Restaurants open on Christmas Day in Toronto go beyond your favourite 24-hour diners and Chinese restaurants. Whether you're craving a festive dinner or something more casual, these restaurants will hit the spot on the most joyous day of the year.

Here's a roundup of restaurants open on Christmas Day in Toronto.

7 West

The 24-hour restaurant by Yonge & Bloor will be open to dish out turkey dinners along with their regular menu of great late night fare.

Aanch

This Indian restaurant in the Entertainment District will be open for both lunch and dinner service. 

Blossom Vegetarian

The all-vegetarian buffet located in Richmond Hill will be open for the duration of the holidays. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bosk

The restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel will be offering a four-course Christmas lunch and dinner for $130 per person.

Broadview Hotel

Head to Riverside between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to load up on a three-course festive lunch special for $40. The meal will include a succulent oven roasted turkey with buttermilk mash.

Cafe Boulud

The restaurant in the Four Seasons will be serving a three-course prix fixe menu from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Lunch will set you back $75 while dinner will cost $105.

Cafe Landwer

The popular Israeli brunch spot at University & Adelaide will be open for regular hours. They'll be serving up their menu of shakshouka, farmers breakfasts, and tasty desserts. Their Richmond Hill location is open too.

Chicken in the Kitchen

Stuff your face with Cheese Volcano Chicken from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on December 25 at this Yonge & Finch Korean spot.

Chito’s Pizza

If you're craving shawarma pizza you're in luck. The restaurant at Dufferin & Wilson will be slinging pies from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Copacabana Restaurant

The Adelaide location will be open on Christmas Day. Continue the feast from the night before with copious amounts of grilled steak.

If you're craving Indian come December 25 Khau Gully is the spot to visit. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Dim Sum King

Get your fill of dim sum in Chinatown starting as early as 8 a.m. Fill up on deep fried shrimp rolls, sui mai and much more.

Fran’s

All three locations of the diner will be open. Load up on all your favourite diner staples while slurping on some milkshakes. 

Hemingway’s

This Yorkville institution is open year round serving up their menu of burgers, nachos and cocktails. They also will have turkey dinners available for the special day for $18.

Hollandaise Diner

Let this diner on the Danforth take care of breakfast. They'll be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hooky’s Fish & Chips

The fish and chips joint on West Queen West will remain open throughout the holidays.

Insomnia

This Annex staple is open from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Christmas Day should you need a break from spending time with your family.

Karahi Point

From noon to 11 p.m. you'll be able to get your fill of Pakistani and Indian cuisine at this restaurant on Finch West.

Kebab 49

Chow down on massive plates of Turkish kebabs, doner, and pide between 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. at this restaurant in Etobicoke.

Khau Gully

Between 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. you'll be able to get your fill of traditional Indian dishes at this spot at Yonge & Davisville.

Kinton Ramen

On Christmas Day the ramen chain's Church and Highway 7 locations will be open. Warm up to huge bowls of ramen filled to the nines with noodles and pork.

Make Christmas Day that much better with Turkish eats at Meat Point. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Kwan

Both their York Mills and Yonge & St. Clair locations will be open regular hours. Stuff your face with BBQ pork buns, rice dishes, and noodles.

Lai Wah Heen

The Metropolitan Hotel's Chinese restaurant will be open for regular hours.

Lakeview Restaurant

The 24-hour diner on Dundas West won't be closing its doors for the holidays. Feel free to visit at any time of the day.

Lee Chen Asian Bistro

Both their Yonge and King locations will be open. Get your fill of Chinese food from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Louix Louis

The swanky restaurant inside the St. Regis will be open and serving up a holiday lunch and dinner prix fixe menu.

Me Va Me

The Middle Eastern joint on Queen West will be open for business and dishing out laffa. Their other outposts are open too but hours may vary.

Meat Point

Copious amounts of meat are to be had at this Turkish restaurant on Wilson in North York. Fill up between 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

New Sky Restaurant

This restaurant will be just one of many open in Chinatown on Christmas Day. They'll be open regular hours. 

Owl of Minerva

Each location of the restaurant is operating around the clock, making it a reliable choice for Korean eats on the holiday Tuesday.

Parallel

The Middle Eastern restaurant on Geary will be keeping its doors open on December 25 for a Christmas brunch between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It's all day dim sum affair at Rol Son in Chinatown. Photo by Hector Vasuqez.

Pho Pasteur

As always, this Vietnamese noodle house on Dundas West will be open 24-hours.

Phyllo Cafe

Get a taste for authentic Greek pastries when you visit this spot on Pape Ave. They'll be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Rol San

Steamed buns, dumplings, spring rolls and more are all on the menu Christmas Day at this dim sum restaurant in Chinatown.

Saku Sushi

Craving sushi this Christmas? This Queen West joint will be open from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Sea-Hi

Wonton soup, chicken balls and cantonese chow mein are just some the offerings you can stuff your face with at this North York Chinese restaurant. 

Selam Vegan

Toronto's first 100% vegan Ethiopian restaurant will be keeping the doors open for dinner start at 5 p.m. on December 25.

