29 Highview Neigbourhood Guide
Neighbourhoods
We’ve listed some of our favourite things to do in Toronto in this guide. We hope that some of these ideas will give a sense of what it’s like to live in this city. (It’s really fun!)
The websites BlogTO and TorontoLife can also be invaluable in discovering things to do here.
We love living in Regal Heights partly because of all the wonderful restaurants, shops and services within walking distance of our house. We’ve included some of our favourites in this guide.
Regal Heights
We love living in Regal Heights partly because of all the wonderful restaurants, shops and services within walking distance of our house. We’ve included some of our favourites in this guide.
Not a market, but a fun, quirky old neighbourhood full of life. Lots of little streets to wander, patios to chill on and unique shops. If you do go to Kensington, try Grey Gardens for lovely wine and cocktails -- lovely food as well.
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Kensington Market
Not a market, but a fun, quirky old neighbourhood full of life. Lots of little streets to wander, patios to chill on and unique shops. If you do go to Kensington, try Grey Gardens for lovely wine and cocktails -- lovely food as well.
You could do Kensington and Chinatown all in one go as they’re next door to each other. You could see the AGO too (well worth it), all in one trip.
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Chinatown
292 Spadina Ave.You could do Kensington and Chinatown all in one go as they’re next door to each other. You could see the AGO too (well worth it), all in one trip.
For a night of fun, we recommend hopping on the Ossington bus at the end of our street and taking it south to Dundas and Ossington. It’s full of galleries, shops, bars and restaurants.
Ossington Avenue & Dundas Street West
For a night of fun, we recommend hopping on the Ossington bus at the end of our street and taking it south to Dundas and Ossington. It’s full of galleries, shops, bars and restaurants.
A perfect day trip. Hop on a ferry and explore the Toronto Islands. Take a picnic, rent a bike, stroll the boardwalk and see the cute cottage houses on Ward’s Island. Centreville amusement park is a must if you have small children. It is delightful and geared to kids age 3 - 7. The ferry docks are at the foot of Bay Street. Go to Union subway station and take the Queen’s Quay streetcar.
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Toronto Islands
A perfect day trip. Hop on a ferry and explore the Toronto Islands. Take a picnic, rent a bike, stroll the boardwalk and see the cute cottage houses on Ward’s Island. Centreville amusement park is a must if you have small children. It is delightful and geared to kids age 3 - 7. The ferry docks are at the foot of Bay Street. Go to Union subway station and take the Queen’s Quay streetcar.
Coffee
You can't get far in the neighbourhood without coming across a coffee shop. Here are a couple of our favourites.
At the end of Highview Crescent and down Oakwood a few steps, there’s a teeny-tiny espresso bar. It has no sign, but it is in fact The Sovereign, adorable neighbourhood hangout. Take-out only. There’s a larger version of the same cafe a little farther along Davenport with seating. (1359 Davenport Road).
The Sovereign
3 Oakwood AveAt the end of Highview Crescent and down Oakwood a few steps, there’s a teeny-tiny espresso bar. It has no sign, but it is in fact The Sovereign, adorable neighbourhood hangout. Take-out only. There’s a larger version of the same cafe a little farther along Davenport with seating. (1359 Davenport Road).
Great vibes at this spot with a patio offering espresso drinks, clever sandwiches & locally baked goods.
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Krave Coffee
781 St Clair Ave WGreat vibes at this spot with a patio offering espresso drinks, clever sandwiches & locally baked goods.
Breakfast & Brunch
Our favourite place for brunch -- and apparently everyone else’s as well! Get there early on weekends to avoid a lineup. It’s an unpretentious hidden gem with absolutely fabulous food. Closed Tuesdays.
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Emma's Country Kitchen
810 St Clair Ave WOur favourite place for brunch -- and apparently everyone else’s as well! Get there early on weekends to avoid a lineup. It’s an unpretentious hidden gem with absolutely fabulous food. Closed Tuesdays.
Tiny French bakery and cafe. Eat in or take out beautiful croissants, quiches and croques-monsieurs. The best hot chocolate on St. Clair, and quite possibly the world.
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Pain Perdu
736 St Clair Ave WTiny French bakery and cafe. Eat in or take out beautiful croissants, quiches and croques-monsieurs. The best hot chocolate on St. Clair, and quite possibly the world.
This is a longer walk from our house, but worth every step. They specialize in scones in many, many different flavours, and also have a solid lunch menu.
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Baker and Scone
693 St Clair Ave WThis is a longer walk from our house, but worth every step. They specialize in scones in many, many different flavours, and also have a solid lunch menu.
A shiny new deli and bakery with a wide selection of treats and seating for breakfast and lunch.
