Symposium Cafe Restaurants exterior outdoor patio dining
Symposium Cafe Restaurants interior beautiful dining rooms
For 30 years, Symposium Cafe Restaurants has been a go-to destination in Ontario for stylish casual dining, gourmet comfort food, and warm hospitality. What began as a favourite local dessert place has grown into a full-service restaurant concept serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, late night dining, desserts, cocktails, and patio dining. As we celebrate 30 years, we continue to redefine the cafe experience with beautiful interiors, inviting service, and a menu made for every occasion.
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An upscale casual dining restaurant and bar, serving gourmet comfort food and a popular all day food and drinks menu in a stylish place with a Renaissance theme, that’s Symposium.
Whether it’s our wonderful breakfast & brunch menu, a family dinner with pastas, burgers, seafood, or quick and fast lunch offerings, or late night drinks and the largest desserts menu in town, we’ve got what you’re hungry and thirsty for.
With over 20,000 FIVE & FOUR STAR Reviews, come see why we are your best restaurant (near me) choice in Ontario. We’re your local, go-to dining place 7 days of the week, early mornings to late nights.
With a food menu that includes delicious lunch, dinner and late night dining variety, we also serve a full breakfast and brunch, fabulous signature cocktails & alcoholic drinks and a huge one of a kind desserts and non alcoholic drinks menu.
Symposium restaurants are the best places to eat in town, with a menu with wide appeal, whether it’s a family dinner with the kids, a special celebration dinner, a romantic night out, or private lunch or dinner or large lunch function.
Come discover and indulge our epic and decadent desserts, with the most heavenly one-of-a-kind dessert menu that you will find in a full service restaurant including cakes, waffles, crepes, gaufrettes, Affogatos, ice-cream and much more.
Symposium restaurants are your ultimate breakfast and brunch spot with a menu of traditional offerings to our amazing variety of Benedict’s, delicious French toast, avocado toast, freshly squeezed juices, mimosa cocktails and much more.
Wine, beer, cocktails and more. Like traditional European cafes, all Symposium restaurants are fully licensed with a full range of wines and spirits, unique cocktails and beers on tap all served in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Although not a vegetarian restaurant, our restaurant provides an extensive, healthy, full flavored menu of vegetarian and gluten friendly dishes which are made to order: using wholesome and natural ingredients to meet your dietary preferences.
While we are fully licensed restaurants, we also offer a large variety of amazing non-alcoholic drinks such as freshly squeezed juices, gourmet coffees, premium teas, milk shakes, Italian sodas, and fresh fruit smoothies.
Try our favourite restaurant food and drink deals with our 7-Day Promotions – the most innovative features and popular specials in the Ontario restaurants market! Every day is special at Symposium Cafe Restaurants across Ontario.
Daily Specials available from 11am, unless otherwise indicated.
Our diverse menu includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night meals - along with full bar service including beer on tap, an extensive wine list and home crafted cocktails along with a large vegetarian menu selection, we have something for everyone, and menu items for all dining periods.
Symposium Cafe Restaurant is a top-rated destination for full-service breakfast and weekend brunch. Our menu features a wide variety of guest favorites, including our signature eggs benedict, Belgian waffles, French toast, and specialty lattes. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly restaurant for a Sunday morning meal or a quiet booth for a weekday breakfast meeting, our "upscale casual" Renaissance-style atmosphere is the perfect choice.
Yes! We are well-known for our award-winning dessert menu, featuring gourmet cakes, crepes, and specialty coffees. Many of our locations, including Ajax, Woodbridge, and Waterloo, offer late-night dining options. It is the perfect spot for a post-movie treat, a romantic date night, or catching up with friends over cocktails and shareable appetizers.
Absolutely. We strategically locate our restaurants near major landmarks for your convenience. You can find us directly next to The Beer Store in Waterdown, at the Colossus Centre in Woodbridge near Cineplex, and in the Westside Marketplace in Waterloo next to Canadian Tire. Our locations are designed to be the ideal retreat after shopping at places like Vaughan Mills, RioCan Windfields in Oshawa, or exploring local conservation areas and trails.
Yes, all our locations feature beautiful, licensed outdoor patios. They are a local favorite for summer brunch, alfresco lunches, and evening drinks. Check your specific local Symposium page for patio availability and seasonal hours.
We specialize in hosting large groups and special occasions. With our diverse menu—ranging from burgers and pasta to steak and seafood—we are the go-to family restaurant for birthdays, anniversaries, and team celebrations. Our unique decor and attentive service ensure a memorable "upscale casual" experience for parties of all sizes.
Beyond our award-winning breakfast, we offer a full lunch and dinner menu featuring "upscale casual" favorites. Our guests love our selection of gourmet burgers, artisan pastas, fresh salads, and premium steak and seafood entrees. Whether you're looking for a quick business lunch or a relaxed family dinner, our diverse menu ensures there is something delicious for everyone in a unique Renaissance-themed setting.
Yes, we feature a fully licensed bar with an extensive drink menu. We are famous for our specialty coffees and lattes, but we also offer a wide array of signature cocktails, martinis, and premium wines. From a refreshing frozen fruit daiquiri on our outdoor patio to a sophisticated craft beer or spirits selection, we are the perfect destination for Happy Hour or a late-night toast.
We are proud to be a staple of the Ontario dining landscape! August 2026 marks our 30th Anniversary, and we are thrilled to be celebrating three decades of serving our communities. Since 1996, our mission has been to provide a consistent, high-quality "Renaissance-style" experience, making us one of the most trusted and longest-running casual dining brands in Ontario.
We are widely recognized for having some of the best daily restaurant specials in the business. From our famous Early Bird Breakfast to our "Two-for-One" dessert nights and daily drink features, we provide incredible value without compromising on quality.
Our 20 Ontario restaurants include Ajax, Alliston, Ancaster (Hamilton), Aurora, Barrie, Bolton, Brantford, Cambridge, Georgetown, Guelph, Lindsay, Markham, Milton, Oakville, Oshawa, Stoney Creek, Thornhill, Waterdown, Waterloo, Woodbridge (Vaughan).
