Wednesday, May 23, 2012Cloudy 17°C
Neighbourhoods

King West

King West has given itself a branding makeover in the last decade and is now a destination for stylish, high-end restaurants with names like Crush, Blowfish and Thuet, lounges and dance clubs including Cheval and Footwork and Toronto's best men's clothing store. A block south, Wellington is home to many of the city's top advertising agencies and more great restaurants while all around condo developers like Brad Lamb and Freed Developments battle it out to reign supreme as king of the 600 square foot loft style condos in the sky.


Coming soon in the Talk! forums.

259 Host / Restaurants

259 Wellington Street 416.599.4678 Website
259 Host

259 Host is the fourth Host restaurant in the Toronto area but unlike the other three the kitchen here adds a bit more creative flare to traditional Indian dishes. Witness...


309 Dhaba / Restaurants

309 King Street West 416.740.6622 Website
309 Dhaba

Dhaba (also known as 309 Dhaba) is an Indian restaurant on King West. The second floor restaurant offers a tasting menu, prix fixe and a la carte. They also feature...


930 Sushi / Restaurants

930 King St West 416.603.9992 Website
930 Sushi

It's slim pickings along the dark stretch of King West by Stanley Park and the vast number of options on nearby Queen West easily draw locals away from neighbourhood eats....


Adrift / Fashion Stores

116 Spadina Ave 416.515.0550 Website
Adrift

Adrift is more of an apparel and skate culture spot than a bona fide skate shop. A pretty slick operation, it's a tucked away basement studio at Spadina and Richmond....


Alimento Fine Food Emporium / Grocery Stores

522 King St. West 416.362.0123 Website
Alimento Fine Food Emporium

Alimento is really three businesses in one; it's a "fine food emporium" (or grocery store, to the layman among us), a bakery (which, technically, operates under the name Forno Cultura),...


Angelo's on King / Restaurants

791 King St. West 416.203.9390 Website
Angelo's on King

Angelo's on King serves well made Italian classics like Caprese salad and carpaccio. But there's a lot more to the menu than just these two dishes. In addition to a...


Anoush Shawarma / Restaurants

330 Front St West 416.585.7980
Anoush Shawarma

Anoush Shawarma serves decent enough falafel and shawarma from its cafeteria like restaurant just steps from the Rogers Centre....


Apple Self Storage / Services

530 Adelaide Street West 416.863.5050 Website
Apple Self Storage

Apple Self Storage near Adelaide and Bathurst is the place to go for storage needs as close to the downtown core as possible, . A 10x10 costs $285 but a...



Aroma Indian Cuisine / Restaurants

287 King St. West 416.971.7242 Website
Aroma Indian Cuisine

Aroma is one of a handful of Indian restaurants on King West near John that offers a lunch time AYCE buffet as well as white tableclothed dinner service - mostly...


Art Metropole / Galleries

788 King Street West 416.703.4400 Website
Art Metropole

Art Metropole is a tough place to pin with a label. As is so often the case, the process of doing so forces one to make an either/or decision...


Atelier Cafe Lounge / Cafes

510 King St. West 416.594.0007 Website
Atelier Cafe Lounge

Atelier Cafe Lounge is in the midst a branding overhaul and is hoping to emerge as a daytime meeting space for King West designers, people in finance, and budding young...


Bamboo Buddha / Restaurants

752 King Street West 416-504-9311
Bamboo Buddha

In a meeting this week, over particularly 'blah' sandwiches, a client of mine suggested a little spot down the street that had great Chinese. "It doesn't look like much from the...


Bar Wellington / Bars

520 Wellington Street West 416.341.8880 Website
Bar Wellington

Bar Wellington, at the corner of Portland and Wellington, has more than a dozen beers on tap and serves up tasty pub favourites like Guinness stew, grilled steak sanwiches and...


Bavette / Restaurants

488 Wellington St. West 416.979.1990 Website
Bavette

Bavette, Marben's cooler and more fun-loving sister, has opened its doors in the basement of 488 Wellington St. West. While Bavette has the same menu as Marben, it turns into...


Beast Restaurant / Restaurants

96 Tecumseth Street 647.352.6000 Website
Beast Restaurant

Beast is tucked away at 96 Tecumseth, just North of King and West of Bathurst, on a quiet tree-lined residential street with ample shaded patio seating to cool off on...


Beauty Line Nail Spa (King West) / Fashion Stores

645 King St. W 647.436.8989 Website
Beauty Line Nail Spa (King West)

Beauty Line Nail Spa has two Toronto locations, but its King and Bathurst spa is the one that's particularly rave-worthy. While it's not unusually to find $30 mani/pedi deals at...



Bier Markt / Restaurants

600 King Street West 416.862.1175 Website
Bier Markt

The Bier Markt has two locations: the original on the Esplanade and the newer one at King West and Portland. In general, the Bier Markt is best suited for a...


Big Daddy's / Restaurants

212 King St. West 416.599.5200 Website
Big Daddy's

Big Daddy's Bourbon Street Bistro & Oyster Bar is exactly as it sounds - a casual restaurant serving seafood and other Louisiana favourites like cajun fried alligator, seafood gumbo and...


Big It Up / Fashion Stores

58 Spadina Avenue 1-888-BIG-IT-UP Website
Big It Up

Big It Up stocks a wide range of hats for men and women....


