David’s guidebook

David
David’s guidebook

Neighbourhoods

The neighbourhood is hip, friendly and lively. The streets are full of trees and trinity Bellwoods park is definitely a hub for the neighbourhood. There are tonnes of restaurants, cafes and shops on Queen, Dundas and Ossington Streets.
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Trinity - Bellwoods
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The neighbourhood is hip, friendly and lively. The streets are full of trees and trinity Bellwoods park is definitely a hub for the neighbourhood. There are tonnes of restaurants, cafes and shops on Queen, Dundas and Ossington Streets.
Little Italy is the area just north of Trinity Bellwoods. It's full of restaurants and shops - and don't let the name fool you - while there are lots of Italian restaurants, there are plenty more from all over the world. College Street is the main commercial street where these can be found, but getting lost on the tree'd streets can be a lovely way to spend the day as well.
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Маленькая Италия
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Little Italy is the area just north of Trinity Bellwoods. It's full of restaurants and shops - and don't let the name fool you - while there are lots of Italian restaurants, there are plenty more from all over the world. College Street is the main commercial street where these can be found, but getting lost on the tree'd streets can be a lovely way to spend the day as well.
A short walk away, Kensington is an eclectic, vibrant neighbourhood full of food markets and independent shops.
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Кенсингтон-Маркет
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A short walk away, Kensington is an eclectic, vibrant neighbourhood full of food markets and independent shops.
There are of course lots of great Chinese restaurants and businesses, as well as everything from record stores and art supplies to takeout restaurants of all kinds.
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Chinatown
292 Spadina Ave.
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There are of course lots of great Chinese restaurants and businesses, as well as everything from record stores and art supplies to takeout restaurants of all kinds.

Best nearby liquor store

Right around the corner, this local microbrewery has an excellent selection of beers, ciders and gin & soda mixes in cans. They also bring in bread from nearby Blackbird bakery each day (sometimes they run out toward the end of the day though), as well as Blackbird's famous granola on Saturdays only.
Collective Arts Brewery and Taproom
777 Dundas Street West
Right around the corner, this local microbrewery has an excellent selection of beers, ciders and gin & soda mixes in cans. They also bring in bread from nearby Blackbird bakery each day (sometimes they run out toward the end of the day though), as well as Blackbird's famous granola on Saturdays only.
While there are a few liquor stores to choose from, this is our go to. The pleasant walk to and from College Street on Palmerston makes visiting this LCBO something to look forward to.
LCBO
While there are a few liquor stores to choose from, this is our go to. The pleasant walk to and from College Street on Palmerston makes visiting this LCBO something to look forward to.

