Jana's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Just walk 400m West and you are in the park!
Large gorgeous park in the middle of the city with loads of walking trails.
Highlights are:
- Free swimming pool in summer.
- Free skating in winters with multiple skating rinks.
A fantastic castle park for kids
Plenty of paths to explore
- Free zoo to walk through
- Cherry blossoms in the spring
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High Park
1873 Bloor St WJust walk 400m West and you are in the park!
Large gorgeous park in the middle of the city with loads of walking trails.
Highlights are:
- Free swimming pool in summer.
- Free skating in winters with multiple skating rinks.
A fantastic castle park for kids
Plenty of paths to explore
- Free zoo to walk through
- Cherry blossoms in the spring
Sunnyside Beach on Lake Ontario is a short walk or a streetcar ride away.
It's a lovely place to walk along the boardwalk or grab some takeout from one of the local shops on Roncessvales and have a picnic on the beach.
To get there:
- walk 1 km down Roncesvalles to the intersecting Queen Street or,
- take any Streetcar South (right on Roncessvales, across from Grenadier Road) to Queen street.
There is a pedestrian bridge at the South end of Roncesvalles @ Queen St that crosses the Gardiner Hwy to access the lake.
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Sunnyside Beach
Sunnyside Beach on Lake Ontario is a short walk or a streetcar ride away.
It's a lovely place to walk along the boardwalk or grab some takeout from one of the local shops on Roncessvales and have a picnic on the beach.
To get there:
- walk 1 km down Roncesvalles to the intersecting Queen Street or,
- take any Streetcar South (right on Roncessvales, across from Grenadier Road) to Queen street.
There is a pedestrian bridge at the South end of Roncesvalles @ Queen St that crosses the Gardiner Hwy to access the lake.
The Revue Cinema, constructed in 1912 is a designated heritage building thanks to its Art Deco design. It’s also Toronto’s oldest operating movie theatre, showing today’s flicks and old classics. When news of its closure became public a while back, the community sprang up and saved the cinema, keeping the tradition alive. When they’re back up post-pandemic, don’t miss their Drunken Cinema events (where you get to drink and play games along with a movie). 400 Roncesvalles Ave.
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The Revue Cinema
400 Roncesvalles AveThe Revue Cinema, constructed in 1912 is a designated heritage building thanks to its Art Deco design. It’s also Toronto’s oldest operating movie theatre, showing today’s flicks and old classics. When news of its closure became public a while back, the community sprang up and saved the cinema, keeping the tradition alive. When they’re back up post-pandemic, don’t miss their Drunken Cinema events (where you get to drink and play games along with a movie). 400 Roncesvalles Ave.
This historic United Church is a hub for the Roncy community. They host local events from the Roncy Flea Market, Pilates classes, programs for kids and a "Dinner With Dignity" every Sunday for those in need. The rainbow painted steps will be what grabs your attention (welcoming people to pose for photos), but knowing all it does for the community makes it even better. 240 Roncesvalles Ave.
240 Sorauren Ave
240 Sorauren AvenueThis historic United Church is a hub for the Roncy community. They host local events from the Roncy Flea Market, Pilates classes, programs for kids and a "Dinner With Dignity" every Sunday for those in need. The rainbow painted steps will be what grabs your attention (welcoming people to pose for photos), but knowing all it does for the community makes it even better. 240 Roncesvalles Ave.
Kids Activities
A staple in any neighbourhood is a gathering spot. And Sorauren Park is that for Roncy. It’s just west of the main village, tucked away next to residential areas, but it’s closer to get to than High Park and has a strong community feeling. I love hitting up the farmers’ market during the summer and fall on Mondays from 3 - 7pm.
There is a big baseball diamond, free tennis courts, a dog park and a liveky playground for kids. In the summer there is a splash pad for kids too.
To get there:
Walk400m east along Grenadier Road, then 50m south on Sauraren.
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Sorauren Avenue Park
289 Sorauren AveA staple in any neighbourhood is a gathering spot. And Sorauren Park is that for Roncy. It’s just west of the main village, tucked away next to residential areas, but it’s closer to get to than High Park and has a strong community feeling. I love hitting up the farmers’ market during the summer and fall on Mondays from 3 - 7pm.
There is a big baseball diamond, free tennis courts, a dog park and a liveky playground for kids. In the summer there is a splash pad for kids too.
To get there:
Walk400m east along Grenadier Road, then 50m south on Sauraren.
Breads, Pastries and Coffee
Just around the corner on Roncessvales.
Opens early with fresh bread and pastries. Expect to line up if you are a late riser on the weekend.
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Mabel's Bakery & Specialty Foods
323 Roncesvalles AveJust around the corner on Roncessvales.
Opens early with fresh bread and pastries. Expect to line up if you are a late riser on the weekend.
There are so many great coffee joints to choose from but if you love a good cortado, this one is our personal favourite.
To top it off, it has an amazing whole in the wall burger joint out of the window at the side of the building. A must try if you want a delicious burger or egg sandwich snack.
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Reunion Coffee Roasters
385 Roncesvalles AveThere are so many great coffee joints to choose from but if you love a good cortado, this one is our personal favourite.
