Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
Great Thai food, mild spice. Get there early (or late,) as this place fills up quickly.
266 locals recommend
PAI
18 Duncan StGreat Thai food, mild spice. Get there early (or late,) as this place fills up quickly.
Nearby cafe, try their various Italian roast style coffees and mini donuts.
21 locals recommend
The Grind House
281 Augusta AveNearby cafe, try their various Italian roast style coffees and mini donuts.
Sweet Jesus
106 John StCreative novelty ice cream nearby.
Doomie's
1265 Queen St WDelicious vegan restaurant
Fast food burger joint, with yummy fresh ground burgers. Check out their secret menu here --> http://www.theburgerspriest.com/secret-menu/
154 locals recommend
The Burger's Priest
463 Queen St WFast food burger joint, with yummy fresh ground burgers. Check out their secret menu here --> http://www.theburgerspriest.com/secret-menu/
If you're into dim sum, this is a large restaurant located downtown in Chinatown.
16 locals recommend
Dim Sum King
421 Dundas St WIf you're into dim sum, this is a large restaurant located downtown in Chinatown.
Vegan restaurant nearby, serving great food and healthy smoothies.
135 locals recommend
Fresh on Spadina
5031 Spadina Ave.Vegan restaurant nearby, serving great food and healthy smoothies.
What A Bagel
130 Spadina Ave.Come early for breakfast, or buy some fresh bagels to go.
Delicious, Neapolitan style wood oven fired pizzas. This is the original location, but you can find 2 more nearby: 545 King St. West and 155 University Ave. Come early and prepare for a bit of a wait, but it's worth it!
384 locals recommend
Pizzeria Libretto
221 Ossington AveDelicious, Neapolitan style wood oven fired pizzas. This is the original location, but you can find 2 more nearby: 545 King St. West and 155 University Ave. Come early and prepare for a bit of a wait, but it's worth it!
Delicious Italian restaurant on Queen St. West. They take reservations as well as walk ins. Stop by for lunch or dinner after taking a walk or after some shopping.
445 locals recommend
Terroni
720 Queen St WDelicious Italian restaurant on Queen St. West. They take reservations as well as walk ins. Stop by for lunch or dinner after taking a walk or after some shopping.
Lady Marmalade
265 Broadview AveDelicious brunch place. Often very busy so come early!
Can't decide between Caribbean or Italian? Why not go for both at this casual Kensington Market spot. Try the jerk chicken panini, or the traditional curries with rice and peas (beans if you're not familiar.) You'll often see the owners in store working at this popular eatery. Seating is small and limited, so it's more of a takeout spot. Enjoy on the street or the park nearby.
38 locals recommend
Rasta Pasta
61 Kensington AveCan't decide between Caribbean or Italian? Why not go for both at this casual Kensington Market spot. Try the jerk chicken panini, or the traditional curries with rice and peas (beans if you're not familiar.) You'll often see the owners in store working at this popular eatery. Seating is small and limited, so it's more of a takeout spot. Enjoy on the street or the park nearby.
Eat your way through Toronto's largest food market, where you can find both fresh produce, meats and cheese, as well as prepared meals. Arrive early to try a peameal breakfast sandwich from Carousel Bakery, or one of the regular popular ones throughout the day.
1398 locals recommend
St. Lawrence Market
93 Front St EEat your way through Toronto's largest food market, where you can find both fresh produce, meats and cheese, as well as prepared meals. Arrive early to try a peameal breakfast sandwich from Carousel Bakery, or one of the regular popular ones throughout the day.
Great for spice lovers! Khao San Road customizes spice levels and makes great Thai. This place gets very busy fast, so I encourage you to go early. It is a 4 minute walk from the apartment. Easy to miss too with its unassuming neon blue sign, so keep your eyes peeled for this one.
199 locals recommend
Khao San Road
11 Charlotte StGreat for spice lovers! Khao San Road customizes spice levels and makes great Thai. This place gets very busy fast, so I encourage you to go early. It is a 4 minute walk from the apartment. Easy to miss too with its unassuming neon blue sign, so keep your eyes peeled for this one.
BlogTO: NishDish Marketeria is doing more than just serving traditional Anishnawbe food, they’re reclaiming native food history and First Nations culture.
The simple, astonishingly cheap menu is made up of small healthy items for a couple bucks that you can pair together.
8 locals recommend
NishDish
690 Bloor St W BlogTO: NishDish Marketeria is doing more than just serving traditional Anishnawbe food, they’re reclaiming native food history and First Nations culture.
