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The top walk-in clinics in Toronto offer a higher quality of service than you would expect; shorter wait times, convenient locations, better hours, on-site lab services, and more medical professionals can make going to the doctor a little easier.
Here are the best walk-in clinics in Toronto.
Emkiro
This clinic at 70 University Avenue is by appointment only and calling ahead lets you book the next available slot so you'll be seen at a specific time. There are three physicians servicing the clinic, as well as chiropractors, physiotherapists and RMTs available for consultation.
Walk-in hours:
Monday: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Infinity Health Centre
This clinic at 39 Lower Simcoe Street also requires you to call ahead. It rotates four physicians; two male, and two female, and if you need extra care, the health centre has chiropractors, physiotherapists, RMTs, a naturopath, blood and lab services, even a personal trainer!
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Weekends: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Earl Bales
This North York clinic at 4256 Bathurst Street offers an on-site lab testing so you can leave the clinic without having extra appointments to book. Staff can serve you in English, French, Tagalog, or Farsi and it's open 365 days a year, so you have weekend hours for more flexibility.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Weekends: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
HealthSource Medical Clinic
This clinic at 473 Dupont Street is part of the North-West Toronto Family Health Group, and members get the benefits of same-day appointments, short wait times, and use of their urgent care walk-in service that lets you be seen outside the regularly scheduled hours.
Walk-in hours:
Monday, Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostic
The Lockwood clinic at 790 Bay Street is a comprehensive medical clinic that has been serving the College and Bay area for over 70 years. This clinic has it all: walk-in services, dentist, a blood lab, x-ray, ultrasound, pharmacy, dietician, and diagnostic centre.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Albany Medical Clinic
This well-established clinic at 807 Broadview Avenue is open everyday, all year round, even on holidays. It has nurses, family physicians, and specialists, plus services like x-ray, ultrasound, mammogrammy, physiotherapy, and an on-site pharmacy.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Weekends: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Holidays: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Beaches Family Practice and Walk-in
This walk-in at 116 Glen Manor Drive has six physicians at your service, providing referrals, flu shots, lab tests, injections, dressing changes, suture removal, and they're even equipped for minor surgery. For your convenience, you can call ahead to check availability and wait times.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Downtown Doctors Walk-In Medical Centre
This centrally located clinic at 720 Spadina Avenue is near the subway station and the University of Toronto. It's great for students that may not have a family doctor while their laboratory gives quick assessments and results. Plus, they can serve you in English, French or Spanish.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
East Liberty Medical Centre
This 901 King Street West clinic has virtually everything you need: physicians, specialists, cardiologists, psychotherapists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, plus a ton of services like family planning, prenatal care, and chronic condition management.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Weekends: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
One Stop Medical Centre
This fully staffed and well-equipped clinic at 3585 Lawrence Avenue East is open 7 days a week and has lab testing, cardiac services, x-rays, ultrasound, bone density tests, eye exams, travel vaccinations, and a pharmacy.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
There is no better way to view fall colours near Toronto than from the elevated perch of a lookout. Whether it's a natural phenomenon or an observation tower, these spots offer unparalleled panoramas of the province bursting with fall foliage throughout October.
Here are my picks for breathtaking lookouts to check out fall colours around Toronto.
Dundas Peak
One of the most beautiful places in the province during the fall, Dundas Peak is less than an hour's drive away from Toronto. The view from the top is majestic, but there are also plenty of attractions to spot along the way, including Webster and Tews Falls.
The golden foliage of the Niagara Escarpment near Rattlesnake Point. Photo by Phil Marion.
Rattlesnake Point
The ridge at Rattlesnake Point offers numerous vantage points on the golden country below spanning all the way to lake Ontario. The view from the Niagara Escarpment is one of the prettiest for its combination of farmland and the rugged rock face below. Make sure to hike along the trail to check out different angles.
The rolling hills of Orangeville as seen from Mono Cliffs. Photo by @lmrncprjct.
Mono Cliffs
This amazing system of cliffs is just an hour away from Toronto and features a number of trails with pristine lookouts from atop the Niagara Escarpment. It also tends to be less busy than some of the other spots on this list. While you're there check out the trails that cut beside the stunning rock faces.
Now that's a view. Mount Nemo has some of the best vistas for fall colours near Toronto. Photo by Robert Prior.
Mount Nemo
Located just 45 minutes from Toronto, Mount Nemo is a day tripper's paradise. The trails here aren't terribly challenging, but what they do offer is stunning vistas from which you can gaze over the picturesque countryside that leads all the way to the Toronto skyline in the distance.
One of the most spectacular views in the entire province can be found in Dorset. Photo by Igor Laptev.
Dorset Lookout Tower
All of these vantage points feature alarmingly beautiful views, but Dorset Tower near Lake of Bays is noteworthy for the undisturbed beauty it soars above. When mist rises from the lake on a fall morning, the scene can seem almost unworldly it's so gorgeous. At 142 metres, you have a panoramic view of cottage country to soak up.
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to explore the inside of a giant rock formation, you don't have to travel far for the experience. The Limehouse Conservation Area near Toronto is a major departure from your average hiking trail.
Limehouse was once an old limestone mine along the Niagara Escapement. Part of Credit Valley watershed, it's located about an hour away from Toronto and links to the Bruce Trail. Its many trails lead visitors through a maze of cavernous ruins that are amazing to explore.
A post shared by Andrew McLean (@a.c.m) on Sep 11, 2017 at 6:46am PDT
Entering the massive fissures gets you up close and personal with the rocks. Visitors are allowed to walk in between and climb up an down the huge formations. There are ladders situated around the site for assistance or for anyone looking for some added intensity.
A post shared by Samantha Wisson (@samwisson) on Sep 12, 2017 at 4:19pm PDT
Trails meander past both natural and man-made formations, like old powder houses used to store explosives, while elevated walkways help visitors to navigate a forest area that is full of surprises.
A particularly scenic spot is the old limestone bridge that passes over Black Creek. This is Instagram heaven.
A post shared by Samantha Wisson (@swissonphotos) on Sep 12, 2017 at 4:01pm PDT
Limehouse is a part of Ontario's Conservation Area network, making it ideal for a day trips (there's no overnight camping) to catch the fall foliage amidst a dramatic landscape that seems world's apart from Toronto despite the short drive.
