Best of Toronto
The Best Eyeglasses in Toronto
The best stores to buy eyeglasses in Toronto - as voted by readers of this site - can mostly be found downtown, with a few exceptions further west, up north at Yorkdale, and into the industrial badlands of North York. And while they might all offer variations on the same theme season to season - the "National Health" frame reinterpreted in everything from pink plastic to carbon fibre is big this year - they offer them at a wide variety of prices.
Whether you only buy specs when a new lens prescription is in your hand, or scotch tape is holding together your old pair, or whether you have a drawer full of designer shades for every day of summer, the shops listed below will likely carry whatever you need to either see better, or improve how you're seen.
Here are the 12 best stores to buy eyeglasses in Toronto.
Spectacle
Sleek and minimalist, Spectacle has been on Queen West near Trinity Bellwoods for 5 years, selling reliably fashionable labels like Oliver Peoples and Alain Mikli. The store is a magnet for the walk-in trade, and carries frames ranging in price from $200 to $2000. The store also has locations in the Distillery and near Yonge and Lawrence. More »
Rapp Optical
“You live in a country,” Mel Rapp insists, “you buy the products of that country.” While many eyewear stores stock store labels, Rapp has the unique distinction of carrying its own Canadian-made line in its flagship College Street store. It’s a combination of Rapp’s personal and patriotic philosophy, at prices ranging from $390 to $1200 for the Rapp line. More »
Optic Zone
Joe Singh’s dizzying jumble of a shop near the foot of Jarvis can be a bit overwhelming. “We carry everything,” he insists, and he might be right, with an inventory featuring labels like J.F. Rey, Tom Ford and Funk Royal, and prices from $150 to $1600. More »
Eyes on Church
This Church and Wellesley institution is small, but makes up for size with glam, and has a loyal clientele that changes eyewear almost as often as their shirts. Owner Farhad Gharemani insists that he never carries two of any frame, and strives to stock the most unique items from lines like Alain Mikli and Jean Paul Gaultier. More »
Gafas
Open for just 2½ years, Gafas carries edgy labels like Dutz, Salt and Chrome Hearts, but made its name with a huge inventory of vintage frames from the ‘70s and ‘80s. With over 800 frames in its retro collection, you can take your head back to the future with labels like Playboy, Dior and Gucci. More »
Specs & Specs
On Queen West for 16 years, Specs & Specs has been selling fashion forward frames to hipsters since grunge still sold records. Their selection of labels avoids the obvious – names like Francois Pinton and ProDesign are featured – and prices are very reasonable, ranging from $150 to $300. More »
LF Warehouse
In an aging industrial park in North York, LF Optical’s east end location sells a broad range of name frames at deep discounts, thanks mostly to the low overhead afforded by its out-of-the-way stores. Labels like Gucci, Prada, Tom Ford, Oliver Peoples and Martin & Martin can be got at clear-out prices for as little as $69, or as much as $400 for frames featuring titanium or gemstones. More »
Minh Chau Optical
This recent arrival in Chinatown specializes in blingy eyewear designs from labels like Chrome Hearts and IC! Berlin, and while their range starts on the very low end at $60, they stock frames costing over $2,000, and special order items carrying price tags up to $137,000. More »
Seen Vision Care
With stores in Yorkville and Yorkdale, Seen specializes in limited edition and exclusive frames from fashion lines like Chanel, Prada, Versace and Marc Jacobs. They also carry the little-seen and very flash Police label, with prices ranging from a lens and frame package for $149 to $1200 a limited edition Dior frame. More »
Humber Optical
This tidy shop in Bloor West Village has pulled clients from all over the city for 15 years, and carries all the major names, including Face a Face, Alain Mikli, Oliver Peoples and Prada, at prices ranging from $200 to $750. More »
Karir Eyewear
Karir Eyewear, one branch of Bob Karir’s eyewear mini-empire, features innovative eyewear like Linwood Optical’s Blac line of carbon fibre frames, and cutting edge design from companies like Hoet. Karir carries frames ranging from $300 on the low end to $1320 for their exclusive Hoets. More »
Chinatown Optical
On Dundas West for over 20 years, this roomy but well-stocked store features lines like Mikita and Philippe Starck, at prices ranging from $200 to $800. Skiers will be interested in the sports eyewear it carries, including a selection of high-end ski goggles, including the Adidas Sport line. More »

Discussion
100 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
If OZ wasn't top 3 I'd throw my computer our the window.
