Food was absolutely delicious and super filling. I loved the hashbrown in the breakfast, but it looked/tasted more like a rosti to me. The biscuit was also so buttery and soft and if I wasn't full to bursting I might've ordered an extra on the side to take home. We were too full to try the donuts but I heard those were good too. Overall the food is seasoned on the heavier side, so while it was tasty, it was a bit overly salty for me and if I think about my Asian parents, they're definitely not going to enjoy the heavy flavours of everything lol.

We came on a random Monday noon, so it wasn't full but we were seated at the bar as a walk-in. We didn't know there was an online waitlist to sit at the booths, so that's good to remember for next time. I heard it gets super busy otherwise so we were quite lucky we didn't actually have to wait for a seat, but the bar seating was a bit uncomfy due to no backrest and no real place to put our coats.

the food is great, but i feel like i’ve had better, more satisfying diner food for cheaper. i’m not sure i tOTALLY understand why there’s always a huge line , but hey i still enjoyed it !

the only thing that was TRULY remarkable were their biscuits, especially with their maple-y sweet, whipped, airy butter lathered all over. the biscuit was warm, soooo fluffy and soft on the inside, with a good crunch on the outside. a truly perfect biscuit.

the og patty melt was delicious too, with a flavourful, sweet relish that really stood out. the meat was juicy and moist, the bread was nicely toasted and thick (maybe a bit too thick at the edges?), and the cheese sauce was subtle and not overpowering. the potato salad on the side was creamy, a bit tangy/pickly, and sweet.

the hashbrown was quite good too, i enjoyed how the creamy and light mayo made it taste not too greasy, and there was a good freshness from the green onions too. the top was slightly crispy, but otherwise it was more like soft, shredded potato.

the meatloaf dinner didn’t stand out to me too much, it was just decent. it had a strong savoury, heavy meaty taste — kinda like a beef meatball — and i would’ve liked a bit more of the sweet jam to balance it out? the pickles on the side were good though, much sweeter than normal. it was also my first time trying grits, and at first i thought they were just really creamy mashed potatoes, but they were actually more like porridge-like grains with a subtler, milder flavour. not bad !

The food was quality diner food. I ordered the meatloaf dinner and it was a healthy portion. Two peppery pieces of meatloaf that had a nice crust on the exterior and a moist interior. The savoury jam and pickle cut the richness of the potatoes and meat nicely. The biscuit was crispy on the outside with a fluffy interior.

The atmosphere was classic diner. They have a few booths that can seat up to 4, and two that seat 2 people. There are 4 stools for bar dining. Two single use bathrooms on the main floor for accessibility.

The service was alright. We were slow to be seated and they were slow to take our order. We had to ask for anything we wanted, such as a drink to start and any refills. Staff were polite but, overall, service could have been more friendly and warm.

The diner came on my radar from Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list. Good place for brunch or lunch. Good vibe and food. Staff is pleasant. I'm glad they had an online waitlist - had to wait for 2+ hrs even first thing in the morning. Southern style breakfast with biscuits was delicious. Worth exploring at least once in my opinion.

A few things that could be better - salads served with sandwiches are same as all other restaurants so it felt basic for this place. They can be clearer that they have only 7 tables and a bar with the limited seating, which might help people assess how long it might take to get their table through the waitlist.

White Lily Diner absolutely blew me away. We started with the broccoli salad and radicchio salad — both were out of this world. The dressings were so well-balanced and flavorful, especially the radicchio one, which I think was a seasonal special — crisp, fresh, and perfectly dressed.

Then came the salmon toast, which might honestly be one of the best bites I’ve had all year. The bread itself was incredible — crusty, chewy, and full of flavor — topped with smashed capers and olive oil that brought everything together beautifully.

For mains, our table had the meatloaf dinner, Reuben, patty melt, and hot turkey dinner. I was lucky enough to try a bit of everything, and there wasn’t a single miss. Every dish tasted like it was made with care — rich, comforting, and layered with flavor. I also tried a side of sausage, which had this amazing peppery kick that stood out in the best way.

The music and overall vibe were perfect — that classic diner feel but elevated, with an energy that just makes you want to stay longer. Our server was fantastic — attentive, friendly, and really added to the experience.

And just when I thought it couldn’t get better, we finished with their house-made donuts — absolutely divine. Light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet — the ideal ending to an already unforgettable meal.

White Lily Diner is the kind of place that reminds you why eating out can be such a joy. Whether you’re coming with friends, family, or on a date, it’s a total win. Every bite was a moment of pure happiness.

White Lily Diner hits the sweet spot for comfort food with flair, well worth a stop if you’re in Toronto and craving a diner experience done right.

So yummy! Had the southern breakfast and it was to die for. Their biscuits are a must. Easy street parking and great service

This is a gem of a spot! We came here for lunch. When we arrived there was a few minutes wait as it's a small restaurant. There is outdoor seating but the skies were threatening rain.

Everything on the menu was appealing so we decided to try a few things to share. Oh my goodness was it delicious! Quality, fresh ingredients with generous portions. We tried the sweet potato salad, pimento cheese with sourdough toast & pickles, farm salad & buttermilk biscuits with jam. Our eyes were bigger than our stomach so we brought the rest home.

The staff were incredibly friendly and made us feel right at home.

Do yourself a favour and eat here. Doesn't hurt that it's now been added to the Michelin Guide for Toronto!

Outstanding fresh food with bold flavour combinations. The OG patty melt was delicious. My companions ordered the chicken and dumplings and smoked turkey and loved it as well. One waitress very efficiently handled all the tables and patio. Impressive

I have not been east of the Don in many years but had the chance to use GOOGLE REVIEWS to see which restaurants along Queen East had some great ones....and I can understand why T HE WHITE LILY was one of the highest.
A great little shopfront in the gentrifying area which serves up some beautiful food with terrific HOMEMADE cooking and flavours.
Warmly greeted by the ebullient HAYLEY who recommended the delicious (and FILLING!!) STEAK AND EGGS on hash browns($28) and some tangy chutney made in-house. The steak was a gorgeous 8 oz. and cooked perfectly to my request as were the eggs.
I was too late for the cruller donuts but did manage to get a cinnamon.
A bit on the high side for pricing but the quality of the food from the kitchen makes it worthwhile.