What to do in Toronto this week?
September 18, 2010 12:27 AM Subscribe
Headed to Toronto, leaving tomorrow, back on the 24th. What should I see/do?
I'll be in Toronto from the evening of the 18th to the evening of the 24th. Will be doing some work stuff during the day for a couple of days, but completely free otherwise.
I live in Vancouver, never been to Toronto before, don't know anyone there. I'm a female by myself, staying downtown. I'm more interested in just exploring and walking around than doing the touristy things. But I'm not opposed to tourist things if there's something highly recommended. I won't have a car, so transit-accessible from downtown please.
(1) Suggestions on where to explore? Where to avoid?
Purposely not listing my interests here, as I want suggestions to be as diverse as whatever the city may have to offer. So maybe I'll try/explore something I normally wouldn't look into.
(2) Since I will by myself, any suggestions on where I won't feel weird eating alone? I consider myself a bit of a foodie, so bonus points for unique food.
Thanks guys!
I'll be in Toronto from the evening of the 18th to the evening of the 24th. Will be doing some work stuff during the day for a couple of days, but completely free otherwise.
I live in Vancouver, never been to Toronto before, don't know anyone there. I'm a female by myself, staying downtown. I'm more interested in just exploring and walking around than doing the touristy things. But I'm not opposed to tourist things if there's something highly recommended. I won't have a car, so transit-accessible from downtown please.
(1) Suggestions on where to explore? Where to avoid?
Purposely not listing my interests here, as I want suggestions to be as diverse as whatever the city may have to offer. So maybe I'll try/explore something I normally wouldn't look into.
(2) Since I will by myself, any suggestions on where I won't feel weird eating alone? I consider myself a bit of a foodie, so bonus points for unique food.
Thanks guys!
Oh, and I went to Toronto by myself, and visited both places alone, with no problems.
posted by essexjan at 12:41 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by essexjan at 12:41 AM on September 18, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks essexjan.
Just want to clarify (2) since I now notice it's not explicit enough. (2) is specifically a question about what restaurants/dives/take-out-place/etc to eat at.
I'm not worried about exploring the city by myself, just thinking that recommendations for a fancy restaurant or something like that probably won't be all that useful in this case.
posted by cheemee at 12:52 AM on September 18, 2010
Just want to clarify (2) since I now notice it's not explicit enough. (2) is specifically a question about what restaurants/dives/take-out-place/etc to eat at.
I'm not worried about exploring the city by myself, just thinking that recommendations for a fancy restaurant or something like that probably won't be all that useful in this case.
posted by cheemee at 12:52 AM on September 18, 2010
King's Cafe - Vegetarian Chinese in Kensington Market (Kung Po Chicken + Mushroom Cutlets)
Pho Hung - Vietnamese on Spadina.
Burger Shoppe - Dundas and Ossington
Udupi Palace - Vegetarian thali in Little India (forgive the ambiance)
Asuka Japanese - in Yorkville, but not expensive
Chippy's Fish and Chips - on Queen West
Sarah's Shawarma & Falafal - Bloor, West of Spandina
posted by gman at 4:47 AM on September 18, 2010
Pho Hung - Vietnamese on Spadina.
Burger Shoppe - Dundas and Ossington
Udupi Palace - Vegetarian thali in Little India (forgive the ambiance)
Asuka Japanese - in Yorkville, but not expensive
Chippy's Fish and Chips - on Queen West
Sarah's Shawarma & Falafal - Bloor, West of Spandina
posted by gman at 4:47 AM on September 18, 2010
Kensington is good -- there is also the St Lawrence Market which is in the downtown core (on Front St. 10-15 minutes walk east of Union Station). I had excellent Portuguese BBQ chicken there (as take-out) recently.
posted by jb at 4:48 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by jb at 4:48 AM on September 18, 2010
For Question 1, I think you'll find a number of good answers in this recent post.
posted by monkeymonkey at 5:40 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by monkeymonkey at 5:40 AM on September 18, 2010
The CN Tower is overpriced and overly touristy, but on a great clear day if you have some money to burn it really is pretty awesome to go up on the glass elevators and look across the lake.
posted by cCranium at 5:48 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by cCranium at 5:48 AM on September 18, 2010
The Queen West Art Crawl is this weekend, and if the weather holds, it's great. And it's across the street from Chippy's! Or, make it a little further down to the Gladstone and catch a matinee. The food is good there too.
