Hoa’s guide to Toronto
Food Options Near Airbnb
[Coffee shops]
- Buds Coffee
- Mixed Senses
- Starbucks
[Lunch or dinner]
- Limon (Mediterranean food)
- Mira Mira (international, comfort food)
- Delina (Middle eastern, takeout)
- Tiflisi (Georgian)
- The Stone Lion (pub, great patio)
- Torisho (Japanese chicken, takeout)
- The Beach Club ($$$$ international, good for drinks)
[Dessert/sweets]
- Isabella’s Mochi Donut
- Ed’s Real Scoop (best ice cream)
- Tori’s bake shop (vegan desserts)
[Grocery/Convenience]
- Bruno’s
- Foodland
- Shoppers Drug Mart
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The Beaches
[Coffee shops]
- Buds Coffee
- Mixed Senses
- Starbucks
[Lunch or dinner]
- Limon (Mediterranean food)
- Mira Mira (international, comfort food)
- Delina (Middle eastern, takeout)
- Tiflisi (Georgian)
- The Stone Lion (pub, great patio)
- Torisho (Japanese chicken, takeout)
- The Beach Club ($$$$ international, good for drinks)
[Dessert/sweets]
- Isabella’s Mochi Donut
- Ed’s Real Scoop (best ice cream)
- Tori’s bake shop (vegan desserts)
[Grocery/Convenience]
- Bruno’s
- Foodland
- Shoppers Drug Mart
Sightseeing
Take a photo with the Toronto sign, also great for skating during winter
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Nathan Phillips Square
100 Queen St WTake a photo with the Toronto sign, also great for skating during winter
Toronto has an amazing waterfront which you can walk or bike. Thirsty? Have a drink at Amsterdam Brewery or Boxcar
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Harbourfront
Toronto has an amazing waterfront which you can walk or bike. Thirsty? Have a drink at Amsterdam Brewery or Boxcar
Highest point of Toronto with amazing 360 views of the city and a glass floor you can walk on. There’s also a restaurant ($$$$) you can dine at. If you’re up for it can also do the Edgewalk (walking along the edge)
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IThawa ye-CN
290 Bremner BlvdHighest point of Toronto with amazing 360 views of the city and a glass floor you can walk on. There’s also a restaurant ($$$$) you can dine at. If you’re up for it can also do the Edgewalk (walking along the edge)
Worth a stop if you’re biking or walking along the waterfront. Great views of the Toronto skyline
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Trillium Park
955 Lake Shore Blvd WWorth a stop if you’re biking or walking along the waterfront. Great views of the Toronto skyline
Must do during the summer months. Take a ferry from downtown Harbourfront to one of Toronto’s islands. Centre island is the largest one but there’s also Wards Island and Hanlans Point. You can spend the whole day there - bike around, have a picnic, go to the beach. Bonus is that there’s amazing views of the Toronto skyline.
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Centre Island
Must do during the summer months. Take a ferry from downtown Harbourfront to one of Toronto’s islands. Centre island is the largest one but there’s also Wards Island and Hanlans Point. You can spend the whole day there - bike around, have a picnic, go to the beach. Bonus is that there’s amazing views of the Toronto skyline.
Indoor market with lots of fresh meats, seafood, and produce. There’s also food stalls, popular places below:
- Carousel bakery (peameal bacon sandwiches)
- Uno Mustachio (massive Italian sandwiches)
- Busters Sea Cove (fresh seafood, fast food)
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Imarike ye-St. Lawrence
93 Front St EIndoor market with lots of fresh meats, seafood, and produce. There’s also food stalls, popular places below:
- Carousel bakery (peameal bacon sandwiches)
- Uno Mustachio (massive Italian sandwiches)
- Busters Sea Cove (fresh seafood, fast food)
Converted industrial area, super cute to walk around, shop, drink and have a bite
- Madrina Spanish tapas
- El Catrin for Mexican food with a killer patio
- Beer Garden (Mill Street)
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Distillery Historic District
55 Mill StConverted industrial area, super cute to walk around, shop, drink and have a bite
- Madrina Spanish tapas
- El Catrin for Mexican food with a killer patio
- Beer Garden (Mill Street)
Beautiful castle in the middle of the city. You can visit the castle or grab a bite there. They also have events like symphony nights during the summer/fall where you can eat outside in the gardens while listening to a live symphony. During Halloween the castle turns into a massive haunted house.
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Casa Loma
1 Austin TerraceBeautiful castle in the middle of the city. You can visit the castle or grab a bite there. They also have events like symphony nights during the summer/fall where you can eat outside in the gardens while listening to a live symphony. During Halloween the castle turns into a massive haunted house.
