Toronto/East End

Orientation

The East End used to be the most easterly portion of old city of Toronto before it amalgamated with its immediate suburbs in 1998. (Scarborough is now the most easterly portion of today's Toronto.)
The East End is made up of various districts or neighbourhoods such as Greektown, Leslieville, Riverside District Gerard Indian Bazaar & The Beach. It's a varied, vibrant part of town. Although largely residential, the East End is defined by commercial districts with an interesting mix of small shops, restaurants and bars along its major thoroughfares (Queen St. East, Gerrard St. East, Danforth Ave.), where the majority of the attractions are located, and the residential streets where most of the neighbourhood's residents live. These residential streets are quiet and shaded by old oaks and maples, and contain old homes and townhouses of an astonishing variety of architectural styles.
Embedded within these residential streets are a number of large parks, including Riverdale Park, with its breathtaking view of the skyline, Withrow Park, Greenwood Park, Jimmie Simpson Park, Kew Gardens, Beaches Park, and countless smaller neighbourhood parks.
The main throughfare of the East End is Danforth Ave (locally called The Danforth) of which the most lively stretch lies between Broadview Ave. and Jones Ave. Between those two streets, there are two retail business areas. The area west of Chester Ave (and Chester Subway Station) has been branded "The Danforth" by the local merchants while the area east of Chester Ave is the more lively Greektown. However, from a visitor point of view, it is one continuous district, full of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops with a greater concentration of Greek businesses in Greektown, which has the largest Greek community in North America. The combined area attracts residents and non-residents alike creating a busy, bustling, vibrant place, especially on summer weekends. In August, the 2-day Taste of the Danforth festival brings over one million participants to the neighbourhood to fill The Danforth, which is closed off to traffic.
Along Queen Street East in the East End there are 3 other districts all having a mix of small shops, restaurants and bars. They are, from west to east, Riverside District (at Broadview Ave.), Leslieville (between Logan Ave. and Leslie Street) and the very popular Beach district (between Woodbine Ave. and Neville Park Boulevard).
Riverside District is a small shopping/restaurant district with some attractive old buildings such as the Queen/Saulter library building. The Broadview Hotel, an 1891 landmark in the district, has been renovated and converted into a boutique hotel. This district was once used as a movie set for the film Cinderella Man.
In Leslieville, an enormous revitalization effort has been under way, transforming an area once known for its booze-cans, cheap diners, and tacky furniture shops into one of the hippest up-and-coming areas in the city. A plethora of new restaurants, eateries, bars, bakeries and shops have made this a real gastronomic destination, and since it has been the centre of Toronto's film industry for years, the Queen East has finally reached a tipping point, drawing in hip, young, upwardly mobile people from all over the GTA, transforming the area from a low-rent backwater into a trendsetter reminiscent of Queen West in the early 1990s.
Further east on Queen Street, past Woodbine Ave., the long-established Beach neighbourhood (a.k.a The Beaches) attracts thousands of visitors during the summer, who dine and drink in its restaurants and bars, walk the boardwalk by the lake, sunbathe on the sand beach, bring the kids to the park at Kew Gardens, or walk around the residential streets with their unique homes and laid-back atmosphere.
These are not the only attractions the East End has to offer: there's also Chinatown East radiating from the intersection of Gerrard Street and Broadview Avenue , a smaller, quieter version of Spadina's Chinatown with many fresh food markets and restaurants; Gerrard India Bazaar (a.k.a. Little India) on Gerrard between Greenwood and Woodbine is especially lively in the summertime when South Asians from all over the GTA descend on the neighbourhood to catch a Bollywood flick at one of the only Bollywood movie theatres in the city, enjoy barbecued corn on the street, chew paan purchased from one of the specialized vendors, browse the many shops, jewelry stores, and sari boutiques, or eat in one of a number of South Asian restaurants.

