White Lily Diner brings all-day classics to Riverside

Photo: Dean Seguin

White Lily Diner has opened its doors at Queen and Broadview in Riverside.

The duo behind White Lily — Ben Denham, former chef de cuisine at Electric Mud BBQ, and his partner Ashley Lloyd — have transformed a former catering kitchen into a fully handicap-accessible, licenced establishment that's serving breakfast, lunch and dinner five days a week.  

"The food is inspired by classic American diner and comfort food with a focus on farm-to-table and seasonality," Denham says. "Expect all-day breakfasts, lunch deli classics, and fresh home cooking for dinner."

All-day breakfasts include the White Lily Standard of bacon, two eggs, hashbrowns and toast for $10, or you can sink into griddle cakes made with cottage cheese, corn, scallion, maple syrup and sweet butter for $9. 

Lunch classics include a pastrami sandwich ($14), turkey club ($13) and smoked fish platter ($14/$22). 

Dinner is offered from 5 p.m. on and features old school diner favourites like steak and onions ($16/$28), pork chop with apple mostarda and sunny egg $14) and a vegeterian entree of kabocha squash with pear, bitter lettuce, pecans and cottage cheese for $15.

White Lily Diner is baking its own bread as well as fermenting its own cucumbers and mustards.

The decor stays true to the classic diner style. Comfortable booths line the walls while an eat-in counter and bar stools on the opposite side offers an open pass to the kitchen.

"Expect open shelving displaying retail offerings and merchandise down the road," De nham says.

White Lily Diner is now open at 678 Queen St. E from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Visit whitelilydiner.ca for more information and to check out the full menu.