A post shared by Camille (@camgallant) on Jun 1, 2017 at 5:12pm PDT
So if you don't mind being stuck between a rock and a hard place, Limehouse Conservation area should be your next great fall adventure. You'll find this natural wonderland at 12169 Fifth Line, Limehouse.
King West will be party central this weekend, as numerous bars around the area have been granted extended licenses over the coming days in conjunction with Toronto Women's Fashion Week. You don't need to be a fashionista to get in on the fun, though. Drink and be merry.
Here are the bars with 4 a.m. extended last call this long weekend in Toronto.
Thompson Hotel (October 6 to 8)
EFS (October 6 to 8 and 11, 12)
Bloke & 4th (October 6 to 8)
Maison Mercer (October 6 and 7)
The Everleigh (October 6 and 7)
Wayward (October 6 to 8)
Belfast Love (October 6 and 7)
Early Mercy (October 6 and 7)
The best Halloween costume stores in Toronto will help you make your spookiest vision a reality. Different budgets and different ideas are embraced at these places, allowing all Halloween-loving Torontonians to let their imaginations run wild during one of the most creative holidays of the year.
Here are the best Halloween costume stores in Toronto.
3 - Amazing Party Store
The first thing people tend to think of when it comes to Toronto housing trends is condos. But what if it were laneways? There's ample evidence to suggest that the city is on the verge of a paradigm shift when it comes to this form of housing.
While you'll find a handful of laneway houses across Toronto, the red tape that's always faced people looking to build such structures has been so thick that the kept supply in minimal.
The desire to use our extensive laneway network has been there, but not the civic will. That's set to change after city council recently voted to explore a laneway suites initiative that would change the rules of the game.
After determined campaigning from advocacy group Lanescape with support from Evergreen and councillors Ana Bailão and Mary-Margaret McMahon, an as-of-right framework was hatched that addressed many of the concerns previously voiced about laneway housing.
Should city council like what it sees from a report on laneway suites currently being compiled, we could see the doors opened to laneway development sometime early next year.
Enter Firma, a Toronto-based architectural firm owned by Lia Maston that's created a laneway housing template that could see theses normally desolate, graffiti-clad, raccoon havens shaped into Toronto next big housing trend.
A 3-D printed model of Firma's pre-fab laneway house design. Photo by Scott Norsworthy.
"We are on the cusp of a major change to the real estate market in Toronto," Maston explains. "There are 300 km of public laneways in Toronto. These laneways now mainly service garage access for the homes in front of them, but this is all about to change."
Firma's prefabricated prototype is meant to provide a quick and efficient way for homeowners to add laneway housing to their lots once the rules change, which will in turn help the rental market by getting more units on the market.
"Using an adaptive prefab construction method, this model laneway home is made to stretch to the size and shape of each individual and unique lot," Maston notes.
A view inside Firma's model laneway house. Photo by Scott Norsworthy.
"Firma's laneway home will allow for shorter design and build times for homeowners. Despite the simplified process, home buyers will still get the benefits of working with an architect."
By designing a template that's easily constructed and replicated, Firma hopes to streamline the process by which laneway houses are built. The model already takes into consideration the proposed amendments to the current zoning by-laws which stipulate that new structures must be connected to the main house's electrical and plumping networks.
An example of Maston's work on the St-Andre Courtyard by Microclimat in Montreal. Photo by Adrien Williams.
As for cost, Maston says that "because these homes are predesigned, the architectural process is streamlined and the delivery time in construction is reduced."
And since the laneway houses are designed in such compact format the environmental footprint is reduced and uses less labour and materials. "All of these are cost savings that will be passed on to the purchaser," she adds.
Such novel thinking about Toronto housing couldn't come at a better time. Affordability is at an all-time low across the city, and every little attempt to mitigate supply issues helps.
While the city continues to iron out their plans for repurposing the city's laneway network into 2018, Firma's model ready and waiting for the revolution. 
Toronto's housing market has been through some ups and downs (mostly downs) this year, but the dream of buying your own McMansion for a cool million is still nowhere close to becoming reality. If you have that to spend, however, you should be pleased to know that your housing options are slightly more spacious than they were at this time last year.
Here's what a $1 million home looks like in Toronto right now.
$990,000 in Leslieville
Location, location, location is this little blue house's star feature. It's got a Walk Score of 90, a Transit Score of 96, and is just steps away from Greenwood Park. The backyard is nice too, but you'd probably need to install some clothes lines. This house doesn't have a dryer.
$1,034,000 in Danforth Village
The lot that this two storey East York home stands on is pretty huge by Toronto's standards. The interior is nice enough, but the sell here is an enormous back yard with a private, electrically wired "coach house style space" that can be used as an artist's studio or play room for kids.
$999,000 near Dovercourt and Dupont
This five bedroom house is a legal duplex with detached two-car garage, which alone could be worth more than a million bucks in some parts of the city. The interior is a bit dated – especially the bathrooms – but the home can be split into three units if you're looking to rent it out.
$999,000 in Mimico
It may not look like much from the street, but this quaint top-to-bottom reno is gorgeous inside with hardwood floors, quartz counters, new stainless steel appliances and a chic open concept main. As the listing suggests, it's a good option for someone who is set on a detached home.
$1,050,000 near St. Clair and Oakwood
Recently renovated, open concept, with a finished basement in a neighbourhood on the upswing? Yup, this is your standard million dollar home in Toronto right now. Fortunately, it's a bit more spacious than what you might have found in this area for the price last year.
If you've lived in Toronto long enough, you've probably come across a few of the city's various hidden streets. And if you're even a bit of a local history buff, you probably also know about some of Toronto's lost street names.
But what about the ghost streets that can still be found around the city, abandoned roads that have yet to be completely wiped from the urban environment? Stumbling upon one of these is like encountering a time machine, where you can travel to an earlier version of Toronto.
I won't profess comprehensive knowledge of Toronto's abandoned streets, but I'm happy to share the ones that I've encountered and explored over the years.
