George’s guidebook
Where To Eat
Below is a list of some of our favourite restaurants in the neighbourhood.
We've been dining here since they opened more than a decade ago. Great Italian food that's meant to be shared. Warm and cozy with candlelit tables and eclectic decor. Delicious comfort food and friendly service. Let me know if you're interested in dining here and I'll give you a gift certificate and help you secure a table.
30 locals recommend
7Numbers
307 Danforth AveWe've been dining here since they opened more than a decade ago. Great Italian food that's meant to be shared. Warm and cozy with candlelit tables and eclectic decor. Delicious comfort food and friendly service. Let me know if you're interested in dining here and I'll give you a gift certificate and help you secure a table.
A "hole in the wall" on one side that specializes in craft beer. On the other side it's one of the area's best coffee shops. (Free WiFi.)
69 locals recommend
Big Picture Cinema and Stage
1035 Gerrard St EA "hole in the wall" on one side that specializes in craft beer. On the other side it's one of the area's best coffee shops. (Free WiFi.)
A Leslieville favourite. Great Italian food in a fun and boisterous setting. Look for the giant "Nose" above the front door.
73 locals recommend
Gio Rana's Really Really Nice
1220 Queen Street EastA Leslieville favourite. Great Italian food in a fun and boisterous setting. Look for the giant "Nose" above the front door.
Cozy local bistro. Concise menu with something for everyone. Tight, thoughtful wine list. They have 1/2 bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Call ahead to book a table.
16 locals recommend
Brickyard Bistro
1289 Gerrard St ECozy local bistro. Concise menu with something for everyone. Tight, thoughtful wine list. They have 1/2 bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Call ahead to book a table.
One of the most popular brunch spots around. Opens a 8:00 am and fills up pretty quickly. There's usually a wait for a table but the line moves quickly.
207 locals recommend
Lady Marmalade
265 Broadview AveOne of the most popular brunch spots around. Opens a 8:00 am and fills up pretty quickly. There's usually a wait for a table but the line moves quickly.
Yet another Italian restaurant to add to the list. This one specializes in delicious homemade pastas. Superb wine list with 1/2 bottles on Monday nights. Make a reservation as least a week in advance.
53 locals recommend
Ascari Enoteca
1111 Queen St EYet another Italian restaurant to add to the list. This one specializes in delicious homemade pastas. Superb wine list with 1/2 bottles on Monday nights. Make a reservation as least a week in advance.
Pizza and pasta and so much more! Gets lively on the weekend. Book a table online at OpenTable or walk-in and try to get a seat at the bar.
384 locals recommend
Pizzeria Libretto
221 Ossington AvePizza and pasta and so much more! Gets lively on the weekend. Book a table online at OpenTable or walk-in and try to get a seat at the bar.
People drive across the city for their pizza. Small area to dine in but most people order, pick it up and eat it at home. They deliver via Uber Eats.
16 locals recommend
Danforth Pizza House
920 Danforth AvePeople drive across the city for their pizza. Small area to dine in but most people order, pick it up and eat it at home. They deliver via Uber Eats.
Small plates. Good music. Dim lighting. Friendly service. Delicious cocktails. Small but interesting wine list. Small space so there's usually a wait...but it's worth it.
38 locals recommend
Pinkerton Snack Bar
1026 Gerrard St ESmall plates. Good music. Dim lighting. Friendly service. Delicious cocktails. Small but interesting wine list. Small space so there's usually a wait...but it's worth it.
Great "date night" restaurant for those who don't have trouble reading menus in very dimly lit spaces. Good times and food!
39 locals recommend
Goods and Provisions
1124 Queen St EGreat "date night" restaurant for those who don't have trouble reading menus in very dimly lit spaces. Good times and food!
Not in the area at all but owned by good friend, Jon. Some of the best food I've ever eaten. If you're in the West End you should definitely book a table a have dinner there.
8 locals recommend
Viaggio
1727 Dundas St WNot in the area at all but owned by good friend, Jon. Some of the best food I've ever eaten. If you're in the West End you should definitely book a table a have dinner there.
A fairly new addition to the neighbourhood located on a stretch of Gerrard St. E. that's still in transition. Inside you'll find a beautifully designed room, delicious food and a small but finely curated wine list. BONUS: They do 1/2 price bottles of wine on Sundays. It's a small room so be sure to make a reservation.
https://www.instagram.com/wynonatoronto/
20 locals recommend
Wynona Toronto
819 Gerrard St EA fairly new addition to the neighbourhood located on a stretch of Gerrard St. E. that's still in transition. Inside you'll find a beautifully designed room, delicious food and a small but finely curated wine list. BONUS: They do 1/2 price bottles of wine on Sundays. It's a small room so be sure to make a reservation.
https://www.instagram.com/wynonatoronto/
I'd have to say that this is one of my FAV places to eat. The food is Asian inspired but the menu changes quite regularly so you never know what's on offer. They has an impressive selection of micro brews and an impressive wine list as well. You could walk-in and get a table but it's best to call ahead for a reservation.
