Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
Tibet Café and Bar
51 Kensington AveThe best pad thai in town and friendly owners!
Loving Hut
140 Spadina Ave.Vegan, organic and lots of love.
LOVE this restaurant. Amazing, no fuss Italian, open till 7pm only!
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fusaro's Italian Kitchen
147 Spadina Ave.LOVE this restaurant. Amazing, no fuss Italian, open till 7pm only!
Out of the way and a bit worn but very good and authentic sushi with a great vegetarian menu too.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rikishi Japanese Restaurant
833 Bloor St WOut of the way and a bit worn but very good and authentic sushi with a great vegetarian menu too.
Jules is an authentic bistro and a charming man :) Nice patio right on Spadina.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jules Bistro
147 Spadina Ave.Jules is an authentic bistro and a charming man :) Nice patio right on Spadina.
If you like fish, fish tacos, fish sandwiches and a nice atmosphere this place is very very close.
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The One That Got Away
581 King St WIf you like fish, fish tacos, fish sandwiches and a nice atmosphere this place is very very close.
Swatow Restaurant
309 Spadina Ave.Classic late-night Chinese food.
yummy food and a beautiful place. Great for a date :)
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Peter Pan Bistro
373 Queen St Wyummy food and a beautiful place. Great for a date :)
Pizzaiolo Gourmet Pizza
550 Yonge StreetDelicious slices.
Terroni
720 Queen St WItalian, very cool and good.
Lou Dawgs on King
589 King Street WestI don't eat meat but the place looks good.
Tequila Bookworm
512 Queen St WGreat place! All around comfortable.
Addis Ababa Restaurant
1184 Queen St WEthiopian cuisine, freshly roasted coffee and gracious service.
Oyster Boy
872 Queen St WOysters!
My favourite neighbourhood coffee place. Friendly, comfortable and good brew!
267 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jimmy's Coffee
107 Portland StMy favourite neighbourhood coffee place. Friendly, comfortable and good brew!
Fressen
478 Queen St WVegan cuisine, gorgeous place.
Close and very cute. Authentic diner but contemporary too. Vegan options. Super coffee.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sadie's Diner And Juice Bar
Close and very cute. Authentic diner but contemporary too. Vegan options. Super coffee.
Java House
537 Queen St WInexpensive and popular place.
The Football Factory
164 Bathurst StSo many screens and lovely staff.
Lee
497 King St WFamous Susur Lee chef. Exotic. Expensive.
Classic neighbourhood resto and bar. Patio. Famous brunch and generally a great hangout. Nice lighting, very cosy. Excellent and a short walk away.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Old York Bar & Grill
167 Niagara StClassic neighbourhood resto and bar. Patio. Famous brunch and generally a great hangout. Nice lighting, very cosy. Excellent and a short walk away.
Brassaii
461 King St WTrendy, very.
Fantastic fish n chips right across from the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park. Eat and watch locals relax :)
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hooky's Fish and Chips
486 Queen St WFantastic fish n chips right across from the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park. Eat and watch locals relax :)
Gandhi Indian Cuisine
554 Queen St WThe best roti in town. Bar none.
This place is far, tiny, loud and a little bit crazy but the food is incredible. Run by Nazareth herself who makes the food, serves it up, works the bar and acts as the dj. Props.
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nazareth
969 Bloor Street WestThis place is far, tiny, loud and a little bit crazy but the food is incredible. Run by Nazareth herself who makes the food, serves it up, works the bar and acts as the dj. Props.
Open all night in the old club district, yummy burritos.
116 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Burrito Boyz
224 Adelaide St WOpen all night in the old club district, yummy burritos.
Pomegranate Restaurant
420 College StIncredible menu, Persian food!!
MARS FOOD
432 College StIcon diner. A bit over-rated imho.
Love this place.Near the AGO, off of McCaul is Baldwin Street, a lovely street, especially in the summer, and John's Italian Cafe is awesome. Famous pizza!!
John's Italian Caffe
27 Baldwin StLove this place.Near the AGO, off of McCaul is Baldwin Street, a lovely street, especially in the summer, and John's Italian Cafe is awesome. Famous pizza!!
KATANA ON BAY
333 Bay St.In an old bank building, very swanky sushi!
Historical building and bar - I believe Toronto's very first pub. Excellent patio, and if you need a shot of televised big-screen sports look no further. Classic.
65 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wheat Sheaf Tavern
667 King St WHistorical building and bar - I believe Toronto's very first pub. Excellent patio, and if you need a shot of televised big-screen sports look no further. Classic.
Something about this place... call first to make sure they are open. Last time I was there the original King Kong was quietly playing on a discreet TV. Great food!
Politica Resto Bar
127 Strachan AveSomething about this place... call first to make sure they are open. Last time I was there the original King Kong was quietly playing on a discreet TV. Great food!
This King West entry focuses on farm-to-table cuisine with a feel-go vibe. Upscale.