Despite the overgrowth, you can still see the old route of Pottery Rd. Photo by Patrick Cummins.
My favourite of the bunch is probably Pottery Road, which was far different before the Bayview extension was built.
If you look at a map, you'll see that there are two sections to this street: the main thoroughfare that runs up the wall of the Don Valley beside Todmorden Mills and a tiny section to the north beside the Loblaws parking lot at Moore Ave.
Believe it or not, these used to be connected back in the day, and you can actually still see very obvious signs of the route the street once took. In fact, you can hike much of the route on foot to this day.
One of these ramps is not like the others. Image via Google Maps.
For a ghost street that feels a bit more post-apocalyptic, the abandoned DVP off-ramp near York Mills is worth a visit. It's actually only been out of commission since the mid 2000s, but it has that wonderfully eerie look of disuse that hints at how slowly our infrastructure is reclaimed by nature.
A similar situation can be found at Indian Line near the 427 and Finch Avenue West. The last portion of this road was closed in 1992, but some remaining sections are so prominent, they're still marked on Google's maps.
Service vehicle on Indian Line Road. Photo by Lone Primate.
Indian Line was relegated to its current ghost status over the course of many years, starting with the arrival of the 427. What's so amazing about it today is that parts of it are extremely well preserved. It's a bit of a concrete jungle in sections, but there remains an allure here.
One of my favourite bits of ghostly urban infrastructure in Toronto isn't really a street, but the old Eastern Ave. Bridge that you encounter when travelling along the Lower Don Recreational Trail.
Not only is it easy to make sense of the old road alignment when you venture onto the bridge, but it's a secluded place to soak up the strange charm of this portion of the Don Valley, which is both natural and industrial (for now).
Now used as a hiking trail, Milkman's Lane was quite obviously an old roadway. Photo by Adityo Sastromuljono.
There's a host of other abandoned or sometimes re-purposed roadways scattered across Toronto as well, from the Don Mills Bridge to Milkman's Lane, and Old Post Road. All are worth taking note of and considering the degree to which they suggest that the city is in a continual state of flux.
It's easy to forget this, of course, but when you encounter one of these apparitions, the sense of history as an active process dawns you as if someone say "boo!"
It's not easy naming a new street in Toronto. According to rules enforced by the city (PDF), each one must be unique, positive, historically relevant, and easy for emergency dispatchers to pronounce, lest ambulances and fire trucks get sent to the wrong parts of town.
As a result, there are approximately 9,600 different names for streets in Toronto.
The effort to give every street a unique name has inspired special creativity around the city, particularly as pertains to laneways, but also when it comes to our neighbourhood streets.
Here are some of the weirdest street names and their origins in Toronto.
Strange Street
Running dead straight for just a few metres south of Queen in Riverdale, there's really nothing that unusual about Strange St. Seekers of the paranormal will be disappointed to learn that the name comes from Maxwell Strange, an auctioneer who lived in the area around 1837.
Disco Road
Toronto's only street named for a genre of dance music is home to a detention centre and anonymous industrial complexes. The name actually predates the musical style. Dominion Structural Steel had a plant on the road, which is a big hint. It was a descendent of the former Dominion Iron and Steel Company - DISCO for short.
Sesame Street
Unlike Disco Rd., Sesame Street near Pharmacy and Sheppard in Scarborough really does appear to be a cultural reference. Perhaps its location next to Fairglen Public School prompted developers to name the street after the popular long-running kids show starring Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and Elmo.
Avenue Road
Avenue Road isn't necessarily a strange street name. After all, an avenue is just a name for a tree lined street or approach. There are numerous Avenue Roads in the U.K. and there's an Avenue Street is Oshawa. But in North America, "avenue" is primarily used as a suffix for particularly wide or important streets.
Cummer Avenue
Farmer Jacob Cummer - father of 14 kids - couldn't have known when he moved from Pennsylvania to the future site of Willowdale in 1797 that his last name would elicit giggles and guffaws from Toronto residents more than 200 years later. The Cummers operated a saw mill on the Don River near the street that currently bears their name.
The top walk-in clinics in Toronto offer a higher quality of service than you would expect; shorter wait times, convenient locations, better hours, on-site lab services, and more medical professionals can make going to the doctor a little easier.
Here are the best walk-in clinics in Toronto.
Emkiro
This clinic at 70 University Avenue is by appointment only and calling ahead lets you book the next available slot so you'll be seen at a specific time. There are three physicians servicing the clinic, as well as chiropractors, physiotherapists and RMTs available for consultation.
Walk-in hours:
Monday: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Infinity Health Centre
This clinic at 39 Lower Simcoe Street also requires you to call ahead. It rotates four physicians; two male, and two female, and if you need extra care, the health centre has chiropractors, physiotherapists, RMTs, a naturopath, blood and lab services, even a personal trainer!
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Weekends: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Earl Bales
This North York clinic at 4256 Bathurst Street offers an on-site lab testing so you can leave the clinic without having extra appointments to book. Staff can serve you in English, French, Tagalog, or Farsi and it's open 365 days a year, so you have weekend hours for more flexibility.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Weekends: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
HealthSource Medical Clinic
This clinic at 473 Dupont Street is part of the North-West Toronto Family Health Group, and members get the benefits of same-day appointments, short wait times, and use of their urgent care walk-in service that lets you be seen outside the regularly scheduled hours.
Walk-in hours:
Monday, Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostic
The Lockwood clinic at 790 Bay Street is a comprehensive medical clinic that has been serving the College and Bay area for over 70 years. This clinic has it all: walk-in services, dentist, a blood lab, x-ray, ultrasound, pharmacy, dietician, and diagnostic centre.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Albany Medical Clinic
This well-established clinic at 807 Broadview Avenue is open everyday, all year round, even on holidays. It has nurses, family physicians, and specialists, plus services like x-ray, ultrasound, mammogrammy, physiotherapy, and an on-site pharmacy.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Weekends: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Holidays: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Beaches Family Practice and Walk-in
This walk-in at 116 Glen Manor Drive has six physicians at your service, providing referrals, flu shots, lab tests, injections, dressing changes, suture removal, and they're even equipped for minor surgery. For your convenience, you can call ahead to check availability and wait times.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Downtown Doctors Walk-In Medical Centre
This centrally located clinic at 720 Spadina Avenue is near the subway station and the University of Toronto. It's great for students that may not have a family doctor while their laboratory gives quick assessments and results. Plus, they can serve you in English, French or Spanish.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
East Liberty Medical Centre
This 901 King Street West clinic has virtually everything you need: physicians, specialists, cardiologists, psychotherapists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, plus a ton of services like family planning, prenatal care, and chronic condition management.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Weekends: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
One Stop Medical Centre
This fully staffed and well-equipped clinic at 3585 Lawrence Avenue East is open 7 days a week and has lab testing, cardiac services, x-rays, ultrasound, bone density tests, eye exams, travel vaccinations, and a pharmacy.
