Guidebook for Toronto

Sarah
Guidebook for Toronto

Food Scene

It's totally unique and delicious, and steps from my house. How many of you have tried Persian food before? Brunch or lunch only. I love this place.
54 personas de la zona recomiendan
Takht-e Tavoos Restaurant
1120 College St
54 personas de la zona recomiendan
It's totally unique and delicious, and steps from my house. How many of you have tried Persian food before? Brunch or lunch only. I love this place.
Totally charming, inventive, fresh local food. The menu is simple, but dishes are fresh and inventive.
23 personas de la zona recomiendan
Me & Mine
1144 College Street
23 personas de la zona recomiendan
Totally charming, inventive, fresh local food. The menu is simple, but dishes are fresh and inventive.
Hip and trendy spot, especially popular for weekend brunch.
130 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Federal
1438 Dundas Street West
130 personas de la zona recomiendan
Hip and trendy spot, especially popular for weekend brunch.
Great tapas and wine list (it's a wine bar). Has a Parisian bistro vibe and a patio for when the weather is nice.
62 personas de la zona recomiendan
Midfield Wine Bar
1434 Dundas St W
62 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great tapas and wine list (it's a wine bar). Has a Parisian bistro vibe and a patio for when the weather is nice.
Delicious, authentic Thai food. Great for eating in or picking up to take home.
81 personas de la zona recomiendan
Sukhothai
1442 Dundas St W
81 personas de la zona recomiendan
Delicious, authentic Thai food. Great for eating in or picking up to take home.
Inventive and delicious Asian fusion tapas. No reservations and it's usually busy, so you'll probably have to put your name down and wait, but it's worth it. Bring your mobile phone, you can go for a drink nearby and they'll text you when your table is ready.
80 personas de la zona recomiendan
Foxley
207 Ossington Ave
80 personas de la zona recomiendan
Inventive and delicious Asian fusion tapas. No reservations and it's usually busy, so you'll probably have to put your name down and wait, but it's worth it. Bring your mobile phone, you can go for a drink nearby and they'll text you when your table is ready.
One of the top restaurants in Toronto. They reserve most of their tables for walk-ins, though you may have to wait. Spanish tapas. Pricey.
232 personas de la zona recomiendan
Bar Isabel
797 College St
232 personas de la zona recomiendan
One of the top restaurants in Toronto. They reserve most of their tables for walk-ins, though you may have to wait. Spanish tapas. Pricey.
Cheap Vietnamese pho (soup) and noodle joint, steps from my place. Closes at 9pm.
51 personas de la zona recomiendan
Pho Linh
1156 College St
51 personas de la zona recomiendan
Cheap Vietnamese pho (soup) and noodle joint, steps from my place. Closes at 9pm.
Great coffee, croissants and pain au chocolate, though the pastries often sell out early in the day, especially on weekends. I always get the chai tea latte, and it's amazing if you think the Starbucks version is far too sweet.
85 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Common Espresso Bar
1071 College St
85 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great coffee, croissants and pain au chocolate, though the pastries often sell out early in the day, especially on weekends. I always get the chai tea latte, and it's amazing if you think the Starbucks version is far too sweet.
Great bread shop. Most of the bread is made from sourdough flour (even the baguettes). They also sell homemade nutella and other spreads and products, including local honey, and some select sweets and savouries.
18 personas de la zona recomiendan
Prairie Boy Bread
970 College St
18 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great bread shop. Most of the bread is made from sourdough flour (even the baguettes). They also sell homemade nutella and other spreads and products, including local honey, and some select sweets and savouries.
Raucous spot for yummy soulfood in nearby Parkdale.
102 personas de la zona recomiendan
Electric Mud BBQ
5 Brock Ave
102 personas de la zona recomiendan
Raucous spot for yummy soulfood in nearby Parkdale.
Hip & trendy taco joint with yummy cocktails and loud music in trendy Parkdale.
292 personas de la zona recomiendan
Grand Electric Parkdale
1330 Queen St W
292 personas de la zona recomiendan
Hip & trendy taco joint with yummy cocktails and loud music in trendy Parkdale.
Lovely restaurant featuring fresh, local, organic ingredients. Has a patio.
