Toronto Guidebook

Madeleine
Toronto Guidebook

Nomnomnomnom

The Toronto food scene is incredibly diverse! In this list I’ve tried to include the best options from every type of cuisine we have. Check out the “in the neighbourhood” sections for places close to home!
Unbelievably good sandwiches! My favourite snack for an afternoon in Bellwoods park!
53 locals recommend
Porchetta & Co
825 Dundas St W
53 locals recommend
Unbelievably good sandwiches! My favourite snack for an afternoon in Bellwoods park!
For those with a sweet tooth - some of the city’s best pastries and desserts 🧁
183 locals recommend
Nadège Patisserie
780 Queen St W
183 locals recommend
For those with a sweet tooth - some of the city’s best pastries and desserts 🧁
Tibetan restaurant in Parkdale. Momos best served on a snowy winter day!
27 locals recommend
Om Restaurant
1439 Queen St W
27 locals recommend
Tibetan restaurant in Parkdale. Momos best served on a snowy winter day!
Delicious Iranian food & really nice family vibes. Super close as well!
32 locals recommend
Pomegranate Restaurant
420 College St
32 locals recommend
Delicious Iranian food & really nice family vibes. Super close as well!
Cash only & quick service. The best pho in the city IMO. There can sometimes be a bit of a wait for a table.
51 locals recommend
Pho Linh
1156 College St
51 locals recommend
Cash only & quick service. The best pho in the city IMO. There can sometimes be a bit of a wait for a table.
Traditional Filipino fare. If you’re up for it I recommend the Boodeli tasting menu, served on banana leaves.
6 locals recommend
iSLAS FILIPINO BBQ & BAR
1690 Queen St W
6 locals recommend
Traditional Filipino fare. If you’re up for it I recommend the Boodeli tasting menu, served on banana leaves.
You didn’t know you wanted Jamaican Italian fusion food but here it is! A takeout counter in Kensington Market.
38 locals recommend
Rasta Pasta
61 Kensington Ave
38 locals recommend
You didn’t know you wanted Jamaican Italian fusion food but here it is! A takeout counter in Kensington Market.
Traditional polish food. The service is a bit slow but the servings are big and hearty. Come hungry!
49 locals recommend
Cafe Polonez
195 Roncesvalles Ave
49 locals recommend
Traditional polish food. The service is a bit slow but the servings are big and hearty. Come hungry!
Bustling eatery serving small Japanese plates and sake.
41 locals recommend
Guu Izakaya
1314 Queen St W
41 locals recommend
Bustling eatery serving small Japanese plates and sake.
Serving up delicious Aboriginal dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
10 locals recommend
Tea N Bannock
1294 Gerrard St E
10 locals recommend
Serving up delicious Aboriginal dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
This tiny Italian restaurant is so good people will wait in line for an hour for it. Get there right when they open to avoid the line!
86 locals recommend
Sugo
1281 Bloor St W
86 locals recommend
This tiny Italian restaurant is so good people will wait in line for an hour for it. Get there right when they open to avoid the line!
Guaranteed to leave extremely full and with leftovers
158 locals recommend
Banjara Bloor
796 Bloor St W
158 locals recommend
Guaranteed to leave extremely full and with leftovers
Chinatown classic for dumplings!
81 locals recommend
Mother's Dumplings
421 Spadina Ave.
81 locals recommend
Chinatown classic for dumplings!
Fish counter with intimate lunch and dinner menus.
41 locals recommend
Honest Weight
2766 Dundas St W
41 locals recommend
Fish counter with intimate lunch and dinner menus.
Nicaraguan home style meals made simple and with care
31 locals recommend
La Bella Managua
872 Bloor St W
31 locals recommend
Nicaraguan home style meals made simple and with care
A perfect bowl of ramen close to home!
46 locals recommend
Ramen Isshin
421 College St
46 locals recommend
A perfect bowl of ramen close to home!
Intricate Greek dishes served in a beautiful setting
102 locals recommend
Mamakas Taverna
80 Ossington Ave
102 locals recommend
Intricate Greek dishes served in a beautiful setting
Really really really good burgers 🍔
10 locals recommend
RUDY
619 College St
10 locals recommend
Really really really good burgers 🍔

