Cassandra’s guidebook
Restaurants & Cafes
These are some of our favourite neighbourhood spots to wine, dine and brunch.
Authentic Italian food with a local touch, owned and operated by Toronto natives. Delicious pizza, salads and sandwiches. Super affordable.
38 locals recommend
Mattachioni
1617 Dupont StAuthentic Italian food with a local touch, owned and operated by Toronto natives. Delicious pizza, salads and sandwiches. Super affordable.
From the makers of the Drake Hotel, the Drake Commissary is nestled in the industrial vibes of the Junction serving Canadian classics with a twist. Awesome cocktails and bakery goods for break-y.
45 locals recommend
Drake Commissary
128a Sterling RdFrom the makers of the Drake Hotel, the Drake Commissary is nestled in the industrial vibes of the Junction serving Canadian classics with a twist. Awesome cocktails and bakery goods for break-y.
Wallace Espresso
188 Wallace AveYummy local coffee, perfect for a grab-and-go cup.
Tucked away off Landsdowne, Propeller is another local cafe with a great working space if you need it. Breakfast snacks as well.
51 locals recommend
Propeller Coffee Co.
50 Wade AvenueTucked away off Landsdowne, Propeller is another local cafe with a great working space if you need it. Breakfast snacks as well.
Local brewery. My fave is Tokyo Rose - a rose infused IPA. There have bar snacks and bottles to go if you prefer.
41 locals recommend
Halo Brewery
247 Wallace AveLocal brewery. My fave is Tokyo Rose - a rose infused IPA. There have bar snacks and bottles to go if you prefer.
Cheap and cheerful brunch spot 5 minutes from the apartment, right beside Halo Brewery.
67 locals recommend
Cafe Neon
241 Wallace AveCheap and cheerful brunch spot 5 minutes from the apartment, right beside Halo Brewery.
Not-you-typical eatery and so worth it. They have sharing plates and a uniquely curated menu. It's new to Toronto and has gotten rave reviews from the foodies. My favourite is the sausage roll and the oat milk latte (with any of their baked goods).
13 locals recommend
Donna’s
827 Lansdowne AveNot-you-typical eatery and so worth it. They have sharing plates and a uniquely curated menu. It's new to Toronto and has gotten rave reviews from the foodies. My favourite is the sausage roll and the oat milk latte (with any of their baked goods).
Trendy breakfast/brunch spot. It has limited seating and the hours fluctuate so make sure to check in advance.
38 locals recommend
Baddies
679 Lansdowne AveTrendy breakfast/brunch spot. It has limited seating and the hours fluctuate so make sure to check in advance.
No fuss and casual, this is another one of our favourite Italian spots. Order the spaghetti and meat balls!
86 locals recommend
Sugo
1281 Bloor St WNo fuss and casual, this is another one of our favourite Italian spots. Order the spaghetti and meat balls!
The Gaslight
1426 Bloor St WDelish cocktails and a hidden back patio for those sunny days.
Diner-esque space with the best Cuban food. Awesome for lunch or a low-key dinner, but they have brunch as well.
178 locals recommend
La Cubana
392 Roncesvalles AveDiner-esque space with the best Cuban food. Awesome for lunch or a low-key dinner, but they have brunch as well.
Local brewery with small eats. Awesome outdoor picnic tables for those sunny days. Also have bottles to go.
94 locals recommend
Bandit Brewery
2125 Dundas St WLocal brewery with small eats. Awesome outdoor picnic tables for those sunny days. Also have bottles to go.
Upscale local brewery with sharing plates, tapas style. Nice ambience for a night out and long list of unique beers. They're infamous for their wine/beer blends.
149 locals recommend
Burdock Brewery
1184 Bloor St WUpscale local brewery with sharing plates, tapas style. Nice ambience for a night out and long list of unique beers. They're infamous for their wine/beer blends.