History

Leslieville

Leslieville began as a small village in the 1850s, which grew up around the Toronto Nurseries owned by George Leslie and sons, after whom the community is named. Most of Leslieville's residents were gardeners or were employed at one of the brick-making factories in the area.
Alexander Muir, the composer of "The Maple Leaf Forever", was the first principal of the Leslieville Public School, one of the first buildings in the village. Muir was inspired when a brilliant maple leaf fell on his jacket from a Leslieville tree. Though the tree fell victim to a storm in the summer of 2013, the maple wood will be repurposed to honour its history.

Going East on Bloor Street by subway, bus or car, you cross the Prince Edward Viaduct made famous by the Michael Ondaatje book In the Skin of a Lion. This bridge used to be infamous for being used by people committing suicide. The city installed barriers to prevent people from jumping off the bridge into the Don Valley below. After you cross the Don Valley the street name changes to Danforth and there are lots of Greek restaurants. The main section of restaurants and cool shops is between Ellerbeck and Pape with Carrot Common (at Chester subway) being ground zero.

By subway

Subway line Bloor-Danforth has 4 stations to serve Greektown: Broadview, Chester, Pape and Donlands.
If you are approaching Broadview Station by subway from the west, then get on the very front of the train and look out the front window for a cool view of crossing the Prince Edward Viaduct. Kids love it. If the seats by the covetous rail fan window are occupied, then try to get a window seat on the right side of the train in order to see the view of the valley while on the bridge. There is a different view for each direction.
The Bloor-Danforth subway line 2 has a number of stations in the East End with with connections to streetcars and buses to move people north and south from the Danforth. From Broadview Station, you can take the 504B King or 505 Dundas streetcar to Chinatown East, or the 504B King streetcar to Riverside District. From Woodbine Station, you can take the 92 Woodbine South bus to the west end of The Beach. From Coxwell Station, you can take the 22 Coxwell bus to Gerrard Street to visit Gerrard India Bazaar.

By streetcar

The 501 Queen streetcar serves the nearly the breadth of the East End, with bus connections to most of the stops on Bloor-Danforth subway line 2 between Pape and Coxwell stations. It directly serves Riverside District, Leslieville and The Beach.
The 504B King enters the East End from Downtown along King Street and then heads north along Broadview Avenue. terminating at Broadview Station on Bloor-Danforth subway line 2. It directly serves Riverside District, Chinatown East and the west end of Greektown.
The 505 Dundas enters the East End from Downtown along Dundas Street, and like the 504B, also heads north along Broadview Avenue to Broadview Station. It directly serves Chinatown East and the west end of Greektown.
The 506 Carlton mostly runs along Gerrard Street through the East End, all the way to Main Street where it turns north to terminate at the Main Street Station on Bloor-Danforth subway line 2. It directly serves Chinatown East and Gerrard India Bazaar.

By car

The Don Valley Parkway provides the easiest access from the Hwy 401. Head south on the DVP to the Bloor exit if looking to go to Greektown / the Danforth. Exit and follow the road up the hill and you will come to a light - turn left. You are at CastleFrank subway and about to cross the bridge which will become the Danforth once you pass Broadview.
If you're looking to go to the southern part of the East End (the Beach), exit at Lake Shore Blvd from Gardner Expressway. Follow Lakeshore Blvd east until it becomes Woodbine Ave and turn right onto Queen St East.

By bike

Alternatively, there is the bike path along Bloor which ends at Broadview/Danforth. This route allows you to stop in the middle of the Prince Edward Viaduct for a spectacular view of the Don Valley south to the lake including all the skyscrapers of downtown. Or another bike route is to travel along the Don bike path from north or south and exit the path at Pottery Road (long uphill warning) with the reward of Dairy Queen at the top of the hill. This DQ has one of the best views of the city. From the DQ head south on Broadview to the Danforth and then to the east.

• Todmorden Mills Heritage Site

  phone: +1 416-396-2819
  address: 67 Pottery Rd
  There are some old houses which are well preserved and complete with furnishings. In behind the houses, there is a circular walking path that crosses over an old bend in the Don River that has been cut off from the main flow by the construction of the Don Valley Parkway. Parking available.

