The East End is a district of Toronto. It is known for its Greektown, the beaches of The Beach district and the trendy shops and restaurants along Queen St East.

Understand

Orientation

Kew Gardens in The Beach

The East End used to be the most easterly portion of old city of Toronto before it amalgamated with its immediate suburbs in 1998. (Scarborough is now the most easterly portion of today's Toronto.)

The East End is made up of various districts or neighbourhoods such as Greektown, Leslieville, Riverside District Gerard Indian Bazaar & The Beach. It's a varied, vibrant part of town. Although largely residential, the East End is defined by commercial districts with an interesting mix of small shops, restaurants and bars along its major thoroughfares (Queen St. East, Gerrard St. East, Danforth Ave.), where the majority of the attractions are located, and the residential streets where most of the neighbourhood's residents live. These residential streets are quiet and shaded by old oaks and maples, and contain old homes and townhouses of an astonishing variety of architectural styles.

Embedded within these residential streets are a number of large parks, including Riverdale Park, with its breathtaking view of the skyline, Withrow Park, Greenwood Park, Jimmie Simpson Park, Kew Gardens, Beaches Park, and countless smaller neighbourhood parks.

The main throughfare of the East End is Danforth Ave (locally called The Danforth) of which the most lively stretch lies between Broadview Ave. and Jones Ave. Between those two streets, there are two retail business areas. The area west of Chester Ave (and Chester Subway Station) has been branded "The Danforth" by the local merchants while the area east of Chester Ave is the more lively Greektown. However, from a visitor point of view, it is one continuous district, full of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops with a greater concentration of Greek businesses in Greektown, which has the largest Greek community in North America. The combined area attracts residents and non-residents alike creating a busy, bustling, vibrant place, especially on summer weekends. In August, the 2-day Taste of the Danforth festival brings over one million participants to the neighbourhood to fill The Danforth, which is closed off to traffic.

Along Queen Street East in the East End there are 3 other districts all having a mix of small shops, restaurants and bars. They are, from west to east, Riverside District (at Broadview Ave.), Leslieville (between Logan Ave. and Leslie Street) and the very popular Beach district (between Woodbine Ave. and Neville Park Boulevard).

Riverside District is a small shopping/restaurant district with some attractive old buildings such as the Queen/Saulter library building. The Broadview Hotel, an 1891 landmark in the district, has been renovated and converted into a boutique hotel. This district was once used as a movie set for the film Cinderella Man.

In Leslieville, an enormous revitalization effort has been under way, transforming an area once known for its booze-cans, cheap diners, and tacky furniture shops into one of the hippest up-and-coming areas in the city. A plethora of new restaurants, eateries, bars, bakeries and shops have made this a real gastronomic destination, and since it has been the centre of Toronto's film industry for years, the Queen East has finally reached a tipping point, drawing in hip, young, upwardly mobile people from all over the GTA, transforming the area from a low-rent backwater into a trendsetter reminiscent of Queen West in the early 1990s.

Further east on Queen Street, past Woodbine Ave., the long-established Beach neighbourhood (a.k.a The Beaches) attracts thousands of visitors during the summer, who dine and drink in its restaurants and bars, walk the boardwalk by the lake, sunbathe on the sand beach, bring the kids to the park at Kew Gardens, or walk around the residential streets with their unique homes and laid-back atmosphere.

These are not the only attractions the East End has to offer: there's also Chinatown East radiating from the intersection of Gerrard Street and Broadview Avenue , a smaller, quieter version of Spadina's Chinatown with many fresh food markets and restaurants; Gerrard India Bazaar (a.k.a. Little India) on Gerrard between Greenwood and Woodbine is especially lively in the summertime when South Asians from all over the GTA descend on the neighbourhood to catch a Bollywood flick at one of the only Bollywood movie theatres in the city, enjoy barbecued corn on the street, chew paan purchased from one of the specialized vendors, browse the many shops, jewelry stores, and sari boutiques, or eat in one of a number of South Asian restaurants.