Brunch at the Dakota?
Sunday St. Lawrence Antique Market?
And, disregarding the time-specific items - this post has good information too (I stand by my answers!).
I hope you have fun - this is a nice time of year to be in Toronto. Oh! And all my friends in town for TIFF are saying really good things about the Bell Lightbox.
And here are a few more listings.
(and, just on the off-chance you're of the Rockabilly persuasion, there's this event, with the disclaimer that mrgood is producing it)
posted by peagood at 6:32 AM on September 18, 2010
Brunch at the Dakota?
Sunday St. Lawrence Antique Market?
And, disregarding the time-specific items - this post has good information too (I stand by my answers!).
I hope you have fun - this is a nice time of year to be in Toronto. Oh! And all my friends in town for TIFF are saying really good things about the Bell Lightbox.
And here are a few more listings.
(and, just on the off-chance you're of the Rockabilly persuasion, there's this event, with the disclaimer that mrgood is producing it)
posted by peagood at 6:32 AM on September 18, 2010
Oh! And last night, I needed warmer pajamas for our kid, so after dinner she and I took the streetcar from the East End to the Eaton Centre (which is under construction and as horrible as ever - but we really needed them) and ended up having a nice walk along Queen W after, past the City Halls as far as Spadina, stopping for (not bad - not amazing) Crepes (because they were there) and watching the chalk artists and window shopping and grabbing a cup of tea on a patio and such. It's better when the stores are open, of course - but it reminds me of why I like living in this city. Just kind of wandering like that was nice.
posted by peagood at 6:41 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by peagood at 6:41 AM on September 18, 2010
One more thing - it's accessible from downtown via transit, but not easily - but just in case you're into it (it's diverse, I guess) there's the Reptile Breeders Expo this weekend, and you could catch it tomorrow. We went to one last February, and it was surprisingly amazing - cool animals, smart people, and we got to hold and talk about so many neat creatures. We were looking for a gecko for our kid, and I ended up with a toad too. I'm going again to stock up supplies for our school's living science room.
posted by peagood at 6:49 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by peagood at 6:49 AM on September 18, 2010
Also came to recommend the Queen West Art Crawl, which is tailor-made to walking around. Peagood mentions the Gladstone...tonight is karaoke night there, which is chock-full of Degrassi writers. Degrassi!
It is also Beer Week.
Here's a message board with concerts.
posted by Beardman at 8:12 AM on September 18, 2010
It is also Beer Week.
Here's a message board with concerts.
posted by Beardman at 8:12 AM on September 18, 2010
Toronto doesn't have that many touristy things to do but it's a great city to walk around and explore different neighborhoods. It's also a great city to try different kinds of food. I'll rattle off some better places for a single diner.
Dundas/Spadina Chinatown
-Mother's Dumplings, on Spadina just south of College. Everything here is great. Try the fried dumplings and the xiao long bao (soup dumplings).
-Chinese Traditional Buns, basement level west of Spadina. Northern-style Chinese food. Try the soup-filled buns and the "lamb burger"(羊肉夹馍)
-BBQ pork/duck noodle places like King's Noodle, Kom Jug Yuen, etc. where a single diner wouldn't feel uncomfortable.
Baldwin Street
Lots of Chinese lobster restaurants and Japanese places on this street.
-Konnichi Wa - nice little place for sushi and ramen.
-Mata Hari Grill - not ideal for a single diner but eat here if you can bring a friend, they have great Malaysian food. My favorite is the mee goreng (Indian-style fried noodles).
Kensington Market
I don't eat here very often so I can't make many recommendations, but it's a great place to walk around and check out the markets. House of Spice is a good place to buy spices.
-El Trompo - I always get the tacos al pastor and horchata.
The Annex
Would avoid for food unless you feel like eating at any of the innumerable generic sushi places, but it's nice to walk around.
