Travel Tips

Ask the Locals City Guide: Toronto, Canada

Locations in this article:  Toronto, Canada

Skyline of TorontoWe’re big fans of our neighbors to the north, so when Peter jetted to the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto for his radio show, we tapped into the local scene to see what’s happening in and around town.

Check out what Toronto natives recommend to visitors to their city, from restaurants to activities to art.

Maria Legault, Interdisciplinary Artist

La Palette TorontoLa Palette is a bohemian French bistro in Kensington Market with delicious food and friendly service. La Palette serves mostly classical French cuisine using locally sourced produce and artisanal ingredients—Legault especially recommends the confit de canard (duck confit).

Clafouti on Queen Street West is an adorable French café right in front of Trinity Bellwods Park that serves light, flaky croissants and … you guessed it, clafoutis, a popular French dessert of fresh fruit baked in batter. 416-603-1935

Art lovers can have a field day just by wandering on and around Queen Street West and peeking into the various independent galleries along the way. Walking from Bathurst to Dufferin you can stop by Georgia Scherman Projects on Tecumseth.

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Katherine Mulherin gallery - Dean Baldwin, artistOn Queen Street West, check out Paul Petro Contemporary Art,Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Art Projects and the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art.

And along Ossington Street, stop by mkg127  and Hunter and Cook. The Queen Street West area also features a plethora of cute designer boutiques, cafés and restaurants.

As a performance artist, Legault has been to her fair share of theaters around the city, and recommends Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Factory Theatre for their innovative theatrical programming.

And while may be touristy, it’s absolutely worth a visit to Toronto Island, which is an easy five-minute ferry island to this gorgeous chain of small islands on Lake Ontario.

Ryan McLay, Internet Marketing Consultant

Although most visitors head straight to the CN Tower for its spectacular city view, locals know where else to enjoy an evening cocktail with a view. Panorama sits on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre at Bay and Bloor and offers sweeping views of both uptown and downtown Toronto.

Or check out Canoe on top of the TD Bank Tower, which features an extensive wine list and fresh Canadian cuisine along with the scenery.

Splendido Bar & Grillon Harbord Street offers fine dining with a modern twist, with oddball delights such as the foie gras parfait and more traditional favorites like roasted free-range chicken and rib steak sourced from a family farm.

Get more ideas with our Off the Brochure Travel Guide: Toronto, Canada

C5 Restaurant loungeC5 Restaurant Lounge is another one of Toronto’s top restaurants that embraces the local philosophy, often sourcing ingredients from the city’s ethnic neighborhoods and nearby farms. On Friday evenings through October, the restaurant works in conjunction with the Royal Ontario Museum with dinners that pair top Ontario chefs with local farmers and winemakers, from $95 per person.

Although Toronto is a hectic city, there is plenty of nature nearby to keep outdoorsy types happy. The Waterfront Trail features more than 480 miles of designated green space along the shores of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River, designed for pedestrians, cyclers and Rollerbladers.

Don’t miss Family-Friendly Travel in Toronto, Canada

Another green gem within the city Toronto’s largest park, High Park, which covers nearly 400 acres of wilderness, woodland and gardens. The High Park Nature Centre offers immersive and experiential education programs, including family nature walks and foraging missions.

St. Lawrence MarketFor great people-watching and enough food to make your head spin, mosey over to the St. Lawrence Market, which has more than 120 vendors, along with various cooking classes and weekly “food tasting and history shows.”

Meanwhile, the Kensington Market is a National Historic Site with a multitude of ethnic shops and restaurants as well as a trendier cafés and bars.

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