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.
Looking for something
specific in King West?
1812 Bar in the Thompson Hotel / Bars
1812 Bar in the Thompson Hotel is presumably so named for its proximity to Victoria Memorial Square, a King West cemetery turned park in which many of that war's casualties...
259 Host / Restaurants
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...
2Cats Cocktail Lounge / Bars
2Cats is a cocktail lounge located on King West, and equidistance between For Your Eyes Only and The One that Got Away World Famous Fish House, resulting in a Bermuda...
309 Dhaba / Restaurants
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
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
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....
Agra Fine Indian Cuisine (King West) / Restaurants
Agra Fine Indian Cuisine on King West is a branch of the original restaurant located in North York. It Ffatures a high-quality lunch buffet spread at a very reasonable price...
Alimento Fine Food Emporium / Grocery Stores
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),...
Anoush Shawarma / Restaurants
Anoush Shawarma serves decent enough falafel and shawarma from its cafeteria like restaurant just steps from the Rogers Centre....
Apple Self Storage / Services
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...
Aria Entertainment Complex / Bars
The Aria Entertainment Complex had been spamming me to death with Facebook ads for their new club, and having viewed their over-the-top promotional video which resembles a high-end diamond or...
Aroma Indian Cuisine / Restaurants
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...
Atelier Cafe Lounge / Cafes
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
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 244 / Bars
Bar 244 is a two-level bar in the Club District. The upper level is designed to be more casual where the lower level is a hotbed of dancing, body heat...
Bar Hop / Restaurants
Bar Hop is an ambitious venture on King West, brought to the street by Rob Pingitore in the space that was once Libra Lounge. His mission, amongst other things, is...
Bar Wellington / Bars
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
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
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
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
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
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 Smoke Burger / Restaurants
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
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
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
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...
Body Blitz Spa / Fashion Stores
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
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
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
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
Bubble Mix is a sleek little bubble tea place on Wellington West, a couple of blocks away from the Rogers Centre....
Buca / Restaurants
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
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 (Adelaide St.) / Restaurants
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...
Cabal / Restaurants
Cabal is the recent reincarnation of Sazerac. Still under the same management, the bar will stick to the classics as it did before, with a focus on Cajun-inspired dishes...
Cake Nightclub / Bars
Cake Nightclub on Adelaide St. is two levels of VIP booths, lights shows and bottle service. Booze in on the cheaper side for a club (only $4 mixed drinks). Music...
Calphalon Culinary Center / Design Stores
Calphalon sells high quality kitchenwares and is a great place to learn how to cook. ...
Canadian Salvaged Timber / Design Stores
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
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...
Clarence Castle / Hotels
Clarence Castle occupies a quaint early 19th century building on Clarence Square near Wellington and Spadina. One of the smaller hostels on this list, there's an almost bed and breakfast...
COBRA / Bars
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
Authentic Thai lunches and dinners. Vegan and vegetarian options available....
Cool Hand Luc / Restaurants
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
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
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...
Cove Thirtyone / Bars
Cove Thirtyone gets me thinking of The Little Mermaid - or at least a song that you're bound to get stuck in your head. "Under the sea, darling it's better, down...
Cream Restaurant / Restaurants
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
Diaz Contemporary / Galleries
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
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...
Edulis Restaurant / Restaurants
Edulis Restaurant has taken over the former home of the Niagara Street Cafe. Sharing a name with a wild mushrrom, the restaurant features seasonal ingredients brought to life as shareable...
Elephant & Castle (King St.) / Restaurants
Elephant & Castle is a chain of 'British Pubs' that serves the quintessential items one might expect to find in such an establishment: fish and chips, Shepherd's Pie and Yorkshire...
Europe Bound / Fashion Stores
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
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
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...
Firkin on King / Restaurants
Firkin on King is one of several Firkin pubs throughout Toronto, and their ground-level patio is great for people-watching. You'll find typical pub fare such as deep fried pickles, a...
Foggy Dew / Restaurants
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
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...
For Your Eyes Only / Services
For Your Eyes Only, with valet parking and a King West location, is the strip club for the upwardly mobile. There's a coat check, but on second thought thanks but...
Forno Cultura / Baked Goods
Forno Cultura is fresh goods on Toronto's baking scene. The Italian bakery opened two weeks ago at King and Bathurst in a warehouse-like space beneath WVRST. While the bakery has...
Fred's Not Here / Restaurants
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
Ladies casual, suiting and eveningwear from sizes 4-20. Designer imported brands & Freda's private label....
Fune Japanese Restaurant / Restaurants
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
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
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 (Bathurst) / Fashion Stores
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...
