Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
Delicious Ethiopian food and a great place to drink beer and socialize.
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Nazareth
969 Bloor Street WestDelicious Ethiopian food and a great place to drink beer and socialize.
Truly one of the best authentic gelato ice cream shops in Toronto. The gelato flavours are naturally made and outstanding. Also sandwiches, drinks and pizza on a huge patio...30 second walk from home!
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Arte Gelato
946 Bloor St WTruly one of the best authentic gelato ice cream shops in Toronto. The gelato flavours are naturally made and outstanding. Also sandwiches, drinks and pizza on a huge patio...30 second walk from home!
Incredible ice cream sandwiches, banana pudding, tarts, cookies and even more desserts. These bakers are wizards. This place is a must.
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Bakerbots Baking
1242 Delaware AveIncredible ice cream sandwiches, banana pudding, tarts, cookies and even more desserts. These bakers are wizards. This place is a must.
Wow wow the most delicious indian food ever!! This is a favourite. Bring your appetite.
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Banjara Bloor
796 Bloor St WWow wow the most delicious indian food ever!! This is a favourite. Bring your appetite.
Fresh sushi! Our local Japanese restaurant; they are fast, excellent and affordable.
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Mazz Sushi
993 Bloor St WFresh sushi! Our local Japanese restaurant; they are fast, excellent and affordable.
One of my favourites. Great for groups. Sushi or lots of meat and table-cooking! My fave is the Dolsot Bi Bim Bop; mixed veggies and meat in a hot stone bowl. Try the spicy pickled Kimchi cabbage! The owner likes to chitchat with the guests and tell jokes :)
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Korean Village Restaurant
628 Bloor St WOne of my favourites. Great for groups. Sushi or lots of meat and table-cooking! My fave is the Dolsot Bi Bim Bop; mixed veggies and meat in a hot stone bowl. Try the spicy pickled Kimchi cabbage! The owner likes to chitchat with the guests and tell jokes :)
Adorable cafe to have a lazy coffee and snack. Great people-watching, kooky and laid back vibe. Usually a bit of wait with service, so choose another cafe if you are in a rush!
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Saving Gigi
859 Bloor St WAdorable cafe to have a lazy coffee and snack. Great people-watching, kooky and laid back vibe. Usually a bit of wait with service, so choose another cafe if you are in a rush!
Perfectly simple cafe, delicious coffee and morning pastries... and wifi. Hang out and watch the locals go by...
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The Common
1028 Bloor St WPerfectly simple cafe, delicious coffee and morning pastries... and wifi. Hang out and watch the locals go by...
My go-to place for cheap, quick, tasty food to take-out back to my place. I love the roast chicken and potatoes, salads and get the spicy sauce...
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The Rooster Rotisserie and Grill
942 Bloor St WMy go-to place for cheap, quick, tasty food to take-out back to my place. I love the roast chicken and potatoes, salads and get the spicy sauce...
My favourite secret dinner place for the freshest, heartiest, Nicaraguan home-cooking!! Fish, chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet plantain... I am getting hungry just writing this. A Toronto secret...shhh
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La Bella Managua
872 Bloor St WMy favourite secret dinner place for the freshest, heartiest, Nicaraguan home-cooking!! Fish, chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet plantain... I am getting hungry just writing this. A Toronto secret...shhh
Cozy, you feel like you are in Paris at the turn of the century, the food is simple and the service is warm and helpful. Great front patio, too. It's the gorgeous atmosphere you are paying for!
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Kalendar
546 College StCozy, you feel like you are in Paris at the turn of the century, the food is simple and the service is warm and helpful. Great front patio, too. It's the gorgeous atmosphere you are paying for!
yum yum yum jerk chicken for $5!! In a very bohemian marketplace.
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Rasta Pasta
61 Kensington Aveyum yum yum jerk chicken for $5!! In a very bohemian marketplace.
Great classic fresh chinese food open really really late, ... in the heart of Chinatown. Awesome!
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Rol San Restaurant
388 Spadina Ave.Great classic fresh chinese food open really really late, ... in the heart of Chinatown. Awesome!
I love Vietnamese food! I love the BBQ pork on rice noodles. They have vegetarian options too. This place is fresh, big and fast. And in a great spot, near Kensington Market.
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Phở Hưng
350 Spadina Ave.I love Vietnamese food! I love the BBQ pork on rice noodles. They have vegetarian options too. This place is fresh, big and fast. And in a great spot, near Kensington Market.
A cute, cool cafe where you can watch the hip Ossington crowd walk by. Big windows, delicious coffee and teas. Great neighbourhood to explore, walk south to Queen West.
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i deal coffee
162 Ossington AveA cute, cool cafe where you can watch the hip Ossington crowd walk by. Big windows, delicious coffee and teas. Great neighbourhood to explore, walk south to Queen West.
