Driving into downtown Toronto on a Friday night feels futuristic. I don’t want to say I got a Blade Runner vibe because that sounds too intense… but coming from New York I was immediately struck by how different (and modern) it feels. Heading into the Entertainment District it’s wall to wall high rise apartments.
Toronto unfortunately suffers from quite a bit of negativity as a tourist destination and while your odds of seeing Drake aren’t particularly high, it’s likely your going to have a good time. To do that, it’s imperative that you make some plans on how you’re going to spend the next 48 hours. Knowing areas and key streets is going to help.
Luckily Toronto doesn’t beat around the bush name wise. There’s an Entertainment District and Distillery District, and they’re not named to throw you off the scent like Greenland is – they are exactly what they say.
Queen Street is the main shopping street with cafes galore and King Street has plenty of bars too. See, it’s pretty darn easy.
When you get up Saturday try the George Street Diner, a local favourite with excellent value for money. ‘The Diner’ was filmed there so it’s your perfect stereotypical spot for endless cups of joe and pancake stacks. If you can’t get a seat you can try Petit Dejeuner or The Poet Cafe around the corner on King Street.
If you’re looking to kill time in the afternoon and there’s no BlueJays (baseball) or Maple Leafs (ice-hockey) games to be had, then Kensington Market should be on your radar. It’s a quirky neighbourhood just off Queen Street. It’s not a market though so don’t be fooled, but there are some fun vintage shops, cafes and bakeries. If you’re there in the evening stop by Grey Gardens for dinner.
Or, if drinks are a higher priority than food do yourself a favour and check out Bar Raval in Little Italy (College Street). Its beautiful interior design features a curved oak bar and latticed woodwork that gives the distinct feeling that you are inside a bird’s nest. There are tapas plates to keep you in check while your barman mixes up a Vermouth tasting (2019’s drink of the moment). You can bar-hop down College Street to Bar Isabel (from the same owner) for Spanish Tapas. Note there are a plethora of trendy looking places to eat on College Street in the evening.
For Asian food, venture further and try Mahjong on Dundas and Ossington or if you’re in the mood for Italian, Bar Buca is the spot for delicious meaballs and pizza.
The Distillery District is an area that has undergone some renewal and is filled with specialty shops, and if you get a sunny afternoon pitch yourself outside at El Catrin Destileria for some margaritas.
Of course if you have some extra time you can visit Niagara Falls- it’s only a 1.5 hours drive from Toronto Aiport. It’s fabulous but you don’t need to spend too much time there (the main street is like a miniature Vegas, but not in a good way if you get my drift).
See you can easily fill 48 hours in Toronto, just give it a chance! There’s a reason Drake lives there still*
(*I’m not sure if this is correct but he definitely attends Toronto Raptor games)
Pave & Pave Creative 