Do you live in Toronto? Would you like a free drink or free dessert on your birthday?
If so, then you’re in luck! Many restaurants, cafes, bars, and even retail stores offer a free “birthday gift” to customers on their special day. Even though the gifts are usually small, they can help you save money, eat for free, or give you a free cup of joe on your way to work.
Below, I’ll list some of the best free birthday stuff in Toronto so that you can cash in on your rewards!
How To Get Your Free Birthday Gift In Toronto
As Toronto’s small businesses continue to recover from the global pandemic, many have been looking for innovative ways to bring new customers in the door and remind old customers that they’re still in business.
Classic advertising solutions are often the best, though.
One of the most time-tested methods of bringing customers in the door is to offer a giveaway or simply give out free stuff to new and returning customers. With so many small businesses in the city competing for your business, it’s no wonder why you can find so many birthday freebies in Toronto.
From a free birthday dessert to a free birthday drink and free burger, all you need to do to claim your gift is show up and tell the clerk or server that it’s your birthday.
In the past, all you had to do was show your ID with your birthday on it.
Today, however, many businesses may require you to download their app or join their loyalty program prior to your birthday in order to cash in on your reward.
Once your birthday month hits, you should receive an email or in-app notification informing you of your available rewards.
- Related Reading: Birthday Freebies In Vancouver
Top Birthday Freebies In Toronto
If you plan it right, you could spend an entire day in the city getting treated to free food, drinks, and more. Even if you’re busy or working, though, it’s still nice to treat yourself to at least one free birthday coupon.
Here are some of the best birthday freebies in Toronto to help you make the most of your day.
1. Chatime
- Free Item(s): Bubble tea or handcrafted drink
- Locations In Toronto: 17
With 17 locations in the city, Chatime is Toronto’s top destination for bubble tea. The cafe offers various handcrafted drinks ranging from vibrant, fruity bubble teas to sweet, caffeinated milk teas and more. In addition to Chatime’s signature drinks, you can also create your own custom drink by choosing:
- Your tea base
- Your choice of milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- Sweetness level
- How much ice you want
- The type of boba you want
Once you’re enrolled in Chatime’s customer loyalty program, you’ll be able to use your app to get a free drink on your birthday. The tea house’s drinks typically cost anywhere from $5 to $10, depending on how you customize them, so this is an excellent freebie.
2. The Alley
- Free Item(s): Bubble tea
- Locations In Toronto: 15
Why stop at one free bubble tea when you can have two?
The Alley is a Toronto-based bubble tea shop selling signature and personalized milk and fruit teas. To get your free birthday drink, simply join The Alley’s customer loyalty program, and visit one of the 15 locations in the Greater Toronto Area.
3. Starbucks – Free Drink
- Free Item(s): Free handcrafted drink
- Locations In Toronto: 135+
With over 135 locations in Toronto, there’s practically a Starbucks on every corner. As a member of the Starbucks rewards program, you’re entitled to a free handcrafted drink on your birthday.
Unlike some loyalty programs, which only offer a few select (cheap) freebies to choose from, Starbucks lets you customize your drink however you like.
If you wanted to add seven extra shots of espresso and make it a $15 drink, it’s still 100% free.
All you have to do is scan the QR code on your Starbucks rewards app at the checkout counter. If your order has multiple drinks, then the most expensive drink will be taken off of the receipt.
Note – you may not be able to redeem this reward at certain third-party Starbucks locations, such as those located in airports, grocery stores, or bookstores.
4. Tim Hortons
- Free Item(s): Free drink or breakfast sandwich
- Locations In Toronto: 160+
Tim Hortons is one of my favourite Canadian fast food spots to grab breakfast at. It’s hard to beat the bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich with a piping hot coffee on a cold winter morning!
As a Tim Hortons loyalty program member, you’ll get a free drink or a free sandwich (whichever you choose) on your birthday.
If it’s your birthday morning, I’d swing by Starbucks for your free coffee and then stop by Tim Hortons for your free breakfast sandwich. That way, your entire breakfast is free on your birthday.
5. Baskin Robbins
- Free Item(s): Free ice cream
- Locations In Toronto: 14
Looking for a free dessert or afternoon treat? Previously, customers were entitled to a buy-one-get-one-free deal on soft-serve ice cream on their birthday. However, Baskin Robbins recently changed its birthday freebie to a free cone.
You can choose from a kids’ scoop or a free 3 oz. soft serve ice cream. This is a great reward for those with summer birthdays.
6. Kettleman’s Bagels
- Free Item(s): Bagels
- Locations In Toronto: 1
Do you like bagels? If so, you’ve got to try one of the Montreal-style bagels at Kettleman’s Bagels. This bagel bakery has been in business since the 90s and bakes 1,200+ fresh bagels every single day, so you never have to worry about getting stale, old bagels.
As a member of the loyalty program, you’ll get a free half-dozen bagels on your birthday, which is more than enough to share with your friends and family (or the office).
Note – you must sign up for the loyalty program at least 30 days prior to your birthday to get the reward.
7. What a Bagel
Free Item(s): Bagels
- Locations In Toronto: 3
If a dozen donuts from Kettleman’s Bagels isn’t enough to satisfy your cravings, stop by What a Bagel on your birthday and take advantage of its buy-six-get-six-free deal on your birthday. While it’s not 100% free, 50% off isn’t a bad deal either.
