The Fifth Grill & Terrace
Entertainment District · year-round rooftop · 225 Richmond St W, 5th floor
- Address
- 225 Richmond St W, Suite 501 (5th floor)
- Entrance
- Alleyway on Duncan, then freight elevator
- Area
- Entertainment District
- Format
- Upscale dining + rooftop terrace bar
- Cuisine
- Modern Italian & Mediterranean
- Terrace
- Open year-round (heated)
- Hours
- Thu-Sat dinner from 6:30pm
- Dress code
- Smart casual to business casual
- Price range
- $$$$
- Reservations
- Strongly recommended (OpenTable)
- Phone
- (416) 979-3005
- Group
- The Fifth Group (also operates Fifth Social Club below)
Know before you go
The entrance is theatre. 225 Richmond W is the building address; the entry is in the alleyway on Duncan Street (south of Richmond). From the alley a concierge-operated freight elevator takes you to the 5th floor — deliberately old-school, period-detailed, part of the experience. Budget an extra 5 minutes to find it the first time. First-timers regularly walk around the block twice before finding the right door.
Year-round rooftop. Unusual for Toronto. The terrace is enclosed, heated, and weatherproofed — it operates through the winter while almost every other Toronto rooftop closes seasonally. December dinner with snow falling outside the windows is genuinely a thing here. The indoor dining room with wood-burning fireplace runs alongside.
Three nights only. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for dinner. Closed Sunday-Wednesday. The schedule mirrors The Fifth Social Club downstairs — both venues function as destination-weekend operations rather than weekday defaults. Book ahead.
The Fifth Group ecosystem. The building houses three Fifth Group venues stacked vertically: street-level Fifth Pub House & Cafe, ground floor / Suite 100 Fifth Social Club, and 5th-floor Fifth Grill & Terrace. Many groups use the building as a complete-night structure: dinner upstairs at the Grill, dancing downstairs at the Club.
Our take on The Fifth Grill & Terrace
The Fifth Grill is one of those Toronto rooms that doesn't get talked about enough. The format is unusual: a fifth-floor restaurant in a converted century-old warehouse, accessed by a period freight elevator through an alleyway, with a heated rooftop terrace that operates year-round. Most Toronto rooftops surrender to winter by Halloween. The Fifth's keeps going. December dinner on a heated rooftop with snow falling outside the windows is a Toronto thing only a handful of rooms can offer; this is one of them.
The cuisine has rotated across operators in the venue's 18+ year history — French in the early eras (Chef Didier Leroy, JP Challet), a steakhouse phase mid-decade (Brad Livergrant), the current modern Italian and Mediterranean lineup under Chef Robert Toppan. The room itself has stayed consistent: an inviting zinc bar, white-tablecloth dining tables, fire-side sofas in front of a wood-burning fireplace, eclectic decor that reads "old club" without trying too hard. The terrace adds the city-view dimension; the indoor space adds the cozy-bunker dimension. The combination works in either season.
Best for: Dinner before a night at The Fifth Social Club downstairs — literally one elevator ride between courses and bottle service. Anniversaries and milestone occasions wanting a unique setting (the freight elevator and rooftop are real conversation pieces). Winter rooftop dining when every other Toronto rooftop is closed. Business dinners where you want a memorable backdrop. Pre-show theatre dinner (Princess of Wales is 5 minutes' walk south).
Skip if: You want casual or fast or cheap — this is $$$$ slow dining. You want unfussy navigation — the freight elevator entrance is the venue's signature but it does take effort. You only want the rooftop — in winter you're paying for the experience and views, not patio weather. You want consistency — the cuisine has changed operators a few times over the years, so reader experiences vary; the venue's value is the experience as much as the food.
About The Fifth Grill & Terrace
The Fifth Grill & Terrace occupies the top floor of the century-old Gelber warehouse at 225 Richmond Street West — the same building that houses The Fifth Social Club at street level. The full Fifth Group complex stacks vertically through the building: street-level Fifth Pub House & Cafe, ground floor Fifth Social Club, 5th floor Fifth Grill & Terrace. Originally opened as a private members' club, the Grill transitioned to a public restaurant in its early years and has now run 18+ years in its current public format.
