Guidebook for Toronto

Simone
Guidebook for Toronto

Food Scene

The best pad thai in town and friendly owners!
Tibet Café and Bar
51 Kensington Ave
The best pad thai in town and friendly owners!
Vegan, organic and lots of love.
6 locals recommend
Loving Hut
140 Spadina Ave.
6 locals recommend
Vegan, organic and lots of love.
LOVE this restaurant. Amazing, no fuss Italian, open till 7pm only!
34 locals recommend
Fusaro's Italian Kitchen
147 Spadina Ave.
34 locals recommend
LOVE this restaurant. Amazing, no fuss Italian, open till 7pm only!
Out of the way and a bit worn but very good and authentic sushi with a great vegetarian menu too.
9 locals recommend
Rikishi Japanese Restaurant
833 Bloor St W
9 locals recommend
Out of the way and a bit worn but very good and authentic sushi with a great vegetarian menu too.
Jules is an authentic bistro and a charming man :) Nice patio right on Spadina.
50 locals recommend
Jules Bistro
147 Spadina Ave.
50 locals recommend
Jules is an authentic bistro and a charming man :) Nice patio right on Spadina.
If you like fish, fish tacos, fish sandwiches and a nice atmosphere this place is very very close.
34 locals recommend
The One That Got Away
581 King St W
34 locals recommend
If you like fish, fish tacos, fish sandwiches and a nice atmosphere this place is very very close.
Classic late-night Chinese food.
38 locals recommend
Swatow Restaurant
309 Spadina Ave.
38 locals recommend
Classic late-night Chinese food.
yummy food and a beautiful place. Great for a date :)
14 locals recommend
Peter Pan Bistro
373 Queen St W
14 locals recommend
yummy food and a beautiful place. Great for a date :)
Delicious slices.
43 locals recommend
Pizzaiolo Gourmet Pizza
550 Yonge Street
43 locals recommend
Delicious slices.
Italian, very cool and good.
445 locals recommend
Terroni
720 Queen St W
445 locals recommend
Italian, very cool and good.
I don't eat meat but the place looks good.
13 locals recommend
Lou Dawgs on King
589 King Street West
13 locals recommend
I don't eat meat but the place looks good.
Great place! All around comfortable.
12 locals recommend
Tequila Bookworm
512 Queen St W
12 locals recommend
Great place! All around comfortable.
Ethiopian cuisine, freshly roasted coffee and gracious service.
Addis Ababa Restaurant
1184 Queen St W
Ethiopian cuisine, freshly roasted coffee and gracious service.
Oysters!
74 locals recommend
Oyster Boy
872 Queen St W
74 locals recommend
Oysters!
My favourite neighbourhood coffee place. Friendly, comfortable and good brew!
267 locals recommend
Jimmy's Coffee
107 Portland St
267 locals recommend
My favourite neighbourhood coffee place. Friendly, comfortable and good brew!
Vegan cuisine, gorgeous place.
Fressen
478 Queen St W
Vegan cuisine, gorgeous place.
Close and very cute. Authentic diner but contemporary too. Vegan options. Super coffee.
17 locals recommend
Sadie's Diner And Juice Bar
17 locals recommend
Close and very cute. Authentic diner but contemporary too. Vegan options. Super coffee.
Inexpensive and popular place.
33 locals recommend
Java House
537 Queen St W
33 locals recommend
Inexpensive and popular place.
So many screens and lovely staff.
11 locals recommend
The Football Factory
164 Bathurst St
11 locals recommend
So many screens and lovely staff.
Famous Susur Lee chef. Exotic. Expensive.
230 locals recommend
Lee
497 King St W
230 locals recommend
Famous Susur Lee chef. Exotic. Expensive.
Classic neighbourhood resto and bar. Patio. Famous brunch and generally a great hangout. Nice lighting, very cosy. Excellent and a short walk away.
47 locals recommend
Old York Bar & Grill
167 Niagara St
47 locals recommend
Classic neighbourhood resto and bar. Patio. Famous brunch and generally a great hangout. Nice lighting, very cosy. Excellent and a short walk away.
Trendy, very.
99 locals recommend
Brassaii
461 King St W
99 locals recommend
Trendy, very.
Fantastic fish n chips right across from the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park. Eat and watch locals relax :)
22 locals recommend
Hooky's Fish and Chips
486 Queen St W
22 locals recommend
Fantastic fish n chips right across from the beautiful Trinity Bellwoods Park. Eat and watch locals relax :)
The best roti in town. Bar none.
29 locals recommend
Gandhi Indian Cuisine
554 Queen St W
29 locals recommend
The best roti in town. Bar none.
This place is far, tiny, loud and a little bit crazy but the food is incredible. Run by Nazareth herself who makes the food, serves it up, works the bar and acts as the dj. Props.
71 locals recommend
Nazareth
969 Bloor Street West
71 locals recommend