Food scene

Chinese - Great Chinese/Hakka take-out right around the corner.
Chop Chop
771 Dundas St W
Chinese - Great Chinese/Hakka take-out right around the corner.
Chinese - Go-to for classic Chinese food.
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Swatow Restaurant
309 Spadina Ave.
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Chinese - Go-to for classic Chinese food.
Thai - Our go-to Thai restaurant. The tom yum pad thai is a great twist on the classic.
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Imm Thai Kitchen
651 College St
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Thai - Our go-to Thai restaurant. The tom yum pad thai is a great twist on the classic.
Korean - A bit of a further trek than many of the other restaurants, but our favourite Korean food in the city, so well deserving of a spot on the list.
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Korean Village Restaurant
628 Bloor St W
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Korean - A bit of a further trek than many of the other restaurants, but our favourite Korean food in the city, so well deserving of a spot on the list.
Vietnamese - One of two places on the list for Vietnamese subs. We find our friends are split on which they like best.
Oxtail Pho - Banh Mi & Vegetarian
814 Dundas Street West
Vietnamese - One of two places on the list for Vietnamese subs. We find our friends are split on which they like best.
Vietnamese - The other one of two places on the list for Vietnamese subs. We find our friends are split on which they like best.
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Banh Mi Boys
392 Queen St W
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Vietnamese - The other one of two places on the list for Vietnamese subs. We find our friends are split on which they like best.
Sri Lankan - Rich and delicious Sri Lankan food, which is a bit of a twist on Indian cuisine.
Saffron Spice Kitchen
459 Queen Street West
Sri Lankan - Rich and delicious Sri Lankan food, which is a bit of a twist on Indian cuisine.
Pakistani - Warming Pakistani food just down the street.
Naan And Chai
712 Queen St W
Pakistani - Warming Pakistani food just down the street.
Persian - One of our absolute favourites, this Persian restaurant offers warm and flavourful stews with unique flavours.
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Pomegranate Restaurant
420 College St
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Persian - One of our absolute favourites, this Persian restaurant offers warm and flavourful stews with unique flavours.
Iranian - Delicious Iranian food, although this is one of the more pricey spots on the list. Great for a special occasion.
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Banu
777 Queen St W
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Iranian - Delicious Iranian food, although this is one of the more pricey spots on the list. Great for a special occasion.
Shawarma - Inexpensive and tasty, our local shawarma spot doesn't disappoint for a quick meal. The proprietor is always there and a very friendly guy.
Dundas Shawarma
768 Dundas St W
Shawarma - Inexpensive and tasty, our local shawarma spot doesn't disappoint for a quick meal. The proprietor is always there and a very friendly guy.
Ethiopian - This Ethiopian fusion restaurant offers a unique dining experience, and its rich flavours put it near the very top of our list of favourites. A bit further than some of the others on this list, a trip to Nunu is always well worth it.
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Nunu Ethiopian Fusion
1178 Queen St W
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Ethiopian - This Ethiopian fusion restaurant offers a unique dining experience, and its rich flavours put it near the very top of our list of favourites. A bit further than some of the others on this list, a trip to Nunu is always well worth it.
Thai - A fun Thai streetside experience awaits at a place with a contemporary twist on classic Thai favourites.
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Nana
785 Queen St W
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Thai - A fun Thai streetside experience awaits at a place with a contemporary twist on classic Thai favourites.
Asian Fusion - DaiLo is to Dai-for! (See what I did there?) This place is probably the most expensive on the list, so great for a special meal, but offers very unique and delicious Asian-fusion flavours you won't ever find anywhere else.
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DaiLo
503 College St
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Asian Fusion - DaiLo is to Dai-for! (See what I did there?) This place is probably the most expensive on the list, so great for a special meal, but offers very unique and delicious Asian-fusion flavours you won't ever find anywhere else.
Malaysian - This hole-in-the-wall Malaysian spot offers unique and tasty dishes - it's a great choice if you're craving Asian flavours and feel like an adventure outside of more common Asian cuisines.
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Soos
94 Ossington Ave
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Malaysian - This hole-in-the-wall Malaysian spot offers unique and tasty dishes - it's a great choice if you're craving Asian flavours and feel like an adventure outside of more common Asian cuisines.
