Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
My favourite place to work: WiFi, big, beautiful, communal table, comfy loveseats, homemade treats and quality coffee.
32 locals recommend
The Black Canary Espresso Bar (Sherbourne)
61 Sherbourne StMy favourite place to work: WiFi, big, beautiful, communal table, comfy loveseats, homemade treats and quality coffee.
My friend Chris was reluctant to tell me about this place because he feared, "I'd never eat at home again." Solid gastropub with homestyle meals and an impressive beer menu.
159 locals recommend
House on Parliament
454 Parliament StMy friend Chris was reluctant to tell me about this place because he feared, "I'd never eat at home again." Solid gastropub with homestyle meals and an impressive beer menu.
After 5 years of living around the corner, an Airbnb guest from California introduced me to this Pakistani restaurant! Low on ambiance, high on variety and authentic flavour.
King Place Restaurant
236 Sherbourne StAfter 5 years of living around the corner, an Airbnb guest from California introduced me to this Pakistani restaurant! Low on ambiance, high on variety and authentic flavour.
Grab a scoop of homemade gelato (sometimes made with ingredients from the chef's personal garden, like mint) and enjoy it in St. James Park, across the street. Church bells and chess players, too.
24 locals recommend
G For Gelato
75 Jarvis StreetGrab a scoop of homemade gelato (sometimes made with ingredients from the chef's personal garden, like mint) and enjoy it in St. James Park, across the street. Church bells and chess players, too.
Love Thai food and tapas? Head here for the best Thai street food in a funky, friendly setting.
47 locals recommend
Sabai Sabai Kitchen and Bar
81 Bloor St ELove Thai food and tapas? Head here for the best Thai street food in a funky, friendly setting.
Drinks & Nightlife
Black Irish Whiskey Bar & Oyster Saloon
235 Queen St EFriendly pub and live music on weekends.
Sightseeing
Nothing beats that view, the thrill of the Glass Floor and the SkyTerrace.
3509 locals recommend
CN Tower
290 Bremner BlvdNothing beats that view, the thrill of the Glass Floor and the SkyTerrace.
A century-old greenhouse, full of tropical plants from around the world (including bananas!). Canine pals in the leash-free zone, stunning mural project by First Nations artists ("All My Relations").
268 locals recommend
Allan Gardens
160 Gerrard St EA century-old greenhouse, full of tropical plants from around the world (including bananas!). Canine pals in the leash-free zone, stunning mural project by First Nations artists ("All My Relations").
A restored collection of Victorian-era, industrial buildings that now houses artisanal shops, art galleries and studios, eateries, services, year round, as well as the loveliest Christmas Market.
1704 locals recommend
Distillery Historic District
55 Mill StA restored collection of Victorian-era, industrial buildings that now houses artisanal shops, art galleries and studios, eateries, services, year round, as well as the loveliest Christmas Market.
Every Saturday, enjoy one of the largest, farmers' markets in the city. Antiques on Sunday. Head here for the famous Peameal Bacon Sandwich at The Carousel Bakery.
1398 locals recommend
St. Lawrence Market
93 Front St EEvery Saturday, enjoy one of the largest, farmers' markets in the city. Antiques on Sunday. Head here for the famous Peameal Bacon Sandwich at The Carousel Bakery.
Depending on the day, you'll find street performers, vendors, cultural festivals, demonstrations, and free concerts with big-name acts.
399 locals recommend
Yonge-Dundas Square
1 Dundas St EDepending on the day, you'll find street performers, vendors, cultural festivals, demonstrations, and free concerts with big-name acts.
Simply put, the most ethnically diverse neighbourhood I know. Freshly made tortillas and empanadas, a fully vegan Chinese menu, sustainably caught shrimp from Argentina, all doors from one another.
1698 locals recommend
Kensington Market
Simply put, the most ethnically diverse neighbourhood I know. Freshly made tortillas and empanadas, a fully vegan Chinese menu, sustainably caught shrimp from Argentina, all doors from one another.
Every June, The Village is home to Pride Week: Canada's largest LGBTQ celebration. All year round, you can learn more and get connected at The 519 Church Street Community Centre.
18 locals recommend
Church Street
Church StreetEvery June, The Village is home to Pride Week: Canada's largest LGBTQ celebration. All year round, you can learn more and get connected at The 519 Church Street Community Centre.
So. Much. Choice. If cheap, authentic and plentiful is what you're craving, head to Chinese Traditional Bun (536 Dundas St. West). Order Dan Dan Noodles. Dessert at Ding Dong (321 Spadina). Mmmm...