Big Smoke Burger / Restaurants

573 King Street West 416.596.6660
Big Smoke Burger

I think winter might just last forever this year. It honestly wouldn't surprise me the way things are going right now. But whether you're someone who either loathes or embraces...


Black Line Studio / Services

577 King St. West 416.850.8227 Website
Black Line Studio

Black Line Studio, as soon as you enter, exudes a different vibe than your average run-of-the-mill tattoo joint. For one, the window display is stuffed with local artwork. And upon...


Bloke & 4th / Restaurants

401 King St. West 416.477.1490 Website
Bloke & 4th

Bloke & 4th has taken over the cursed space at 401 King St. West that has most recently been a gourmet burger joint and a Shoeless Joe's. The new owners...


Blowfish / Restaurants

668 King Street West 416.860.0606 Website
Blowfish

I'm no sushi snob - if the sushi/sashimi craving hits, I'll be feasting at an all-you-can sushi place and leave two hours later, fully satiated and ten pounds heavier. But on...


BLVD Room / Bars

81 Peter St. 416.581.1118 Website
BLVD Room

BLVD Room on Peter Street in the Club District has bottle service for $100. That's only 400% mark-up which is a pretty good deal in these times of recession....



Body Blitz Spa / Fashion Stores

471 Adelaide St. W. 416.364.0400 Website
Body Blitz Spa

Body Blitz is one of few places in Toronto where you can walk in, get nekked, and not be arrested. Spa services are offered, but the highlight is the clothing-optional...


Brant House / Bars

1 Brant Street 416.703.2800 Website
Brant House

A favourite among the Bay Street crowd, Brant House is big and brash. Expect bouncers at the door who'll refuse your entry if you're not wearing the right shoes. Dinner,...


Brassaii / Restaurants

461 King Street West 416-598-4730
Brassaii

Forget about the steel gates you have to walk through to get to Brassaii, or the cold, clammy minimalist interior - forget about all that. This restaurant knows how...


Brennen Demelo Studio / Fashion Stores

316 Adelaide St. West 416.301.1072 Website
Brennen Demelo Studio

Brennen Demelo Studio is about more than just hair. You can tell by looking at the classic Vogues on its magazine rack, the art on its wall, and the resumes...


Bubble Mix / Cafes

263 Wellington St West 416.599.8811
Bubble Mix

Bubble Mix is a sleek little bubble tea place on Wellington West, a couple of blocks away from the Rogers Centre....


Buca / Restaurants

604 King St. West 416.865.1600 Website
Buca

Buca has been something of a buzzword lately thanks to Jamie Oliver's late November tweet about his experience at the restaurant, lauding Executive Chef Rob Gentile as a "humble genius"...


Burger Brats / Restaurants

254 Adelaide St. West 647.352.4786 Website
Burger Brats

Burger Brats is situated between John and Duncan on Adelaide Street, fittingly sandwiched between Hooters and Crocodile Rock. The rock 'n' roll style street sign with kitschy photos of massive...


Burrito Boyz / Restaurants

218 Adelaide St. West 647.439.4065 Website
Burrito Boyz

Some say the best burritos in the city. Now with three locations, Burrito Boyz still makes the burritos - grilled, pressed and made to order - just like they've always...



C Lounge / Bars

456 Wellington Street West 416.260.9393 Website
C Lounge

C Lounge is an Indoor and outdoor space best for summer "pool parties" in the back patio surrounded by cabans and comfy couches. ...


Calphalon Culinary Center / Design Stores

425 King Street West 416.847.2212 Website
Calphalon Culinary Center

Calphalon sells high quality kitchenwares and is a great place to learn how to cook. ...


Canadian Outdoor Equipment / Fashion Stores

367 King St W 647.3501760 Website
Canadian Outdoor Equipment

Canadian Outdoor Equipment nestled on King West amongst its two key competitors, Mountain Equipment Co-op and Europe Bound. Both the newest and smallest of the three outdoor adventure stores, it...


Canadian Salvaged Timber / Design Stores

525 Adelaide St West 905.237.1529 Website
Canadian Salvaged Timber

Canadian Salvaged Timber is a haven for lumber lovers. As both a design shop and reclaimed wood wholesaler, CST serves a whole range of clients including homeowners, restaurateurs, interior designers...


Cheesewerks / Restaurants

56 Bathurst St Website
Cheesewerks

Cheesewerks is the city's newest, quirky grilled-cheese specialty shop, giving Kensington Market's The Grilled Cheese and the also recently opened Construction Site a little competition. Located in the relatively sparse...


Cheval / Bars

606 King Street West 416.363.4933 Website
Cheval

A stylish lounge on King West, Cheval features three rooms - the Pit, the Dance Floor and the Bar - to satisfy different moods and intentions....


COBRA / Bars

510 King West 416.361.9004 Website
COBRA

COBRA takes over the space formerly home to West lounge. In a complete transformation from its previous life, COBRA boasts a luxurious 5000 sq. ft. subterranean tomb like setting complete...


Coco Rice / Restaurants

669 King Street West 416.504.9434 Website
Coco Rice

Authentic Thai lunches and dinners. Vegan and vegetarian options available....



Cool Hand Luc / Restaurants

545 King St. West Website
Cool Hand Luc

Cool Hand Luc is a new ice cream shop bringing a bit of colourful glee to an otherwise sort of stiff and trendy stretch of King West. If there's any...