What A Bagel - St. Clair
827 St Clair Ave WA shiny new deli and bakery with a wide selection of treats and seating for breakfast and lunch.
It’s really hard to go wrong with Chinese food in Toronto, and dim sum brunch is one of the best ways to experience it. Mother’s Dumplings at 421 Spadina is our favourite.
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Mother's Dumplings
421 Spadina Ave.It’s really hard to go wrong with Chinese food in Toronto, and dim sum brunch is one of the best ways to experience it. Mother’s Dumplings at 421 Spadina is our favourite.
For fancy dim sum, head to Pearl Harbourfront. Not in Chinatown, but beautifully refined dim sum with a lake view!
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Pearl Harbourfront Chinese Cuisine
207 Queens Quay WFor fancy dim sum, head to Pearl Harbourfront. Not in Chinatown, but beautifully refined dim sum with a lake view!
If you like the full rolling carts dim sum experience, try Sky Dragon at 280 Spadina.
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Sky Dragon Chinese Restaurant 龍翔酒樓
280 Spadina Ave.If you like the full rolling carts dim sum experience, try Sky Dragon at 280 Spadina.
Lunch/Dinner/Drinks
You will not likely find the Gem in any guidebook, but it’s just down the street and is a secret source of great beer, nachos and wings. Hyperlocal rockabilly joint. Cash only, but there's an ATM on site.
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The Gem Bar & Grill
1159 Davenport RdYou will not likely find the Gem in any guidebook, but it’s just down the street and is a secret source of great beer, nachos and wings. Hyperlocal rockabilly joint. Cash only, but there's an ATM on site.
Traditional Italian spot with wood-burning pizza oven and great pastas. Cheerful and kid-friendly.
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Marcello's Pizzeria
1163 St Clair Ave WTraditional Italian spot with wood-burning pizza oven and great pastas. Cheerful and kid-friendly.
Fantastic Indian food in a charming, old-fashioned setting. Don’t miss the Lamb Jorda Aloo Sali Boti or Saag Kofta. They offer takeout and delivery via Foodora.
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Savera Indian Cuisine
815 St Clair Ave WFantastic Indian food in a charming, old-fashioned setting. Don’t miss the Lamb Jorda Aloo Sali Boti or Saag Kofta. They offer takeout and delivery via Foodora.
Elegant yet casual Italian with al fresco dining on the back patio.
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Nodo Hillcrest
794 St Clair Ave WElegant yet casual Italian with al fresco dining on the back patio.
Very similar to Nodo, just west on St. Clair instead of east. Nice focus on local ingredients.
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CANO Restaurant
1108 St Clair Ave WVery similar to Nodo, just west on St. Clair instead of east. Nice focus on local ingredients.
A neighbourhood favourite with a crowd-pleasing French/Italian inspired menu that includes poutine topped with duck confit. Indoor/outdoor dining when weather permits.
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The Rushton
740 St Clair Ave WA neighbourhood favourite with a crowd-pleasing French/Italian inspired menu that includes poutine topped with duck confit. Indoor/outdoor dining when weather permits.
Fun and friendly speakeasy with a great patio, just steps from our house. Live jazz brunches on weekends. Good range of Ontario craft beer.
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DeSotos Eatery
1079 St Clair Ave WFun and friendly speakeasy with a great patio, just steps from our house. Live jazz brunches on weekends. Good range of Ontario craft beer.
If you do go to Kensington, try Grey Gardens for lovely wine and cocktails -- lovely food as well.
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Grey Gardens
199 Augusta AveIf you do go to Kensington, try Grey Gardens for lovely wine and cocktails -- lovely food as well.
For a traditional Chinese dinner, we like King’s Noodle.
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King's Noodle Restaurant
296 Spadina Ave.For a traditional Chinese dinner, we like King’s Noodle.
Swishy Greek restaurant. Great food and a great start to an evening at Dundas & Ossington.
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Mamakas Taverna
80 Ossington AveSwishy Greek restaurant. Great food and a great start to an evening at Dundas & Ossington.
Foxley
207 Ossington AveAsian fusion and wine in a comfortable cozy room.
FK
770 St Clair Ave WA local place that was recently awarded a Michelin Star. Book ahead!
Takeout & Delivery Spots Nearby
Grab something to go and enjoy it in the Wychwood Barns Park or back here in the apartment. If you prefer to eat in, most of these also have dine-in options. They all deliver through Skip the Dishes or Just-Eat apps as well.
When ordering, ask them to come to the side door entrance on the north side of 29 Highview.
One of Toronto’s best-known Jamaican restaurants. We love the jerk chicken and oxtail stew. This is a bit of a hike from Highview, but easy on the streetcar. Go eastbound and hop off at Vaughn Road. Great combined with a trip to Dutch Dreams!
