Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
This place is filled to the ceiling with festive energy. The tapas menu offers many delicious and inventive dishes to try. Our personal favourites are the Karaage and Yaki Udon.
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KINKA IZAKAYA ANNEX
559 Bloor Street WestThis place is filled to the ceiling with festive energy. The tapas menu offers many delicious and inventive dishes to try. Our personal favourites are the Karaage and Yaki Udon.
A fantastic collision of Mexican and Korean cuisine. Try the kalbi ribs you will not be disappointed.
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Barrio Coreano
690 Bloor St WA fantastic collision of Mexican and Korean cuisine. Try the kalbi ribs you will not be disappointed.
Homemade cookies + homemade ice cream = The Best Ice Cream Sandwich You've Ever Had. Consider sharing with a friend because they are huge.
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Bakerbots Baking
1242 Delaware AveHomemade cookies + homemade ice cream = The Best Ice Cream Sandwich You've Ever Had. Consider sharing with a friend because they are huge.
The Classic Wings and Burgers
858 Bloor Street WestIt's in the name. But what they do, they do quite well.
We're biased because it's right around the corner. But we'd put this bar's food and drink up against any in the city. The beer menu is long and excellent, and the burgers are huge and delicious. Try the Koreatown Burger and then tell us you didn't love it. We double-dog dare you.
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Tallboys - Craft Beer House
838 Bloor St WWe're biased because it's right around the corner. But we'd put this bar's food and drink up against any in the city. The beer menu is long and excellent, and the burgers are huge and delicious. Try the Koreatown Burger and then tell us you didn't love it. We double-dog dare you.
A colourful, family-run Ethiopian resto just steps away. The vegetarian platter is a favourite!
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Lalibela Restaurant - Bloor St
869 Bloor St WA colourful, family-run Ethiopian resto just steps away. The vegetarian platter is a favourite!
We've honestly only ever enjoyed the decadent brunch menu at Insomnia. But we've heard excellent things about the lunch and dinner fare. The place is also a popular late night lounge. If you are trying it out for brunch and have the appetite, give the "Heaven on Earth" a go and thank us later.
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Insomnia
563 Bloor St WWe've honestly only ever enjoyed the decadent brunch menu at Insomnia. But we've heard excellent things about the lunch and dinner fare. The place is also a popular late night lounge. If you are trying it out for brunch and have the appetite, give the "Heaven on Earth" a go and thank us later.
Delicious, rich ramen. Great spot for a rainy or wintry day. Expect fast service and a full belly.
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KINTON RAMEN
668 Bloor St WDelicious, rich ramen. Great spot for a rainy or wintry day. Expect fast service and a full belly.
This take on Japanese tapas is a great spot for friends to share some delicious fried chicken, drink cheap pitchers of Sapporo and play electronic darts. Ideal as a launch pad before the clubs, or a landing pad afterwards. Although it's an oyster bar by name, we recommend avoiding the oysters all together.
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Japas
692 Bloor St WThis take on Japanese tapas is a great spot for friends to share some delicious fried chicken, drink cheap pitchers of Sapporo and play electronic darts. Ideal as a launch pad before the clubs, or a landing pad afterwards. Although it's an oyster bar by name, we recommend avoiding the oysters all together.
Nowhere to sit, but simply the best Americano in the neighbourhood.
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Coffee Pocket
688a Bloor St WNowhere to sit, but simply the best Americano in the neighbourhood.
This will be your favourite Salvadoran taco joint once you try it. Seating used to be an issue, but since moving across to the south side of Bloor St, that problem should be resolved. There can be a bit of a wait at peak hours. Try the pupusas, the fish tacos, and wash them down with an horchata.
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Tacos El Asador
689 Bloor St WThis will be your favourite Salvadoran taco joint once you try it. Seating used to be an issue, but since moving across to the south side of Bloor St, that problem should be resolved. There can be a bit of a wait at peak hours. Try the pupusas, the fish tacos, and wash them down with an horchata.
Our favourite spot for an affordable bit of delicious Korean comfort food.