60 personas de la zona recomiendan
Woodlot
293 Palmerston Ave
60 personas de la zona recomiendan
Lovely restaurant featuring fresh, local, organic ingredients. Has a patio.
Great Jewish deli, with delicious house-made smoked meat, pickles and mustard. I LOVE the tangy borscht soup as well. Has a patio and is located near Kensington Market.
20 personas de la zona recomiendan
Caplansky's Delicatessen
20 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great Jewish deli, with delicious house-made smoked meat, pickles and mustard. I LOVE the tangy borscht soup as well. Has a patio and is located near Kensington Market.
Great fancy cheese shop where you can also purchase some delicious breads, crackers, meats.
16 personas de la zona recomiendan
La Fromagerie
868 College St
16 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great fancy cheese shop where you can also purchase some delicious breads, crackers, meats.
One of my favourite local restaurants. French bistro style using fresh, local ingredients with a cozy atmosphere and great service. They also have a fabulous backyard patio where I love to have a summer brunch or lunch on a warm day.
128 personas de la zona recomiendan
Union
72 Ossington Ave
128 personas de la zona recomiendan
One of my favourite local restaurants. French bistro style using fresh, local ingredients with a cozy atmosphere and great service. They also have a fabulous backyard patio where I love to have a summer brunch or lunch on a warm day.
Great tacos (really loved the fried fish taco). Killer margaritas.
239 personas de la zona recomiendan
La Carnita
501 College St
239 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great tacos (really loved the fried fish taco). Killer margaritas.
Affordable and casual Salvadoran taco joint. Eat in or get takeout and eat in Christie Pits or Bickford Park.
75 personas de la zona recomiendan
Tacos El Asador
689 Bloor St W
75 personas de la zona recomiendan
Affordable and casual Salvadoran taco joint. Eat in or get takeout and eat in Christie Pits or Bickford Park.
Great, authentic, affordable Korean restaurant in the heart of Little Korea.
74 personas de la zona recomiendan
Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu
691 Bloor St W
74 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great, authentic, affordable Korean restaurant in the heart of Little Korea.
Amazing homemade ice cream shop & bakery. Their ice cream sandwiches are famous city-wide.
171 personas de la zona recomiendan
Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery
93A Ossington Ave
171 personas de la zona recomiendan
Amazing homemade ice cream shop & bakery. Their ice cream sandwiches are famous city-wide.
Delicious southern Italian cuisine, including pizzas. This is the original location. There are others, including one closer to the heart of the downtown business and theatre district on Adelaide Street East.
445 personas de la zona recomiendan
Terroni
720 Queen St W
445 personas de la zona recomiendan
Delicious southern Italian cuisine, including pizzas. This is the original location. There are others, including one closer to the heart of the downtown business and theatre district on Adelaide Street East.
Cheap and delicious Chinese BBQ and Noodle Soups on the edge of Kensington Market, in Chinatown.
32 personas de la zona recomiendan
King's Noodle Restaurant
296 Spadina Ave.
32 personas de la zona recomiendan
Cheap and delicious Chinese BBQ and Noodle Soups on the edge of Kensington Market, in Chinatown.
Shareable plates of Chinese fare & handmade dumplings from a family recipe.
81 personas de la zona recomiendan
Mother's Dumplings
421 Spadina Ave.
81 personas de la zona recomiendan
Shareable plates of Chinese fare & handmade dumplings from a family recipe.
Super delicious Thai Food in the heart of downtown. The owners of Sukkho Thai helped found this restaurant.
199 personas de la zona recomiendan
Khao San Road
11 Charlotte St
199 personas de la zona recomiendan
Super delicious Thai Food in the heart of downtown. The owners of Sukkho Thai helped found this restaurant.
Yummy BBQ joint in charming Roncesvalles Village, close to High Park and a short streetcar ride from my place. Catch a flick at the Revue Cinema (reperatory theatre) before or after.
133 personas de la zona recomiendan
Barque Smokehouse
299 Roncesvalles Ave
133 personas de la zona recomiendan
Yummy BBQ joint in charming Roncesvalles Village, close to High Park and a short streetcar ride from my place. Catch a flick at the Revue Cinema (reperatory theatre) before or after.

