Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
Delicious Italian, wine by the ounce, covered patio (ok on a rainy day), awesome for groups
395 abantu bendawo batusa
Gusto 101
101 Portland StDelicious Italian, wine by the ounce, covered patio (ok on a rainy day), awesome for groups
Intimate spot with tapas-style food and delicious drinks! Can get busy on weekends but otherwise worth a stop.
164 abantu bendawo batusa
416 Snack Bar
181 Bathurst StIntimate spot with tapas-style food and delicious drinks! Can get busy on weekends but otherwise worth a stop.
Great for groups. It's like a German beer hall with a huge selection of sausages and beers on tap. Try the duck fat fries!
198 abantu bendawo batusa
WVRST
609 King St WGreat for groups. It's like a German beer hall with a huge selection of sausages and beers on tap. Try the duck fat fries!
Our favourite hole-in-the-wall. It's a dive bar, but we go for the home-cooked Russian food, especially borscht and khinkali dumplings.
54 abantu bendawo batusa
The Ossington
61 Ossington AveOur favourite hole-in-the-wall. It's a dive bar, but we go for the home-cooked Russian food, especially borscht and khinkali dumplings.
Quantum Coffee
482 King St WStop in when you're exploring King West
Nadège Patisserie
780 Queen St WEscape to Paris. Get the macarons.
White Squirrel Coffee Shop
907 Queen St WCoffee to go when you're heading to the park
Tokyo Smoke
76 Stafford StCoffee to go or on the patio before heading to Trinity Bellwoods
For indulgent French weekend brunch, with turn-of-the-century Parisian decor
155 abantu bendawo batusa
Le Sélect Bistro
432 Wellington St WFor indulgent French weekend brunch, with turn-of-the-century Parisian decor
Cheap and delicious Vietnamese noodle soup (under $10). Cash only. Patio in the summer. Eat in or take out.
119 abantu bendawo batusa
Pho Rùa Vàng Golden Turtle Restaurant
125 Ossington AveCheap and delicious Vietnamese noodle soup (under $10). Cash only. Patio in the summer. Eat in or take out.
Modern vegetarian/vegan food, but there's something for everyone. There's another location at Richmond and Spadina.
143 abantu bendawo batusa
Fresh on Crawford
894 Queen Street WestModern vegetarian/vegan food, but there's something for everyone. There's another location at Richmond and Spadina.
One huge advantage of staying here... you can keep an eye on the massive line up at Bang Bang! So many unique artisan flavours, like London Fog, ginger milk, or espresso made with beans from the coffee shop down the street. If it's just too packed, head to Sweet Olenka's on Queen.
171 abantu bendawo batusa
Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery
93A Ossington AveOne huge advantage of staying here... you can keep an eye on the massive line up at Bang Bang! So many unique artisan flavours, like London Fog, ginger milk, or espresso made with beans from the coffee shop down the street. If it's just too packed, head to Sweet Olenka's on Queen.
One of our favourite date night spots. Doesn't take reservations. Asian-fusion tapas and a yummy wine list. Try the short ribs!
80 abantu bendawo batusa
Foxley
207 Ossington AveOne of our favourite date night spots. Doesn't take reservations. Asian-fusion tapas and a yummy wine list. Try the short ribs!
Seven Lives
72 Kensington AveDelicious, affordable, takeout tacos. The octopus is yummy!
Clean, hip, inexpensive, delicious! Tacos, guac, and chips. A real crowd-pleaser.
142 abantu bendawo batusa
Wilbur Mexicana
552 King St WClean, hip, inexpensive, delicious! Tacos, guac, and chips. A real crowd-pleaser.
Rol San Restaurant
388 Spadina Ave.Go-to spot for dim sum in Chinatown
Le Neuf Cafe. Serene place for a park-front brunch, but still in the middle of the city.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Clarence Square
25 Clarence SquareLe Neuf Cafe. Serene place for a park-front brunch, but still in the middle of the city.
Ethiopian food. $12 feeds two people and you might even have leftovers! Super casual, cash only. Get there before 5:30 to avoid lineups.
71 abantu bendawo batusa
Nazareth
969 Bloor Street WestEthiopian food. $12 feeds two people and you might even have leftovers! Super casual, cash only. Get there before 5:30 to avoid lineups.
Take your spouse, take your parents, or just take yourself. Modern/upscale Greek food. Reservations required.
102 abantu bendawo batusa
Mamakas Taverna
80 Ossington AveTake your spouse, take your parents, or just take yourself. Modern/upscale Greek food. Reservations required.
Woodlot
293 Palmerston AveFarm-to-table / Canadian. Vegetarian friendly. A bit pricey.
Capital Espresso
1349 Queen St WCoffee and hipster people watching
Argentinean cafe known for empanadas & brewing traditional mate (a drink of steeped yerba leaves, simlar to tea).
31 abantu bendawo batusa
El Almacen
1720 Queen St WArgentinean cafe known for empanadas & brewing traditional mate (a drink of steeped yerba leaves, simlar to tea).