Exotic hearty dinners....Iranian cooking in wonderful lush decor. This is a rare foodie experience. Yum!!
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Pomegranate Restaurant
420 College StExotic hearty dinners....Iranian cooking in wonderful lush decor. This is a rare foodie experience. Yum!!
Now I love Ethiopian food, it's hearty and filling. The veggie plate for 2 is my fave meal!! But be warned, not everyone is into the Injera, the gluten-free bread they use. You eat with your hands!
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Lalibela Restaurant - Bloor St
869 Bloor St WNow I love Ethiopian food, it's hearty and filling. The veggie plate for 2 is my fave meal!! But be warned, not everyone is into the Injera, the gluten-free bread they use. You eat with your hands!
Fast, fresh and wildly popular sushi place. Very inexpensive for great quality sushi and sashimi. Sometimes there is a line-up, but it goes fast.
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Sushi on Bloor
525 Bloor St WFast, fresh and wildly popular sushi place. Very inexpensive for great quality sushi and sashimi. Sometimes there is a line-up, but it goes fast.
If Sushi On Bloor restaurant is too full, head over to this quiet smaller sushi place...it is also a secret treasure. Excellent sushi and service, very inexpensive.
Japan Sushi
482 Bloor St WIf Sushi On Bloor restaurant is too full, head over to this quiet smaller sushi place...it is also a secret treasure. Excellent sushi and service, very inexpensive.
The original Ideal Coffee, it is a classic bohemian place to visit in historic Kensington Market. Artists and kooks everywhere. Small cozy patio.
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i deal coffee
162 Ossington AveThe original Ideal Coffee, it is a classic bohemian place to visit in historic Kensington Market. Artists and kooks everywhere. Small cozy patio.
An incredible vegan and gluten-free bakery. The brownies and mini fruit pies are outstanding. I always get a treat here.
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Bunner's Bakeshop
244 Augusta AveAn incredible vegan and gluten-free bakery. The brownies and mini fruit pies are outstanding. I always get a treat here.
A yummy Vegan bakery and cafe!! Sandwiches, dairy-free coffees and baked goods...
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bloomer's on Bloor
873 Bloor St WA yummy Vegan bakery and cafe!! Sandwiches, dairy-free coffees and baked goods...
Great sunny cafe nearby with big patio and Wifi. It can get crowded but that's half the fun! Everyone comes here to work on their laptop for hours. Coffee is delicious.
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Field Trip Cafe
3 Westmoreland AveGreat sunny cafe nearby with big patio and Wifi. It can get crowded but that's half the fun! Everyone comes here to work on their laptop for hours. Coffee is delicious.
Diner food but NO MEAT!! It's all yummy comfort food, vegan-style. This place is great but it can be very busy, so have a back up plan.
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The Hogtown Vegan
1056 Bloor St WDiner food but NO MEAT!! It's all yummy comfort food, vegan-style. This place is great but it can be very busy, so have a back up plan.
Essentials
This is where you can get essentials like medication, shampoo and all kinds of snacks. Open late; 10pm most nights.
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Shoppers Drug Mart
2223 Bloor St WThis is where you can get essentials like medication, shampoo and all kinds of snacks. Open late; 10pm most nights.
This is my local grocery store, they have excellent fresh fruit and vegetables and everything you need to cook a great meal. The owners are lovely and helpful too. Very affordable.
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Bloor Court Village Market
868 Bloor St WThis is my local grocery store, they have excellent fresh fruit and vegetables and everything you need to cook a great meal. The owners are lovely and helpful too. Very affordable.
MEAT!! If you need fresh meat to cook up a meal, this great butcher shop has it. Very helpful staff.
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Vince Gasparro's Meat Market
857 Bloor St WMEAT!! If you need fresh meat to cook up a meal, this great butcher shop has it. Very helpful staff.
This place is huge and chaotic and very very cheap! It's good to see the locals in this place. Groceries galore. Located inside the big Dufferin Mall.
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Joe's No Frills
900 Dufferin StThis place is huge and chaotic and very very cheap! It's good to see the locals in this place. Groceries galore. Located inside the big Dufferin Mall.
Everything Else
A unique wonderful park shaped like a big soup bowl, with a big swimming pool open in summer. Lots of green grass to lie on and read a book in the sunshine.
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Christie Pits Park
750 Bloor St WA unique wonderful park shaped like a big soup bowl, with a big swimming pool open in summer. Lots of green grass to lie on and read a book in the sunshine.
Incredible sipping tequilas, live music and a beautiful intimate back patio. A magical summer place.