The simple, astonishingly cheap menu is made up of small healthy items for a couple bucks that you can pair together.
Open early and late night from 6 am-3am daily, you can find lots of great eats at almost all hours. Try the peking duck poutine, yum
105 locals recommend
Thompson Diner
550 Wellington St WOpen early and late night from 6 am-3am daily, you can find lots of great eats at almost all hours. Try the peking duck poutine, yum
Northern Chinese food mase by a chef eho truly uses her mother's recipes and techniques.
81 locals recommend
Mother's Dumplings
421 Spadina Ave.Northern Chinese food mase by a chef eho truly uses her mother's recipes and techniques.
"Italian-ish" best describes the menu at this Ossington Ave favourite. Delicious thin crust pizzas, beef cheek ragu rignette, and whole fried softshell crabs with butter and cognac sauce...all worth a try! Reservations are easy to get on their website, superpoint.ca and are a MUST for this tiny eatery.
43 locals recommend
Superpoint
184 Ossington Ave"Italian-ish" best describes the menu at this Ossington Ave favourite. Delicious thin crust pizzas, beef cheek ragu rignette, and whole fried softshell crabs with butter and cognac sauce...all worth a try! Reservations are easy to get on their website, superpoint.ca and are a MUST for this tiny eatery.
Pizza Rustica is an Italian eatery that's open 24 hours, and only a short 5 minute walk from the building.
20 locals recommend
Yard Bird at Pizza Rustica
37 Blue Jays WayPizza Rustica is an Italian eatery that's open 24 hours, and only a short 5 minute walk from the building.
General Assembly is a newer pizza restaurant one block away. Pizza's are Neopolitan style, and delicious! Try the Don Diego if you're feeling on the adventurous side. Note: this establishment is cashless, tipping discouraged
16 locals recommend
General Assembly Pizza
331 Adelaide St WGeneral Assembly is a newer pizza restaurant one block away. Pizza's are Neopolitan style, and delicious! Try the Don Diego if you're feeling on the adventurous side. Note: this establishment is cashless, tipping discouraged
Drinks & Nightlife
Bar and music venue, the Horseshoe Tavern is a classic dive bar music scene for Indie artists, new and up and coming.
133 locals recommend
Horseshoe Tavern
370 Queen St WBar and music venue, the Horseshoe Tavern is a classic dive bar music scene for Indie artists, new and up and coming.
Jazz lovers, this is one's for you. A classy, soulful Toronto institution where you can enjoy different artists throughout the week, from Motown to swing, and enjoy a cocktail or light dinners. A young and unknown Michael Buble once sang here.
71 locals recommend
Reservoir Lounge
52 Wellington St EJazz lovers, this is one's for you. A classy, soulful Toronto institution where you can enjoy different artists throughout the week, from Motown to swing, and enjoy a cocktail or light dinners. A young and unknown Michael Buble once sang here.
Almost secret backyard bar in Kensington Market. Located in a behind a small mall, the bourtyard area has an inexpensive, no frills bar, a DJ, and a vendor selling dumplings just outside the door. The best time to go is on a hot Sunday afternoon and the place gets packed. Be sure to arrive by 2:30-3:00 pm, as the queue builds up fast and the space is small!
96 locals recommend
Cold Tea
1186 Queen Street WestAlmost secret backyard bar in Kensington Market. Located in a behind a small mall, the bourtyard area has an inexpensive, no frills bar, a DJ, and a vendor selling dumplings just outside the door. The best time to go is on a hot Sunday afternoon and the place gets packed. Be sure to arrive by 2:30-3:00 pm, as the queue builds up fast and the space is small!
If European beer is your thing Town Crier is another nearby bar. They have 50 beers on tap, and a Belgian & German menu.
34 locals recommend
Town Crier Pub & Halfway Beer House
115 John StIf European beer is your thing Town Crier is another nearby bar. They have 50 beers on tap, and a Belgian & German menu.
For the vodka fans, Pravda has a large selection of vodkas from around the world, Soviet/Russian decor and theme. Come on a Friday or Saturday night to hear an upbeat live musicians that walk through the venue and interact with the crowd. Happy hour specials available here as well.
76 locals recommend
Pravda Vodka Bar
44 Wellington St EFor the vodka fans, Pravda has a large selection of vodkas from around the world, Soviet/Russian decor and theme. Come on a Friday or Saturday night to hear an upbeat live musicians that walk through the venue and interact with the crowd. Happy hour specials available here as well.