Made of shipping containers, Stackt is full of local shops and has a beer garden at the back.
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Stackt
28 Bathurst StMade of shipping containers, Stackt is full of local shops and has a beer garden at the back.
If you’re in town from mid April to end of September, catch a baseball game at the Rogers Centre. You can get tickets for as low as $15.
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I-Rogers Centre
1 Blue Jays WayIf you’re in town from mid April to end of September, catch a baseball game at the Rogers Centre. You can get tickets for as low as $15.
Catch a Raptors game or Leafs game (Oct-Apr/May). Always a great time. Toronto basketball and hockey fans do not mess around. You might even see Drake at the Raptors game!
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Scotiabank Arena
40 Bay St.Catch a Raptors game or Leafs game (Oct-Apr/May). Always a great time. Toronto basketball and hockey fans do not mess around. You might even see Drake at the Raptors game!
From early March to October, you can catch the Toronto Football Club (TFC) play at the BMO field. Even if you’re not into football/soccer it’s always a great and lively time. The TFC fans know how to have a good time.
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I-BMO Field
170 Princes' BlvdFrom early March to October, you can catch the Toronto Football Club (TFC) play at the BMO field. Even if you’re not into football/soccer it’s always a great and lively time. The TFC fans know how to have a good time.
This is a former industrial site. There’s a quarry and a mini hike that takes you to a view of the top where you can catch a view of the city. Nice place to do a little walk / hike within the city
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Evergreen Brick Works Skating Rink
550 Bayview AveThis is a former industrial site. There’s a quarry and a mini hike that takes you to a view of the top where you can catch a view of the city. Nice place to do a little walk / hike within the city
Massive park in the west end of Toronto (think Central Park in NYC). Great for a stroll or bike ride. If you are in town between late April and early May it is also cherry blossom season and High Park is the top spot in Toronto to witness the blossoms.
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High Park
1873 Bloor St WMassive park in the west end of Toronto (think Central Park in NYC). Great for a stroll or bike ride. If you are in town between late April and early May it is also cherry blossom season and High Park is the top spot in Toronto to witness the blossoms.
Huge park in the east end of the city with cliffs. There’s also a beach area. Super scenic with amazing views at the top of the cliffs.
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Scarborough Bluffs Park
Huge park in the east end of the city with cliffs. There’s also a beach area. Super scenic with amazing views at the top of the cliffs.
Neighbourhoods
The Airbnb is located within the beaches neighbourhood which has tons of restaurants and shops along Queen Street east. You can also go for a nice stroll along the water. Start at Ashbridges Bay (10 min walk from the house) and go all the way east to the power plant.
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The Beaches
The Airbnb is located within the beaches neighbourhood which has tons of restaurants and shops along Queen Street east. You can also go for a nice stroll along the water. Start at Ashbridges Bay (10 min walk from the house) and go all the way east to the power plant.
Bohemian vibe neighbourhood next to Chinatown which has a diverse food scene (generally affordable), vintage shops, specialty grocers.
Places to eat:
-Trinity Commons, El Rey 🍻
- Seven Lives 🌮
- Jimmy’s coffee
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Kensington Market
Bohemian vibe neighbourhood next to Chinatown which has a diverse food scene (generally affordable), vintage shops, specialty grocers.
Places to eat:
-Trinity Commons, El Rey 🍻
- Seven Lives 🌮
- Jimmy’s coffee
Queen west is a lively street with tons of shopping, restaurants, and bars.
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Queen Street West
Queen Street WestQueen west is a lively street with tons of shopping, restaurants, and bars.
Cheap knick knacks and food!
- Rol San (24h dim sum)
- Asian Legend (shanghai food)
- Ba Le (Vietnamese sandwich)
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Chinatown
292 Spadina Ave.Cheap knick knacks and food!
- Rol San (24h dim sum)
- Asian Legend (shanghai food)
- Ba Le (Vietnamese sandwich)
Lively hipster street with tons of bars and restaurants. Good for nightlife as well.
- Bang bang (best ice cream sammies)
- Baby Hueys (dancing bar)
- Dakota (live music & poutine)
- Get Well (bar)
- BQM for poutine
- Bellwood’s Brewery
- Pho at Golden Turtle 🍲
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Ossington Avenue
Ossington AvenueLively hipster street with tons of bars and restaurants. Good for nightlife as well.
- Bang bang (best ice cream sammies)
- Baby Hueys (dancing bar)
- Dakota (live music & poutine)
- Get Well (bar)
- BQM for poutine
- Bellwood’s Brewery
- Pho at Golden Turtle 🍲
Full of trendy restaurants, bars and nightclubs. This is one of the liveliest neighbourhoods to go out in Toronto.