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Reposado
136 Ossington AveIncredible sipping tequilas, live music and a beautiful intimate back patio. A magical summer place.
Parks & Nature
Also a great park to lie on the grass under the trees with a picnic. Sometimes there is free yoga classes going on in summer. Fantastic farmer's market happens every Thursday, even in winter 3pm-7pm. Or book the fire pit, bring firewood and host your own marshmallow roast!
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Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin StAlso a great park to lie on the grass under the trees with a picnic. Sometimes there is free yoga classes going on in summer. Fantastic farmer's market happens every Thursday, even in winter 3pm-7pm. Or book the fire pit, bring firewood and host your own marshmallow roast!
If it's summertime, everybody is hanging out in this park, looking good and feeling fine. Bring a picnic. Look for the albino white squirrel that lives there. I'm not kidding! Walk to the south end of the park and check out Queen St. in either direction. Great shops and cafes and bars along Queen...
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Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen St WIf it's summertime, everybody is hanging out in this park, looking good and feeling fine. Bring a picnic. Look for the albino white squirrel that lives there. I'm not kidding! Walk to the south end of the park and check out Queen St. in either direction. Great shops and cafes and bars along Queen...
My favourite get-away in the city. An enormous green space, full of trees, many squirrels , a big pond, a tiny zoo featuring beautiful llamas, lots of walking trails and fresh air. Go on a hike! Very safe during the day. (It's a bit too dark and isolated at night to explore. Don't do that.) There is a great cafe in the middle of the park with good food and coffee, open early. If you take the subway to High Park Stn and follow the signs from Bloor St, you will find the cafe. The zoo is near the cafe down Deer Pen Rd. Look for Grenadier Pond. It's splendid. It's true, beavers live in it!! See if you can find the trees with their teethmarks in them!! I was so surprised. Lol!
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High Park
1873 Bloor St WMy favourite get-away in the city. An enormous green space, full of trees, many squirrels , a big pond, a tiny zoo featuring beautiful llamas, lots of walking trails and fresh air. Go on a hike! Very safe during the day. (It's a bit too dark and isolated at night to explore. Don't do that.) There is a great cafe in the middle of the park with good food and coffee, open early. If you take the subway to High Park Stn and follow the signs from Bloor St, you will find the cafe. The zoo is near the cafe down Deer Pen Rd. Look for Grenadier Pond. It's splendid. It's true, beavers live in it!! See if you can find the trees with their teethmarks in them!! I was so surprised. Lol!
If it's warm out, head to the Islands. Ward's Island has incredible views of the city. Walk the hidden boardwalk and find the locals living in a community of hidden cottages! Extremely beautiful greenspace and views of the lake, minutes from the city. Take the ferry boat over to Ward's Island. Bring a picnic! Although, now there is one cafe there near the ferry islandside that has DELICIOUS food and coffee.
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Ward's Island
If it's warm out, head to the Islands. Ward's Island has incredible views of the city. Walk the hidden boardwalk and find the locals living in a community of hidden cottages! Extremely beautiful greenspace and views of the lake, minutes from the city. Take the ferry boat over to Ward's Island. Bring a picnic! Although, now there is one cafe there near the ferry islandside that has DELICIOUS food and coffee.
Shopping
Huge fun mall with lots and lots of shopping. Good hang-out on a rainy day. There is a big grocery store 'No Frill's' that is cheap and crazy. Also a Walmart and more stores, if you need any tech supplies like chargers or cords for your devices.
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Dufferin Mall
900 Dufferin StHuge fun mall with lots and lots of shopping. Good hang-out on a rainy day. There is a big grocery store 'No Frill's' that is cheap and crazy. Also a Walmart and more stores, if you need any tech supplies like chargers or cords for your devices.
A wonderful eclectic mix of clothes and collectables and beads, in a wild neighbourhood. Amazing affordable shop full of treasures. You can explore for hours in this kooky place.
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Courage My Love
14 Kensington AveA wonderful eclectic mix of clothes and collectables and beads, in a wild neighbourhood. Amazing affordable shop full of treasures. You can explore for hours in this kooky place.
A wonderful music store, full of interesting CDs/Vinyl and very knowledgeable staff. They sell local concert tickets too. On a great street to explore.
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Soundscapes
572 College StA wonderful music store, full of interesting CDs/Vinyl and very knowledgeable staff. They sell local concert tickets too. On a great street to explore.
Adorable little gift shop, you will find delightful gifts and cards in here. Right near Christie Pits park.
Northwood General Store
800 Bloor St WAdorable little gift shop, you will find delightful gifts and cards in here. Right near Christie Pits park.
Drinks & Nightlife
A great local bar, not snobby. Food and drinks, cozy and friendly. Sometimes excellent bands and dancing too. The bonus is that it is about a 5 minute walk from home!!!
