Justin's Guide to Toronto
The definitive guide about Toronto from someone who is not from Toronto, but actually loves Toronto
It might not be home but it's got my heart.
The winters suck and people pronounce all the street names strangely, but other than that, Toronto is an amazing city that I have fallen in love with in my 3 years of living there. While New York City is the greatest city in the world, Toronto will forever have a place in my heart.
Last Updated: March 27, 2020
As you can see from my map above… 1. I love the flagging feature of Google Maps and 2. There are still many more places that I want to go to than I already have been to. I’ve broken up the following into Things to Do by area then What to Eat in each of those areas. I would just focus on where to eat, but I guess you need something to fill the time between meals.
Things To Do
Just like any city, each neighborhood has their own vibe. What I love about Toronto is that all these neighborhoods of downtown are so accessible especially via a bike, or in my case, an electric skateboard.
CN Tower
Harbourfront
From the CN tower, you could walk down to the Habourfront and walk along and enjoy views and weather if it’s nice. The waterfront of Toronto is lovely and extends pretty far. If you are up for renting a Bixbie (Citi) bike, then you should ride the waterfront all the way down to the Humber Bridge for a gorgeous view of Toronto’s skyline.
JE HOT TIP
Nathan Philips Square
It’s city hall and it also has a big ass TORONTO sign to take a picture in front of. Seeing this place should only take 10 minutes, but if you go, you can get your picture then visit the Eaton Centre across the street and do some shopping? Might as well take advantage of the exchange rate, right? Also if you are up there then you can go to Yonge Dundas Square… which Canadians claim is the Times Square of Toronto… I can assure you, it is not. But if you’re there, you might as well. Map
Graffit Alley and Queen West
This area is nice to just walk along and see some hipster shops. Graffitti alley is also cool as the art is kinda cool too. It’s nice to go window shop from University and make your way out to Ossington which is super hip… speaking of…
Ossington
Super hip area that has some of my favorite bars in the city. It’s fun during the day to go to coffee shops and also at night to go to the bars that I’ve listed. Map
St Lawrence Market
It’s a market… you get food. If you go, then you have to get a Peameal Bacon sandwich which is iconic Canada. Map
Distillery District
I’m not exactly sure how to describe this area… it’s cool because it’s all brick and used to be a distillery, and they’ve transformed it into a hip spot. There is a chocolate maker (SOMA), hipster coffee (Balzac’s), and Mill St Brewery but not really much else outside of the area. I only ever go to Distillery for the Christmas Market and Festival of Lights… neither of which will likely be going on if you (the reader) is going. Map
Kensington Market
…and when it’s WARM!
Out of the 3 cities I’ve lived in, Toronto is my favorite city to be in for the summertime. Because it’s so cold for so long, the entire population of the city has an appreciation for warm weather unlike any other. The active waterfront, useable greenspace, and outdoor venues bring the city out of hibernation. The warmth breathes an undeniable life to the city and can thaw even the iciest of hearts.
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Hipster central. When the weather is nice, you can be sure that almost all the green space in this park is packed with blankets, slack lines, and drinks. Grab a blanket and find a spot under the shade to spend the day with your furbaby, a kindle, and a good drink. Map
The Beaches
Centre Island
I don’t know anything about the history of the island, or how people can actually live here year round. What I do know is that when the weather is good, taking a ferry over to the island (with a bicycle if you have one) is a great way to spend a weekend day. You can either spend more on a private water taxi or head down to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal for the official city ferry to hitch a ride over.
The Budweiser Stage
If there happens to be an artist playing at the Budweiser Stage in Ontario place while you are there, I highly recommend watching the show. Lawn seats are usually pretty reasonable and you can usually snag a resale on FB for even cheaper. I love the open air, music, and the view of downtown. I never thought I’d have a favorite venue, but it seems that I do!
Where to Eat
Now this is what I’m talking about. TORONTO IS AN AMAZING FOOD CITY. I could easily go on and on, but let’s just start with these.
College St
This is my favorite area in Toronto for cocktail bars and restaurants. There are a number of BOLD statements and serious favorites in this list. Come see me.