740 locals recommend
Chinatown
292 Spadina Ave.So. Much. Choice. If cheap, authentic and plentiful is what you're craving, head to Chinese Traditional Bun (536 Dundas St. West). Order Dan Dan Noodles. Dessert at Ding Dong (321 Spadina). Mmmm...
A 25-min. drive east rewards you with unparalleled views of Lake Ontario, sand cliffs, and easy to moderately challenging hiking trails.
87 locals recommend
Scarborough Crescent Park
61 Undercliff DrA 25-min. drive east rewards you with unparalleled views of Lake Ontario, sand cliffs, and easy to moderately challenging hiking trails.
Sakura cherry blossoms in the spring; the hidden labyrinth for meditation, yoga anytime; the awesome, outdoor, play castle and zoo for kids; apple pie and poutine at Grenadier Restaurant. Love HP.
1205 locals recommend
High Park
1873 Bloor St WSakura cherry blossoms in the spring; the hidden labyrinth for meditation, yoga anytime; the awesome, outdoor, play castle and zoo for kids; apple pie and poutine at Grenadier Restaurant. Love HP.
Awesome natural history museum with impressive dinosaur collection.
2332 locals recommend
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens ParkAwesome natural history museum with impressive dinosaur collection.
Arts & Culture
First-rate local and international theatre in an intimate space.
15 locals recommend
Canadian Stage (Berkeley)
26 Berkeley StFirst-rate local and international theatre in an intimate space.
Feel like dancing but not in the mood for Clubland? There's always something wonderful going on here (mini-raves, circus performers, adult playdays, complete with colouring books). Look them up.
10 locals recommend
ROUND venue
Feel like dancing but not in the mood for Clubland? There's always something wonderful going on here (mini-raves, circus performers, adult playdays, complete with colouring books). Look them up.
World-famous. In the past few years, Toronto has been gifted with Picasso, Basquiat, Kahlo, and Weiwei exhibits. Worth a visit for the architecture alone.
2262 locals recommend
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St WWorld-famous. In the past few years, Toronto has been gifted with Picasso, Basquiat, Kahlo, and Weiwei exhibits. Worth a visit for the architecture alone.
Shopping
With over 250 shops, restaurants, and services, you owe yourself a visit. Look up for the famous geese sculpture "Flight Stop" and look around for the Swarovski crystal Christmas tree, in winter.
2460 locals recommend
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
220 Yonge StWith over 250 shops, restaurants, and services, you owe yourself a visit. Look up for the famous geese sculpture "Flight Stop" and look around for the Swarovski crystal Christmas tree, in winter.
Planning on staying a while? Need a mobile phone plan, Internet for a future Toronto residence? Head here to speak with helpful telecommunications staff.
11 locals recommend
Rogers
2400 Eglinton Ave WPlanning on staying a while? Need a mobile phone plan, Internet for a future Toronto residence? Head here to speak with helpful telecommunications staff.
Are your Apple products in need of some TLC? Call to book an appointment or just drop in. (647) 258-0801
14 locals recommend
Apple Eaton Centre
220 Yonge StAre your Apple products in need of some TLC? Call to book an appointment or just drop in. (647) 258-0801
Essentials
Many a late-night meal have been made possible due to this well-stocked grocery store. Open until 12 midnight, every night.
357 locals recommend
Metro
89 Gould StMany a late-night meal have been made possible due to this well-stocked grocery store. Open until 12 midnight, every night.
Need liquor? Head here for wine, spirits, and beer. For a wider selection of beer, see The Beer Store.
957 locals recommend
LCBO
49 Spadina Ave.Need liquor? Head here for wine, spirits, and beer. For a wider selection of beer, see The Beer Store.
More beer options here than at the LCBO. My favourite? Anything by Mill Street - the fantastic, local micro-brewery, located a short walk away (in the Distillery District).
82 locals recommend
Beer Store
500 Dupont StMore beer options here than at the LCBO. My favourite? Anything by Mill Street - the fantastic, local micro-brewery, located a short walk away (in the Distillery District).
Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate this grocery store. Spend a fraction of what you would at Metro on a decent selection of basics - and some unexpected international and organic foods.
122 locals recommend
Rocco's No Frills
200 Front St EBudget-conscious travelers will appreciate this grocery store. Spend a fraction of what you would at Metro on a decent selection of basics - and some unexpected international and organic foods.
FreshCo
22 Northcote AveBudget-friendly grocery store with a fun, "International Foods" aisle.
Everything Else
In case of emergency, you're minutes from this world-class healthcare facility.
68 locals recommend
St. Michael's Hospital
36 Queen St EIn case of emergency, you're minutes from this world-class healthcare facility.