Barque Smokehouse
299 Roncesvalles AveCasual neighbourhood place for slow cooked BBQ.
Ed's Real Scoop - Roncesvalles
189 Roncesvalles AveIce cream, ice cream! Ed's is a Toronto novelty.
Vegan, vegetarian and healthy eats perfect for grab-and-go or a casual lunch.
14 locals recommend
the Goods
279 Roncesvalles AveVegan, vegetarian and healthy eats perfect for grab-and-go or a casual lunch.
Village Juicery
99 Roncesvalles AveAll things juice cleanse.
Best pho and in the Ossington and Queen West neighbourhood if you're headed that way for some shopping.
119 locals recommend
Pho Rùa Vàng Golden Turtle Restaurant
125 Ossington AveBest pho and in the Ossington and Queen West neighbourhood if you're headed that way for some shopping.
Ice cream sandwich cookies or waffles. Try the Birthday Cake cookie with London Fog ice cream!
171 locals recommend
Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery
93A Ossington AveIce cream sandwich cookies or waffles. Try the Birthday Cake cookie with London Fog ice cream!
Pizzeria Libretto
221 Ossington AveWood-fired Neapolitan style pizzas with a low key vibe.
Upscale Greek food, tapas style. Make sure you have a reservation.
102 locals recommend
Mamakas Taverna
80 Ossington AveUpscale Greek food, tapas style. Make sure you have a reservation.
La Carnita
501 College StMexican street food.
Spanish-influenced, creative plates & craft beers in a cozy space with an old-world vibe.
232 locals recommend
Bar Isabel
797 College StSpanish-influenced, creative plates & craft beers in a cozy space with an old-world vibe.
Infamous Italian in the city. Try the burrata to start and the house-made spaghetti all'amatriciana.
44 locals recommend
Campagnolo
832 Dundas St WInfamous Italian in the city. Try the burrata to start and the house-made spaghetti all'amatriciana.
Rhum Corner
926 Dundas St WChill, rum-centric Haitian cocktail bar with food.
24/7 diner, literally. My fave one in the city, and it's been the set of more movie than you'd think.
351 locals recommend
The Lakeview Restaurant
1132 Dundas Street West24/7 diner, literally. My fave one in the city, and it's been the set of more movie than you'd think.
Terroni
720 Queen St WItalian trattoria.
Carmen
922 Queen St WChic Spanish spot for tapas and paella.
Our favourite authentic French patisserie with the best macaroons.
183 locals recommend
Nadège Patisserie
780 Queen St WOur favourite authentic French patisserie with the best macaroons.
Groceries
FreshCo
2330 Eglinton Ave WAffordable grocery store with all of the everyday necessities.
Rowe Farms - Roncesvalles
105 Roncesvalles AveSpeciality local grocer for a premium.
Loblaws
585 Queen St WEveryday grocer with a greater selection of high quality goods.
Pharmacy and grocer with an assortment of goods, open late and great for any emergency health related needs.
209 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
935 Eglinton Ave WPharmacy and grocer with an assortment of goods, open late and great for any emergency health related needs.
Night Out
Tiki themed to the max, with tropical drinks. Try the epic 20oz Volcano special.
54 locals recommend
The Shameful Tiki Room Toronto
1378 Queen St WTiki themed to the max, with tropical drinks. Try the epic 20oz Volcano special.
PrettyUgly Bar
1237 Queen St WSpeak easy in the front. Party in the back.
Caribbean fusion restaurant with great drinks, trendy setting and good food.
49 locals recommend
Miss Thing's
1279 Queen Street WestCaribbean fusion restaurant with great drinks, trendy setting and good food.
Looks like a convenience store in the front, with $5 cocktails on tap and some cool photo ops.
19 locals recommend
Convenience
1184 Queen St WLooks like a convenience store in the front, with $5 cocktails on tap and some cool photo ops.
Otto's Bierhalle
1087 Queen St WGerman inspired beer and food hall.
Camp 4
1173 Dundas St WLow key, indie, casual bar. Definitely a night scene.
Bar. Arcade games. North of Brooklyn Pizzeria inside for late night eats.
