Alex's Guidebook
Food Scene
Our fav dinner spot on Roncy (also open for lunch)! Excellent wood-fired pizzas and pastas, great roasted veggie sides, wonderful service (can get busy but they're on it!), friendly neighbourhood spot and a 1-minute walk from High Park House. Doesn't take reservations, but have a drink at bar or in line if have to wait. We always have had a great experience here. What could be better?
69 residents recomanen
Pizzeria Defina
321 Roncesvalles AveOur fav dinner spot on Roncy (also open for lunch)! Excellent wood-fired pizzas and pastas, great roasted veggie sides, wonderful service (can get busy but they're on it!), friendly neighbourhood spot and a 1-minute walk from High Park House. Doesn't take reservations, but have a drink at bar or in line if have to wait. We always have had a great experience here. What could be better?
OK - so my personal fav for amazing croissants and other delectable items to go with whatever you ask the Barista to whip up for you! Note - cash only.
86 residents recomanen
Cherry Bomb Coffee
79 Roncesvalles AveOK - so my personal fav for amazing croissants and other delectable items to go with whatever you ask the Barista to whip up for you! Note - cash only.
Amazing croissants, breads, small but very good selection of take-away foods and delicious desserts. And right across the street from High Park House.
69 residents recomanen
Mabel's Bakery & Specialty Foods
323 Roncesvalles AveAmazing croissants, breads, small but very good selection of take-away foods and delicious desserts. And right across the street from High Park House.
Excellent coffee with very experienced baristas. Some tables are shared or maybe you'll get a seat at the high top table in the window. Small selection of good baked goods.
40 residents recomanen
Lit Espresso Bar
221 Roncesvalles AveExcellent coffee with very experienced baristas. Some tables are shared or maybe you'll get a seat at the high top table in the window. Small selection of good baked goods.
All-day breakfast! Old style diner open 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. every day of the week. You want bacon, sausages, omelettes, and eggs any style? Go here! Not chi-chi, but will fill you up!
16 residents recomanen
Aris Place
229 Roncesvalles AveAll-day breakfast! Old style diner open 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. every day of the week. You want bacon, sausages, omelettes, and eggs any style? Go here! Not chi-chi, but will fill you up!
The Whole Plate
83 Roncesvalles AveGood take out!
Our fav sushi spot on Roncesvalles, and a 1 minute walk across the street. Back patio when weather permits. Also do takeout.
16 residents recomanen
Sushi On Roncy
293 Roncesvalles AveOur fav sushi spot on Roncesvalles, and a 1 minute walk across the street. Back patio when weather permits. Also do takeout.
More substantial cafe fare - soups, sandwiches, salads. Can eat in or take away. Owners originally from New Zealand, and somehow have ended up on Roncesvalles Avenue - we're so glad they did!
13 residents recomanen
Fantail
333 Roncesvalles AveMore substantial cafe fare - soups, sandwiches, salads. Can eat in or take away. Owners originally from New Zealand, and somehow have ended up on Roncesvalles Avenue - we're so glad they did!
Pretty good mid-Eastern food for casual eating in or take away. Popular local spot with patio at the side in good weather. Across the street from High Park House.
14 residents recomanen
Lebanon Express
327 Roncesvalles AvePretty good mid-Eastern food for casual eating in or take away. Popular local spot with patio at the side in good weather. Across the street from High Park House.
Very popular smokehouse with delicious food, generally very good service. Can get very busy - reservations required. Side patio. Good for brunch too.
133 residents recomanen
Barque Smokehouse
299 Roncesvalles AveVery popular smokehouse with delicious food, generally very good service. Can get very busy - reservations required. Side patio. Good for brunch too.
Causal, very good cuban inspired food. Table or counter service, and patio in back open in great weather.
178 residents recomanen
La Cubana
392 Roncesvalles AveCausal, very good cuban inspired food. Table or counter service, and patio in back open in great weather.
Very casual, friendly neighbourhood spot with typical bar food. Lots of booths and small patio out front.
50 residents recomanen
Gabby's
2076 Queen St EVery casual, friendly neighbourhood spot with typical bar food. Lots of booths and small patio out front.
Tim's, Timmies, whatever you call it, it's a bit of a Canadian institution. Fast food coffee shop with some baked goods (muffins, bagels, donuts) and a few other items - Canadians love their Tim's!
497 residents recomanen
Tim Hortons
120 Fort York BlvdTim's, Timmies, whatever you call it, it's a bit of a Canadian institution. Fast food coffee shop with some baked goods (muffins, bagels, donuts) and a few other items - Canadians love their Tim's!
Need your Starbuck's? Closest one to High Park House is about a 6 - 7 minute walk north at the corner of Roncesvalles and Dundas Street West. Small-ish inside seating, a few seats on outside patio at very busy corner, weather permitting.
