Guidebook for Toronto
Entertainment & Activities
Dufferin Grove Park is the hub of our community. In the summer it has a wonderful, shaded wading pool and playground and in the winter one can enjoy leisure skating or a game of pick-up hockey!
208 locals recommend
Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin StDufferin Grove Park is the hub of our community. In the summer it has a wonderful, shaded wading pool and playground and in the winter one can enjoy leisure skating or a game of pick-up hockey!
Great local fitness centre with pool, weight room, indoor track and assortment of fitness classes including spinning and Yoga. Daily entrance fee for non YMCA members.
52 locals recommend
West End YMCA
931 College StGreat local fitness centre with pool, weight room, indoor track and assortment of fitness classes including spinning and Yoga. Daily entrance fee for non YMCA members.
Lovely High Park has much to offer all year round. From the cherry blossoms in the spring to skating on Grenadier pond in the winter, this destination is merely a 10 minute streetcar ride away!
1205 locals recommend
High Park
1873 Bloor St WLovely High Park has much to offer all year round. From the cherry blossoms in the spring to skating on Grenadier pond in the winter, this destination is merely a 10 minute streetcar ride away!
Although this public hobby farm is on the other side of town, it is a direct, and easy 30 min. streetcar trip away. A wonderful outing for young children.
247 locals recommend
Riverdale Farm
201 Winchester StAlthough this public hobby farm is on the other side of town, it is a direct, and easy 30 min. streetcar trip away. A wonderful outing for young children.
If you like candy do not miss the opportunity to visit this colourful well-stocked, owner-operated local candy store.
The Candy Bar Toronto
849 College StIf you like candy do not miss the opportunity to visit this colourful well-stocked, owner-operated local candy store.
Architecturally stunning building that houses many different genres of reading materials as well as an extensive collection of children's books. A wonderful place to spend an afternoon.
34 locals recommend
Toronto Public Library - Bloor/Gladstone Branch
1101 Bloor St WArchitecturally stunning building that houses many different genres of reading materials as well as an extensive collection of children's books. A wonderful place to spend an afternoon.
Food Scene
My all time favourite local restaurant. Great food, drinks, atmosphere and service. You do not need to venture far for a wonderful meal and a good assortment of craft beer, wine or whisky.
11 locals recommend
Folly Brewpub
928 College StMy all time favourite local restaurant. Great food, drinks, atmosphere and service. You do not need to venture far for a wonderful meal and a good assortment of craft beer, wine or whisky.
If meat and mead is your mission THIS is the place to go. Chef Rob Rossi's menu "showcases updated takes on classic fare." Wednesday is buck a shuck oyster night.
19 locals recommend
Bestellen
972 College StreetIf meat and mead is your mission THIS is the place to go. Chef Rob Rossi's menu "showcases updated takes on classic fare." Wednesday is buck a shuck oyster night.
Supercool independent cafe with great cappuccinos and Americanos.
85 locals recommend
The Common Espresso Bar
1071 College StSupercool independent cafe with great cappuccinos and Americanos.
A wonderful quiet little spot to grab a quick falafel, dessert and coffee. Newspapers are provided.
13 locals recommend
Arabesque Middle Eastern Foods
1068 College StreetA wonderful quiet little spot to grab a quick falafel, dessert and coffee. Newspapers are provided.
A great place to open your computer and grab a coffee and pastry.
26 locals recommend
The Brockton Haunt
1150 College StA great place to open your computer and grab a coffee and pastry.
One of my favourite restaurants in the heart of Little Italy - a not to be missed stretch of bars, restaurants and much more. A great place to have lunch or dinner or just a slice of lemon tart.
16 locals recommend
Bar Italia
582 College StreetOne of my favourite restaurants in the heart of Little Italy - a not to be missed stretch of bars, restaurants and much more. A great place to have lunch or dinner or just a slice of lemon tart.
Besides the clever name, this place is reasonably priced and great place to go for a weekend brunch. The menu is varied and contains a few vegan options and a nice selection of cocktails.
32 locals recommend
Disgraceland
965 Bloor St WBesides the clever name, this place is reasonably priced and great place to go for a weekend brunch. The menu is varied and contains a few vegan options and a nice selection of cocktails.
My favourite spot for eggs, smoothies and waffles. Open for breakfast and lunch.
77 locals recommend
Boom Breakfast & Co
1036 St Clair Ave WMy favourite spot for eggs, smoothies and waffles. Open for breakfast and lunch.
Funky decor and casual dinner dining. It is standard fare with fresh ingredients, a good selection of craft beers and a bustling cool vibe.
152 locals recommend
The Emerson Restaurant
1279 Bloor St WFunky decor and casual dinner dining. It is standard fare with fresh ingredients, a good selection of craft beers and a bustling cool vibe.