The space is a mix of preserved industrial bones (the Gelber warehouse's century-old beams, exposed brick on key walls) and refined hospitality finish. The dining room features a zinc bar — rare in Toronto, distinctive in feel — with sofas facing a wood-burning fireplace, white linen tablecloths, low lighting, and the kind of eclectic decor that reads as accumulated rather than designed. The rooftop terrace runs adjacent to the dining room, enclosed with weatherproofing and heating elements that keep it operational year-round. City skyline views from the terrace include glimpses of the CN Tower and the Entertainment District's surrounding buildings.
The cuisine has evolved with the operator. The early French era under Master Chef Didier Leroy positioned the venue as a destination fine-dining room. Later transitions through steakhouse (Brad Livergrant) and the current modern Italian / Mediterranean program (Chef Robert Toppan) have shifted the menu without changing the room's character. The current menu offers vegetarian and gluten-free options alongside the meat and seafood programs. The wine list runs deep with strong Italian and French selections; the cocktail list is short and classic-leaning.
Private events are a significant piece of the venue's business. Both the indoor dining room and the terrace are bookable for private use, with capacity flexible from intimate (10-15) to larger receptions (60-80 seated). The Fifth Group's event experience extends across the building — full-building buyouts combining the Grill, the Social Club, and the Pub House handle weddings and large corporate events.
Food & drinks
The cuisine. Current menu is modern Italian and Mediterranean under Chef Robert Toppan. Signature items vary seasonally but typically include house-made pasta, dry-aged steak, fresh seafood, and shareable starters. Vegetarian and gluten-free options consistently available. Average per-person dinner spend $80-$150 depending on wine.
The bar. The zinc bar in the dining room is the venue's most distinctive design feature — uncommon in Toronto, lending the room a European brasserie feel. The cocktail list is intentionally short and classic-leaning, focused on execution rather than novelty. The wine program is the venue's strength: deep Italian and French sections, several BTG options, sommelier service for full bottles.
The terrace. Year-round heated rooftop with city-skyline views. Smaller capacity than the indoor dining room. In summer the terrace operates as a cocktail-and-light-bites destination in addition to dinner service; in winter it shifts to a full dinner setting with the heating elements active.
Private dining. The dining room can be configured for private events of 10-80 seated. The terrace adds another 40-50 seated. Full-building buyouts combining the Grill with The Fifth Social Club downstairs available for weddings and large corporate functions. Contact The Fifth Group via thefifth.com or the venue phone (416) 979-3005.
The Fifth Grill location & how to get there
Address & entrance. 225 Richmond Street West, Suite 501 (5th floor). The entrance is NOT on Richmond — it's in the alleyway on Duncan Street, south of Richmond (the same alleyway entrance as The Fifth Social Club). From the alley you take a period concierge-operated freight elevator up to the 5th floor. The journey is intentional theatre and part of the experience.
TTC. St Andrew (Line 1 University, King & University) is 6 minutes' walk south. Osgoode (Line 1) is 5 minutes east. 504 King streetcar at King & Duncan is 5 minutes south. Last subway around 1:30am Monday-Saturday.
Parking. Street parking on Richmond, Duncan, and surrounding streets after 6pm. Underground garages: Richmond-Adelaide Centre, 401 Richmond, Metro Hall — all within 5 minutes' walk, $20-$35 for the night. No dedicated venue parking.
Uber / Lyft. Duncan Street works well as a pickup zone; less congested than King West proper.
Nearby venues. The Fifth Social Club is directly below in the same building. Story Toronto (electronic music, 100m south on Adelaide), Mia Toronto (hip-hop / afrobeats, 150m south), Grace O'Malley's (Irish pub, 50m south on Duncan). Princess of Wales Theatre is 5 minutes' walk south on King.