Chinatown East

• Old Don JailThe former Don Jail was completed in 1864 with a capacity for 184 inmates. It is notorious for the last judicial hangings in Canada in 1962. Despite its grim history, the building is attractive architecturally, looking palatial over a broad green space, having been recently renovated as an administrative building for the Bridgepoint Health complex. There are pamplets at the jail building entrances for a self-guided tour of the interior. Inside you will see the rotunda with a contemporary art displays, and a number of fixtures of the old jail. There is a preserved cell block. A short explanatory video is available. Hubbard Park, on the south side of the building, contains explanatory plaques, the former gate house and former jail warden's residence. On the north side is an attractive park containing plants, fountains and more explanatory plaques.

• Toronto Chinese ArchwayThis 13-metre high, pagoda-style monument features engraved messages of goodwill and wisdom and is framed by two lions to symbolically serve as the entrance way to Chinatown East.

Greektown & The Danforth

• Alexander the Great Parkette

  address: corner of Logan Ave and Danforth Ave
  A small square with cafes, fountain and monument dedicated to Alexander the Great.

• Madinah Masjid

  address: 1015 Danforth Ave
  A Middle-East-style mosque with a tall minaret, 2 domes and arches facing the street.

• Playter Farmhouse

  address: 28 Playter Crescent
  This is one of the original houses from when the area was settled. It was still in the family until 2006, when it was sold. It has not been turned into a museum.

Leslieville

• Garden statues

  address: 37 Bertmount Ave
  There is an elaborate and very conspicuous display of statues covering the front yard and front porch of the private residence at that address. The display is easily viewed from the public sidewalk.

• Maple Leaf Forever Park

  address: 62 Laing St
  Alexander Muir wrote the rousing British-Canadian song "The Maple Leaf Forever". According to legend, Muir was inspired by a maple tree standing in front of the cottage at 62 Laing Street. A wind storm killed that maple tree in 2013, and only the lower trunk remains. However, a sapling from the original tree now grows in the park behind the cottage.

• TTC Russell Carhouse

  address: 1433 Queen Street East
  For railfans: both the front and rear of this active tram depot can be easily viewed from the public sidewalk. This carhouse was built in 1924 and contains 21 tracks. If you are lucky, you might see the two remaining Toronto PCC streetcars in the yard.

Riverside District

• Joel Weeks Park

  address: 10 Thompson St
  The main feature of this park is an amusing statue of four squirrels gazing at a giant acorn. There are also flower beds, a community vegetable garden and 2 other animal sculptures.

• Queen Street ViaductThis Pratt truss bridge over the Don River has public art on its west side looking east. The art work by Eldon Garnet consists of a clock face without hands and the phrase "this river I step in is not the river I stand in". If you look up "Heraclitus" in Wikipedia, you will find clues to this riddle. The bridge is a symbol for the Riverside District.

The Beach

• This section of Lake Ontario shoreline is known as the Eastern beaches, and includes, from east to west, Balmy Beach, Kew Beach, and Woodbine Beach. The 3.5-km Boardwalk winds along the beaches from Silver Birch Avenue to Ashbridge's Bay Park, west of Woodbine Avenue. The Boardwalk is a great place for strolling and people-watching, especially in the summer, when it's always a bit cooler at the lake than elsewhere in the city.

• Beaches Library

  address: 2161 Queen Street East
  The Beaches Library was the last of three identical branches (Wychwood and High Park being the other two) built in 1915 with a $50,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The library's main visual feature is its second floor resembling a Tudor Gothic great hall with a soaring hammer-beamed ceiling, fireplace, lead-glass windows and a third-level mistral gallery.

• Glen Stewart RavineGlen Stewart Ravine is a rustic wooded ravine with a stream, trail and wooden footbridges. The ravine is apparently a hangout for wild cayotes, as there is a sign at one entrance instructing you how to react if you encounter one. The gravel trail is 600–650 metres long depending on where you enter, and is steep at its northern end. There are two north-end entrances: one on the south side of Kingston Road west of Beach Avenue, and a second one on the west side of Beach Avenue south of Kingston Road.