Cora's / Restaurants

277 Wellington St West 416-598-2672
Cora's

For those who've discovered brunch at Cora's, the weekend will never quite be the same. Now, a quintessential Sunday brunch involves waiting in long line with other hungry strangers...


Corned Beef House / Restaurants

270 Adelaide Street West 416.977.2333 Website
Corned Beef House

The Corned Beef House has been operating in the same location for over 30 years. The most popular sandwich here is, no surprise, their corned beef; although they do a...


Cream Restaurant / Restaurants

589 King West 416.366.2736 Website
Cream Restaurant

Cream is a restaurant and lounge upstairs from Lou Dawgs on King West. They have a full dinner menu - featuring filet mignon, calamari, oysters, sea bass, caviar and other...


Crocodile Rock / Bars

240 Adelaide Street West 416.599.9751 Website
Crocodile Rock

Crocodile Rock, if the name doesn't give it away, should best be avoided unless you're up for a night of drunken revelry with a bunch of 21 years old just...


Crown Bar and Lounge / Bars

393 King St. West 416.341.2345 Website
Crown Bar and Lounge

Crown Bar and Lounge may be situated on a King, but does it have the jewels necessary for it to truly become Toronto royalty? I arrived at Crown right around...


Crush Wine Bar / Restaurants

455 King Street West 416.977.1234 Website
Crush Wine Bar

Crush Wine Bar is a King West fixture and one of the best wine bars in the city. On Mondays you can bring your own bottle for a one dollar...


CYKL / Fitness Clubs

68 Bathurst Street 416.504.2955 Website
CYKL

CYKL is home to former RPM instructor Kim who branched out on her own with CYKL in February. Professionalism and hospitality are paramount here, and CYKL is the only downtown...



Dark Horse (John St.) / Cafes

125 John St Website
Dark Horse (John St.)

Dark Horse (John) is the the newest, smallest, tin-tiled espresso bar to join Toronto's Dark Horse empire. Though I'm not sure if four locations — the one on Spadina, Queen...


Dazzling / Restaurants

291 King St W 416.506.8886 Website
Dazzling

Dazzling specializes in Asian Fusion offered in a super-modern and minimalist setting on King West. The enormous menu covers a lot of ground, with popular Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Malaysian...


Devil's Martini / Bars

473 Adelaide Street West 416.603.9300 Website
Devil's Martini

Devil's Martini, a dance club located down an alley off Adelaide near Bathurst, is one of Toronto's top meat-markets and a destination for stagette parties. Music tends to favour...


Diaz Contemporary / Galleries

100 Niagara Street 416.361.2972 Website
Diaz Contemporary

You could drop this gallery unmolested into any of the great contemporary art centres of the world and you wouldn't have to change a thing. Owner Benjamin Diaz...


Dolce Social Ballroom / Bars

647 King St. West 416.361.9111 Website
Dolce Social Ballroom

If we can infer musical taste by dress style and vice-versa - one person's wallet chain and septum piercing may scream Black Flag, for example, while another person's beard says...


Europe Bound / Fashion Stores

383 King St W 416.205.9992 Website
Europe Bound

Europe Bound may not compare with its neighbour to the north in terms of size, but many swear by the high end brands the Mountain Equipent Co-op competitor carries. Also...


F Correnti Cigars / Grocery Stores

606 King Street West 416.504.4108 Website
F Correnti Cigars

F Correnti Cigars is hidden away in an alley near King and Portland. To find it, walk north on Portland from King and take the first alley left. There's a...


Fiction Club / Bars

180 Pearl Street 647.352.5505
Fiction Club

Fiction Club (formerly Park Lane) is sandwiched between Grace O'Malley's and Tequila Jack's. The three lines of people that snake from those respective venues are indistinguishable from one another, and...



Foggy Dew / Restaurants

803 King Street West 416.703.4042 Website
Foggy Dew

Foggy Dew is the original King West Irish pub. It lost some steam when the Brazen Head moved in just down the road, but it seems the most local, intimate...


Footwork / Bars

425 Adelaide Street West 416.913.3488 Website
Footwork

Footwork is one of the only clubs in town that has chosen their lines and stuck with them. You wanna hear good house music or techno, like the real stuff...


Fred's Not Here / Restaurants

321 King Street West 416-971-9155
Fred's Not Here

After a few year's of Winterlicious attendance, there have been good meals and not-so-good meals, but one thing always remains the same... I make a reservation at Fred's Not...


Freda's / Fashion Stores

86 Bathurst Street 416.703.0304 Website
Freda's

Ladies casual, suiting and eveningwear from sizes 4-20. Designer imported brands & Freda's private label....


Fresh Bites / Restaurants

254 Adelaide St West
Fresh Bites

Fresh Bites is a new entrant to the Club District food scene with a decidedly healthier menu compared to its neighbour Burger Brats below....


Fune Japanese Restaurant / Restaurants

100 Simcoe 416.599.3868
Fune Japanese Restaurant

Fune is home to one of Toronto's only floating sushi bars. They are known most for their fresh and creative sushi and sashimi, but also offer a wide variety of...


Fynn's of Temple / Bars

489 King Street West 416.586.1331 Website
Fynn's of Temple

Fynn's of Temple is a favourite post-work hangout for the King West crowd. Inside is a modern cosmopolitan Irish pub embracing the history and culture of Temple Bar in Ireland....