Thin-crust pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven with creative toppings
69 abantu bendawo batusa
Pizzeria Defina
321 Roncesvalles AveThin-crust pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven with creative toppings
Arts & Culture
Beautiful architecture. I particularly like the modern art. Free on Wednesday evenings.
2262 abantu bendawo batusa
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St WBeautiful architecture. I particularly like the modern art. Free on Wednesday evenings.
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
231 Queens Quay WThis is a the old TTC (streetcar) storage barns converted to a park and events space with lots of great live in artists, coffee shop and things to do. Farmer's Market every Saturday morning from 8am-12pm and lots of special events.
44 abantu bendawo batusa
Artscape Wychwood Barns
601 Christie StThis is a the old TTC (streetcar) storage barns converted to a park and events space with lots of great live in artists, coffee shop and things to do. Farmer's Market every Saturday morning from 8am-12pm and lots of special events.
Parks & Nature
Bring a blanket, pour your wine into a coffee cup, chill all day with the hipsters.
590 abantu bendawo batusa
Trinity - Bellwoods
Bring a blanket, pour your wine into a coffee cup, chill all day with the hipsters.
Martin Goodman Trail
Long lakefront trail for running & biking
Toronto Islands are an oasis in the city, accessed via ferry. I suggest taking the ferry to Ward's Island, which is residential and therefore very quiet, or to Hanlan's Point, which is mostly parkland. There are a couple cafes on the island but I recommend packing snacks as well.
1035 abantu bendawo batusa
Toronto Islands
Toronto Islands are an oasis in the city, accessed via ferry. I suggest taking the ferry to Ward's Island, which is residential and therefore very quiet, or to Hanlan's Point, which is mostly parkland. There are a couple cafes on the island but I recommend packing snacks as well.
Drinks & Nightlife
Rotating selection, great (but busy) patio, or buy some bottles to go
373 abantu bendawo batusa
Bellwoods Brewery
124 Ossington AveRotating selection, great (but busy) patio, or buy some bottles to go
Northern Belle
913 Dundas St WCafé by day, bar by night, with a patio
All day hangout spot. Daytime coffee shop, nighttime cocktail bar / craft beer, patio, and weekend brunch
92 abantu bendawo batusa
Northwood
815 Bloor St WAll day hangout spot. Daytime coffee shop, nighttime cocktail bar / craft beer, patio, and weekend brunch
Hidden back patio for hot summer days. Happy hour 5-7pm with $1 oysters.
106 abantu bendawo batusa
Bar Neon
1226 Bloor St WHidden back patio for hot summer days. Happy hour 5-7pm with $1 oysters.
As close to a speakeasy as you'll find in TO. Good luck finding it. Go down a storefront alley to find this hidden bar. Amazing cocktails and chill patio.
96 abantu bendawo batusa
Cold Tea
1186 Queen Street WestAs close to a speakeasy as you'll find in TO. Good luck finding it. Go down a storefront alley to find this hidden bar. Amazing cocktails and chill patio.
Molecular cocktails... Yours may come smoking with dry ice! Be prepared to spend some $$. It's a real mixology experience.
145 abantu bendawo batusa
BarChef
472 Queen St WMolecular cocktails... Yours may come smoking with dry ice! Be prepared to spend some $$. It's a real mixology experience.
Mellow live music, best tequila selection, cozy back patio, funky crowd. If you only have one night to chill out with friends, go here.
100 abantu bendawo batusa
Reposado
136 Ossington AveMellow live music, best tequila selection, cozy back patio, funky crowd. If you only have one night to chill out with friends, go here.
Shopping
Iconic Canadian stuff / souvenirs, with a bunch of things you didn't realize you want.
39 abantu bendawo batusa
Drake General Store
1151 Queen St WIconic Canadian stuff / souvenirs, with a bunch of things you didn't realize you want.
North Standard Trading Post
1535 Queen St WCanadiana / souvenirs / expensive hipster stuff
Sightseeing
Spend a couple hours strolling around the converted factories, galleries, etc. Check out El Catrin for brunch, SoMa for chocolate, and Balzac's for the most gorgeous cafe in the city.
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Distillery Historic District
55 Mill StSpend a couple hours strolling around the converted factories, galleries, etc. Check out El Catrin for brunch, SoMa for chocolate, and Balzac's for the most gorgeous cafe in the city.
An eclectic mixture of people and places. Vintage shops, street musicians, record shops, fascinating people-watching.
The last Sunday of each month (in the summer) is pedestrian only.
1698 abantu bendawo batusa
Kensington Market
An eclectic mixture of people and places. Vintage shops, street musicians, record shops, fascinating people-watching.
The last Sunday of each month (in the summer) is pedestrian only.
Entertainment & Activities
A permanent location for our famous film festival, the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). Offers a great selection of independent films, documentaries and classics.
582 abantu bendawo batusa
TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King St WA permanent location for our famous film festival, the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). Offers a great selection of independent films, documentaries and classics.
Great sketch comedy and improv. You may even be able to get same-day tickets if lucky
156 abantu bendawo batusa
The Second City Toronto
110 Mercer StGreat sketch comedy and improv. You may even be able to get same-day tickets if lucky
Lower Ossington Theatre
100 Ossington AveLocal community theatre