Sushi - There are lots of sushi places around, but this hole-in-the-wall is by far our favourite. Try a few and see if you agree!
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ND Sushi & Grill
370 College St
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Sushi - There are lots of sushi places around, but this hole-in-the-wall is by far our favourite. Try a few and see if you agree!
Ramen - Our favourite ramen spot in the city.
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Ramen Isshin
421 College St
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Ramen - Our favourite ramen spot in the city.
Döner - A great take-out spot for a meal with a punch in a pinch - if you want to go a bit healthier their boxes with a couscous and salad base will do the trick, or if you're feeling like indulging the classic Berlin street food items never disappoint.
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Otto’s Berlin Döner
256 Augusta Ave
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Döner - A great take-out spot for a meal with a punch in a pinch - if you want to go a bit healthier their boxes with a couscous and salad base will do the trick, or if you're feeling like indulging the classic Berlin street food items never disappoint.
Pizza - The closest (of many!) pizza spots - make sure you try their 'Brooklyn Squares' pizza. The quality of ingredients and the way they put it together makes it this a real stand-out!
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The Fourth Man in the Fire Pizzeria
832 Dundas St W
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Pizza - The closest (of many!) pizza spots - make sure you try their 'Brooklyn Squares' pizza. The quality of ingredients and the way they put it together makes it this a real stand-out!
Pizza - Located a pleasant stroll down Palmerston, they nail classic pies with their sweet-but-not-too-sweet sauce and very high quality ingredients.
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North of Brooklyn Pizzeria
650 Queen St W
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Pizza - Located a pleasant stroll down Palmerston, they nail classic pies with their sweet-but-not-too-sweet sauce and very high quality ingredients.
Pizza - This is the classic Italian pizza joint you've seen in the movies, and the pies are just what you'd picture. Simple, homey and inexpensive compared to the contemporary spots.
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Bitondo Pizzeria
11 Clinton St
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Pizza - This is the classic Italian pizza joint you've seen in the movies, and the pies are just what you'd picture. Simple, homey and inexpensive compared to the contemporary spots.
Pizza - No Toronto pizza list would be complete without Libretto, the only Vera Pizza Napoletana certified pizza outside of Italy (official Naples pizza authority). Their pizzas are cooked for just 90 seconds in a specially built super-heated wood-fired oven, and are seen by many as a cut above the rest (you'll have to try all the places on the list and decide for yourself!)
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Pizzeria Libretto
221 Ossington Ave
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Pizza - No Toronto pizza list would be complete without Libretto, the only Vera Pizza Napoletana certified pizza outside of Italy (official Naples pizza authority). Their pizzas are cooked for just 90 seconds in a specially built super-heated wood-fired oven, and are seen by many as a cut above the rest (you'll have to try all the places on the list and decide for yourself!)
Italian - This take-out counter serves lots of Italian favourites, from pizza and pasta to coffees and biscotti. Only a quick stroll to Queen Street away.
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Sud Forno
716 Queen St W
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Italian - This take-out counter serves lots of Italian favourites, from pizza and pasta to coffees and biscotti. Only a quick stroll to Queen Street away.
Italian - Terroni is considered by many to be a Toronto institution, with a handful of locations and an upscale take on pastas, salads and other Italian favourites.
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Terroni
720 Queen St W
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Italian - Terroni is considered by many to be a Toronto institution, with a handful of locations and an upscale take on pastas, salads and other Italian favourites.
Italian - Upscale Italian a stunningly-appointed space, although definitely one of the pricier options on the list.
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Casa La Palma
849 Dundas St W
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Italian - Upscale Italian a stunningly-appointed space, although definitely one of the pricier options on the list.
Italian - Another fixture in Toronto's Italian cuisine for many years, this place serves up all the classics.
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Cafe Diplomatico Restaurant & Pizzeria
594 College St
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Italian - Another fixture in Toronto's Italian cuisine for many years, this place serves up all the classics.
Italian - A contemporary take on Italian, this place is lined up out the door every Friday and Saturday night. Our favourite dish is the pasta ai funghi.
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Gusto 101
101 Portland St