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Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu
691 Bloor St WOur favourite spot for an affordable bit of delicious Korean comfort food.
For truly unique, inspiring and beautifully executed Canadian cuisine. This is a local gem well worth experiencing.
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Actinolite Restaurant
971 Ossington AveFor truly unique, inspiring and beautifully executed Canadian cuisine. This is a local gem well worth experiencing.
If you love Indian food it will be hard to resist the wonderful aromas wafting through the park as the kitchen fires up mid-afternoon.
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Banjara Bloor
796 Bloor St WIf you love Indian food it will be hard to resist the wonderful aromas wafting through the park as the kitchen fires up mid-afternoon.
Located in the heart of Yorkville, Hemmingways is famous as being one of the few year-round patios in Toronto.
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Hemingway's Restaurant
142 Cumberland StLocated in the heart of Yorkville, Hemmingways is famous as being one of the few year-round patios in Toronto.
Drinks & Nightlife
A great local dance club. The staff and owner are friendly, good drink specials, and always great music. You can also get in some Super Nintendo if you sit at the bar.
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Bass Line
865 Bloor St WA great local dance club. The staff and owner are friendly, good drink specials, and always great music. You can also get in some Super Nintendo if you sit at the bar.
This place is known for its amazing cocktails. Whether you know what you want or not, the friendly staff will work with you to suggest the perfect drink.
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Civil Liberties
878 Bloor St WThis place is known for its amazing cocktails. Whether you know what you want or not, the friendly staff will work with you to suggest the perfect drink.
Two rooms with bar up front and live acts in the back. Not overly hipstery, a great relaxed atmosphere with an amazing sound system. Reasonably priced, a local favourite.
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The Piston
937 Bloor St WTwo rooms with bar up front and live acts in the back. Not overly hipstery, a great relaxed atmosphere with an amazing sound system. Reasonably priced, a local favourite.
Hands down one of the best places to see live music. It's intimate, affordable and friendly. An icon of the Toronto live music scene. Hit the Dance Cave upstairs to cut a rug and drink cheaply in unpretentious environs.
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Lee's Palace
529 Bloor St WHands down one of the best places to see live music. It's intimate, affordable and friendly. An icon of the Toronto live music scene. Hit the Dance Cave upstairs to cut a rug and drink cheaply in unpretentious environs.
This is a comedy lovers venue. It's a bit divey, and the acts are more hit than miss. But it attracts all the big names in stand up and improv without all the tourists. Arrive early for good seats.
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Comedy Bar
945 Bloor St WThis is a comedy lovers venue. It's a bit divey, and the acts are more hit than miss. But it attracts all the big names in stand up and improv without all the tourists. Arrive early for good seats.
Hip cocktail bars and friendly service don't usually go hand-in-hand in this town. But at the Northwood, that's exactly what you get. $11-14 for 2.5 oz cocktails is very reasonable and you'll love the selection of classics on offer.
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Northwood
815 Bloor St WHip cocktail bars and friendly service don't usually go hand-in-hand in this town. But at the Northwood, that's exactly what you get. $11-14 for 2.5 oz cocktails is very reasonable and you'll love the selection of classics on offer.
This ironically named Queen West dive bar is found down an alley just east of Dovercourt. It has a good selection of beer and plays music just loud enough to make you lean in to hear the conversation. Follow the beacon of the neon tiger head to find the entrance.
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Bar Fancy
1070 Queen St WThis ironically named Queen West dive bar is found down an alley just east of Dovercourt. It has a good selection of beer and plays music just loud enough to make you lean in to hear the conversation. Follow the beacon of the neon tiger head to find the entrance.
Cabana Pool Bar at Polson Pier transforms Toronto's waterfront into a 'Day-to-Night" party spot with private cabanas, daybeds and room for 2500 sun worshippers.
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Cabana Poolbar
11 Polson StCabana Pool Bar at Polson Pier transforms Toronto's waterfront into a 'Day-to-Night" party spot with private cabanas, daybeds and room for 2500 sun worshippers.
