Guidebook for Toronto
Arts & Culture
Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St WLive music: Brazilian, Salsa, Jazz
Always cool events, festivals, live music, etc. happening down here.
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Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay WAlways cool events, festivals, live music, etc. happening down here.
If you're in town on the first Thursday of the month, you should check out their evening party (called "First Thursdays" google it!)
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Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St WIf you're in town on the first Thursday of the month, you should check out their evening party (called "First Thursdays" google it!)
Essentials
Small grocer with organic produce. Not as good as Sunshine but closer.
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Multiple Organics
1545 Dundas Street WestSmall grocer with organic produce. Not as good as Sunshine but closer.
Sunshine Wholesome Market
942 College StOrganic smoothies & salads made fresh to order and small market selection.
Good for BASICS only (walmart, No Frills grocery store, crappy wine store) - not a worthwhile destination! :)
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Dufferin Mall
900 Dufferin StGood for BASICS only (walmart, No Frills grocery store, crappy wine store) - not a worthwhile destination! :)
FreshCo
22 Northcote AveSlightly depressing grocery store, but it'll do.
Food Scene
BEST brunch! They also have the BEST burger on their dinner menu, and best staff.
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The Federal
1438 Dundas Street WestBEST brunch! They also have the BEST burger on their dinner menu, and best staff.
Pizzeria Libretto
221 Ossington AveGood weekly lunch specials
A European Tavern which specializes in making everything in house with local ingredients.
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Bestellen
972 College StreetA European Tavern which specializes in making everything in house with local ingredients.
Sukhothai
1442 Dundas St WFamily run, traditional Thai cuisine. So good.
Cheap, fast, greasy spoon breakfast. Nothing fancy. Secret patio out back.
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Sunset Grill
2006 Queen St ECheap, fast, greasy spoon breakfast. Nothing fancy. Secret patio out back.
Great place to stop and buy healthy snacks & coffee on your way to Trinity Bellwoods Park. Located on a quiet side-street.
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The Lucky Penny General Store and Cafe
189 Shaw StGreat place to stop and buy healthy snacks & coffee on your way to Trinity Bellwoods Park. Located on a quiet side-street.
Luna Cafe
181 Dovercourt RdQuiet classic cafe with healthy breakfasts and outdoor seating.
RaviSoups
322 Adelaide St WBEST soups. Family run. Super casual.
Tacos/LOUD Rap/Good Cocktails. No reservations - try to go early or late
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Grand Electric Parkdale
1330 Queen St WTacos/LOUD Rap/Good Cocktails. No reservations - try to go early or late
Perfect food cooked with LOVE. Menu changes all the time, it's always amazing. Great atmosphere and staff as well.
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Me & Mine
1144 College StreetPerfect food cooked with LOVE. Menu changes all the time, it's always amazing. Great atmosphere and staff as well.
Mr. Flamingo
1265 Dundas St WGet the dark & stormy cocktail! Young crowd, good lighting.
Fun! Haitian street food and lots of rum drinks. No reservations, but not too troublesome to get in.
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Rhum Corner
926 Dundas St WFun! Haitian street food and lots of rum drinks. No reservations, but not too troublesome to get in.
North of Brooklyn Pizzeria
650 Queen St Wyummy pizza delivery
Tucana Coffee
1413 Dundas St WPerfect coffee across the street.
Southern Italian food. This is the original location of this insanely successful business. Best to try and go for lunch or get there very early for dinner and/or call ahead. Or sit solo at the bar. Toronto staple.
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Terroni
720 Queen St WSouthern Italian food. This is the original location of this insanely successful business. Best to try and go for lunch or get there very early for dinner and/or call ahead. Or sit solo at the bar. Toronto staple.
One of the coziest Izakaya style bars in town. There's often a line at the door so you might want to go on nonparty night/hours if you want to avoid the wait.
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Imanishi Japanese Kitchen
1330 Dundas Street WestOne of the coziest Izakaya style bars in town. There's often a line at the door so you might want to go on nonparty night/hours if you want to avoid the wait.
Cafeteria Playa Cabana
974 College StreetNewer, modern taco place, right around the corner.
Milk Bar Toronto
Drinks & Nightlife
Local hotspot. Good patio for people watching and enjoying brunch. Also has a nice rooftop patio & live music.
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The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St WLocal hotspot. Good patio for people watching and enjoying brunch. Also has a nice rooftop patio & live music.
Perfect hidden watering hole. Across the street, downstairs. Sweet bartenders. Artist murals.
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Unlovable The
Perfect hidden watering hole. Across the street, downstairs. Sweet bartenders. Artist murals.
The Garrison
1197 Dundas St WLive music & dancing
Get Well
1181 Dundas Street WestFun arcade & craft beer bar
Local brewery with outdoor patio. People watching on Ossington strip.
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Bellwoods Brewery
124 Ossington AveLocal brewery with outdoor patio. People watching on Ossington strip.
Black Dice Cafe
1574 Dundas St WTiny Japanese Rockabilly Bar with sake cocktails.
Tiny dive bar with a jukebox. Only has 8 tables so it's best to hit this bar early. Sign outside says "Nazare Snack Bar" Local gem.
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Communist's Daughter
1149 Dundas St WTiny dive bar with a jukebox. Only has 8 tables so it's best to hit this bar early. Sign outside says "Nazare Snack Bar" Local gem.
Great wine bar, right on the corner. Sunday night specials.