333 residents recomanen
Starbucks
2E Spadina Ave.Need your Starbuck's? Closest one to High Park House is about a 6 - 7 minute walk north at the corner of Roncesvalles and Dundas Street West. Small-ish inside seating, a few seats on outside patio at very busy corner, weather permitting.
A new spot that opened in August 2018. Haven't been there myself but seems to be getting good crowds and like to see new places thrive. Offers 1/2 price wine nights and $1/oyster nights.
Stamp’s Lane East Coast Eatery
371 Roncesvalles AvenueA new spot that opened in August 2018. Haven't been there myself but seems to be getting good crowds and like to see new places thrive. Offers 1/2 price wine nights and $1/oyster nights.
Great long bar and some window seats for taking in the Roncesvalles life. Casual Italian with multi-levels, bigger than most of the other restaurants on Roncy so can handle larger groups.
19 residents recomanen
Lambretta Pizzeria
89 Roncesvalles AveGreat long bar and some window seats for taking in the Roncesvalles life. Casual Italian with multi-levels, bigger than most of the other restaurants on Roncy so can handle larger groups.
Very popular breakfast spot! About a 15 min walk or 5 min streetcar ride south of High Park House on Queen Street, just east of Roncesvalles on the south side of the street.
57 residents recomanen
Easy Restaurant
1645 Queen St WVery popular breakfast spot! About a 15 min walk or 5 min streetcar ride south of High Park House on Queen Street, just east of Roncesvalles on the south side of the street.
Dil Se Indian Restaurant & Bar
335 Roncesvalles AvenueParks & Nature
It's Toronto largest urban park and it's only a 10 minute walk away. Plus its south end is right at Lake Ontario where you can walk on the boardwalk for kilometers in either direction. Has a very casual restaurant in the Park called the Grenadier if you need some re-charging!
1205 residents recomanen
High Park
1873 Bloor St WIt's Toronto largest urban park and it's only a 10 minute walk away. Plus its south end is right at Lake Ontario where you can walk on the boardwalk for kilometers in either direction. Has a very casual restaurant in the Park called the Grenadier if you need some re-charging!
Great boardwalk to walk when weather is nice in any season (including winter!!). Huge pool open to the public in the summer. Gets busy when very hot.
128 residents recomanen
Sunnyside Beach
Great boardwalk to walk when weather is nice in any season (including winter!!). Huge pool open to the public in the summer. Gets busy when very hot.
Beautiful Falls with spectacular views about 2 hours west of Toronto. Can get very busy in peak summer months with tourists.
1606 residents recomanen
Niagara Falls
Beautiful Falls with spectacular views about 2 hours west of Toronto. Can get very busy in peak summer months with tourists.
Groceries and Corner Stores
Small mini-market with fresh fruits and veggies, canned goods, dairy, ordinary kind of bread, candy. Open until mid-evening. Takes cash and debit. Across the street and a few steps north from High Park House.
Master Supermarket
329 Roncesvalles AveSmall mini-market with fresh fruits and veggies, canned goods, dairy, ordinary kind of bread, candy. Open until mid-evening. Takes cash and debit. Across the street and a few steps north from High Park House.
Our go-to spot for fresh fruits and veggies - open every day of the week and holidays. Usually open until 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Note - Cash only or Debit for purchase of $10 or more!
26 residents recomanen
MAPLE PRODUCE
225 Roncesvalles AveOur go-to spot for fresh fruits and veggies - open every day of the week and holidays. Usually open until 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Note - Cash only or Debit for purchase of $10 or more!
A great mini-supermarket, very well stocked with all the basics and a lot more.
39 residents recomanen
Sobeys Urban Fresh High Park
199 Roncesvalles AveA great mini-supermarket, very well stocked with all the basics and a lot more.
Getting Around
If taking the 504 King Streetcar either north or south on Roncesvalles, get off at the Grenadier Road Stop. If coming south from Dundas St. West subway station, the Grenadier Road stop is the third stop after leaving the station, then walk about 1 minute south to get to High Park House. If travelling north on Roncesvalles, get off at the Grenadier Road stop on the east side of the street, then use the Crosswalk to walk west across Roncesvalles, then turn left (south) for less than 1 minute to get to High Park House.
Grenadier Road
Grenadier RoadIf taking the 504 King Streetcar either north or south on Roncesvalles, get off at the Grenadier Road Stop. If coming south from Dundas St. West subway station, the Grenadier Road stop is the third stop after leaving the station, then walk about 1 minute south to get to High Park House. If travelling north on Roncesvalles, get off at the Grenadier Road stop on the east side of the street, then use the Crosswalk to walk west across Roncesvalles, then turn left (south) for less than 1 minute to get to High Park House.
Express Train Station to use when coming or going from Pearson International Airport. When coming to High Park House, get off the UP Express then walk to the Dundas Street West subway station to get the 504 King Streetcar south 3 stops to Grenadier Road. Walk one minute south to High Park House.
