News Release
August 4, 2021

Today, registration opened for the City of Toronto’s DineTOgether, part of the ShowLoveTO initiative, to support the recovery of local restaurants and celebrate Toronto’s diverse culinary scene.

DineTOgether will run from Friday, September 17 to Sunday, October 3 to encourage residents to patronize local eateries through a feature menu available by takeout, delivery, patio dining and/or indoor dining.

Registration will remain open for eligible restaurants until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, August 31 here

Participating restaurants will offer one or more two-course feature menus for lunch and/or dinner consisting of a main dish and an appetizer or dessert. Restaurant operators will be able to choose the price of their feature menus from a range of $15 to $50 in $5 increments to accommodate as many restaurants as possible. Prices are per person and exclude beverages, taxes, and gratuity. The price of DineTOgether’s feature menus is not intended to be value-driven or discounted.

To ensure the program benefits as many restaurants as possible, there is no participation fee and minimal eligibility criteria, including:

  • Be a full-service/table-service restaurant located in Toronto
  • Possess a Toronto Public Health (TPH) Green DineSafe pass
  • Possess a City Municipal Licensing & Standards Eating Establishment Licence (number starts with B71)
  • Comply with provincial and municipal reopening guidelines, including TPH guidelines for food premises.

Restaurant listings and menus will be available in September here

ShowLoveTO, in association with Founding Sponsor American Express and in partnership with Destination Toronto, was launched by the City to encourage local tourism and foster community engagement and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

DineTOgether is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Quotes:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Toronto’s food and hospitality industry particularly hard, so I am thrilled that registration is now open for the City’s DineTOgether program. I encourage local restaurateurs to register today so that Torontonians can show our love this fall while enjoying a delicious feature menu.”

– Mayor John Tory

“Toronto’s vibrancy stems from its diversity, which is well reflected in its exciting culinary scene. Our government is proud to support the City of Toronto’s efforts to help restaurateurs welcome back diners and encourage Torontonians to reconnect with their favourite neighbourhoods and businesses.”

– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Small businesses shape our neighbourhoods, and restaurants in particular help define the flavour of our local communities. I can’t think of a better way for all of us to come together than to dine small in support of some of our local faves through the City’s DineTOgether initiative.”

– Kerri-Ann Santaguida, Vice President and General Manager of Merchant Services, American Express Canada

For nearly 12 years, FedDev Ontario has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation and growth in Canada’s most populous region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring the Agency’s pivotal projects. More information about FedDev Ontario is available here

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca