Serena’s guidebook
My Favourite Restaurants
Check out some of my favourite spots, all within a 5 - 10 minute walk! Honestly, the food/restaurant options in King West are amazing. These are my favs but check out all your options, you won't be disappointed!
Bon Appétit!
One of my favourite spots for brunch and dinner!
Going for Brunch - ask to sit upstairs where you have plenty of natural light and in the summer is completely open!
Going for Dinner - definitely get the $1/ounce house wine and the Truffle Pasta. It is a must have. Looking for a healthier option, the Kale Salad (add chicken) and you will not be disappointed!
If you're grabbing dinner, I highly recommend a reservation, otherwise you can be waiting 1+hours. It's worth it but definitely make a reso.
395 preporuka/e lokalaca
Gusto 101
101 Portland StOne of my favourite spots for brunch and dinner!
Going for Brunch - ask to sit upstairs where you have plenty of natural light and in the summer is completely open!
Going for Dinner - definitely get the $1/ounce house wine and the Truffle Pasta. It is a must have. Looking for a healthier option, the Kale Salad (add chicken) and you will not be disappointed!
If you're grabbing dinner, I highly recommend a reservation, otherwise you can be waiting 1+hours. It's worth it but definitely make a reso.
This is a relatively new restaurant, but a gem! A great spot to put your phone away, literally hide them away in a little cubby in the centre of the table, and catch up with friends. The Chopped Salad and Scallop and Crab dumplings are my go to dishes but the menu is full of good eats.
SARA
98 Portland StThis is a relatively new restaurant, but a gem! A great spot to put your phone away, literally hide them away in a little cubby in the centre of the table, and catch up with friends. The Chopped Salad and Scallop and Crab dumplings are my go to dishes but the menu is full of good eats.
Another newbie but quickly turned staple for the King West area. Casual atmosphere with an unreal menu, I highly highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a nice dinner, followed by a great night of drinks, music and a lively crowd!
Good eats (almost everything on the menu) but really, Burratta, Albacore Tuna, Squid Ink Tagliatelle <3, Roasted Carrots, Waygu Beef....oh and of course the Oysters!
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
Laissez Faire
589 King St WAnother newbie but quickly turned staple for the King West area. Casual atmosphere with an unreal menu, I highly highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a nice dinner, followed by a great night of drinks, music and a lively crowd!
Good eats (almost everything on the menu) but really, Burratta, Albacore Tuna, Squid Ink Tagliatelle <3, Roasted Carrots, Waygu Beef....oh and of course the Oysters!
A great spot to grab a quick bite to get your Mexican food fix!! Tacos, Taco Bowls, Burritos...enough said!
142 preporuka/e lokalaca
Wilbur Mexicana
552 King St WA great spot to grab a quick bite to get your Mexican food fix!! Tacos, Taco Bowls, Burritos...enough said!
iQ
18 York StAnother quick place to grab a healthy bite :)
Love Cali Love! If you love smoothie and poke bowls as much as me, absolutely go! They also have some insta-worthy art just outside. A great spot for healthy options and a cafe to casual eat and/or take some work.
23 preporuka/e lokalaca
Calii Love
367 King St WLove Cali Love! If you love smoothie and poke bowls as much as me, absolutely go! They also have some insta-worthy art just outside. A great spot for healthy options and a cafe to casual eat and/or take some work.
Looking for some good classic Vietnamese eats? This is a canteen style dining and quality Vietnamese food (speaking as someone who grew up with mom's Pho - nothing will beat that!).
Grab a classic Vietnamese iced coffee with the vermicelli with spring rolls for summer time goodness...or hey, go with the good ol' Pho!
Bac Ky Vietnamese Canteen
567 King St WLooking for some good classic Vietnamese eats? This is a canteen style dining and quality Vietnamese food (speaking as someone who grew up with mom's Pho - nothing will beat that!).
Grab a classic Vietnamese iced coffee with the vermicelli with spring rolls for summer time goodness...or hey, go with the good ol' Pho!
Looking for a new rooftop Patio - check out Baro's! Great decor and view....it's very busy and the music is alway pumping! I'd recommend a reservation for sure!
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Baro
485 King St WLooking for a new rooftop Patio - check out Baro's! Great decor and view....it's very busy and the music is alway pumping! I'd recommend a reservation for sure!
Newly renovated this healthy vegan restaurant is another go-to when I want a nice dinner out with friends but healthy everything!
Vibe is downtown chic and good eats!
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Fresh on Spadina
5031 Spadina Ave.Newly renovated this healthy vegan restaurant is another go-to when I want a nice dinner out with friends but healthy everything!
Vibe is downtown chic and good eats!
Classic diner eats - 100% recommend if you're looking for a classic brunch. Brunch is usually busy, so get there early. If you like brunch, you'll like everything on the menu. I've pretty much had everything on the menu...and it's a great hangover cure.
