Things to do in Toronto
-
A
Japan Foundation
Jostling for respect amongst the Bloor St embassies, this Japanese cultural centre offers temporary multimedia exhibitions, special events (like dramatic readings of medieval Japanese comedies and film retrospectives) and artistically inspired rest rooms that deserve design awards. The library drifts between arts, literature, history, geography and Manga. Reservations required for some events.
reviewed
-
B
St James Cathedral
Erected after the Great Fire of 1849, this venerable Gothic Revival cathedral is graced by Tiffany stained glass, a grand organ, lovely gardens and bells pealing out from the tallest spire in Canada. You will find a small historical museum is tucked away in the parish house. Check the website for details on free Music at Midday and Twilight Recitals concerts.
reviewed
-
C
Esplanade Biermarkt
The BierMarkt bouncers act like they're guarding some kind of mythical realm of ultimate pleasure. Ignore them. What you're here for is a beer menu that chases the finest ales, lagers and pilsners around the planet, from Belgium to South Africa to Trinidad, with more than 150 varieties all told. Avoid European labels actually brewed in Ontario, which lose flavor in trans-Atlantic translation.
reviewed
-
D
Wayne Gretzky's
Named after the Canadian hockey deity, Wayne Gretzky's is a sports bar, restaurant and rooftop patio serving fairly innocuous pastas, salads, steaks and burgers. But the food is almost a secondary concern – a lot of sports fans are here on a pilgrimage to view the hockey memorabilia, emblazoned with the famous No 99. Grandma Gretzky's 'heirloom classic' meatloaf is a real gap-filler.
reviewed
-
E
Bounty
This contemporary, not-for-profit craft shop can be found inside York Quay Terminal, just west of the Queen's Quay Terminal. Among its wares are creative cards and beautiful dyed scarves, and all proceeds from sales go towards programming at the Harbourfront. Artisans in the adjacent Craft Studio blow hot glass, mould clay, weave textiles, design jewelry and teach classes.
reviewed
-
F
Serra
Serra is an unassuming neighborhood joint with funky retro lighting and cute staff, managing to be hip without straying too far from classic Italian stylings (on the walls and on the plates). Try a wood-oven pizza with grilled tiger prawns, scallops, artichoke hearts and ricotta ($14) or a herb-rubbed free-range chicken breast with sweet potato, spinach and mustard jus. Perfecto !
reviewed
-
Toronto Rock
Lacrosse may not immediately spring to mind when someone mentions Canadian sports, but the 13-team National Lacrosse League has been building momentum for two decades. Toronto's team is red hot, having won the championship five times since 1999. Games at the Air Canada Centre; tickets through Ticketmaster.
reviewed
-
G
TO Tix
TO Tix sells half-price and discount same-day ‘rush’ tickets.
reviewed
-
H
Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art
The MOCCA is the city's only museum mandated to collect works by living Canadian and international visual artists. West Queen West has consolidated as an arts and design precinct – the perfect location for this facility. Permanent holdings only number about 400 works, curated since 1985, but award-winning temporary exhibitions promote emerging artists from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
reviewed
-
I
Massey Hall
Landmark redbrick Massey Hall, festooned with fire escapes, was given to the city in 1894 by industrial baron Hart Massey. Orators, explorers and other famous faces (including Oscar Wilde, George Gershwin, Charlie Mingus and the Dalai Lama) have all appeared on its stage. The acoustics are superb, a fact not lost on occasional performers the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Firehall No 10
Yorkville's historic 19th-century fire hall (1876) is still putting out fires. Beneath its impressive turret, a coat-of-arms relocated from the old town hall depicts the occupations of elected councilors: brewer, brick-maker, carpenter, blacksmith and butcher, united under a Canadian beaver. It's not open to the public, but the firemen don't mind if you stare at them from the street.
reviewed
-
K
Elmwood Spa
Sitting pretty for more than two decades, this award-winning spa for men and women is a luxurious escape. Treat yourself to a deluxe facial with a three-course lunch in your bathrobe for $160, or select from 10 different types of 75-minute massage (from $130). Champagne manicures are de rigueur. A one-time pass to the swimming pool, whirlpool, steam room and sauna costs $20.
reviewed
-
L
Toronto Heliconian Club
Nudged between art galleries and salons on Hazelton Ave, the former Olivet Congregational Church (1875) is constructed in 'Carpenter Gothic' style – boards, battens and intricate trim with a carved rose window and wooden spire. The hall was taken over in 1923 by the Heliconian Club, an association for women in the arts that hosts exhibitions, book launches and arts functions.