Spectacle does seem to be a good shop. Cool, super-friendly and relaxed, letting you do your own thing and try on frames at will.
As for Rapp, while I respect their offbeat selection, they definitely can have an attitude. Last time I went in, I felt like I was being "styled" in wacky coloured frames by an employee who wasn't remotely interested in my sense of style. Lady, if I wanted to look like a librarian turtle, I'd go buy a pair of novelty coke-bottle nerd glasses!
I love Optic Zone.
Go to CHINA!
Frames & lenses for $22!
No pressure, doesn't sell you the most expensive frames, listens VERY well to what your budget is etc, he can size you up in no time and have you looking at only frames that match your style within your budget.
Great experience, he's got me for life now!
+1 for Optic Zone!
But since it's in the burbs, blogTO dares not to venture out that far.
Bah... what does it matter to me anyway... I got laser eye correction surgery 3 yrs ago.
I also got a good vibe from that place on the corner of Yonge and Wellesley, Henri's Optical. Nice guy.
I agree BlogTO could venture a bit beyond the core.
Oh I crack myself up.
But thanks for the list. I will definitely try out Optic Zone after reading the positive replies.
I recommend this place
Reply
Another vote for Roshad.
What an experience!
I found that very innovative.
thanks
THANKS
They did an amazing job of picking out glasses I wouldn't have considered, and I've got compliments on all three pairs. Similar to comments above about Joe from Joe's optics - the people who've helped me there haven't pushed me to buy, nor pushed me towards more expensive frames just because they were more expensive.
I realize there are lots of cheaper options around, but as someone who is always wearing glasses, it's nice to buy something that's fairly unique and more interesting than going to a Lenscrafters.
Definitely worth a visit, it gets pretty busy so i'd recommend a week day. Happy Shopping!
After trying on a pair of circular frames that weren't quite right, I asked him if he had any more in that specific shape. He said yes, he would get them for me. He then proceeded to pull two pair out of the CASE THAT WAS OPEN IN FRONT OF ME (he didn't even bother to walk to another case) and NEITHER pair were even close to the right shape. He then tried to tell me that ovals were the same as circles and, when I wasn't buying that, he told me that the round frames I'd tried on were from a "very exclusive designer" and "no one else is making frames that shape." Who was this design visionary? RALPH LAUREN.
I then walked down to Specs & Specs where they immediately showed me four pair of circular frames (none of which were by the very exclusive Ralph Lauren - shock). Incidentally, the ones I picked were the same pair I'd tried at another optical store but for half the price - at which point the salesperson said, "I think I can do a little better," and dropped the price another 50 bucks.
Specs & Specs rules.
I have a high prescription and Jim took fantastic care of me, and price was much less than some of the other places wanted. On top of it all, I got a "trendy" frame that I figured was impossible, even with my previous high-index lenses.
It's called Yonge vision, the owners are a married couple, theyre super friendly and have a great eye and almost always cut their customers a deal.
I've been going to them for the last 5 years and to this day every frame I've bought from them I still get sooooo many compliments no matter how long ago I bought the frame!