History

Leslieville

Leslieville began as a small village in the 1850s, which grew up around the Toronto Nurseries owned by George Leslie and sons, after whom the community is named. Most of Leslieville's residents were gardeners or were employed at one of the brick-making factories in the area.

Alexander Muir, the composer of "The Maple Leaf Forever", was the first principal of the Leslieville Public School, one of the first buildings in the village. Muir was inspired when a brilliant maple leaf fell on his jacket from a Leslieville tree. Though the tree fell victim to a storm in the summer of 2013, the maple wood will be repurposed to honour its history.

Get in

Going East on Bloor Street by subway, bus or car, you cross the Prince Edward Viaduct made famous by the Michael Ondaatje book In the Skin of a Lion. This bridge used to be infamous for being used by people committing suicide. The city installed barriers to prevent people from jumping off the bridge into the Don Valley below. After you cross the Don Valley the street name changes to Danforth and there are lots of Greek restaurants. The main section of restaurants and cool shops is between Ellerbeck and Pape with Carrot Common (at Chester subway) being ground zero.

By subway

Subway line  2  Bloor-Danforth has 4 stations to serve Greektown: Broadview, Chester, Pape and Donlands.

If you are approaching Broadview Station by subway from the west, then get on the very front of the train and look out the front window for a cool view of crossing the Prince Edward Viaduct. Kids love it. If the seats by the covetous rail fan window are occupied, then try to get a window seat on the right side of the train in order to see the view of the valley while on the bridge. There is a different view for each direction.

The Bloor-Danforth subway line 2 has a number of stations in the East End with with connections to streetcars and buses to move people north and south from the Danforth. From Broadview Station, you can take the 504B King or 505 Dundas streetcar to Chinatown East, or the 504B King streetcar to Riverside District. From Woodbine Station, you can take the 92 Woodbine South bus to the west end of The Beach. From Coxwell Station, you can take the 22 Coxwell bus to Gerrard Street to visit Gerrard India Bazaar.

By streetcar

The 501 Queen streetcar serves the nearly the breadth of the East End, with bus connections to most of the stops on Bloor-Danforth subway line 2 between Pape and Coxwell stations. It directly serves Riverside District, Leslieville and The Beach.

The 504B King enters the East End from Downtown along King Street and then heads north along Broadview Avenue. terminating at Broadview Station on Bloor-Danforth subway line 2. It directly serves Riverside District, Chinatown East and the west end of Greektown.

The 505 Dundas enters the East End from Downtown along Dundas Street, and like the 504B, also heads north along Broadview Avenue to Broadview Station. It directly serves Chinatown East and the west end of Greektown.

The 506 Carlton mostly runs along Gerrard Street through the East End, all the way to Main Street where it turns north to terminate at the Main Street Station on Bloor-Danforth subway line 2. It directly serves Chinatown East and Gerrard India Bazaar.

By car

The Don Valley Parkway provides the easiest access from the Hwy 401. Head south on the DVP to the Bloor exit if looking to go to Greektown / the Danforth. Exit and follow the road up the hill and you will come to a light - turn left. You are at CastleFrank subway and about to cross the bridge which will become the Danforth once you pass Broadview.

If you're looking to go to the southern part of the East End (the Beach), exit at Lake Shore Blvd from Gardner Expressway. Follow Lakeshore Blvd east until it becomes Woodbine Ave and turn right onto Queen St East.

By bike

Alternatively, there is the bike path along Bloor which ends at Broadview/Danforth. This route allows you to stop in the middle of the Prince Edward Viaduct for a spectacular view of the Don Valley south to the lake including all the skyscrapers of downtown. Or another bike route is to travel along the Don bike path from north or south and exit the path at Pottery Road (long uphill warning) with the reward of Dairy Queen at the top of the hill. This DQ has one of the best views of the city. From the DQ head south on Broadview to the Danforth and then to the east.

