Guidebook for Toronto
Food & Cafés
Toronto has an astounding selection of restaurants. Here are some of my favourites:
Creative, delicious, and affordable brunch spot. The chef creates about 6-8 interesting specials per day. Highly recommend it! Weekends are busy so if possible, go on a weekday instead.
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Saving Grace
907 Dundas St WCreative, delicious, and affordable brunch spot. The chef creates about 6-8 interesting specials per day. Highly recommend it! Weekends are busy so if possible, go on a weekday instead.
If you feel like going to France but can't afford the trip, check out this place. The food, environment, and staff are amazing. In the summer, they have great patios (front and back).
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Le Sélect Bistro
432 Wellington St WIf you feel like going to France but can't afford the trip, check out this place. The food, environment, and staff are amazing. In the summer, they have great patios (front and back).
First food hall in Canada. It's kind of similar to the Chelsea Market in NYC and has something for everyone: lobster rolls, thai food, ribs, vegan and vegetarian, sushi, etc. My faves are: Hibiscus (for their salads and vegan ice cream), Mira Mira's (chicken w kimchi and kale caesar salad), and Resto Boemo (amazing pasta dishes).
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Assembly Chef's Hall
111 Richmond St WFirst food hall in Canada. It's kind of similar to the Chelsea Market in NYC and has something for everyone: lobster rolls, thai food, ribs, vegan and vegetarian, sushi, etc. My faves are: Hibiscus (for their salads and vegan ice cream), Mira Mira's (chicken w kimchi and kale caesar salad), and Resto Boemo (amazing pasta dishes).
The owners are Turkish, are extremely nice, and have created a very cool space. It's also really great to finally see an independent coffee shop on King Street. Queen Street finally has some competition.
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Simit & Chai Co.
787 King St WThe owners are Turkish, are extremely nice, and have created a very cool space. It's also really great to finally see an independent coffee shop on King Street. Queen Street finally has some competition.
Best view of the city! It's definitely worth the trek. By streetcar, it's ~40 minutes. I love the coffee shop itself, too. There are now 3 Roosters in Toronto and they all have a very eclectic vibe...and great snacks (their salted caramel brownies are to die for). I don't drink coffee, but I have heard that their coffee is pretty incredible too.
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Rooster Coffee House
479 Broadview AveBest view of the city! It's definitely worth the trek. By streetcar, it's ~40 minutes. I love the coffee shop itself, too. There are now 3 Roosters in Toronto and they all have a very eclectic vibe...and great snacks (their salted caramel brownies are to die for). I don't drink coffee, but I have heard that their coffee is pretty incredible too.
Are you a fan of kale and other healthy fare?
If you answered yes, check out this cool spot. They serve salubrious soups AND salads. Craving a bit of grease? Order some of their quinoa battered onion rings. It borders Trinity Bellwoods park, which is worth checking out, too.
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Fresh on Crawford
894 Queen Street WestAre you a fan of kale and other healthy fare?
If you answered yes, check out this cool spot. They serve salubrious soups AND salads. Craving a bit of grease? Order some of their quinoa battered onion rings. It borders Trinity Bellwoods park, which is worth checking out, too.
If you visit Casa Loma and are looking for a very reasonably priced Italian restaurant in a very charming setting, visit Annabelle's. It used to be a garage and I love how they have transformed the space. They make 3 daily pasta dishes that are usually $10 (or less).
NB: Not a great option if you have gluten sensitivities.
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Annabelle Pasta Bar
909 Davenport RdIf you visit Casa Loma and are looking for a very reasonably priced Italian restaurant in a very charming setting, visit Annabelle's. It used to be a garage and I love how they have transformed the space. They make 3 daily pasta dishes that are usually $10 (or less).
NB: Not a great option if you have gluten sensitivities.
If you have gluten sensitivities, you should check this place out. The best gluten free pizza EVER! I don't even normally like pizza but this place is a treat. They have amazing vegan ice cream, too.
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Virtuous Pie
611 College StIf you have gluten sensitivities, you should check this place out. The best gluten free pizza EVER! I don't even normally like pizza but this place is a treat. They have amazing vegan ice cream, too.
Kensingtom Market has some amazing spots and it can be difficult to narrow it down. Fika is a coffee shop that I highly recommend. It's Swedish, has both a front and back patio, and is very quaint.
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FIKA Cafe
28 Kensington AveKensingtom Market has some amazing spots and it can be difficult to narrow it down. Fika is a coffee shop that I highly recommend. It's Swedish, has both a front and back patio, and is very quaint.
I lived in Japan for years. This place feels like a home away from home (and is within easy walking distance, too)!
Raku
456 Queen St WI lived in Japan for years. This place feels like a home away from home (and is within easy walking distance, too)!
