Deniz’s guidebook
My favourite Restaurants
There are many options you will have on both Gerrard and Danforth (Greektown) that are in walking distance, and many more if you head down to Leslieville on Queen Street East.
If you want to experience one of the best Gyros in the heart of Greektown, head over to Messini and have one of their sandwiches. They are the best in town!
56 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Messini Authentic Gyros
445 Danforth AveIf you want to experience one of the best Gyros in the heart of Greektown, head over to Messini and have one of their sandwiches. They are the best in town!
This place is minutes walking to the house, and has one of the best brunches in the area, and has great mexican food. They also have great drinks and cocktails that are served all day.
47 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Chula Taberna Mexicana
1058 Gerrard St EThis place is minutes walking to the house, and has one of the best brunches in the area, and has great mexican food. They also have great drinks and cocktails that are served all day.
Great place to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and have a snack. You will love the ambiance in the place, and it also turns into a bar/lounge in the afternoon as they have their liquor license.
53 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Commerce Court WEST
140 Yonge StreetGreat place to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and have a snack. You will love the ambiance in the place, and it also turns into a bar/lounge in the afternoon as they have their liquor license.
If you want to explore the option of having the delicious Turkish pizza, this is the place to do it in Toronto. They have a wide selection of pide's and they make everything themselves. They also have great baklava and other treats as well.
10 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Mr.Pide
800 Danforth AveIf you want to explore the option of having the delicious Turkish pizza, this is the place to do it in Toronto. They have a wide selection of pide's and they make everything themselves. They also have great baklava and other treats as well.
One of the best Jamaican eateries in the city, and Drake filmed one of his music videos in this restaurant! You will immediately feel an authentic Jamaican vibe when you enter, and eat some great Jerk Chicken!
54 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Real Jerk Restaurant
842 Gerrard Street EastOne of the best Jamaican eateries in the city, and Drake filmed one of his music videos in this restaurant! You will immediately feel an authentic Jamaican vibe when you enter, and eat some great Jerk Chicken!
If you head down to Lesliveville, you must try out Eastside Social, especially if you like seafood in this nice and cozy restaurant.
36 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Eastside Social
1008 Queen St EIf you head down to Lesliveville, you must try out Eastside Social, especially if you like seafood in this nice and cozy restaurant.
With a unique view of the city from the rooftop, to the great food, cocktails and ambiance, you will get a very unique experience by going to the Broadview Hotel.
129 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Broadview Hotel
106 Broadview AveWith a unique view of the city from the rooftop, to the great food, cocktails and ambiance, you will get a very unique experience by going to the Broadview Hotel.
Arguably the best brunch you will have in Toronto, this is a unique spot that serves Egyptian food, with both breakfast and lunch options. They also make an amazing latte. Get ready to wait a bit in line to get in, as this place is not only a tourist attraction, but frequented by many Torontonians.
108 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Maha's
226 Greenwood AveArguably the best brunch you will have in Toronto, this is a unique spot that serves Egyptian food, with both breakfast and lunch options. They also make an amazing latte. Get ready to wait a bit in line to get in, as this place is not only a tourist attraction, but frequented by many Torontonians.
Entertainment in Leslieville and Riverdale
There are many things you can do in the neighbourhood, from art exhibits to shows, bars and restaurants, festivals and shows, and parks and the beach. Check out my shortlist of activities!
This spot is a chill neighbourhood spot with industrial vibes that’s perfect for getting some work done or just hanging out. The Pilot Coffee they serve is exceptional, too.
87 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Te Aro
983 Queen St EThis spot is a chill neighbourhood spot with industrial vibes that’s perfect for getting some work done or just hanging out. The Pilot Coffee they serve is exceptional, too.
Woodbine is Toronto’s number one beach destination for beach volleyball, swimming, sunbathing, biking and exploring along its 3km of sandy shores. It’s also a favourite spot for locals to gather on Canada Day and watch fireworks over Lake Ontario or grill some food all season for a stepped up summer picnic. If you want to watch the skateboarders, you can go to Coxwell and Lakeshore and see some of the talent.
