Guidebook for Toronto
Arts & Culture
One of Canada's premier art galleries, housed in a spectacular Frank-Gehry designed building - be sure to have an espresso in the second-floor Galleria Italia, a stunning space overlooking Dundas St. Check out the AGO website for news of current exhibitions and special events, including live music evenings in the atrium.
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Galería de Arte de Ontario
317 Dundas St WOne of Canada's premier art galleries, housed in a spectacular Frank-Gehry designed building - be sure to have an espresso in the second-floor Galleria Italia, a stunning space overlooking Dundas St. Check out the AGO website for news of current exhibitions and special events, including live music evenings in the atrium.
OCAD University
100 McCaul StUnique Building
The best cinema in town; ground zero for Toronto International Film Festival hype. Featuring two great restaurants: the casual O and B Canteen with its street side patio - great for people-watching - and the fancier Luma on the second floor overlooking the King St action.
582 personas locales recomiendan
TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King St WThe best cinema in town; ground zero for Toronto International Film Festival hype. Featuring two great restaurants: the casual O and B Canteen with its street side patio - great for people-watching - and the fancier Luma on the second floor overlooking the King St action.
One of a kind, shoe museum run by the Bata family. The Bata's ran a famous shoe store in pre-WWII Prague, and were forced out by the Nazis.
326 personas locales recomiendan
Museo del Calzado Bata
327 Bloor St WOne of a kind, shoe museum run by the Bata family. The Bata's ran a famous shoe store in pre-WWII Prague, and were forced out by the Nazis.
Sightseeing
No visit to Toronto would be complete without a trip to this unique neighbourhood with its myriad of delis, bars and restaurants from Colombian to Middle Eastern. Browse the vintage stores on Kensington Avenue; read the papers over coffee at one of the several great cafes (see listings in this guidebook); kick back with a drink and people-watch from one of the many patios. Bring an appetite - this is the densest concentration of cheap and fantastic food in the city. Eating your way through the market is an experience not to be missed, and is a mini version of a global food tour. Some highlights: fish tacos at Seven Lives Tacos y Moriscos; antojitos (Mexican snacks and street food) at San Cosme Torteria; momos (dumplings) at Tibetan Kitchen; spicy Jamaican jerk beef patties (or try the shrimp, goat, or callallo versions) and doubles (fried chickpea sandwiches) at Patty King; pupusas (cornmeal pockets stuffed with meat and cheese) at Emporium Latino; choripan (chorizo sandwiches) at Segovia Meats; fresh baked tortillas and salsa at La Tortilleria; authentic Italian pastas, salads, and pickles at Via Mercanti Food Shop; fresh baked pies using local fruit at Wendy's Pie in the Sky; Berlin style doner sandwiches at Otto's Doner; and Montreal style bagels at Nubugel. (And that's just to start!) Allow at least an afternoon to wander the streets, and if you're in town on the last Sunday of the month in summer months, you must come by for "Pedestrian Sundays", when the area is closed to cars and turns into one giant street party.
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Kensington Market
No visit to Toronto would be complete without a trip to this unique neighbourhood with its myriad of delis, bars and restaurants from Colombian to Middle Eastern. Browse the vintage stores on Kensington Avenue; read the papers over coffee at one of the several great cafes (see listings in this guidebook); kick back with a drink and people-watch from one of the many patios. Bring an appetite - this is the densest concentration of cheap and fantastic food in the city. Eating your way through the market is an experience not to be missed, and is a mini version of a global food tour. Some highlights: fish tacos at Seven Lives Tacos y Moriscos; antojitos (Mexican snacks and street food) at San Cosme Torteria; momos (dumplings) at Tibetan Kitchen; spicy Jamaican jerk beef patties (or try the shrimp, goat, or callallo versions) and doubles (fried chickpea sandwiches) at Patty King; pupusas (cornmeal pockets stuffed with meat and cheese) at Emporium Latino; choripan (chorizo sandwiches) at Segovia Meats; fresh baked tortillas and salsa at La Tortilleria; authentic Italian pastas, salads, and pickles at Via Mercanti Food Shop; fresh baked pies using local fruit at Wendy's Pie in the Sky; Berlin style doner sandwiches at Otto's Doner; and Montreal style bagels at Nubugel. (And that's just to start!) Allow at least an afternoon to wander the streets, and if you're in town on the last Sunday of the month in summer months, you must come by for "Pedestrian Sundays", when the area is closed to cars and turns into one giant street party.