Si Lom

Pad Thai, pad kraprow and pla pae sa are just some of the Thai dishes available for lunch and dinner at this restaurant on Church.

Simit & Chai

The Turkish bakery and cafe on King West will be staying open come the holidays. Visit on December 25 between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Song’s Cook

One of Toronto's best Korean spots will be keeping its doors open Christmas Day from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

STK

If your Christmas Eve dinner didn't have enough meat make your way to this Yorkville steakhouse. They're open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Get your fill of truffle mac on Christmas Day at Thompson Diner. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Swatow

The popular Chinatown restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. to help you indulge all day and late at night.

Szechuan Gourmet

The Chinese restaurant tucked in a plaza at Bathurst and Steeles will be open for regular hours.

The Drake Hotel

The West Queen West hotel and restaurant will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They open at 9 a.m. and will serving meals well into the night.

The Emmet Ray

This cozy bar on College is open from 5 p.m to 2 a.m. 365 days of the year. Stop by for a drink and a bite to eat.

The Rec Room

The 60,000 sq. feet complex of eats, games and entertainment will be open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. for an epic afternoon of fun.

Thompson Diner

Regularly open the majority of the day and night, the diner at the Thompson Hotel will switching things up and will open b be open until 9 p.m.

Top Gun Burger

If you're trying to hunt down a tasty burger come December 25 head on over the Kensington Market. The halal spot will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Udupi Palace

From noon until 10 p.m. this restaurant found in Little India will be churning out giant dosa filled with a spiced potato stuffing, chana bhatura, and much more.

United Bakers Dairy

The regular menu of eggs, omelettes, sandwiches and fish dinners will be available at this Jewish restaurant in North York between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Yonge Street Warehouse

Get your fill of cheap eats and drinks at this bar on Yonge Street. Their other locations Queen Street Warehouse, El Furniture Warehouse and The Dime will also be open regular hours. 

What's open on Christmas Day in Toronto for 2018 is vital information to navigate the city when it seems like everything is closed. December 25 is one of the few days of the year where most the city shuts its doors. There are, however, a number of exceptions.

Here's what's open and closed on Christmas Day in Toronto for 2018.

General
 

Closed

• Government office and banks
• Libraries
• Mail delivery
• Banks

Open

• The TTC will run on a Sunday service schedule.

Popbox MicroMrkt will be one of the few grocery stores open for business. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Food and Drink
 

Closed

• Most major grocery chains will be closed on Christmas Day with a few confirmed exceptions listed below.
• The Beer Store
• LCBO

Open

• Galleria Supermarket (7040 Yonge St.) - 24 hours
• Galleria Supermarket (865 York Mills Rd.) - 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Galleria Supermarket (558 Yonge St.) - 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Galleria Supermarket (351 Bloor St. West) - 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Rabba (various locations) - 24 hours
• The Food Depot (115 Dupont St.) - 24 hours
• The Kitchen Table (10 Queens Quay West) - 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• The Kitchen Table (389 Spadina Rd.) - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• The Kitchen Table (595 Bay St.) - 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• The Kitchen Table (705 King St. West) - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Popbox MicroMrkt (725 Dovercourt Rd.) - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pacific Mall will be the only mall to visit on Christmas Day. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Malls
 

Closed

• Bayview Village Shops
• CF Fairview Mall
• CF Markville
• CF Sherway Gardens
• CF Toronto Eaton Centre
• Dufferin Mall
• Hillcrest Mall
• Promenade
• Scarborough Town Centre
• Square One Shopping Centre
• Toronto Premium Outlets
• Vaughan Mills
• Yorkdale Shopping Centre
• Yorkville Village

Open

• Pacific Mall (4300 Steeles Ave. E.) - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Unlike previous years, the CN Tower will be open on December 25. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Attractions
 

Closed

• Art Gallery of Ontario
• Bata Shoe Museum
• Canada's Wonderland
• Gardiner Museum
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Ontario Science Centre
• Royal Ontario Museum
• Toronto Zoo

Open

• CN Tower (301 Front St. West) -  9 a.m. 8 p.m.
• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (288 Bremner Blvd.) - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Movie theatres

Nostalgia tastes sweeter during the holiday season, packing a punch as potent as Beckers' revered egg nog long ago. Here's a collection of classic TV spots from the 1980s and 1990s that promised low prices and lacked the self-awareness and cynicism that seem to seep through modern advertising like a lump of coal in your stocking these days.

Happy retro-holidays, Toronto!

Zellers ft. Zeddy – Where the Lowest Price is the law! (1991).

Christmas at the Eaton Centre (1988).

McDonalds Chicken McNugget Holiday Party (1984).

Beckers Your Holiday Party HQ (1987).

Woolco ft. Alan Thicke Christmas (1992).

Eatons Christmas Shopping ft. Neve Campbell (1990).

Canadian Tire – Give Like Santa, Save like Scrooge (1987).

Shoppers Drug Mart Christmas ft. Bea Arthur (1987).

Radio Shack Christmas (1982).

