Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
Seriously tasty all local food menu, casual. One of the best brunches around with awesomely tasty caesars! Go early or text (416) 561-9114 to get a reservation - they get really busy.
95 residents recomanen
FARMHOUSE tavern
1627 Dupont StSeriously tasty all local food menu, casual. One of the best brunches around with awesomely tasty caesars! Go early or text (416) 561-9114 to get a reservation - they get really busy.
The closest awesome coffee shop! Really friendly, less than 2 minutes away, great coffee, and open at 7 AM pretty much every day. I'm not a big fan of their baked goods though.
77 residents recomanen
Wallace Espresso
188 Wallace AveThe closest awesome coffee shop! Really friendly, less than 2 minutes away, great coffee, and open at 7 AM pretty much every day. I'm not a big fan of their baked goods though.
The best coffee in the 'hood and a cool walk through a formerly industrial area with warehouses and interesting businesses. All the hipsters working on computers all day makes for some cool people watching, too.
51 residents recomanen
Propeller Coffee Co.
50 Wade AvenueThe best coffee in the 'hood and a cool walk through a formerly industrial area with warehouses and interesting businesses. All the hipsters working on computers all day makes for some cool people watching, too.
Want awesome pizza and Italian sandwiches? We've got you covered. Tasty stuff!
38 residents recomanen
Mattachioni
1617 Dupont StWant awesome pizza and Italian sandwiches? We've got you covered. Tasty stuff!
Want more pizza? Defina is amazing and the Roncesvalles neighbourhood is beautiful and well worth visiting. Lots of fun shopping, close to High Park, and beautiful houses and gardens!
69 residents recomanen
Pizzeria Defina
321 Roncesvalles AveWant more pizza? Defina is amazing and the Roncesvalles neighbourhood is beautiful and well worth visiting. Lots of fun shopping, close to High Park, and beautiful houses and gardens!
Great treats! I love the cinnamon buns but it's really all good!
57 residents recomanen
Home Baking Co.
1242 Bloor St WGreat treats! I love the cinnamon buns but it's really all good!
The Commissary is an awesome all day restaurant but also stocks lots of prepared goods. If you're tired from a day of exploring but want to eat at home where it's cozy, they've got you covered. Or grab any meal and wash it down with excellent coffees, juices or cocktails. Plus getting there is fun - Sterling is one of the most cool streets in Toronto!
45 residents recomanen
Drake Commissary
128a Sterling RdThe Commissary is an awesome all day restaurant but also stocks lots of prepared goods. If you're tired from a day of exploring but want to eat at home where it's cozy, they've got you covered. Or grab any meal and wash it down with excellent coffees, juices or cocktails. Plus getting there is fun - Sterling is one of the most cool streets in Toronto!
They have THE BEST SCONES and my favourite croissants as well. Plus you get to pass the water tower and go over the rail bridge to get there if you're walking, which I recommend. I love the rail bridge and this is definitely iconic in the 'hood.
6 residents recomanen
The Merseyside
2413 Dundas St WThey have THE BEST SCONES and my favourite croissants as well. Plus you get to pass the water tower and go over the rail bridge to get there if you're walking, which I recommend. I love the rail bridge and this is definitely iconic in the 'hood.
Field Trip Cafe
3 Westmoreland AveNice place to grab a sandwich or a quick lunch.
Classic Portuguese rotisserie - super typical of the neighbourhood and a great choice for cheap eats you can take home. Don't forget the hot sauce!
22 residents recomanen
The Rooster Rotisserie and Grill
942 Bloor St WClassic Portuguese rotisserie - super typical of the neighbourhood and a great choice for cheap eats you can take home. Don't forget the hot sauce!
Rush Hour
1438a Dufferin StFamily run, Portuguese, delish. The seafood though!!
Really excellent Scandinavian style food. A bit of a cafeteria atmosphere though.
26 residents recomanen
Karelia Kitchen
Really excellent Scandinavian style food. A bit of a cafeteria atmosphere though.