Home of the Blue Jays: major league games under a blue sky (hopefully!)
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Rogers Centre
1 Blue Jays WayHome of the Blue Jays: major league games under a blue sky (hopefully!)
This historic streetscape, site of the old Gooderham and Worts distillery, has been preserved and pedestrianized, and now boasts a collection of cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and galleries, as well as the home of excellent local theatre company Soulpepper. One for history buffs, and a magical place to walk around during the Christmas Markets.
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Distillery Historic District
55 Mill StThis historic streetscape, site of the old Gooderham and Worts distillery, has been preserved and pedestrianized, and now boasts a collection of cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and galleries, as well as the home of excellent local theatre company Soulpepper. One for history buffs, and a magical place to walk around during the Christmas Markets.
A National Historic Site featuring original garrison buildings and cannon. Great for kids.
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Fort York
A National Historic Site featuring original garrison buildings and cannon. Great for kids.
Food Scene
One of the best Chinese Restaurants in the city.
32 personas locales recomiendan
King's Noodle Restaurant
296 Spadina Ave.One of the best Chinese Restaurants in the city.
Local chain, good coffee, lovely space and free wifi
188 personas locales recomiendan
Dark Horse Espresso Bar
215 Spadina Ave.Local chain, good coffee, lovely space and free wifi
Probably the best Chinese in the area. A little more expensive than most but very good.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Lee Garden Restaurant
331 Spadina AvenueProbably the best Chinese in the area. A little more expensive than most but very good.
Make a reservation for this iconic David Chang restaurant with its stunning patio on the second floor of the Shangri-La Hotel. If you can't get in, try the more casual (still delicious!) Noodle Bar downstairs.
University Avenue
University AvenueMake a reservation for this iconic David Chang restaurant with its stunning patio on the second floor of the Shangri-La Hotel. If you can't get in, try the more casual (still delicious!) Noodle Bar downstairs.
“Equal Parts comfortable and elegant, the overall emotion wafts through the well-thought space.”
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Alo
163 Spadina Ave.“Equal Parts comfortable and elegant, the overall emotion wafts through the well-thought space.”
BUONO
354 Queen Street WestNorthern Italian cuisine
Our favourite local Vietnamese place - great for takeout nights! Try the jalapeño chicken wings and bun bo hue (spicy beef noodle soup).
Pho Ai My
221 Spadina Ave.Our favourite local Vietnamese place - great for takeout nights! Try the jalapeño chicken wings and bun bo hue (spicy beef noodle soup).
Our favourite of the many excellent coffee shops in Kensington, this place features wifi, two beautiful patios (be sure to check out the shaded garden patio, with its rose bushes and apple tree), great croissants and sandwiches, and also serves a wide selection of local beers and wine.
33 personas locales recomiendan
Café Pamenar
307 Augusta AveOur favourite of the many excellent coffee shops in Kensington, this place features wifi, two beautiful patios (be sure to check out the shaded garden patio, with its rose bushes and apple tree), great croissants and sandwiches, and also serves a wide selection of local beers and wine.
This Swedish inspired coffee shop features a peaceful backyard setting (complete with hammock) in the summer, and cosy chairs with blankets in winter, and a short but well executed menu of salads and sandwiches. Try the hot chocolate.
27 personas locales recomiendan
FIKA Cafe
28 Kensington AveThis Swedish inspired coffee shop features a peaceful backyard setting (complete with hammock) in the summer, and cosy chairs with blankets in winter, and a short but well executed menu of salads and sandwiches. Try the hot chocolate.
One of the best of the many options on Baldwin Village strip, this French restaurant in a beautiful restored Victorian house also features a wraparound garden patio. Menu standouts include the steak tartare, and mushroom and brandy poutine.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Bodega
30 Baldwin StOne of the best of the many options on Baldwin Village strip, this French restaurant in a beautiful restored Victorian house also features a wraparound garden patio. Menu standouts include the steak tartare, and mushroom and brandy poutine.
