Guidebook for Fun, Food + Art in Toronto's West End
Essentials
Price Chopper
Closest grocery store. Affordable, but limited selection.
grain, curd & bean
1414 Dundas Street WestBread, cheese, coffee
A go-to neighbourhood spot for baked goods, coffee, sandwiches and pantry staples alike. Irresistibly located steps from the park + sunny summer afternoons spent relaxing on a picnic blanket.
15 locals recommend
The Lucky Penny General Store and Cafe
189 Shaw StA go-to neighbourhood spot for baked goods, coffee, sandwiches and pantry staples alike. Irresistibly located steps from the park + sunny summer afternoons spent relaxing on a picnic blanket.
Entertainment & Activities
Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin St- Farmer's market (Thursdays 3-7pm)
- Great kids play area
Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen St W- Farmer's market (Tuesdays 3-7pm)
- Kids play area
Pursuit is an indoor play space and cross-training facility just one block to the west of our house. It's a bright, fun and exuberant place that opens its doors to kids on Sunday mornings (our kids love the giant ball pit). Book early -- space is limited!
11 locals recommend
Pursuit OCR
75 Westmore DrivePursuit is an indoor play space and cross-training facility just one block to the west of our house. It's a bright, fun and exuberant place that opens its doors to kids on Sunday mornings (our kids love the giant ball pit). Book early -- space is limited!
Ripley's is a fun activity for kids and adults alike. Highlights include a native species exhibit and a crawl-through shark tank.
2071 locals recommend
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
288 Bremner BlvdRipley's is a fun activity for kids and adults alike. Highlights include a native species exhibit and a crawl-through shark tank.
Our neighbourhood YMCA is a 12 minute walk from the house. The Y has many activities and classes, and several cardio areas with all the usual equipment. Our kids love the ~40 ft play structure and bouncy castle on weekends. Day passes are available.
52 locals recommend
West End YMCA
931 College StOur neighbourhood YMCA is a 12 minute walk from the house. The Y has many activities and classes, and several cardio areas with all the usual equipment. Our kids love the ~40 ft play structure and bouncy castle on weekends. Day passes are available.
Shopping
The Workroom
207 Queen St W- Unique fabrics, notions and patterns
- 'Sew-by-the-hour' sewing machine rental
Food Scene
Casual vegan fare; great lunch stop while checking out Kensington market
20 locals recommend
Urban Herbivore
64 Oxford StCasual vegan fare; great lunch stop while checking out Kensington market
Event space and artist-designed hotel with a good cafe and restaurant. Bluegrass brunch on Sundays is kid-friendly and fun.
194 locals recommend
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St WEvent space and artist-designed hotel with a good cafe and restaurant. Bluegrass brunch on Sundays is kid-friendly and fun.
Friendly owner and staff, and a great place to pick up a coffee and croissant on the way to Dufferin Grove park.
85 locals recommend
The Common Espresso Bar
1071 College StFriendly owner and staff, and a great place to pick up a coffee and croissant on the way to Dufferin Grove park.
Tasty & health-conscious food in a great location. Vegan-friendly.
143 locals recommend
Fresh on Crawford
894 Queen Street WestTasty & health-conscious food in a great location. Vegan-friendly.
Fantastic fusion resto with a great patio. Mouth watering onion glazed ribs and a variety of tasty ceviches keep us coming back here time and again.
80 locals recommend
Foxley
207 Ossington AveFantastic fusion resto with a great patio. Mouth watering onion glazed ribs and a variety of tasty ceviches keep us coming back here time and again.
Fresh, local and ever-changing menu options have us coming back time and time again. Lovely backyard patio to boot.
Check out the take-away and butcher shop up the street at 130 Ossington.
128 locals recommend
Union
72 Ossington AveFresh, local and ever-changing menu options have us coming back time and time again. Lovely backyard patio to boot.
Check out the take-away and butcher shop up the street at 130 Ossington.
Grand Electric Parkdale
1330 Queen St WTasty, authentic tacos. Try the fish! Delicious!
Sister resto to Grand Electric, this casual spot serves fantastic southern fare. Try the fried chicken, ribs and crack buns!
102 locals recommend
Electric Mud BBQ
5 Brock AveSister resto to Grand Electric, this casual spot serves fantastic southern fare. Try the fried chicken, ribs and crack buns!
French pastries and cakes. Arguably the best croissants in the city. Lovely location next to Trinity Bellwoods park.
183 locals recommend
Nadège Patisserie
780 Queen St WFrench pastries and cakes. Arguably the best croissants in the city. Lovely location next to Trinity Bellwoods park.
A bit of Spanish atmosphere and finesse in downtown Toronto! This place exudes charm and the food doesn't disappoint.
232 locals recommend
Bar Isabel
797 College StA bit of Spanish atmosphere and finesse in downtown Toronto! This place exudes charm and the food doesn't disappoint.
Reminiscent of a '50-era lunch counter, with a distinctly Cuban twist. Excellent brunch and lunch options.
178 locals recommend
La Cubana
392 Roncesvalles AveReminiscent of a '50-era lunch counter, with a distinctly Cuban twist. Excellent brunch and lunch options.
Great coffee and local pastries. A spare, but cozy place to read the paper and chat with locals.
17 locals recommend
Sam James Coffee Bar OZ
1000 Queen Street WestGreat coffee and local pastries. A spare, but cozy place to read the paper and chat with locals.
Drinks & Nightlife
Small, friendly wine bar with good small plates. Well-priced and tasty dinner specials on Sunday nights!
62 locals recommend
Midfield Wine Bar
1434 Dundas St WSmall, friendly wine bar with good small plates. Well-priced and tasty dinner specials on Sunday nights!
Very popular local brewery. Try the Porter (if you can get at seat!).
373 locals recommend
Bellwoods Brewery
124 Ossington AveVery popular local brewery. Try the Porter (if you can get at seat!).
Arts & Culture
The Science Centre is a massive complex with exhibits and activities for all ages. Don't miss the IMAX theater or the kids area, if you have small children.
426 locals recommend
Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Rd.The Science Centre is a massive complex with exhibits and activities for all ages. Don't miss the IMAX theater or the kids area, if you have small children.
An iconic museum in the heart of the downtown core -- with temporary exhibits and permanent collections focused on various facets of the natural world, it's always are always worth seeing what's on at the ROM. Dino fans take note!
2332 locals recommend
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens ParkAn iconic museum in the heart of the downtown core -- with temporary exhibits and permanent collections focused on various facets of the natural world, it's always are always worth seeing what's on at the ROM. Dino fans take note!