Great patio! Grab a beer and a tasty brunch or dinner plate and chill out and enjoy the scene.
165 residents recomanen
The 3 Speed
1163 Bloor St WGreat patio! Grab a beer and a tasty brunch or dinner plate and chill out and enjoy the scene.
Because Persian brunch. So delish and so different! Lineups are long on weekends so plan accordingly.
54 residents recomanen
Takht-e Tavoos Restaurant
1120 College StBecause Persian brunch. So delish and so different! Lineups are long on weekends so plan accordingly.
Super funky mojito bar and Philipino restaurant. They sweeten their mojitos with fresh cane juice. Right?!?!? and the lumpia (spring rolls) are made by the owners' aunt. Right!?!?! They have a late night menu too in case you're hungry after 11 pm
Dolly's Mojito Bar
1285 Bloor St WSuper funky mojito bar and Philipino restaurant. They sweeten their mojitos with fresh cane juice. Right?!?!? and the lumpia (spring rolls) are made by the owners' aunt. Right!?!?! They have a late night menu too in case you're hungry after 11 pm
Amazing sour dough bread, plus assorted baked snacks and take away items. Everything is excellent.
18 residents recomanen
Prairie Boy Bread
970 College StAmazing sour dough bread, plus assorted baked snacks and take away items. Everything is excellent.
Want gluten free? Defloured is really great and has awesome quiches, pies and the like.
6 residents recomanen
de Floured
College StreetWant gluten free? Defloured is really great and has awesome quiches, pies and the like.
Tasty bakery, plus the owners just opened an adjacen ice cream place. Ice cream sandwiches, hello there!
Baked On Brock
615 Brock AvenueTasty bakery, plus the owners just opened an adjacen ice cream place. Ice cream sandwiches, hello there!
Brock Sandwich
1260 Bloor Street WestIf you want, you know, a sandwich...
Black ice cream! it mostly tastes the same as white ice cream but it's very attractive and definitely fun to get.
19 residents recomanen
iHalo Krunch
831 Queen St WBlack ice cream! it mostly tastes the same as white ice cream but it's very attractive and definitely fun to get.
Really amazing food and drinks - incredible cocktails. Spanish and tapas-driven. One of my all-time favourite Toronto restaurants, and they don't take reservations at the bar so if you arrive early you can almost always get a spot.
232 residents recomanen
Bar Isabel
797 College StReally amazing food and drinks - incredible cocktails. Spanish and tapas-driven. One of my all-time favourite Toronto restaurants, and they don't take reservations at the bar so if you arrive early you can almost always get a spot.
If you want a really unforgettable meal, this is the place for it. Local produce but Spanish food. You must reserve well in advance! Also Sunday lunches are half priced wine and the food is always incredible. Cannot recommend enough!
51 residents recomanen
Edulis Restaurant
169 Niagara StIf you want a really unforgettable meal, this is the place for it. Local produce but Spanish food. You must reserve well in advance! Also Sunday lunches are half priced wine and the food is always incredible. Cannot recommend enough!
This catering company just opened a street-front with delish and healthy options. Super convenient if you want a healthy lunch to take with you on your adventures!
Foodbenders
1162 Bloor St WThis catering company just opened a street-front with delish and healthy options. Super convenient if you want a healthy lunch to take with you on your adventures!
Drinks & Nightlife
Super cute little microbrewery and bottle shop with incredibly tasty beer from an ever-changing menu. Great patio and tasty snacks, too.
149 residents recomanen
Burdock Brewery
1184 Bloor St WSuper cute little microbrewery and bottle shop with incredibly tasty beer from an ever-changing menu. Great patio and tasty snacks, too.
Great beer! And Geary Avenue is a cool "strange hybrid of a street where you're just as likely to find an auto body shop as you are a jam space, a brewery, an architecture firm, or an artist studio" - super fun for exploring. Better in the daytime than for nightlife though.