It is difficult to categorize this cultural venue. It is a multi-purpose boutique/gallery/restaurant/bar/performance space. The hotel is beautiful to explore and offers something interesting and unique almost every night. From karaoke to adult colouring nights to craft shows, the Gladstone can feel more like a community centre than a hotel.
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Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St WIt is difficult to categorize this cultural venue. It is a multi-purpose boutique/gallery/restaurant/bar/performance space. The hotel is beautiful to explore and offers something interesting and unique almost every night. From karaoke to adult colouring nights to craft shows, the Gladstone can feel more like a community centre than a hotel.
Step out of Toronto and into the hear of Barcelona with a decor that evokes Gaudi and is simply a feast for the eyes. Perhaps the most beautiful bar in the city with cocktails that keep up with the standard set by the ambiance.
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Bar Raval
505 College StStep out of Toronto and into the hear of Barcelona with a decor that evokes Gaudi and is simply a feast for the eyes. Perhaps the most beautiful bar in the city with cocktails that keep up with the standard set by the ambiance.
Parks & Nature
Once a sand, gravel and clay quarry, Christie Pits is one of Toronto's great downtown parks. 21 acres in size and approximately 1.4 kilometres around, the park offers great tobogganing and skating in the winter months but really comes alive in the warmer seasons. Take a stroll on a warm evening and you'll likely take in basketball courts filled with players of all ages, swimmers cooling down in one of four outdoor pools, children buzzing around the playgrounds, a hotdog roast around the community fire pit, drum circles, yoga sessions, soccer games, lovers kissing on the hillside, and some pretty darn good baseball at Dominico field, in the Northeast corner of the park.
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Christie Pits Park
750 Bloor St WOnce a sand, gravel and clay quarry, Christie Pits is one of Toronto's great downtown parks. 21 acres in size and approximately 1.4 kilometres around, the park offers great tobogganing and skating in the winter months but really comes alive in the warmer seasons. Take a stroll on a warm evening and you'll likely take in basketball courts filled with players of all ages, swimmers cooling down in one of four outdoor pools, children buzzing around the playgrounds, a hotdog roast around the community fire pit, drum circles, yoga sessions, soccer games, lovers kissing on the hillside, and some pretty darn good baseball at Dominico field, in the Northeast corner of the park.
Arts & Culture
A fantastic permanent collection in a recently re-imagined space be world renowned architect and hometown hero, Frank Gehry. Wednesday nights are free admission.
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Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St WA fantastic permanent collection in a recently re-imagined space be world renowned architect and hometown hero, Frank Gehry. Wednesday nights are free admission.
Experience interactive art, natural history and world culture exhibits in one of North America's largest museums.
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Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens ParkExperience interactive art, natural history and world culture exhibits in one of North America's largest museums.
About a 15-20 minute walk from the house, Artscape Wychwood Barns is a community cultural hub that opened in 2008. Here you'll find a dynamic mix of arts, culture, food security, urban agriculture, environmental and other community activities and initiatives coming together to provide a new lease on life for a century-old former streetcar repair facility.
The farmers market on Saturday mornings in the summer months is our favourite reason to visit Wychwood Barns. There's an excellent park and splash pad, but not ample shade so take precautions.
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Wychwood Barns Park
76 Wychwood AveAbout a 15-20 minute walk from the house, Artscape Wychwood Barns is a community cultural hub that opened in 2008. Here you'll find a dynamic mix of arts, culture, food security, urban agriculture, environmental and other community activities and initiatives coming together to provide a new lease on life for a century-old former streetcar repair facility.
The farmers market on Saturday mornings in the summer months is our favourite reason to visit Wychwood Barns. There's an excellent park and splash pad, but not ample shade so take precautions.
Put on by the Canadian Stage Company each summer, Shakespeare in the park is a summertime tradition for Torontonians.
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High Park Subway Station
Put on by the Canadian Stage Company each summer, Shakespeare in the park is a summertime tradition for Torontonians.
A venue for true theatre lovers, The Theatre Centre specializes in experimental productions that break the boundaries of the medium.
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The Theatre Centre
1115 Queen St WA venue for true theatre lovers, The Theatre Centre specializes in experimental productions that break the boundaries of the medium.