80 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Marben
488 Wellington St WThis King West entry focuses on farm-to-table cuisine with a feel-go vibe. Upscale.
Pretty good Thai and very close by. Affordable too. Mango salad is good!
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Coco Rice Thai Cuisine
669 King St WPretty good Thai and very close by. Affordable too. Mango salad is good!
Must admit I've not been here but it's on my list! Looks amazing and has only good reviews. Cozy. Lovely too.
Niagara Street Cafe
Must admit I've not been here but it's on my list! Looks amazing and has only good reviews. Cozy. Lovely too.
This is the hidden gem of sushi in town :) Seriously, tiny place and AMAZING sushi! Seared tuna if you like. Home made wasabi and yummy soy sauce. Walk over!
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sushi 930
930 King Street WestThis is the hidden gem of sushi in town :) Seriously, tiny place and AMAZING sushi! Seared tuna if you like. Home made wasabi and yummy soy sauce. Walk over!
I've not been but it is said that Wvrst is the new King West version of a Munich-style beer hall, takes a simple concept and provides enormous variety...
198 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
WVRST
609 King St WI've not been but it is said that Wvrst is the new King West version of a Munich-style beer hall, takes a simple concept and provides enormous variety...
Portland Variety
587 King St WClose, good.
Zoe's Toronto
548 King St WBacked goods, coffee, bread.
Buca
604 King St WItalian food. Nice rooftop patio too.
Gusto 101
101 Portland StItalian and popular. Good outdoor patios.
Vegan! Organic! Ignore the television programming but the food is good if you're after clean and healthy.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Loving Hut
140 Spadina Ave.Vegan! Organic! Ignore the television programming but the food is good if you're after clean and healthy.
Closest Greek resto if in the mood for Greek food. In the theater district.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Penelope Restaurant
225 King St WClosest Greek resto if in the mood for Greek food. In the theater district.
In the TIFF Bell Lightbox complex. I liked the tagine and it's a cool place. Great if you're going to see a film in the building.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
O&B Canteen
330 King St WIn the TIFF Bell Lightbox complex. I liked the tagine and it's a cool place. Great if you're going to see a film in the building.
Everything Else
Downward Dog Yoga Centre
30 Ossington AveYoga!!
Catch a ferry to the island! A 7 minute boat ride any time of year.
1035 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Toronto Islands
Catch a ferry to the island! A 7 minute boat ride any time of year.
QSMC - Chiropractic Clinic
1539 Queen St WNot feeling well? This walk-in clinic can help.
West End YMCA
931 College StSwim, work out. Nice Y.
LOVE this park!!! People, dogs, kites, tennis, swimming, skating! FUN!!
743 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen St WLOVE this park!!! People, dogs, kites, tennis, swimming, skating! FUN!!
Zipcar
need wheels? http://www.zipcar.com/toronto/find-cars
Toronto Western Hospital
399 Bathurst StEmergencies here.
The Hospital for Sick Children
170 University AveEmergencies here.
Mount Sinai Hospital
600 University AveEmergencies here.
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
168 Bathurst StNot feeling well? This walk-in clinic can help.
Victoria Memorial Square
10 Niagara StNice neighbourhood park.
Spoil yourself like they do in the therapeutic baths of Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia and Spain, starting with a hearty dose of steam. Luxury right around the corner!!
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hammam Spa, Toronto
602 King St WSpoil yourself like they do in the therapeutic baths of Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia and Spain, starting with a hearty dose of steam. Luxury right around the corner!!
Body Blitz Spa
471 Adelaide St WIt’s all about the water. Great packages!
Soma Chocolate Maker
32 Tank House LaneChocolate! Good chocolate!
LCBO
49 Spadina Ave.Decent selection of beer, wine, alcohol.
The Gym at 99 Sudbury
99 Sudbury StLarge
Totum Life Science: King
445 King St WGym. Close. Trainers.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bar Wellington
520 Wellington St WNeighbourhood pub, close and very friendly.
The Black Bull
298 Queen St WClassic large patio.
Drinks, food, rooftop, music in a boutique hotel. Very cool.
538 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St WDrinks, food, rooftop, music in a boutique hotel. Very cool.
Icon. Flash from the past, specifically the 80's artscene watering hall and performance space. Any time of day.
88 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cameron House
408 Queen St WIcon. Flash from the past, specifically the 80's artscene watering hall and performance space. Any time of day.
Toronto icon, old hotel recently renovated and now rather trendy. Worth checking out for its architecture and vibe. Lovely place.
194 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St WToronto icon, old hotel recently renovated and now rather trendy. Worth checking out for its architecture and vibe. Lovely place.
Posh and swanky across the street from home. I've never been but the rooftop lounge could be cool. There's an all night resto on premises too. Nice for a drink perhaps.
129 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Thompson Toronto
550 Wellington St WPosh and swanky across the street from home. I've never been but the rooftop lounge could be cool. There's an all night resto on premises too. Nice for a drink perhaps.
