Hello everyone!
I thought that it would be such a great idea to put together a blog post all about my favourite places to eat downtown. During the summer I spent many days in Toronto exploring and trying to discover cool new places with friends. A lot of the places that I found were of course food related. What I love about the city is that there are endless options to choose from, much of which you would never know about unless someone told you about them. So thats exactly what I’m going to do! I discovered so many unique and trendy spots with such amazing food and I cannot wait to share them with you all.
Hope you enjoy!
Dinnen Coffee Co.
If there is one place you choose to visit from this guide it has to be Dinnen Coffee Co. They currently have two locations-one on Young Street and one on Gerrard in Leslieville that are both equally gorgeous. I am fortunate to go to school near the Young Street location and take advantage of any opportunity to stop by for an afternoon treat. Speaking of treats they have such an amazing assortment of pastries and sandwiches that you just can’t resist. They have a ton of drink options depending on what your in the mood for; coffee, tea, and iced drinks. If the food and drinks weren’t enough the locations are an experience in themselves. The Young Street location decor and setup makes you feel like you’ve been transported to a cute little cafe in Europe. While the Leslieville location has such a feminine and intricate vibe with tons of soft colours, marble accents and rich fabrics. Dinnen Coffee Co. is for sure one of my favourite places to relax, get some work done while sipping on a lovely coffee. It makes a simple act such a treat.
My Faves:
- Iced coffee (yes Ik I’m basic lol)
- Pecan tarts
Visit in the website: Dinnen Coffee Co.
Pilot Coffee Roasters
I had heard about Pilot Coffee roasters many times but never had the chance to try it for myself until one summer afternoon while walking around the Ossington area. I was so surprised at the range of options they had and to find out they also sold a lot of their own merchandise -such as their own coffee blends and cold brews. Despite all the options I went for my trusty iced latte with almond milk. After taking the first sip I instantly understood what all the hype was about, I don’t know what they do differently but they really know how to make a rich cup of coffee. The Ossington location that I went to was such a nice spot with tons of seating and places to work. I also loved how they had a “No electronic” section of tables as it made you more mindful to just sit in your thoughts while sipping your coffee or have a conversation with a friend or stranger rather then having your head buried in your phone. It is such a great reminder to be present in your day.
My faves:
- Iced Latte with almond milk
- Cold Brew latte
Visit their website: Pilot Coffee Roasters
KöST
KöST has to be one of my top favourite restaurants that I have ever been to. It is located on the top of the Bisha Hotel where you can eat while looking out to the beautiful Toronto skyline. On top of the views it is also decorated beautifully with tons of natural and gold elements making it the perfect place to take pictures and have a relaxing meal. I highly reccoment this place for brunch with your girlfriends or for a date night. KöST has such unique menu options and I was blown away by the selection that they offered. They have menu options for brunch, lunch, midday and dinner. From açai bowls to a baja tuna sandwich and a Tres Leche cake, they have it all. I also love how all of their food is relatively healthy but also delicious so you can get the best of both worlds.
My Favs:
- Avocado Toast
- Coconut Pancakes
Visit their website: KöST
Oretta
I have recently been to Oretta after discovering it first while walking along King Street one afternoon. I admit I was first interested in going simply based on how pretty it looked inside, but how could I not. The vibrant colours, gold accents, art and attention to detail really caught my eye. Eating in places that inspire you truly does make a difference in your overall experience and I think they nailed it. In addition to being very aesthetically pleasing the food is also delicious. They are an Italian restaurant and therefore have a wide selection of pasta and pizza dishes to choose from. I went with the Linguini al Pomodoro and I was in heaven the entire time. From the feedback of the friends I was informed that the Capricciosa Pizza and Octopus were also a great choices. I could not resist taking a bunch of pictures as every corner gave way for the perfect photo opportunity. The arches, marble tables and velvet fabrics all came together to create a truly gorgeous space. They also have a cafe in the restaurant as well if you wanted to go simply for a coffee and dessert which I thought was a great touch and once again showed their attention to detail.
My faves:
- Linguini al Pomodoro
- Torta al Cioccolato
- Latte
Visit their website: Oretta
Hello123
Similarly to Oretta I came across Hello123 while walking on Queen Street looking for a place to have lunch and could not help but stop to admire how cute it looked outside. I loved the country vibe as it reminded me of my favourite restaurant in LA-Malibu Farm. I looked at the menu and loved all the healthy food options they had, most of them being plant based if that is something you are looking for. They have everything from açai bowls to breakfast bowls and burgers, making it the perfect place to have brunch or lunch. After much deliberation I decided to have the Cauliflower Tahini bowl and it was amazing. I loved that it was such a healthy option that filled me up and made me feel energized afterwards. You can tell all ingredients are freshly made and organic. Highly recommend this place is your looking for a new and trendy place to try.
My favs:
- Cauliflower Tahini Bowl
- Almond Vanilla Cacao Smoothie Bowl
Visit their website: Hello123
Ihalo Krunch
I came across Ihalo Krunch from a picture I saw on Instagram and was instantly shocked by how pretty it looked. I knew that I had to try it. It’s located near Trinity Bellwoods and they specialize in making charcoal infused ice cream and cones. If that does not sound like your thing they also have unique flavour such as sweet purple yam, green tea and vanilla bean. You even have the option of swirling a mixture of favours together, which is what I did and it made my ice cream both delicious and pretty. I know the flavours sound quite odd but I promise you they are way better then they sound. Make sure you take a picture with the neon sign too! Since the location is right by Trinity Bellwoods take the opportunity to walk to the park to relax and enjoy some ice cream with some friends.
My faves:
- Vanilla Nut
- MatchaBean
Visit their site: Ihalo Krunch
ALTG 