Extremely popular and reasonably priced neighbourhood restaurant with well-prepared food for brunch (weekends only) and dinner. It is Now Magazine's 2013 winner of Best Burger over $10.
56 locals recommend
The Whippoorwill Restaurant & Tavern
1285 Bloor Street WestExtremely popular and reasonably priced neighbourhood restaurant with well-prepared food for brunch (weekends only) and dinner. It is Now Magazine's 2013 winner of Best Burger over $10.
A boisterous brewpub restaurant with good food located in the middle of the trendy Ossington strip. Be sure to visit the off-sales counter and take a growler of beer home with you.
373 locals recommend
Bellwoods Brewery
124 Ossington AveA boisterous brewpub restaurant with good food located in the middle of the trendy Ossington strip. Be sure to visit the off-sales counter and take a growler of beer home with you.
One of the more sophisticated places to dine on the Ossington strip. With live music most nights, you will find live jazz and swing on Thursdays and Fridays between 11 and 2am.
100 locals recommend
Reposado
136 Ossington AveOne of the more sophisticated places to dine on the Ossington strip. With live music most nights, you will find live jazz and swing on Thursdays and Fridays between 11 and 2am.
This restaurant/cafe is ground zero in Toronto during world cup soccer. The food and coffee is reasonable, but the main attraction is its reputation as a place to enjoy soccer. A very nice patio.
68 locals recommend
Cafe Diplomatico Restaurant & Pizzeria
594 College StThis restaurant/cafe is ground zero in Toronto during world cup soccer. The food and coffee is reasonable, but the main attraction is its reputation as a place to enjoy soccer. A very nice patio.
This place is always hopping and the mexican food is wonderful! Try to get there a bit early if you do not want to wait for a table.
239 locals recommend
La Carnita
501 College StThis place is always hopping and the mexican food is wonderful! Try to get there a bit early if you do not want to wait for a table.
Oyster Boy
872 Queen St WIf Oysters are your thing this is the place to go.
Duff's is a local institution and serves up enough variety of heat on its wings to please the entire family. Dissenters can always grab a burger.
23 locals recommend
Duff's Famous Wings
558 College StDuff's is a local institution and serves up enough variety of heat on its wings to please the entire family. Dissenters can always grab a burger.
Essentials
Large local mall with a No Frills grocery store, Toys R Us, Walmart, and a bunch of stores selling clothing, telephones and other technology.
289 locals recommend
Dufferin Mall
900 Dufferin StLarge local mall with a No Frills grocery store, Toys R Us, Walmart, and a bunch of stores selling clothing, telephones and other technology.
Top chefs and foodies know this butcher. Well worth the walk if you want to prepare a memorable meal.
32 locals recommend
Vince Gasparro's Meat Market
857 Bloor St WTop chefs and foodies know this butcher. Well worth the walk if you want to prepare a memorable meal.
Everything Else
This subway station provides access to the main east/west subway line in Toronto and intersects with the main north/south line at Yonge Station. It takes you right downtown in 10-12 minutes.
Dufferin St At Bloor St West station
This subway station provides access to the main east/west subway line in Toronto and intersects with the main north/south line at Yonge Station. It takes you right downtown in 10-12 minutes.
This subway station provides access to the main east/west subway line in Toronto and intersects with the main north/south line at Yonge Station. It takes you right downtown in 10-12 minutes.
86 locals recommend
Lansdowne Ave at Wade Ave station
This subway station provides access to the main east/west subway line in Toronto and intersects with the main north/south line at Yonge Station. It takes you right downtown in 10-12 minutes.
Media Express Printing
449 Dovercourt RdA great little local print shop - just in case.
LCBO
49 Spadina Ave.Liquor Store.
Hollow Ground Barber Shop
1053 Bloor St WIt is local and cool looking: not your grandfather's barber shop.
A place to go if you need help with your eye glasses. You never know...
Hakim Optical - Bloor & Dufferin
1091 Bloor St WA place to go if you need help with your eye glasses. You never know...
This Beer Store is conveniently located at the north end of Dufferin Mall.
127 locals recommend
Beer Store
1200 Dundas St WThis Beer Store is conveniently located at the north end of Dufferin Mall.
Bike Depot
1222 Bloor St WA large store for cycling enthusiasts.
Sweet Pete's Bike Shop
1204 Bloor St WA large store for cycling enthusiasts.
This downtown women's only spa is a fabulous girls party afternoon outing where one can relax in the therapeutic waters or treat themselves to a massage or other spa service.