In the neighbourhood

Places and things within a 15 minute walk from the apartment
Cafe by day, cocktail bar by night, and my favourite place in the whole city. The owners Alison & Sunny are the loveliest of people, the snacks are delicious, the drinks to die for. Walking into this place is like coming home ❤️
22 locals recommend
The Walton
607 College St
22 locals recommend
Cafe by day, cocktail bar by night, and my favourite place in the whole city. The owners Alison & Sunny are the loveliest of people, the snacks are delicious, the drinks to die for. Walking into this place is like coming home ❤️
Local coffee shop w excellent pastries and sandwiches. Note there is no wifi at this place, better suited for some chit chat or a good book.
42 locals recommend
Manic Coffee
426 College St
42 locals recommend
Local coffee shop w excellent pastries and sandwiches. Note there is no wifi at this place, better suited for some chit chat or a good book.
Everything you need & on budget. It is open from 7AM-12AM daily.
339 locals recommend
FreshCo
22 Northcote Ave
339 locals recommend
Everything you need & on budget. It is open from 7AM-12AM daily.
This is where you buy alcohol! My favourite local craft breweries are Woodhouse and Great Lakes.
957 locals recommend
LCBO
49 Spadina Ave.
957 locals recommend
This is where you buy alcohol! My favourite local craft breweries are Woodhouse and Great Lakes.
Tucked away on a side street this tiny Vietnamese snack bar has the best ceviche in the city and excellent cocktails.
21 locals recommend
Pinky's Ca Phe
50c Clinton St
21 locals recommend
Tucked away on a side street this tiny Vietnamese snack bar has the best ceviche in the city and excellent cocktails.
Perfect for a rainy afternoon or the gaming enthusiast. A whole row of pinball machines and tons of other arcade classics. 5$ entry gets you free play all night. If you find yourself in the mood for some junk food the pogo stick is out of this world so-bad-for-you-but-sooooo-good.
25 locals recommend
Tilt Arcade Bar
1255 Dundas St W
25 locals recommend
Perfect for a rainy afternoon or the gaming enthusiast. A whole row of pinball machines and tons of other arcade classics. 5$ entry gets you free play all night. If you find yourself in the mood for some junk food the pogo stick is out of this world so-bad-for-you-but-sooooo-good.
Fried chicken counter. Sandwiches are the best bang for your buck!
13 locals recommend
P.G Clucks
610 College St
13 locals recommend
Fried chicken counter. Sandwiches are the best bang for your buck!
Great vegan 🍕
6 locals recommend
Virtuous Pie
611 College St
6 locals recommend
Great vegan 🍕
Right across the street! Late night snacks & possibly every board game ever made. 5$ entry
53 locals recommend
Snakes & Lattes College
489 College St
53 locals recommend
Right across the street! Late night snacks & possibly every board game ever made. 5$ entry
Neighbourhood breakfast staple. Get there early to avoid the line and remember it’s cash only!
86 locals recommend
Aunties & Uncles
74 Lippincott St
86 locals recommend
Neighbourhood breakfast staple. Get there early to avoid the line and remember it’s cash only!
If my research is correct then this 9$ shawarma wrap is almost guaranteed to ward off a hangover after a night of drinking 😎
Istanbul Shawarma
430 College St
If my research is correct then this 9$ shawarma wrap is almost guaranteed to ward off a hangover after a night of drinking 😎
What an institution! Legendary nachos & legendary grunge!
131 locals recommend
Sneaky Dee's
431 College St
131 locals recommend
What an institution! Legendary nachos & legendary grunge!
I refuse to go to any other theatre! Great programming, cool events & extra butter!
57 locals recommend
The Royal Cinema
608 College St
57 locals recommend
I refuse to go to any other theatre! Great programming, cool events & extra butter!