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Italian - A contemporary take on Italian, this place is lined up out the door every Friday and Saturday night. Our favourite dish is the pasta ai funghi.
Greek - This Greek take-out counter offers unique, mouth-watering twists on classic Greek cuisine. It's a bit on the pricey side for take-out, but well worth it.
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Agora Greek Market & Cafe
921 Queen St W
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Greek - This Greek take-out counter offers unique, mouth-watering twists on classic Greek cuisine. It's a bit on the pricey side for take-out, but well worth it.
Greek - This upscale Greek taverna serves up some dangerously delicious dishes.
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Mamakas Taverna
80 Ossington Ave
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Greek - This upscale Greek taverna serves up some dangerously delicious dishes.
French - A classic French bistro, serving classic French cuisine.
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Le Swan
892 Queen St W
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French - A classic French bistro, serving classic French cuisine.
Caribbean - Delicious Jamaican fusion food - this is a guilty pleasure for sure. If you're up for it, try 'the whole shebang', which is a fixed price tasting of the entire menu.
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Patois
794 Dundas St W
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Caribbean - Delicious Jamaican fusion food - this is a guilty pleasure for sure. If you're up for it, try 'the whole shebang', which is a fixed price tasting of the entire menu.
Bistro - Cheap and cheerful, it's not fancy, but it hits the spot whether you're looking for take-out or a relaxed dine-in experience.
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Utopia Cafe & Grill
586 College St
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Bistro - Cheap and cheerful, it's not fancy, but it hits the spot whether you're looking for take-out or a relaxed dine-in experience.
Pub - This upscale pub is a great place to grab a pint and some classic pub fare as well.
The Dog and Tiger Public House
537 College St
Pub - This upscale pub is a great place to grab a pint and some classic pub fare as well.
Vegetarian - Just as the name suggests, this place has fresh and delicious food that will please vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
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Fresh on Crawford
894 Queen Street West
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Vegetarian - Just as the name suggests, this place has fresh and delicious food that will please vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
Brunch - One of the best spots in the city for brunch, with a different menu on the chalkboard every day.
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Saving Grace
907 Dundas St W
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Brunch - One of the best spots in the city for brunch, with a different menu on the chalkboard every day.
Sandwiches - This classic Italian sandwiches joint is a neighbourhood institution. Try the parmigiana and add cheese, peppers and onions if you feel like indulging!
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California Sandwiches
244 Claremont St
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Sandwiches - This classic Italian sandwiches joint is a neighbourhood institution. Try the parmigiana and add cheese, peppers and onions if you feel like indulging!
Sandwiches - If you're looking to treat yourself, this place just around the corner makes the most decadent fried chicken sandwiches!
The Heartbreak Chef
170 Baldwin Street
Sandwiches - If you're looking to treat yourself, this place just around the corner makes the most decadent fried chicken sandwiches!
Shawarma - This shawarma place takes it up a notch from your typical corner spot; great quality ingredients and very flavourful!
Daar Restaurant
746 Queen Street West
Shawarma - This shawarma place takes it up a notch from your typical corner spot; great quality ingredients and very flavourful!
Indonesian - Another Asian favourite that offers delicious Indonesian specialties like Nasi Goreng, but also some of the best fried chicken in town; never disappoints!
Little Sister Dutch Indonesian
102 Portland Street
Indonesian - Another Asian favourite that offers delicious Indonesian specialties like Nasi Goreng, but also some of the best fried chicken in town; never disappoints!
This is a new pizza spot that just opened toward the end of 2023, and has quickly become our favourite! The convenience of having it across the street is a bit dangerous :)
Renaissance Detroit Style Pizza
This is a new pizza spot that just opened toward the end of 2023, and has quickly become our favourite! The convenience of having it across the street is a bit dangerous :)
A delicious bakeshop right across the street - they have the best cinnamon buns around!
Bad Attitude Bread
A delicious bakeshop right across the street - they have the best cinnamon buns around!
Excellent, creative Mexican with some Oaxacan specialities right across the street - we'll often put our name down and chill at home until they call us!
Fonda Balam
Excellent, creative Mexican with some Oaxacan specialities right across the street - we'll often put our name down and chill at home until they call us!

