Air Canada Terminal Pearson – Toronto Airport
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Stuck in Transit? What to do in the Air Canada Terminal Pearson – Toronto Airport
Unless you’re running to catch a close connection, you’ll find the Air Canada Terminal Pearson at the Toronto, Ontario International Airport a bit isolated from the rest of the airport, securely cut off by security checkpoints and limited to a handful of shops, restaurants, and gates with not nearly enough seating for the size of planes flying out of the terminal. The Pearson Terminal has enough interesting spots, though, to keep you busy for a few hours, at least. And if you don’t want to just sit and watch people while your phone recharges, take our advice and check out public art installations like “Tilted Spheres” (the piece had to be installed before the roof of Terminal 1 could be finished), eat Udon Noodles at Lee Kitchen, and sip a glass of wine under one of the more interesting chandeliers made up of brightly-colored hand-blown glass and steel at Marathi Wine Bar. (“With ipads at every seat, you can browse the Internet and enjoy a snack while you wait for your flight.”)
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#1: Air Canada Terminal Pearson – “Tilted Spheres”
“Tilted Spheres,” the four massive, curved steel sheets created by artist Richard Serra in 2004, had to be installed before the walls and roof of Terminal 1 could be completed. The towering steel wings curve inward overhead, creating both a visual barrier from the surrounding gates and a large echo chamber. Vancouver may have more indigenous, first nation Haida installations. Toronto’s “Tilted Spheres,” though, are perhaps the largest and most impressive public art in Canadian airports because of their size, shape, and the space they create below the enormous steel wings.
#2: Air Canada Terminal Pearson – Marathi Restaurant
Just past “Tilted Spheres” to the left, you’ll find the open yet cozy Marathi Restaurant, beneath a black steel gridwork and multi-colored hand-blown glass light fixtures. The restaurant features a variety of naan paninis (how’s THAT for fusion?!), curry bowls, and samosas. We recommend both the food and the wine selection here, unless you have time for a meal at Lee Kitchen and a glass of wine at Marathi. Either way, you can’t go wrong with Marathi’s drink and food menus, whether you’re grabbing something in a hurry or have a little more time to sit and enjoy.
#3: Air Canada Terminal Pearson – Lee Kitchen
Our third and final recommendation when visiting Terminal 1 at the Toronto International Airport is chef Susur Lee’s Restaurant, Lee Kitchen. Lee Kitchen is the highest rated of all restaurants in Terminal 1, and offers a combination of traditional dim sum, curry dishes, and Asian-fusion creations. Lee has restaurants in Toronto and Singapore, and it’s worth a sit-down visit to the Pearson Airport restaurant, as well. I tried the beef with shrimp wonton udon noodle bowl, and it was better than the salad that Michelle tried.
That is really great high technology in terminals. Will check more about this. Being a traveler it has a big impact when terminals or airport have a good policy and service.
I love seeing terminals from all over the world. Thank you for sharing!
Wow..it seems like you had great time…airports play such an important role in traveling because from that place the whole journey begins…and this airport looks very interesting and amazing!
It’s really nice when airports have good places to go to when you get stuck. Ours is one of the worst so it’s always not a good place to be stuck at.
This has a super high technology look. I’ll definitely check out more of this.
Sometimes those layovers can be tough to fill the time. Spending it with others is helpful. I like your list of ideas. And I also like that many airports now have some sort of interesting things to look at and enjoy as we pass the time.
What a lovely terminal. Sometimes a nice terminal can total make or break your travel.
I miss airports. I often save some with connection flights and I love hanging out in the airport, it always somehow make me feel happy. I enjoy it so I don’t mind. Great guide!
For me, the best thing about traveling is the airport of other countries 🙂 The place is huge and it looks like you can get lost with the amount of activities to do.
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