105 preporuka/e lokalaca
Thompson Diner
550 Wellington St WClassic diner eats - 100% recommend if you're looking for a classic brunch. Brunch is usually busy, so get there early. If you like brunch, you'll like everything on the menu. I've pretty much had everything on the menu...and it's a great hangover cure.
Okay....besides bagels (which I love), this spot has some great classic breakfast and lunch options. You can sit down and eat or grab and go!
55 preporuka/e lokalaca
What A Bagel
130 Spadina Ave.Okay....besides bagels (which I love), this spot has some great classic breakfast and lunch options. You can sit down and eat or grab and go!
Okay, not at all a 10 minute walk but a must for all sushi lovers! It's on the pricier end, but if you're a sushi fan this is one of the top sushi restaurants in Toronto!
Everything was to die for....grab a bottle of Sake to wash it down. I'm not usually a fan of Sake but they had a great selection and i found one i really liked!
10 preporuka/e lokalaca
Skippa
379 Harbord StOkay, not at all a 10 minute walk but a must for all sushi lovers! It's on the pricier end, but if you're a sushi fan this is one of the top sushi restaurants in Toronto!
Everything was to die for....grab a bottle of Sake to wash it down. I'm not usually a fan of Sake but they had a great selection and i found one i really liked!
I know the description says 10 minutes walking, but if you're in Toronto for the first time, I'd be a bad host if I didn't tell you to check out Ossington for all the good restaurants!
A quick list of the goodies:
- La Banane (raw bar and seafood)
- Mamakas Taverna (Greek)
- Bobbie Sue's Mac & Cheese
- La Cubana (Cuban)
- Odd Seoul (try the big mac thing!)
- Bang Bang Ice Cream (there's always a line but a must for ice cream & cookie lovers)
- Superpoint Pizza
- Bellwood's Brewery (you can also grab some beers to go and enjoy the sun)
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Ossington Avenue
Ossington AvenueI know the description says 10 minutes walking, but if you're in Toronto for the first time, I'd be a bad host if I didn't tell you to check out Ossington for all the good restaurants!
A quick list of the goodies:
- La Banane (raw bar and seafood)
- Mamakas Taverna (Greek)
- Bobbie Sue's Mac & Cheese
- La Cubana (Cuban)
- Odd Seoul (try the big mac thing!)
- Bang Bang Ice Cream (there's always a line but a must for ice cream & cookie lovers)
- Superpoint Pizza
- Bellwood's Brewery (you can also grab some beers to go and enjoy the sun)
Coffee and cookies!! The cookies are to die for - ask for them slightly warmed up!
If you want the cookies and other baked treats, just a few minutes further walking (but still under 10 mins), Le Gourmond. It's where Portland Variety gets their cookies!
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Portland Variety
587 King St WCoffee and cookies!! The cookies are to die for - ask for them slightly warmed up!
If you want the cookies and other baked treats, just a few minutes further walking (but still under 10 mins), Le Gourmond. It's where Portland Variety gets their cookies!
Jimmy's Coffee
107 Portland StCoffee and a place to work, read and/or people watch!
Things to do...
A list of a few things to do while in Toronto - most are within walking distance, or a short Uber ride away!
One of the best green spaces in Toronto. In the summer it's ALWAYS hustling and bustling with the diversity that is Toronto. I love taking my dog here, spending the day with friends, reading a book...people watching. It is a summer must!!
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Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen St WOne of the best green spaces in Toronto. In the summer it's ALWAYS hustling and bustling with the diversity that is Toronto. I love taking my dog here, spending the day with friends, reading a book...people watching. It is a summer must!!
Shopping, shopping , shopping!! Full of great stores and spots to take an afternoon break, grab a beer on a patio or pop into one of the restaurants for a quick bite.
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Queen Street West
Queen Street WestShopping, shopping , shopping!! Full of great stores and spots to take an afternoon break, grab a beer on a patio or pop into one of the restaurants for a quick bite.
Immerse yourself in a world of 20,000 aquatic animals and discover your own underwater adventure in the heart of downtown Toronto. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada features North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel with more than 5.7 million litres of water and over 100 interactive opportunities.
You can buy tickets online to avoid lineups.
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Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
288 Bremner BlvdImmerse yourself in a world of 20,000 aquatic animals and discover your own underwater adventure in the heart of downtown Toronto. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada features North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel with more than 5.7 million litres of water and over 100 interactive opportunities.
You can buy tickets online to avoid lineups.
I can't stress enough how this is a must in the summer. It is my TOP recommendation and a true city gem. Rent a bike and ride around the island, chill at the beach with friends or have a picnic with a loved one. Ferries run frequently and you can purchase tickets online in advance.
1035 preporuka/e lokalaca
Toronto Islands
I can't stress enough how this is a must in the summer. It is my TOP recommendation and a true city gem. Rent a bike and ride around the island, chill at the beach with friends or have a picnic with a loved one. Ferries run frequently and you can purchase tickets online in advance.
For that city flare, check out Yonge and Dundas Square. The square always has something going on and people everywhere. It's very busy, so if you don't like crowds, don't go!