- Bar Raval – This bar has a gorgeous countertop as well as a nice patio area and serves delicious small bites AND great drinks. I recommend the smoked mackarel and Stracciatella & Boquerones. Map
- PG Clucks – A hole in the wall that has the BEST Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich that I have EVER had. Bold statement worthy of the bold flavor. Map
- Hotmess – They do Tex Mex and they do it well. I was surprised too… Tex Mex in Canada? Go figure. Hit them up on Taco Tuesday for a deal on their tacos and beer! Map
- Walton – They have an amazing back patio (self proclaimed “Cutest in the world”) and serve really great drinks. I always end up stopping by and put down a Spicy Honey Boi or two. Map
- Pray Tell – they also have a great patio and their drinks are good too. Not as nice of a patio as the walton with a more limited drink selection but at happy hour they are good! Map
Not exactly on College but it’s in the vicinity and it MUST be called out.
Cocktail Bar – They make BOMB cocktails … specifically one peanut butter old fashioned that I am obsessed with. Whenever I made my way home from College back to my apartment, I stopped here. I LOVE THIS PLACE. It is my SECOND favorite cocktail bar in Toronto… where is my first? Check out my outerlying areas section to find out! Map
Kensington Market / Chinatown
- 7 Lives – Amazing fish tacos. I often have a hard time deciding between Baja and Crispy, so I usually get both. Map
- Rol San – They serve Dim Sum all day and late into the night. I usually go up to Markham for my Dim Sum, but if I have a craving downtown, this is where I go. Map
- Shi MiaoDao Rice Noodle – I don’t actually go to Chinatown too often for food, but this rice noodle spot has made my list of places I’d go back to. Their stone pot soups are great especially when it’s cold out. Map
- Coffee Dak Lak – When I visited Vietnam, I got REALLY into egg coffee. They make a great egg coffee here, and considering the exchange rate, it’s a decent deal. I stop by whenever I walk past it! Map
King West (ish) and Downtown
- Aloette – This is one of my most favorite places in Toronto. They don’t take reservations so you put your name down then expect to wait for an hour or so until your seats are ready. They are descendant of the number 1 place to eat in toronto (alo) …. their menu is delicious but it is expensive. Map
- Gusto – Standard Italian with $1/oz wine pours on wednesdays. Map
- Pai – A friend of mine who lived in Thailand for 9 years said that this is the best Thai he’s had outside of Thailand. I personally love the Pad Graw Pow with extra crispy pork, and I ask for it Thai spicy and eat it in the quiet of my on apartment with my sweat rag. Map
- Baro – Hip bar that has multiple floors including a rooftop and a secret speakeasy that you need to know the password to in order to enter. Map
- Barhop – There are two locations. One has a rooftop and the other has a real small patio but both have a great list of beers. Great spot to hang out. Map
- Watsons – Kind of a divey and young people’s bar BUT they serve a fine selection of whiskey’s and scotch for cheap… I’m talking an Oban for $9 CAD cheap. Yea… I’ve been here a couple of times. Map
- 416 Snack bar – Not quite king west but close enough that I’ll throw it here. Their snacks are great, the food is delicious, and the vibe is chill. Map
Ossington
- Oddseoul – Love this place. its Korean fusion bar with great drinks. When you go here, get the Jucy Lucy and their bulgogi cheesesteak. Get everything else that you’re interested in, but definitely get those two. Love it! Map
- Gift Shop – Across the street from Oddseoul, there is a bar behind a barber shop that serves up good cocktails. I heard this place was closing… so it might be gone by now! Map
- Pho Tien Thanh – The best Pho spot downtown I’d go to. They’re cash only, and worth a stop if you can’t get to one around the airport in Mississauga. Map
Eaton Centre / Nathan Philips Square
- GB Hand Pulled Noodles – Tiny shop serving you fresh hand pulled noodles. Get the Special Lanzhou Beef Noodles (L) with Narrow Thick noodz. If you do for a dry noodle, a medium wide will work well to let the flavor get all up on them. Map
- Kimchi Korea House – This is the first place that I ever had Gamjatang (Pork Bone Soup) so naturally I think it is the best here. It’s apparently their most popular item and they serve heaps of it every day. Map
- Gyubee Japanese Grill – An all you can eat Japanese BBQ where you grill it in front of you. This place is ALWAYS packed so just put your name down on the Yelp Waitlist at 6pm and come back an hour later when it’s your time to eat. Map
Parkdale / Queen West
I don’t know what you are doing out here, but if you find yourself in the area, I do have a couple recommendations you GOTTA go to!