Knob Hill Farms – Holiday Deals (1987).

Blacks Photography Christmas (1982).

Christmas at the Scarborough Town Centre (1983).

Christmas at the Eaton Centre (1983).

Leons Ho Ho Hold the Payments (1992).

LCBO Spirit of the Season (1995).

Walmart Christmas (1998).

Cantel Amigo Phones (1995).

Toys R Us – Christmas Toys (1996).

A Commodore 64 Christmas (1986).

Simpsons Christmas (1984).

Cullen Gardens Christmas (1987).

NOMA Christmas Tree (1984).

Bell Phones (1987).

Merry Christmas from Dominion (1987).

K-Mart VHS and Betamax tapes stocking stuffers (1985).

To see hundreds more retro Christmas TV commercials, specials, and other lost local ephemera, visit www.retrontario.com.

The best Portuguese restaurants in Toronto are great places to go for feasts of seafood and everything grilled, plus maybe a little flaming sausage and wine. And don’t forget about the chicken, rice, potatoes and hot sauce, especially when it comes to takeout.

Here are the best Portuguese restaurants in Toronto.

This week on DineSafe we learn that healthy fast food joint Fit For Life was shutdown by Toronto health inspectors. The restaurant managed to rack up four infractions, the most alarming one involving rodents. 

Discover what other local spots got busted by Toronto health inspectors this week on DineSafe.

Bloor Jane Restaurant (2434 Bloor St. West)

• Inspected on: December 17, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 3, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Food premise maintained in manner to permit contamination of single-service articles.

Wallflower (1665 Dundas St. West)

• Inspected on: December 17, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 7 (Minor: 2, Significant: 5)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Fit For Life (25 York St.)

• Inspected on: December 17, 2018
• Inspection finding: Red (Closed)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Food premise maintained in manner permitting health hazard (Rodents).

Baton Rouge (5000 Yonge St.)

• Inspected on: December 18, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

La Societe (131 Bloor St. West)

• Inspected on: December 18, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 5 (Minor: 2, Significant: 1, Crucial: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: Maintained potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4°C and 60° and failed to protect food from contamination or adulteration.

Yogi's Pizza & Wings (400 Sewells Rd.)

• Inspected on: December 18, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Crucial: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: Maintained potentially hazardous foods at internal temperature between 4°C and 60°C and food premise maintained in manner permitting adverse effect on food.

Timothy's (6464 Yonge St.)

• Inspected on: December 19, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Chantecler (1320 Queen St. West)

• Inspected on: December 20, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Congee Queen (895 Lawrence Ave. East)

• Inspected on: December 20, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 4 (Minor: 1, Significant: 1, Crucial: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: Handled ice in unsanitary manner and food premise maintained in manner permitting adverse effect on food.

Cube (314 Queen St. West)

• Inspected on: December 20, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Minor: 1, Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Hero Certified Burgers (6015 Steeles Ave. East)

• Inspected on: December 20, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 3 (Significant: 3)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

A & W (500 Bloor St. West)

• Inspected on: December 21, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 1 (Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Failed to ensure food handler in food premise washes hands as necessary to prevent contamination of food.

Arepa Cafe (490 Queen St. West)

• Inspected on: December 21 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 6 (Minor: 5, Significant: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Away Kitchen + Cafe (536 Queen St. West)

• Inspected on: December 21, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 10 (Minor: 2, Significant: 7, Crucial: 1)
• Crucial infractions include: Failed to ensure food handler in food premise washes hands as necessary to prevent contamination of food areas.

Starbucks (1200 King St. West)

• Inspected on: December 21, 2018
• Inspection finding: Yellow (Conditional)
• Number of infractions: 2 (Significant: 2)
• Crucial infractions include: N/A

Note: The above businesses each received infractions from DineSafe as originally reported on the DineSafe site. This does not imply that any of these businesses have not subsequently corrected the issue and received a passing grade by DineSafe inspectors. For the latest status for each of the mentioned businesses, including details on any subsequent inspections, please be sure to check the DineSafe site.

From the popular izakaya that once brought you $30 slices of cantaloupe comes a $25 orange with flesh that's said to "melt away like jelly."

Izakaya Ju in Markham is bringing the rare and exquisite fruit, known as Beni Madonna, to Toronto this month during its limited December growing season. 

Owner Ju Anzai says this will be the first time a restaurant in Toronto has offered the luxury food item, which he's having imported straight from Japan's Ehime Prefecture.

"It’s very sweet and juicy," he says. "Very limited!"

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A post shared by mikarin0414 (@mikarin0414) on Jan 11, 2018 at 4:45pm PST

Those who don't feel like paying $25 for one orange can get a taste of Beni Madonna by ordering juice from the fruit online... though, again, at $40 Canadian per bottle, it's not exactly cheap.

Part of the reason for this is how decadent and candy-like the fruit, which was only recently developed, can be.

"The holy grail... is to create a fruit that is as much a natural sweet confection as possible, mirroring, for example, the very popular dessert of a citrus filled with jelly made from its own juice," reads a description of the orange on Japanese food tourism website Oishi So Japan.