Harbord Street
-Harbord Fish and Chips - your mom and pop fish and chip place. Harbord is kind of boring to walk on otherwise.
Koreatown
-Buk Chang Dong Soon Dubu - no English sign, but it's the really busy place on the south side of Bloor around Christie. You'll see it. They do one thing, and do it well: soft tofu stew.
-Royal Mandu - in addition to selling kimbap (Korean-style sushi) that's great to eat on the run, they sell hot food at lunchtime.
-Bakery - forget the name, but they sell walnut cakes and syrup-filled pancakes!
Bloor west of Christie Pitts Park
I'm sure this area has some proper name, but there are a lot of Ethiopian and Latin American businesses here.
-Madras Masala - great dosas. Maybe not ideal for a single diner but it's usually pretty empty at least.
-Lalibela - solid Ethiopian food. I think you can eat at the bar.
-Nova Era Bakery - Portuguese bakery/cafe. there are a few locations in Toronto, all around Ossington on Bloor/College/Dundas. Lots of pastries and sandwiches too.
PATH - very Toronto. Worth a visit to get lost in its labyrinthine corridors and the crowds of Bay street workers, but also THE place for a single diner at lunchtime (during the week). A good walk would be to enter at the Eaton Centre and make your way down to Union Station. Will be utterly dead (and mostly closed) on weekends and evenings past 6ish.
Standard food court fare, but there are a few independent places:
-Chinese place in 145 King West foodcourt - The most popular place, by far, among Chinese Bay Streeters.
-Scotia Cafeteria - The food is nothing special, but they keep the prices low and anyone can eat there. The mulligatawny draws workers from all of the five banks. 4th floor of the old Scotia building.
-Sandwich World - Richmond/Adelaide Centre foodcourt. Despite the name, they do Indian food. $4 incl. tax for a heaping box of curry chicken, rice, and pasta salad.
posted by pravit at 8:32 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
Dundas/Spadina Chinatown
-Mother's Dumplings, on Spadina just south of College. Everything here is great. Try the fried dumplings and the xiao long bao (soup dumplings).
-Chinese Traditional Buns, basement level west of Spadina. Northern-style Chinese food. Try the soup-filled buns and the "lamb burger"(羊肉夹馍)
-BBQ pork/duck noodle places like King's Noodle, Kom Jug Yuen, etc. where a single diner wouldn't feel uncomfortable.
Baldwin Street
Lots of Chinese lobster restaurants and Japanese places on this street.
-Konnichi Wa - nice little place for sushi and ramen.
-Mata Hari Grill - not ideal for a single diner but eat here if you can bring a friend, they have great Malaysian food. My favorite is the mee goreng (Indian-style fried noodles).
Kensington Market
I don't eat here very often so I can't make many recommendations, but it's a great place to walk around and check out the markets. House of Spice is a good place to buy spices.
-El Trompo - I always get the tacos al pastor and horchata.
The Annex
Would avoid for food unless you feel like eating at any of the innumerable generic sushi places, but it's nice to walk around.
Harbord Street
-Harbord Fish and Chips - your mom and pop fish and chip place. Harbord is kind of boring to walk on otherwise.
Koreatown
-Buk Chang Dong Soon Dubu - no English sign, but it's the really busy place on the south side of Bloor around Christie. You'll see it. They do one thing, and do it well: soft tofu stew.
-Royal Mandu - in addition to selling kimbap (Korean-style sushi) that's great to eat on the run, they sell hot food at lunchtime.
-Bakery - forget the name, but they sell walnut cakes and syrup-filled pancakes!
Bloor west of Christie Pitts Park
I'm sure this area has some proper name, but there are a lot of Ethiopian and Latin American businesses here.
-Madras Masala - great dosas. Maybe not ideal for a single diner but it's usually pretty empty at least.
-Lalibela - solid Ethiopian food. I think you can eat at the bar.
-Nova Era Bakery - Portuguese bakery/cafe. there are a few locations in Toronto, all around Ossington on Bloor/College/Dundas. Lots of pastries and sandwiches too.