This place is far, tiny, loud and a little bit crazy but the food is incredible. Run by Nazareth herself who makes the food, serves it up, works the bar and acts as the dj. Props.
Open all night in the old club district, yummy burritos.
116 locals recommend
Burrito Boyz
224 Adelaide St W
116 locals recommend
Open all night in the old club district, yummy burritos.
Incredible menu, Persian food!!
32 locals recommend
Pomegranate Restaurant
420 College St
32 locals recommend
Incredible menu, Persian food!!
Icon diner. A bit over-rated imho.
MARS FOOD
432 College St
Icon diner. A bit over-rated imho.
Love this place.Near the AGO, off of McCaul is Baldwin Street, a lovely street, especially in the summer, and John's Italian Cafe is awesome. Famous pizza!!
John's Italian Caffe
27 Baldwin St
Love this place.Near the AGO, off of McCaul is Baldwin Street, a lovely street, especially in the summer, and John's Italian Cafe is awesome. Famous pizza!!
In an old bank building, very swanky sushi!
KATANA ON BAY
333 Bay St.
In an old bank building, very swanky sushi!
Historical building and bar - I believe Toronto's very first pub. Excellent patio, and if you need a shot of televised big-screen sports look no further. Classic.
65 locals recommend
Wheat Sheaf Tavern
667 King St W
65 locals recommend
Historical building and bar - I believe Toronto's very first pub. Excellent patio, and if you need a shot of televised big-screen sports look no further. Classic.
Something about this place... call first to make sure they are open. Last time I was there the original King Kong was quietly playing on a discreet TV. Great food!
Politica Resto Bar
127 Strachan Ave
Something about this place... call first to make sure they are open. Last time I was there the original King Kong was quietly playing on a discreet TV. Great food!
This King West entry focuses on farm-to-table cuisine with a feel-go vibe. Upscale.
80 locals recommend
Marben
488 Wellington St W
80 locals recommend
This King West entry focuses on farm-to-table cuisine with a feel-go vibe. Upscale.
Pretty good Thai and very close by. Affordable too. Mango salad is good!
18 locals recommend
Coco Rice Thai Cuisine
669 King St W
18 locals recommend
Pretty good Thai and very close by. Affordable too. Mango salad is good!
Must admit I've not been here but it's on my list! Looks amazing and has only good reviews. Cozy. Lovely too.
Niagara Street Cafe
Must admit I've not been here but it's on my list! Looks amazing and has only good reviews. Cozy. Lovely too.
This is the hidden gem of sushi in town :) Seriously, tiny place and AMAZING sushi! Seared tuna if you like. Home made wasabi and yummy soy sauce. Walk over!
8 locals recommend
Sushi 930
930 King Street West
8 locals recommend
This is the hidden gem of sushi in town :) Seriously, tiny place and AMAZING sushi! Seared tuna if you like. Home made wasabi and yummy soy sauce. Walk over!
I've not been but it is said that Wvrst is the new King West version of a Munich-style beer hall, takes a simple concept and provides enormous variety...
198 locals recommend
WVRST
609 King St W
198 locals recommend
I've not been but it is said that Wvrst is the new King West version of a Munich-style beer hall, takes a simple concept and provides enormous variety...
Close, good.
119 locals recommend
Portland Variety
587 King St W
119 locals recommend
Close, good.
Backed goods, coffee, bread.
14 locals recommend
Zoe's Toronto
548 King St W
14 locals recommend
Backed goods, coffee, bread.
Italian food. Nice rooftop patio too.
153 locals recommend
Buca
604 King St W
153 locals recommend
Italian food. Nice rooftop patio too.
Italian and popular. Good outdoor patios.
395 locals recommend
Gusto 101
101 Portland St
395 locals recommend
Italian and popular. Good outdoor patios.
Vegan! Organic! Ignore the television programming but the food is good if you're after clean and healthy.
6 locals recommend
Loving Hut
140 Spadina Ave.
6 locals recommend
Vegan! Organic! Ignore the television programming but the food is good if you're after clean and healthy.
Closest Greek resto if in the mood for Greek food. In the theater district.
18 locals recommend
Penelope Restaurant
225 King St W
18 locals recommend
Closest Greek resto if in the mood for Greek food. In the theater district.
In the TIFF Bell Lightbox complex. I liked the tagine and it's a cool place. Great if you're going to see a film in the building.
40 locals recommend
O&B Canteen
330 King St W
40 locals recommend
In the TIFF Bell Lightbox complex. I liked the tagine and it's a cool place. Great if you're going to see a film in the building.

