Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
Great coffee and warm, friendly service. One of the closest coffee shops to our house.
103 locals recommend
Capital Espresso
1349 Queen St WGreat coffee and warm, friendly service. One of the closest coffee shops to our house.
Phenomenal vegan Ethiopian food. Serves platters that feed 2-3 people for $10. Serves bottles of organic beer for $3.50! Open for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesdays.
M & B Yummy
Phenomenal vegan Ethiopian food. Serves platters that feed 2-3 people for $10. Serves bottles of organic beer for $3.50! Open for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesdays.
Here's a really great old-school European bakery serving up some delectable treats for very affordable prices. You've gotta try the egg tarts!
49 locals recommend
Brazil Bakery & Pastry Ltd
1566 Dundas St WHere's a really great old-school European bakery serving up some delectable treats for very affordable prices. You've gotta try the egg tarts!
Wow, incredible Tibetan lunch buffet for $7.99. You won't be disappointed! Try the hot sauce :)
Le Tibet
1526 Queen St WWow, incredible Tibetan lunch buffet for $7.99. You won't be disappointed! Try the hot sauce :)
If you love sushi, you've gotta eat here. Affordable, quality sushi including great veg sushi choices! Will blow your mind w price and quality. Offers AYCE + 20% off takeout. Take it to the park!
Sashimi Island
635 College StIf you love sushi, you've gotta eat here. Affordable, quality sushi including great veg sushi choices! Will blow your mind w price and quality. Offers AYCE + 20% off takeout. Take it to the park!
Eee, incredible South Indian food. Meals for ~$10. Includes gluten-free (dosa) and vegan/vegetarian options. Take-away vegan lunchbox for $5. 3/$1 samosas/bhaji. Great chutnies!
40 locals recommend
South Indian Dosa Mahal (Bloor/Lansdowne)
1285 Bloor Street WestEee, incredible South Indian food. Meals for ~$10. Includes gluten-free (dosa) and vegan/vegetarian options. Take-away vegan lunchbox for $5. 3/$1 samosas/bhaji. Great chutnies!
Have you tried Jamaican patties? You've gotta go here and see why this place is always hopping! Day-old patties sold in bags for a v. reasonable price- they reheat well in the oven!
7 locals recommend
Golden Patty
187 Baldwin StHave you tried Jamaican patties? You've gotta go here and see why this place is always hopping! Day-old patties sold in bags for a v. reasonable price- they reheat well in the oven!
Self-explanatory. You will LOVE the dumplings. Lively, bustling Chinatown vibe.
36 locals recommend
Dumpling House Restaurant
328 Spadina Ave.Self-explanatory. You will LOVE the dumplings. Lively, bustling Chinatown vibe.
Yummy local joint for cheap home-style Jamaican roti. Meat roti for around $8, veg roti for $4.
6 locals recommend
Roti Lady
269 Dunn AveYummy local joint for cheap home-style Jamaican roti. Meat roti for around $8, veg roti for $4.
Much-lauded Indian roti place, great for take-out. Rotis for $8-12. So very good! Mild is spicy, medium is quite spicy and hot... yikes!
37 locals recommend
Mother India
1456 Queen St WMuch-lauded Indian roti place, great for take-out. Rotis for $8-12. So very good! Mild is spicy, medium is quite spicy and hot... yikes!
Very cute, eclectic brunch/coffee place. Affordable food and great atmosphere but lots of families w kids on weekends.
86 locals recommend
Mitzi's Cafe
100 Sorauren AvenueVery cute, eclectic brunch/coffee place. Affordable food and great atmosphere but lots of families w kids on weekends.
BEST DIM-SUM. Very cheap outside peak hours (before 11 and mid-day but otherwise reasonable). Very fresh seafood! No veg options, really.
16 locals recommend
Dim Sum King
421 Dundas St WBEST DIM-SUM. Very cheap outside peak hours (before 11 and mid-day but otherwise reasonable). Very fresh seafood! No veg options, really.
