Guidebook for Toronto

Jenn
Guidebook for Toronto

Food Scene

Amazing brunch with classic dishes and more eclectic fare. Don't miss the home made donuts! Personal favourite.
22 locals recommend
White Lily Diner
678 Queen St E
22 locals recommend
Amazing brunch with classic dishes and more eclectic fare. Don't miss the home made donuts! Personal favourite.
1398 locals recommend
St. Lawrence Market
93 Front St E
1398 locals recommend
Classic Toronto cozy brunch spot.
207 locals recommend
Lady Marmalade
265 Broadview Ave
207 locals recommend
Classic Toronto cozy brunch spot.
The best Thai restaurant in the city with a great atmosphere.
266 locals recommend
PAI
18 Duncan St
266 locals recommend
The best Thai restaurant in the city with a great atmosphere.
One of the best Thai restaurants in the city just steps away.
60 locals recommend
sukhoTHAI
460 Front St E
60 locals recommend
One of the best Thai restaurants in the city just steps away.
Eclectic food with a huge array of beers on tap, open late. The ribs and the jambalaya are excellent.
52 locals recommend
C'est What?
67 Front St E
52 locals recommend
Eclectic food with a huge array of beers on tap, open late. The ribs and the jambalaya are excellent.
Amazing, beautiful, and Middle Eastern brunch and lunch spot. Trendy cafeteria style and budget friendly. Strongly recommend the Chef’s Sampler.
20 locals recommend
Souk Tabule
494 Front St E
20 locals recommend
Amazing, beautiful, and Middle Eastern brunch and lunch spot. Trendy cafeteria style and budget friendly. Strongly recommend the Chef’s Sampler.
The best dim sum downtown, open at virtually ANY hour!
78 locals recommend
Rol San Restaurant
388 Spadina Ave.
78 locals recommend
The best dim sum downtown, open at virtually ANY hour!
BEST. DUMPLINGS. Must try the fried lamb dumplings.
36 locals recommend
Dumpling House Restaurant
328 Spadina Ave.
36 locals recommend
BEST. DUMPLINGS. Must try the fried lamb dumplings.
Excellent Jamaican food, and the setting of Rihanna and Drake's "Work Work Work" music video.
54 locals recommend
The Real Jerk Restaurant
842 Gerrard Street East
54 locals recommend
Excellent Jamaican food, and the setting of Rihanna and Drake's "Work Work Work" music video.
If you like eclairs, you must come here. If you don't, Roselle's eclair will change your mind. Their cakes and ice cream are also to die for.
25 locals recommend
Roselle Desserts
362 King St E
25 locals recommend
If you like eclairs, you must come here. If you don't, Roselle's eclair will change your mind. Their cakes and ice cream are also to die for.
Cute and trendy Egyptian brunch. The Mind Blowing Chicken lives up to it's name.
108 locals recommend
Maha's
226 Greenwood Ave
108 locals recommend
Cute and trendy Egyptian brunch. The Mind Blowing Chicken lives up to it's name.
One of the best Thai restaurants in the city, with a more streetfood flavour compared to other Thai restaurants by this cohort of chefs (Pai and Sukhothai).
25 locals recommend
Nana
785 Queen St W
25 locals recommend
One of the best Thai restaurants in the city, with a more streetfood flavour compared to other Thai restaurants by this cohort of chefs (Pai and Sukhothai).
One of the classic Leslieville brunch staples! Known for their baked goods. On a weekend, go very early. Fills up fast. Located right by the famous De Grassi Street!
144 locals recommend
Bonjour Brioche
812 Queen St E
144 locals recommend
One of the classic Leslieville brunch staples! Known for their baked goods. On a weekend, go very early. Fills up fast. Located right by the famous De Grassi Street!
Fantastic English fare, great as a brunch spot or as a bar. Cute patio in the summer months!
159 locals recommend
House on Parliament
454 Parliament St
159 locals recommend
Fantastic English fare, great as a brunch spot or as a bar. Cute patio in the summer months!
Terroni is a Toronto Italian accessible fine dining staple, and any of the locations will not disappoint. However, this location is the flagship in a beautiful historic building.
445 locals recommend
Terroni
720 Queen St W
445 locals recommend
Terroni is a Toronto Italian accessible fine dining staple, and any of the locations will not disappoint. However, this location is the flagship in a beautiful historic building.
Cute and homely northern Vietnamese restaurant. Try the lemongrass vermicelli with either chicken or tofu, or the grouper pho. Their vegetarian spring rolls are without peer.
49 locals recommend
Hanoi 3 Seasons
1135 Queen St E
49 locals recommend
Cute and homely northern Vietnamese restaurant. Try the lemongrass vermicelli with either chicken or tofu, or the grouper pho. Their vegetarian spring rolls are without peer.
This Pakistani restaurant is a Little India staple. Can't beat naan from a real, full tandor oven. Don't leave without the home made kulfi popsicles for dessert.
100 locals recommend
Lahore Tikka House
1365 Gerrard St E
100 locals recommend
This Pakistani restaurant is a Little India staple. Can't beat naan from a real, full tandor oven. Don't leave without the home made kulfi popsicles for dessert.
Dive into the east coast by visiting the Pearl Diver for comforting seafood and raw oysters!
32 locals recommend
Pearl Diver
100 Adelaide St E
32 locals recommend