"Beni Madonna achieves this."

Mild and sunny, snowy and cold, cloudy with showers, frigid rain... pick your pleasure and Mother Nature will deliver at least once over the next seven days.

Toronto is expected to end out this rather chaotic year with some fittingly wild weather fluctuations, including a 16-degree temperature drop over less than 24 hours.

Environment Canada is forecasting a mixture of sun and clouds on Christmas Day with a high of 1 C, which isn't too shabby. Enjoy it while you can, because Boxing Day could see lows of -7 C.

Weather forecast for the last week of 2018 via Environment Canada.

Friday morning, while rainy, will be one of the warmest days we've seen in a while at 8 C, if meteorologists are correct. But it won't last long. Temperatures are expected to plummet all the way down to -8 C on Saturday evening, with a chance of flurries in the mix.

It's hard to say what New Year's Eve will look like for certain just yet (if ever) but it's safe to say you should probably plan on wearing something warm.

It is December, after all, north of the Wall / American border.

A local high school gym teacher is catapulting into the viral spotlight this week thanks to 25 of his students and a brand new pair of J's.

It all goes back to 1997, when Etobicoke School of the Arts phys-ed teacher David Blakey got some black and red Air Jordan 13s.

The shoes, which he bought to begin his teaching career with, lasted nearly 20 years and became famous around school in their own right. Younger students would often ask to wear them, according to a recent interview, and Blakey obliged until, eventually, the soles fell right off.

With two kids of his own to buy Jordans for, Blakey couldn't afford to replace his iconic kicks—but his adoring students weren't having it.

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Mr. Blakey is our gym teacher. He had the bred 13s in 1997. OG. And he wore them so much, that the soles crumpled. So our class bought him a new DS pair!!! 👟 @6ixbuzztv @city_tv @cp24breakfast #6ixbuzz #sneakers #christmas #sneakerhead #repost #school #esa #teachersneakers

A post shared by Aidan Thomson (@thomsonskicks) on Dec 19, 2018 at 12:26pm PST

So, for Christmas this year, an entire class of Grade 10 students came together for the purpose of not only buying the shoes, but finding the original retro "bred" style from 1997.

One of those students, Aidan Thomson, posted video footage of Blakey's reaction to the gift on Instagram late last week. It was picked up by popular local Instagram account 6ixbuzzTV and has since been viewed nearly 400,000 times there alone.

The rest, as they say, is internet history.

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A post shared by Aidan Thomson (@thomsonskicks) on May 30, 2018 at 7:22pm PDT

The two-part video post starts with Thomson, himself a major sneakerhead, reading a touching letter of tribute to Blakey as students hoot and holler around him.

Next, Blakey is seen unwrapping a gift as the students chant "Blakey! Blakey! Blakey!" and then holding up his new shoes for all to see. The students go wild as he puts the shoes on and once again start chanting his name while he shakes their hands and gives them hugs.

The whole scene is heartwarming enough to get even the Scroogiest of Grinches caught up in the holiday spirit.

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A post shared by Aidan Thomson (@aidan_thomson34) on Dec 20, 2018 at 3:05pm PST

"He's like a best friend to all of us," said Thomson on Friday to the CBC. "He plays basketball with us at lunchtime, helps us with our essays and other schoolwork, he even gives us space to work in the gym and honestly he's just a really nice guy."

"I wanted to give back to Mr. Blakey because he does so much for us."

Maybe the kids (who don't eat Tide Pods) are alright after all.

Food in Toronto got better over the past 12 months. From cheap soup dumplings to next-level cheeseburgers, chicken biryani and pad thai this is the food from Toronto's newest restaurants you need to try.

Check out the Toronto food bucket list in this photo gallery.

Joey Jeremiah wants you to come and hang out with him for three days at a hotel near the airport! And it'll only cost you $200!

Degrassi Palooza, set to take place in Toronto this June, is described as a "multi day reunion" and "the ultimate OG Degrassi event" where fans of the iconic Canadian teen drama can geek out over the show's second, but most important iteration from the 1980s and '90s.

Actor Pat Mastroianni (Jeremiah) is hosting the event at The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel and says that more than 20 members from Degrassi's original cast will be in attendance.

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A post shared by Stacie Mistysyn (@staciemistysyn) on Dec 21, 2018 at 7:30am PST

"Let's go back to the 80's and 90's and join us for a full 3 day weekend of pure joy, love, and nostalgia," reads a description of the conference on EventBrite. "Meet fellow fans from around the world."

"This event was created for you the fans, by the cast," it continues. "We couldn't have imagined back then how much this show meant to so many people worldwide. Allow us to share with you our stories, experiences, and catch up with you about life 25 years later."

Guests that have been announced so far include Kirsten Bourne (who portrayed Tessa Campanelli on Degrassi High), Stacie Mistysyn (Caitlin Ryan), Amanda Stepto (Spike) and, of course, Stegan Brogren, who continues to play Principal Archie "Snake" Simpson in new chapters of the show's life.