• Ivan Forrest Gardens

  address: 131 Glen Manor Dr
  Ivan Forrest Gardens is the southern end of Glen Stewart Ravine. Unlike the northern portion of the ravine, Ivan Forrest Gardens is a city park with lawns, paved paths and a few flower beds.

Kew Gardens

address: 2075 Queen St E

This park includes a large children's playground and wading pool in the north-west corner. In the winter, there's the outdoor ice-skating rink.

Kew Williams House

address: 30 Lee Ave

The house built by the original owner of Kew Gardens in 1901-02. It is one of the most photographed buildings in the Beach.

Leuty Lifeguard StationThis Beach landmark was built in the 1920s.

R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant

address: 2701 Queen St E

Built in the 1930s, this beautiful Art Deco building is Toronto's largest water treatment facility and has been designated a national historic civil engineering site. It's been featured in a number of films and TV shows.

Toronto Fire Station 227

address: 1904 Queen Street East

Built in 1905, this three-storey Queen Anne structure with a clock tower is still in use today. Originally, there was only one vehicle bay but a second was added in 1960.

Theatres

• The Danforth Music Hall

  phone: +1 416-778-8163
  address: 147 Danforth Avenue
  The Danforth Music Hall is a venue for concerts featuring international and local artists. The theatre was built as a movie theatre in 1919. It was the Allen’s Danforth, as part of the Allen Theatre chain. The theatre became the Music Hall when it started to feature live acts in the late 1970s. In 2011, it became the Danforth Music Hall after a change in ownership when the theatre was remodelled and renovated.

• Fox Theatre

  phone: +1 416-691-7330
  address: 2236 Queen St E
  Operating since 1914, the Fox Theatre is the second oldest, operating cinema in the city. It has a single screen and shows a mixture of second-run movies, independent and foreign films, and classic favourites. The Fox Theatre underwent an extensive restoration in 2007. Some of the changes included 250 new plush reclining red-finish seats with cupholders, a 1930s-inspired carpet, a new concessions stand with an old-fashioned popcorn machine and menu chalkboard, a reupholstered smoking wall, one-of-a-kind classic light up movie posters, and the original Prince Edward and candy bar signs.

• The Opera House

  phone: +1 416-466-0313
  address: 735 Queen St E
  A former vaudeville theatre from the early 1900s, now hosting concerts, comedy & special events. Sorry, no Verdi or Puccini.

La dolce vita

• The best thing to do on the Danforth is to find a sidewalk cafe and sit there drinking coffee, wine, beer and eat Mezes. There are plenty of options here and they all are well worth it.

Outdoor activities

• Donald D Summerville Olympic Pool

  phone: +1 416-392-7688
  address: 1867 Lakeshore Blvd E
  The facility has an Olympic-sized pool, a large children's pool, and a diving pool.
• Run, bike or inline-skate along the Martin Goodman Trail: The Beach-section of this trail, is a smooth asphalt path running parallel to the Boardwalk. The Martin Goodman trail is 20 km long in total, and is part of the longer 350-km Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail. It can be very busy on weekends.
• Swimming in Lake Ontario. The most common concern is water pollution. Toronto's beaches are tested daily from June to Labour Day weekend. You can check the water quality at any of Toronto's beaches on-line or by calling the City of Toronto's hotline at +1 416-392-7161. The Toronto Police Lifeguard Service program supervises Balmy, Kew, Beaches Park, and Ashbridge's Bay-Woodbine Park Beach from the first week of June to Labour Day, 11:30AM to 6:30PM daily. Swimming in the lake poses some dangers: the lake bottom is uneven and there may be sharp objects in the sand, and there can be dangerous currents. Take note of warning flags, and never swim alone.
• Discovery Walk. Take a self-guided tour of the Eastern Ravine & Beaches, (PDF map), including the Boardwalk, Ashbridge's Bay and the Glen Stewart ravine. This 9-km walk will take about 3 hours, but you can just do a section of it if you prefer.

