Before the Curtain: A Perfect Theatre Night in Toronto
Dinner, drinks and a little more time to enjoy Toronto’s Old Town
There’s something about a theatre night in Toronto that makes an ordinary evening feel a little more special. Maybe it’s getting dressed up, meeting friends downtown, grabbing dinner before the curtain or lingering over a drink after the final applause. And if you’re heading to a show in Toronto’s St. Lawrence or Old Town neighbourhood, there’s no reason for the theatre to be the only part of the evening you’re looking forward to.
Whether you’re catching a performance at Meridian Hall, exploring the St. Lawrence theatre district or simply looking for somewhere to start your evening, Café Nicole Bistro + Bar gives you a comfortable place to settle in before the show — and a reason to keep the night going afterwards.
A St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Favourite for Decades
For 40 years, the restaurant has been part of Toronto’s St. Lawrence community, welcoming hotel guests, local diners, theatre-goers and downtown visitors alike.
Today, Café Nicole’s approachable bistro menu brings together familiar favourites and reimagined classics in a relaxed setting inside Novotel Toronto Centre. It’s the kind of restaurant where you can come dressed up for opening night or straight from a day exploring downtown. Where you stay for a full dinner or drop in for a drink. Where you come with a group of friends or make it a quiet dinner for two.
At the heart of it all is simple hospitality: good food, generous portions, quality ingredients and friendly service.
Make a Night of It in Old Town Toronto
Toronto’s St. Lawrence and Old Town neighbourhoods are full of places worth exploring before and after the curtain goes up.
Spend the afternoon wandering through St. Lawrence Market, take a stroll through the historic streets of the neighbourhood, meet friends for dinner and then make your way to a performance. With so many cultural attractions and theatres packed into the area, it’s one of the best parts of downtown Toronto for an evening out. The best part? Café Nicole is right in the middle of it all.
The restaurant is within walking distance of several of Toronto’s major theatre venues, including:
- Meridian Hall
- St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts
- Bluma Appel Theatre
- Jane Mallett Theatre
- Berkeley Street Theatre
- Alumnae Theatre
That makes it easy to plan your evening around the show rather than around your transportation. Come for dinner, walk to the theatre and, if you’re not ready to call it a night when the show ends, come back for a drink or late meal.
Theatre Patrons Get 15% Off at Café Nicole
As part of our partnership with TO Live and local theatre partners, theatre patrons can enjoy 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at Café Nicole.*
All you need to do is present your theatre ticket or proof of attendance when dining at the restaurant.
It’s a little extra incentive to make dinner part of your theatre plans, and if your show doesn’t start until later in the evening, there’s another reason to arrive early. Happy Hour runs daily from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with select drinks available from just $5–$8.
A few favourites include:
- $5 Amsterdam 3 Speed Lager
- $5 house red, white and sparkling wine
- $8 Aperol Spritz
Think of it as the perfect pre-theatre ritual.
Seeing a Show? Leave the Car Parked.
One of the less glamorous parts of a night downtown is figuring out where to leave the car. Luckily, you can take that off your list. Novotel Toronto Centre has convenient underground parking onsite, so guests driving into downtown can park once, enjoy dinner at Café Nicole and walk to the theatre without having to move the car again.
Taking transit? You’re in luck — Union Station is only a 10-minute walk away.
Your Toronto Theatre Night, All in One Place
A great theatre night doesn’t have to start when the lights go down.
It can start with a drink at Café Nicole. A long dinner with friends. A walk through Old Town. A quick stop at St. Lawrence Market. The anticipation of getting to your seats. And, if you’re lucky, a post-show conversation over one last drink. So next time you have tickets to a show in downtown Toronto, give yourself a little more time to enjoy the neighbourhood.
Start at Café Nicole. See the show. Make a night of it.
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Café Nicole Bistro + Bar
Novotel Toronto Centre
45 The Esplanade
Toronto, Ontario M5E 1W2
Daily: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Happy Hour: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
15% OFF FOR THEATRE PATRONS
Food and non-alcoholic beverages*