Guidebook for Toronto
Essentials
華豐 Oriental Harvest
310 Spadina AvenueThis is a bit of a farther walk away but some items are a bit cheaper.
Kai Wei has fresh vegetables, fruits, chinese snacks, also meat and fish. They have a minimum you have to buy in order to pay by card, otherwise they only take cash.
13 locals recommend
Kai Wei Supermarket
253 Spadina Ave.Kai Wei has fresh vegetables, fruits, chinese snacks, also meat and fish. They have a minimum you have to buy in order to pay by card, otherwise they only take cash.
Shoppers' is the go-to place for toilettries you may have forgotten, to basic groceries, make up, magazines, cleaning supplies, even stationary. Some have a small technology section for buying batteries, cameras, headphones, dvd's. You can also buy international phone cards here. There are many across the city, and some are open 24 hours, so check online for those ones if it's past midnight.
517 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
388 King St WShoppers' is the go-to place for toilettries you may have forgotten, to basic groceries, make up, magazines, cleaning supplies, even stationary. Some have a small technology section for buying batteries, cameras, headphones, dvd's. You can also buy international phone cards here. There are many across the city, and some are open 24 hours, so check online for those ones if it's past midnight.
Drinks & Nightlife
Barchef is well known in Toronto amongst alcohol lovers and conoisseurs. They pride themselves on being chefs of cocktails, not of food. They make their own bitters in-house, and have created a masterful menu of contemporary cocktsils that wow you through your senses. The servers are very knowledgeable and can help you choose what might tantilize your tongue! This is a dimly lit, bougie, intimate setting.
145 locals recommend
BarChef
472 Queen St WBarchef is well known in Toronto amongst alcohol lovers and conoisseurs. They pride themselves on being chefs of cocktails, not of food. They make their own bitters in-house, and have created a masterful menu of contemporary cocktsils that wow you through your senses. The servers are very knowledgeable and can help you choose what might tantilize your tongue! This is a dimly lit, bougie, intimate setting.
This place feels like going upstairs into a cool apartment that has graffiti all over the stairwell, nice furniture and super relaxed bouncers. Usually Sunday nights are surprisingly busy here, and it only gets busy after midnight. Before then, it's a sweet loungey spot with a great long marble bar, a few arcade games (like Street Fighter), a pool table and lots of couches and tables to relax at. Games are all free to play. And a DJ is spinning after dinner hours with a tiny dance floor in front of them, although you can dance anywhere in this whole place.
29 locals recommend
Apt 200
1034 Queen St WThis place feels like going upstairs into a cool apartment that has graffiti all over the stairwell, nice furniture and super relaxed bouncers. Usually Sunday nights are surprisingly busy here, and it only gets busy after midnight. Before then, it's a sweet loungey spot with a great long marble bar, a few arcade games (like Street Fighter), a pool table and lots of couches and tables to relax at. Games are all free to play. And a DJ is spinning after dinner hours with a tiny dance floor in front of them, although you can dance anywhere in this whole place.
416 snack bar is a great place to grab a drink and some fantastic appetizers. My favourite is their spicy tuna handroll... I know, so much Japanese food I'm recommending but it's sooo good! So far everything I've eaten there is very good. Beware, the atmosphere is dimly lit, and you'll likely sit very close to other guests but with the music, good drinks, good snacks and good company, you slowly forget about the hustle and bustle happening around you. So this is not exactly a calming, family gathering type place. Going here with 2 or 3 people is good, 4 and up will be a stretch to find seating because it's small!
164 locals recommend
416 Snack Bar
181 Bathurst St416 snack bar is a great place to grab a drink and some fantastic appetizers. My favourite is their spicy tuna handroll... I know, so much Japanese food I'm recommending but it's sooo good! So far everything I've eaten there is very good. Beware, the atmosphere is dimly lit, and you'll likely sit very close to other guests but with the music, good drinks, good snacks and good company, you slowly forget about the hustle and bustle happening around you. So this is not exactly a calming, family gathering type place. Going here with 2 or 3 people is good, 4 and up will be a stretch to find seating because it's small!