Factory offers top rate theatre, and is devoted exclusively to producing Canadian works.
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Factory Theatre
125 Bathurst StFactory offers top rate theatre, and is devoted exclusively to producing Canadian works.
If taking in a play isn't your usual form of entertainment but you're curious, this theatre is a terrific place to start. For new and seasoned theatre-goers alike, the casual but professional atmosphere and variety of stage types/sizes and productions make going to a show easy.
The price point of tickets is reasonable, and the theatre is within a 20 minute walk from our place, so spending an evening watching live theatre might be a nice way to shake up your entertainment options!
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Tarragon Theatre
30 Bridgman AveIf taking in a play isn't your usual form of entertainment but you're curious, this theatre is a terrific place to start. For new and seasoned theatre-goers alike, the casual but professional atmosphere and variety of stage types/sizes and productions make going to a show easy.
The price point of tickets is reasonable, and the theatre is within a 20 minute walk from our place, so spending an evening watching live theatre might be a nice way to shake up your entertainment options!
Theatre Passe Muraille
16 Ryerson AvePrincess of Wales Theatre
300 King St WRoy Thomson Hall
60 Simcoe StGetting Around
The nearest Subway stop is Christie Station, a three minute walk away. To get there, walk east through the park and cross Christie Street. If heading downtown, you will take the train Eastbound.
Transfer Southbound at St George Station for: The Royal Ontario Museum, The Art Gallery of Ontario, Chinatown, Kensington Market, Roy Thompson Hall, The Theatre District, Queen West Shopping District, Air Canada Centre, Ripley's Aquarium, CN Tower, Union Station. |||||
Transfer Southbound at Yonge/Bloor Station for: Cabbagetown, Ryerson University, Dundas Square, The Eaton Centre, St Lawrence Market, The Financial District.
TTC Christie subway stop
5 A Christie StThe nearest Subway stop is Christie Station, a three minute walk away. To get there, walk east through the park and cross Christie Street. If heading downtown, you will take the train Eastbound.
Transfer Southbound at St George Station for: The Royal Ontario Museum, The Art Gallery of Ontario, Chinatown, Kensington Market, Roy Thompson Hall, The Theatre District, Queen West Shopping District, Air Canada Centre, Ripley's Aquarium, CN Tower, Union Station. |||||
Transfer Southbound at Yonge/Bloor Station for: Cabbagetown, Ryerson University, Dundas Square, The Eaton Centre, St Lawrence Market, The Financial District.
Essentials
A great selection of Korean prepared foods and ingredients, grains and noodles, housewares, and fresh produce. The taiyaki stand is also a nice, hot treat.
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PAT Central
675 Bloor St WA great selection of Korean prepared foods and ingredients, grains and noodles, housewares, and fresh produce. The taiyaki stand is also a nice, hot treat.
One of the finest grocery stores in the city. Independently owned and operated, Fiesta is filled with high quality products and unique specialty items. Perhaps not the cheapest, but worth a visit if you're a foodie who cooks your own meals.
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Fiesta Farms
200 Christie StOne of the finest grocery stores in the city. Independently owned and operated, Fiesta is filled with high quality products and unique specialty items. Perhaps not the cheapest, but worth a visit if you're a foodie who cooks your own meals.
At the corner of Manning and Bloor is our go-to place for vegetables. 20 bucks goes a long way here. We'll often get our veggies from Bloor Fruit and buy our meat from Gasparro's and any gaps can be filled at the PAT (all included in this guide). It's a nice way to get your shopping done in the warmer months and we can equip you with a handcart if you want to take advantage of that. You'll end up paying about the same but for higher quality, especially in the summer. And it's also a nice stroll through the neighbourhood.
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Bloor Fruit Market
662 Manning AveAt the corner of Manning and Bloor is our go-to place for vegetables. 20 bucks goes a long way here. We'll often get our veggies from Bloor Fruit and buy our meat from Gasparro's and any gaps can be filled at the PAT (all included in this guide). It's a nice way to get your shopping done in the warmer months and we can equip you with a handcart if you want to take advantage of that. You'll end up paying about the same but for higher quality, especially in the summer. And it's also a nice stroll through the neighbourhood.