• Withrow Park

  address: 725 Logan Ave
  This park has a great area for 2-9 year old kids, an area to let dogs off leash and a skating rink in the winter.

Festivals

• Beaches International Jazz Festival

  address: Kew Gardens
  A free open-air event mainly showcasing Canadian jazz that takes place the last weekend of July each year, drawing over 800,000 visitors.

• Bloomsday TorontoA one-day celebration of James Joyce's novel Ulysses, occurring on (of course!) June 16th each year.

• Fireworks at Ashbridges BayThere are fireworks at Ashbridges Bay on Victoria Day (the Monday preceding May 25) and Canada Day (July 1). The Woodbine Beach area at the foot of Woodbine Ave may be the best location to view them.

• Taste of the Danforth

  address: Danforth Ave
  The Taste of the Danforth festival happens the second weekend in August. During this event, the Danforth is closed off to vehicular traffic and there is a massive street party. Don't drive and hope to find parking. Take the subway to either Broadview, Chester, Pape or Donlands. Of course there is a Greek theme with tons of BBQ'ed souvlaki but there is other types of food too. There are midway rides for kids too. There are 2 stages. The main Greek stage is at Logan. About a million people fill the Danforth for this festive event.

• Toronto Beaches Lions Easter ParadeTakes place Easter Sunday along Queen Street, from Victoria Park Avenue to Woodbine Avenue.

The Beach

• There are lots of small, unique shops along Queen Street East in The Beach (a.k.a. The Beaches), from west of Woodbine Avenue all the way east to Victoria Park Avenue.

Gerrard India Bazaar

• Venture into the East at the Gerrard India Bazaar (a.k.a. Little India) at Coxwell and Gerrard. Great for picking up bargains like an armful of bangles, and to shop for takehome souvenirs.

Greektown & The Danforth

• Alex Farm Products

  address: 377 Danforth Ave
  Delicatessen. Olives, feta and other cheeses.

• Athena Bakery

  phone: +1 416-462-1411
  address: 598 Danforth Av
  Greek pastry shop. Take-out only, no eating area provided.

• Book City

  phone: +1 416-469-9997
  address: 348 Danforth Ave
  Medium-size book store

• Gifts From The Earth

  phone: +1 416-465-4579
  address: 320 Danforth Ave at Carrot Common
  A cool rock store where you can buy all sorts of crystals and there are some telescopes there too.

• LCBO (liquor)

  phone: +1 416-469-4724
  address: 200 Danforth Ave
  This LCBO store once made the rather bold claim that it has the "best selection of Greek wines outside of Greece". Ouzo is available at $20+ per bottle. All beer (single bottles/cans and 6-packs) are sold cold from a special refrigerated room. (Most LCBO stores sell only a very limited selection of cold beer.)

Leslieville

• Arts Market

  phone: +1 647-997-7616
  address: 1114 Queen St E
  Arts & crafts store selling jewellery, illustrations, greeting cards, wood working, ceramics, fashion accessories, photography, paintings, knitters, etc. on behalf of over 150 artists and designers.

• The Bone House

  phone: +1 416-463-2663
  address: 946 Queen St E
  Sells organic dog food and toys, most made in Canada.

• Doll Factory by Damzels

  phone: +1 416-598-0509
  address: 1122 Queen St E
  NOW magazine: "The Toronto-based design duo behind Damzels’ retro-flirty frocks have one of the biggest cult followings in town."

• Gadabout Vintage

  phone: +1 416-463-1254
  address: 1300 Queen St E
  Antique & vintage clothing, jewellery, home goods & knickknacks.

Riverside District

• Tiny Record Shop

  phone: +1 416-479-4363
  address: 777 Queen St E
  Independent record store with vinyl stock.

Here are listings by district within the East End.

Chinatown East

• Green Earth Vegetarian Cuisine

  phone: +1 416-778-9199
  address: 385 Broadview Ave
  Features vegan versions of international dishes (USA, Italy, Mexico, China, Thailand, Vietnam). TV mounted above counter shows Supreme Master Television.

