Toronto- What I Recommend
- Danielle Reinhardt
- Jul 28, 2024
- 4 min read
Since, I have lived around the world I have a lot of friends that are from other Countries. I get messages quite often asking me what to do and where to go when visiting Toronto. Over the years I complied a word document of all my favourites to share with my friends and for myself. It finally dawned on me that maybe I should create a post about this to share with others. As a former Toronto resident for over 8 years, I have done the walking and the exploring to create my list of favourites. My list includes restaurants and neighbourhoods I love and the places I go to even today when visiting the city now.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Arriving to Toronto
Plane
You can catch the train easily from the airport and that will take you to Union Station.
Union station is the hub for transit and getting around downtown Toronto.
Car
This is a tricky way to explore the city but is definately do able. Traffic is unpredicatble in the city and causes a lot of delays. Parking can also be challenging and pricey especially if you park downtown.
Getting Around
I am a big walker to explore the city and Toronto is a good safe city to walk and explore in.
You can also use the subway train "TTC" and streetcar to get around to different neighbourhoods.
Union Station
Union station underwent a makeover recently, so it has lots of shops and places to eat.
It is connected to the underground walkway connecting the finanical district call "The Path". This is one of the largest underground malls. You can take this path all the way to the main mall in downtown Toronto The Eatons Center. By the Eatons Center there is the "mini" New York times area at Yonge st. and Dundas st.
Also, a short walk from there is the famous Toronto sign and ice skating rink at Nathan Phillips Square.
Different Neighbourhoods
Distillery District
A beautiful area with old red brick buildings and cobble stones. It is picture-estque and in winter is has a beautiful Christmas market.
My favourite places in Distillery
Soma's- This is my favourite chocolate place in Toronto, they also have the best ice cream. I recommend the blueberry basil flavour and the chocolate,
Madrina Bar y Tapas- is a delicious Tapas bar that I recommend. With the lovely decor inside and delicious menu items and beautiful patio view of the center of the district, you can't go wrong.
Arvo- my favourite coffee shop and use to be my local coffee shop. The coffee here is fantastic.
Waterfront
I love walking along the water. If you start from the Eastern part of the waterfront you will go past Sugar beach and the sugar factory. On a side note, it still blows my mind how those large ships full of sugar make it all the way to Toronto.
Amsterdam Brewhouse- enjoy the view of the lake on a Muskoka chair while eating higher end delicious pub food
The CN tower and Rogers Center are fun to walk around and if you have time to catch a baseball game, it is an experience to be in the dome as the roof opens and closes.
The CN tower is really cool and it is a great way to orientate yourself when lost in the city. Just look up and look for the tower and that will guide you south towards the water and downtown.
As for going up the tower, that is for you to decide if you want to experience.
I personally love the night light of the tower while you are walking the streets at night.
King West
This is the area I lived in when I first moved to Toronto and loved it. It is a trendy area with a variety of bars and restaurants.
Restaurants
Pai- the best Thai food
Bybloos- beautiful atmosphere and the jewel rice is to die for
There is also a Somas Chocolate in this area
Lee's- the salad here in incredible
Little Sisters- Incredible Indonesian food
Chubbies- A charming Jamacain food
Impact Kitchen- my favourite health food restaurant
There are also a lot of tendy hotels in this aread with beautiful lobbies where you will find entrepreneurs doing their days work.
Queen West
I love this area for its cute shops
You can also find Graffiti Alley walking in this neighbour hood. (It is one alley south of Queen st. between Spadina and Bathurst)
Green house Juices- My favourite juice bar (You can also find multiple locations around the city). My favourite location of there's is the original location in Rosedale.
Nadege- right on the corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park has the best macaroons in Toronto (according to me)
Burger Priest- delicious burgers
Ossington St.
This is a trendy hipster neighbourhood that has some shops and a lot of good food and bars
Bang Bangs- my favourite Ice cream sandwhich place with house made cookies and unique flavoured ice cream
Azhar- A beautiful middle eastern restaurant with a store at the front. Has the best dips and breads and the califlower head it the best I have ever had
Manita- The best breakfast sandwiches I would walk over an hour during covid for these sandwiches, they also have an amazing breakfast and dinner menu.
Yorkville
The high end shopping district of the city
The ROM (Museum) is an highlight for its contrast of a historical building combined in a new modern edge
The University of Toronto Campus is just past the ROM and is a beautiful campus to walk around. It is oddly quiet in that campus for it being in downtown Toronto
Rosedale
One of my favourite neighbourhoods that feels like a community. It has cute restaurants, cafes and shops. It also have the charm of large tree lined streets and big beautiful homes.
Black Camel- best sandwiches
(Nadege and Greenhouse juice bar are also located in this area)