I've never had such a moist, green falafel. Their house salad is also exquisite. Geary street is positioning itself to be another great food district, à la Ossington. Get in while you still can.
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Parallel
217 Geary AveI've never had such a moist, green falafel. Their house salad is also exquisite. Geary street is positioning itself to be another great food district, à la Ossington. Get in while you still can.
My go-to roti place. Excellent value for money! Perhaps a 20-30 minute walk.
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Gandhi Indian Cuisine
554 Queen St WMy go-to roti place. Excellent value for money! Perhaps a 20-30 minute walk.
An Australian guest recently told me that they stumbled on this place. They then categorically proclaimed it to have the *best* espresso in North America. I'm no coffee connoisseur but was intrigued so off I went.
In short, I'm pleased to report that my guests have great taste.
The Library Specialty Coffee
281 Dundas St WAn Australian guest recently told me that they stumbled on this place. They then categorically proclaimed it to have the *best* espresso in North America. I'm no coffee connoisseur but was intrigued so off I went.
In short, I'm pleased to report that my guests have great taste.
Shopping
Hip, bohemian vibe. Lots of independent coffee shops and vintage or thrift stores. It's also very close to China Town.
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켄싱턴시장
Hip, bohemian vibe. Lots of independent coffee shops and vintage or thrift stores. It's also very close to China Town.
Arts & Culture
Designed by Frank Gehry, this museum always has fabulous exhibits. Grange Park (directly behind the museum) was recently renovated and is now a charming, relaxing space.
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온타리오 미술관
317 Dundas St WDesigned by Frank Gehry, this museum always has fabulous exhibits. Grange Park (directly behind the museum) was recently renovated and is now a charming, relaxing space.
Drinks & Nightlife
Reservoir Lounge
52 Wellington St ELive jazz every night! Very cool space, too.
Great local bar that plays excellent tunes from the 70s and 80s. Always have an excellent time. Drinks are pretty inexpensive compared to other places on King West.
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2 Cats
569 King St WGreat local bar that plays excellent tunes from the 70s and 80s. Always have an excellent time. Drinks are pretty inexpensive compared to other places on King West.
Parks & Nature
Trinity - Bellwoods
Generous size park, close to home!
This is such a cool spot - especially if you can bike there via the ravines (it's in the heart of the Don...the Don Valley). The Brickworks was where they used to make bricks for Toronto homes and buildings but it's now been transformed into a very innovative and environmental space.
On the weekends, they have an excellent market, which I highly recommend (especially between June and October). NB: The market closes at 1pm.
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Brickworks At Don Valley
This is such a cool spot - especially if you can bike there via the ravines (it's in the heart of the Don...the Don Valley). The Brickworks was where they used to make bricks for Toronto homes and buildings but it's now been transformed into a very innovative and environmental space.
On the weekends, they have an excellent market, which I highly recommend (especially between June and October). NB: The market closes at 1pm.
This island is just a ferry ride away and is an excellent place to visit to just chill and get away from it all. Bring a blanket, a book and your bathing suit - and you're all set! Rent a bike if you can - it only takes about an hour or so to cycle the whole island.
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토론토 제도
This island is just a ferry ride away and is an excellent place to visit to just chill and get away from it all. Bring a blanket, a book and your bathing suit - and you're all set! Rent a bike if you can - it only takes about an hour or so to cycle the whole island.
Six interconnected greenhouses feature seasonal flowers and plants. And it's free for all!
The movie Chloe was filmed here too, should that warrant any points.
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앨런 가든
160 Gerrard St ESix interconnected greenhouses feature seasonal flowers and plants. And it's free for all!
The movie Chloe was filmed here too, should that warrant any points.
Sightseeing
Cars aren't allowed in this district and there are lots of cool sculptures and great architecture to take in. Cobblestoned, The Distillery has a very European vibe. The area is quite trendy and can be a tad pricey but anyone is free to walk around. I enjoy going to Soma when I'm there. They are known for their chocolates but I always go for their gelato: yum!!!
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디스틸러리 디스트릿
55 Mill StCars aren't allowed in this district and there are lots of cool sculptures and great architecture to take in. Cobblestoned, The Distillery has a very European vibe. The area is quite trendy and can be a tad pricey but anyone is free to walk around. I enjoy going to Soma when I'm there. They are known for their chocolates but I always go for their gelato: yum!!!
Food & Cafés
Terroni is an institution and it's not very far: ~15 minutes on foot. In the summer, they have a spectacular backyard patio.
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Terroni
720 Queen St WTerroni is an institution and it's not very far: ~15 minutes on foot. In the summer, they have a spectacular backyard patio.