Walk-in hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A visit to a pumpkin patch or local farm near Toronto is an October ritual for many. While your neighbourhood grocery store is probably a cheaper option for procuring your seasonal jack-o'-lantern, a pumpkin patch definitely has a more festive atmosphere.
Here are my picks for pumpkin patches and farms to visit near Toronto.
Albion Orchards
This Caledon apple farm and country market sells hundreds of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. In addition to pumpkin picking you can spend your visit picking apples from their orchard.
Brooks Farms
Located north of Toronto, this Mount Albert farm will charge you $14 to attend their Fall Fun Festival which runs until November 5. With this fee you get access to their Barnyard Playland, pig races, a pumpkin cannon show and much more festive fun.
Andrew's Scenic Acres
This Milton farm comes with wagon rides and a field where everyone can select their favourite pumpkin from a tiny 5 lbs. to a massive 80 lbs. They also offer guided tours for $7.50 where you can take in the fall colours on a 90 minute tour around the farm.
Cooper's CSA Farm & Maze
Found in Zephyr this farm has a popular u-pick option where a single pumpkin can be had for $4 or three for $10. The farm also has a 10 acre corn maze and hay climb and wagon rides but you need to pony up a $10 admission fee.
Downey's Farm Market
It's all about fall fun at this Inglewood farm. They're open daily in October for their annual Pumpkinfest where you can select pumpkins, take a ride on a wagon and walk through their corn maze. The fun, however, comes at a price - $9 during the week and $14 on weekends.
Forsythe Family Farms
When October rolls around it's pumpkin picking time at this Uxbridge farm. Their annual Harvest Festival runs from Thanksgiving weekend until Halloween and includes pumpkin picking, access to their corn maze and wagon rides. Admission will set you back $10 on weekends.
Pingle's Farm Market
This Hampton farm will give you a free wagon ride to their pumpkin patch where you can select your perfect front porch accessory. They're open daily and offer activities like an 8 acre corn maze and visits to farm animals. Admission is $5 on weekdays and $7 on weekends.
Reesor's Farm Market
Find this farm in Markham sporting hundreds of pumpkins to choose from in all sizes. You can fill one of their wheelbarrows full of pumpkins for $35 or pick 3 for $25. It's free to enter the pumpkin patch but if you want to get in on their corn maze it will set you back $3 per person.
Springridge Farm
This Milton farm's Harvest Festival runs every weekend in October. Find a wide variety of pumpkins in their market or take in one of their puppet shows, a wagon ride, pipe slides or visit the farm animals. Admission is $12.
Hutchinson Farm
Located in Burlington this farm has it all. There's classic jack-o-lantern pumpkins of all sizes and shapes to pick, a pumpkin museum to explore and Atlantic Giant pumpkins weighing up to 300 lbs to gawk at. Admission to the patch $5.00 per person.
Toronto is rich with beautiful old buildings, many of them once home to gruesome deaths and other such grisly past events. From faceless nuns in historic hospitals to dead maids who hang in a restaurant rafters, ghosts can be found all over the city – and the sites of their horror stories are yours to discover.
Here are some of the creepiest (allegedly) haunted places in Toronto.
Old City Hall
It should come as no surprise that this Romanesque Revival building, dating back to the turn of the 20th century, is haunted. The last two men sentenced to capital punishment in Toronto, back in 1962, reportedly haunt Courtroom 33.
Lower Bay Station
You might recognize this literal ghost station from movies and TV shows, but it hasn't been used for regular service since 1966. Since then, multiple transit employees have reported seeing a "lady in red," with no eyes and no feet, on the platform beneath Bay Station.
Father time looks out over the entrance of the Don Jail, which was closed in 1977. Photo by Bruce Reeve.
Don Jail
This old lock up has a horrifying history of inhumane conditions and public hangings. A total of 34 people were executed here between 1908 and 1962, some of whom are still believed to haunt the jail today. Spookier still, human remains were found on site just 10 years ago.
University College
Legend has it that stone mason Paul Diablos murdered his colleague Ivan Reznikoff over a woman while constructing this landmark in the 1850s. Reznikoff's bones were discovered on campus decades later after a fire – except for his skull, which was never found.
The Keg Mansion on Jarvis Street is one of Toronto's scariest spots to eat. Photo by diamonrefractionindex.
Keg Mansion
Come for the steak, stay for the spook. The former Massey mansion is famous for its active ghosts, including one of a maid who hung herself in the foyer. Ask your server to see the restaurant's book of ghost stories when you're finished with the menu. I'm serious. It exists.
Colborne Lodge
That lovely Regency cottage style building in High Park might not be as innocent as it looks. Built in 1836 by John and Jemima Howard, this home-turned-museum is rumoured to be a hotbed of paranormal activity.
A mysterious murder, a secluded location and nowhere to run make the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse one of Toronto's scariest spots to go at night.
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Situated on the western tip of the Toronto Islands, this decommissioned lighthouse is best known as the site of a grisly 1815 murder. The victim, John Paul Radelmüller, was Toronto's very first lighthouse keeper. Some say he never left the building.
The Old Finch Bridge
This is a popular spot among thrill-seeking high teens who've heard tales of a young girl who was murdered on the bridge at Morningside and Finch – on her birthday, no less! Legend has it that if you sing happy birthday, her ghost will appear. Try it. I dare you.
Like many old theatres, the Elgin Winter and Garden theatre is haunted AF. Photo by Greg David.
Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre
You may not see the Phantom of the Opera here (unless he's being played by an actor on stage,) but theatre employees have seen many shadowy figures here over the years. Some volunteers are said to have once contacted a dead trombone player through a Ouija Board.
St. Michael's Hospital
Founded in 1892, this hospital is thought to be haunted by the ghost of Sister Vincenza, a nurse who supervised the obstetrics wing for 28 years. She's been spotted most often on the 7th floor of the hospital's former maternity ward – dressed in white and without a face.
Humber's Lakeshore campus used to be an insane asylum. Photo by Edward Brain.
Humber College Lakeshore Campus
Long before they were filled with students, these pretty grounds were home to the Mimico Insane Asylum, where patients were forced to work for free and bury eachother's bodies in the hospital cemetery. Ghosts have been seen in underground tunnels across campus.
Mackenzie House
This city-operated historic site, just steps from the busy Yonge-Dundas Square, is where William Lyon Mackenizie died. Toronto’s first mayor reportedly passed away in a bedroom on the second floor of this unassuming house in 1861. Now his ghost plays piano at night.
Fall getaways from Toronto will let you escape from the city to enjoy the spectacular colours and flavours of what is arguably the greatest season of the year. These trips will take you on rustic retreats and stunning hikes. And they'll all make you understand why Anne Shirley said, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
Here are my picks for fall getaways from Toronto.
Rent a cozy cabin
Spend a night (or two or three) in a rustic cabin by the lake or in the woods. Curl up by the fire in a warm blanket, perhaps with a hot chocolate or hot toddy to keep you warm.
Experience the harvest in Prince Edward County
Indulge in the bounty of Prince Edward County. Follow the Taste Trail to treat you belly to a day filled with farm fresh eats and artisanal products. You can even stay at a winery as they crush the grapes for the year.
Do Muskoka resort-style
Cottages are great and all, but once it's too cold to swim, it's nice to enjoy all that Muskoka has to offer at a resort. There's no better option than Deerhurst when it comes to the range of activities offered, from golf to ATV riding to treetop trekking and much more.
Go back to the early days of Algonquin Park
Take a trip out to our province's most famous provincial park. Book a camp site, or better yet, rent out a rustic old ranger cabin or a yurt, both of which will provide just a bit more comfort and warmth than a tent.
See as many waterfalls as you can in Hamilton
Hamilton is home to more than 100 waterfalls, how cool is that? Spend 48 hours in this nearby city and make it your goal to go chasing waterfalls.
Experience the beauty of Lake Placid
Lake Placid is much more than the host of the 1980 Olympics. This spot in the Adirondacks isn't too far from Toronto and features more than just a man-eating crocodile. (And if you're into, you should ride on the Olympic bobsled run at Whiteface Mountain.)
Go mountain biking at Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain is fun even without snow! This Ontario ski hill is the perfect spot to go mountain biking Its trail are open through to the end of Thanksgiving weekend.
Experience Canada's rugged beauty in Tobermory
This getaway is a bit of a trek, but it'll be worth it when you see what's at the top of the Bruce Trail. Hike up the Crack or head over to Flower Pot Island.
Go hunting for the Northern Lights
You might have to travel super far north to see the Aurora Borealis. But if you're looking to do some star gazing, head to the Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve near Gravenhurst.
Admire the power of the St. Lawrence at the 1000 Islands
The cruise through the Thousand Islands is a dream during the fall. It might be chilly on deck, but you'll be treated to a show filled with colourful trees and magnificent island homes.
The top places to grab a drink before a game at the ACC are all about convenience, comfort, and perfectly complementing your outing. Additionally, the food and drink at these spots isn’t just shoved into your mouth blindly while staring at the TV. Lobster pasta, candied bacon, craft beer and boulevardiers precede game time at these spots.
Here are my picks for the top places to grab a drink before a game at the ACC.
e11even
This elegant bar and restaurant has a touch of class just steps from Maple Leaf Square. Knowing your options will soon narrow to little more than draft beer in plastic cups, why not take this opportunity to enjoy a cask boulevardier? Normally quite pricey, this place does 3 - 5 p.m. $5.50 drinks on weekdays.
Real Sports Bar
E11even’s big brother is equally close to the arena and is decked out with innumerable TVs to keep up with the games going on, including a massive display behind the bar that towers over the entire bar and can be seen from multiple levels.
Kellys Landing
Located super conveniently across from Union Station, making it a short walk from the ACC, this place puts a twist on cocktails with green apple mojitos and fruity berry and pineapple drinks that pack a surprising punch, not to mention brunch cocktails for morning pre-gaming.
The Loose Moose
Famously within walking distance of Union Station, a ton of TVs behind the bar are good for catching up with the game while still managing to pull off a hip, industrial vibe. You won’t be out of place in your team colours here.
Lucky Clover
On Simcoe a short walk from the ACC, this place has a classic comfy pub feel but a surprisingly varied and lengthy menu that goes way beyond Irish cuisine with a variety of pizza, pasta, burgers and salads to lay down a foundation for all those stadium beers.
The OverDraught
This traditional Irish pub just a stone’s throw from the game is the perfect place to grab a right proper pint or other less traditional booze offerings with lots of space for big groups.
Goose Island
The Chicago craft brand has a representation in Toronto with their Esplanade brewpub. Twelve taps pour not only their most popular beers but eight more that can only be tried at this Toronto location as well as a rotating guest tap, making this the perfect place for beer and sports nerds to combine their passions.
King Taps
Beer lovers seeking pre-game refreshment need look no further than this Financial District hotspot with two patios and over fifty beers on tap. TVs everywhere play different games at the same time, and there are also music videos and cocktails on deck even if some tagging along in your party aren’t into beer or watching sports.
Earls Toronto
Near King and University, the Toronto location of this chain open every day from lunch til late is the ultimate in convenience and fun with a patio, outdoor bar, WiFi for those crucial game day grams, and of course happy hour from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. and 11 to close for cheaper prices both before and after the main event.
Beerbistro
This spot is known for having some of the best beer selection in Toronto as well as upscale pub faves like great fries. It’s also conveniently located right near King Station.