To top it off, it has an amazing whole in the wall burger joint out of the window at the side of the building. A must try if you want a delicious burger or egg sandwich snack.
Fantail
333 Roncesvalles AveAlso just around the corner. Amazing, high quality baked goods!!
Food Scene
Consistently rated as top 10 pizza joints in Toronto. This is a 2 minute walk from the house. Seriously good wood fired pizza.
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Pizzeria Defina
321 Roncesvalles AveConsistently rated as top 10 pizza joints in Toronto. This is a 2 minute walk from the house. Seriously good wood fired pizza.
Dil Se Indian Restaurant & Bar
335 Roncesvalles Avenue20 m as the crow flies. Authentic Indian cuisine. So delicious!!
Small and quaint with comfy seats. Great beer and pub food. Solid wings. If you like chicken, I recommend the Po Boy sandwich!
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The Dizzy
305 Roncesvalles AveSmall and quaint with comfy seats. Great beer and pub food. Solid wings. If you like chicken, I recommend the Po Boy sandwich!
Ding-a-Wing
397 Roncesvalles AvenueWant a dirty & delicious fried chicken sandwich? Great for a quick grab.
This place is great for takeout food (limited seating)...Meatball sandwich, fish sandwich, and the “Jessie” poutine, etc.
It's also an amazing collection of local foods to purchase such as charcuterie, cheeses, and all kinds of spices and jarred goods.
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Sunnyside Provisions
287 Roncesvalles AveThis place is great for takeout food (limited seating)...Meatball sandwich, fish sandwich, and the “Jessie” poutine, etc.
It's also an amazing collection of local foods to purchase such as charcuterie, cheeses, and all kinds of spices and jarred goods.
Roncessvales used to be a Polish neighbourhood., with Polish stores and restaurants filling the streets. Through gentrification, many of those local gems closed.
Cafe Polonez is one of the last remaining Polish restaurants. It is a family friendly place with absolutely delicious polish food!!
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Cafe Polonez
195 Roncesvalles AveRoncessvales used to be a Polish neighbourhood., with Polish stores and restaurants filling the streets. Through gentrification, many of those local gems closed.
Cafe Polonez is one of the last remaining Polish restaurants. It is a family friendly place with absolutely delicious polish food!!
Locally made
Scout
1140 Queen St ESo many lovely locally made items: Great for gifts or souvenirs.
Frock is one of those cool, independent clothing shops when you’re looking for something that is unique. It has a combination of local and international designers and focuses on sustainable clothes
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Frock
97 Roncesvalles AveFrock is one of those cool, independent clothing shops when you’re looking for something that is unique. It has a combination of local and international designers and focuses on sustainable clothes
This is a great shop with gorgeous ladies clothes and jewelery. Most of them are by local designers. A gem of a store on Roncy.
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Coal Miner's Daughter
744 Queen St WThis is a great shop with gorgeous ladies clothes and jewelery. Most of them are by local designers. A gem of a store on Roncy.
Places to run
Made just for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, this scenic 2.1-kilometre trail cuts through the neighbourhood of the "Junction Triangle."
This can get crowded, especially on a weekend or a sunny day, but it is a cool, Toronto-only place to soak in. This railpath has funky street art and it has several places to exit and explore Sterling avenue with some cafes and a Brewery.
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West Toronto Railpath
West Toronto RailpathMade just for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, this scenic 2.1-kilometre trail cuts through the neighbourhood of the "Junction Triangle."
This can get crowded, especially on a weekend or a sunny day, but it is a cool, Toronto-only place to soak in. This railpath has funky street art and it has several places to exit and explore Sterling avenue with some cafes and a Brewery.
Running to get to the waterfront can be done in endless combinations. This is only on recommendation:
- Go west along Grenadier Road until Parkside Ave
- Cross Parkside to enter High Park
- Take a trail or one of the roads and head in a general south direction until you get to the Queensway
- cross at one of the traffic lights until you're at the Lake
- run along the waterfront, heading West or East; I prefer West until the white bridge or a little past it. The white bridge is a cool intersection of the Humber River and Lake Ontario.
- If you decide to run East, you have to run a long way to see anything interesting
- On your way back, you can either run through High Park again, or you can go East until you see the pedestrian bridge over the highways. Cross the bridge and run straight home along Roncessvalles. You'll see all the cool shops, cafes and restaurants.
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Sunnyside Beach
Running to get to the waterfront can be done in endless combinations. This is only on recommendation:
- Go west along Grenadier Road until Parkside Ave
- Cross Parkside to enter High Park
- Take a trail or one of the roads and head in a general south direction until you get to the Queensway
- cross at one of the traffic lights until you're at the Lake
- run along the waterfront, heading West or East; I prefer West until the white bridge or a little past it. The white bridge is a cool intersection of the Humber River and Lake Ontario.
- If you decide to run East, you have to run a long way to see anything interesting
- On your way back, you can either run through High Park again, or you can go East until you see the pedestrian bridge over the highways. Cross the bridge and run straight home along Roncessvalles. You'll see all the cool shops, cafes and restaurants.
High Park
1873 Bloor St WEndless potential of running trails, or paved roads