Dive into the east coast by visiting the Pearl Diver for comforting seafood and raw oysters!
Drunk and late at night on the Danforth? Souv Like has the best souvlaki in Greektown for just a couple dollars.
Souv Like
708 Pape Ave
Drunk and late at night on the Danforth? Souv Like has the best souvlaki in Greektown for just a couple dollars.
For fine Japanese dining, the omakase at Yasu is an experience to rival those in Japan.
29 locals recommend
Yasu Toronto
81 Harbord St
29 locals recommend
For fine Japanese dining, the omakase at Yasu is an experience to rival those in Japan.
Considered one of the best restaurant in Canada. 8 course prix-fixe 3-hr experience. Casual-dress yet impeccable service. Inventive New Canadian cuisine. Booked months in advance, so plan ahead.
66 locals recommend
Alo
163 Spadina Ave.
66 locals recommend
Considered one of the best restaurant in Canada. 8 course prix-fixe 3-hr experience. Casual-dress yet impeccable service. Inventive New Canadian cuisine. Booked months in advance, so plan ahead.
Missing Mexican? Seven Lives has some of the best tacos Toronto has to offer. Quite busy on weekday lunchtimes with the nearby offices. On a nice day, grab some tacos to go and bring them to the nearby park in Kensington Market for a picnic!
115 locals recommend
Seven Lives
72 Kensington Ave
115 locals recommend
Missing Mexican? Seven Lives has some of the best tacos Toronto has to offer. Quite busy on weekday lunchtimes with the nearby offices. On a nice day, grab some tacos to go and bring them to the nearby park in Kensington Market for a picnic!
Excellent Rustic French that will satisfy any meat craving.
50 locals recommend
Jules Bistro
147 Spadina Ave.
50 locals recommend
Excellent Rustic French that will satisfy any meat craving.
Amazing chocolatier. If you're in the distillery, don't miss trying some chocolates the gelato at Soma!
104 locals recommend
Soma Chocolate Maker
32 Tank House Lane
104 locals recommend
Amazing chocolatier. If you're in the distillery, don't miss trying some chocolates the gelato at Soma!
The best coffee shop in Toronto. This coffee is STRONG. Also an absolutely lovely place to spend a bit of time, with a book or focusing on some work. Cozy with lots of chairs, tables, and sofas. The layout is constantly changing. It's large space yet it feels intimate, tucked away from the main streets.
48 locals recommend
Merchants Of Green Coffee
2 Matilda St
48 locals recommend
The best coffee shop in Toronto. This coffee is STRONG. Also an absolutely lovely place to spend a bit of time, with a book or focusing on some work. Cozy with lots of chairs, tables, and sofas. The layout is constantly changing. It's large space yet it feels intimate, tucked away from the main streets.
By day, an amazing coffee shop. By night, an amazing whiskey bar. The staff here are hardcore about both of those beverages.
62 locals recommend
Boxcar Social
4 Boulton Ave
62 locals recommend
By day, an amazing coffee shop. By night, an amazing whiskey bar. The staff here are hardcore about both of those beverages.
An amazing health food restaurant, practically on your doorstep. This gluten-free kitchen serves up whole food means and amazing cold press. Some of which is available for free from pitchers on weekends. Also a great place to sit down and work away or have a meeting over coffee.
50 locals recommend
Impact Kitchen
573 King St E
50 locals recommend
An amazing health food restaurant, practically on your doorstep. This gluten-free kitchen serves up whole food means and amazing cold press. Some of which is available for free from pitchers on weekends. Also a great place to sit down and work away or have a meeting over coffee.
Coffee and Japanese-style pastries & sandwiches served in a dramatic space with soaring ceilings.
22 locals recommend
NEO COFFEE BAR
161 Frederick St
22 locals recommend
Coffee and Japanese-style pastries & sandwiches served in a dramatic space with soaring ceilings.
Intimate shop run by a lovely Japanese couple dedicated to the craft of coffee. A small seating area in the back has a green wall. Charming Japanese baked goods. Especially love the sesame latte.
37 locals recommend
Red Line Coffee
354 Queen St E
37 locals recommend
Intimate shop run by a lovely Japanese couple dedicated to the craft of coffee. A small seating area in the back has a green wall. Charming Japanese baked goods. Especially love the sesame latte.
Nordic-inspired cafe right at your doorstep offering quality drinks by day, wine & beer by night.
36 locals recommend
Odin Cafe + Bar
514 King St E
36 locals recommend
Nordic-inspired cafe right at your doorstep offering quality drinks by day, wine & beer by night.
Dark Horse is a quality local coffee chain and can be depended on for a good strong cup.
188 locals recommend
Dark Horse Espresso Bar
215 Spadina Ave.
188 locals recommend
Dark Horse is a quality local coffee chain and can be depended on for a good strong cup.
Gorgeous space and amazing food by a famous local chef. You can see from the lake all the way to Eglinton on the other side.
24 locals recommend
The Rooftop
106 Broadview Avenue
24 locals recommend
Gorgeous space and amazing food by a famous local chef. You can see from the lake all the way to Eglinton on the other side.