Paaarrrrtttttyyyy

Get lit 🔥
Latin club couple blocks away. There’s a drag show at midnight and then it’s back to non stop dancing. Line gets very long after 11 so try to get there before that. 15$ cover
12 locals recommend
El Convento Rico
750 College St
12 locals recommend
Latin club couple blocks away. There’s a drag show at midnight and then it’s back to non stop dancing. Line gets very long after 11 so try to get there before that. 15$ cover
A Village Institution! Multiple rooms and a main stage with drag shows all night long. 10$ cover.
42 locals recommend
Crews & Tangos
508 Church St
42 locals recommend
A Village Institution! Multiple rooms and a main stage with drag shows all night long. 10$ cover.
Rotating art exhibits, dancing, comedy, etc etc etc! Check their calendar to see what’s going on.
194 locals recommend
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St W
194 locals recommend
Rotating art exhibits, dancing, comedy, etc etc etc! Check their calendar to see what’s going on.
I think everyone in this city has a story about this pub! Multiple levels all with a different vibe (dancing, pool, etc). Pretty chill on weekdays and pretty wild on the weekend!
52 locals recommend
Madison
14 Madison Ave
52 locals recommend
I think everyone in this city has a story about this pub! Multiple levels all with a different vibe (dancing, pool, etc). Pretty chill on weekdays and pretty wild on the weekend!
Go to for comedy in Toronto!
99 locals recommend
Comedy Bar
945 Bloor St W
99 locals recommend
Go to for comedy in Toronto!
The pool is cheap, the beers are cold and it’s kinda falling apart but that’s the charm of it eh?
Annex Billiards Club
507 Bloor St W
The pool is cheap, the beers are cold and it’s kinda falling apart but that’s the charm of it eh?

Free Stuff

Sometimes you just don’t wanna spend money!!
The conservancy is the perfect humid pit stop on a winter afternoon. To be honest the southeast end of this park borders on a rough neighbourhood so I would stick to the conservancy and find a different park to explore!
Allan Gardens
160 Gerrard Street East
The conservancy is the perfect humid pit stop on a winter afternoon. To be honest the southeast end of this park borders on a rough neighbourhood so I would stick to the conservancy and find a different park to explore!
The perfect place for a sunny lazy afternoon. Grab a beer and a sandwich and enjoy the people watching. (Note drinking in parks is technically illegal but no one is enforcing it). Feel free to borrow a blanket from under the couch seat!
Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen Street West
The perfect place for a sunny lazy afternoon. Grab a beer and a sandwich and enjoy the people watching. (Note drinking in parks is technically illegal but no one is enforcing it). Feel free to borrow a blanket from under the couch seat!
Unfortunately not an amusement park anymore, just a regular park! There are usually some events going on in and around this park to check out!
Ontario Place
955 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Unfortunately not an amusement park anymore, just a regular park! There are usually some events going on in and around this park to check out!
Right on the beautiful lakeshore this venue often has rotating museum exhibits, music events, markets, etc!
512 locals recommend
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W
512 locals recommend
Right on the beautiful lakeshore this venue often has rotating museum exhibits, music events, markets, etc!
^ the photos here really don’t do this park justice. It has a beautiful view of the Toronto skyline (perfect for a photo!) and it’s the perfect place to watch the sun set. If you’re feeling up for the walk I would do here and to the other side of the park and check out Riverdale farm!
231 locals recommend
Riverdale Park
425 Carlton St
231 locals recommend
^ the photos here really don’t do this park justice. It has a beautiful view of the Toronto skyline (perfect for a photo!) and it’s the perfect place to watch the sun set. If you’re feeling up for the walk I would do here and to the other side of the park and check out Riverdale farm!