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And we are officially on our way everyone. Here are our first 5 guest announcement to get you excited. More to come in the new year. @stefanbrogren @staciemistysyn @kirstenbournekelly @amandastepto @pat_mastroianni #degrassipalooza in full effect www.degrassitour.com #snake #joey #caitlin #spike #tessaeffingcampanelli

A post shared by DEGRASSITOUR (@degrassitour) on Dec 21, 2018 at 3:07pm PST

Drake will not be in attendance, as he was not in the cast of Degrassi Junior High or Degrassi High. He and fellow A-lister Nina Dobrev appeared on Degrassi: The Next Generation, which aired for 14 seasons beginning in 2001.

Guests can, however, expect live Q&A sessions, trivia contests, a Degrassi-themed escape room, cosplayers, screenings, memorabilia vendors, special ceremonies, presentations and "an original episode script reading live with cast and fans on the main stage."

A three-day-long "VIP Experience" will run you $399 right now, though it is not yet clear what that entails. Regular three day passes start at $199 and include a free autographed photo of Mastroianni.

Christmas Day events in Toronto are few but mighty. For those of us who don't celebrate Christmas to those riding the holidays solo and the folks who just need something to occupy the time that has the potential to be filled with conversations about when you're going to have kids and what bitcoin is, these events are for you. 

This fully renovated Victorian has all the classic elements of a historic home, combined with the modern touches that make it beautiful. 

The red oak hardwood floor, exposed brick and stained glass windows fill the house with character and colour.

The main floor is open concept. Oddly, the kitchen is in the middle rather than at the back, like is common with most Victorians. This is great for being part of all the action even if you’re the one stuck in the kitchen cooking.

The dining room leads out into the backyard, which presently looks a little bit barren in the winter months but come spring, will be lush.

There’s even a cute little garden shed at the back, which if you’re creative enough, could maybe become a studio.

On the second floor there are three bedrooms and a washroom.

One of the rooms is currently being used as a family room, but it can easily be transformed back into a bedroom.

The master suite is on the third floor. It’s bright and spacious. There’s a Juliet balcony, fireplace and a large en suite.

Across the hallway on the third floor is the office/dressing room. I’ve never really seen a walk-in closet big enough to double as a home office, but at least you’ll never be short of room for all your things.

There’s more living space in the basement with a cozy rec room that has a gas fireplace.

Specs

• Address: 170 Howland Avenue
• Price: $1,898,000
• Lot Size: 19 x 197 feet
• Bedrooms: 4
• Bathrooms: 3
• Parking: Street
• Walk Score: 84
• Transit Score: 96
• Listing agent: Carol Lome
• Listing ID: C4319953

Good For

Entertaining. With the kitchen situated in the middle of the house, it’s the perfect spot to play host. Everyone always ends up in the kitchen anyway.

Move On If

You’re children aren’t the best at sharing bathrooms. With only one bathroom on the second floor, you can guarantee some yelling matches about who gets first dibs.

Lot No. 40 Canadian whisky is partnering with Viaggio to bring a new twist to old cocktails. To celebrate the launch, we've teamed up with Lot No. 40 to give readers a chance to win a $100 gift card to Viaggio.

Check out all the contest details here.

There are plenty of restaurants open on Christmas Day in Markham and Scarborough. These areas of the city do brisk business on December 25, bustling with patrons eager to eat dim sum, butter chicken and much more.

Here are my picks for the top restaurants open Christmas Day in Markham and Scarborough.

Markham
 

Ding Tai Fung Shanghai Dim Sum

This Markham spot boasts some of the best dumplings in Toronto thanks in large part to their soup-filled dumplings, which you'll be able to dig into starting at 10:30 a.m. 

Gasa Restaurant

This popular cheap eats spot serves up Sri Lankan eats in a strip mall until midnight.

QJD Peking Duck Restaurant

This is the place to go for peking duck in Toronto and the GTA. They'll be open for regular hours come Christmas Day.

Yin Ji Chang Fen

This tiny unassuming restaurant is actually part of a large Chinese chain from Guangzhou. They'll be open for business serving up their specialty rice rolls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mabu Generation

If you're over eating leftovers from your festive Christmas Eve dinner, opt to visit this Taiwanese joint for hot pot, cheese pork ribs, and epic raindrop cakes. They'll be open until 1:30 a.m.

Donburi

If you're looking for freshly made Japanese rice bowls this is the spot. Lucky enough, they'll be open from 11 a.m. to midnight on the holiday Tuesday.

Green Tea Restaurant

From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. you'll be able to stuff your face with classic Zhejiang-style dishes at this restaurant located at First Markham Place.

Dagu Rice Noodle

Not only does this popular Chinese chain restaurant have a location near Bay and Dundas, but they've also set up shop in Markham. Slurp hot bowls of broth with copious amounts of rice noodles on December 25.

XiangZi Hot Pot

Warm up on Christmas Day with some hot pot. The restaurant located in a sprawling plaza in Markham will be open for regular hours.

Wutai Vegetarian Restaurant

Vegetarians rejoice! You can get your fill of Chinese food on December 25 courtesy of this bustling restaurant on Woodbine Ave.