The Fifth Grill & Terrace FAQ
Where is The Fifth Grill & Terrace?
The Fifth Grill & Terrace is on the 5th floor of 225 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 1W2. The entrance is in the alleyway on Duncan Street, south of Richmond — same alley as The Fifth Social Club downstairs. From the alley you take a period concierge-operated freight elevator up to the 5th floor. Phone: (416) 979-3005. Closest TTC: St Andrew (Line 1, 6-minute walk).
Is The Fifth Grill & Terrace open year-round?
Yes — the rooftop terrace is heated and operates year-round. This makes it one of the few Toronto rooftops that doesn't close for winter. The terrace is enclosed and weatherproofed, with city skyline views maintained through the cold months. The indoor dining room with wood-burning fireplace and zinc bar runs year-round alongside the terrace.
What are The Fifth Grill & Terrace's hours?
Thursday through Saturday for dinner, typically 6:30pm until late. Closed Sunday through Wednesday. The limited operating days mirror The Fifth Social Club downstairs — both venues run as weekend destinations rather than daily operations. Reservations required, especially for prime weekend slots.
What cuisine does The Fifth Grill & Terrace serve?
The current menu (under Chef Robert Toppan, per OpenTable listing) is modern Italian and Mediterranean. The venue's history includes a French cuisine era (Chef Didier Leroy and JP Challet) and a steakhouse era (Chef Brad Livergrant) — the room has reinvented itself across operators over its 18+ year history. Current menu offers vegetarian and gluten-free options. Wine list extensive, cocktail list curated and tight.
What's the dress code at The Fifth Grill & Terrace?
Smart casual to business casual. Less strict than The Fifth Social Club downstairs (which enforces upscale dress) but in keeping with the white-tablecloth atmosphere. No specific bans like the club has — jeans and clean shoes work. Don't show up in athletic wear or shorts in winter; the venue's tone is special-occasion.
Are reservations required at The Fifth Grill & Terrace?
Yes — strongly recommended. The venue is small (intimate dining room plus terrace seating) and only operates Thursday-Saturday, so prime slots fill ahead. Book via OpenTable or phone (416) 979-3005. For private events the venue hosts up to 80 seated, more for cocktail receptions; contact via The Fifth Group directly.
How is The Fifth Grill different from The Fifth Social Club?
Same building, different floors, different identities. The Fifth Social Club (Suite 100, street level) is a 21+ nightclub-style bar operating Friday-Saturday with bottle service, DJ programming, and an 800-cap dance floor. The Fifth Grill & Terrace (5th floor) is an upscale restaurant and rooftop terrace operating Thursday-Saturday with a white-tablecloth dining program. Many guests combine both — dinner at the Grill, drinks/dancing at the Club downstairs. The Fifth Group operates both.
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How we verify this page
We build venue pages from a mix of the venue's official information, established Toronto sources, public review trends, and reader feedback.
- Address & venue details: The Fifth Group corporate site (thefifth.com), OpenTable listing (accessed May 2026), Tripadvisor (2025 reviews active).
- Operating hours and seasonality: Trip.com Restaurant listing, OpenTable hours data.
- Cuisine and Chef: Current (modern Italian/Mediterranean, Chef Robert Toppan): OpenTable + TripTap. Historical (French, steakhouse): blogTO archived listing (2009), GAYOT restaurant guide, Tripadvisor reviews.
- Layout, fireplace, zinc bar, terrace heating: Yellow Pages venue listing, Film Friendly Locations description (June 2025).
- Reader feedback: Aggregated Tripadvisor 2025 reviews (mixed but predominantly positive for special occasions).
- Group relationship: The Fifth Group complex documentation linking the Grill, Social Club, and Pub House.
- Note: One outdated source (UltimateHappyHours, December 2021) lists the venue as "Permanently Closed" — this appears to be a stale tag; current OpenTable, Tripadvisor 2025, and venue website all show active operations.