In Toronto a good breakfast sandwich is the next best thing to brunch. Better than a bowl of cereal, these handheld creations pack in eggs, bacon, cheese and carbs for a quick and complete meal that can be eaten on-the-go.
Here are my picks for the top breakfast sandwiches in Toronto by neighbourhood.
Annex
Schmaltz Appetizing is your ultimate source for bagels, cream cheese and lox. Kiva's bagels get upgraded with toppings like house-cured beetroot or lemon dill gravlax and smoked pastrami salmon.
Beaches
Breakfast sandwiches on wood-fired bagels are the specialty at Bagels on Fire. There's about 10 different options all appropriate for the a.m. including the classic egg and cheddar sandwich with a choice of bacon or ham.
Cabbagetown
The Epicure Shop isn't just a fine foods store, but also the makers of might fine breakfast sandwiches like The Popeye featuring farm fresh eggs, spinach and melted havarti on a bagel, ciabatta bun or English muffin.
Corktown
The breakfast butty at Morning Glory is just one of several breakfasts on a bun on the menu at this cafe. It's got a classic combination of bacon and scrambled eggs and is finished with sliced tomato, homemade ketchup and aioli.
Dough Bakeshop breakfast sandwiches will keep you fueled for the big day ahead. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
Danforth
Thick slabs of peameal bacon with egg and cheese on a fresh house-made bun, or a seasonal veggie version, are available as breakfast sandwiches in the morning at Dough Bakeshop.
Financial District
Kiva's Bagel Bar is a go-to for a.m. standards of bagels with giant scoops of cream cheese and lox. If that's not your cup of tea there's also a variety of egg-based options.
Junction
Dirty Food is where you'll find the mother load of breakfast sandwiches. The big ticket fried chicken ‘n’ waffle ’wich is fried chicken thigh with lettuce and Dirty Food mayo sandwiched between two fluffy buttermilk waffles and sprinkled with sweet hot candied jalapeños.
Junction Triangle
The Drake Commissary offers four different sandwiches every morning including their Kale & Cheese Breakfast Muffin featuring kale, chili paste, manchego, homestead egg on an English muffin.
Kensington Market
Our Spot on Baldwin is where to go for a cheap breakfast in Toronto. Sandwiches come with your classic breakfast toppings of bacon, peameal, egg and cheese.
Leslieville
Egg, aged cheddar, spiced ketchup and microgreens all on a bun is the basic version of the Fruitful Market breakfast sandwich, although optional add-ons include, gluten-free bread, peameal bacon, avocado, tomato or even an extra egg.
Liberty Village
Liberty Village Market and Cafe predates all the condos in the neighbourhood. They still do a brisk business in bagel and Western omelette sandwiches.
Little India
At Lazy Daisy's Cafe get the egg 'n cheese sandwich on a homestyle biscuit with free-range eggs, cheddar and smoked bacon. Vegetarians can partake too with a version featuring egg, cheese, tomato and avocado.
Little Italy
The popular breakfast sandwiches at Black Cat Espresso Bar come on an English muffin and contain bacon (there’s also a veggie variation), a baked whole egg, cheddar and undisclosed secret ingredients.
North York
Bagel World has been on Wilson Avenue for decades and they are one the city's best destinations for bagel sandwiches. Top yours with options like egg salad, cream cheese and white fish. Pro tip: Opt for the flat bagel.
Pape Village
Goat Coffee Co. is where you'll find a number of tasty breakfast items but the must-try is the French toast sandwich dubbed the Ooh La La.
Parkdale
You’ll find a classic French omelette with gruyere cheese, aged cheddar and mozzarella along with heirloom tomatoes and house-made aioli between the scratch-made English muffins used to make the breakfast sandwiches at The Tempered Room.
Thick slices of peameal bacon are found at Avenue Open Kitchen. Photo by Jesse Milns.
Queen West
Avenue Open Kitchen is a tiny diner serving up all the breakfast staples, including a classic peameal sandwich with lettuce and tomato.
Riverside
Grab a coffee and a breakfast bagel at The Cannonball. The base of this sandwich is egg, cheese, and tomato, which can be customized with a choice of about a half dozen different types of cheese and additional toppings like onions or sauteed mushrooms.
Roncesvalles Village
The Merseyside makes a simple yet effective brekwich, double-buttered on an English muffin with egg, cheese and peameal.
Rosedale
Black Camel isn't just a source for delicious pulled pork and brisket sandwiches. In the morning they serve their eggspresso sandwich until 11 a.m. The eggs are cooked using their espresso machine.
Scarborough
Found at St. Clair and Victoria Park, Gingerman Restaurant is a hidden gem where popular picks include greasy spoon staples like BLTs and Western sandwiches on a choice of toast.
St. Clair West
Emma's Country Kitchen is home to The Breakwich built on a buttermilk biscuit and loaded with an over easy egg, a choice of cheddar or Swiss, and selection of breakfast meats like house cured bacon or sage onion sausage patty.
Peameal sandwiches don't get much better than Carousel Bakery. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
St. Lawrence Market
The OG of breakfast sandwiches in Hogtown can be found at Carousel Bakery. The peameal bacon here is thick and comes loaded on a country bun with optional cheese or fried eggs.
West Queen West
Cafe Neon serves up a daily menu of breakfast offerings and that includes sandwiches. Their Neon Breakfast Sandwich comes with a fried egg, bacon, Swiss cheese, tomato, greens, Dijon mayo on a toasted sesame bagel.
Yonge & College
Made with focaccia buns from The Tempered Room, the breakfast sandwich options at Coffee Public on Bay contain local free-range organic eggs and can each have bacon or an extra egg added to them.
It's officially pumpkin spice season in Toronto. As the weather cools, sweet and spicy orange-hued foods appear in stores throughout the city. You can of course guzzle pumpkin spice lattes, but there's always more to discover.
Here are my picks for where to find pumpkin spice treats in Toronto.
AG Macarons
With locations on Dupont and The Queensway there's two options for pumpkin pie macarons from this boutique shop.