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The Piston
937 Bloor St WA great local bar, not snobby. Food and drinks, cozy and friendly. Sometimes excellent bands and dancing too. The bonus is that it is about a 5 minute walk from home!!!
Scottish pub! Great folks, cozy space, amazing food and imported beers and scotch. Can be very crowded at night, but that's part of the fun.
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The Caledonian
856 College StScottish pub! Great folks, cozy space, amazing food and imported beers and scotch. Can be very crowded at night, but that's part of the fun.
One of my favourite places to watch live music anywhere in the world. You go downstairs and you will be transported to Northern Ontario circa 1972...The best.
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The Lakeview Restaurant
1132 Dundas Street WestOne of my favourite places to watch live music anywhere in the world. You go downstairs and you will be transported to Northern Ontario circa 1972...The best.
Another amazing, scrappy venue to watch a live band in TO. This place has history and is a classic rock n roll bar. There are a thousand restaurants nearby if you need to eat. It's a student zone.
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Lee's Palace
529 Bloor St WAnother amazing, scrappy venue to watch a live band in TO. This place has history and is a classic rock n roll bar. There are a thousand restaurants nearby if you need to eat. It's a student zone.
A great little bar, good food, lovely decor. Very close to Christie Pits park.
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Northwood
815 Bloor St WA great little bar, good food, lovely decor. Very close to Christie Pits park.
A busy and cozy bar with great beer on tap and a yummy fresh menu. I do love their big back patio with wood burning stove(!). Another secret locals spot. Lotsa local musicians go there.
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The 3 Speed
1163 Bloor St WA busy and cozy bar with great beer on tap and a yummy fresh menu. I do love their big back patio with wood burning stove(!). Another secret locals spot. Lotsa local musicians go there.
Sometimes I'm not sure how I feel about the Drake (it can be a bit 'scenesterish', but the last time I went, there was a hilarious trivia night and it was full of wonderful people. The drinks are good, the food is delish (but a bit pricey). Its the atmosphere and buzz you are paying for. I would check it out if you walk by and it appeals to you! Live music in the basement most nights too. And a great Sky Yard deck when it's warm out. Weekends are totally insane in this neighbourhood, line-ups abound.
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The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St WSometimes I'm not sure how I feel about the Drake (it can be a bit 'scenesterish', but the last time I went, there was a hilarious trivia night and it was full of wonderful people. The drinks are good, the food is delish (but a bit pricey). Its the atmosphere and buzz you are paying for. I would check it out if you walk by and it appeals to you! Live music in the basement most nights too. And a great Sky Yard deck when it's warm out. Weekends are totally insane in this neighbourhood, line-ups abound.
Sightseeing
If you are visiting Toronto for the first time, and it is daytime, do not miss a visit to Kensington Market. Truly unique experience, bring your camera and your appetite. Every type of food is here. And vintage shops. It's hard to describe. Artsy, weird and beautiful. Explore. It's a bit tricky to find. Basically walk one block south of College St and one block west of Spadina. Look for Augusta or Kensington streets and you have found the little maze of streets. Ask anyone walking around. They will point you to it.
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Kensington Market
If you are visiting Toronto for the first time, and it is daytime, do not miss a visit to Kensington Market. Truly unique experience, bring your camera and your appetite. Every type of food is here. And vintage shops. It's hard to describe. Artsy, weird and beautiful. Explore. It's a bit tricky to find. Basically walk one block south of College St and one block west of Spadina. Look for Augusta or Kensington streets and you have found the little maze of streets. Ask anyone walking around. They will point you to it.
If you are here in summer, you have to go to the islands. It's a beautiful natural escape from the city, only a quick 15 minute ferry ride away, cheap and fun. Just head out early on weekends or you will wait in a huge line. Find the kooky little amusement park. Enjoy the cool lake breeze. Bring a picnic. Look at the skyline, what a view of the city over the harbour!!
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Centre Island
If you are here in summer, you have to go to the islands. It's a beautiful natural escape from the city, only a quick 15 minute ferry ride away, cheap and fun. Just head out early on weekends or you will wait in a huge line. Find the kooky little amusement park. Enjoy the cool lake breeze. Bring a picnic. Look at the skyline, what a view of the city over the harbour!!
It's famous! It's the CN Tower! Truthfully, I haven't been up in a looooong time. But I remember how stunning the view was! I do believe it's expensive and that the restaurant is NOT that good...BUT it is really crazy tall and just the elevator going up is insane. Very touristy, expect line-ups.
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i-CN Tower
290 Bremner BlvdIt's famous! It's the CN Tower! Truthfully, I haven't been up in a looooong time. But I remember how stunning the view was! I do believe it's expensive and that the restaurant is NOT that good...BUT it is really crazy tall and just the elevator going up is insane. Very touristy, expect line-ups.