I love this place
Keep it up guys
Thanks in advance -
Matt
In addition to the well established segment of watches the company ‘s brand
soars well in the jewellery segment too. emporioarmani watches
With regard to the business the
company’s black ceramic round black dial watch Chronograph is the most
sort out in demand in the gent’s sector. It has a mineral crystal with
dimensions of 42 and 22 millimetres diameter and thickness. Classic, super
slim and newness are also present in the product basket relating to the men. As
part of the expansion plans the company ar1400
it is coming up with DW0234 and
RRP catering to the women and the men’s sector respectively. Keeping itself
updated with the latest market trends has been the secret of the success
story
Emporio Armani as a brand has outshone all the competitors and is
more of a status symbol. The focal points are it has a world wide
presence. Top Hollywood personalities along with the sporting icons are
the brand ambassadors of the brand. It is youth driven market and the
company relies on that philosophy. The excellent customer service along with
free shipping services of the watches are a blessing in disguise as with
one click of a mouse ar2452
we can order the product.Armani watches are created
and developed by Emporio Armani employing great top quality components, actions
and materials which includes stainless, leather, mineral glass and rubber which
are then stylishly married together to produce this excellent and really
purposeful variety of designer watches.
Armani are broadly highly regarded for manufacturing top quality wrist
This is trusted manufacturer for best good quality and accuracy for your
fashionable men. burberry watches
Burberry manufacturer guarantees match every single person's
individuality system and forms. Even though the instant impact of putting on
Burberry scarves will be the prestige, and understated design, the wearer can
instantly obtain the energy and sensation of well being that is linked to them
instantly. Burberry view is pretty very easily identifiable item that exhibits
the taste and design of anyone. burberry watches
Burberry manufacturer has also been linked to
the generation in Burberry over the internet store. The association from the
achievement and luxury to Burberry manufacturer can very easily lift the
seemingly plain character for the outstanding heights of style and modernity in
just handful of seconds. Burberry males purse are marketed by warm Burberry over
the internet store. Burberry solutions are well-known around the world and
actually traditional and timeless add-on to anyone's wardrobe. Burberry style
watches might be discovered in shops close to the globe. Their undeniable
craftsmanship will carry on creating them among the most sought following luxury
view styles from the style industry. Burberry is typically a manufacturer that
has been constructed on outstanding innovation backed up with steady delivery of
excellent fashion. Burberry style shop have lengthy been frequented through the
abundant and famous.
It is not at all remarkable as well as for medium class families for more
information regarding forfeit annual trips,there are a number because they are
too fast,a few of the because they are too sick and tired and others because
they simply have to worry about not going to be have going to be the spare money
to pay as well as for travels.
When a number of us be on the lookout at going to be the reasonsbu1360 burberry
they provide
you with,a number of us can understand where they are just around the corner
back and forth from Expenses a number of us incur also traveling are rising day
on the basis of day. Nevertheless, there are discount vacation packages to taste
success was able to find and your family can go out and purchase them by
searching all over the newspaper ads or otherwise available on the web Since
family vacations are valuable opportunities as well as for a family to have a
multi function in line with the a short time together and the memories will last
and then for an all in one lifetime, it’s certainly worthwhile for more
information about search out partying destinations that all your family can
afford.
After making a deal with a manufacturer, casio watches
he returned to Texas with 1,500
watches that were sold in Dallas boutiques and departments stores. Kartsotis
brought on Lynne Stafford to be the Overseas Product Designer. Later his brother
Kosta joined the company as well, which went public in 1993. Over time Fossil,
Inc. branched out in other domestic and then international markets, including
Switzerland. It's Swiss division made a deal with Burberry for worldwide
distribution of its watches.
Burberry markets watches for men citizen watches
and women. Their characteristic checkered
pattern is often seen in the band material used for the watches. Very classic in
appearance, Burberry watches can be expensive. They can retail for about $300
USD and up, although occasionally they can be purchased for much less. This is
much higher than Fossil watches, which can start lower than 75$ USD in
price.
Besides Burberry stores, watches can be bought at various locations.
They can also be purchased online at citizen watches
sites like Amazon.com. Offline they are
available at stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Macy's. The price for the
watches at non-Burberry stores is often comparable to those gotten from company
stores.
Burberry luxurious ladies watch seiko watches
with gleaming white ceramic bracelet and
matching case. The glossy white dial with check engraved detail features silver
indexes and accents. The perfect style for a casually glamorous lifestyle. Water
resistant to 5 ATM and comes with a 2 year international warranty and signa
Watches. Women. Round dial. Ceramic. Fold over clasp. 50 metres water resistant.