Gourmet Burger Company (Adelaide St.) / Restaurants
Gourmet Burger (Adelaide) is a step up from your average chain burger joint. Here the beef patties are made fresh and packed loose, topped with premium ingredients and house-made sauces....
Grace O'Malley's / Bars
Grace O'Malley's (or Gracie's, as the locals call it) is located on Duncan Street, a stone's throw from Adelaide and John streets. Gracie's is a chain with three different locations,...
Gusto 101 / Restaurants
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...
H & Co. / Fashion Stores
H & Co. is a hair salon on Portland St., just off of King West, run by Hayley Bloomfield. Bloomfield's mother was a hairdresser as well, so it was a...
Hammam Spa / Fashion Stores
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse / Restaurants
Jacobs & Co. Streakhouse if famous for their dry-aged beef. That's what the folks here will tell you sets them apart from most other Toronto steakhouses. And, for the most...
Jimmy's Coffee / Cafes
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
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
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
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
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
King West Flowers always has a good selection of fresh cut flowers and bouquets. The prices are decent too....
Kings Table / Grocery Stores
Kings Table Fine Foods is a small grocery store offering a variety of fine foods and local produce. They also offer pre-made meal options and a catering service. Well known...
Kit Kat (King St.) / Restaurants
Kit Kat is a long time fixture on King St. popular with the theatre crowd for its pasta, osso buco and other Italian eats....
KiWe Kitchen / Restaurants
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
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
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 Neuf Cafe / Cafes
Le Neuf Cafe is a serene little cafe and patisserie in a busy area of downtown Toronto. Though I generally like to think I'm quite familiar with the city's downtown core,...
Le Select Bistro / Restaurants
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 Lounge / Restaurants
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
Gallery focuses on contemporary painting, sculpture and photography by Canadians....
Lifestyle Shop / Design Stores
The Lifestyle Shop sells custom sofas, blinds, lighting, tables, shelves and other design accessories....
Livestock / Fashion Stores
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...
LoKi Lounge / Bars
LoKi Lounge is a long time fixture on King West that features regular DJ nights and an extensive bottle service menu....
London Tap House / Bars
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
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
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...
Maison Mercer / Bars
Maison Mercer is a massive club on Mercer Street popular with students and the 905 crowd. The best feature is their plush rooftop patio....
Marben / Restaurants
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...
Media Bar / Bars
Media Bar has recently opened in the Club District. As someone who loves both lowbrow media (reading blind items on CDAN) and highbrow media (I follow Ken Jennings on Twitter),...
Milagro / Restaurants
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
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
Features paintings, works on paper and sculpture by Canadian contemporary artists....
Mountain Equipment Co-op / Fashion Stores
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...
Nawlins / Restaurants
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
Features painting, drawing, graphics arts, sculpture and photography by international contemporary artists....
Nook / Cafes
Formerly Bakerberry's Cafe, Nook is a sub-level cafe serving a variety of drinks, snacks and lunch items....
O & B Canteen / Restaurants
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,...
Oliver Gordon Gallery / Galleries
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
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
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...
Patagonia (King West) / Fashion Stores
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...
Patria / Restaurants
Patria is now officially open to the public after a 2-month-long soft opening that's had food enthusiasts drooling in anticipation since a sneak peak during TIFF. After opening American comfort...
Penelope Restaurant / Restaurants
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...
Pizzaiolo (King West) / Restaurants
The Pizzaiolo at King and Portland offers a break from the swanky lounges and upscale restaurants decorating the strip. You can decide if that's a good or bad thing. This...
ps by Pretty Sweet / Baked Goods
ps by Pretty Sweet is a bit hard to find--those expecting a typical boxy storefront will be surprised by its location in a walk-up house, with the trio of simple...
Pure + Simple / Fashion Stores
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
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
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
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...
Residence Inn Marriott / Hotels
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
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
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
Rodney's Oyster House is an institution on King West and one of the most popular oyster houses in the city....
Roosevelt Room / Bars
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
Student and faculty run gallery programmed by Ryerson's School of Image Arts....
Saviari / Bars
Saviari is located in an odd area--very near to the Parkdale Arms, across from a Shopper's Drug Mart, and a long stone's throw from the club stretch of King West....
Second City / Bars
Second City lies unobtrusively at 51 Mercer. From a performer's perspective, this venue provides a completely different experience compared to all of the other comedy clubs in Toronto. The lights,...
Sense Appeal / Cafes
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...
Smoke's Poutinerie / Restaurants
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
St. Louis Bar & Grill (King West) / Restaurants
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
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
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
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. ...
Templar Hotel / Hotels
Templar Hotel marries luxury with the intimacy of a boutique hotel, with just 27 rooms touting minimalistic decor. The spot also features an on-site restaurant (Monk Kitchen), and a...