Global Village Backpackers / Hotels

460 King Street West 416.703.8540 Website
Global Village Backpackers

Global Village Backpackers at the corner of King and Spadina is the largest hostel in Toronto. They have 175 beds, free pancakes breakfasts and a popular patio that's open to...



Gotstyle / Fashion Stores

60 Bathurst St. 416.260.9696 Website
Gotstyle

Gotstyle is a menswear shop that filled a much-needed shopping gap for Toronto's dapper male-folk. I gotta say, guys, you really get ripped off in the fashion department. Unless you...


Grace O'Malleys / Restaurants

14 Duncan Street 416.596.1444 Website
Grace O'Malleys

Grace O'Malleys is in the heart of the entertainment district and is another exercise in Irish branding. While there's nothing wrong with the pub, its food or its service, they're...


Grindhouse Burger Bar / Restaurants

365 King St W 416.977.3010 Website
Grindhouse Burger Bar

Grindhouse Burger Bar is a slick-looking burger joint on King West that offers hormone and antibiotic free meat sourced from local farms. What kind of meat? Well, you'll find more...


Gusto 101 / Restaurants

101 Portland St. 416.504.9669 Website
Gusto 101

Gusto 101 is the latest Italian eatery to open its doors in and around King West, located on Portland just south of Adelaide. As the name implies, the restaurant gets...


Hammam Spa / Fashion Stores

602 King Street West 416.366.4772 Website
Hammam Spa

Hammam means "spreader of warmth", and Hammam Spa models itself after traditional Turkish baths. OPEN SINCE October 2005 PRICE POINTS Signature Hammam Manicure: $55Signature Hammam Pedicure: $70Dermalogica Custom Facial: $120 PACKAGES & DISCOUNTS All Hammam services...


Herbal Infusions Tea Co / Cafes

404 Adelaide Street West 416.900.6942 Website
Herbal Infusions Tea Co

Herbal Infusions Tea Co. has just moved into a little loft space on Adelaide west of Spadina, but it is already spreading the word about some of the best teas...


Hey Lucy (King West) / Restaurants

295 King St. West 416.979.1010 Website
Hey Lucy (King West)

Hey Lucy on King West is the original location of this mini-chain. Like its newer Annex sibling, this Hey Lucy is known for its cheap martini nights and tasty Italian...


Hogtown / Fashion Stores

401 King St. West 416.598.4192 Website
Hogtown

Hogtown Extreme Sports is an institution in Toronto, if they have anything to say about it. And it's hard to argue with that. Having been around for 26 years -...



Hotel Le Germain / Hotels

30 Mercer St. 416.345.9500 Website
Hotel Le Germain

The Hotel Le Germain was founded in Montreal and its first Toronto branch on Mercer St. has euro style to match its luxury, and a chauffeur service to boot. Partnered...


Hush Restaurant / Restaurants

303 King St. West 416.979.9799 Website
Hush Restaurant

Hush restaurant is nothing new. Well, that's not exactly fair, it has only been open 4 weeks, but following the popular Moxie's formula, you feel like you've been here before....


Hyatt / Hotels

370 King Street West 416.343.1234 Website
Hyatt

The Hyatt Hotel on King Street is a re-branding of what used to be the Holiday Inn. The hotel is centrally located amid the King West restaurants, Theatre and Club...


Hyde / Bars

420A Wellington 416.977.4933 Website
Hyde

Hyde is a lounge located down an alley between King and Wellington. In its past life it was the Betty Ford Clinic (the bar, not the actual clinic)....


Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse / Restaurants

12 Brant Street 416.366.0200 Website
Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse

Jacobs & Co. Streakhouse serves, what else, steak. Located in the space formerly occupied by Roxy Blu....


Jimmy's Coffee / Cafes

107 Portland Street Website
Jimmy's Coffee

Jimmy's Coffee is a cozy little spot that serves as a refreshing hideaway from the more trendy joints found on King West. 10 year coffee veteran Ashleigh "Max" Waters, formerly of...


John Steinberg & Associates / Fashion Stores

585 King Street West 416.506.0268 Website
John Steinberg & Associates

One of Toronto's (surprisingly few) cult of the stylist salons, John Steinberg and Associates sits in the heart of King West. (That's John above, opening the blinds on a...


Khao San Road / Restaurants

326 Adelaide St. West 647.352.5773 Website
Khao San Road

Khao San Road, Bangkok's infamous backpacker ghetto, isn't what I immediately think of when I'm jonesin' for an authentic taste of Thailand. The neighbourhood has long been a pit...



King Street Social / Restaurants

370 King St. West 647.260.0481
King Street Social

The King Street Social cooks up a little bit of everything. Asian influences about in dishes like green curry chicken skewers and Phuket chicken and noodles. But then Italian makes...


King West Club / Fitness Clubs

266 King Street West 416.260.9911 Website
King West Club

I used to sweat at the King West Club when I worked in the Financial District. Located at the corner of King and Duncan, the gym finds its membership base...


King West Flowers / Design Stores

720 King Street West 416.203.1258 Website
King West Flowers

King West Flowers always has a good selection of fresh cut flowers and bouquets. The prices are decent too....