PATH - very Toronto. Worth a visit to get lost in its labyrinthine corridors and the crowds of Bay street workers, but also THE place for a single diner at lunchtime (during the week). A good walk would be to enter at the Eaton Centre and make your way down to Union Station. Will be utterly dead (and mostly closed) on weekends and evenings past 6ish.
Standard food court fare, but there are a few independent places:
-Chinese place in 145 King West foodcourt - The most popular place, by far, among Chinese Bay Streeters.
-Scotia Cafeteria - The food is nothing special, but they keep the prices low and anyone can eat there. The mulligatawny draws workers from all of the five banks. 4th floor of the old Scotia building.
-Sandwich World - Richmond/Adelaide Centre foodcourt. Despite the name, they do Indian food. $4 incl. tax for a heaping box of curry chicken, rice, and pasta salad.
posted by pravit at 8:32 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
Whether you are vegetarian or not, I also highly, highly recommend Udupi Palace on Gerrard (sometimes known as Little India, or the Indian Bazaar). They have a list of specials up - if you don't know what any of them are, ask the waiters to explain and then try something. It's very affordable, and delicious.
Yeah, actually I second all of gman's suggestions above. Might also add Clafouti - get a coffee and croissant and sit in Trinity Bellwood's park across the street. If you're a musician, Capsule Music is a great guitar shop just down the road from there. Paul's Boutique in Kensington Market, and Moog Audio just south of Kensington on Queen near Augusta are also great gear shops. If you want to do some record shopping, Sonic Boom at Bloor and Bathurst has a huge selection, whereas Rotate This at Queen near Trinity Bellwoods has better prices (personally I find it a better shop). For strictly punk rock, Hits and Misses up on Bloor near Ossington is good. Good and affordable vintage can be found in the far west end of Queen West, e.g. at The Public Butter. For art, I always like what's happening at the Museum for Contemporary Canadian Art (also on Queen), and the Art Gallery of Ontario on Dundas, which has a nice collection of Henry Moore sculptures.
Anyway, whether you do the art crawl or not, all of Queen West from about Bathurst St to about Lansdowne is filled with interesting shops, cafes, and restaurants. Kensington is fun too, especially when the weather is good. Courage My Love is the original and still great vintage shop of Toronto.
One more thing: I don't know if Vancouver is like this, but everyone in Toronto always knows which way North is, and most directions come with compass directions. But it's easy because the water is always south, and most commercial streets like College, Queen, and Dundas run East-West. Have fun! Toronto is great.
posted by molecicco at 8:56 AM on September 18, 2010
Yeah, actually I second all of gman's suggestions above. Might also add Clafouti - get a coffee and croissant and sit in Trinity Bellwood's park across the street. If you're a musician, Capsule Music is a great guitar shop just down the road from there. Paul's Boutique in Kensington Market, and Moog Audio just south of Kensington on Queen near Augusta are also great gear shops. If you want to do some record shopping, Sonic Boom at Bloor and Bathurst has a huge selection, whereas Rotate This at Queen near Trinity Bellwoods has better prices (personally I find it a better shop). For strictly punk rock, Hits and Misses up on Bloor near Ossington is good. Good and affordable vintage can be found in the far west end of Queen West, e.g. at The Public Butter. For art, I always like what's happening at the Museum for Contemporary Canadian Art (also on Queen), and the Art Gallery of Ontario on Dundas, which has a nice collection of Henry Moore sculptures.
Anyway, whether you do the art crawl or not, all of Queen West from about Bathurst St to about Lansdowne is filled with interesting shops, cafes, and restaurants. Kensington is fun too, especially when the weather is good. Courage My Love is the original and still great vintage shop of Toronto.
One more thing: I don't know if Vancouver is like this, but everyone in Toronto always knows which way North is, and most directions come with compass directions. But it's easy because the water is always south, and most commercial streets like College, Queen, and Dundas run East-West. Have fun! Toronto is great.
posted by molecicco at 8:56 AM on September 18, 2010
I'd probably avoid much in the way of Chinese food here, since it's generally better there. We're probably about even-steven on the quality of Indian. On the other hand, West Indian and Caribbean food is really great here, and there's a tonne of it available all over.