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Midfield Wine Bar
1434 Dundas St WGreat wine bar, right on the corner. Sunday night specials.
Harry Potter themed bar...I don't get it (never read the books or saw the movies!), but there are line ups out the door every night. If you are a Harry Potter fan hit it up :D
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The Lockhart
1479 Dundas St WHarry Potter themed bar...I don't get it (never read the books or saw the movies!), but there are line ups out the door every night. If you are a Harry Potter fan hit it up :D
El Convento Rico
750 College StLatin drag shows on Friday nights. Open to everyone.
One of the first West-end queer bars. Great (small) dance parties in this tiny, dark, under-the radar bar.
Daytime there is food and a cafe, but I like it best as a bar.
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Beaver Cafe
1192 Queen St WOne of the first West-end queer bars. Great (small) dance parties in this tiny, dark, under-the radar bar.
Daytime there is food and a cafe, but I like it best as a bar.
Fun bar(s) within the restored Gladstone Hotel (walk down Gladstone 3-4 blocks and it is on the corner once you hit Queen Street West). Also there is usually an art or photo exhibit and fun dance parties here.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
The Melody Bar
1214 Queen St WFun bar(s) within the restored Gladstone Hotel (walk down Gladstone 3-4 blocks and it is on the corner once you hit Queen Street West). Also there is usually an art or photo exhibit and fun dance parties here.
Secret hipster bar. Located in the back of the weird mini shopping mall on Kensington Avenue. Famous BBQ on Sunday afternoons...
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Cold Tea
1186 Queen Street WestSecret hipster bar. Located in the back of the weird mini shopping mall on Kensington Avenue. Famous BBQ on Sunday afternoons...
Famous Toronto landmark. Sweet/salty staff and bartenders have been there since the dawn of time as well. Always something going on - mostly garage/rock/country music.
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Horseshoe Tavern
370 Queen St WFamous Toronto landmark. Sweet/salty staff and bartenders have been there since the dawn of time as well. Always something going on - mostly garage/rock/country music.
Another iconic music venue. Upstairs is usually retro dance parties and downstairs has a rotation of live shows.
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Lee's Palace
529 Bloor St WAnother iconic music venue. Upstairs is usually retro dance parties and downstairs has a rotation of live shows.
I'm not into clubs - but this is one of them. If you're into clubbing then you can start here at King and Bathurst and continue along eastbound on King or Adelaide.
20 Einheimische empfehlen
The Hoxton
69 Bathurst StreetI'm not into clubs - but this is one of them. If you're into clubbing then you can start here at King and Bathurst and continue along eastbound on King or Adelaide.
Bikinis + Heels + DJs + A view of the city. I've never been...probably very expensive and loud.
82 Einheimische empfehlen
Cabana Poolbar
11 Polson StBikinis + Heels + DJs + A view of the city. I've never been...probably very expensive and loud.
Rent a private room with yourself & some friends! Open until 4am. There are a few other Karaoke spots if this one is full.
BMB Karaoke
593 Bloor Street WestRent a private room with yourself & some friends! Open until 4am. There are a few other Karaoke spots if this one is full.
Everything Else
Amazing farmers market Thursday 3-7pm, great kids playground, community centre.
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Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin StAmazing farmers market Thursday 3-7pm, great kids playground, community centre.
Get Well
1181 Dundas Street WestAmazing little gift shop!
Reposado
136 Ossington AveTequila times
Very trustworthy doggie daycare. Good friends of ours and located just down the street.
Our Noble Companions
Very trustworthy doggie daycare. Good friends of ours and located just down the street.
Parks & Nature
LOTS going on here, more of a party park then a napping park, but you can find quiet spots. Big dog bowl in the middle.
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Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen St WLOTS going on here, more of a party park then a napping park, but you can find quiet spots. Big dog bowl in the middle.
You can spend the day biking across all three 'islands' (it's all connected) - or choose your own adventure. Best to pack a lunch/beers and rent a bike.
Hanlans Island = LGBT friendly nude beach (AKA party beach), quiet hidden beaches, picnic spots.
Explore the secret(ish) beaches behind the Artscape buildings (near the lighthouse) if the nude beach is too much.
Centre Island = Families, bike rentals, beaches, snacks, etc. Busier. Not my favourite, but pretty to bike through.
Wards Island = Residential cottage homes, cool beaches, cute cafes, SUP board rentals, super chill and fun to explore. My personal favourite.
Algonquin Island (look for a small bridge leading off to a small island, lined with adorable house boats) is fun to explore. Just be respectful of the residents.
Snake Island is uninhabited and has a beautiful view of the city. Quiet spot to chill.
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Toronto Islands
You can spend the day biking across all three 'islands' (it's all connected) - or choose your own adventure. Best to pack a lunch/beers and rent a bike.
Hanlans Island = LGBT friendly nude beach (AKA party beach), quiet hidden beaches, picnic spots.
Explore the secret(ish) beaches behind the Artscape buildings (near the lighthouse) if the nude beach is too much.
Centre Island = Families, bike rentals, beaches, snacks, etc. Busier. Not my favourite, but pretty to bike through.
Wards Island = Residential cottage homes, cool beaches, cute cafes, SUP board rentals, super chill and fun to explore. My personal favourite.
Algonquin Island (look for a small bridge leading off to a small island, lined with adorable house boats) is fun to explore. Just be respectful of the residents.
Snake Island is uninhabited and has a beautiful view of the city. Quiet spot to chill.
Getting Around
Main downtown metro hub. Trains, subway stations, GO buses, and UP Express train to Pearson airport all located here.
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Union Station
55 Front St WMain downtown metro hub. Trains, subway stations, GO buses, and UP Express train to Pearson airport all located here.
Dufferin station
Closest subway station
Toronto Pearson International Airport
6301 Silver Dart DrMain airport
Porter Airlines
2 Eireann QuayDowntown airport