Kit Kat (King St.) / Restaurants

297 King St West 416.977.8942 Website
Kit Kat (King St.)

Kit Kat is a long time fixture on King St. popular with the theatre crowd for its pasta, osso buco and other Italian eats....


Kit Kat 2 / Restaurants

117 John Street 416.977.1900 Website
Kit Kat 2

Kit Kat 2 is the spin-off of the inaugural Kit Kat restaurant a couple blocks away on King Street. The menu is decidedly Italian with an healthy selection of pasta...


KiWe Kitchen / Restaurants

587 King Street West 416.203.0551 Website
KiWe Kitchen

KiWe, at the corner of King and Portland, features an Italian influenced menu. A good place for lunch, dinner or late night cocktails....


L'eat Express / Restaurants

410 Adelaide Street West 416.601.9226 Website
L'eat Express

L'eat Express has recently set up shop in a cavernous space near Adelaide and Spadina. Billing itself as a quick service cafe with lots of seating, housemade food and free...


La Merceria / Cafes

506 Adelaide Street West 416.848.0057 Website
La Merceria

This is one of those times when writing a review tests your moral mettle. I don't want to tell you about La Merceria, because I don't really want you...



Le Select Bistro / Restaurants

432 Wellington Street West 416.596.6405 Website
Le Select Bistro

Classic Parisian Bistro is one of Toronto's best. Relocated from its former spot on Queen to a much larger plot on Wellington, Le Select cooks up favourites like entrecote steak...


Lee / Restaurants

603 King Street West 416.504.7867 Website
Lee

Lee is a tapas-style restaurant that sits next door to the higher-end Susur....


Lee Lounge / Restaurants

601 King St. West 416.603.2205 Website
Lee Lounge

Lee Lounge is the latest incarnation of Susur Lee's restaurant on King West. This latest offering isn't as busy as its sister Lee restaurant nextdoor and acts as a bit...


Leo Kamen / Galleries

80 Spadina Avenue 416.504.9515 Website
Leo Kamen

Gallery focuses on contemporary painting, sculpture and photography by Canadians....


Libra Lounge / Bars

391 King St. W. 416.599.7000 Website
Libra Lounge

Libra Lounge advertises itself as a spot to hit before heading out to go clubbing or as a place to stop in for a drink after dinner elsewhere. Those are...


Lifestyle Shop / Design Stores

64 Spadina Avenue 416.599.5433 Website
Lifestyle Shop

The Lifestyle Shop sells custom sofas, blinds, lighting, tables, shelves and other design accessories....


Livestock / Fashion Stores

116 Spadina Avenue 416.360.5483 Website
Livestock

On my way into Livestock, a premier Toronto streetwear store I see a lineup of streetwear lovers there over 16 hours before the store is set to open the next...


London Tap House / Bars

250 Adelaide St. West 416.205.1234 Website
London Tap House

The London Tap House draws Club District revelers to its massive rooftop patio - one of the best in the area. But expect to run into drunken 905ers, a giggly...



Lou Dawg's Southern Sandwiches / Restaurants

589 King St. West 647.347.3294 Website
Lou Dawg's Southern Sandwiches

Lou Dawg's has a curiously rustic menu. Specializing in meat, other kinds of meat and more meat, this newish King West sandwich joint is not the place to take vegetarian...


Luma / Restaurants

330 King St. W Website
Luma

Luma isn't officially open yet -- that'll come on September 12 -- so let's call this a first look rather than an actual review (i.e. general impressions and no comments...


Marben / Restaurants

488 Wellington Street West 416.979.1990 Website
Marben

Marben restaurant is a locavore and carnivore's paradise. Found on Wellington near Taxi and a bunch of other ad agencies, the restaurant features a recently revamped space and menu as...


Milagro / Restaurants

5 Mercer Street 416.850.2855 Website
Milagro

Milagro is a Mexican cantina on Mercer Street that features more contemporary (and pricier) Mexican food than found elsewhere in the city. On the menu are favourites like tortilla soup,...


Moksha Yoga (King West) / Fitness Clubs

577 Wellington St. West 416.361.3033 Website
Moksha Yoga (King West)

Moksha Yoga's Wellington studio has a decidedly different vibe from their old space on Richmond West where I was formerly a member. It has chilled out considerably and the spirit...


Moore Gallery / Galleries

80 Spadina Avenue 416.504.3914 Website
Moore Gallery

Features paintings, works on paper and sculpture by Canadian contemporary artists....


Mountain Equipment Co-op / Fashion Stores

400 King St W 416.340.2667 Website
Mountain Equipment Co-op

Mountain Equipment Co-op, or MEC as it is more often called, offers gear made with eco-friendly, sustainable materials, emphasizes low-impact production in the making of its products, and even its...


N'awlins / Restaurants

299 King Street West 416.595.1958 Website
N'awlins

N'awlins is a New Orleans inspired Jazz bar on King West. There's live music nightly to accompany an Italian and Cajun inspired menu....



Nicholas Metivier Gallery / Galleries

451 King Street West 416.205.9000 Website
Nicholas Metivier Gallery

Features painting, drawing, graphics arts, sculpture and photography by international contemporary artists....


Nook / Cafes

469 King Street West 416.595.5155
Nook

Formerly Bakerberry's Cafe, Nook is a sub-level cafe serving a variety of drinks, snacks and lunch items....