reviewed
-
M
Secrets From Your Sister
Any woman will agree: there's something to be said for the right bra. While most department stores carry a limited range of bra sizes, Secrets from Your Sister carries size 28 through 44, and cup sizes AA to JJ. The friendly staff are trained to fit customers – and the bright colors and fun prints are a far cry from the drab neutral tones usually available in 'unusual' sizes.
reviewed
-
N
Bata Shoe Museum
It's important in life to be well shod, a stance the Bata Shoe Museum takes seriously. Designed by architect Raymond Moriyama to resemble a stylized shoebox, the museum displays 10,000 'pedi-artifacts' from around the globe. Peruse 19th-century French chestnut-crushing clogs, Canadian Aboriginal polar boots or famous modern pairs worn by Elton John, Indira Gandhi and Pablo Picasso.
reviewed
-
O
Chiado
Classy Chiado sits among laundromats and used-car dealerships at the not-so-classy western end of Little Italy, but it's well worth suffering the surrounds. Start with the grilled tiger shrimp with piri-piri, roasted jalapeños and banana peppers, then move on to the grilled octopus with roasted sweet-pepper salsa. Service is formal and faultless; framed oils enliven the walls.
reviewed
-
P
Byzantium
Slick interior design, hip young staff and lots of laughter – get your doting sugar daddy/mommy to take you to Byzantium. Soften them up with a breakfast martini (gin, Cointreau, marmalade, lemon juice and sugar syrup), then direct them towards the signature Caesar Salad or more adventurous offerings like ostrich medallions with summer ratatouille and roasted sweet potato.
reviewed
-
Q
Roy Thomson Hall
Looking like an inverted ballerina's tutu, this concert hall's controversial design has been called neo-expressionist, deconstructionist, and a whole lot of other rude words we can't repeat here. Inside it's another story, the superb acoustics more than good enough for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and touring acts like Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Ravi Shankar.
reviewed
-
R
Kit Kat
A saving grace near the Theatre Block is Kit Kat, where the vibe manages to stay low-key (dare we say, bohemian) despite the surrounding glitz. It's a cute Italian shopfront restaurant, complete with red-and-white checked tablecloths, serving traditional southern Italian pasta and meat dishes like osso bucoMilanese ($22) and spaghetti pescatore ($20).
reviewed
-
S
Royal Cinema
By the time you read this, the newly renovated Royal – a funky art deco Little Italy landmark – will have opened its doors and made a triumphant return to the Toronto alternative cinema scene. Well, that's what they have planned… Expect documentaries, second-run and repertory releases – anything from Monty Python to Hong Kong punch-'em-up flicks.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Little Chloe's Chic Boutique
Marilyn Monroe would surely approve of this boudoir-style shop…even though it caters to four-legged beauties only. Look forward to being greeted at the door by Johnny Cash (a schnauzer-bichon mix). Inside, leopard print and feather boas abound, as well as humane muzzles, natural foods and treats, dog sweaters, denim jackets and T-shirts worthy of Hollywood celebs.
reviewed
-
U
Sen5es
Sen5es' sun-drenched, airy cafe serves breakfast (try an impeccable cappuccino and chocolate croissant), while the sleek modern dining room harbors a chef's table and nocturnal offerings like goat cheese and beef ravioli or seared scallops with citrus salad and curry yoghurt. Alternatively, dine in the lounge to sample from the same amazing menu for under $25 per plate.
reviewed
-
V
Kalendar
It feels like France in Little Italy, with dark wood, tiled floors and a dainty sidewalk patio. The menu funks things up with different types of scrolls (crepe-style roti topped with all sorts of veggies and sauces) and nannettes – naan topped with yummies such as pesto, artichoke hearts and asiago cheese. There's a long list of cocktails to help you wash it all down.
reviewed
-
W
Full Moon Vegetarian Restaurant
Despite its lonesome location, Full Moon serves a chameleonic array of faux-meat dishes that have seduced Kensington Market's fiscally challenged residents. Cheery chef Ken Quah works wonders with mock beef, chicken and fish dishes. Try the house special: vegetarian fish with black bean sauce ($8.50) and finish off with some sweet sesame paste rice balls (six for $3).
reviewed
-
X
Raashna
Raashna, which means 'tasty' in Sanskrit, fills an out-of-kilter, cinnamon-colored Cabbagetown bungalow with wonderful surprises. Try the South Indian beef devil curry ($7) or Sri Lankan 'String Hopper Kottu' ($8). Service can be reluctant, but the prices are unbeatable – only a dollar or two for appetizers like deep-fried lentil dumplings with coconut chutney.
reviewed