Date function. 2 year guarantee.seiko watches
Quartz (Battery) Analogue clocks. Colour
White.
This triple chronograph watch, featuring a gunmetal sunray dial and steel
check-inspired bracelet, is a Burberry classic in the making. Warranty
Information Case size: 42mm. Water resistant to 10 ATM. Stainless steel.
Imported. Photo may have been enlarged and/or enhanced. Quartz movement.
A subtle check pattern engravesseiko spc007p1
the dial and continues through the bracelet
of a beautiful watch crafted from smooth, glossy ceramic. Deployant clasp
closure. Approx. band length: 200mm. Approx. band width: 18mm. Approx. case
diameter: 34mm. Water-resistant to 5 ATM (50 meters). Ceramic/stainless
steel/mineral crystal. By Burberry; Swiss made.
I got my all photo equipment from the USA.I already spent around 11000$ there(7% tax is less than PST GST HST).Problem is all the merchandise HERE is sold to corporate buyers(huge prices) that on the end of the year will get huge refund back.For a average shopper Wall Mart all the way!(again filling up pockets of Chinese people not Canadians)
Great great service, I definitely recommend, and a great assortment. Also, if you have a particular frame you want and they don't have it in store (and they carry that brand) they will try their best to order it for you. They did that for me for a pair of Ray Bans, and even offered to order in 2 colours to see which one I would like more!
The store is small and crowded so make sure you go during non-peak time.
If you don't want help picking your frames then I wouldn't go here. His prices are higher but the glasses are all excellent quality and you get his priceless advice. You might as well go to a Chinese optical, pick your own frames, and save money.
I paid $460 for frames + lenses, 1.74 index. They were ready in about 1 week. I went back for one adjustment because they were sliding down and he quickly changed the nosepads and I've been fine since.
As a minor bonus, the case and lens cloth he gives you are way better than anything I've received before. And refills on the cleaning spray are free.
AVE 14.MARCORY
ABIDJAN, COTE D'IVOIRE.
IVORY COAST.
Dear Sir,
We are FLORISH FASHION BOUTIQUE located in (Côte d'Ivoire), also have branches in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal, indeed we will wish to have inter-company relations with you by order, this is why we address this mail to you, and also to let you know that we are interested in your products for purchase:
1 - Can you export your products internationally VIA UPS, DHL or EXPRESS POSTAL SERVICE ?
2 - Have you an Electronic Terminal for international payment for credit cards?.
If yes kindly forward to us all the product that you have in stock including their prices upon the receipt of this mail as we hope to be doing business in these noble and professional manners.
REGARDS,
MR;RICHARD PHILIP
I had both an eye exam and bought my first pair of glasses here.
I highly recommend them.
I had my eye test with Sayda and she was amazing. So sweet, informative, and really helpful. I was 4 months pregnant at the time and she explained the ins and outs of how pregnancy effects eye sight.
Tony helped me pick out my glasses. Again, like another reviewer had written, the very first pair that he picked out for me were the ones that ended up buying. Of course I tried on about 10 others, but he was right from the beginning. He was extremely friendly, gave me a great deal on my glasses, and delivered them 2 days earlier then expected.
Stellar service all round.
It's also possible to enjoy the particular acquires of having Trainer Discount by way of deciding upon to order internet. There are solely few Trainer Sites on line wherever you can get printable Trainer Vouchers. Internet [url=http://cheapcoachfactorybackpacks2i.webs.com/]coach factory purse[/url] outlets also provide shopping programs that can enable customers to avail several promotions and sales available online. All you need to do is to sit in front of your computer table and use your favorite [url=http://cheapcoachfactorybackpacks2i.webs.com/]http://cheapcoachfactorybackpacks2i.webs.com/[/url] search engine. In just a matter of seconds, you will surely find a website that will give you the discount voucher that you need. You can get the promotion code and avail good discounts from Coach Factory outlet stores.