359 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Playa Woodbine
1675 Lake Shore Blvd EWoodbine is Toronto’s number one beach destination for beach volleyball, swimming, sunbathing, biking and exploring along its 3km of sandy shores. It’s also a favourite spot for locals to gather on Canada Day and watch fireworks over Lake Ontario or grill some food all season for a stepped up summer picnic. If you want to watch the skateboarders, you can go to Coxwell and Lakeshore and see some of the talent.
Streetcar Crowsnest is a hub for the performing arts. The permanent home of Crow’s Theatre, it has a constant schedule of exceptional local performances, event spaces, as well as programming and events for members of the community – including kids!
23 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Crow's Theatre
345 Carlaw AveStreetcar Crowsnest is a hub for the performing arts. The permanent home of Crow’s Theatre, it has a constant schedule of exceptional local performances, event spaces, as well as programming and events for members of the community – including kids!
First off, if you like wine, you’ve got to visit Chez Nous, a wine bar serving only Ontario wines and a couple bottles of locally brewed beer. You can get a cheese or charcuterie plate, but they don’t have a full kitchen so outside food is welcome! Wine, here, is really the star of the show.
6 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Chez Nous Wine Bar
798 Queen St EFirst off, if you like wine, you’ve got to visit Chez Nous, a wine bar serving only Ontario wines and a couple bottles of locally brewed beer. You can get a cheese or charcuterie plate, but they don’t have a full kitchen so outside food is welcome! Wine, here, is really the star of the show.
Up on Gerrard is the home of Pinkerton Snack Bar. The Asian-inspired tapas menu at this chill bar is hand picked from the market, so there’s always something new to try. Plus, the kitchen is open until 1am for those late night cravings. Right across the street is their new sibling project, Poor Romeo. This place has real neighbourhood bar vibes. It’s inspired by America and Rock n Roll, perfect for having a beer and their famous smashed burger.
38 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Pinkerton Snack Bar
1026 Gerrard St EUp on Gerrard is the home of Pinkerton Snack Bar. The Asian-inspired tapas menu at this chill bar is hand picked from the market, so there’s always something new to try. Plus, the kitchen is open until 1am for those late night cravings. Right across the street is their new sibling project, Poor Romeo. This place has real neighbourhood bar vibes. It’s inspired by America and Rock n Roll, perfect for having a beer and their famous smashed burger.
Visit Good Neighbour in their little converted bungalow for excellently curated clothes, accessories, knick knacks for the house and even skincare products. This general store is packed with amazing gifts. Watch out, the prices are steep, but Good Neighbour only stocks the best. You get the North American craftsmanship you pay for.
31 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Good Neighbour
935 Queen St EVisit Good Neighbour in their little converted bungalow for excellently curated clothes, accessories, knick knacks for the house and even skincare products. This general store is packed with amazing gifts. Watch out, the prices are steep, but Good Neighbour only stocks the best. You get the North American craftsmanship you pay for.
Greenwood Park has great sports fields, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, a winding skating track and a dog park. Jimmie Simpson Park is your go-to for sports. It’s fully equipped for a game of hockey, baseball, soccer, tennis or basketball. There’s also a swimming pool and indoor gym at the Jimmie Simpson Community Centre. Hideaway Park, meanwhile, is a little nook with a playground and splash pad tucked in between houses that’s perfect for letting your dogs or your kids run free. Matty Eckler Playground will fill those needs, too. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, head outside of Leslieville and go tobogganing in Riverdale Park this winter.
50 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Parque Greenwood
150 Greenwood Ave
Greenwood Park has great sports fields, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, a winding skating track and a dog park. Jimmie Simpson Park is your go-to for sports. It’s fully equipped for a game of hockey, baseball, soccer, tennis or basketball. There’s also a swimming pool and indoor gym at the Jimmie Simpson Community Centre. Hideaway Park, meanwhile, is a little nook with a playground and splash pad tucked in between houses that’s perfect for letting your dogs or your kids run free. Matty Eckler Playground will fill those needs, too. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, head outside of Leslieville and go tobogganing in Riverdale Park this winter.
