Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
Cheap + cheerful Indian roti! Embarrassingly, the guy @ the counter knows my order by heart.
37 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mother India
1456 Queen St WCheap + cheerful Indian roti! Embarrassingly, the guy @ the counter knows my order by heart.
The huevos divorciados are muchos buenos. This place gets busy in the late morning, so definitely go early ... which should be easy, given that it's directly across the street from my place.
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Easy Restaurant
1645 Queen St WThe huevos divorciados are muchos buenos. This place gets busy in the late morning, so definitely go early ... which should be easy, given that it's directly across the street from my place.
Seventh Sister Bakery
53 Roncesvalles AvenueMy favourite local coffee shop + bakery!
Bar/restaurant created from a well-preserved Chinese restaurant. It's dimly lit and lovely. Brunch is reasonably priced and extremely good.
91 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Ace
231A Roncesvalles AveBar/restaurant created from a well-preserved Chinese restaurant. It's dimly lit and lovely. Brunch is reasonably priced and extremely good.
Ka-Chi
Great Korean in Koreatown. There are other outposts of this mini-chain around the city, too.
Jumbo Empanadas
245 Augusta AveChilean empanadas in a cheap + cheerful spot!
A Toronto institution. Not-so-authentic (in a good way, not a terrible way) Mexican dive-y restaurant.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Hacienda Restaurant
640 Queen St WA Toronto institution. Not-so-authentic (in a good way, not a terrible way) Mexican dive-y restaurant.
The food isn't particularly spectacular, but it's a hidden neighbourhood gem. Dark, cozy, and wonderful.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Old York Bar & Grill
167 Niagara StThe food isn't particularly spectacular, but it's a hidden neighbourhood gem. Dark, cozy, and wonderful.
Pretty much the dictionary definition of cheap + cheerful. Toronto's cheap sushi phenomenon is out of control: 5.99 lunch specials, etc.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Simon Sushi
3399 Lake Shore Blvd WPretty much the dictionary definition of cheap + cheerful. Toronto's cheap sushi phenomenon is out of control: 5.99 lunch specials, etc.
This place is ridiculous: overcrowded, college-y, and cheap. Their maki sets are hilariously big. Generally referred to as NewGen.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
New Generation Sushi
486 Bloor St WThis place is ridiculous: overcrowded, college-y, and cheap. Their maki sets are hilariously big. Generally referred to as NewGen.
Breakfast diner in Leslieville. Cute and cheap, but line-up-y.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ok Ok Diner
1128 Queen St EBreakfast diner in Leslieville. Cute and cheap, but line-up-y.
Drinks & Nightlife
The best dive bar ever ... complete with lion fish aquarium. Note: this is a dive bar, not a "dive bar."
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Mezz
1546 Queen St WThe best dive bar ever ... complete with lion fish aquarium. Note: this is a dive bar, not a "dive bar."
New cute bar. It's chill + they have truffle-flavoured popcorn + good beer on tap.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Yukon
1592 Queen Street WestNew cute bar. It's chill + they have truffle-flavoured popcorn + good beer on tap.
Seventeen Eighteen
1718 Queen St WBoard game cafe! Good americanos! And a LOT of games.
The Rhino
1249 Queen St WAMAZING beer selection + summer patio.
I have an unhealthy obsession w their mac + cheese. Good beer selection, too, and one of Toronto's best summer patios.
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Victory Cafe
440 Bloor St WI have an unhealthy obsession w their mac + cheese. Good beer selection, too, and one of Toronto's best summer patios.
The 3 Speed
1163 Bloor St WDark, lovely bar in the west end.
Dark + lovely bar. A Dundas/Ossington original.
93 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Communist's Daughter
1149 Dundas St WDark + lovely bar. A Dundas/Ossington original.
Yet another dark and lovely one. Across from Trinity Bellwoods, which is a bonus.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Squirly's Bar & Grill
807 Queen St WYet another dark and lovely one. Across from Trinity Bellwoods, which is a bonus.
Essentials
Roncesvalles Village
147 Roncesvalles AveBest + friendliest greengrocer!
Local cheeeeese shop. The roaring forties blue cheese is the stuff dreams are made of.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Thin Blue Line Cheese
93 Roncesvalles AveLocal cheeeeese shop. The roaring forties blue cheese is the stuff dreams are made of.
Benna's Bakery & Deli
135 Roncesvalles AveAll things Polish + delicious!
Shopping
Frock
97 Roncesvalles AveCute clothes!
... this has relocated to the former Goodwill farther south on the W side of the street. Great vintage stuff!
Mrs. Huizenga
28 Roncesvalles Ave... this has relocated to the former Goodwill farther south on the W side of the street. Great vintage stuff!
Stella Luna
1627 Queen St WWonderbar vintage store!
ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, and movies, too.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Film Buff (Closed)
73 Roncesvalles AveICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, and movies, too.
Sightseeing
Sunnyside - Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool
1755 Lake Shore Blvd WFree summer swimming!
The beach/waterfront is easily accessible from the pedestrian bridge over the Gardiner—it starts @ the corner of Queen, King, and Roncesvalles.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sunnyside Boardwalk
Sunnyside BoardwalkThe beach/waterfront is easily accessible from the pedestrian bridge over the Gardiner—it starts @ the corner of Queen, King, and Roncesvalles.
Arts & Culture
One of Toronto's two big non-commercial contemporary galleries. A quick, good visit.
129 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iziko lezobuciko ze-Contemporary Art Toronto Canada
158 Sterling RdOne of Toronto's two big non-commercial contemporary galleries. A quick, good visit.
Toronto's best contemporary space, I think.
Power Plant-Contemporary Art Gallery at Harbourfront Centre (The)
Toronto's best contemporary space, I think.
Mostly conceptual stuff ... one of Toronto's better spaces, for sure.
44 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mercer Union, a centre for contemporary art
1286 Bloor St WMostly conceptual stuff ... one of Toronto's better spaces, for sure.
Everything Else
The Done Right Inn
861 Queen St WAnother of the Queen West dives. Wonderful.
My favourite local convenience store. I'm on a first-name basis w the owner. He knows all about my predilection for Vanilla Coke.
First Convenience Store
My favourite local convenience store. I'm on a first-name basis w the owner. He knows all about my predilection for Vanilla Coke.