Chinatown-Kensington & Trinity-Bellwoods
Chinese-Canadians form one of the country's largest ethnic groups, and south of College Street, you can get your fill of bubble tea and lychee in Chinatown. Walk west to Kensington Market and you're in a completely different world: Vest-pocket clothing stores with racks of Latin American futbol jerseys operate cheek by jowl with any number of mom-and-pop eateries, from Jamaican to Vietnamese. Then head southwest to Trinity-Bellwoods via the TTC streetcar system. This may be home to Toronto's galleries, vintage shops, and swanky brunch spots, but the Bugaboo-to-mimosa ratio is about even, so people won't roll their eyes at your stroller. See a map of all our picks in this neighborhood.
Restaurants
La Palette
This trendy (yet comfy) bistro serves locally grown foods and native cured meats, like wild boar.
256 Augusta Ave., (416) 929-4900
Asian Legend
Watch chefs make succulent, superaffordable dumplings through the window to the back.
418 Dundas St. W., (416) 977-3909
Every Canadian town worth its salt has a chippy (a fish-and-chips spot); this hole-in-the-wall has the city's best fries and filets.
893 Queen St. W.,
(416) 866-7474
Shops
Fresh Baked Goods
Buy hoodies with witty sayings and retro dresses for kids and moms.
274 Augusta Ave., (416) 966-0123
This boutique brings European (Italian, Swiss, Swedish) design to Toronto in the form of chic kids' furniture, gear, and gifts.
188 Strachan Ave.,
(416) 850-7890
Activities
Trinity-Bellwoods Park
The 37-acre park has a playground and wading pool and is home to a colony of rare white squirrels.
Queen St. and Strachan Ave.
Perfect for short attention spans, this one-floor museum is on a street full of fantastic galleries.
952 Queen St. W., (416) 395-0067
As you walk south on Spadina, check out the dragon-sculpture gateway and hit King's Noodle House (296 Spadina).
Dundas St. and Spadina Ave.
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