First off, Rorschach Brewing Co. has 16 of their own brews on tap as well as food menus for both brunch and dinner. Stop by to watch your favourite Toronto sports team play! Eastbound Brewing Co. serves fresh food that’s way beyond what you usually get at your local pub. You can get a crowler (thats not a typo!) of their flavourful beer to take to the beach this summer. Godspeed Brewery, meanwhile, has a menu of Japanese street food thats worth a trip in itself, as well as a truly unique selection of beers inspired by the same flavours.
The closest brewery to the ZenDen is Left Field Brewery, and is walking distance from the house, worth a stroll to check it out. There are several others in the neighbourhood as well. Saulter Street Brewery is known for their Riverside Pilsner, but you can try their more experimental brewsin the Tap Room from noon – 9pm daily. Radical Road Brewing Co. hosts specialty nights to bring your own vinyl or sample one-off beers brewed using wild yeast or bacteria. You can also tour the brewery and become a brewer for the day! Then there’s Brickworks Cider, which does something a little different, and you might have guessed it’s… cider! They have lots of fun seasonally inspired flavours to try in their Ciderhouse.
Sample beers from several of the area’s breweries at the Leslieville Beer Festival. It’s basically a neighbourhood street party that takes over Dundas and features the area’s best brewers, community food vendors and local artisans. This is usually in August.
77 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Left Field Brewery
36 Wagstaff DrFirst off, Rorschach Brewing Co. has 16 of their own brews on tap as well as food menus for both brunch and dinner. Stop by to watch your favourite Toronto sports team play! Eastbound Brewing Co. serves fresh food that’s way beyond what you usually get at your local pub. You can get a crowler (thats not a typo!) of their flavourful beer to take to the beach this summer. Godspeed Brewery, meanwhile, has a menu of Japanese street food thats worth a trip in itself, as well as a truly unique selection of beers inspired by the same flavours.
The closest brewery to the ZenDen is Left Field Brewery, and is walking distance from the house, worth a stroll to check it out. There are several others in the neighbourhood as well. Saulter Street Brewery is known for their Riverside Pilsner, but you can try their more experimental brewsin the Tap Room from noon – 9pm daily. Radical Road Brewing Co. hosts specialty nights to bring your own vinyl or sample one-off beers brewed using wild yeast or bacteria. You can also tour the brewery and become a brewer for the day! Then there’s Brickworks Cider, which does something a little different, and you might have guessed it’s… cider! They have lots of fun seasonally inspired flavours to try in their Ciderhouse.
Sample beers from several of the area’s breweries at the Leslieville Beer Festival. It’s basically a neighbourhood street party that takes over Dundas and features the area’s best brewers, community food vendors and local artisans. This is usually in August.
Though the exact location of this feast may not always be in Leslieville, if you can make it, the bi-monthly events are something not to miss! Feast in the East is a food, music and art series celebrating Toronto’s east end and its culture. For $10 (in advance) you get a free dinner prepared by a local chef, and a show by several of the coolest bands and artists from the city’s innovative indie music scene, and beyond. You’ll also be surrounded by environs created by some inspiring local artists, making it a night that’s unlike anything else.
http://feastintheeast.tumblr.com/
121 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Leslieville
Though the exact location of this feast may not always be in Leslieville, if you can make it, the bi-monthly events are something not to miss! Feast in the East is a food, music and art series celebrating Toronto’s east end and its culture. For $10 (in advance) you get a free dinner prepared by a local chef, and a show by several of the coolest bands and artists from the city’s innovative indie music scene, and beyond. You’ll also be surrounded by environs created by some inspiring local artists, making it a night that’s unlike anything else.
http://feastintheeast.tumblr.com/
For more live music, check out The Opera House in Riverside. Despite the name, the musical acts showcased cover all genres from rock to electronic to hip-hop, and everything in between. Originally it was a Vaudeville theatre, then a cinema, and finally became a venue for live music, and other variety acts. Returning to its roots, the Opera House is a historic and cultural landmark in Toronto. Plus, cheering on your favourite band is so much fun.