Sightseeing

Ok so Toronto isn’t exactly known for its architecture (unless you love concrete from 1979 and glass from 2013) but the UofT campus is stunning.
445 locals recommend
University of Toronto
27 King's College Cir
445 locals recommend
Ok so Toronto isn’t exactly known for its architecture (unless you love concrete from 1979 and glass from 2013) but the UofT campus is stunning.
Summertime classic! Take the ferry (8.19$ - highly recommend taking a look at the schedule and buying your ticket online to skip the massive line) across the water to the island. You’ll get a great photo opp with the skyline in the background. Once on the island there’s a small amusement park, restaurants, and beaches.
1035 locals recommend
Toronto Islands
1035 locals recommend
Summertime classic! Take the ferry (8.19$ - highly recommend taking a look at the schedule and buying your ticket online to skip the massive line) across the water to the island. You’ll get a great photo opp with the skyline in the background. Once on the island there’s a small amusement park, restaurants, and beaches.
This neighbourhood is right out of a movie! Lovely converted factories. There are often festivals, markets, shows going on.
1704 locals recommend
Distillery Historic District
55 Mill St
1704 locals recommend
This neighbourhood is right out of a movie! Lovely converted factories. There are often festivals, markets, shows going on.
*An alternative to the CN tower* Hear me out. For about the same price as the CN tower you can have lunch in this beautiful skyscraper restaurant. The views are *almost* as good and you can skip the line and screaming kids. (Reservation recommended)
131 locals recommend
Canoe
66 Wellington St W
131 locals recommend
*An alternative to the CN tower* Hear me out. For about the same price as the CN tower you can have lunch in this beautiful skyscraper restaurant. The views are *almost* as good and you can skip the line and screaming kids. (Reservation recommended)
A cute little park, perfect for a quick sit down if you’re walking through downtown (financial district & st Lawrence market)
21 locals recommend
Berczy Park
35 Wellington St E
21 locals recommend
A cute little park, perfect for a quick sit down if you’re walking through downtown (financial district & st Lawrence market)

Bars & Breweries

Toronto sure loves to drink!
My favourite craft brewery in Toronto! Snacks are as interesting and unique as their beers. They also have one of the best music halls in the city and it’s always worth it to see who’s playing.
149 locals recommend
Burdock Brewery
1184 Bloor St W
149 locals recommend
My favourite craft brewery in Toronto! Snacks are as interesting and unique as their beers. They also have one of the best music halls in the city and it’s always worth it to see who’s playing.
Well rounded and unique cocktail list. They bring in Vietnamese snacks from a great place called Vit Beo.
56 locals recommend
Civil Liberties
878 Bloor St W
56 locals recommend
Well rounded and unique cocktail list. They bring in Vietnamese snacks from a great place called Vit Beo.
Quaint cocktail bar with great wine & beer. Minimal snacks but lots of charm.
29 locals recommend
Northern Belle
913 Dundas St W
29 locals recommend
Quaint cocktail bar with great wine & beer. Minimal snacks but lots of charm.
Delicious snacks and a great beer list. The patio is a great place to be in the summer!
94 locals recommend
Bandit Brewery
2125 Dundas St W
94 locals recommend
Delicious snacks and a great beer list. The patio is a great place to be in the summer!
Made Toronto craft beer famous. It’s usually pretty busy but the bottle shop is always open!
373 locals recommend
Bellwoods Brewery
124 Ossington Ave
373 locals recommend
Made Toronto craft beer famous. It’s usually pretty busy but the bottle shop is always open!
In the chichi Yorkville neighbourhood but mostly pretentious free. One of the only places to get a perfect cask ale!
50 locals recommend
The Oxley Public House
121 Yorkville Ave
50 locals recommend
In the chichi Yorkville neighbourhood but mostly pretentious free. One of the only places to get a perfect cask ale!
Slinging sliders n beer. Yellow will be you’re favourite colour by the time you leave!
25 locals recommend
Pennies
127 Strachan Ave
25 locals recommend
Slinging sliders n beer. Yellow will be you’re favourite colour by the time you leave!
The novelty is all you need! Oh and a bunch of rum!
54 locals recommend
The Shameful Tiki Room Toronto
1378 Queen St W
54 locals recommend
The novelty is all you need! Oh and a bunch of rum!
Wine bar down the street. Super interesting wine list that delights. They bring in very very good DJs most nights.
The Little Jerry
418 College St
Wine bar down the street. Super interesting wine list that delights. They bring in very very good DJs most nights.

Shopping

Treat yourself (or your loved ones)!
Wine and cheese bar that also sells a selection of unique and curated gifts.
Miss Pippa's
1158 College St
Wine and cheese bar that also sells a selection of unique and curated gifts.
You could spend all day in this store and still not see it all!
16 locals recommend
Ransack The Universe
1207 Bloor St W
16 locals recommend
You could spend all day in this store and still not see it all!
Books books books more books and then a lot of records. Highly recommend if you’re strolling through the Annex!
33 locals recommend
BMV
Spadina Avenue
33 locals recommend
Books books books more books and then a lot of records. Highly recommend if you’re strolling through the Annex!