Server assistant, called busser, food runner, or back server depending on the venue, is the most common entry point into Toronto restaurant work. No prior experience is often required, and it's the standard path to a full server role. These Toronto restaurants are actively hiring right now.
Toronto restaurants currently hiring server assistants
Sourced from Indeed Canada as of May 11, 2026. Entry-level roles fill fast, apply the same week you find them.
Sofia
ItalianSofia is INK Entertainment's Italian fine-dining room in Toronto, known for its dramatic interior, curated art collection, and a refined approach to Italian cuisine, quality-sourced ingredients, a strong wine program, and consistent premium service. Servers join a cross-trained team with access to opportunities across INK's full portfolio of Toronto venues, which includes some of the city's highest-profile hospitality properties. The restaurant hires on a full-time, part-time, and co-op basis. Smart Serve is required before the first shift; Food Handler Certification is an asset. INK offers training and development programs, dining discounts, early event access, and enrollment in their Perkopolis perk program. Server assistant roles are also available for those entering FOH service.
Jump (Oliver & Bonacini)
ContemporaryJump Restaurant, operated by Oliver & Bonacini, is a sleek and long-running fine-dining room at Commerce Court West in Toronto's Financial District, one of the city's most established business dining destinations. The O&B group operates more than twenty restaurants across Canada and is one of the country's most recognized hospitality companies. The server assistant role at Jump supports servers by managing table cleanliness, running food, and maintaining floor readiness through service. Pay is $17.60/hr plus shared gratuities. Smart Serve certification is required. Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage with enhanced mental health provisions, a discounted gym membership, Employee Assistance Program access, and a 50% dining discount at all O&B locations for you and up to three guests. Flexible evening, weekend, and holiday availability is required.
Seoul Gamjatang
KoreanSeoul Gamjatang is a busy, high-volume Korean restaurant in downtown Toronto with a well-established customer base and a fast-paced dining room. The busser and server assistant role is genuinely entry-level, no prior restaurant experience is required, and full training is provided. Responsibilities cover the core of server support: clearing and resetting tables, organizing dishes and utensils, assisting servers during service, and maintaining cleanliness across the dining area. Pay is $17.20/hr plus tips. Part-time scheduling is available; the specific schedule is discussed during the interview. To apply, submit through Indeed or contact the restaurant by phone or text at 647-354-0267. This is a solid entry point for anyone looking to break into Toronto's restaurant industry without prior FOH experience.
Vaticano
ItalianVaticano is a fine-dining Italian restaurant in Yorkville, built around the cooking of celebrity chef Felice Vacca, whose menu draws on family recipes elevated with a modern touch. The room targets an upscale dining experience, romantic dinners, celebrations, and high-end Italian hospitality. The busser role at Vaticano is above entry-level: a minimum of two years of busser experience in an upscale or high-end setting is required, along with strong knowledge of table settings and service flow in fine dining. Pay is $18–$20/hr, notably above the industry standard for server assistant roles, reflecting the service level expected. Flexible evening, weekend, and holiday availability is required. Professional appearance and composed, attentive demeanour are firm expectations.
Takja BBQ House
Korean BBQTakja BBQ House is ranked No. 46 in Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, one of the most recognized Korean BBQ venues in the country. The Toronto location runs a high-energy dining room with strong service standards and consistent volume. The server assistant role is part-time and designed to support servers through food delivery, table maintenance, and maintaining cleanliness across the dining area. The restaurant is looking for candidates with at least one year of hospitality experience, a strong work ethic, and availability for three days per week including evenings and weekends. Pay is $17.20/hr plus a competitive tip pool. Benefits include discounted and free food, and genuine advancement opportunities exist for server assistants who want to grow within the team.
Server assistant as a path to serving
Most servers in Toronto start as bussers or server assistants. The role lets you learn the floor layout, the menu, the rhythm of service, and how to read a dining room without the pressure of managing tables solo. Many venues promote internally, it's faster than applying externally because managers already know your work ethic and reliability. Once you're serving, the pay difference is significant: servers take a larger share of the tip pool and manage their own sections. If you're looking at active server openings in parallel, see our full list of Toronto restaurants hiring servers.
Frequently asked questions
What does a server assistant actually do?
Server assistants support servers by clearing and resetting tables, running food from the kitchen to guests, refilling water, and maintaining cleanliness across the dining room. The specific duties vary by venue, food runners focus on kitchen-to-table delivery, bussers focus on table turnover.
How much do server assistants earn in Toronto?
Server assistants typically earn Ontario's minimum wage (currently $17.60/hr) plus a share of the tip pool. Tip pool shares for assistants are smaller than what servers earn directly. Fine-dining venues like Vaticano pay above minimum ($18–$20/hr) to reflect higher service standards.
Do server assistants need Smart Serve in Ontario?
Yes if the venue serves alcohol, which most restaurants do. Many employers require Smart Serve even for server assistants. Get it online through the AGCO before applying, it typically takes a few hours and costs around $35.
Is server assistant work a path to becoming a server?
Yes, most Toronto servers started as bussers or food runners. The role teaches floor awareness, menu knowledge, and service rhythm before taking on full server responsibilities. Many venues promote from within over hiring externally.
Do you need experience to get a server assistant job?
Many venues will hire entry-level with no prior restaurant experience, Seoul Gamjatang explicitly states no experience is required and offers full training. Higher-end rooms like Vaticano and Jump (O&B) prefer two or more years of upscale dining experience for the busser role.