Arguably the best authentic Neapolitan style pizza in Toronto, in the heart of lively Kensington Market. Super friendly service, great for family dinners or date night.
45 personas locales recomiendan
Pizzeria Via Mercanti
188 Augusta AveArguably the best authentic Neapolitan style pizza in Toronto, in the heart of lively Kensington Market. Super friendly service, great for family dinners or date night.
Our favourite of the many Latin American food shops in Kensington, this place is run by a lovely family from Peru who make delicious tamales, empanadas and ceviches. Their caramel filled churros are incredible!
Latin Taste
200 Baldwin StOur favourite of the many Latin American food shops in Kensington, this place is run by a lovely family from Peru who make delicious tamales, empanadas and ceviches. Their caramel filled churros are incredible!
Simply amazing food at incredible great prices, in the heart of the vibrant Little Italy neighbourhood. Try the montanara (small fried pizza, $4). Cheap drinks ($4 house wine, beer, and negronis on tap) and a small patio out the back.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Pizzeria Libretto Takeout + Delivery
589 College StSimply amazing food at incredible great prices, in the heart of the vibrant Little Italy neighbourhood. Try the montanara (small fried pizza, $4). Cheap drinks ($4 house wine, beer, and negronis on tap) and a small patio out the back.
Fantastic sourdough bread, flatbreads, cakes and pastries. Pick up some burger buns to go with your burgers from Sanagans Meat Locker next door and have a cookout on the deck!
50 personas locales recomiendan
Blackbird Baking Co.
172 Baldwin StFantastic sourdough bread, flatbreads, cakes and pastries. Pick up some burger buns to go with your burgers from Sanagans Meat Locker next door and have a cookout on the deck!
Our favourite fish market - always fresh and good prices. These guys are from Portugal and know their fish!
Coral Sea Fish Market
198 Baldwin StOur favourite fish market - always fresh and good prices. These guys are from Portugal and know their fish!
Entertainment & Activities
CN Tower
290 Bremner BlvdToronto's most famous landmark
Our local city-run pool is a mecca for hipsters and families. Free, open during summer months from noon-7.45pm. Don't forget to check out the awesome street food from the market housed in old shipping containers, outside the pool on Dundas Street.
Alexandra Park Outdoor Pool
275 Bathurst StreetOur local city-run pool is a mecca for hipsters and families. Free, open during summer months from noon-7.45pm. Don't forget to check out the awesome street food from the market housed in old shipping containers, outside the pool on Dundas Street.
Shopping
H&M
429 Queen St WAffordable fashion
Zara
Queen Street WestAffordable fashion
Kiehl's
407 Queen St WDating to 1851, this beauty chain sells skincare, hair & beauty products for men & women.
One of the best of the many excellent vintage stores in Kensington. Find fantastic original pieces, vintage jewelry and watches and cool accessories at great prices. Huge selection of cowboy boots!
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Courage My Love
14 Kensington AveOne of the best of the many excellent vintage stores in Kensington. Find fantastic original pieces, vintage jewelry and watches and cool accessories at great prices. Huge selection of cowboy boots!
Essentials
This is a Chinatown staple - find all your basics here, as well as an incredible variety of Asian groceries. Check out the live fish tank!
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Lucky Moose Food Mart
393 Dundas St WThis is a Chinatown staple - find all your basics here, as well as an incredible variety of Asian groceries. Check out the live fish tank!
Garden View
252 Queen St WThis place will have pretty much everything you need, and is open early til late.
A large pharmacy and drugstore, with most everything you could need and good prices on basics like milk and bread.
517 personas locales recomiendan
Shoppers Drug Mart
388 King St WA large pharmacy and drugstore, with most everything you could need and good prices on basics like milk and bread.
Getting Around
Budget Car Rental
333 College StBike Share Toronto station locations can change, so check the website, but there is usually at least one station within a 2 minute walk of our house. Biking is a great way to get around Toronto - that's how we usually do it!
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Bike Share Toronto
Bike Share Toronto station locations can change, so check the website, but there is usually at least one station within a 2 minute walk of our house. Biking is a great way to get around Toronto - that's how we usually do it!