- La Carnita or Tres Compadres for tacos 🌮
- Gusto 101 🍝 try the mushroom pasta
- Pai/Khao San Road (best Thai in the city)
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King Street West
King Street WestFull of trendy restaurants, bars and nightclubs. This is one of the liveliest neighbourhoods to go out in Toronto.
- La Carnita or Tres Compadres for tacos 🌮
- Gusto 101 🍝 try the mushroom pasta
- Pai/Khao San Road (best Thai in the city)
Top shopping destination with popular retailers from Zara to high-end stores such as Chanel. The area also has tons of chic cafes and fine dining restaurants.
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Yorkville
Top shopping destination with popular retailers from Zara to high-end stores such as Chanel. The area also has tons of chic cafes and fine dining restaurants.
Views of the City
Want a nice picture of the iconic Toronto skyline? Here are my favourite spots.
My favourite park in the city. Have a picnic there. Awesome skyline of Toronto and amazing for sunsets.
Grab a coffee and brownie from Rooster coffee across the street.
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Riverdale Park
425 Carlton StMy favourite park in the city. Have a picnic there. Awesome skyline of Toronto and amazing for sunsets.
Grab a coffee and brownie from Rooster coffee across the street.
Ukubuka kwaseChester Hill
Chester Hill RoadCentre Island
Trillium Park
955 Lake Shore Blvd WI love going to Evergreen brickworks on the weekend, there’s sometimes farmers markets but it’s also nice to take a little walk around. Follow the path and go to the top of the hill for a nice view of the Toronto skyline
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Evergreen Brick Works Skating Rink
550 Bayview AveI love going to Evergreen brickworks on the weekend, there’s sometimes farmers markets but it’s also nice to take a little walk around. Follow the path and go to the top of the hill for a nice view of the Toronto skyline
Hoa’s top places to eat
Toronto has a diverse and amazing food scene. Here is a list of my top places for lunch or dinner.
Bar Isabel
797 College StSpanish tapas. Try the octopus.
Top Thai resto in the city. Always busy so make sure you have a reso in advance.
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PAI
18 Duncan StTop Thai resto in the city. Always busy so make sure you have a reso in advance.
Miku Toronto
10 Bay St.Fancy sushi / Japanese
Byblos
11 Duncan StMediterranean restaurant. Great for date night.
Lively bar which serves amazing Spanish tapas. The interior woodwork is impressive.
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Bar Raval
505 College StLively bar which serves amazing Spanish tapas. The interior woodwork is impressive.
Fancy vegan restaurant which doesn’t taste vegan!
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Planta Yorkville
1221 Bay St.Fancy vegan restaurant which doesn’t taste vegan!
Iconic Italian resto in the city. This is the east-end location. Must try the mushroom pasta.
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Gusto 501
501 King St EIconic Italian resto in the city. This is the east-end location. Must try the mushroom pasta.
Ascari Enoteca
1111 Queen St EGreat Italian option in the east-end
Super casual take out Italian joint that only opens during the day. They have the freshest pasta you can literally see them make it. There’s always a line up.
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Famiglia Baldassarre
122 Geary AveSuper casual take out Italian joint that only opens during the day. They have the freshest pasta you can literally see them make it. There’s always a line up.
Khao San Road
11 Charlotte StAnother amazing Thai option.
Great ‘Canadian’ restaurant with amazing food. Must try the burger.
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Richmond Station
1 Richmond St WGreat ‘Canadian’ restaurant with amazing food. Must try the burger.
I am a sucker for ice cream sandwiches and this place is hands down the best ice cream shop in the city with so many unique flavours and ofc their cookies are amazing too
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Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery
93A Ossington AveI am a sucker for ice cream sandwiches and this place is hands down the best ice cream shop in the city with so many unique flavours and ofc their cookies are amazing too
Brunch - East end
These are my favourite brunch spots in the east-end of the city (within a 10 min drive from Airbnb)
Lady Marmalade
265 Broadview AveMaha's
226 Greenwood AveBonjour Brioche
812 Queen St E
Pasaj
1100 Queen Street EastWhite Lily Diner
678 Queen St EBars - East-end
These are my favourite bars in the east-end within a 5-10 min drive from the Airbnb
Beautiful heritage building and awesome view of the city from the rooftop
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The Broadview Hotel
106 Broadview AveBeautiful heritage building and awesome view of the city from the rooftop
Pinkerton Snack Bar
1026 Gerrard St EThe Stone Lion
1958 Queen St EThe Comrade
758 Queen St EVatican Gift Shop
1047 Gerrard St EPoor Romeo
1029 Gerrard St E