Scarborough
 

Gourmet Malaysia

This Scarborough restaurant is considered by many purists to be the epicentre of Malaysian food in the GTA. They'll be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day so you'll be able indulge in appetizer platters, Mee Goreng, Singapore Laksa and much more.

Kairali

Asian eats aren't the only thing to chow down on December 25. Toronto's destination for a taste of Kerala will be open to serve from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Canbe Foods

The popular takeout spot for South Asian and Sri Lankan eats is open 365 days a year. On December 25 they'll be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Coconut Seasons

The hot pot restaurant that's soup base uses a combination of coconut and chicken will be open for regular hours 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Chawk Bazar

If you're looking for a brunch spot on Christmas Day look no further. Starting at 10 a.m. the you'll be able to get a fill of their desi brunch.

La Sani Grill

You'll find this spot tucked away in a strip mall, quietly serving some of the city's best butter chicken along with other Indian and Pakistani favourites. They are open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

If you're looking for jaw dropping platters of king crab and lobster, look no further than this Scarborough institution. They'll put your mother's massive turkey dinner to shame.

Bawarchi Biryanis

The popular Indian chain restaurant known for their rice dishes will be keeping it's doors open from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Perfect Chinese Restaurant

You can satisfying cravings for Chinese food 24-hours a day at this Scarborough spot. December 25 will be no exception.

Babu

The  strip mall takeout spot serving up some of the city’s best Sri Lankan and Indian food for cheap will be open for regular hours.

Every year, the Holiday season brings with it certain expectations that have been with us for as long as we can remember. One of most cherished has always been the perennial Christmas TV specials made for kids.

Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and more air annually to enthral children, and magically transport grown-ups back to when they were children too.

Between the 70s and 90s, Toronto television producers created a fair amount of worthwhile Christmas-themed specials for kids, which sadly (and for a variety of reasons) don’t turn up on TV with the regularity of the glossier Rankin Bass or Walt Disney offerings.

You can thank Father Christmas then that a lot of them have found a home on YouTube for new and old viewers alike to revere (or affront, depending on your persuasion).

So pour yourself a glass of full-fat eggnog, throw a log on the fire and enjoy the taste of these locally produced Yule Tide classics. These are my selections for the 10 best retro Toronto Kid’s TV Christmas Specials

The Christmas Raccoons (1980)

Once a staple of CBC’s Christmas programming every Holiday season, The Christmas Raccoons was actually the very first time they appeared on TV. A further three specials followed, and then the series was sold around the world and became an icon of Canadian children’s TV.

Right from the outset, The Raccoons displayed an eco-friendly bent: the plot of this Christmas special involved them stopping the evil Cyril Sneer from a dastardly act of de-forestation.

The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

Star Wars creator George Lucas has famously said he would like to track down every copy of this much bootlegged rarity and destroy them all with a hammer. Sensible words from the bearded one, as it’s an absolute abomination: a half-baked cash-in thrown together to capitalize on the first wave of Wars mania.

Mercifully, there was an animated segment produced by Toronto’s Nelvana that featured the very first glimpse of bounty hunter Boba Fett, incongruously at his most badass. Fett would go onto steal 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, but this classic piece of T.O animation was where the legend started.

A Cosmic Christmas (1977)

Before they hit the big-time with Boba Fett, Nelvana crafted this psychedelic animated slab of Christmas Science-Fiction in which 3 aliens visit Earth to discover the meaning of Christmas.

Equal parts sentimental, peculiar and at times frightening, A Cosmic Christmas left an indelible mark on children who saw it every year in the late 70s and 80s, and it's still discussed in revered tones despite not having aired on TV in almost two decades.

Today’s Special – Christmas (1983)

The most magical kid’s show of the 80s delivered a perfect Christmas special which finds Jeff alone in the department store waiting for Santa, while several mischievous elves run rampant and night watchman Sam is arrested by the Toronto Police!

Dear Aunt Agnes – Christmas at Loon Lake (1989)

TVOntario’s family drama ended with this low-key “very special episode” in which Aunt Agnes (played by Heather Conkie) takes the kids to the country to have an old-fashioned Christmas, despite their protesting. Sadly, the only episode to not feature the ear-wormy theme tune!

Degrassi High – Season’s Greetings (1988)

A “bottle” episode that takes places mainly in the Degrassi cafeteria, this seasonal episode features (amongst other mopey drama) Spike allowing Shane to hold their baby for the first time. Bizarrely, this was the only Christmas themed episode of the Degrassi Junior High/High era.

The Grogs First Santa Claus Parade (1993)

The Grogs were gonzo puppets who appeared on YTV alongside the PJs in-between shows. Their colossal popularity led to this Christmas special, which finds the Grogs tagging along with PJ Phil to attend the Cambridge Santa Claus parade.

The following year they appeared in an even more epic seasonal special—WTV, in which meanie Warren Grog hijacked YTV’s broadcast signal and aired only his favourite shows. Sadly a TV deal gone bad resulted in the Grogs disappearing after that. However, their creators Jamie Shannon and Jason Hopley, went on to great acclaim with series such as Big & Small and Nanalan.