Drinks & Nightlife

The most popular bar/club in the east end!
112 locals recommend
Prohibition Gastrohouse - Queen East
696 Queen St E
112 locals recommend
The most popular bar/club in the east end!
66 locals recommend
The Opera House
735 Queen St E
66 locals recommend
Intimate bar with craft brews and comfort food. Decked out with rock and roll posters and pinball machines.
28 locals recommend
Hi-Lo
753 Queen St E
28 locals recommend
Intimate bar with craft brews and comfort food. Decked out with rock and roll posters and pinball machines.
Cozy, kitchy bar with craft cocktails, rotating draft brews and pub eats. Love the wings.
10 locals recommend
I'll Be Seeing You...
747 Queen St E
10 locals recommend
Cozy, kitchy bar with craft cocktails, rotating draft brews and pub eats. Love the wings.
The oldest bar in Toronto (since 1889) and once the main haunt for the local Irish men after a long day's work in the Distillery District. It's been newly renovated and a great nearby place to watch a sports game. One of the few bars in Toronto with a shuffleboard.
49 locals recommend
Dominion Pub and Kitchen
500 Queen St E
49 locals recommend
The oldest bar in Toronto (since 1889) and once the main haunt for the local Irish men after a long day's work in the Distillery District. It's been newly renovated and a great nearby place to watch a sports game. One of the few bars in Toronto with a shuffleboard.
A straightforward sports bar nearby.
KT Sports Bar
682 Queen Street East
A straightforward sports bar nearby.
The quintessential punk dive bar in Toronto, a longtime institution that caters to the young and cash-strapped. Known for it's Tex-Mex fare (especially the nachos), with edgy live music & DJs upstairs.
131 locals recommend
Sneaky Dee's
431 College St
131 locals recommend
The quintessential punk dive bar in Toronto, a longtime institution that caters to the young and cash-strapped. Known for it's Tex-Mex fare (especially the nachos), with edgy live music & DJs upstairs.
A legendary Toronto music venue and a bar in the front. Live music almost every night. An extremely wide range of bands play here; from the Rolling Stones to your brother's friend's band.
133 locals recommend
Horseshoe Tavern
370 Queen St W
133 locals recommend
A legendary Toronto music venue and a bar in the front. Live music almost every night. An extremely wide range of bands play here; from the Rolling Stones to your brother's friend's band.
Iconic indie/alt rock music venue. Has hosted the Toronto debuts of bands such as Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Oasis.
58 locals recommend
Lee's Palace
529 Bloor St W
58 locals recommend
Iconic indie/alt rock music venue. Has hosted the Toronto debuts of bands such as Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Oasis.

Sightseeing

1704 locals recommend
Distillery Historic District
55 Mill St
1704 locals recommend
Unique, picturesque cottages of the sheltered Toronto Island with an iconic view of the city skyline across the harbour.
Channel Avenue
Channel Avenue
Unique, picturesque cottages of the sheltered Toronto Island with an iconic view of the city skyline across the harbour.
Unique urban park with playgrounds, art, basketball, and skateboarding surrounded by incredible graffiti murals.
12 locals recommend
The Underpass Park
29 Lower River Street
12 locals recommend
Unique urban park with playgrounds, art, basketball, and skateboarding surrounded by incredible graffiti murals.
The largest museum in Canada, and one of the largest in the continent. Really cool architectural space too. One of the best collection of dinosaurs in the world. Has the one and only specimen of many dinosaurs. Free every Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
2332 locals recommend
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens Park
2332 locals recommend
The largest museum in Canada, and one of the largest in the continent. Really cool architectural space too. One of the best collection of dinosaurs in the world. Has the one and only specimen of many dinosaurs. Free every Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Vast, covered graffiti spot running from Spadina Ave. to Portland St on a little back alley. The entrance can be found between Queen St, behind the TD Bank.
63 locals recommend
Graffiti Alley
Graffiti Alley
63 locals recommend
Vast, covered graffiti spot running from Spadina Ave. to Portland St on a little back alley. The entrance can be found between Queen St, behind the TD Bank.
A huge gothic revival castle and garden, now a historic museum.
1217 locals recommend
Casa Loma
1 Austin Terrace
1217 locals recommend
A huge gothic revival castle and garden, now a historic museum.
If you go to Casa Loma, also check out the Spadina Museum!
50 locals recommend
Spadina Museum
285 Spadina Rd
50 locals recommend
If you go to Casa Loma, also check out the Spadina Museum!
The unique city hall building of Toronto, and out front is an iconic water feature that doubles as an ice rink in the winter. Classic Torontonian thing to do is have a skate here. Take a selfie by the Toronto sign for your friends and family.
259 locals recommend
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen St W
259 locals recommend
The unique city hall building of Toronto, and out front is an iconic water feature that doubles as an ice rink in the winter. Classic Torontonian thing to do is have a skate here. Take a selfie by the Toronto sign for your friends and family.