83 residents recomanen
UP Express Bloor Station
1456 Bloor St WExpress Train Station to use when coming or going from Pearson International Airport. When coming to High Park House, get off the UP Express then walk to the Dundas Street West subway station to get the 504 King Streetcar south 3 stops to Grenadier Road. Walk one minute south to High Park House.
Closest subway stop for High Park House. Walk 1 kilometre south (two-thirds) of a mile, or take the 504 King streetcar south and get off at Grenadier Road stop (third stop after leaving the station.) You can pay cash ($3.25 for adults one-way fare anywhere) on the streetcar or at a subway stop. Also pre-buy "tokens" at more than 1200 authorized TTC ticket re-sellers - se list:
https://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/Prices/loadFareMediaSellers.action
69 residents recomanen
Dundas West station
Closest subway stop for High Park House. Walk 1 kilometre south (two-thirds) of a mile, or take the 504 King streetcar south and get off at Grenadier Road stop (third stop after leaving the station.) You can pay cash ($3.25 for adults one-way fare anywhere) on the streetcar or at a subway stop. Also pre-buy "tokens" at more than 1200 authorized TTC ticket re-sellers - se list:
https://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/Prices/loadFareMediaSellers.action
Main Toronto train station in heart of downtown. Connected to both the local subway system and the UP Express Train to Pearson International Airport. Very convenient!
713 residents recomanen
Union Station
55 Front St WMain Toronto train station in heart of downtown. Connected to both the local subway system and the UP Express Train to Pearson International Airport. Very convenient!
Arts & Culture
Amazing location of wonderful museum with permanent dinosaur exhibit and excellent special programming and exhibits. Located in heart of mid-town close to Yorkville and the city's most expensive shops.
2332 residents recomanen
Museu Reial d'Ontario
100 Queens Park Amazing location of wonderful museum with permanent dinosaur exhibit and excellent special programming and exhibits. Located in heart of mid-town close to Yorkville and the city's most expensive shops.
Beautiful art gallery that programs both Canadian art and some truly excellent special exhibits. Popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Iconic, stunning Frank Gehry addition built on front of Gallery overlooking Dundas Street West with a cafe for coffee. Popular Frank restaurant and very good Gallery Shop for some unique finds.
2262 residents recomanen
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St WBeautiful art gallery that programs both Canadian art and some truly excellent special exhibits. Popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Iconic, stunning Frank Gehry addition built on front of Gallery overlooking Dundas Street West with a cafe for coffee. Popular Frank restaurant and very good Gallery Shop for some unique finds.
Drinks & Nightlife
Super casual, friendly vibe, typical pub/bar food. Often live music.
75 residents recomanen
The Local Pub
396 Roncesvalles AveSuper casual, friendly vibe, typical pub/bar food. Often live music.
Very casual, popular local spot, typical bar food. Not fancy but great neighourhood vibe. Patio facing on to Roncesvalles when weather is good. Popular for watching sports when Toronto teams are in the playoffs!
18 residents recomanen
The Dizzy
305 Roncesvalles AveVery casual, popular local spot, typical bar food. Not fancy but great neighourhood vibe. Patio facing on to Roncesvalles when weather is good. Popular for watching sports when Toronto teams are in the playoffs!
Features TV with mostly sports playing. Casual, friendly with limited menu.
12 residents recomanen
Round The Horn
331 Roncesvalles AveFeatures TV with mostly sports playing. Casual, friendly with limited menu.
Very casual bar and limited menu. Tiny patio out front is very popular.
8 residents recomanen
Sangria Lounge
145 Roncesvalles AveVery casual bar and limited menu. Tiny patio out front is very popular.
A really great spot with fantastic live music, dancing, dining - one of the city's best spots with a Latin beat. And so close to High Park House!
120 residents recomanen
Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St WA really great spot with fantastic live music, dancing, dining - one of the city's best spots with a Latin beat. And so close to High Park House!
Shopping
Large shopping mall with more than 300 shops in downtown Toronto - about 30 mins away by public transit. Has all the brand stores plus big department stores. If taking public transit, take the subway to either the Dundas or Queen Street stops.
2460 residents recomanen
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
220 Yonge StLarge shopping mall with more than 300 shops in downtown Toronto - about 30 mins away by public transit. Has all the brand stores plus big department stores. If taking public transit, take the subway to either the Dundas or Queen Street stops.
Hand-stamped, personalized silver and gold jewellery and other soulful accessories and some clothing, gift cards. Great friendly service.
Suetables
363 Roncesvalles AveHand-stamped, personalized silver and gold jewellery and other soulful accessories and some clothing, gift cards. Great friendly service.
Unique labels, current and on-trend cute items. Good selection of interesting accessories. Excellent sales people.
16 residents recomanen
Frock
97 Roncesvalles AveUnique labels, current and on-trend cute items. Good selection of interesting accessories. Excellent sales people.
The Mercantile
297 Roncesvalles AveGreat selection of specialty foods.
Scout
1140 Queen St EUnique cards and small gifts.