Founder

Founder Founder is a modern bistro that offers a unique culinary experience in Toronto. The restaurant features globally-inspired dishes and award-winning cocktails in an intimate and comfortable space. With an intentional selection of local craft beers and Alsace-inspired wines, Founder welcomes guests to indulge in small, medium, and large dishes while enjoying good drinks, food, and conversations. Discover a diverse melange of world flavours offered by Kendall Collingridge, the head chef with years of experience working with renowned restaurants like Hooked, Spirithouse, Buca, Crush Wine Bar. At Founder cocktail bar and tapas bar & restaurant are merged into one amazing spot perfect for intimate gatherings or larger celebrations with friends.

Recent social media posts

A bittersweet celebration 🥹 Join us for a final special night at Founder as we bid a heartfelt farewell. As an extra tha...
26/12/2023

A bittersweet celebration 🥹 Join us for a final special night at Founder as we bid a heartfelt farewell. As an extra thank you, we’ll have discounted drinks (including 50% off our top shelf selection) all night long. Come through and help us close out our last shift in style! See you there!

You’ve entered the Bermuda Triangle. A sultry mix of pineapple, plantation rum, mezcal, and lime. Clarified using coconu...
10/11/2023

You’ve entered the Bermuda Triangle. A sultry mix of pineapple, plantation rum, mezcal, and lime. Clarified using coconut milk and topped off with lime foam and Persian black lime powder.

Come get lost in one tonight…

Tasty food, awesome cocktails, good vibes

Thursday’s are one of the best days of the week…Wednesday is behind us and you can almost taste the weekend right around...
09/11/2023

Thursday’s are one of the best days of the week…
Wednesday is behind us and you can almost taste the weekend right around the corner.
Let us make your Thursday even better!
In addition to our already popular $10 plates of Kendall’s fried curry chicken (KFCC) and $10 glasses of Lobetia sparkling wine… We are adding our decadent Founder burger.

Ground in house from Nolan farms Angus beef. Pan seared and served on butter toasted brioche bun. Topped with our umami mushroom spread and “the tickler” extra aged cheddar. Finally finished with a ysunny side up free range egg yolk and chives.
This burger demands your respect…

Smash one on special Thursdays for $12

Awesome food, great drinks, good vibes!

Join us every Wednesday for half price bottles & $10 glasses of wine!Featuring  lineup of organic, biodynamic, and susta...
08/11/2023

Join us every Wednesday for half price bottles & $10 glasses of wine!
Featuring lineup of organic, biodynamic, and sustainably produced wines!

Pair them up with some of our delicious small plates and you’ve got yourself a date night on a budget.

Tasty food, great wines, and good vibes!

Chebooktook oysters from NBShucked with loving care 🥰Garnished with tamari, lime, poached Argentinian red shrimp, cilant...
07/11/2023

Chebooktook oysters from NB
Shucked with loving care 🥰
Garnished with tamari, lime, poached Argentinian red shrimp, cilantro and chilli.
It’s a umami flavour explosion in your mouth!
Half price every Tuesday from 6pm till close
Tasty food, great cocktails, and good vibes! Visit us tonight!

If you’ve been thinking of coming in to try our chef’s tasting experience, you can expect creative, seasonal and thought...
08/08/2023

If you’ve been thinking of coming in to try our chef’s tasting experience, you can expect creative, seasonal and thoughtful dishes each and every time! From flavours, to textures, to colour, when you trust the Chef, it’s a full sensory experience made with lots of love & care! Reservations for this week are now open, link in bio!

Photo credit:  📸 Our Brussel Sprouts are packed full of flavours and texture you won’t soon forget. Funky, umami, herbac...
05/07/2023

Photo credit: 📸 Our Brussel Sprouts are packed full of flavours and texture you won’t soon forget. Funky, umami, herbaceous with crunch and spice! Make your reservation before spots fill up and try this new summer dish for yourself.

New week, new news! While we may be closed for a private event Wednesday, June 28th and Saturday, July 1st for Canada Da...
27/06/2023

New week, new news! While we may be closed for a private event Wednesday, June 28th and Saturday, July 1st for Canada Day, we are ready with new refreshing wines for summer sipping! Finish off the last two days of June with us and try a glass (or bottle) while supplies (and summer) lasts. Our team will be happy to find a perfect match to what you’re craving and what delicious plates to compliment for a perfect summer evening out on the town ☀️

Globally-inspired and design to delight, today maybe the last chance to get our commemorative anniversary menu, but we b...
24/06/2023

Globally-inspired and design to delight, today maybe the last chance to get our commemorative anniversary menu, but we believe our greatest hits could still be ahead of us! Thank you to everyone who has come through already to say Happy 5 years 🙌🏽 Hit the Reserve button in our bio to grab the few spots left for tonight’s dinner service!

Big question: you’ve ordered a plate of our Thursday special:  Chef Kendall’s Curry Fried Chicken with Tom Yum sauce (fo...
22/06/2023

Big question: you’ve ordered a plate of our Thursday special: Chef Kendall’s Curry Fried Chicken with Tom Yum sauce (for only $10, huge score!) do you a) share b) inhale a whole plate to yourself c) order 2 (maybe 3) and keep the peace d) all of the above? Decisions, decisions.

Address


To get to the Dundas Street West area, you can take the TTC subway and get off at Dundas West Station. From there, you can take a short walk eastbound on Dundas Street West until you reach the intersection with Ossington Avenue.

If you are driving, you can take the Gardiner Expressway and exit at Spadina Avenue. Then, turn right onto Queen St W and continue on this road until you reach Ossington Ave. Turn left onto Ossington Ave and continue until you reach Dundas Street West.

There is street parking available in the area, but it may be limited during busy periods. Alternatively, there are several public parking lots nearby that offer hourly rates.

The cocktail bar and tapas bar & restaurant "Founder" is located in this area, but please note that these directions are not specifically for this establishment.

Opening Hours

Friday 17:00 - 01:00
Saturday 17:00 - 02:00

Alerts

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What people say

Founder, located on Dundas Street West in Toronto, is a must-visit for anyone looking for a unique dining and drinking experience. This modern bistro offers globally-inspired dishes and award-winning cocktails that are sure to impress even the most discerning palate.

One of the standout features of Founder is its bar program, led by Brad Gubbins who has worked at some of Toronto's top hotels and bars. The specialty cocktails are both creative and delicious, with options ranging from classic favorites to more adventurous choices like cucumber air. In addition to the cocktails, Founder also offers a carefully curated selection of local craft beers and Alsace-inspired wines.

The food program at Founder is equally impressive, with a menu that showcases the diverse flavors of Toronto. The dishes are offered in small, medium, and large sizes so you can mix and match to suit your appetite. Whether you're in the mood for tapas-style plates or heartier entrees, there's something for everyone on the menu.

But what really sets Founder apart is its intimate and comfortable atmosphere. The walls are adorned with artwork from local creators, adding to the overall ambiance of the space. It's the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a romantic date night.

Overall, Founder is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a unique dining and drinking experience in Toronto. With its creative cocktails, diverse menu, and welcoming atmosphere, it's no wonder why this bistro has become such a popular destination among locals and visitors alike.

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