Guidebook for Toronto
Food Scene
Wonderful chef and her hubby run this place. The food is innovative and delicious. Lovely atmosphere. http://www.saturdaydinette.com/
16 locals recommend
Saturday Dinette
807 Gerrard Street EastWonderful chef and her hubby run this place. The food is innovative and delicious. Lovely atmosphere. http://www.saturdaydinette.com/
Lively (hectic even?) Pakistani restaurant. Fantastic food. Named in the New York Times 36 hours in Toronto article. Get the kulfi for dessert here, or at another shop nearby in Little India.
100 locals recommend
Lahore Tikka House
1365 Gerrard St ELively (hectic even?) Pakistani restaurant. Fantastic food. Named in the New York Times 36 hours in Toronto article. Get the kulfi for dessert here, or at another shop nearby in Little India.
Fantastic Egyptian brunch. Mo will tell you $10 is too much to pay for ful, but if you can't hit up a street vendor in Cairo for breakfast, this is your next best option. Try the honey cardamom latte.
108 locals recommend
Maha's
226 Greenwood AveFantastic Egyptian brunch. Mo will tell you $10 is too much to pay for ful, but if you can't hit up a street vendor in Cairo for breakfast, this is your next best option. Try the honey cardamom latte.
Lovely coffee shop. Take a walk from our place through Withrow Park, and head here for a coffee or weekend brunch on the patio. Tucked away on a side street, its a great place to people watch and experience what locals love about Leslieville.
35 locals recommend
Riverdale Perk Cafe
Lovely coffee shop. Take a walk from our place through Withrow Park, and head here for a coffee or weekend brunch on the patio. Tucked away on a side street, its a great place to people watch and experience what locals love about Leslieville.
Prepare to be overwhelmed. Every dessert imaginable, much of it sold by the pound. Try the little chocolate covered ice cream bars or the loukoumades. Don't shop while hungry.
17 locals recommend
Serano Bakery
830 Pape AvePrepare to be overwhelmed. Every dessert imaginable, much of it sold by the pound. Try the little chocolate covered ice cream bars or the loukoumades. Don't shop while hungry.
Parks & Nature
Riverdale Park
425 Carlton StPicture perfect views of the city skyline at sunset.
Tommy Thompson Park, AKA the Leslie Street Spit, is a great place to take a walk, or better yet a bike ride, for great views of the city skyline. The spit is made of excavation and construction waste from the building of Toronto's subways, office towers and other large projects and you'll spot large chunks of concrete and rebar where the land meets the water. If you don't have time to get out to Centre Island, this is a great way to get similar views.
106 locals recommend
Tommy Thompson Park
1 Leslie StTommy Thompson Park, AKA the Leslie Street Spit, is a great place to take a walk, or better yet a bike ride, for great views of the city skyline. The spit is made of excavation and construction waste from the building of Toronto's subways, office towers and other large projects and you'll spot large chunks of concrete and rebar where the land meets the water. If you don't have time to get out to Centre Island, this is a great way to get similar views.
Withrow Park
725 Logan AveHome to the Withrow Park Farmers Market from June to early October.
Rent a bike and take the ferry or, for faster service, a water taxi, out to the island. Great views of the city to the north and sailboats to the south. Beaches for relaxing and swimming and wide open spaces for picnics. (Overpriced) bike and kayak/canoe rentals available.
For families with young children: Head to Centre Island with a children's amusement park (Centreville) with a working antique carousel (1907).
For everyone else: Take the ferry to either Ward's Island or Hanlan's point for a more relaxing, less crowded experience. Head to an established beach, or find your own spot along the shore.
1035 locals recommend
Toronto Islands
Rent a bike and take the ferry or, for faster service, a water taxi, out to the island. Great views of the city to the north and sailboats to the south. Beaches for relaxing and swimming and wide open spaces for picnics. (Overpriced) bike and kayak/canoe rentals available.
For families with young children: Head to Centre Island with a children's amusement park (Centreville) with a working antique carousel (1907).
For everyone else: Take the ferry to either Ward's Island or Hanlan's point for a more relaxing, less crowded experience. Head to an established beach, or find your own spot along the shore.
Drinks & Nightlife
Dog-friendly brewery tucked away on a back alley. Pick up some bottles to go. http://www.leftfieldbrewery.ca/
77 locals recommend
Left Field Brewery
36 Wagstaff DrDog-friendly brewery tucked away on a back alley. Pick up some bottles to go. http://www.leftfieldbrewery.ca/
Great live music venue. They also host the occasional comedian. Check who is in town during your stay at http://thedanforth.com/
110 locals recommend
The Danforth Music Hall
147 Danforth AveGreat live music venue. They also host the occasional comedian. Check who is in town during your stay at http://thedanforth.com/
Arts & Culture
A former quarry and industrial site that has been converted into a city park. The buildings have been restored and opened as an environmentally focused community and cultural centre by Evergreen, a national charity dedicated to restoring nature in urban environments. Come here for the weekend farmer's market, garden market (spring to fall), skating rink (winter), rotating art exhibits and events and a spectacular if expensive brunch or lunch at Cafe Belong if the budget allows.
https://www.evergreen.ca/get-involved/evergreen-brick-works/
275 locals recommend
Evergreen Brick Works
550 Bayview AveA former quarry and industrial site that has been converted into a city park. The buildings have been restored and opened as an environmentally focused community and cultural centre by Evergreen, a national charity dedicated to restoring nature in urban environments. Come here for the weekend farmer's market, garden market (spring to fall), skating rink (winter), rotating art exhibits and events and a spectacular if expensive brunch or lunch at Cafe Belong if the budget allows.
https://www.evergreen.ca/get-involved/evergreen-brick-works/