New Fall Flavours: Spiced Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie poptarts available today while quantities last! Open 'till 8pm. 👋🏼 . . . . . #toronto #bakery #homemadepoptarts #fallflavours #piefilling #spicedapple #pumpkinpie A post shared by Bake Shoppe (@bakeshoppeto) on Sep 30, 2017 at 11:51am PDT
Bake Shoppe
This popular Little Italy bakery is already well known for their homemade pop tarts and when fall rolls around they start introducing seasonal flavours like apple and pumpkin pie.
A post shared by Junked Food Co. (@junkedfoodco) on Sep 5, 2017 at 2:18pm PDT
Junked Food Co.
One of Toronto's hottest summer food trends is getting the pumpkin spice treatment thanks to this Queen West junk food purveyor. Your dreams of eating pumpkin spice cookie dough are now a reality.
A post shared by Short & Sweet Bakeshop (@shortandsweetcupcakes) on Oct 1, 2017 at 9:11am PDT
Short & Sweet Bakeshop
Monster shakes are a must have at this Yonge & Eglinton shop. For fall you can sip on their pumpkin spice flavoured shake which is topped off with copious amounts of whipped cream and a donut.
A post shared by SanRemo Bakery (@sanremobakery) on Sep 12, 2017 at 5:25am PDT
SanRemo Bakery
This Etobicoke bakery already churns out some of the best donuts in Toronto, so as October hits you better sink your teeth into some pumpkin cheese stuffed donuts.
A post shared by Lamanna's Bakery (@lamannabakery) on Sep 19, 2017 at 1:35pm PDT
Lamanna's Bakery
Those in Scarborough this fall should make sure to stop by this Italian bakery for a cream cheese filling stuffed pumpkin whoopie pie.
A post shared by Eva's Original Chimneys (@ogchimneys) on Sep 27, 2017 at 10:41am PDT
Eva's Original Chimneys
Just because things are starting to cool off in Toronto doesn't mean you can't still get your ice cream fix. The Annex shop has just introduced the pumpkin praline dream cone to the menu for a limited time.
A post shared by The Rolling Pin (@therollingpinto) on Sep 9, 2017 at 5:12am PDT
The Rolling Pin
Pumpkin spice cupcakes is just one of the many new menu items you can find at this Avenue and Lawrence bakeshop.
A post shared by The Tempered Room (@thetemperedroom) on Oct 4, 2017 at 5:24am PDT
The Tempered Room
This Parkdale patisserie has some of the best baked treats in Toronto and for fall they have added pumpkin tarts to the menu.
A post shared by Bunner's Bake Shop (@bunner) on Sep 29, 2017 at 9:06am PDT
Bunner's Bake Shop
This vegan shop boasting locations in Kensington Market and the Junction has reintroduced their very delicious pumpkin maple scones to the menu for fall. 
Fall is one of the best times to hike in Toronto thanks to the beautiful yellow, orange and red colours that appear for just a short time each year. Take advantage of this and head out to one of our city's forested parks and marvel at the foliage and wildlife that surrounds you right in the heart of Canada's biggest urban centre.
Here are my picks for the top fall hikes in Toronto.
East Don Parkland
Explore the East Don Parkland in September and you might even get a chance to see spawning salmon. You'll also get to marvel at the natural wonder that is this less used portion of the Don Valley. Check out this handy guide if you're looking for a route to follow.
Cudia Park
You may think of visiting the Bluffs as a summertime activity, but in the fall, head out to Scarborough's Cudia Park. You'll get panoramic views of Lake Ontario as you hike through this tree covered area. The scenery is stunning.
Humber Arboretum and West Humber River Valley
The Humber Arboretum is right behind Humber's north campus and 2features six kilometres of trails that snake along the Humber River. This green space, which is free to enter, has lots of flora and fauna, including botanical gardens.
Rouge Park
Rouge Park might one day become one of the largest national urban parks in the world. Right now, it features lots of short trails (which can be combined for longer hikes) through an area that stretches from the Lake all the way into Markham.
E.T. Seton Park
Relax by taking a stroll through E.T. Seton Park and along the West Don Trail near the Ontario Science Centre. You can try out one of the park's free archery ranges along the way, or hike along the river all the way into Sunnybrook Park or Edward's Gardens.
Do you know where your heirloom carrots come from? If you purchase them at a local farmers' market, you should be able to find out – easily and instantly, with absolutely no drama.
A few bad apples have a whole bunch of people talking about "fake farmers" at markets in Ontario right now after the CBC show Marketplace exposed some vendors in Peterborough passing off wholesale vegetables as their own.
Called "resellers," these types of characters can indeed be problematic for consumers and real farmers alike – but they're far from new, according to local experts, and you'd be hard pressed to find any at one of our city's legitimate, community-organized farmers' markets.
"We've known that there are resellers at old school farmers' markets – the ones that have been around for 30 years," says Carolyn Wong, manager and co-founder of the Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market. "There’s really not that much of that going around anymore, not in most of the GTA."
@cbcmarketplace transparency is paramount👍🏽 our farmers & they all are, only grow the most sexy produce😉 @CBCharlsie 🙏🏽c@FarmersMktsOnt pic.twitter.com/qP4EnRSwIX
— Trinity Bellwoods FM (@TBFarmersMarket) October 4, 2017
"Those farmers' markets are just markets. You’re basically just grocery shopping outside," Wong explains. "[Reselling] wouldn't happen at Trinity, or Dufferin Grove, or Sorauren or Cabbagetown. That's not even a question."
Daniel Taylor, executive director of the Leslieville Farmers’ Market agrees.
"Peterborough, St. Lawrence Market, those are markets – public markets where anyone can go," he says. "They never really claimed to be a local food market like Trinity Bellwoods or Leslieville."
Markets that allow reselling from the Ontario Food Terminal aren't necessarily the worst thing, Taylor says, as long as customers are aware that they're buying the same, commercially-grown produce available at local supermarkets.
What shoppers need to know is that this type of thing doesn't happen at most of the neighbourhood-based farmers' markets in and around our city.
Both Bellwoods and Leslieville belong to something called the Toronto Farmers' Market Network, along with about a dozen other sustainability-focused local markets like The Junction, Evergreen Brick Works, Withrow Park and FoodShare Toronto.