Food Scene
Banh Mi Boys has amazing kimchi french fries, it's like a korean inspired poutine! Innncredible, they dont have small sizes so either share with a friend or get it if you're absolutely starving! Their banh mi and bao's are also bangin', using fresh carrots, radish and cilantro and wonderfully seasoned meats, mmm,mmm,mmm!
147 locals recommend
Banh Mi Boys
392 Queen St WBanh Mi Boys has amazing kimchi french fries, it's like a korean inspired poutine! Innncredible, they dont have small sizes so either share with a friend or get it if you're absolutely starving! Their banh mi and bao's are also bangin', using fresh carrots, radish and cilantro and wonderfully seasoned meats, mmm,mmm,mmm!
YUM. Everything here is absolutely delicious and tastes so fresh, the most authentic Thai food you'll get in the city. It's the same owners as Sukho Thai as well. Their khao soi with braised beef is deeeelish (meat falls off the bone) and their Thai style chicken wings are seasoned in a way that no one can match (meat falls off the bone in this dish too) and their spring rolls are the bomb, Thai fried rice is also very good.
266 locals recommend
PAI
18 Duncan StYUM. Everything here is absolutely delicious and tastes so fresh, the most authentic Thai food you'll get in the city. It's the same owners as Sukho Thai as well. Their khao soi with braised beef is deeeelish (meat falls off the bone) and their Thai style chicken wings are seasoned in a way that no one can match (meat falls off the bone in this dish too) and their spring rolls are the bomb, Thai fried rice is also very good.
The Big Carrot is a staple in the east end of the city, with freshly made fruit smoothies and juices, it's all vegetarian, vegan and organic healthy food! They have classes as well to get recipes and learn how to make some super healthy and tasty foods!
86 locals recommend
The Big Carrot
320 Danforth AveThe Big Carrot is a staple in the east end of the city, with freshly made fruit smoothies and juices, it's all vegetarian, vegan and organic healthy food! They have classes as well to get recipes and learn how to make some super healthy and tasty foods!
This spot has really delicious food - and a lovely front patio with just enough sun and shade. Their service can sometimes be a bit slow, but it is worth it, so don't go when you're absolutely starving! I love their fish tacos and their calamari was great!
8 locals recommend
Margaritas
14 Baldwin StreetThis spot has really delicious food - and a lovely front patio with just enough sun and shade. Their service can sometimes be a bit slow, but it is worth it, so don't go when you're absolutely starving! I love their fish tacos and their calamari was great!
This place has a great atmosphere, wonderful wood-fired pizzas and great wines to match. You can ask for which wines would go best with the pizza you choose. Would be great for a date or with friends or family. They have multiple locations and make sure to call if it's a bit late at night, their closing hours are not written online.
122 locals recommend
Queen Margherita Pizza
1402 Queen St EThis place has a great atmosphere, wonderful wood-fired pizzas and great wines to match. You can ask for which wines would go best with the pizza you choose. Would be great for a date or with friends or family. They have multiple locations and make sure to call if it's a bit late at night, their closing hours are not written online.
Cuz their food is just good!! Lamesa is a Philippine cuisine staple in the west end, taking it contemporary with their own twists! Their interior and atmosphere is artistic, creative, and homey!
23 locals recommend
Lamesa Filipino Kitchen
634 St Clair Ave WCuz their food is just good!! Lamesa is a Philippine cuisine staple in the west end, taking it contemporary with their own twists! Their interior and atmosphere is artistic, creative, and homey!
Miku is a bit higher end and has embraced modern twists to their sushi - it's delicious! Everytime I took a bite of sushi, I didn't know what to expect but they managed to add new flavours and elements to the sometimes boring tradition of fish on vinegared rice. A family friend, who is also a famous Japanese painter flew all the way from Japan to paint the interiors of the restaurant. It's gorgeous, classy, jazzy, and modern. They have nice deserts too that are light and fresh! They have bars you can sit and eat in, or seats with a table, they also have a room for groups that you can reserve.
64 locals recommend
Miku Toronto
10 Bay St.Miku is a bit higher end and has embraced modern twists to their sushi - it's delicious! Everytime I took a bite of sushi, I didn't know what to expect but they managed to add new flavours and elements to the sometimes boring tradition of fish on vinegared rice. A family friend, who is also a famous Japanese painter flew all the way from Japan to paint the interiors of the restaurant. It's gorgeous, classy, jazzy, and modern. They have nice deserts too that are light and fresh! They have bars you can sit and eat in, or seats with a table, they also have a room for groups that you can reserve.