Toronto has some less good neighborhoods, but nowhere where the city has deliberately concentrated poverty and drugs in the manner of the Downtown Eastside. There's nowhere in the city that I deliberately avoid, even as a single female, on transit at night. Parkdale and Regent Park are a little iffier than most neighborhoods.
One of my favorite things to do is walk along Queen West starting from about Spadina or so, and check out all the fabric and notion shops between there and Trinity Bellwoods park -- which happens to be having a big art sale this weekend, as well. If you're into sewing at all, it's a fun (if sometimes expensive if you can't keep the credit card tucked away safely) way to blow an afternoon. There are lots of restaurants and bakeries along that strip, as well, so if you want to stop and eat, you can.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:26 AM on September 18, 2010
Toronto has some less good neighborhoods, but nowhere where the city has deliberately concentrated poverty and drugs in the manner of the Downtown Eastside. There's nowhere in the city that I deliberately avoid, even as a single female, on transit at night. Parkdale and Regent Park are a little iffier than most neighborhoods.
One of my favorite things to do is walk along Queen West starting from about Spadina or so, and check out all the fabric and notion shops between there and Trinity Bellwoods park -- which happens to be having a big art sale this weekend, as well. If you're into sewing at all, it's a fun (if sometimes expensive if you can't keep the credit card tucked away safely) way to blow an afternoon. There are lots of restaurants and bakeries along that strip, as well, so if you want to stop and eat, you can.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:26 AM on September 18, 2010
For Indian, I really like Banjara (near Christie subway stn), and my absolute favourite Thai place is Ivory Thailand (website starts playing music), near King station. I agree that you'll probably have better Chinese in Vancouver, unless you head up to Markham or something. This is likely also true for Japanese (at least when it comes to the fish).
The Distillery district is fun to wander around in, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts is there, as are some galleries, and a few nice restaurants/pubs. Also there is Soma Chocolate, which is definitely worth a visit if you're into the cocoa.
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 9:57 AM on September 18, 2010
The Distillery district is fun to wander around in, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts is there, as are some galleries, and a few nice restaurants/pubs. Also there is Soma Chocolate, which is definitely worth a visit if you're into the cocoa.
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 9:57 AM on September 18, 2010
Something you may not have in Vancouver is good barbeque, which can be found at The Stockyards if you expect to be anywhere near St. Clair W. and Bathurst. It's a tiny storefront with counters, so it's not unusual to dine alone. They have pork ribs ready at 5pm on Fridays and Sundays.
posted by bonobothegreat at 11:36 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by bonobothegreat at 11:36 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
If you're not likely to be back in the GTA for a long time, you might think about taking a day trip down to the falls. Via claims to have trains to NF that hook up to NF transit; I know nothing about it.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:58 AM on September 18, 2010
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:58 AM on September 18, 2010
poutini's! their poutine is fantastic - and it's a bit of a crazy experience to go just as the bars are closing - the line up will be out the door and down the street, it seems really chaotic, but they get everyone served and out the door surprisingly quickly. avoid the smoke's poutine places, they suck.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:46 PM on September 18, 2010
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:46 PM on September 18, 2010
If you're not likely to be back in the GTA for a long time, you might think about taking a day trip down to the falls. Via claims to have trains to NF that hook up to NF transit; I know nothing about it.
If you were going to do this, the best way to get there is a casino bus like this. Even at $30 return, it is cheaper than other options, and it drops you a short walk from the falls. On top of that, I think you get a $25 coupon from the casino. Here is some information from 2006 on it.
posted by Chuckles at 3:00 PM on September 18, 2010
If you were going to do this, the best way to get there is a casino bus like this. Even at $30 return, it is cheaper than other options, and it drops you a short walk from the falls. On top of that, I think you get a $25 coupon from the casino. Here is some information from 2006 on it.
posted by Chuckles at 3:00 PM on September 18, 2010
That said, I'm not sure it is worth the time..