"We all started with the same focus; Supporting local agriculture," says Wong of the TFMN markets. "Even our park permit says 'no re-sellers' on it. The city is supporting this."
The city may support the idea, but it's up to each market to ensure that their vendors are authentic – and organizers go to great lengths to do this, from intense application and screening processes to certification requirements and regular farm visits.
"There is absolutely no way someone who isn't a farmer at all would get away with posing as one at Dufferin Grove," says Anne Freeman of the Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers' Market.
"We ask many questions about how and where products are grown or made, animal welfare, where ingredients in prepared foods are sourced, and so on," she says. "We also get to know our farmers and vendors really well."
Freeman, Wong and Taylor all travel to farms for vendor inspections as part of their market duties, sometimes up to two-and-a-half-hours away.
This ability to build close relationships with local farmers is part of why markets like theirs exist.
"You can come get to know your farmer and trust that you are getting healthy, local food," says Junction Farmers Market manager Tess Van Den Bosch. "You can ask to taste things and you can talk with the vendors about the products. If you're not satisfied, return to the market and your farmer will be happy to discuss it with you."
And it’s very unlikely that you'll be fed lies.
Toronto farmers' markets have stringent guidelines in general, but they're also in constant contact.
"Our community is large," says Wong, "but small enough that word can get around. If something hinky is going on, we'll talk about it."
A post shared by TrinityBellwoodsFM (@trinitybellwoodsfm) on Aug 29, 2017 at 7:00pm PDT
"All of the legit farmers' market managers are really close," confirms Taylor.
He says that Leslieville, like many of the markets, has a "very very tight knight group of vendors" as well.
Between those vendors, loyal customers, and farmers' market staff, dishonest sellers would have to fool a lot of very knowledgeable people to succeed at one of Toronto's community markets.
Still, some have tried.
"In the 15 year history of the market, we have had three incidents where vendors failed to meet our standards for transparency," says Freeman. "Those vendors lost their spots. Period."
Taylor says that a few years ago, a customer complaint tipped off his market to a (former) vendor who was reselling.
"Fake farmers will always screw up," says Taylor. "We have an agricultural advisory board – we really notice when people have too many tomatoes too quickly, or something that’s out of season, or more than they can produce."
A post shared by Dufferin Grove Market (@dufferingrovemarket) on Sep 20, 2017 at 2:57pm PDT
Shady vendors might occasionally slip through the cracks, but they're the exception, not the rule – and dedicated market organizers like the ones I spoke with worry that "sensationalizing" the issue of re-sellers undermine the public’s trust in legit farmers' markets.
"We need local farmland and local knowledge to be part of our future," says Freeman. "Supporting farmers directly is a way to be part of that. You can't get food that's fresher, and the variety is spectacular. Shopping at markets is also a way to get to know your neighbours."
"One of our mandates is to educate," says Wong. "So that peach pit is split? You can talk to the farmer and learn about why, about how climate change is affecting agriculture. It’s real. Nothing’s perfect."
"Farmers' markets are just trying to do a good thing and support the local economy," says. "We’re really supporting families."
Free events in Toronto this week include a birthday party for the Horseshoe Tavern, matinee movie screenings, and a whole lot of poutine.
Events you might want to check out:
Soak up fall this Thanksgiving Monday with a free sushi burrito, a craft pint among the changing leaves of the Don Valley, or try not snort free mashed potatoes out of your nose at the Comedy Bar.
Events you might want to check out:
Coffee is not in short supply in Toronto, but some neighbourhoods rise above the rest. For fresh roasted, single origin beans, latte art, Chemex, cold brew and all the trappings that come with third wave coffee culture, these are the parts of town where coffee is serious business.
Here are my picks for the top neighbourhoods for coffee in Toronto.
Financial District
Bankers and brokers are spoiled with two Sam James locations - one in the PATH and one on Toronto Street. For those looking for a spot to linger in this neighbourhood will do well at shops like Dineen, Boxcar Social and JJ Bean.
King West
In this 'hood grab an expertly brewed cup at Jimmy's or a “lover’s” latte at Strange Love Coffee. Quantum Coffee is also an option and if you're looking a creme brulee cappuccino. For a baked goods with your morning cuppa Portland Variety and Colette are a must.
Junction
The original location of Crema Coffee still draws a crowd among the stiff competition in this 'hood. At Kaffebar you'll find delectable baked treats as well as decadent espressos. While Full Stop is popular for its huge seating area, bright patio and Americanos.
Kensington Market
One of the best places to people watch in Kensington is still Casa Acoreana. For house roasted beans there's Moonbean while Cafe Pamenar is a good spot to catch up with friends. Jimmy's makes good mochas and at Fika you can have something Scandinavian.
King East/Corktown
The always bustling Rooster does Pilot coffee with a line-up of tasty baked goods while down the street you can get a pour over at Tandem Coffee. Neo Coffee Bar is home to ever changing roasts and Japanese pastry. In Corktown, Odin will start your morning right with a latte.
Leslieville
Not only is Hailed Coffee one of the most Instgrammable cafes in Toronto they are also one of the only shops in the city to serve Arabic coffee. Other great options in this area include Te Aro, Mercury and Grinder.
Little Italy
Grab a seat at Green Grind or stop by Manic for their croissants, gelato and cold brew. At Voodoo Child and The Walton you can sip a cappuccino and trade up for a cocktail later on. Hula Girl does decadent butter coffee and Snake and Lattes does coffee and board games.
Riverside
The communal tables at Dark Horse Espresso are the perfect place to camp out to get some work done. If instead you want to get comfortable with a book and a good coffee, head over to Merchants of Green. While Boxcar Social does everything a good hybrid cafe/bar should.
Roncesvalles Village
Cherry Bomb, Extra Butter, and Fantail Bakery will have you splurging on their baked goods but do good coffee too. Lit Espresso is good for a light lunch and latte. At soothing white-tiled Reunion Island they have all the latest gadgets.
Dundas West
In this Toronto neighbourhood grab a morning bevvy and a seat at Run and Gun Coffee, The Merseyside and Safehouse Coffee who all boast ample seating. If you're looking to do a little shopping with your morning brew Offsite and Dundas General double as stores and cafes.