64 residents recomanen
Blood Brothers Brewery Tap Room
165 Geary AveGreat beer! And Geary Avenue is a cool "strange hybrid of a street where you're just as likely to find an auto body shop as you are a jam space, a brewery, an architecture firm, or an artist studio" - super fun for exploring. Better in the daytime than for nightlife though.
"Excellent rotating taps, free-to-play arcade classics, and, most importantly, North of Brooklyn pizza". Really, why would you not want to hang out here?!
62 residents recomanen
The Greater Good
229 Geary Ave"Excellent rotating taps, free-to-play arcade classics, and, most importantly, North of Brooklyn pizza". Really, why would you not want to hang out here?!
Bar Neon
1226 Bloor St WLaid back, tasty snacks, generally a super cool little spot.
Orchard Bar
1174 Bloor St WDrinks and live music
Dinner and a show! Always quality performers in an intimate venue
53 residents recomanen
Hugh's Room Live
296 Dundas St WDinner and a show! Always quality performers in an intimate venue
Parks & Nature
Dufferin Grove is a wonderful park, and every Thursday hosts an excellent organic Farmer's Market between 3-7. One of my favourite weekly rituals in the summer!
208 residents recomanen
Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin StDufferin Grove is a wonderful park, and every Thursday hosts an excellent organic Farmer's Market between 3-7. One of my favourite weekly rituals in the summer!
The best park in Toronto, hands down. Ramble through the trails, check out the (sort of sad) zoo, go to the pool, check out the cherry blossoms in May, enjoy the gardens, head to the playground - High Park is huge and has everything!!!
1205 residents recomanen
High Park
1873 Bloor St WThe best park in Toronto, hands down. Ramble through the trails, check out the (sort of sad) zoo, go to the pool, check out the cherry blossoms in May, enjoy the gardens, head to the playground - High Park is huge and has everything!!!
The Islands are a great place to explore - you can see the skyline from a whole new perspective! Plus taking the ferry is fun. Rent bikes and pack a picnic then head to the beach for the day. Most of the time it's good for swimming, if a bit cold.
1035 residents recomanen
Toronto Islands
The Islands are a great place to explore - you can see the skyline from a whole new perspective! Plus taking the ferry is fun. Rent bikes and pack a picnic then head to the beach for the day. Most of the time it's good for swimming, if a bit cold.
One of the best places to people watch in the city. On a warm day, pack a picnic and head down to watch the action. Super iconic Toronto scene!
590 residents recomanen
Trinity - Bellwoods
One of the best places to people watch in the city. On a warm day, pack a picnic and head down to watch the action. Super iconic Toronto scene!
If you have a bike or want to drive then go for a walk, the trails by the Humber are beautiful!
8 residents recomanen
Humber River Recreational Trail
Humber River Recreational TrailIf you have a bike or want to drive then go for a walk, the trails by the Humber are beautiful!
Essentials
Nuthouse
1256 Bloor St WOrganic dry goods and food basics. High quality and decent prices.
The best all around grocery store in Toronto with lots of organic and GF options as well as excellent produce. Not the cheapest, but it's so awesome that I don't really care.
184 residents recomanen
Fiesta Farms
200 Christie StThe best all around grocery store in Toronto with lots of organic and GF options as well as excellent produce. Not the cheapest, but it's so awesome that I don't really care.
Loblaws
585 Queen St WLCBO
49 Spadina Ave.The closest liquor store in case you want a bottle of wine
Shopping
TOWN
1187 Bloor St WSuper cute little store with well curated cards, gifts and fun stuff.
Beautiful, unique gifts and collectibles. The owner is fantastic - friendly and very helpful. This place is a stand out!
9 residents recomanen
Zebuu
934 Bloor St WBeautiful, unique gifts and collectibles. The owner is fantastic - friendly and very helpful. This place is a stand out!
Gorgeous design - furniture and home accessories but also just worth looking at all the lovely things.