Since somebody mentioned a food court.. Try the food court at Village by the Grange (location) and visit my favourite Greek lady. Check out the art gallery, the OCAD building, Queen Street West..
posted by Chuckles at 3:06 PM on September 18, 2010
Since somebody mentioned a food court.. Try the food court at Village by the Grange (location) and visit my favourite Greek lady. Check out the art gallery, the OCAD building, Queen Street West..
posted by Chuckles at 3:06 PM on September 18, 2010
I don't know if Vancouver is like this, but everyone in Toronto always knows which way North is, and most directions come with compass directions. But it's easy because the water is always south,
I think it is easier to remember that South is down hill. Anywhere around downtown that is always true. North of Bloor, things get more complicated...
posted by Chuckles at 3:12 PM on September 18, 2010
I think it is easier to remember that South is down hill. Anywhere around downtown that is always true. North of Bloor, things get more complicated...
posted by Chuckles at 3:12 PM on September 18, 2010
Try to stop by The Cameron House tonight). There's a band of young guys who play standing on top of the bar in the front room after 10pm. It's free (there's usually only a cover to get into the back room shows). The place is loaded with Toronto scene-ster history.
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:32 PM on September 18, 2010
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:32 PM on September 18, 2010
DO NOT go to Pho Hung. Seriously overrated. I went there the other night for the first time in years, and the pho was lukewarm, greasy, and not tasty. Golden Turtle (125 Ossington) on Ossington is far superior (or the little place on the same side of the street about a block away, next to The Ossington bar).
Get a croissant or other delicious pastry from Clafouti (915 Queen St West) across from Trinity Bellwoods Park.
There are two great shows at the AGO right now (Shary Boyle and Julian Schnabel) that I'd recommend checking out.
custard heart and I host the Toronto chapter of a popular storytelling event (based in New York, LA, Chicago, and Detroit, true stories told live and without notes). I am not actually supposed to mention it about outside our email list or facebook group so I can't name it here. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can probably figure out what this is (memail me if you have no idea what I am talking about and want more information). It fills up to standing room only quickly, so if you want an actual seat, it's best to get there at 7:30. Starts at 8pm. It is free. Many people come by themselves. It's a charming crowd. Beardman will be there.
posted by Felicity Rilke at 4:20 PM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
Get a croissant or other delicious pastry from Clafouti (915 Queen St West) across from Trinity Bellwoods Park.
There are two great shows at the AGO right now (Shary Boyle and Julian Schnabel) that I'd recommend checking out.
custard heart and I host the Toronto chapter of a popular storytelling event (based in New York, LA, Chicago, and Detroit, true stories told live and without notes). I am not actually supposed to mention it about outside our email list or facebook group so I can't name it here. If you are a fan of the podcast, you can probably figure out what this is (memail me if you have no idea what I am talking about and want more information). It fills up to standing room only quickly, so if you want an actual seat, it's best to get there at 7:30. Starts at 8pm. It is free. Many people come by themselves. It's a charming crowd. Beardman will be there.
posted by Felicity Rilke at 4:20 PM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
there is also the St Lawrence Market which is in the downtown core
Correct, but keep in mind the Market is closed on Sunday and Monday. I recommend the sandwiches from Moustachio, on the lower level, myself.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:32 PM on September 18, 2010
Correct, but keep in mind the Market is closed on Sunday and Monday. I recommend the sandwiches from Moustachio, on the lower level, myself.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:32 PM on September 18, 2010
-Hockey Hall of Fame: Lots of fun, even if you aren't a hockey fan. : )
-Nthing the recommendation to get lost in the PATH.
-Honest Ed's is definitely something to see. Plus there are some good used bookstores in the area.
-See the Second City.
posted by SisterHavana at 9:08 PM on September 18, 2010
-Nthing the recommendation to get lost in the PATH.
-Honest Ed's is definitely something to see. Plus there are some good used bookstores in the area.
-See the Second City.
posted by SisterHavana at 9:08 PM on September 18, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I also enjoyed Kensington Market, which has a hippy-dippy vibe and lots of interesting little stores and cafés.
posted by essexjan at 12:40 AM on September 18, 2010