Phenomenal local food and delicious drinks. Brunch on Sat/Sunday gets busy but there's a reason for that! Brunch is very delicious and affordable. Food is reinvented diner-style/Canadian fusion. Hip.
91 locals recommend
The Ace
231A Roncesvalles AvePhenomenal local food and delicious drinks. Brunch on Sat/Sunday gets busy but there's a reason for that! Brunch is very delicious and affordable. Food is reinvented diner-style/Canadian fusion. Hip.
Fun, young crowd and relaxed atmosphere. Great comfort food reinvented (try the maki and cheese rolls!). Featured on You Gotta Eat Here!
23 locals recommend
Cardinal Rule
5 Roncesvalles AveFun, young crowd and relaxed atmosphere. Great comfort food reinvented (try the maki and cheese rolls!). Featured on You Gotta Eat Here!
Cheap place to eat and get loaded. Hahha. Actually. Toronto famous/infamous. Daily food/drink specials that are very cheap. Best quality: unrivaled outdoor patio, great people watching.
33 locals recommend
Java House
537 Queen St WCheap place to eat and get loaded. Hahha. Actually. Toronto famous/infamous. Daily food/drink specials that are very cheap. Best quality: unrivaled outdoor patio, great people watching.
'What dreams are made of.' Just let it happen, treat yourself. Bet you can't walk away with less than 4 doughnuts to try!
1596 Queen St W
1596 Queen Street West'What dreams are made of.' Just let it happen, treat yourself. Bet you can't walk away with less than 4 doughnuts to try!
A Toronto institution. Fabulous coffee, equally fabulous people-watching!
26 locals recommend
Moonbean Coffee Company
30 St Andrew StA Toronto institution. Fabulous coffee, equally fabulous people-watching!
Excellent pho/Vietnamese food, meals for under $10. There's a big patio, perfect for cool summer nights.
12 locals recommend
Phoenix Restaurant
1151 College StExcellent pho/Vietnamese food, meals for under $10. There's a big patio, perfect for cool summer nights.
This is a great local spot to treat yourself to brunch. There's a huge rooftop patio and local, seasonal offerings. Brunch for under $15 without drinks or under $30 with coffee and a mimosa.
538 locals recommend
The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St WThis is a great local spot to treat yourself to brunch. There's a huge rooftop patio and local, seasonal offerings. Brunch for under $15 without drinks or under $30 with coffee and a mimosa.
Cheap and Cheerful lunch and brunch. A cute mom n' pop place that serves up big portions for a great price. The food is always fresh and there are quite a few healthy options.
39 locals recommend
Gayley's Cafe
1424 Dundas St WCheap and Cheerful lunch and brunch. A cute mom n' pop place that serves up big portions for a great price. The food is always fresh and there are quite a few healthy options.
Everything Else
Here's where the farmers market is held on Mondays from 3-7pm! This is also where the off-leash dog park is
FUN WITH MUSIC TOGETHER
50 Wabash AveHere's where the farmers market is held on Mondays from 3-7pm! This is also where the off-leash dog park is
Here's the closest and nicest laundromat, it uses water softener and energy efficient machines and has eco-friendly detergent. Its $2.50/load to wash and dryers run for 8 min intervals for 25c/cycle.
1573 Dundas St W
1573 Dundas Street WestHere's the closest and nicest laundromat, it uses water softener and energy efficient machines and has eco-friendly detergent. Its $2.50/load to wash and dryers run for 8 min intervals for 25c/cycle.
Incredibly unpretentious, friendly yoga studio offering lots of $5 and $8 drop-in classes. Check out: http://www.mykulatoronto.ca/class-schedule
8 locals recommend
Kula Yoga Studio
304 Brunswick AveIncredibly unpretentious, friendly yoga studio offering lots of $5 and $8 drop-in classes. Check out: http://www.mykulatoronto.ca/class-schedule
Clean, affordable gym with great facilities and friendly atmosphere. Day-passes available.
52 locals recommend
West End YMCA
931 College StClean, affordable gym with great facilities and friendly atmosphere. Day-passes available.
A fully stocked fitness facility w an indoor ice rink, 25-yard warm water pool, large gymnasium, fitness, dance and yoga studios. For more information, call 416 392-0742.