Having parents that grew up in Japan, amplified my taste for Japanese food. Ematei is one of the best in the city, affordable lunch options and great variety in food! Their fried pork over rice called "katsu don" is so well flavoured and is filling! And their sushi is perfect blend of spicy wasabi with sweetness in the rice, I am shamefully not a huge fan of wasabi but they do it in a way where the wasabi is not overpowering!
10 locals recommend
Ema-Tei
Having parents that grew up in Japan, amplified my taste for Japanese food. Ematei is one of the best in the city, affordable lunch options and great variety in food! Their fried pork over rice called "katsu don" is so well flavoured and is filling! And their sushi is perfect blend of spicy wasabi with sweetness in the rice, I am shamefully not a huge fan of wasabi but they do it in a way where the wasabi is not overpowering!
Their flavours of gelato here are all asian inspired and super delicious!
30 locals recommend
Kekou Gelato
394 Queen St WTheir flavours of gelato here are all asian inspired and super delicious!
Arts & Culture
You can see the eclectric, earthy side of Toronto here with fresh fruit and veggie markets, funky shops, no shortage of clothing, trinkets and incense from India, Africa, Nepal and more. Music record shops, vintage clothing shops, great mexican and latin restaurants, and tons of bars to choose from. You can also catch great live music, bars with a dance floor, and awesome art installations on the street.
1699 locals recommend
Kensington Market
You can see the eclectric, earthy side of Toronto here with fresh fruit and veggie markets, funky shops, no shortage of clothing, trinkets and incense from India, Africa, Nepal and more. Music record shops, vintage clothing shops, great mexican and latin restaurants, and tons of bars to choose from. You can also catch great live music, bars with a dance floor, and awesome art installations on the street.
Parks & Nature
Riverdale Park has a fantastic view of the downtown buildings of Toronto. The nighttime view or daytime view are both pretty impressive. There is a jogging/ running track and a baseball diamond. It's a nice place to have a picnic too under a tree.
231 locals recommend
Riverdale Park
425 Carlton StRiverdale Park has a fantastic view of the downtown buildings of Toronto. The nighttime view or daytime view are both pretty impressive. There is a jogging/ running track and a baseball diamond. It's a nice place to have a picnic too under a tree.
Shopping
This sweet little shop features mostly Canadian designers, with some American designers springled in - it's all very high quality, super hipster trendy jewelry and clothing. I love their jewelry in particular, but you can find some sweet pieces to remember Toronto and Canada from you trip!
8 locals recommend
Victoire Boutique
129A Ossington AveThis sweet little shop features mostly Canadian designers, with some American designers springled in - it's all very high quality, super hipster trendy jewelry and clothing. I love their jewelry in particular, but you can find some sweet pieces to remember Toronto and Canada from you trip!
Gravity Pope has a great collection of high end men's and women's clothes, house stuff, a pretty good shoe selection and high end jewelry. Some brands are Canadian.
34 locals recommend
gravitypope Toronto
1010 Queen St WGravity Pope has a great collection of high end men's and women's clothes, house stuff, a pretty good shoe selection and high end jewelry. Some brands are Canadian.
If you're looking for something Canadian and Torontonian, this store's got the goods. A little on the pricey side, but features great couch throws/blankets, to woodsy smelling candles. You can even buy a onesie and other trinkets for your friends and family back home.
39 locals recommend
Drake General Store
1151 Queen St WIf you're looking for something Canadian and Torontonian, this store's got the goods. A little on the pricey side, but features great couch throws/blankets, to woodsy smelling candles. You can even buy a onesie and other trinkets for your friends and family back home.
Everything Else
If you need stationary for work, business, school, this is a big store that has paper, pens, binders, folders, highlighters, post-its, planners, even laptops and speakers.
8 locals recommend
Staples
3003 Danforth AveIf you need stationary for work, business, school, this is a big store that has paper, pens, binders, folders, highlighters, post-its, planners, even laptops and speakers.