• Pearl Court Restaurant

  phone: +1 416-463-8778
  address: 633 Gerrard St E
  Many vegetarian dishes, oyster and scallop appetizers.

• Simon's Wok Vegetarian Kitchen

  phone: +1 416-778-9836
  address: 797 Gerrard St E
  Vegetarian Chinese cuisine served in communal manner.

Gerrard India Bazaar

• Gautama

  phone: +1 416-469-4444
  address: 1416 Gerrard St E
  Indian buffet.

Greektown & The Danforth

There is lots of choice for restaurants in Greektown. After dinner, the sidewalks lure many locals out for a casual stroll along the Danforth. It's a great way to spend a summer weekend evening.

• Allens

  address: 143 Danforth Avenue
  Great food and bar with a superb selection of beer. Try another from Unibroue such Fin de Monde or Maudite for real beer. Live Celtic music on weekends.

• Astoria Shish Kebob House

  address: 390 Danforth Avenue
  One of the better Greek restaurants around.

• Danforth Dragon Restaurant

  phone: +1 416-461-9238
  address: 861 Danforth Ave
  Hakka cuisine — Chinese food with Indian spices. Take-out and delivery only.

• Douce France

  phone: +1 647-348-7661
  address: 820 Danforth Ave
  This French pâtisserie & café boasts that ingredients for its products come from France. A pastry counter stands at the entrance, opposite several shelves of packaged goods from France. In the back of the shop is a café with table service. Staff here speak both French and English.

• Il Fornello on The Danforth

  phone: +1 416-466-2931
  address: 576 Danforth Ave
  Serves pizzas baked in a wood-oven quite visible from the dining area. Seasonal sidewalk patio.

• Momo Hut & Gardens

  phone: +1 416 363-8580
  address: 401 Danforth Ave
  Offering a pretty extensive selection of momos — from standards such as beef, pork, and chicken to more esoteric permutations — which are delicious and filling if a bit under-seasoned. But despite its name, best practice at Momo Hut is to stray off the dumpling portion of the menu into their selection of other Tibetan specialties (stir-fried rice and noodle dishes as well as spicy meat curries), which is limited in range but even more reliably delicious. Staff is friendly as can be, and quite accustomed to helping newbies learn the ins and outs of the cuisine.

• Ouzeri

  phone: +1 416 778-0500
  address: 500A Danforth Ave
  Generous portions of Greek food in an elegant setting.

• Pappas Grill

  address: 440 Danforth Avenue
  Greek food. Pappas Grill appeared in a scene in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding which spoiled the illusion for many Toronto film goers that the film was set in Chicago.

• Red Rocket Coffee

  address: 1364 Danforth Ave
  Finding a branch of this eclectic space-themed cafe is not hard; look for the red circle with the white rocket inside. Licensed by LLBO, serving wines from Niagara Region, beer from the Mill Street Brewery, and Waupoos cider from Prince Edward County.

• Sher e Punjab

  address: 351 Danforth Avenue
  Great Indian food in a nice family atmosphere. Try the lamb saag.

Leslieville

• Descendant Detroit Style Pizza

  phone: +1 647-347-1168
  address: 1168 Queen St E
  Gourmet, square-shaped pizza. Expect about 20-30 minutes for your order to be prepared. The small size pizzas are fairly large. The large pizzas should be shared among 2-3 persons. Serves beers from small breweries.

• Leslie Pumps General Store & Kitchen

  phone: +1 416-465-1313
  address: 929 Queen St E near Carlaw Ave
  A gas station with a kitchen for light meals like BBQ sandwiches, hamburgers, etc. Nice butter tarts. Patio available and a few interior tables. The gas station uses barn wood on both the exterior and interior making the building attractively rustic.

• Rashers

  phone: +1 416-710-8220
  address: 948 Queen Street East
  Bacon sandwich shop

• Te Aro

  phone: +1 416-465-2006
  address: 983 Queen St E
  Coffee roaster & cafe offering pastries & wholesale beans.