- Tennessee Tavern – This place has nothing to do with Tennessee and it is only loosely related to a tavern. It got the thumbs up from my German coworker for German food and that is a seal of approval you can trust when it comes to rating schnitzel, brats, and other Eastern European treats. Map
- Craigs Cookies – $3 or $4 for a cookie seems ridiculous … until you remember it’s CAD and that these cookies are the BOMB. Map
- Glory Hole Donuts – Best donut shop in Toronto. If you like donuts and are out there, stop in. Map
Outlying Areas (WORTH CONSIDERATION)
The following places are a bit of a hike and may or may not need a car to get to. They are however worth mentioning and considering because they are THAT good (or unique).
- Adamson’s BBQ – This is THE BEST BBQ outside of Texas that I’ve EVER had. Not sure if the owners were from Texas or visited Texas, but they make BBQ right. Not sure if you’d be interested in having BBQ while in Canada, but if you’re in the area or are curious, it’s totally worth a stop. It’s annoying to get to by public transportation, so I’d recommend a car. Map
- Civil Liberties – This is my favorite cocktail bar in Toronto. While you don’t need a car to get there, it is a bit further out than convenient. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t have a menu and you just tell them what you like or are feeling, and they have NAILED my drink EVERY TIME. I once said that I had a sore throat but like spirit forward whiskey drinks… nailed it. Map
- Fishman Lobster Clubhouse – Lobster and crab mountains. You definitely need a car to get here, but it is an experience worth the effort. Best enjoyed with 4 to 6 friends so you can really ball out on the amount of lobsters and crabs. It’s expensive. It’s hard to get to. It’s worth it. Map
- Markham in general – If you’ve already got a car, then you might as well go up to Markham for the best Chinese food in Ontario. Go get some Dim Sum and swing by an HK tea house. If you make it to Markham, swing by Din Tai Fung. Aside from their famous soup dumplings, they have this one fish and egg dish with broccoli that I could never find anywhere else… even in the original Din Tai Fung.
My Absolute Faves
If you were to hold a gun to my head and force me to choose a Top 3 of favorites in Toronto, I’d pull the trigger. If I had to choose 5, I wouldn’t be happy but they’d be below. I have written about all these in the list above, but in case you didn’t read, let me opine about these select few.
1. PG Cluck’s
The BEST HOT CHICKEN SANDWICH I’ve ever had. It’s crispy, juicy, spicy, and huge! If you can get your mouth around it, it’ll be one of the most satisfying crunches you’ll ever chomp down on. Forget Chik-fil-A. Move over Popeyes. It’s not even close.
2. Kamjatang (Pork Bone Soup)
Toronto was the first place that I was introduced to pork bone soup, and it was a revelation. Kimchi House on Dundas was the first place I ever had it, which may or may not be the reason why I think it’s the best. It’s messy and difficult to eat, but maybe that’s what makes it even better.
3. Aloette
This is one of my favorite places to take someone from out of town. Downstairs from Alo, it’s fine dining in a casual atmosphere. They don’t take reservations, but they do call you back once your table is ready. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve had there and fortunately, they change their menu up with the seasons making sure there was something new for me to try each time I went.
4. Pai
This isn’t a secret by any means, but they are popular for a reason. They ALWAYS have a line, so I mostly get take out, which is for the best. I like to order Thai spicy and eat in my place with my sweat towel handy. Get there early when they open or just pick it up on Ritual. However, you get it, get it.
5. Adamson’s BBQ
Like I said above, you wouldn’t think about Texas BBQ while visiting Canada, but they are LEGIT. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s just my American pride holding me back from saying it’s the best I’ve had, but it’s for real and I made sure to stop here before I left Toronto.
Well there you have it
I’ll miss you Toronto!
Recent Travels
Not always recent. Not always in order. Not always travel.
Big Island a.k.a. Hawai’i
June, 2018Duration: 4 days, 3 nights Island: Hawai'i, HA We came here to see a volcano and that is what we did! While there are still plenty of beautiful beaches to lounge on, the highlight of this island was the time we spent exploring Volcanoes...
Kauai
June, 2018Duration: 5 days, 4 nights Island: Kauai, HAKauai was my favorite island in terms of beach’s and being outdoors. We camped several nights on this island on the beach and KoKe’e state park. I can hardly describe how amazing it was so I’ll just...
Indonesia
Indonesia As a TL;DR summary/recommendation: Again in 2018, I had the chance to bounce a bit around Indonesia, specifically Bali, Gili Meno, and the Komodo Islands. I wrote the following as a recommendation guide for my friends who were considering taking their...