26 locals recommend
Body Blitz Spa
471 Adelaide St WThis downtown women's only spa is a fabulous girls party afternoon outing where one can relax in the therapeutic waters or treat themselves to a massage or other spa service.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great Scottish pub with an extensive collection of whisky, seasonal back patio, a decent basic menu, and no TV screens. A popular spot for locals.
39 locals recommend
The Caledonian
856 College StGreat Scottish pub with an extensive collection of whisky, seasonal back patio, a decent basic menu, and no TV screens. A popular spot for locals.
A comfortable local pub with a decent menu, no TVs and a fine selection of bourbon whiskey. Cash only.
24 locals recommend
The Emmet Ray
924 College StA comfortable local pub with a decent menu, no TVs and a fine selection of bourbon whiskey. Cash only.
A reasonably priced local pub to hang out and watch sports and cooking shows. Good pizza and burgers.
13 locals recommend
Brass Taps Pizza Pub
934 College StA reasonably priced local pub to hang out and watch sports and cooking shows. Good pizza and burgers.
The 3 Speed
1163 Bloor St WA cool hipster pub with live music.
If you like small venues with live music and cold beer you should head down to the Dakota Tavern. It is hopping Tuesday thru Sunday from 8 pm - 2 am. Check local listings for shows.
351 locals recommend
The Lakeview Restaurant
1132 Dundas Street WestIf you like small venues with live music and cold beer you should head down to the Dakota Tavern. It is hopping Tuesday thru Sunday from 8 pm - 2 am. Check local listings for shows.
There is always something happening at The Drake. A fun place to grab a drink, maybe see some live music or catch a competition like the Canadian Whiskey Cocktail Finals.
538 locals recommend
The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St WThere is always something happening at The Drake. A fun place to grab a drink, maybe see some live music or catch a competition like the Canadian Whiskey Cocktail Finals.
A fine local club to enjoy a bit of live salsa, jazz and world music. The weekends are packed with great food, music and dancing! Check local listings for upcoming events.
120 locals recommend
Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St WA fine local club to enjoy a bit of live salsa, jazz and world music. The weekends are packed with great food, music and dancing! Check local listings for upcoming events.
Shopping
Once home to the Toronto Maple Leafs, this once famed hockey arena is now a destination supermarket that is a mere 30 min direct streetcar ride away!
39 locals recommend
Mattamy Athletic Centre
50 Carlton StOnce home to the Toronto Maple Leafs, this once famed hockey arena is now a destination supermarket that is a mere 30 min direct streetcar ride away!
Georgeous local gift shop with a tasteful array of beautiful things to buy: Canadian made wool blankets, hand crafted jewellery, vases and much more. An easy place to spend a bit of money.
9 locals recommend
Zebuu
934 Bloor St WGeorgeous local gift shop with a tasteful array of beautiful things to buy: Canadian made wool blankets, hand crafted jewellery, vases and much more. An easy place to spend a bit of money.
A local bulk store with a good selection of nuts, organic tea, coffee, dried fruit, gluten free products and "healthy" candy.
49 locals recommend
Nuthouse
1256 Bloor St WA local bulk store with a good selection of nuts, organic tea, coffee, dried fruit, gluten free products and "healthy" candy.
Visit Soundscapes and buy music the old fashioned way. Situated in the heart of Little Italy, it has a phenomenal selection of cds from all genres. Very knowledgable staff.
10 locals recommend
Soundscapes
572 College StVisit Soundscapes and buy music the old fashioned way. Situated in the heart of Little Italy, it has a phenomenal selection of cds from all genres. Very knowledgable staff.
In the event you are shopping for a new guitar or other musical instrument, walk over to Long & McQuade and check out their stock.
7 locals recommend
Long & McQuade Musical Instruments
925 Bloor St WIn the event you are shopping for a new guitar or other musical instrument, walk over to Long & McQuade and check out their stock.
A 10 minute streetcar ride takes you to the the gates of one of Toronto's most interesting, diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Spend a few hours shopping, chillin' and taking it all in.
1698 locals recommend
Kensington Market
A 10 minute streetcar ride takes you to the the gates of one of Toronto's most interesting, diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Spend a few hours shopping, chillin' and taking it all in.
Arts & Culture
Many popular bands play at this mid-sized venue that is very close by. When you come to town, check the listings - your favourite new band may be playing!
49 locals recommend
Mod Club Theatre
722 College StMany popular bands play at this mid-sized venue that is very close by. When you come to town, check the listings - your favourite new band may be playing!
If you can not find anything on NETFLIX, check out the listings at this local rep movie theatre. It has comfortable seats, a great screen and shows something different every night.
57 locals recommend
The Royal Cinema
608 College StIf you can not find anything on NETFLIX, check out the listings at this local rep movie theatre. It has comfortable seats, a great screen and shows something different every night.