Everything Else

Yoga!!
17 locals recommend
Downward Dog Yoga Centre
30 Ossington Ave
17 locals recommend
Yoga!!
Catch a ferry to the island! A 7 minute boat ride any time of year.
1035 locals recommend
Toronto Islands
1035 locals recommend
Catch a ferry to the island! A 7 minute boat ride any time of year.
Not feeling well? This walk-in clinic can help.
QSMC - Chiropractic Clinic
1539 Queen St W
Not feeling well? This walk-in clinic can help.
Swim, work out. Nice Y.
52 locals recommend
West End YMCA
931 College St
52 locals recommend
Swim, work out. Nice Y.
LOVE this park!!! People, dogs, kites, tennis, swimming, skating! FUN!!
743 locals recommend
Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen St W
743 locals recommend
LOVE this park!!! People, dogs, kites, tennis, swimming, skating! FUN!!
need wheels? http://www.zipcar.com/toronto/find-cars
Zipcar
need wheels? http://www.zipcar.com/toronto/find-cars
Emergencies here.
60 locals recommend
Toronto Western Hospital
399 Bathurst St
60 locals recommend
Emergencies here.
Emergencies here.
43 locals recommend
The Hospital for Sick Children
170 University Ave
43 locals recommend
Emergencies here.
Emergencies here.
55 locals recommend
Mount Sinai Hospital
600 University Ave
55 locals recommend
Emergencies here.
Not feeling well? This walk-in clinic can help.
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
168 Bathurst St
Not feeling well? This walk-in clinic can help.
Nice neighbourhood park.
26 locals recommend
Victoria Memorial Square
10 Niagara St
26 locals recommend
Nice neighbourhood park.
Spoil yourself like they do in the therapeutic baths of Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia and Spain, starting with a hearty dose of steam. Luxury right around the corner!!
34 locals recommend
Hammam Spa, Toronto
602 King St W
34 locals recommend
Spoil yourself like they do in the therapeutic baths of Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia and Spain, starting with a hearty dose of steam. Luxury right around the corner!!
It’s all about the water. Great packages!
26 locals recommend
Body Blitz Spa
471 Adelaide St W
26 locals recommend
It’s all about the water. Great packages!
Chocolate! Good chocolate!
104 locals recommend
Soma Chocolate Maker
32 Tank House Lane
104 locals recommend
Chocolate! Good chocolate!
Decent selection of beer, wine, alcohol.
957 locals recommend
LCBO
49 Spadina Ave.
957 locals recommend
Decent selection of beer, wine, alcohol.
The Gym at 99 Sudbury
99 Sudbury St
Large
Gym. Close. Trainers.
8 locals recommend
Totum Life Science: King
445 King St W
8 locals recommend
Gym. Close. Trainers.

Drinks & Nightlife

Neighbourhood pub, close and very friendly.
80 locals recommend
Bar Wellington
520 Wellington St W
80 locals recommend
Neighbourhood pub, close and very friendly.
Classic large patio.
18 locals recommend
The Black Bull
298 Queen St W
18 locals recommend
Classic large patio.
Drinks, food, rooftop, music in a boutique hotel. Very cool.
538 locals recommend
The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St W
538 locals recommend
Drinks, food, rooftop, music in a boutique hotel. Very cool.
Icon. Flash from the past, specifically the 80's artscene watering hall and performance space. Any time of day.
88 locals recommend
Cameron House
408 Queen St W
88 locals recommend
Icon. Flash from the past, specifically the 80's artscene watering hall and performance space. Any time of day.
Toronto icon, old hotel recently renovated and now rather trendy. Worth checking out for its architecture and vibe. Lovely place.
194 locals recommend
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St W
194 locals recommend
Toronto icon, old hotel recently renovated and now rather trendy. Worth checking out for its architecture and vibe. Lovely place.
Posh and swanky across the street from home. I've never been but the rooftop lounge could be cool. There's an all night resto on premises too. Nice for a drink perhaps.
129 locals recommend
Thompson Toronto
550 Wellington St W
129 locals recommend
Posh and swanky across the street from home. I've never been but the rooftop lounge could be cool. There's an all night resto on premises too. Nice for a drink perhaps.

Essentials

Groceries near home. Expensive side but very good and very fresh.
92 locals recommend
Fresh & Wild Food Market
69 Spadina Ave.
92 locals recommend
Groceries near home. Expensive side but very good and very fresh.
Simply amazing. Go there. Very inexpensive produce, cafes, lively streets and vintage if you like.
1698 locals recommend
Kensington Market
1698 locals recommend
Simply amazing. Go there. Very inexpensive produce, cafes, lively streets and vintage if you like.
Excellent selection of groceries and take out foods. Organic too.
1112 locals recommend
Loblaws
585 Queen St W
1112 locals recommend
Excellent selection of groceries and take out foods. Organic too.