Riverside District

• Bonjour Brioche

  phone: +1 416-406-1250
  address: 812 Queen Street E
  Light lunches available. Patio. Latte bowl (larger than a cup) for $4. The owner and a chef are from France.

• Lady Marmalade

  phone: +1 647-351-7645
  address: 265 Broadview Ave
  Egg dishes for breakfast and salad & fancy sandwiches for lunch. Uses local products where possible.

The Beach

There are many restaurants along Queen Street East in The Beach.

• The Beacher Cafe

  phone: +1 416-699-3874
  address: 2162 Queen St E
  Variety of meals: Breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, souvlaki, quiche, fish & chips, etc. Seasonal patio overlooking Queen Street.

• Ed's Real Scoop

  address: 2224 Queen St. East
  Homemade ice cream and cones.

• Tori's Bakeshop

  phone: +1 647-350-6500
  address: 2188 Queen St E
  Vegan & organic baked goods; no refined sugar used; nice cappuccino; small interior seating area.

• Oscar Coffee & Espresso Bar

  phone: +1 647-350-2377
  address: 2377 Queen St E
  Espresso coffee (main feature) and other non-alcoholic beverages. Food is limited to a few sweet items such as muffins, cookies. Seasonal patio. The name "Tamblyn", set in floor tiles at the entrance, indicates the shop was once a drug store in the defunct Tamblyn chain located mainly around Toronto from the 1920s.

• Garden Gate Restaurant

  address: 2379 Queen St E
  An local institution since 1952 serving Canadian Chinese cuisine, breakfast, hamburgers. Try blueberry pancakes. The restaurant's nickname comes from the restaurant's neon sign when half the lights for the words the "GOOD FOOD" burnt out leaving only "GOO F" illuminated. The effect is best seen on the east side of the restaurant's sign.

• The Belgian Chocolate Shop

  phone: +1 416-691-1424
  address: 2455 Queen St E
  The chocolates are made onsite using raw chocolate imported from Belgium. The shop owner is from Belgium.

• Vi Vetha

  address: 2485 Queen St. East
  Good brunch selections, served until 4PM.

Greektown & The Danforth

• Dora Keogh Irish Pub

  phone: +1 416 778-1804
  address: 141 Danforth Ave
  A genuine Irish pub that has the finest pour of Guinness in Toronto.

The Beach

• The Feathers Pub

  phone: +1 416 694-0443
  address: 962 Kingston Road
  Possibly Toronto's most British pub, and has over 460 single malt whiskies available.

• Murphy's Law Irish Pub

  phone: +1 416-690-5516
  address: 1702 Queen St. E. Toronto, ON M4L 1G6
  Come in for a pint of Guinness and stay for hours at this genuine Irish establishment. Great for functions and get togethers.

Upper Leslieville

Upper Leslieville is located along Gerrard Street, north of Queen Street East.

• Left Field Brewery

  phone: +1 647-346-5001
  address: 36 Wagstaff Dr
  Microbrewery and pub in a workshop-style building along a semi-industrial lane in Upper Leslieville.

Riverside District

• Saulter Street Brewery

  phone: +1 416-463-9379
  address: 31 Saulter St #1
  In this micro brewery, located in a former garage, visitors can sample the brews and view the brewing equipment arranged along two walls of the tap room.

• The Broadview Hotel

  phone: +1 416-362-8439
  address: 106 Broadview Ave
  Boutique hotel opened July 2017 in a renovated 1891 building, which replaced a previous rundown hotel operation under a different management and owner.

• Days Inn-Toronto Beaches

  address: 1684 Queen St E
  5-minute walk to the beach. Included breakfast and high speed internet.

Public washrooms are located along the beach at Balmy Beach (at the foot of Silver Birch Ave.), Kew Gardens (at the foot of Lee Avenue), Ashbridge's Bay Park, Woodbine Beach Park.

• Beaches Library

  phone: +1 416 393-7703
  address: 2161 Queen St. East
  Free computer and internet access.