A cool yet unpretentious spot, Bar Buca is great for a light dinner and a glass of wine or two. The wine list is full of Italian varieties, as well as small and large plates. It's a short 12 minute walk, just off Queen St. West.
126 locals recommend
Bar Buca
2 Portland StA cool yet unpretentious spot, Bar Buca is great for a light dinner and a glass of wine or two. The wine list is full of Italian varieties, as well as small and large plates. It's a short 12 minute walk, just off Queen St. West.
Lovely bar in Kensington Market, helmed by co-owner and former Momofuku Ko chef Mitchell Bates, serving a variety of wines, spritzers, and a couple of beers on tap. They also have a variety of small and large plates to pair along with them.
42 locals recommend
Grey Gardens
199 Augusta AveLovely bar in Kensington Market, helmed by co-owner and former Momofuku Ko chef Mitchell Bates, serving a variety of wines, spritzers, and a couple of beers on tap. They also have a variety of small and large plates to pair along with them.
Arts & Culture
The curent featured exhibit is the Blue Whale. Check out the ROM Summer Fridays with discounted admission from 5:30-8:30 pm and live music until 9.
2332 locals recommend
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens ParkThe curent featured exhibit is the Blue Whale. Check out the ROM Summer Fridays with discounted admission from 5:30-8:30 pm and live music until 9.
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St WCanada's first opera and ballet theatre.
168 locals recommend
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
145 Queen St WCanada's first opera and ballet theatre.
The Mirvish Theatre plays a host to many great musicals and theatre productions in Toronto.
191 locals recommend
Ed Mirvish Theatre
244 Victoria StThe Mirvish Theatre plays a host to many great musicals and theatre productions in Toronto.
The Campbell House Museum plays host to tours, and events. Currently playing is a show called the Hogtown: The Immersive Experience, an immersive theatrical experience where no two shows are exactly alike.
11 locals recommend
Campbell House Museum
160 Queen St WThe Campbell House Museum plays host to tours, and events. Currently playing is a show called the Hogtown: The Immersive Experience, an immersive theatrical experience where no two shows are exactly alike.
Shopping
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
220 Yonge StShop away!
West Queen Street is full of many small and independent shops, everything from boutique clothing stores to antiques, quirky and glam.
723 locals recommend
Queen Street West
Queen Street WestWest Queen Street is full of many small and independent shops, everything from boutique clothing stores to antiques, quirky and glam.
Yorkville is the place to be if you're looking for high end retail brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and many more.
651 locals recommend
Yorkville
Yorkville is the place to be if you're looking for high end retail brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and many more.
Sightseeing
CN Tower
290 Bremner BlvdFeeling a little extra fearless? Try the Skywalk!
A bustling public open space downtown, hosting various activities, festivals, concerts, and more. It's also next to the Eaton Centre so you can do some shopping!
399 locals recommend
Yonge-Dundas Square
1 Dundas St EA bustling public open space downtown, hosting various activities, festivals, concerts, and more. It's also next to the Eaton Centre so you can do some shopping!
See the iconic TORONTO sign in front of City Hall. Also an area of town that sometimes hosts Farmer's Markets, art shows, and other cultural events.
350 locals recommend
Nathan Phillips Square
100 Queen St WSee the iconic TORONTO sign in front of City Hall. Also an area of town that sometimes hosts Farmer's Markets, art shows, and other cultural events.
Eclectic, colourful and vibrant, this proud Toronto neighbourhood downtown is full of independent restaurants and shops, fresh fruit and vegetable markets, clothing, trinkets and incense from India, Africa, Nepal and much more. Sundays are known as 'Pedestrian Sundays,' where the streets are closed to vehicles and local businesses are featured and celebrated. Musicians, artists and performers are also featured on the streets.
1698 locals recommend
Kensington Market
Eclectic, colourful and vibrant, this proud Toronto neighbourhood downtown is full of independent restaurants and shops, fresh fruit and vegetable markets, clothing, trinkets and incense from India, Africa, Nepal and much more. Sundays are known as 'Pedestrian Sundays,' where the streets are closed to vehicles and local businesses are featured and celebrated. Musicians, artists and performers are also featured on the streets.
Built as a private home by Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt in 1914, this majestic castle-in-the-city features elegant rooms, secret passageways, sweeping staircases, stables and lush gardens. Spanish for “Hill House,” Casa Loma attracts guests from all over the world to view the grounds and buildings or to take in special events like escape games and concerts in the garden.
