TORONTO BY EAT.DRINK.FROLIC.

A guide to eating, drinking and sightseeing.

WHY TORONTO? When John and I returned from our trek to Canada, a lot of our friends asked us how we settled on Toronto as a vacation destination. Usually our vacations have been beach-inspired but this time around we opted for something a little different. We'd both read a little about Toronto and thought we'd give it a try. Our initial thought of escaping the Southern heat was proven to be wrong; when we visited Toronto it was unbelievably hot (we visited at the end of May/beginning of June. Toronto is the largest city in Canada and it offers lots of diverse arts, culture and food - I think that's what initially turned us on to this city. Also, the U.S. dollar is pretty strong there so we definitely got more bang for our buck by keeping our vacation adventures in North America. No, we did not go because of Drake. Yes, we heard a Drake song played almost everywhere we went.

When paying with a credit card, the card reader is brought to your table. It's super convenient and your card stays in your view.

Niagara Falls is less than 2 hours away from Toronto!

tips USE A CREDIT CARD Or Cash. Using your debit card, you may be charged international fees. Be sure to check with your bank before your trip.

CALL YOUR CELL PHONE PROVIDER Most phone companies have special packages if traveling to Canada. Be sure to call them prior to traveling.

TALK TO LOCALS Torontonians are very friendly. Talk to them to get insider tips on what's happening in the city while you're there.

food SCHOOL | 70 Fraser Ave. Where do I start? This was the first place we ate as we started our Toronto adventure and what a way to start. SCHOOL offers weekday (and weekend) brunch and it is delicious. Get the cheesy bacon French toast - you will not be disappointed. The restaurant's playlist is great and some of their cocktails are served in beakers. 

Pizzeria Libretto | 221 Ossington Ave. Obviously by the name of this place you can assume that there's pizza and you're right. Delicious pizza. We noshed on the duck confit pizza. They have a great wine list and cocktails are available as well. Pizzeria Libretto has multiple locations throughout the city.

Patois | 794 Dundas St. West This was probably my favorite place in Toronto. Patois is where Caribbean meets Asian soul food and you MUST eat here if you go to Toronto. Make a reservation - this place gets busy. The cocktails are delicious AND if you go with a group of folks, get the "whole shebang", which is the entire menu at a ridiculously affordable price. Always check to see what the featured cocktail is. GET THE JERK CHICKEN.

Sneaky Dee's | 431 College Street Dive bar that serves Tex-Mex food and has a music venue upstairs. Has an inexpensive breakfast menu and are known for their nachos. Sneaky Dee's is the only place on this Earth where I've actually eaten refried beans. So if that tells you anything...this place is pretty delicious.

food El Catrin | 18 Tank House Ln. Located in the Distillery District, El Catrin is a dream. The patio is simply beautiful, the margaritas were some of the best I've ever had and the baja tacos (beer-battered fried cod) were very delicious. Stop in for dinner or drinks here then walk around the area. Reservations are available but only for inside - not the patio.

other recommendations 

Colette Grand Cafe 550 Wellington St. West

Buster's Sea Cove 93 Front St.

Kinka Izakaya Multiple locations

The Black Hoof 928 Dundas St. West

drink Home of the Brave | 589 King St. W Home of the Brave was recommended to us by our server while we were at brunch. We were apprehensive because he described it to us as an "American themed" bar. Much to our surprise, it wasn't a cheesy bar like we assumed. It was a lively bar with great drinks and delicious adult slushies.

Savoy Restaurant | 1166 Queen St. W One night after walking around we decided to stop into Savoy simply because we heard music and there wasn't a cover to get in. On the weekends, Savoy is a lounge/club with a DJ and cheap drinks. If you want to dance a bit, stop by. 

Montauk | 765 Dundas St. W Montauk was recommended by our server at Patois and we're so thankful for his recommendation. Montauk is in walking distance of Patois (along with a few other bars) and it is a cocktail-lovers' paradise. Montauk has a speakeasy vibe with craft cocktails and an industrial feel. Loved this place.

Sidecar | 577 College St. Sidecar is a quaint restaurant serving American and Italian food. We also learned it was once voted best patio in Toronto - naturally, we moved from our bar seats to the patio and it was sort of magical. The manager, Mitch, is truly a gem and was very helpful. Sidecar is well-known for their steak frites (which John had and loved). Also, no need to leave a tip at this restaurant - it's already taken care of!

College Street Bar | 574 College St. College Street Bar is directly across the street from Sidecar. It's a cute bar with live music and a DJ.

see Chinatown Toronto's Chinatown neighborhood is one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. It's full of restaurants and shops.  Waterfront Artisan Market | 339 Queens Quay West Loved this market! If you're into outdoor markets, with a variety of vendors (food, clothing, beverages, etc.), then this market is for you. As you can tell from the name, it's on a beautiful waterfront with beach chairs, umbrellas and sand. If you're hungry there's plenty to choose from. My favorite food vendor: Young Animal - seriously so good.

Harbour Front Centre | 235 Queens Quay West Located on the waterfront, Harbour Front Center is a cultural center that hosts events and has shops and restaurants as well.

CN Tower | 301 Front St. W Toronto landmark. We didn't go inside of the tower but you can. There's a restaurant inside and there's even something to do for the thrill seekers. I'm not one of them.

Rogers Centre | 1 Blue Jays Way If you're into baseball, visiting Rogers Centre would be cool. If you're able to catch a Blue Jays game, even better. If not, tours are available. Rogers Centre is in close proximity to the CN Tower and the Air Canada Centre where the Raptors play.

see

Kensington Market A diverse, walkable neighborhood full of shops and restaurants. 

Distillery District The Distillery District was the largest distillery in the world in the late 1800's. Now, it's a mixture of commercial and residential buildings. It's a beautiful neighborhood with restaurants, shops and bakeries. Stop into SOMA Chocolatemaker. 

FINAL WORDS. WWW.EATDRINKFROLIC.COM ADVICE

If you're thinking of going to Toronto... GO! We had so much fun and we didn't even scratch the surface on all of the food and sites the city has to offer.

Practice your French Take the train to Montreal! We did and it was the best decision. The train is clean, comfortable and affordable. Check VIA Rail for rates and routes.