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Albert's Real Jamaican Foods
542 St Clair Ave WOne of Toronto’s best-known Jamaican restaurants. We love the jerk chicken and oxtail stew. This is a bit of a hike from Highview, but easy on the streetcar. Go eastbound and hop off at Vaughn Road. Great combined with a trip to Dutch Dreams!
The best fish & chips this side of the Atlantic. You won’t need to order extra fries!
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Sea Witch Fish and Chips
636 St Clair Ave WThe best fish & chips this side of the Atlantic. You won’t need to order extra fries!
Some of the city’s best Portuguese chicken and roast potatoes. Make sure to get extra hot sauce, and pasteis de nata for dessert.
Churrasqueira São Miguel
Some of the city’s best Portuguese chicken and roast potatoes. Make sure to get extra hot sauce, and pasteis de nata for dessert.
Lots of dumplings options including soup dumplings, as well as traditional Chinese dishes.
Chinese Dumplings
645 St Clair Ave WLots of dumplings options including soup dumplings, as well as traditional Chinese dishes.
Kibo Sushi
701 St Clair Ave WLovely and fresh!
Chai Pochana
All the traditional Thai favourites.
Pizzaiolo
A nice selection of gourmet-ish pizzas close by. Likely to arrive hot!
Ice Cream
Dutch Dreams is nothing short of an institution in Toronto. Join the lineup and chat with the many locals who travel from miles around for their amazing ice cream, topped with whipped cream, fruit and cotton candy.
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Dutch Dreams
36 Vaughan RdDutch Dreams is nothing short of an institution in Toronto. Join the lineup and chat with the many locals who travel from miles around for their amazing ice cream, topped with whipped cream, fruit and cotton candy.
Futura Granita + Gelato
964 St Clair Ave WLovely gelateria, perfect destinations for a summer evening stroll.
Punto Gelato
Awesome gelateria very close by!
Groceries & Essentials
This is the closest grocery store to the house, and where we ourselves shop most regularly. It is as-advertised! Very little in the way of “frills”, but the produce is generally very good, and it is cheaper by far than other stores nearby. Note that they don’t take Visa. Debit, Mastercard or cash only.
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Luciano's No Frills
243 Alberta AveThis is the closest grocery store to the house, and where we ourselves shop most regularly. It is as-advertised! Very little in the way of “frills”, but the produce is generally very good, and it is cheaper by far than other stores nearby. Note that they don’t take Visa. Debit, Mastercard or cash only.
Definitely a more refined experience than No Frills, Loblaws is a huge grocery store with an excellent cheese section and everything else you could possibly require in the way of groceries. It also has a flower shop, chocolate shop, dry cleaner, and an LCBO. Take the St. Clair streetcar eastbound to St. Clair West Station and you’re right there.
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Loblaws
585 Queen St WDefinitely a more refined experience than No Frills, Loblaws is a huge grocery store with an excellent cheese section and everything else you could possibly require in the way of groceries. It also has a flower shop, chocolate shop, dry cleaner, and an LCBO. Take the St. Clair streetcar eastbound to St. Clair West Station and you’re right there.
A neighbourhood favourite, Fiesta Farms is a well-loved independent grocery store that’s been around for ages. It specializes in organic, local and healthy.
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Fiesta Farms
200 Christie StA neighbourhood favourite, Fiesta Farms is a well-loved independent grocery store that’s been around for ages. It specializes in organic, local and healthy.
For basic convenience store items, the Circle K on the corner of St. Clair and Oakwood is a good bet and very close by.
Circle K
952 King St WFor basic convenience store items, the Circle K on the corner of St. Clair and Oakwood is a good bet and very close by.
The LCBO is the government-run liquor store in Ontario. There’s one at the corner of St. Clair West and Alberta -- just next door to No Frills. It sells wine, beer and liquor.
LCBO
The LCBO is the government-run liquor store in Ontario. There’s one at the corner of St. Clair West and Alberta -- just next door to No Frills. It sells wine, beer and liquor.
Brand new, medium-sized grocery store with a well-curated selection of groceries. It's a little like Trader Joe's. There's also an LCBO (liquor store) next door.
Farm Boy
Brand new, medium-sized grocery store with a well-curated selection of groceries. It's a little like Trader Joe's. There's also an LCBO (liquor store) next door.
Shoppers is open 8 a.m. to midnight every day. If you need medication or to talk to a pharmacist, it should have everything you need, along with a huge range of health and beauty supplies.
Shoppers Drug Mart
Shoppers is open 8 a.m. to midnight every day. If you need medication or to talk to a pharmacist, it should have everything you need, along with a huge range of health and beauty supplies.