holidays in Ontario, with most businesses closing or reducing their hours to give employees time off to attend services and family gatherings. However, restaurants are exempt from closing and are permitted to open on Good Friday, according to their regular schedule. This means that while some restaurants may be closed, many will be open for business.

Restaurants in Ontario are permitted to open on Good Friday

Good Friday is a Christian feast day commemorating the death of Jesus Christ. As a large majority of Ontarians identify as Christian, Good Friday is one of the most widely observed holidays in the province. During the Easter long weekend, most businesses close or reduce their hours to give employees the opportunity to attend services and family gatherings. However, restaurants in Ontario are exempt from closing and are permitted to open on Good Friday.

While many restaurants across the province remain open on Good Friday, their operating hours may differ from their regular schedules. It is always a good idea to call ahead and confirm the opening hours of a restaurant before visiting.

• W Toronto — Public School: This restaurant offered a Long Weekend Easter Brunch, including a DIY Mimosa Kit.
• La Pizza & La Pasta — Eataly Yorkville
• Byblos Uptown: This Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in Toronto
• Gyu-Kaku: A Japanese restaurant in Mississauga
• Hawker: A restaurant in Kensington Market
• The Park Steakhouse: This restaurant in Mississauga offered an Easter-inspired pre-fixe menu

In addition to restaurants, some grocery stores, malls, and attractions in Ontario are also open on Good Friday. However, it is important to note that the operating hours and availability of these places may vary from year to year.

Select indie bottle shops are open on Good Friday

Good Friday is one of the only days of the year when alcohol sales are specifically restricted. Takeaway sales are banned, and you won't be able to buy alcohol from a bottle shop, pub, or restaurant. Small bars are also forbidden from selling pre-mixed takeaway cocktails. However, you can still get a drink at most bars, although some may require you to buy a meal to go with it.

If you're looking to buy alcohol from a bottle shop on Good Friday, you may be in luck if you live in Tasmania or the Australian Capital Territory, as these regions have no restrictions on alcohol sales on Good Friday. In Queensland, you can buy takeaway alcohol with a meal, and in South Australia, most restrictions have been lifted, so you can purchase alcohol from pubs, clubs, and most other venues, and even takeaway sales are allowed.

In New South Wales, bottle shops are closed on Good Friday, and pubs cannot sell takeaway alcohol. However, venues with a producer's licence, such as breweries or distilleries, are still allowed to sell their goods. In Victoria, shops with a general, on-premises, or restaurant and cafe licence can supply liquor on Good Friday between 12 noon and 1 am the following morning. Shops or venues with a club licence can also supply alcohol from 12 pm on Good Friday.

So, while many bottle shops will be closed on Good Friday due to alcohol sales restrictions, there are select indie bottle shops that may be open, depending on their specific licences and local regulations. Be sure to check with your local bottle shop to find out their operating hours during the Easter long weekend.

Select Starbucks and Tim Hortons locations remain open

Starbucks and Tim Hortons are not the only coffee shops open on Good Friday. In Toronto, for example, residents can also visit select indie coffee shops, as well as select locations of The Kitchen Table, which has a 7 am opening time at one of its stores.

If you are looking for food on Good Friday, there are also plenty of options. Fish and chip shops will be open across many cities, as Good Friday is a customary fish-eating day. Select restaurants will also be open for indoor dining, takeout, and delivery. In Toronto, for example, the Eaton Centre will be open, as well as many museums and attractions, including the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Toronto Zoo.

Select malls, like the Eaton Centre, are open on Good Friday

If you're looking for something to do on Good Friday, select malls in Toronto will be open, including the Eaton Centre, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Other malls open on Good Friday include:

• CF Shops at Don Mills
• CF Markville
• Pacific Mall
• Toronto Premium Outlets
• Yorkdale Shopping Centre
• Scarborough Town Centre
• Square One Shopping Centre

While many businesses will be closed on Good Friday, there are still plenty of attractions and destinations that will remain open. Select restaurants, indie bottle shops, Starbucks, and Tim Hortons locations will be open, but it is recommended that you call ahead to confirm.

Toronto's museums, such as the AGO, will also be open. The following museums are open on Good Friday:

• Aga Khan Museum
• Casa Loma
• CN Tower
• High Park Zoo
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Ontario Science Centre
• Ripley's Aquarium
• Royal Ontario Museum

Public skating rinks are closed for the season, but Canada's Wonderland is open.

Most pharmacies, including most Shoppers Drug Mart locations, are open

Good Friday and Easter Sunday can be a busy time for restaurants, with many people choosing to eat out as they celebrate with family and friends. While some restaurants may be closed, there are plenty of options still available for those looking to dine out. Here are some ideas for places to eat on Good Friday, along with information on pharmacy openings, including Shoppers Drug Mart locations:

Restaurant Options on Good Friday

• Casa Loma: This restaurant is open for Easter brunch and exploring the castle after your meal.
• XXI Chophouse: Located in Kleinburg, XXI Chophouse is offering Easter brunch.
• Gyu-Kaku: This Japanese restaurant in Mississauga offers a "kids eat free" deal on Easter Sunday.
• Cocette Bistro: A special pre-fixe Easter menu is available at this Ottawa bistro.
• Ce Soir Brassiere + Bar: This French restaurant in Oakville offers Easter brunch.
• Lulu Bar: Open on Easter Sunday.
• The Albion Rooms: This Ottawa restaurant offers Easter brunch with the option to add bottomless mimosas.
• W Toronto — Public School: A "Long Weekend Easter Brunch" is available at this restaurant in the W Toronto hotel.
• Café Boulud: Open for brunch and dinner on Easter Sunday.
• Posta Ital Bar Cucina: "Easter Brunch & Bubbles" is on offer at this restaurant in Mississauga's Port Credit neighbourhood.
• Gia: This Toronto restaurant is open for brunch and dinner on Easter Sunday.

Pharmacy Openings on Good Friday

• Barking Community Hospital, Upney Lane, Barking
• 261 Wick Road, Hackney
• 190 Stoke Newington High Street, London
• 118 North Street, Romford
• 31 Upminster Road, Hornchurch
• 10 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow
• 42 Liberty Bridge Road, Olympic Park, Stratford
• 54 The Mall, Stratford Centre, London
• Armada Way London Middlesex
• 79-85 Goodmayes Road, Goodmayes
• Churchfield Pharmacy
• 211 High Road, South Woodford, London
• 117-119 High Road, Ilford
• Green Light Pharmacy
• St Andrews Health Centre, 2 Hannaford Walk, Bromley-by-Bow
• Barkantine Primary CC, 121 Westferry Road, Millwall
• Leyton Green Pharmacy
• 768 Lea Bridge Road, Walthamstow
• 281-283 Forest Road, Walthamstow
• Finchley Memorial Hospital, Granville Rd
• 16 Greenhill Parade, New Barnet
• The Learning Pharmacy Ltd, t/a I Warman Freed
• 45 Golders Green Road, London
• 132/132A Tottenham Court Road
• Dales Pharmacy (Jasrup ltd)
• 463 Finchley Rd London
• 9 Coleman Parade, Southbury Road, Enfield
• Bees Dispensing Chemist
• 172 Fore Street, Edmonton
• 214 High Road, Wood Green, London
• 59a Broad Lane, London
• Osbon Pharmacy (Turnbulls)
• 155 Essex Road, London

Frequently asked questions