McCormick Park
66 Sheridan AveA fully stocked fitness facility w an indoor ice rink, 25-yard warm water pool, large gymnasium, fitness, dance and yoga studios. For more information, call 416 392-0742.
Local farmers market: Thu 3-7pm year-round. There's a community skating rink here offering free skating in winter and $2 skate rental, with snack window. http://dufferinpark.ca/home/wiki/wiki.php
208 locals recommend
Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin StLocal farmers market: Thu 3-7pm year-round. There's a community skating rink here offering free skating in winter and $2 skate rental, with snack window. http://dufferinpark.ca/home/wiki/wiki.php
Bike Pirates
DIY bike tune-up place, by donation for help, tools, and parts. http://bikepirates.com/
If you need to go to the hospital, this is the closest one. They accept walk-ins for urgent care but there's a wait. As with any Canadian hospital the bills are steep for out-of-country visitors.
43 locals recommend
St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto
30 The QueenswayIf you need to go to the hospital, this is the closest one. They accept walk-ins for urgent care but there's a wait. As with any Canadian hospital the bills are steep for out-of-country visitors.
You can get a free half hour guest pass to use the computers/internet and printing is 15c/page.
18 locals recommend
Toronto Public Library - Parkdale Branch
1303 Queen St WYou can get a free half hour guest pass to use the computers/internet and printing is 15c/page.
Here's the biggest park in Toronto, just a 15-min walk from our house! There's running/hiking trails, a nature centre, a free zoo, swimming pools, and an off-leash dog trail.
11 locals recommend
High Park Nature Centre
375 Colborne Lodge DrHere's the biggest park in Toronto, just a 15-min walk from our house! There's running/hiking trails, a nature centre, a free zoo, swimming pools, and an off-leash dog trail.
Beautiful lakeside boardwalk with food vendors, picnic spots, and running/cycling/skating trails.
22 locals recommend
Sunnyside Boardwalk
Sunnyside BoardwalkBeautiful lakeside boardwalk with food vendors, picnic spots, and running/cycling/skating trails.
Here's a cafe by the lake and an outdoor swimming pool and the beach in front of the pavilion is a safe (water-tested, lifeguard on duty) swimming beach! Nice sand/docks for sunbathing.
45 locals recommend
Sunnyside Pavilion Cafe
1755 Lake Shore Blvd WHere's a cafe by the lake and an outdoor swimming pool and the beach in front of the pavilion is a safe (water-tested, lifeguard on duty) swimming beach! Nice sand/docks for sunbathing.
Incredible local organic vagan cafe. Salad bowl w 6-8 kinds of salad, homemade raw flat bread and soup for $10. Unbelievable! You'll love it. Cosy, intimate atmosphere.
238 Augusta Ave
238 Augusta AvenueIncredible local organic vagan cafe. Salad bowl w 6-8 kinds of salad, homemade raw flat bread and soup for $10. Unbelievable! You'll love it. Cosy, intimate atmosphere.
1414 Queen St W
1414 Queen Street WestFancy vintage shop, treat yourself to something nice here. Great for gifts. Spendy.
Sliding-scale community acupuncture. $20-40/visit. I go here for treatments, its really incredible. They often have free days for new visitors: http://torontoacupuncturestudio.com/
Toronto Acupuncture Studio
Sliding-scale community acupuncture. $20-40/visit. I go here for treatments, its really incredible. They often have free days for new visitors: http://torontoacupuncturestudio.com/
Mojo Cycles
1652 Queen St WGreat place for cheap and cheerful bike repair/tune-ups :)
A 20-25min walk from our house, serves up fantastic, tasty vegan and non-vegan brunch. They have a caesar bar! Great non-pretentious retro dinner atmosphere.
28 locals recommend
The Steady Cafe & Bar
1051 Bloor Street WestA 20-25min walk from our house, serves up fantastic, tasty vegan and non-vegan brunch. They have a caesar bar! Great non-pretentious retro dinner atmosphere.