1217 locals recommend
Casa Loma
1 Austin TerraceBuilt as a private home by Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt in 1914, this majestic castle-in-the-city features elegant rooms, secret passageways, sweeping staircases, stables and lush gardens. Spanish for “Hill House,” Casa Loma attracts guests from all over the world to view the grounds and buildings or to take in special events like escape games and concerts in the garden.
From Wikipedia: The Distillery District is a commercial and residential district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located east of downtown, it contains numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops housed within heritage buildings of the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery. The 13 acres (5.3 ha) district comprises more than forty heritage buildings and ten streets, and is the largest collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America.
1704 locals recommend
Distillery Historic District
55 Mill StFrom Wikipedia: The Distillery District is a commercial and residential district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Located east of downtown, it contains numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops housed within heritage buildings of the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery. The 13 acres (5.3 ha) district comprises more than forty heritage buildings and ten streets, and is the largest collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America.
Whether you consider this to be street art or graffiti it is not to be missed if you enjoy modern art. Each summer for the past few years, a group called Style in Progress has taken over graffiti alley for a 24-hour period of legal painting. CBC Comedian Rick Mercer often films his famous weekly TV on air Commentary while walking through Graffiti Alley using the Murals as his backdrop.
Go during the daytime to see the murals (they make cool photo backdrops!) as there are no streetlights.
50 locals recommend
Graffiti Alley
Graffiti AlleyWhether you consider this to be street art or graffiti it is not to be missed if you enjoy modern art. Each summer for the past few years, a group called Style in Progress has taken over graffiti alley for a 24-hour period of legal painting. CBC Comedian Rick Mercer often films his famous weekly TV on air Commentary while walking through Graffiti Alley using the Murals as his backdrop.
Go during the daytime to see the murals (they make cool photo backdrops!) as there are no streetlights.
Essentials
Mike's Independent City Market Toronto
111 Peter StOpen from 08:00-22:00 daily.
Rabba Fine Foods
361 Front St W24 hour grocery store.
Pharmacy, some groceries, make-up, toiletries, and other essential items can be found here. Open until midnight.
515 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
388 King St WPharmacy, some groceries, make-up, toiletries, and other essential items can be found here. Open until midnight.
Wine, liquor and spirits. Closed early on Sundays and all day on public holidays.
957 locals recommend
LCBO
49 Spadina Ave.Wine, liquor and spirits. Closed early on Sundays and all day on public holidays.
Entertainment & Activities
Movie theatre, major location for Toronto International Film Festival events.
358 locals recommend
Scotiabank Theatre
259 Richmond St WMovie theatre, major location for Toronto International Film Festival events.
Rogers Centre
1 Blue Jays WayCatch a Blue Jay's game here, rain or shine!
The Harbourfront Centre is the location of many food, arts and cultural festivals. Check out their calendar here: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whatson/today.cfm
512 locals recommend
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay WThe Harbourfront Centre is the location of many food, arts and cultural festivals. Check out their calendar here: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whatson/today.cfm
The turf of the Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, the stadium is also the location of many large concerts.
175 locals recommend
Scotiabank Arena
The turf of the Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, the stadium is also the location of many large concerts.
The scene of many of the Toronto International Film Festival events, the TIFF Bell Lightbox also hosts many other film fests. Have a happy hour drink at the bar (weekdays every evening after 4 pm) and catch a great independent movie here throughout the day. You may catch a director or a celebrity hosting panel discussions and conversations with movie goers.
582 locals recommend
TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King St WThe scene of many of the Toronto International Film Festival events, the TIFF Bell Lightbox also hosts many other film fests. Have a happy hour drink at the bar (weekdays every evening after 4 pm) and catch a great independent movie here throughout the day. You may catch a director or a celebrity hosting panel discussions and conversations with movie goers.
Do you like roller coasters and funnel cakes? Spend a day at Canada's Wonderland! Loads of activities for all ages, including rides, shows, a water park and even cabana rentals by the pool. The park is accessible by vehicle, Go transit and TTC.
46 locals recommend
Canada's Wonderland Stop # 4288
1 Canada's Wonderland DriveDo you like roller coasters and funnel cakes? Spend a day at Canada's Wonderland! Loads of activities for all ages, including rides, shows, a water park and even cabana rentals by the pool. The park is accessible by vehicle, Go transit and TTC.
With lots of Canadian wildlife featured, this attraction is captivating for all ages.
2071 locals recommend
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
288 Bremner BlvdWith lots of Canadian wildlife featured, this attraction is captivating for all ages.