Arts & Culture

Movies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.
Swipe Design books + objects
401 Richmond St W
Movies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.
Festival theatre, movies, shows and a gift store.
582 locals recommend
TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King St W
582 locals recommend
Festival theatre, movies, shows and a gift store.
Lots of galleries and an amazing old building with a green roof that's open only till 5pm in the summer (the roof). Highly recommend a walk around.
35 locals recommend
401 Richmond St W
401 Richmond Street West
35 locals recommend
Lots of galleries and an amazing old building with a green roof that's open only till 5pm in the summer (the roof). Highly recommend a walk around.
Art Gallery of Ontario.
Ago
Art Gallery of Ontario.
Great gallery. then just walk west and find more smaller galleries. Very nice walk and lots to see!
129 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada
158 Sterling Rd
129 locals recommend
Great gallery. then just walk west and find more smaller galleries. Very nice walk and lots to see!
Right on the waterfront and a great walk. Check website for current shows but highly recommend. Skating in the winter!!
68 locals recommend
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
231 Queens Quay W
68 locals recommend
Right on the waterfront and a great walk. Check website for current shows but highly recommend. Skating in the winter!!
Movies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.
Leo's Textiles
473 Queen St W
Movies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.
Awesome repertory cinema on College Street which is also a very cool neighbourhood with lots of eateries, bars etc. Little Italy. http://www.theroyal.to/
57 locals recommend
The Royal Cinema
608 College St
57 locals recommend
Awesome repertory cinema on College Street which is also a very cool neighbourhood with lots of eateries, bars etc. Little Italy. http://www.theroyal.to/
The oldest and perhaps the finest repertory cinema in Toronto. On Bloor street west - the Annex - which is also a very cool neighbourhood with lots of eateries, bars etc. http://bloorcinema.com/
161 locals recommend
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
506 Bloor St W
161 locals recommend
The oldest and perhaps the finest repertory cinema in Toronto. On Bloor street west - the Annex - which is also a very cool neighbourhood with lots of eateries, bars etc. http://bloorcinema.com/
Movies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.
358 locals recommend
Scotiabank Theatre
259 Richmond St W
358 locals recommend
Movies, first run, lots and lots. Big too.

Shopping

The best outdoor clothing and gear store in town. Must go.
27 locals recommend
MEC Toronto
300 Queen St W
27 locals recommend
The best outdoor clothing and gear store in town. Must go.
Groovy and cool shoes.
C Squared
693 Queen Street West
Groovy and cool shoes.
Clothing, household, and inexpensive.
22 locals recommend
Winners
57 Spadina Avenue
22 locals recommend
Clothing, household, and inexpensive.
Big It Up International
24 Ripley Avenue
Groovy hats!!!
This is the Fashion District and just up on Queen are numerous amazing textile stores with broad and interesting stock. Inexpensive. Start at Leo's and walk west. Look both sides!
Trendy Fabric
473 Queen St W
This is the Fashion District and just up on Queen are numerous amazing textile stores with broad and interesting stock. Inexpensive. Start at Leo's and walk west. Look both sides!
The coolest and likely oldest art supply store in TO. Check it out.
Gwartzman's Art Supplies
448 Spadina Ave.
The coolest and likely oldest art supply store in TO. Check it out.
Vinyl!!!
14 locals recommend
Rotate This
186 Ossington Ave
14 locals recommend
Vinyl!!!
Vinyl!!! Gear!!! Cool store.
Moog Audio
442 Queen St W
Vinyl!!! Gear!!! Cool store.
Kiehl's if you like it.
Kiehl's
407 Queen St W
Kiehl's if you like it.
Like to knit? Go here.
Romni Wools
658 Queen St W
Like to knit? Go here.
Great store, name says it all.
Come As You Are
254 Augusta Ave
Great store, name says it all.
Another Toronto icon and a mecca for surplus electronics, blinking lights and things you'd never expect to find.
Active Surplus Electronics
347 Queen St W
Another Toronto icon and a mecca for surplus electronics, blinking lights and things you'd never expect to find.
Anything to do with PC's and Macs + peripherals can be found on the College strip just west of Spadina. Famously so. Walk and check out the many stores.
Jump+ - Apple premium Retailer (Toronto)
275 College St
Anything to do with PC's and Macs + peripherals can be found on the College strip just west of Spadina. Famously so. Walk and check out the many stores.
The narrowest and I think coolest hardware store in town. Where they pack the stuff away I'm not sure but go and ask for anything -- odds are they'll have it.
Jacobs Hardware
410 Queen St W
The narrowest and I think coolest hardware store in town. Where they pack the stuff away I'm not sure but go and ask for anything -- odds are they'll have it.
Best window displays in town and an amazing store/experience by designer Pam Chorley. Fancy, fun, eclectic and cool!
Fashion Crimes
706 Queen St W
Best window displays in town and an amazing store/experience by designer Pam Chorley. Fancy, fun, eclectic and cool!
Excellent contemporary design collection
Design Within Reach
214 King St E
Excellent contemporary design collection