Drinks & Nightlife

Fun cocktail joint where you can order fancy, unique drinks that come in pineapples and other fun containers to share. They also have food and snacks. They can be busy, so don't arrive too late.
54 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Shameful Tiki Room Toronto
1378 Queen St W
54 personas de la zona recomiendan
Fun cocktail joint where you can order fancy, unique drinks that come in pineapples and other fun containers to share. They also have food and snacks. They can be busy, so don't arrive too late.
My favourite local pub. It has a great whisky menu and cozy couches. Sometimes they have fun local bands in the backroom. Usually they have a jazz band playing during happy hour Monday nights, for example.
24 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Emmet Ray
924 College St
24 personas de la zona recomiendan
My favourite local pub. It has a great whisky menu and cozy couches. Sometimes they have fun local bands in the backroom. Usually they have a jazz band playing during happy hour Monday nights, for example.
Wonderful local brew pub with inventive snacks. It also has a great patio.
373 personas de la zona recomiendan
Bellwoods Brewery
124 Ossington Ave
373 personas de la zona recomiendan
Wonderful local brew pub with inventive snacks. It also has a great patio.
Popular local spot with a great backyard patio and yummy food. I love the fried chicken or the mussels.
165 personas de la zona recomiendan
The 3 Speed
1163 Bloor St W
165 personas de la zona recomiendan
Popular local spot with a great backyard patio and yummy food. I love the fried chicken or the mussels.
Popular dive bar on the Ossington strip. Has a backyard patio
67 personas de la zona recomiendan
Sweaty Betty's
13 Ossington Ave
67 personas de la zona recomiendan
Popular dive bar on the Ossington strip. Has a backyard patio
Dive bar and famous music venue (The Stones played here back in the day). Many up and coming rock, indie and folk acts play in the back-room for a reasonable cover charge. The front room and small patio is a great downtown dive bar.
133 personas de la zona recomiendan
Horseshoe Tavern
370 Queen St W
133 personas de la zona recomiendan
Dive bar and famous music venue (The Stones played here back in the day). Many up and coming rock, indie and folk acts play in the back-room for a reasonable cover charge. The front room and small patio is a great downtown dive bar.
Small dive bar and music venue. Historic Toronto institution.
88 personas de la zona recomiendan
Cameron House
408 Queen St W
88 personas de la zona recomiendan
Small dive bar and music venue. Historic Toronto institution.
Great basement music venue featuring roots, rock, blues and bluegrass music. Has a very fun "Bluegrass Brunch" every Sunday morning from 10am-2pm.
351 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Lakeview Restaurant
1132 Dundas Street West
351 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great basement music venue featuring roots, rock, blues and bluegrass music. Has a very fun "Bluegrass Brunch" every Sunday morning from 10am-2pm.
Fun local pub in Roncesvalles Village. Grab a beer and a boardgame and enjoy this popular local dive after a walk in High Park or a meal or store browsing in Roncesvalles Village. .
75 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Local Pub
396 Roncesvalles Ave
75 personas de la zona recomiendan
Fun local pub in Roncesvalles Village. Grab a beer and a boardgame and enjoy this popular local dive after a walk in High Park or a meal or store browsing in Roncesvalles Village. .
New ciderhouse and kitchen in the heart of cute Harbord Village, adjacent to the University of Toronto.
21 personas de la zona recomiendan
Her Father's Cider Bar + Kitchen
119 Harbord St
21 personas de la zona recomiendan
New ciderhouse and kitchen in the heart of cute Harbord Village, adjacent to the University of Toronto.
Great spot for special, fancy, and tasty hand-made cocktails (they're pricey though). Perfect spot to enjoy while waiting for a table at the Black Hoof.
51 personas de la zona recomiendan
Cocktail Bar
923 Dundas Street West
51 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great spot for special, fancy, and tasty hand-made cocktails (they're pricey though). Perfect spot to enjoy while waiting for a table at the Black Hoof.
Bar and restaurant with a small menu. Charming & cozy and close to home.
49 personas de la zona recomiendan
Wallflower
1665 Dundas St W
49 personas de la zona recomiendan
Bar and restaurant with a small menu. Charming & cozy and close to home.