O & B Canteen / Restaurants

330 King St. West 647.288.4710 Website
O & B Canteen

O & B Canteen, located at King and John, right in the entertainment district's restaurant strip, is the latest venture from the ever-expanding Oliver & Bonacini company. The airy cafe,...


Old York / Bars

167 Niagara Street 416.703.9675
Old York

The Old York Bar and Grill on Niagara Street is a friendly neighbourhood bar. It's a chilled place to sit back and have a few pints with friends. ...


Oliver Gordon Gallery / Galleries

80 Spadina Ave, Suite 501 416.603.3555 Website
Oliver Gordon Gallery

Found on the 5th floor of the 80 Spadina building, Oliver Gordon is a new photography gallery that grew out of the successful www.stockthatdoesntsuck.com stock photography house. The gallery showcases...


Oniwa / Restaurants

214 King St. West 416.971.9222 Website
Oniwa

Oniwa joins the list of crowded options for pre-theatre far near King and Simcoe. Bento boxes, sushi, sashimi, maki and all the usual raw fish faves are on the menu...


Paese Ristorante / Restaurants

333 King West 416.599.6585 Website
Paese Ristorante

Paese Ristorante has two locations in the GTA including this newer one near King West and Peter St. Open for brunch, lunch, dinner and late night, the kitchen cooks up...


Parlour / Bars

270 Adelaide West 416.408.3666 Website
Parlour

Parlour bills itself as a mecca for socialites seeking habitual enlightenment...a destination for those seeking refuge from the main.. Was I right to feel justified in my initial apprehension? Now,...



Patagonia (King West) / Fashion Stores

500 King St. West 416.861.1102 Website
Patagonia (King West)

Patagonia is well known for their outdoor apparel, however, look for Patagonia's King Street store to start carrying some footwear as well. Although their retail store has typically only...


Penelope Restaurant / Restaurants

225 King Street West 416.351.9393 Website
Penelope Restaurant

My favourite dish at Penelope's: the roast lamb, no question. The one time I dined at this Greek restaurant and they were out of the lamb, it took several tries...


PetPod / Services

766 King Street West 416.815.8188
PetPod

PetPod is a modern alternative to the traditional pet store, with sleek designs and the most fashionable litter boxes this side of Manhattan. Local, hand made doggie coats and sweaters...


Pure + Simple / Fashion Stores

725 King Street West 416.366.8558 Website
Pure + Simple

Pure + Simple's focus is on matching products to people, with a services menu that largely consists of facials. A wide range of natural products in-store include brands like Dr....


Quad Spin / Fitness Clubs

580 King St. West 416.203.1811 Website
Quad Spin

Quad Spin on King West is one of three Quad studios. This central location is as swanky and hip as its King West surroundings. Themed music spins keep it fun...


Quesada Mexican Grill / Restaurants

234 Wellington Street West 416-644-0876
Quesada Mexican Grill

Never having met a burrito joint I didn't want to visit at least once, I headed over to Quesada last night for my fill of rice, beans and flour tortilla....


RaviSoups (Adelaide) / Restaurants

322 Adelaide West 647.435.8365
RaviSoups (Adelaide)

RaviSoups offers a little refuge. Alas, autumn is upon us again and it's time to pack up picnics and patios for yet another year. As a balmy summer shifts to...


Reggie's Old Fashioned Sandwiches / Restaurants

571 King Street West 416.979.9992
Reggie's Old Fashioned Sandwiches

Reggie's on King is just the place for folks who like quality bread, local ingredients, inventive flavours and long lines. Sandwich haters and line-veto-ers need not apply. In all fairness,...



Renaissance Hotel / Hotels

1 Blue Jays Way 416.341.7100 Website
Renaissance Hotel

The Renaissance Hotel is attached to the Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome) so it's a good place to say if the focus of the trip is catching a few Jays games...


Residence Inn Marriott / Hotels

255 Wellington Street West 416.581.1800 Website
Residence Inn Marriott

The Residence Inn Marriott is centrally located near the Rogers Centre, Club District, King West bars and restaurants and the Financial District. It's a clean, modern hotel. ...


Riant Boutique / Fashion Stores

35 Bathurst Street 416.367.4567 Website
Riant Boutique

Riant Boutique gets its name from a word tied to joy, cheerfulness, and laughter. "This sounds really corny," owner Maxine Waters says after we escape to a back room...


Ritual / Fashion Stores

793 King Street West 416.306.0040 Website
Ritual

Ritual is hot pink, white and concrete. Home of the insightful aestheticians: best skin diagnosis, best hair diagnosis, best unsolicited but-way-better replacement nail polish suggestion. It's a GTD salon --...


Rodney's Oyster House / Restaurants

469 King Street West 416.363.8105 Website
Rodney's Oyster House

Rodney's Oyster House is an institution on King West and one of the most popular oyster houses in the city....


Roosevelt Room / Bars

328 Adelaide St. West 416.599.9000 Website
Roosevelt Room

The Roosevelt Room might be the most punk-rock thing to come to Toronto in ages. If punk is about open defiance, well, what could be more in-your-face than opening an...


Ryerson Gallery / Galleries

80 Spadina Avenue 416.703.2235 Website
Ryerson Gallery

Student and faculty run gallery programmed by Ryerson's School of Image Arts....


