Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar has the rare ability to feel both removed from and connected to Toronto’s downtown energy. Set in a converted Victorian in Yorkville, it’s a classic New Zealand-style pub that’s been serving up sports and pints for decades.

There are over 20 screens across its three levels, but the pace here is more relaxed than frantic. Whether you’re catching the All Blacks at 7 a.m., tuning into a Jays game over dinner, or staying late for a west coast tip-off, the atmosphere stays social without tipping into sensory overload.

The rooftop patio is the big draw—open year-round, with heaters in winter and umbrellas in summer, it’s a favorite for locals dodging crowds while still feeling part of the game-day rhythm. There’s a looseness to the space: chatter from tables, the clink of pint glasses, servers weaving through with steady ease.

Inside, Hemingway’s spans multiple rooms, each with slightly different energy. Some are tucked away and quieter; others are animated by the central bar. It works for big groups, casual dates, and solo decompression alike.

The menu offers comfort without cliché. Kiwi classics like lamb burgers and meat pies sit alongside nachos, salads, and daily specials. There are solid vegetarian options and plenty of beer on tap—local and imported—with a few house cocktails that don’t feel like an afterthought.

Service is straightforward and fast, but never rushed. Staff seem to intuit how long you want to stay and adjust accordingly. It’s easy to drop in after work, find a familiar booth, and stay longer than planned.

Hemingway’s has that intangible draw of a place that’s weathered enough to feel grounded, but still pays attention. It’s not trying to be trendy. It’s just reliably good at what it does.