47 locals recommend
Lake Inez
1471 Gerrard St EI'd have to say that this is one of my FAV places to eat. The food is Asian inspired but the menu changes quite regularly so you never know what's on offer. They has an impressive selection of micro brews and an impressive wine list as well. You could walk-in and get a table but it's best to call ahead for a reservation.
Much more than just coffee. They have an amazing menu of breakfast and lunch dishes. Not far to walk. Nice patio outside in the warmer months.
11 locals recommend
Goat Coffee Co.
893 Pape AveMuch more than just coffee. They have an amazing menu of breakfast and lunch dishes. Not far to walk. Nice patio outside in the warmer months.
Where To Shop For Food
Masellis is a small, family run supermarket that you can walk to. Prices are very reasonable for most things.
14 locals recommend
Masellis Supermarket
906 Danforth AveMasellis is a small, family run supermarket that you can walk to. Prices are very reasonable for most things.
Foodland is a larger neighbourhood grocery store that's one subway stop to the west (Pape station) of my house.
104 locals recommend
Foodland - Toronto
623 Danforth AveFoodland is a larger neighbourhood grocery store that's one subway stop to the west (Pape station) of my house.
Established in 2014, Stock-In-Trade is your Eastend answer to “where’s the meat?” The owner and employees have years of experience sourcing, preparing, and serving properly raised, hormone and stimulant-free meat. They have a good selection of local, sustainable fish and seafood, and usually have a really good "sandwich of the day" available.
9 locals recommend
Stock in Trade
307 Danforth AvenueEstablished in 2014, Stock-In-Trade is your Eastend answer to “where’s the meat?” The owner and employees have years of experience sourcing, preparing, and serving properly raised, hormone and stimulant-free meat. They have a good selection of local, sustainable fish and seafood, and usually have a really good "sandwich of the day" available.
Just what the name says - no frills. They don't spend a lot of fancy displays which means they can pass those savings on to the consumer. Prices here for most things can't be beat. You can get here by transit but a car is easier for a big shop. Not a grocery store you'd visit unless you were here for an extended stay and needed to stock up.
68 locals recommend
Dave & Charlotte's No Frills
449 Carlaw AvenueJust what the name says - no frills. They don't spend a lot of fancy displays which means they can pass those savings on to the consumer. Prices here for most things can't be beat. You can get here by transit but a car is easier for a big shop. Not a grocery store you'd visit unless you were here for an extended stay and needed to stock up.
Coffee Shops
Next door to the Only is their coffee shop, The One in the Only. Great coffee and free wifi.
69 locals recommend
Big Picture Cinema and Stage
1035 Gerrard St ENext door to the Only is their coffee shop, The One in the Only. Great coffee and free wifi.
Dineen Outpost
1042 Gerrard St EBeautiful space. Great people watching spot.
Rooster Coffee House
479 Broadview AveOutdoor seating with stunning city views.
Dark Horse Espresso Bar
215 Spadina Ave.Cool neighbourhood vibe.
Marvel Coffee Co.
792 Carlaw AveRight next to the subway. Grab & go.
UPDATE: The address of the new(ish) location is 888 Danforth Ave., which is at the corner of Danforth and Dewhurst. It's right around the corner. Close by for all you die hard Starbucks fans.
143 locals recommend
Starbucks
1909 Yonge StUPDATE: The address of the new(ish) location is 888 Danforth Ave., which is at the corner of Danforth and Dewhurst. It's right around the corner. Close by for all you die hard Starbucks fans.
Buy a bag of beans and get a FREE COFFEE. Kensington is a fun hood to visit. Lots of cool, independent shops, bars and restaurants.
92 locals recommend
i deal coffee
162 Ossington AveBuy a bag of beans and get a FREE COFFEE. Kensington is a fun hood to visit. Lots of cool, independent shops, bars and restaurants.
Broadview Espresso
817 Broadview AveWARNING: They don't have free wifi. :-(
Red Rocket Coffee
1364 Danforth AveFree wifi, good sandwiches and cookies. Cozy local place.
Hard to find, but worth it. Huge loft space with tons of seating but it's almost impossible to find a seat no matter what time you go. When you do get a seat you feel at though you've really accomplished something that day!