Sazerac Gastro Lounge / Restaurants

782 King St. West 647.342.8866 Website
Sazerac Gastro Lounge

Sazerac cocktails are the latest prohibition speak-easy style cocktails flooding lounges, and the bar which borrows its name serves them up in fine style. Located in the epicentre of entertainment...



Sense Appeal / Cafes

96 Spadina Avenue Website
Sense Appeal

Sense Appeal Coffee Roasters is the coffee shop I've been waiting to find. Some of the most delicious coffee I've ever had, a groovy bare brick space and an impressive...


Shmooze / Bars

15 Mercer Street 416.341.8777 Website
Shmooze

Shmooze is the kind of place no self-respecting Torontonian would go to. But it survives based on its popularity among the 20-something 905 crowd. If you're looking for ultimate fromage...


Smoke's Poutinerie / Restaurants

218 Adelaide St. West 416.599.2873 Website
Smoke's Poutinerie

Fries. Gravy. Cheese Curds. Simple. That's what goes into poutine. Yet considering how passionate people are over this humble Quebecois concoction you'd think there was some thing more; some...


SoHo Hotel Metropolitan / Hotels

318 Wellington Street West 416.599.8800 Website
SoHo Hotel Metropolitan

The SoHo Hotel Metropolitan falls somewhere between a boutique and luxury hotel experience. It's too big to really be considered boutique but it's also lacking the the overall feel, quality...


SOMA Chocolate / Grocery Stores

443 King St. West Website
SOMA Chocolate

SOMA Chocolate on King West is the second and newest SOMA location in Toronto, and I find it already buzzing on its very first day in action. Perhaps it's the free...


SPAW Boutique / Services

852 King Street West 416.366.7729 Website
SPAW Boutique

SPAW Boutique on King West offers a sophisticated and classy alternative to being left home alone through their doggy day care, plus posh spa services including a "mani and pawdi"...


Spice Route / Restaurants

499 King St. West 416.849.1808 Website
Spice Route

Spice Route brings a bit of Southeast Asia to King West. With statues of buddha, wall hangings depicting ancient ruins and a 16 foot waterfall, this stylish asian-bistro bar...


SPiN Toronto / Bars

461 King St. West 416.599.7746 Website
SPiN Toronto

SPiN Toronto has quietly opened on King West, bringing the game of ping pong out from rec rooms across the nation. When I first spoke to Ryan Fisher about his...



SpiritHouse / Bars

487 Adelaide Street West 647.277.1187 Website
SpiritHouse

SpiritHouse is rather non-descript from the outside, announced by a wooden sign and steps heading downwards. When I stop by, the bar has been open for just an hour and...


Spoke Club / Restaurants

600 King Street West 416.368.8448 Website
Spoke Club

The Spoke Club is a private, invite-only members club at King and Portland. Inside, there's an art gallery, screening room, lounge, library, restaurant, private dining rooms and one of the...


Springbox Kitchen / Restaurants

628 King St. West 647.352.7269 Website
Springbox Kitchen

Springbox Kitchen is all about quick, healthy meals to go. Main offerings include sandwiches, salads and shakes....


St. Louis Bar & Grill / Restaurants

720 King St. West 416.203.2883 Website
St. Louis Bar & Grill

There are no surprises at St. Louis. Big, plump, tasty wings in a basket with excellent fries and pre-packaged dill sauce. Good pub fare in food, atmosphere and service. I...


St. Tropez / Restaurants

315 King Street West 416.591.3600 Website
St. Tropez

Le St. Tropez on King West serves up classic French food to hungry theatre goers and tourists. It's also home to rabid French fans every four years during the World...


Studio 180 Hair Design / Fashion Stores

550 Front Street West 416.598.2100 Website
Studio 180 Hair Design

Studio 180 Hair Design is a unisex hair salon which is spearheaded by siblings Marco and Mona Ghasabani, who have a background with L'Oreal. The salon offers free consultations as...


Sushi and Bento / Restaurants

579 King Street West 416.506.0996
Sushi and Bento

Sushi and Bento is a favourite among the King West lunch crowd. Account Executives and Art Directors flock here for tasty bento boxes and maki rolls. ...


Tavolino / Restaurants

567 King St. West Website
Tavolino

Tavolino opened its doors last Wednesday, serving up hearty Italian sandwiches for the King and Bathurst crowd. With Big Smoke Burger and Reggie's on the same block, this strip of...



Thai Princess / Restaurants

387 King Street West 416.977.8222 Website
Thai Princess

Thai Princess has been a stalwart on King West for the past 13 years. Their phad thai is always made the same way thanks to the owner who is the...


The Banknote / Restaurants

663 King Street West 416.947.0404
The Banknote

Located in a former bank, the aptly named Banknote is well-known for its huge servings of mussels....


The Charlotte Room / Bars

19 Charlotte St 416.591.1738 Website
The Charlotte Room

The Charlotte Room fulfils most stereotypes of the quintessential pool hall. It's slightly off the beaten path, stocked with a great selection of beer, and always seems to be showing...


The Drake General Store (Bathurst) / Design Stores

82A Bathurst St. 416.531.5042 Website
The Drake General Store (Bathurst)

The Drake General Store (Bathurst) is the third of Drake's general stores, offering everything from organic tees to vintage kitchenware....