Fraggle Rock – The Bells of Fraggle Rock (1984)

Gobo goes on a journey to find out if the mythical Great Bell at the heart of Fraggle Rock is real after complaining that the Festival of Bells is a waste of time.

Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock was a co-production between the CBC and HBO shot in Toronto, while the city’s diversity has often been credited as being a large part of the show’s DNA. This Christmas special perfectly sums up the charm of the show, and features a cameo by Henson himself!

Babar and Father Christmas (1986)

Babar the elephant must travel from Paris to the North Pole to save Christmas after Rataxes the Rhinoceros steals the letter Babar’s children wrote to Santa asking him to visit Celesteville. This is ye another Nelvana Holiday classic, based upon the popular children’s books by Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff.

Everyone knows Toronto is a popular place to film (if not actually set) movies, but not many know that the city has provided the backdrop to several festive flicks. From fluffy Disney movies to cult slasher films, this city's festive filmography runs deep. 

Here are some of the top Christmas movies shot in Toronto.

Black Christmas (1974)

This festive bloodbath is set in a sorority house that's being terrorized by a psychopathic phone caller. Dubbed "the moaner," the killer slashes his way through the occupants of the home, thoroughly ruining Christmas in the process. The sorority house exterior is 6 Clarendon Cres. and several other scenes use U of T's campus as a backdrop.

The Silent Partner (1978)

An underrated Canadian classic, this thriller takes off when a Santa-clad Christopher Plummer robs Elliott Gould at gunpoint in a bank at the Eaton Centre (look at all those all Canadian bills). This one is less festive, but absolutely worth a watch for the unexpected plot and various Toronto cameos. 

A Christmas Story (1983)

Early 80s Toronto does a decent job of playing 1940s Indiana in A Christmas Story, a film about the festive adventures of Ralphie Parker, a young boy who wants nothing more than the gift of a Red Ryder BB gun. One of the movie's most famous scenes, in which Little Ralphie drops an f-bomb, was filmed on the Cherry St. bridge in the Port Lands. 

One Magic Christmas (1985)

A little piece of Disney seasonal fluff, One Magic Christmas tells the story of cynical mother of two, Ginny Grainger, who is taught the real meaning of Christmas by an unconventional angel. Most of the movie's exteriors were filmed in or around Collingwood, Meaford, and Owen Sound, but parts of Scarborough also make an appearance.

The Santa Clause (1994)

The home where Tim Allen accidentally kills Santa Claus (and tees up the central plot of this yuletide classic) is located in Oakville, but a Denny's in Scarborough, John Ross Robertson and Blythwood public schools, and Hillcrest Park also make cameos. The movie's reindeer were provided by the Toronto Zoo.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Crews for this film were spotted early this year around Leslieville and the Windsor Arms Hotel. The Kurt Russell-starred festive flick is a Netflix original, and stars a more fun-loving Santa. 

Since Christmas and nostalgia go together like rum and egg nog, why not look back at some classic Toronto Christmas TV commercials from the 1980s. 

Here's a fine selection of vintage yuletide classics to quench your festive thirst.

Shoppers Drug Mart

During the halcyon run of TV's The Golden Girls, star Bea Arthur always made time to fly to Toronto and star in Shoppers Drug Mart commercials. Not quite starting at the bottom, but she was indeed there.

Bell

Sure, they might be an evil empire now but back in the 80s Bell was all about ill communication and this stylish spot said it all.

Cullen Gardens

A favourite destination for families and school trips in the '80s, the sadly disassembled miniature village at Cullen Gardens always put on a spectacular Christmas show.

Radio Shack

The original tech geek store, small box-style and always full of soul.

Blacks Photography

Rocking one of the most memorable jingles of the '80s, of course Blacks Christmas commercials got welded into our psyche.

The Eaton Centre

Retro Eaton Centre ads seem to capture everything about the sentiment of the holidays in the 1980s.

Canadian Tire

Who could forget the "Give like Santa, save like Scrooge" campaign from Canadian Tire?

MuchMusic

Long before it showed up on basic cable, MuchMusic was Pay-TV, and therefore a great last-minute gift.

Multi-Tech Warehouse

The Multi-Tech guy was a mainstay of late-night Citytv, never more so than at Christmas time.

Season's Greetings

A big part of any local TV channel's identity was based on their season's greetings message. Here are few local classics

Miscellaneous 

What's open on Boxing Day 2018 in Toronto will help navigate you through one of the craziest shopping days of the year. 

Here's what's open and closed on Boxing Day in Toronto in 2018. 

General

Closed

• Government offices and banks
• Libraries
• Mail delivery
• Banks

Open

• The TTC will operate on a holiday service schedule.

Food and Drink
 

Open

• Most major chains and grocers will be open on Boxing Day, though many will operate on holiday hours. Check online for individual store hours.
• Select Beer Store locations
• Select LCBO locations
• Select indie bottle shops

Malls
 

Open

• Malls are open and operating on extended hours.