48 locals recommend
Merchants Of Green Coffee
2 Matilda StHard to find, but worth it. Huge loft space with tons of seating but it's almost impossible to find a seat no matter what time you go. When you do get a seat you feel at though you've really accomplished something that day!
Areas Of Interest (Touristy Things)
The CN Tower (French: Tour CN) is a 553.3 m-high (1,815.3 ft) concrete communications and observation tower located in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[5][8] Built on the former Railway Lands, it was completed in 1976. Its name "CN" originally referred to Canadian National, the railway company that built the tower. Following the railway's decision to divest non-core freight railway assets prior to the company's privatization in 1995, it transferred the tower to the Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown corporation responsible for real estate development.
The CN Tower held the record for the world's tallest free-standing structure for 32 years until 2007 when it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa and was the world's tallest tower until 2009 when it was surpassed by the Canton Tower.[9][10][11][12] It is now the ninth tallest free-standing structure in the world and remains the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. In 1995, the CN Tower was declared one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It also belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers.[13][14][7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CN_Tower
3509 locals recommend
CN Tower
290 Bremner BlvdThe CN Tower (French: Tour CN) is a 553.3 m-high (1,815.3 ft) concrete communications and observation tower located in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[5][8] Built on the former Railway Lands, it was completed in 1976. Its name "CN" originally referred to Canadian National, the railway company that built the tower. Following the railway's decision to divest non-core freight railway assets prior to the company's privatization in 1995, it transferred the tower to the Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown corporation responsible for real estate development.
The CN Tower held the record for the world's tallest free-standing structure for 32 years until 2007 when it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa and was the world's tallest tower until 2009 when it was surpassed by the Canton Tower.[9][10][11][12] It is now the ninth tallest free-standing structure in the world and remains the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. In 1995, the CN Tower was declared one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It also belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers.[13][14][7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CN_Tower
The Ontario Science Centre delights, informs and challenges our communities, offering hands-on experiences and engagement with science of local, national and global relevance. The Science Centre has welcomed more than 53 million visitors since it opened in 1969, implementing an interactive approach adapted by science centres around the world. The Science Centre is the public centre for innovative thinking and the prime venue for public dialogue about science, technology and society. As a publicly assisted organization, the Science Centre relies on generous individuals, corporations and foundations who share a commitment to science and education for additional operating support.
426 locals recommend
Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Rd.The Ontario Science Centre delights, informs and challenges our communities, offering hands-on experiences and engagement with science of local, national and global relevance. The Science Centre has welcomed more than 53 million visitors since it opened in 1969, implementing an interactive approach adapted by science centres around the world. The Science Centre is the public centre for innovative thinking and the prime venue for public dialogue about science, technology and society. As a publicly assisted organization, the Science Centre relies on generous individuals, corporations and foundations who share a commitment to science and education for additional operating support.
Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in downtown Toronto. The Market is an older neighbourhood and one of the city's most well-known. In November 2006, it was designated a National Historic Site of. Great selection of independent shops, restaurants and markets.
1699 locals recommend
Kensington Market
Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in downtown Toronto. The Market is an older neighbourhood and one of the city's most well-known. In November 2006, it was designated a National Historic Site of. Great selection of independent shops, restaurants and markets.
"For each of our 120 vendors, merchants and artisans, the Market is their life’s work. Their pride, care and singular passion is the reason, 208 years later, the Market continues to thrive. The Market is a place where the authenticity of truly great food and shopkeepers who care reign above all else."
1398 locals recommend
St. Lawrence Market
93 Front St E"For each of our 120 vendors, merchants and artisans, the Market is their life’s work. Their pride, care and singular passion is the reason, 208 years later, the Market continues to thrive. The Market is a place where the authenticity of truly great food and shopkeepers who care reign above all else."
The Beaches
You're a quick drive or Uber ride from the beach.
You're a short walk from some of the best restaurants, bars and coffee shops in the area.
194 locals recommend
The Danforth
You're a short walk from some of the best restaurants, bars and coffee shops in the area.
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens ParkBata Shoe Museum
327 Bloor St WGardiner Museum
111 Queens ParkArt Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St WScotiabank Arena
40 Bay St.Major concert and sports event space.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
288 Bremner BlvdLocal, intimate music venue that hosts some great concerts.
110 locals recommend
The Danforth Music Hall
147 Danforth AveLocal, intimate music venue that hosts some great concerts.
Scarborough Bluffs Park
The Beaches
High Park
1873 Bloor St W