Arts & Culture

2262 locals recommend
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St W
2262 locals recommend

Entertainment & Activities

2071 locals recommend
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
288 Bremner Blvd
2071 locals recommend

Parks & Nature

If you love plants, come here for a stroll through a large greenhouse of tropical plants. It's free!
268 locals recommend
Allan Gardens
160 Gerrard St E
268 locals recommend
If you love plants, come here for a stroll through a large greenhouse of tropical plants. It's free!
Huge park in the west side of Toronto with zoos, playgrounds, and expansive wooded areas. Popular in the spring for cherry blossom viewing.
494 locals recommend
High Park Subway Station
494 locals recommend
Huge park in the west side of Toronto with zoos, playgrounds, and expansive wooded areas. Popular in the spring for cherry blossom viewing.
A large park with a stunning view of the Toronto skyline. In the winter, the prime spot in the city for tobogganing. Becareful, it's steep! In the summer, venture down into the park and into the valley to visit the Riverdale Farm petting zoo.
231 locals recommend
Riverdale Park
425 Carlton St
231 locals recommend
A large park with a stunning view of the Toronto skyline. In the winter, the prime spot in the city for tobogganing. Becareful, it's steep! In the summer, venture down into the park and into the valley to visit the Riverdale Farm petting zoo.
Not as busy as the larger Hanlan's beach, Wards is a personal favourite spot at the Island.
17 locals recommend
Wards Island Beach
17 locals recommend
Not as busy as the larger Hanlan's beach, Wards is a personal favourite spot at the Island.
Beautiful man made beach on the Toronto waterfront.
205 locals recommend
Sugar Beach Park
11 Dockside Dr
205 locals recommend
Beautiful man made beach on the Toronto waterfront.
Down a tiny street with tiny cottages is a quiet little square surrounded by a garden. Just steps away, this is an intimate spot for a bit of reading and to just chill.
Percy Park
12 Percy Street
Down a tiny street with tiny cottages is a quiet little square surrounded by a garden. Just steps away, this is an intimate spot for a bit of reading and to just chill.
This large, beautifully designed park doubles as flood protection and is intricately laid out with local fauna and flora. In the back is a modern playground area with skyline views.
67 locals recommend
Corktown Common
155 Bayview Avenue
67 locals recommend
This large, beautifully designed park doubles as flood protection and is intricately laid out with local fauna and flora. In the back is a modern playground area with skyline views.
THE Beach. Connected to many trails and paths for joggers and cyclists. Popular spot for beach volleyball.
359 locals recommend
Woodbine Beach
1675 Lake Shore Blvd E
359 locals recommend
THE Beach. Connected to many trails and paths for joggers and cyclists. Popular spot for beach volleyball.
Epic clay cliffs looking over a beach. You won't believe you're in Canada.
29 locals recommend
Bluffers Park
1 Brimley Rd S
29 locals recommend
Epic clay cliffs looking over a beach. You won't believe you're in Canada.
Called the Leslie Street Spit by locals, this large park doubles as a bird sanctuary. A great path for cycling, jogging, hiking, and bird watching.
106 locals recommend
Tommy Thompson Park
1 Leslie St
106 locals recommend
Called the Leslie Street Spit by locals, this large park doubles as a bird sanctuary. A great path for cycling, jogging, hiking, and bird watching.
Be young and beautiful in Trinity Bellwoods, where urban 20-somethings sit and drink openly as they dog and people-watch. On summer nights, there may be live music, a softball game, and definitely slack liners.
590 locals recommend
Trinity - Bellwoods
590 locals recommend
Be young and beautiful in Trinity Bellwoods, where urban 20-somethings sit and drink openly as they dog and people-watch. On summer nights, there may be live music, a softball game, and definitely slack liners.