399 preporuka/e lokalaca
Trg Yonge-Dundas
1 Dundas St EFor that city flare, check out Yonge and Dundas Square. The square always has something going on and people everywhere. It's very busy, so if you don't like crowds, don't go!
Kensington Market is a city gem for sure. Locals shops, great cafes...check it out!
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Kensington Market
Kensington Market is a city gem for sure. Locals shops, great cafes...check it out!
Get some good ol' eats and cheap, quality and fresh groceries. Pop by the Chinese bakery for your classic $1 steamed bun - I love going here on weekends and filling up my tray for under $10 lol!
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Chinatown
292 Spadina Ave.Get some good ol' eats and cheap, quality and fresh groceries. Pop by the Chinese bakery for your classic $1 steamed bun - I love going here on weekends and filling up my tray for under $10 lol!
A few other things to check out:
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
- Yorkville for restaurants and high-end shopping
- St. Lawrence Market
- The Annex
- East end gems: Danforth and Broadview areas
- Music concerts at Molson Amphitheatre in the summer
- Musicals and Princess of Wales Theatre
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Toronto
A few other things to check out:
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
- Yorkville for restaurants and high-end shopping
- St. Lawrence Market
- The Annex
- East end gems: Danforth and Broadview areas
- Music concerts at Molson Amphitheatre in the summer
- Musicals and Princess of Wales Theatre
Defining the Toronto skyline at 553.33m (1,815ft5in) the CN Tower is Canada’s most recognizable and celebrated icon. The CN Tower is an internationally renowned architectural triumph, an engineering Wonder of the Modern World, world-class entertainment and dining destination and a must see for anyone visiting Toronto. Spectacular views include floor-to-ceiling panoramic Window Walls, world-famous Glass Floor, SkyPod and glass fronted elevators with glass floor panels. Dining options include the award-winning 360 Restaurant (elevation complimentary with prix fixe). Plus EdgeWalk, the world’s highest ‘hands-free’ external walk, 356m/1168ft (116 stories) above the ground.
3509 preporuka/e lokalaca
CN toranj
290 Bremner BlvdDefining the Toronto skyline at 553.33m (1,815ft5in) the CN Tower is Canada’s most recognizable and celebrated icon. The CN Tower is an internationally renowned architectural triumph, an engineering Wonder of the Modern World, world-class entertainment and dining destination and a must see for anyone visiting Toronto. Spectacular views include floor-to-ceiling panoramic Window Walls, world-famous Glass Floor, SkyPod and glass fronted elevators with glass floor panels. Dining options include the award-winning 360 Restaurant (elevation complimentary with prix fixe). Plus EdgeWalk, the world’s highest ‘hands-free’ external walk, 356m/1168ft (116 stories) above the ground.
Experience the elegance and splendor of the Edwardian era at Casa Loma, the only full sized castle in North America and Toronto’s premier historic attraction brought to you by the Liberty Entertainment Group.Explore secret passageways, elaborately decorated rooms with authentic period furnishings or take in the breathtaking view of Toronto from one of the towers.
1217 preporuka/e lokalaca
Casa Loma
1 Austin TerraceExperience the elegance and splendor of the Edwardian era at Casa Loma, the only full sized castle in North America and Toronto’s premier historic attraction brought to you by the Liberty Entertainment Group.Explore secret passageways, elaborately decorated rooms with authentic period furnishings or take in the breathtaking view of Toronto from one of the towers.
Features six greenhouses comprising over 16,000 square feet of colourful seasonal plants which supplement the permanent plant collection.
268 preporuka/e lokalaca
Allan vrtovi
160 Gerrard St EFeatures six greenhouses comprising over 16,000 square feet of colourful seasonal plants which supplement the permanent plant collection.
No trip to Toronto is complete without a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum — Canada’s largest museum showcasing art, culture, and nature from around the globe and across the ages. The ROM is home to a world-class collection of 13 million artworks, cultural objects and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. Explore special exhibitions, as well as the Museum’s permanent collections of dinosaurs, South Asian art and culture, gems and minerals, ancient Egyptian treasures, biodiversity, and much more.
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Kraljevski muzej Ontarija
100 Queens ParkNo trip to Toronto is complete without a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum — Canada’s largest museum showcasing art, culture, and nature from around the globe and across the ages. The ROM is home to a world-class collection of 13 million artworks, cultural objects and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. Explore special exhibitions, as well as the Museum’s permanent collections of dinosaurs, South Asian art and culture, gems and minerals, ancient Egyptian treasures, biodiversity, and much more.
Toronto’s newest centre for arts, culture, food and entertainment. This national historic site includes 44 heritage buildings and numerous brick-lined courtyards. Explore the district’s many restaurants, art galleries, artisan boutiques, specialty retail stores and more.
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Povijesna četvrt destilerije
55 Mill StToronto’s newest centre for arts, culture, food and entertainment. This national historic site includes 44 heritage buildings and numerous brick-lined courtyards. Explore the district’s many restaurants, art galleries, artisan boutiques, specialty retail stores and more.