The closest spot for wine, spirits and a decent selection of craft, domestic and imported beer.
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LCBO
2300 Yonge StThe closest spot for wine, spirits and a decent selection of craft, domestic and imported beer.
We offer a washing machine and dryer. But should you need it for any reason, Phan, the owner, is great. She launders all our linens and towels.
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Shaw Coin Laundry
845 Bloor St WWe offer a washing machine and dryer. But should you need it for any reason, Phan, the owner, is great. She launders all our linens and towels.
The pharmacist here is very knowledgeable and has cultivated a very loyal clientele. The hours aren't the greatest, so if you try here and it's closed, walk one more block to Shoppers Drug Mart.
Guardian Bloorcourt Pharmacy
936 Bloor St WThe pharmacist here is very knowledgeable and has cultivated a very loyal clientele. The hours aren't the greatest, so if you try here and it's closed, walk one more block to Shoppers Drug Mart.
This is a one-stop grocery chain store. Not too far to walk, but more convenient by car, especially if you're buying lots.
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Loblaws
585 Queen St WThis is a one-stop grocery chain store. Not too far to walk, but more convenient by car, especially if you're buying lots.
Chosen for its proximity to the house, Total Health is a two minute walk away. It's good for the basics, but if you need more selection choose Guardian Bloorcourt Pharmacy at Bloor and Delaware (also included in this guide). Also to keep in mind, there is a walk-in clinic on the third floor above Total Health.
Total Health Pharmacy
799 Bloor Street WestChosen for its proximity to the house, Total Health is a two minute walk away. It's good for the basics, but if you need more selection choose Guardian Bloorcourt Pharmacy at Bloor and Delaware (also included in this guide). Also to keep in mind, there is a walk-in clinic on the third floor above Total Health.
Ellis Cleaners
741 Ossington AveFriendly and reasonably priced dry cleaning.
This place has an incredible selection of whole foods, supplements, and health conscious products. The staff, I'll be honest, can be hit or miss. I've had some less-than-stellar service here. But the selection, prices, and proximity are the reasons why this shop remains a go-to.
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Herbs & Nutrition
572 Bloor St WThis place has an incredible selection of whole foods, supplements, and health conscious products. The staff, I'll be honest, can be hit or miss. I've had some less-than-stellar service here. But the selection, prices, and proximity are the reasons why this shop remains a go-to.
Shopping
Dufferin Mall is the nearest shopping mall to our place. It has lots of parking, can be accessed on foot in about 20 minutes, or, if you're taking the subway, it's a mere two stops down the line going westbound. The mall itself is on the small side, and does not feature high end shops. But for most people in the area, this mall has everything one might need. Stores include: Wal-Mart, Winners, Foot Locker, ALDO Shoes, Gap, Garage, H&M, La Senza, Marshalls, Reitmans, Soft Moc, Toys R Us, and No Frills Groceries.
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Dufferin Mall
900 Dufferin StDufferin Mall is the nearest shopping mall to our place. It has lots of parking, can be accessed on foot in about 20 minutes, or, if you're taking the subway, it's a mere two stops down the line going westbound. The mall itself is on the small side, and does not feature high end shops. But for most people in the area, this mall has everything one might need. Stores include: Wal-Mart, Winners, Foot Locker, ALDO Shoes, Gap, Garage, H&M, La Senza, Marshalls, Reitmans, Soft Moc, Toys R Us, and No Frills Groceries.
This is where we go to buy our meat most of the time. The shop has a lot of personality and you don't have to spend a fortune to come home with the makings of a great meal. It all depends on what you want. It's all quality. Their wild boar and apple sausage absolutely rocks.
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Vince Gasparro's Meat Market
857 Bloor St WThis is where we go to buy our meat most of the time. The shop has a lot of personality and you don't have to spend a fortune to come home with the makings of a great meal. It all depends on what you want. It's all quality. Their wild boar and apple sausage absolutely rocks.