Essentials
Groceries near home. Expensive side but very good and very fresh.
92 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fresh & Wild Food Market
69 Spadina Ave.Groceries near home. Expensive side but very good and very fresh.
Simply amazing. Go there. Very inexpensive produce, cafes, lively streets and vintage if you like.
1698 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kensington Market
Simply amazing. Go there. Very inexpensive produce, cafes, lively streets and vintage if you like.
Excellent selection of groceries and take out foods. Organic too.
1112 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Loblaws
585 Queen St WExcellent selection of groceries and take out foods. Organic too.
Arts & Culture
Swipe Design books + objects
401 Richmond St WMovies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.
Festival theatre, movies, shows and a gift store.
582 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King St WFestival theatre, movies, shows and a gift store.
Lots of galleries and an amazing old building with a green roof that's open only till 5pm in the summer (the roof). Highly recommend a walk around.
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
401 Richmond St W
401 Richmond Street WestLots of galleries and an amazing old building with a green roof that's open only till 5pm in the summer (the roof). Highly recommend a walk around.
Ago
Art Gallery of Ontario.
Great gallery. then just walk west and find more smaller galleries. Very nice walk and lots to see!
129 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iziko lezobuciko ze-Contemporary Art Toronto Canada
158 Sterling RdGreat gallery. then just walk west and find more smaller galleries. Very nice walk and lots to see!
Right on the waterfront and a great walk. Check website for current shows but highly recommend. Skating in the winter!!
68 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
231 Queens Quay WRight on the waterfront and a great walk. Check website for current shows but highly recommend. Skating in the winter!!
Leo's Textiles
473 Queen St WMovies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.
Awesome repertory cinema on College Street which is also a very cool neighbourhood with lots of eateries, bars etc. Little Italy. http://www.theroyal.to/
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Royal Cinema
608 College StAwesome repertory cinema on College Street which is also a very cool neighbourhood with lots of eateries, bars etc. Little Italy. http://www.theroyal.to/
The oldest and perhaps the finest repertory cinema in Toronto. On Bloor street west - the Annex - which is also a very cool neighbourhood with lots of eateries, bars etc. http://bloorcinema.com/
161 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
506 Bloor St WThe oldest and perhaps the finest repertory cinema in Toronto. On Bloor street west - the Annex - which is also a very cool neighbourhood with lots of eateries, bars etc. http://bloorcinema.com/
Movies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.
358 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Theatre ye-Scotiabank
259 Richmond St WMovies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.
Shopping
The best outdoor clothing and gear store in town. Must go.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
MEC Toronto
300 Queen St WThe best outdoor clothing and gear store in town. Must go.
C Squared
693 Queen Street WestGroovy and cool shoes.
Winners
57 Spadina AvenueClothing, household, and inexpensive.
Big It Up International
24 Ripley AvenueGroovy hats!!!
This is the Fashion District and just up on Queen are numerous amazing textile stores with broad and interesting stock. Inexpensive. Start at Leo's and walk west. Look both sides!
Trendy Fabric
473 Queen St WThis is the Fashion District and just up on Queen are numerous amazing textile stores with broad and interesting stock. Inexpensive. Start at Leo's and walk west. Look both sides!
Gwartzman's Art Supplies
448 Spadina Ave.The coolest and likely oldest art supply store in TO. Check it out.
Rotate This
186 Ossington AveVinyl!!!
Moog Audio
442 Queen St WVinyl!!! Gear!!! Cool store.
Kiehl's
407 Queen St WKiehl's if you like it.
Romni Wools
658 Queen St WLike to knit? Go here.
Come As You Are
254 Augusta AveGreat store, name says it all.
Another Toronto icon and a mecca for surplus electronics, blinking lights and things you'd never expect to find.
Active Surplus Electronics
347 Queen St WAnother Toronto icon and a mecca for surplus electronics, blinking lights and things you'd never expect to find.
Anything to do with PC's and Macs + peripherals can be found on the College strip just west of Spadina. Famously so. Walk and check out the many stores.
Jump+ - Apple premium Retailer (Toronto)
275 College StAnything to do with PC's and Macs + peripherals can be found on the College strip just west of Spadina. Famously so. Walk and check out the many stores.
The narrowest and I think coolest hardware store in town. Where they pack the stuff away I'm not sure but go and ask for anything -- odds are they'll have it.
Jacobs Hardware
410 Queen St WThe narrowest and I think coolest hardware store in town. Where they pack the stuff away I'm not sure but go and ask for anything -- odds are they'll have it.
Best window displays in town and an amazing store/experience by designer Pam Chorley. Fancy, fun, eclectic and cool!
Fashion Crimes
706 Queen St WBest window displays in town and an amazing store/experience by designer Pam Chorley. Fancy, fun, eclectic and cool!
Design Within Reach
214 King St EExcellent contemporary design collection