Parks & Nature

My favourite place in the city! It's a short ferry ride from the Jack Layton ferry terminal near Queen's Quay. Unparalleled view of the downtown skyline. Great place to ride bikes, rent a canoe or a paddle boat, have a beach day (pack a picnic), or enjoy a few kids' rides in the old amusement park (Centre Island). If you rent bikes to ride, make sure you ride around the cottages and homes on Ward's Island. Don't be shocked - part of Hanlan's Point Beach is clothing optional!
1035 personas de la zona recomiendan
Toronto Islands
1035 personas de la zona recomiendan
My favourite place in the city! It's a short ferry ride from the Jack Layton ferry terminal near Queen's Quay. Unparalleled view of the downtown skyline. Great place to ride bikes, rent a canoe or a paddle boat, have a beach day (pack a picnic), or enjoy a few kids' rides in the old amusement park (Centre Island). If you rent bikes to ride, make sure you ride around the cottages and homes on Ward's Island. Don't be shocked - part of Hanlan's Point Beach is clothing optional!
Great place to ramble around if you need some nature. Only a short ride away on the 506 streetcar west (the park is at the terminus). There is a small, free zoo inside the park, plus a restaurant and outdoor pool and sports fields.
1205 personas de la zona recomiendan
High Park
1873 Bloor St W
1205 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great place to ramble around if you need some nature. Only a short ride away on the 506 streetcar west (the park is at the terminus). There is a small, free zoo inside the park, plus a restaurant and outdoor pool and sports fields.

Sightseeing

Great 360 degree views of the city and lake if it's a clear day/night. If you book a table at the revolving 360 restaurant, you ride up for free. I think the restaurant is pricey - haven't been in years. You can also try "edgewalk" - it is exactly as it sounds like - if you can handle the thrills and the heights. Not for the faint of hear.
3509 personas de la zona recomiendan
CN Tower
290 Bremner Blvd
3509 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great 360 degree views of the city and lake if it's a clear day/night. If you book a table at the revolving 360 restaurant, you ride up for free. I think the restaurant is pricey - haven't been in years. You can also try "edgewalk" - it is exactly as it sounds like - if you can handle the thrills and the heights. Not for the faint of hear.
Great shops, neighbourhood and restaurants, plus a lovely spot to walk or hang out and sunbathe, with our without a picnic.
424 personas de la zona recomiendan
The Beaches
424 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great shops, neighbourhood and restaurants, plus a lovely spot to walk or hang out and sunbathe, with our without a picnic.
Great, lively downtown neighbourhood, abutting Chinatown and Harbord Village. Full of vintage shops, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, great fruit, vegetable & cheese shops, Natural Food stores, and an explosion of medical marijuana dispensaries. The last Sunday of every month between May and October this historic neighbourhood blocks off its streets to vehicular traffic and holds a super fun street festival with music, dancing, street vendors and many fun events, including a meditation sit! For more, see: http://www.kensingtonmarketbia.com/pedestrian-sundays-in-kensington-market.htm
1698 personas de la zona recomiendan
Mercado de Kensington
1698 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great, lively downtown neighbourhood, abutting Chinatown and Harbord Village. Full of vintage shops, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, great fruit, vegetable & cheese shops, Natural Food stores, and an explosion of medical marijuana dispensaries. The last Sunday of every month between May and October this historic neighbourhood blocks off its streets to vehicular traffic and holds a super fun street festival with music, dancing, street vendors and many fun events, including a meditation sit! For more, see: http://www.kensingtonmarketbia.com/pedestrian-sundays-in-kensington-market.htm
Interesting mid-century modern architecture. Take a seat in Nathan Philips Square out front, by the large water fountain that is used as a skating rink in winter, grab a hot dog, fries or drink, and people watch in the heart of downtown. There is a farmers' market in the square on Wednesdays from 7am to 2pm, from late May to early October.
259 personas de la zona recomiendan
Ayuntamiento de Toronto
100 Queen St W
259 personas de la zona recomiendan
Interesting mid-century modern architecture. Take a seat in Nathan Philips Square out front, by the large water fountain that is used as a skating rink in winter, grab a hot dog, fries or drink, and people watch in the heart of downtown. There is a farmers' market in the square on Wednesdays from 7am to 2pm, from late May to early October.