The Hoxton / Bars

69 Bathurst St. 647.400.4788 Website
The Hoxton

The Hoxton is the new club and event venue occupying what was Sixty-9 on lower Bathurst. The velvet curtains, antique-esque mirrors and stripper pole (alas) have all been taken away,...


The One That Got Away / Restaurants

581 King Street West 647.351.6153 Website
The One That Got Away

The One That Got Away World Famous Fish House at King and Portland is the newest addition to the King West block of tiny fast-food-but-fancier restos including the likes of...


The Peacok / Bars

365 King St. West Website
The Peacok

The Peacok is a dark and narrow hallway situated in the remains of beloved King West establishment The Underground Garage. Unlike the Garage, which wore its dive bar status proudly...


The Ultimate Cafe / Restaurants

293 King Street West 416.977.9690
The Ultimate Cafe

The Ultimate Cafe is a tourist-oriented restaurant in the heart of Toronto's theatre district....



Theatrix Costume House / Fashion Stores

165 Geary Ave. 2nd floor 416.977.3113 Website
Theatrix Costume House

Theatrix Costume House is secreted away upstairs and just east of the Princess of Wales theatre. With impressive displays, walls full of wigs and accessories, as well as costumes for...


Thompson Diner / Restaurants

550 Wellington St West 416.640.7778
Thompson Diner

The Thompson Diner (formerly, The Counter), the Thompson Hotel's new 24-hour diner, is a swankier take on the classic diner theme. Just south of King on Bathurst, this restaurant is...


Thompson Hotel Toronto / Hotels

550 Wellington Street West 416.640.7778 Website
Thompson Hotel Toronto

The Thompson Hotel in Toronto is the first Canadian outpost of the growing Thompson Hotel chain empire. Found on Bathurst south of King, the Thompson is already re-invigorating the area...


Thor Espresso Bar / Cafes

35 Bathurst St. 416.451.8736 Website
Thor Espresso Bar

Thor Espresso Bar pulled its inaugural shot for the public last Wednesday after a three-month-long construction delay. Rather than twiddle their anxious fingers, co-owners Patrick Tu and Tom Junek used...


Toronto Image Works / Galleries

80 Spadina Avenue 416.703.1999 Website
Toronto Image Works

Toronto Image Works is primarily a photography printing studio but it also has a small gallery space that show photo-based work....


Toshi Sushi / Restaurants

565 King Street West 416.260.8588
Toshi Sushi

Toshi Sushi is a proudly Japanese owned and operated restaurant on King West near Portland. It's a popular lunch spot for the advertising crowd who works in the area....


Totum / Fitness Clubs

445 King Street West 416.979.2449 Website
Totum

With three locations in Toronto, Totum must be doing something right. At King and Spadina, the largest of the three battles Diesel Fitness for the hearts and wallets of the...


Town Crier / Restaurants

115 John Street 416.204.9588
Town Crier

Town Crier takes over where The Fat Belgian left off, offering a menu that consists of bar food through a European lens (think Moules et Frites ($13.00) or Pork Schnitzel...



Tryst Nightclub / Bars

82 Peter Street 416.588.7978 Website
Tryst Nightclub

Tryst Nightclub is a swanky lounge/dance club in the Club District popular among 905ers and the bottle service set....


Tutti Matti / Restaurants

364 Adelaide St. West 416 597 8839 Website
Tutti Matti

Tutti Matti just might be the best restaurant in the Club District. Located on Adelaide near Charlotte, the small trattoria serves excellent pasta and other Italian fare. ...


Wabora / Restaurants

550 Wellington St. West 416.777.9901
Wabora

Wabora is a Japanese restaurant located inside the Thompson Hotel on Bathurst. It's well known for having a variety of creative and unusual rolls....


Wagamama / Cafes

766 King St. West 416.603.0369
Wagamama

In Japanese, "wagamama" means selfish, which is what Miwa Yamada's parents called her as a child. So when she grew up, she was like, "yeah that's right, I'm so...


Wayne Gretzky's / Restaurants

99 Blue Jays Way 416.979.7825 Website
Wayne Gretzky's

As a rule, I don't dine in restaurants that have a gift shop, but for fans looking to get a bit closer to the Great One (or at least his...


Wheat Sheaf / Bars

667 King Street West 416.504.9912
Wheat Sheaf

At the corner of King and Bathurst, the Wheat Sheaf is one of Toronto's oldest pubs. It's a good place to grab a burger and a beer and watch the...


WVRST / Restaurants

609 King St. West 416.703.7775 Website
WVRST

WVRST, a vowel-less wonder pronounced verst, is a sausage party if there ever was one. Owner Aldo Lanzillotta was inspired by the legendary beer halls of Munich and his own...


Ydessa Hendeles Art Foundation / Galleries

778 King Street West 416.603.2227
Ydessa Hendeles Art Foundation

More info coming soon....



Yuzu Sushi and Sake Bar / Restaurants

236 Adelaide Street West 416.205.9808 Website
Yuzu Sushi and Sake Bar

Yuzu is a new Japanese restaurant in the Club District created by the owner of the ever-popular Japango. The fish here is fresher and high quality than the average Toronto...


Zoe's Bakery Cafe / Cafes

548 King Street West 416.504.4174 Website
Zoe's Bakery Cafe

In the heart of King West, Zoe's serves gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups and creative weekly lunch selections....



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