Thai Princess / Restaurants
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
Located in a former bank, the aptly named Banknote is well-known for its huge servings of mussels....
The Charlotte Room / Bars
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 Departure Lounge / Bars
The Departure Lounge is a bar inside Global Village Backpackers at King and Spadina. The bar (especially their patio in the summer) is a popular hangout for both locals and...
The Detox Market / Fashion Stores
The Detox Market is one of King Street West's newest additions. True to its name, this quaint boutique specializes in all natural and organic products, with top of the line...
The Drake General Store (Bathurst) / Design Stores
The Drake General Store (Bathurst) is the third of Drake's general stores, offering everything from organic tees to vintage kitchenware....
The Everleigh / Bars
The Everleigh is a brand new club on King West just east of Portland. The Everleigh's Facebook page notes that the Everleigh is a fresh take on Canadian nightlife interpreted...
The Hoxton / Bars
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 Hydrant / Services
The Hydrant offers a flat rate for daily boarding, as well as dog walking, outdoor playgroups and in-home boarding. Overnight stays are available for an additional fee. ...
The One That Got Away / Restaurants
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
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
The Ultimate Cafe is a tourist-oriented restaurant in the heart of Toronto's theatre district....
The Underground Garage / Bars
The Underground Garage is a self-described "urban saloon" located in the Club District. I recently visited the Underground Garage on one wintery Thursday evening. I was directed up to the...
TheatreBooks / Bookstores
TheatreBooks has left its faithful post at 11 St. Thomas Street after 20 years, resettling in a much more active spot right at the corner of King and Spadina. "We...
Theatrix Costume House / Fashion Stores
Theatrix Costume House is a high-end costume shop known for their rental costumes and custom creations. The storekeepers boast the shop's "full service" concept, as the devoted team aims to...
Thompson Diner / Restaurants
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
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
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...
TIme Nightclub / Bars
TIME Nightclub on Peter St. gets packed most Friday and Saturday nights. It draws a typical Club District crowd for dancing, booze and good times....
Toronto Image Works / Galleries
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
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
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
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
Tryst Nightclub is a swanky lounge/dance club in the Club District popular among 905ers and the bottle service set....
Tutti Matti / Restaurants
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. ...
Union Studio / Fitness Clubs
Union Studio is a boutique fitness club that opened this past summer. Already it has garnered attention due to the fact that is co-owned, in part by Raine Maida and...
Uniun Nightclub / Bars
Uniun Nightclub is almost self-consciously a nightclub. Brought to you by "nightlife king" (and you know he must be growing weary of that title) Charles Khabouth and Ink Entertainment, it...
Wabora / Restaurants
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
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...
Walnut Contemporary / Galleries
Walnut Contemporary is Walnut Studios' new new affiliated commercial gallery and event space. It's also blessed with a great origin story: it replaces the defunct Canadian Corps Legion Hall (a...
Wayne Gretzky's / Restaurants
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...
Weslodge Saloon / Restaurants
Weslodge Saloon announces its entrance with an illuminated, slab-lettered marquee and electrifying yellow doors. The restaurant, which opened last week at the base of the soon-to-be-complete Victory Condos, occupies the...
Wheat Sheaf / Bars
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
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
More info coming soon....
Yuzu No Hana / Restaurants
Yuzu No Hana is a 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...
Zoe's Bakery Cafe / Cafes
In the heart of King West, Zoe's serves gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups and creative weekly lunch selections....
Neighbourhoods
Other Neighbourhoods
- Annex
- Baldwin Village
- Bayview and Leaside
- Beaches
- Bloor West Village
- Bloorcourt
- Bloordale Village
- Cabbagetown
- Chinatown
- Church Wellesley Village
- Corktown
- Corso Italia
- Danforth
- Distillery District
- Dundas West
- East Chinatown
- Eglinton West
- Etobicoke
- Financial District
- Forest Hill Village
- Harbourfront
- Junction
- Junction Triangle
- Kensington Market
- King East
- King West
- Koreatown
- Leslieville
- Liberty Village
- Little India
- Little Italy
- Markham
- Mount Pleasant
- North York
- Ossington
- Pape Village
- Parkdale
- Port Lands
- Queen West
- Richmond Hill
- Riverside
- Roncesvalles Village
- Rosedale
- Scarborough
- St. Clair West
- St. Lawrence Market
- Upper Beaches
- West Queen West
- Yonge & Bloor
- Yonge & College
- Yonge & Dundas
- Yonge & Eglinton
- Yonge & St. Clair
- Yonge & Wellesley
- Yorkville
Community
Something missing?
Know a great local business we should include on the site?
