I was lucky enough to visit Toronto on an unusually warm November weekend where temperatures reached 21 degrees celsius. Weather like this is a great spend a weekend in Toronto because there are so many outdoor drinking and eating areas throughout the city. Here are my 5 favourite neighbourhoods to grab a drink or meal in Toronto.
Yonge-Dundas Square
If you are looking for international street food, the World Food Market, just 1 blog north of Yonge-Dundas Square, is a great choice. This former vacant lot has been turned into a quaint outdoor food court with about a dozen vendors selling inexpensive food from around the world.
Distillery District
The Distillery District offers a variety of dining and drinking options. My favourite spot is El Catrin Destileria. Famous for their wide variety of tequila, this restaurant is worth having a meal or simply stopping in for a margarita or tequila shot.
Kensington Market
Kensington Market in old town Toronto is not technically a market but a neighbourhood full of shops, restaurants, pubs and coffee shops. It’s the perfect spot in to enjoy a latte at one of its many hip coffee shops. The neighbourhood has many lunch and dinner options specializing in international cuisine, primarily Caribbean. In the afternoon and evening, there are a handful of spots to enjoy a pint or 2 in their laid back bars and pubs.
Queen Street West
Queen Street West is the place to come in Toronto for nightlife. The stretch of bars, pubs and restaurants has something for everyone, from nightclubs to jazz clubs offering live music to country bars. I enjoyed a few inexpensive pints of beer at the Horseshoe Tavern, a casual pub and live music venue that hosts a friendly mix of old and young clientele. The Rex Jazz and Blues Bar is worth checking out if you are into jazz. They charge a cover for live performances but you can enjoy a drink and listen to the music on the patio for free.
Roundhouse Park
Located just south of the CN Tower, Roundhouse Park doesn’t have a huge selection of bars and restaurants. But one worth mentioning is Steam Whistle Biergarten. This is a perfect spot to enjoy a pint or 2 on a warm day in the summer.
Toronto has so many food and beverage options to offer. With a population of over 7 million residents and known as the most internationally diverse city in the world, there is no shortage of options where ever you find yourself in Toronto.