154 locals recommend
Get Well
1181 Dundas Street WestBar. Arcade games. North of Brooklyn Pizzeria inside for late night eats.
Track & Field
582 College StShuffleboard, bocce, booze.
Spanish inspired with my favourite cocktails and tapas plates. Plus the interior is amazing. Try the olive oil cake, it's to die for!
235 locals recommend
Bar Raval
505 College StSpanish inspired with my favourite cocktails and tapas plates. Plus the interior is amazing. Try the olive oil cake, it's to die for!
Favourite ambience in the whole city. Best pre-dinner or late night cocktails in a quiet, modest bar.
44 locals recommend
Cocktail Bar
923 Dundas St WFavourite ambience in the whole city. Best pre-dinner or late night cocktails in a quiet, modest bar.
Dancing
Latin club. Salsa lessons are sometimes available and they have live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights ($20 cover charge). Such a fun place to try.
120 locals recommend
Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St WLatin club. Salsa lessons are sometimes available and they have live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights ($20 cover charge). Such a fun place to try.
The Piston
937 Bloor St WFriday night disco night! ($10 cover)
The Drake Underground has live DJs and is always a good time. ($10 cover)
538 locals recommend
The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St WThe Drake Underground has live DJs and is always a good time. ($10 cover)
Baby Huey
110 Ossington AveKnown for it's hip-hop nights.
An Ossington staple. Casual bar in the front, with a big dance space in the back.
54 locals recommend
The Ossington
61 Ossington AveAn Ossington staple. Casual bar in the front, with a big dance space in the back.
Thing To Do
If you're looking for something beyond food, drinks and dancing, here are some of our other favourite things to do around the city.
If you're in the mood for a throwback, Revenue is a vintage movie theatre playing new and old releases. Check their website to see what's playing.
116 locals recommend
The Revue Cinema
400 Roncesvalles AveIf you're in the mood for a throwback, Revenue is a vintage movie theatre playing new and old releases. Check their website to see what's playing.
You can spend the whole day here for FREE! 400 acres of green space with picnic grounds, a small zoo, canoe/kayak rentals, gardens and parking is available.
1205 locals recommend
High Park
1873 Bloor St WYou can spend the whole day here for FREE! 400 acres of green space with picnic grounds, a small zoo, canoe/kayak rentals, gardens and parking is available.
With works from the first century to present day, it's one of North America's largest galleries. It has a permanent collection and rotating exhibits in a space with beautiful architecture and awesome photo ops. ($20)
2262 locals recommend
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St WWith works from the first century to present day, it's one of North America's largest galleries. It has a permanent collection and rotating exhibits in a space with beautiful architecture and awesome photo ops. ($20)
A board game cafe (with cocktails if you prefer) where you can spend hours playing at communal tables!
53 locals recommend
Snakes & Lattes College
489 College StA board game cafe (with cocktails if you prefer) where you can spend hours playing at communal tables!
Tilt Arcade Bar
1255 Dundas St WCheap arcade games and drinks!
SPIN Toronto
Play ping pong, have some drinks, and glow in the dark.
Awesome for sunny days, sit on the grass with a picnic or take a small walk. So many cafe's nearby, so grab a coffee and enjoy!
743 locals recommend
Trinity Bellwoods Park
790 Queen St WAwesome for sunny days, sit on the grass with a picnic or take a small walk. So many cafe's nearby, so grab a coffee and enjoy!
Catch a sketch comedy show - they are amazing! Tickets online. ($30)
156 locals recommend
The Second City Toronto
110 Mercer StCatch a sketch comedy show - they are amazing! Tickets online. ($30)
Live music every Thursday, Friday, Saturday night at their Melody Bar at 8pm. Karaoke Friday and Saturday nights at 10pm.
194 locals recommend
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St WLive music every Thursday, Friday, Saturday night at their Melody Bar at 8pm. Karaoke Friday and Saturday nights at 10pm.