Essentials
The closest conventional grocery store: great deals and a surprisingly wide selection of produce and cultural foods. Find reusable grocery bags in a crate in the front hall for you to borrow :)
85 locals recommend
Peter's No Frills
2150 Burnhamthorpe Rd WThe closest conventional grocery store: great deals and a surprisingly wide selection of produce and cultural foods. Find reusable grocery bags in a crate in the front hall for you to borrow :)
Here's where the local organic food coop is located. Hours at http://westendfood.coop/
You'll need to borrow our membership card, just ask!
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
1229 Queen St WHere's where the local organic food coop is located. Hours at http://westendfood.coop/
You'll need to borrow our membership card, just ask!
255 Roncesvalles Ave
The best place in the neighbourhood to buy fresh produce! Very fair prices.
Biggest market in Toronto w farmers from Ottawa to Windsor regions and North. Worth checking out! Saturdays 5am to 3pm, produce mark-down between 2 and 3pm. Year-round in grand historical building.
1398 locals recommend
St. Lawrence Market
93 Front St EBiggest market in Toronto w farmers from Ottawa to Windsor regions and North. Worth checking out! Saturdays 5am to 3pm, produce mark-down between 2 and 3pm. Year-round in grand historical building.
Arts & Culture
Need to mend something? Sew by the hour for $7/hr to use a sewing machine, serger, and all other necessary supplies!
The Make Den Sewing Studio
163 Sterling RdNeed to mend something? Sew by the hour for $7/hr to use a sewing machine, serger, and all other necessary supplies!
The Film Buff (Closed)
73 Roncesvalles AveClosest DVD rental store (yup, we still have those!)
Free contemporary art gallery, sometimes the exhibits are really great.
129 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada
158 Sterling RdFree contemporary art gallery, sometimes the exhibits are really great.
Fantastic free/low-cost arts and cultural events. Art gallery inside, food/culture festivals hosted outside throughout summer and fall. http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/
512 locals recommend
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay WFantastic free/low-cost arts and cultural events. Art gallery inside, food/culture festivals hosted outside throughout summer and fall. http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/
A Canadian railway museum. Fun to check-out and much in need of support: http://www.trha.ca/
Roundhouse Park Mini Railroad
A Canadian railway museum. Fun to check-out and much in need of support: http://www.trha.ca/
Very interesting indoor gardens. A calm space to relax and take space for yourself. Nice place to bring a book/tea and read, bench seating. Free to visit.
268 locals recommend
Allan Gardens
160 Gerrard St EVery interesting indoor gardens. A calm space to relax and take space for yourself. Nice place to bring a book/tea and read, bench seating. Free to visit.
Working farm w animals downtown! Cafe sercing local fare and farmers market Sun 7am-1pm. Close to ravine with trails. In Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto featuring victorian architecture.
247 locals recommend
Riverdale Farm
201 Winchester StWorking farm w animals downtown! Cafe sercing local fare and farmers market Sun 7am-1pm. Close to ravine with trails. In Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto featuring victorian architecture.
Wonderful independent cinema, great to treat yourself to a movie night in an old, classic theatre!
116 locals recommend
The Revue Cinema
400 Roncesvalles AveWonderful independent cinema, great to treat yourself to a movie night in an old, classic theatre!
Shopping
Shoppers Drug Mart
125 The QueenswayLocal pharmacy, not the closest but definitely the tidiest.
Closest liquor store (liquor/wine/beer is only available through the LCBO, Wine Rack, breweries, and Beer Store).
957 locals recommend
LCBO
49 Spadina Ave.Closest liquor store (liquor/wine/beer is only available through the LCBO, Wine Rack, breweries, and Beer Store).
Beer Store
Closest Beer Store, you can also return your empties here for cash :)
Pet Valu
422 Roncesvalles AveNearest affordable pet-store (otherwise there's dog boutiques on Roncesvalles).
Relatively cheap vintage store.Fun to poke around and there's always sales.