19 residents recomanen
Mjolk
2959 Dundas St WGorgeous design - furniture and home accessories but also just worth looking at all the lovely things.
They design the goods here in the back and they are great. Many are "Canadiana" but I'd say others are heritage looking. I particularly like their bags design. They use cool logos such as CBC Radio, Boeing, Cessna, Nasa and RCMP.
The store front is a bit inconspicuous but it's worth a visit!
Red Canoe
2989 Dundas St WThey design the goods here in the back and they are great. Many are "Canadiana" but I'd say others are heritage looking. I particularly like their bags design. They use cool logos such as CBC Radio, Boeing, Cessna, Nasa and RCMP.
The store front is a bit inconspicuous but it's worth a visit!
Jellyfish Emporium
1364 Dupont StWeird stuff that's fun to look at!
Mostly Canadian designed and made women's clothing, along with some really great accessories. The selection ranges from costume-y vintage-style to modern with vintage inspiration, lots of unique finds.
Black Daffodil
3097 Dundas St WMostly Canadian designed and made women's clothing, along with some really great accessories. The selection ranges from costume-y vintage-style to modern with vintage inspiration, lots of unique finds.
The owners have 'ransacked the universe' to put together a sweet collection of new, old and reworked items. It's a great place to gift shop and occasionally pick up things for myself - always something fun to look at!
16 residents recomanen
Ransack The Universe
1207 Bloor St WThe owners have 'ransacked the universe' to put together a sweet collection of new, old and reworked items. It's a great place to gift shop and occasionally pick up things for myself - always something fun to look at!
Another of the great design/furniture stores that fill the Junction neighbourhood - fun to look at even if you're not buying.
17 residents recomanen
Smash Salvage
965 King Street EastAnother of the great design/furniture stores that fill the Junction neighbourhood - fun to look at even if you're not buying.
The Beau & Bauble
3092 Dundas St WSuper cute jewelry
This place is a serious blast from the past. You may not want to buy anything but it's worth a visit just because it's insane that it still exists.
47 residents recomanen
Galleria Shopping Centre
1245 Dupont StThis place is a serious blast from the past. You may not want to buy anything but it's worth a visit just because it's insane that it still exists.
Entertainment & Activities
Newly renovated water park. Best on very hot week days for cooling off! Pack a lunch to save money - food inside the park is really expensive.
34 residents recomanen
Wet'n'Wild Toronto
7855 Finch Ave WNewly renovated water park. Best on very hot week days for cooling off! Pack a lunch to save money - food inside the park is really expensive.
It's expensive and busy but it's still worth a visit - really fun aquarium. Book tix ahead of time online and plan to go early to avoid the crowds.
2071 residents recomanen
Aquari Ripley del Canadà
288 Bremner BlvdIt's expensive and busy but it's still worth a visit - really fun aquarium. Book tix ahead of time online and plan to go early to avoid the crowds.
Want to move your body? All the teachers here are amazing (full disclosure, I'm one of them!) but seriously, you'll get a great and super healthy workout.
Boomerang Pilates
240 Roncesvalles AveWant to move your body? All the teachers here are amazing (full disclosure, I'm one of them!) but seriously, you'll get a great and super healthy workout.
Best indoor climbing gym ever. If it's bad weather out, this is a fun way to spend the afternoon - they'll rent you everything you need and you can either learn to belay or use autobelay machines so you can focus on getting up the wall.
28 residents recomanen
Basecamp Climbing
677 Bloor St WBest indoor climbing gym ever. If it's bad weather out, this is a fun way to spend the afternoon - they'll rent you everything you need and you can either learn to belay or use autobelay machines so you can focus on getting up the wall.
Getting Around
Lansdowne Ave at Wade Ave station
Best way to get downtown, bar none.
This is one of the nicest ways to get through the city - go for a walk, a run or a bike ride and see a different side of Toronto.
West Toronto Railpath
West Toronto RailpathThis is one of the nicest ways to get through the city - go for a walk, a run or a bike ride and see a different side of Toronto.