8. Mr. Sub
- Free Item(s): Sub sandwich
- Locations In Toronto: 1
Do you like your subs toasted or cold? No matter how you like it and what toppings you prefer, members of the Mr. Sub rewards program are entitled to a free sub on their birthday. There’s only one Mr. Sub location in downtown Toronto, but it’s still a great way to get free lunch.
9. South St. Burger
- Free Item(s): Free burger
- Locations In Toronto: 3
If you’re looking for a great burger in Toronto, it’s hard to beat the South St. Burger joint. All of its burgers are made with 100% Angus beef from Canadian cows, and the restaurant’s list of burger recipes is enough to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
On your birthday, you’ll receive a buy-one-get-one-free burger coupon, valid for up to 14 days after your birthday, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this birthday freebie with a friend.
Just make sure you sign up for South St. Burger’s loyalty program at least three days before your birthday to ensure that you get your coupon.
10. KFC – Kentucky Fried Chicken
- Free Item(s): Popcorn chicken
- Locations In Toronto: 19
Do you prefer fried chicken to burgers or a sub? If so, you can’t go wrong with some good old-fashioned KFC. If you sign up for the KFC app, you’ll get a free popcorn chicken coupon on your birthday that you can use for up to 30 days after your birthday.
11. Medieval Times
- Free Item(s): Medieval experience
- Locations In Toronto: 1
How would you like to watch a real-life jousting tournament while you feast like a king? Medieval Times is Toronto’s only medieval-themed restaurant and experience, and guests are entitled to free admission on their birthday.
To receive free admission, you must purchase one regular admission ticket for another guest and show the host your ID to verify your birthday.
12. Kelsey’s Original Roadhouse – Free Dessert
- Free Item(s): Dessert of your choice
- Locations In Toronto: 3
Kelsey’s is known for its American-style food, including burgers, steaks, buffalo chicken, wraps, and more.
While you won’t get a free meal, you can cash in on a free dessert on your birthday, as long as you’re dining in at one of Kelsey’s three Toronto locations. Just show the server your ID with your birthday, and they’ll let you know which desserts you can choose from.
13. Red Lobster
- Free Item(s): Appetizer
- Locations In Toronto: 2
Red Lobster may not be the best seafood restaurant in Toronto, which is evident in the chain’s recent closures throughout North America. However, it does have some really good appetizers. My favourites are:
- Crab-stuffed shrimp rangoon
- Fried calamari
- Seafood mushrooms
If you sign up for Red Lobster’s “Fresh Catch News” (its loyalty program) at least ten days before your birthday, you’ll receive a coupon for a free appetizer that you can use for your birthday. If nothing else, this coupon is a good way to grab a tasty to-go snack on your way to the birthday festivities.
14. Boston Pizza
- Free Item(s): Dessert
- Locations In Toronto: 10+
If you sign up for the myBP rewards program, you’ll get a birthday coupon that you can redeem for a free dessert of your choice.
I know, I know, there’s nothing more generic than a birthday pizza party… Personally, I’m more of a fan of Boston Pizza’s pasta than I am of the chain’s pizza itself. The desserts are incredible, though, and my favourite is the Chocolate Explosion Cheesecake.
15. Sephora
- Free Item(s): Makeup or skincare product
- Locations In Toronto: 7
Sephora is one of the largest beauty suppliers in Canada and has seven dedicated locations in Toronto carrying all of the latest products as well as time-tested favourites.
Once you join Sephora’s Beauty Insider program, you’ll receive an annual birthday freebie to redeem in a store. The freebie changes every year and is subject to product availability.
Sometimes, the freebies are one of the more expensive products, so it’s a great time to try something new.
16. Trapped
- Free Item(s): Escape game ticket
- Locations In Toronto: 1
Once you’re finished eating all of the free food and desserts on this list, it’s time to have some fun. Trapped is one of Toronto’s top destinations for escape games and features several escape rooms with ever-changing themes to keep new customers entertained.
On your birthday, you’re entitled to a free escape room ticket, which is a great way to spend an hour.
That being said, escape rooms are the most fun when you have people to share the experience with. Unless you’re a super-genius, there’s no way you’ll be able to find all of the clues before time’s up. While your ticket may be free, your friends will need to pay for theirs’.
Alternatively, if you’re going solo, you can join somebody else’s group, and your ticket will still be free.
17. IHOP
- Free Item(s): Pancakes
- Locations In Toronto: 1
It’s hard to say no to a stack of pancakes, no matter the time of day. At the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), pancakes and other breakfast favourites are served all day.
As long as you join the IHOP rewards program at least seven days before your birthday, you’ll receive a coupon that you can redeem for a full stack of pancakes on your birthday.
18. Wok of Fame
- Free Item(s): Free buffet meal
- Locations In Toronto: 1
When it comes to birthday freebies in Toronto, most restaurants only offer a small treat. If you’re looking for something that will really fill you up, though, Wok of Fame has you covered.
As long as you bring three paying adults on your birthday, you’re entitled to a free birthday buffet ticket, which means that you can eat as much as you want. This is easily one of the best birthday deals on this list.
How To Maximize Your Birthday Freebies In Toronto
If you want to qualify for the most rewards and ensure that your entire birthday is full of free stuff, it really helps to sign up for rewards programs with your favourite restaurants, cafes, and retailers.
Here’s a pro tip: set up a dedicated email address for your rewards programs. This will keep your personal email inbox clean and free from neverending promotional emails while still allowing you to redeem the more valuable coupons you receive (such as birthday freebies).
Looking for even more birthday freebies that you can get throughout the country? Keep on reading to see my ultimate list of the best birthday freebies in Canada!