44 locals recommend
Public Butter Vintage
1290 Queen St WRelatively cheap vintage store.Fun to poke around and there's always sales.
In case you're the type of person who visits the local thrift store any time you visit a new place. Never know what you'll find!!
28 locals recommend
Value Village
1319 Bloor St WIn case you're the type of person who visits the local thrift store any time you visit a new place. Never know what you'll find!!
Here's where you can buy adapters for international power conversion. Also, a great general hardware store.
8 locals recommend
Parkdale Home Hardware
1372 Queen St WHere's where you can buy adapters for international power conversion. Also, a great general hardware store.
This mall is about a 20minute walk from our house and has clothing stores, hardware, a dollar store, shoe stores, various cellphone providers, electronics shops, etc!
289 locals recommend
Dufferin Mall
900 Dufferin StThis mall is about a 20minute walk from our house and has clothing stores, hardware, a dollar store, shoe stores, various cellphone providers, electronics shops, etc!
Dollarama
871 Chemong RdYou can find almost anything here for under $3, yippee!
Sightseeing
Well.. this is where all the cool kids hangout in the summertime. You'll either like it or hate it.
743 locals recommend
Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen St WWell.. this is where all the cool kids hangout in the summertime. You'll either like it or hate it.
No visit to Toronto is complete without Kensington! You've just gotta see it, there's incredible street-food and artisanal food. Foodie Heaven! Make it a day trip by including Chinatown.
1698 locals recommend
Kensington Market
No visit to Toronto is complete without Kensington! You've just gotta see it, there's incredible street-food and artisanal food. Foodie Heaven! Make it a day trip by including Chinatown.
Take a walk along here to check out cute antiques shops and great produce markets. A nice place to shop at local stores for gifts/groceries. Great for dates, ppl watching, families.
135 locals recommend
Roncesvalles Village
147 Roncesvalles AveTake a walk along here to check out cute antiques shops and great produce markets. A nice place to shop at local stores for gifts/groceries. Great for dates, ppl watching, families.
Toronto's zine library is housed here! http://www.torontozinelibrary.org/
6 locals recommend
Tranzac Club
292 Brunswick AveToronto's zine library is housed here! http://www.torontozinelibrary.org/
If you're visiting spring through fall, you HAVE to visit the islands. Its incredible! Fabulous view of Toronto skyline, canoe and bike rental, nude beach.
1035 locals recommend
Toronto Islands
If you're visiting spring through fall, you HAVE to visit the islands. Its incredible! Fabulous view of Toronto skyline, canoe and bike rental, nude beach.
Very cool stretch of Indian cultural stores and restaurants. Great street culture in the warmer months with street food vendors and music. Great place to buy spices/gifts.
15 locals recommend
CZ WHolesale
51 Chelwood RoadVery cool stretch of Indian cultural stores and restaurants. Great street culture in the warmer months with street food vendors and music. Great place to buy spices/gifts.
Sweet neighbourhood to walk around and explore. There's a great flea market that happens here every other Sunday: http://junctionflea.blogspot.ca/
113 locals recommend
The Junction
Sweet neighbourhood to walk around and explore. There's a great flea market that happens here every other Sunday: http://junctionflea.blogspot.ca/
Drinks & Nightlife
Great venue for music, arts events, talks/readings. Worth checking out to see what's on. Nice restaurant as well.
194 locals recommend
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St WGreat venue for music, arts events, talks/readings. Worth checking out to see what's on. Nice restaurant as well.
1665 Dundas St W
1665 Dundas Street WestSweet, cosy bar.
Check it out- a local brewery that offers tours with samples. Fun! Buy beer here directly from the source :)
334 locals recommend
Steam Whistle Brewing
255 Bremner BlvdCheck it out- a local brewery that offers tours with samples. Fun! Buy beer here directly from the source :)
Amsterdam Brewing Company
45 Esandar DrBuy beer here up till 11pm, straight from the brewery!
Buy locally-crafted small-batch beer up till 11pm, also a bar and patio.
373 locals recommend
Bellwoods Brewery
124 Ossington AveBuy locally-crafted small-batch beer up till 11pm, also a bar and patio.