Arts & Culture

Enjoy the beautiful architecture and check out the iconic Canadian/First Nations art collection. Wednesday nights from 6-9pm you can enter for free. There is an excellent gift shop, and the gallery is in the heart of the downtown Chinatown, a great spot for browsing and eating before or after looking at the art.
2262 personas de la zona recomiendan
Galería de Arte de Ontario
317 Dundas St W
2262 personas de la zona recomiendan
Enjoy the beautiful architecture and check out the iconic Canadian/First Nations art collection. Wednesday nights from 6-9pm you can enter for free. There is an excellent gift shop, and the gallery is in the heart of the downtown Chinatown, a great spot for browsing and eating before or after looking at the art.
Toronto's only castle. Nice grounds, close to downtown.
1217 personas de la zona recomiendan
Casa Loma
1 Austin Terrace
1217 personas de la zona recomiendan
Toronto's only castle. Nice grounds, close to downtown.

Essentials

Good, affordable, local grocery store, the closest to my home. Decent selection of local produce. This store is good for basics, but not for fancy cheeses or specialty ingredients. There is a pharmacy inside the store as well, though it closes earlier than the grocery store.
94 personas de la zona recomiendan
Joe's No Frills
900 Dufferin St
94 personas de la zona recomiendan
Good, affordable, local grocery store, the closest to my home. Decent selection of local produce. This store is good for basics, but not for fancy cheeses or specialty ingredients. There is a pharmacy inside the store as well, though it closes earlier than the grocery store.
This is a pharmacy and a shop for personal care products and toiletries. It is open til midnight every night of the week. There is also a Canada Post location inside the store, though it has more limited hours.
209 personas de la zona recomiendan
Shoppers Drug Mart
935 Eglinton Ave W
209 personas de la zona recomiendan
This is a pharmacy and a shop for personal care products and toiletries. It is open til midnight every night of the week. There is also a Canada Post location inside the store, though it has more limited hours.
Great spot for fresh fruit and vegetables.
14 personas de la zona recomiendan
College Fruit Market
682 College St
14 personas de la zona recomiendan
Great spot for fresh fruit and vegetables.
Closest liquor store. It carries wine, beer and spirits.
957 personas de la zona recomiendan
LCBO
49 Spadina Ave.
957 personas de la zona recomiendan
Closest liquor store. It carries wine, beer and spirits.
Closest Beer Store. Beer only.
127 personas de la zona recomiendan
Beer Store
1200 Dundas St W
127 personas de la zona recomiendan
Closest Beer Store. Beer only.