66 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Teatro de la Ópera
735 Queen St EFor more live music, check out The Opera House in Riverside. Despite the name, the musical acts showcased cover all genres from rock to electronic to hip-hop, and everything in between. Originally it was a Vaudeville theatre, then a cinema, and finally became a venue for live music, and other variety acts. Returning to its roots, the Opera House is a historic and cultural landmark in Toronto. Plus, cheering on your favourite band is so much fun.
Support Ontario’s farmers and food producers directly when you visit the Leslieville Farmers’ Market. Discover sustainable produce, home baked goods, ethically-raised meat and a huge selection of prepared food – all nestled into Jonathan Ashbridges Park. It’s on every Sunday from 9am – 2pm. There’s even live bands, a kids program, demonstrations and a community garden – you won’t be able to tell if it’s a market or a charming neighbourhood party!
17 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Leslieville Farmers' Market
150 Greenwood AveSupport Ontario’s farmers and food producers directly when you visit the Leslieville Farmers’ Market. Discover sustainable produce, home baked goods, ethically-raised meat and a huge selection of prepared food – all nestled into Jonathan Ashbridges Park. It’s on every Sunday from 9am – 2pm. There’s even live bands, a kids program, demonstrations and a community garden – you won’t be able to tell if it’s a market or a charming neighbourhood party!
Not only does Blue Crow Gallery have a wonderful space for exhibiting the works of Canadian artists (run entirely by women), they also offer a whole swath of kids programs, summer camps and even adult classes to foster a love for art within the community. There’s also the Gerrard Art Space that regularly runs, exhibitions, workshops, classes and community events, focusing on all mediums such as visual art, performance, music, poetry and even the body. Other galleries showcasing local emerging and mid-career artists include Parts Gallery, which features fun, whimsical and vibrant art based in painting and photography and Project Gallery, featuring artists exploring distinct and innovative contemporary art projects.
Blue Crow Gallery
1610 Gerrard St ENot only does Blue Crow Gallery have a wonderful space for exhibiting the works of Canadian artists (run entirely by women), they also offer a whole swath of kids programs, summer camps and even adult classes to foster a love for art within the community. There’s also the Gerrard Art Space that regularly runs, exhibitions, workshops, classes and community events, focusing on all mediums such as visual art, performance, music, poetry and even the body. Other galleries showcasing local emerging and mid-career artists include Parts Gallery, which features fun, whimsical and vibrant art based in painting and photography and Project Gallery, featuring artists exploring distinct and innovative contemporary art projects.
The Gerrard India Bazaar is a Business Improvement Area in the west end of Leslieville that’s dedicated to celebrating and supporting all the South Asian businesses along the strip.
The area is small, but it has the highest concentration of Indian owned and run businesses in the city. Visit the stretch of Gerrard between Greenwood and Coxwell, and you’re in for a treat. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the area are sure to stimulate your senses, especially if you stop by one of the many authentic South Asian restaurants and grocers along the strip. Try Lahore Tikka House for halal Pakistani and North Indian food in a bustling atmosphere, Udupi Palace for vegetarian Indian eats, Gautama for an upscale buffet that’s not too spicy and Kohinoor Foods for spices and groceries.
15 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Gerrard India Bazaar BIA
1426 Gerrard St EThe Gerrard India Bazaar is a Business Improvement Area in the west end of Leslieville that’s dedicated to celebrating and supporting all the South Asian businesses along the strip.
The area is small, but it has the highest concentration of Indian owned and run businesses in the city. Visit the stretch of Gerrard between Greenwood and Coxwell, and you’re in for a treat. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the area are sure to stimulate your senses, especially if you stop by one of the many authentic South Asian restaurants and grocers along the strip. Try Lahore Tikka House for halal Pakistani and North Indian food in a bustling atmosphere, Udupi Palace for vegetarian Indian eats, Gautama for an upscale buffet that’s not too spicy and Kohinoor Foods for spices and groceries.