Coffee shops

The closest coffee shop, and one of our favourites! The owners are super friendly and will get to know you if you go often.
Milky's Coffee
760 Dundas St W
The closest coffee shop, and one of our favourites! The owners are super friendly and will get to know you if you go often.
Great nearby coffee shop with a limited selection of hot sandwiches.
Hamers Coffee
870 Dundas St W
Great nearby coffee shop with a limited selection of hot sandwiches.
Cute and cozy coffee shop with fresh-baked scones, cookies and muffins.
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Ella's Uncle
916 Dundas St W
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Cute and cozy coffee shop with fresh-baked scones, cookies and muffins.
This coffee shop right across the street is also a gluten-free bakery, and offers gluten-free breakfast and lunch as well.
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Almond Butterfly Dundas Gluten Free Cafe & Bakeshop
792 Dundas St W
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This coffee shop right across the street is also a gluten-free bakery, and offers gluten-free breakfast and lunch as well.
A great cafe with some snack options as well. They also bring in Montreal bagels straight from Montreal - a must try if you've never had one!
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Cafe23
728 Queen St W
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A great cafe with some snack options as well. They also bring in Montreal bagels straight from Montreal - a must try if you've never had one!

Groceries

This independent fruit market, as well as Fresh Fruit Market across the street, are a pleasant walk away and the best place to get fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as things like kitchen basics and flowers.
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College Fruit Market
682 College St
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This independent fruit market, as well as Fresh Fruit Market across the street, are a pleasant walk away and the best place to get fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as things like kitchen basics and flowers.
Together with College Fruit Market across the street, the best place for fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as other basics.
Fresh Fruit Market
699 College St
Together with College Fruit Market across the street, the best place for fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as other basics.
We get all of our bread here - although if it's getting close to the end of the day you may want to call ahead and have them set a loaf aside - they tend to sell out!
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Blackbird Baking Co.
172 Baldwin St
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We get all of our bread here - although if it's getting close to the end of the day you may want to call ahead and have them set a loaf aside - they tend to sell out!
Neighbourhood cheese shop with a wide selection.
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Cheese Magic
182 Baldwin St
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Neighbourhood cheese shop with a wide selection.
This vegan 'butcher' is the best place to find all sorts of meat alternatives, from beyond beef burgers to pulled jackfruit.
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YamChops
705 College St
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This vegan 'butcher' is the best place to find all sorts of meat alternatives, from beyond beef burgers to pulled jackfruit.
This premium butcher sources local, sustainable meat and also offers delicious prepared foods, as well as ready to make meals. It quite pricey, so may be a bit of a treat.
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Cumbrae's
714 Queen St W
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This premium butcher sources local, sustainable meat and also offers delicious prepared foods, as well as ready to make meals. It quite pricey, so may be a bit of a treat.
This butcher is more budget-friendly than Cumbrae's and although it doesn't have the prepared foods or extra-premium cuts, it still sources really great, local, sustainable meat.
Sanagan's Meat Locker
176 Baldwin Street
This butcher is more budget-friendly than Cumbrae's and although it doesn't have the prepared foods or extra-premium cuts, it still sources really great, local, sustainable meat.
Your neighbourhood fish market.
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Hooked
206 Baldwin St
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Your neighbourhood fish market.
Large, nice, well stocked supermarket with everything you need in one place. It's nice to support the independent shops nearby, but sometimes you're in a rush and need everything in one place, or really need that hard to find Tahini sauce for dinner tonight.
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Loblaws
585 Queen St W
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Large, nice, well stocked supermarket with everything you need in one place. It's nice to support the independent shops nearby, but sometimes you're in a rush and need everything in one place, or really need that hard to find Tahini sauce for dinner tonight.
Another large grocery store, a similar distance as Loblaws but the opposite direction. Sometimes not quite as good a selection as Loblaws, but parking is much easier if you're driving and easier to pop in and out of.
Metro
Another large grocery store, a similar distance as Loblaws but the opposite direction. Sometimes not quite as good a selection as Loblaws, but parking is much easier if you're driving and easier to pop in and out of.
This fruit market is also excellent, and often has some more seasonal and exotic selections. They’ll label items as “Ontario” when locally grown. Convenient if going to Sanagan’s and Blackbird as well.
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Kensington Fruit Market
36 St Andrew St
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This fruit market is also excellent, and often has some more seasonal and exotic selections. They’ll label items as “Ontario” when locally grown. Convenient if going to Sanagan’s and Blackbird as well.
This is a large discount supermarket, where we often buy things like milk and yogurt on our way home from the small shops in Kensington Market.
FreshCo Bathurst & Nassau
This is a large discount supermarket, where we often buy things like milk and yogurt on our way home from the small shops in Kensington Market.

Ice cream

The super trendy spot a short walk away serves up soft serve in funky flavours like matcha or coconut with activated charcoal. Easily Toronto's most instragrammed ice cream shop!
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iHalo Krunch
831 Queen St W
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The super trendy spot a short walk away serves up soft serve in funky flavours like matcha or coconut with activated charcoal. Easily Toronto's most instragrammed ice cream shop!
The best ice cream sandwiches in Toronto - need I say more?
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Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery
93A Ossington Ave
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The best ice cream sandwiches in Toronto - need I say more?
A classic ice cream joint that makes their own waffle cones. Sometimes you can't beat the classics.
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The Big Chill
566 College St
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A classic ice cream joint that makes their own waffle cones. Sometimes you can't beat the classics.
With the best gelato we’ve ever found outside of Italy, this is a must try while you’re here!
On Third Thought
With the best gelato we’ve ever found outside of Italy, this is a must try while you’re here!

Рекомендации для путешественников

Транспорт

Streetcars are a great way to explore the neighbourhoods

Toronto is often referred to as the "city of neighbourhoods", which is very true. Every neighbourhood has its own charm and character, and something unique to explore. While our neighbourhood is very walkable, and everything you could possibly need is only a short walk away, the streetcars are perfect when you're looking to go a little farther afield.
Обычаи и культура

Toronto is friendlier than people think

While Toronto is a big city with everything a modern metropolis has to offer, you'll find that people in the neighbourhoods are typically friendly and accommodating. Don't be afraid to strike up a chat with the barista at a coffee shop, or even the next table over when you're out for dinner.