Shopping

The best market in the city. Go get a peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery and browse the indoor food vendors. On weekends there is an antique market and outdoor farmers market.
1398 personas de la zona recomiendan
Mercado de St. Lawrence
93 Front St E
1398 personas de la zona recomiendan
The best market in the city. Go get a peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery and browse the indoor food vendors. On weekends there is an antique market and outdoor farmers market.
Upscale department store near the tony Yorkville neighbourhood.
153 personas de la zona recomiendan
Holt Renfrew Bloor
50 Bloor St W
153 personas de la zona recomiendan
Upscale department store near the tony Yorkville neighbourhood.
Canada's iconic department store. The place to buy the famous Hudson Bay point blanket and other red/yellow/green and blue striped items (clothes, towels, mugs, bags, etc.), as well as Canadian Olympic team gear.
58 personas de la zona recomiendan
Hudson's Bay
37 Richmond St W
58 personas de la zona recomiendan
Canada's iconic department store. The place to buy the famous Hudson Bay point blanket and other red/yellow/green and blue striped items (clothes, towels, mugs, bags, etc.), as well as Canadian Olympic team gear.
Unique gift shop, focused on hip, local products. Attached to the trendy hotel, which also hosts a bar, restaurant/patio and music venue.
39 personas de la zona recomiendan
Drake General Store
1151 Queen St W
39 personas de la zona recomiendan
Unique gift shop, focused on hip, local products. Attached to the trendy hotel, which also hosts a bar, restaurant/patio and music venue.
Toronto's City Gift Store. The best place for unique Toronto-centric gifts. For the urbanist in your life.
13 personas de la zona recomiendan
Spacing
401 Richmond St W
13 personas de la zona recomiendan
Toronto's City Gift Store. The best place for unique Toronto-centric gifts. For the urbanist in your life.
Modern furniture and home accessories. Canadian-made with sustainable materials. It is located at 78 Ossington Avenue, not on Queen Street West as AirBnB suggests.
7 personas de la zona recomiendan
Stylegarage
78 Ossington Ave
7 personas de la zona recomiendan
Modern furniture and home accessories. Canadian-made with sustainable materials. It is located at 78 Ossington Avenue, not on Queen Street West as AirBnB suggests.
Iconic Canadian casual wear, sweets and high quality leather shoes, boots and bags. Roots outfits Canada's Olympic teams. You will also find Roots at several other locations, including the Eaton Centre shopping mall in the heart of downtown.
13 personas de la zona recomiendan
Roots
80 Bloor St W
13 personas de la zona recomiendan
Iconic Canadian casual wear, sweets and high quality leather shoes, boots and bags. Roots outfits Canada's Olympic teams. You will also find Roots at several other locations, including the Eaton Centre shopping mall in the heart of downtown.
High-end 3-floor boutique for modern footwear, clothing & accessories for men & women.
34 personas de la zona recomiendan
gravitypope Toronto
1010 Queen St W
34 personas de la zona recomiendan
High-end 3-floor boutique for modern footwear, clothing & accessories for men & women.
Canada's iconic outdoor equipment and clothing store, nicknamed MEC, short for "Mountain Equipment Coop".
27 personas de la zona recomiendan
MEC Toronto
300 Queen St W
27 personas de la zona recomiendan
Canada's iconic outdoor equipment and clothing store, nicknamed MEC, short for "Mountain Equipment Coop".
Popular vintage clothing store in the hip Parkdale neighbourhood.
44 personas de la zona recomiendan
Public Butter Vintage
1290 Queen St W
44 personas de la zona recomiendan
Popular vintage clothing store in the hip Parkdale neighbourhood.
One of several must-see vintage shops on Kensington Avenue in the Market. This one is the original. Bungalow on nearby Augusta is also worth checking out.
19 personas de la zona recomiendan
Courage My Love
14 Kensington Ave
19 personas de la zona recomiendan
One of several must-see vintage shops on Kensington Avenue in the Market. This one is the original. Bungalow on nearby Augusta is also worth checking out.