Attractions

Closed

• Canada's Wonderland

Open

• Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. West) - 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor St. West) - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• CN Tower (301 Front St. West) - 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Gardiner Museum (111 Queens Park) - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Hockey Hall of Fame (30 Yonge St.) - 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Movie theatres
• Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Rd.) - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen's Park) - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (288 Bremner Blvd.) - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• The Toronto Zoo (2000 Meadowvale Rd.) - 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Boxing Day sales in Toronto for 2018 are plentiful, with steep discounts on the very same goods people were paying full price for literally two days earlier. If you're brave enough to face the crowds and clever enough to have saved some cash, it's time to shop for Y-O-U (and any friends or relatives you haven't yet seen this holiday season.)

Here are my picks for the best Boxing Day sales in Toronto for 2018.

Tech

Best Buy

Serious savings are in store for those brave enough to visit Best Buy on Boxing Day. Is a 75" LG Smart TV worth a few bruised elbows? Depends on how much you want to save a full $1,200 when buying one on the 26th. Door crasher deals this year also include a $399 DLSR camera from Canon and Instant Pots for just $90.

Henry's

Canada's self-described "greatest camera store" is hosting an entire week of sales between December 26 and January 3 with more than 15,000 discounted items between its online shop and retail locations.

Vistek

This expansive camera and video emporium promises excellent deals on gear throughout boxing week, with up to 40 per cent off on everything from memory cards and lens filters to full on professional videography setups. This sale starts on the 24th if you're looking for a head start.

Moog Audio

Get serious about your side hustle as a Dj, rock star or concert cellist this year with 15 per off of almost everything in this mind-blowing Queen West musical instrument and production store.

The Source

You can score a brand new iPhone XR for free (with the activation of new devices on select 2-year-plans) this boxing week at one of Canada's last remaining mall-based consumer electronic chains, plus up to $300 in bonus store credit.

Fashion

Armed

This hip jewellery boutique near Trinity Bellwoods Park is going big for Boxing Day with an all-night event that will see price tags slashed by up to 50 per cent on a rotating series of sales items like gothic letters, hoop earrings and various gold or silver chains.

Dutil

Grab designer jeans from the likes of Naked & Famous, Scotch & Soda and Nudie for up to 70 per cent off at this denim-forward Queen West clothing store all Boxing Week long.

In Vintage We Trust

Try your luck sifting through the clearance bins of this Parkdale pre-loved clothing store, where you can find hats and t-shirts for as little as $8 a piece. All vintage clothing will be 40 per cent off while Supreme items will be discounted by 20 per cent.

Hayley Elsaesser

Toronto fashion darling Hayley Elsaesser's colourful boutique is hard to leave without at least a few cute things in tow — even more so during big sales. The brand's boutique on Queen Street West will be doing 30 per cent off everything this Boxing Day, including new collections and already marked down stock. 

Chosen Vintage

More Dundas West discounts are in store for shoppers at this vintage fashion retailer, which is is having a one-day-only sale on the 26th with 30 per cent off clothing, shoes and bags.

Home & Design

Stylegarage

This massive modern furniture joint on Ossington is hosting a week-long "E-Warehouse" sale starting December 26 at 10 a.m. Expect brand-new sectionals, sofas, beds, casegoods & accents that are either discontinued or overstock at discounts of more than 50 per cent off.

Pavilion

Take advantage of boxing week at this cool Gladstone Avenue furniture store with up to 60 off on Everything in stock. Floor models are "reduced to move," according to the store, and even made-to-order pieces will be cheaper than usual.

Hudson’s Bay

Save up to 70 per cent on floor model furniture at The Bay this year during its blowing Boxing Week home sale beginning on Christmas Day. Clearance fashion, footwear, sportswear, swimwear, dresses and suits will also be 70 per cent off but only on December 26 and 27.

Other

BITE Beauty

Toronto's own internationally successful producer of organic, edible lipsticks will be dishing out a free three-piece gift with any purchase of $50 or more this Boxing Day. Visit the lip lab in West Queen West to try out the brand's new astrology-inspired amuse bouche lipsticks.

The Beguiling

This legendary Toronto comic cook store is offering discounts of 25 per cent off almost everything in store between December 26 and 28, including in-print books, comics, graphic novels, manga, art books and more.

The Body Shop

All seasonal products and gifts will be 50 per cent off on Boxing Day at TBS, and for those who don't want to leave the house, they're doing complimentary shipping that day. Buy enough body butter to last you all year, if you have the storage space.

MEC

You'll find more than 1,300 items at up to 50 per cent off this Boxing Day at MEC locations in and around Toronto. A good time to buy whatever you need in terms of cycling, hiking, camping, skiing or travel gear.

Healthy Planet

This popular local health food and supplement chain promises sales of up to 60 per cent off on more than 9,000 items, including vitamins, teas, natural hair colouring gel and more different types of protein powder than I was even aware existed.

Skip the crowded sales and stick to fun on Boxing Day.  From music to comedy to films, Boxing Day in Toronto has so much more to offer than a fistfight over the last pair of discounted loafers that aren't even in your size.