See

• 1 Todmorden Mills Heritage Site, 67 Pottery Rd (go north on Broadview from the Danforth, turn left at Pottery Road (at the Dairy Queen), down the big hill, then turn left at the bottom), ☏ +1 416-396-2819. There are some old houses which are well preserved and complete with furnishings. In behind the houses, there is a circular walking path that crosses over an old bend in the Don River that has been cut off from the main flow by the construction of the Don Valley Parkway. Parking available. (updated Nov 2015)

Chinatown East

• 2 Old Don Jail (½ block east of Broadview Ave and Gerrard St E, north side). Visiting hours: M-F 9AM-5PM. The former Don Jail was completed in 1864 with a capacity for 184 inmates. It is notorious for the last judicial hangings in Canada in 1962. Despite its grim history, the building is attractive architecturally, looking palatial over a broad green space, having been recently renovated as an administrative building for the Bridgepoint Health complex. There are pamplets at the jail building entrances for a self-guided tour of the interior. Inside you will see the rotunda with a contemporary art displays, and a number of fixtures of the old jail. There is a preserved cell block. A short explanatory video is available. Hubbard Park, on the south side of the building, contains explanatory plaques, the former gate house and former jail warden's residence. On the north side is an attractive park containing plants, fountains and more explanatory plaques. Free admission. (updated Oct 2016)
• 3 Toronto Chinese Archway (1 block east of Broadview Ave and Gerrard St E, south side). This 13-metre high, pagoda-style monument features engraved messages of goodwill and wisdom and is framed by two lions to symbolically serve as the entrance way to Chinatown East. (updated Nov 2015)

Greektown & The Danforth

• 4 Alexander the Great Parkette, corner of Logan Ave and Danforth Ave (2 blocks E of Chester Ave near Chester Station). A small square with cafes, fountain and monument dedicated to Alexander the Great. (updated Sep 2015)
• 5 Madinah Masjid, 1015 Danforth Ave (½ block east of Donlands Ave and Donlands Station (slightly east of Greektown)). A Middle-East-style mosque with a tall minaret, 2 domes and arches facing the street. (updated Sep 2015)
• 6 Playter Farmhouse, 28 Playter Crescent (1 block north of Danforth Ave near Broadview Ave). Private residence.. This is one of the original houses from when the area was settled. It was still in the family until 2006, when it was sold. It has not been turned into a museum. (updated Nov 2015)

Leslieville

• 7 Garden statues, 37 Bertmount Ave (50 metres N of Queen St). There is an elaborate and very conspicuous display of statues covering the front yard and front porch of the private residence at that address. The display is easily viewed from the public sidewalk. (updated Oct 2016)
• 8 Maple Leaf Forever Park (Maple Cottage), 62 Laing St (501 streetcar to Laing St). Alexander Muir wrote the rousing British-Canadian song "The Maple Leaf Forever". According to legend, Muir was inspired by a maple tree standing in front of the cottage at 62 Laing Street. A wind storm killed that maple tree in 2013, and only the lower trunk remains. However, a sapling from the original tree now grows in the park behind the cottage. (updated Aug 2016)
• 9 TTC Russell Carhouse, 1433 Queen Street East (Take the 501, 502 or 503 streetcar to Connaught Ave stop). For railfans: both the front and rear of this active tram depot can be easily viewed from the public sidewalk. This carhouse was built in 1924 and contains 21 tracks. If you are lucky, you might see the two remaining Toronto PCC streetcars in the yard. (updated Nov 2015)

Riverside District

• 10 Joel Weeks Park, 10 Thompson St (1 block N of Queen St & Carroll St). The main feature of this park is an amusing statue of four squirrels gazing at a giant acorn. There are also flower beds, a community vegetable garden and 2 other animal sculptures. (updated Oct 2016)
• 11 Queen Street Viaduct (East of intersection of Queen St E and King St E). This Pratt truss bridge over the Don River has public art on its west side looking east. The art work by Eldon Garnet consists of a clock face without hands and the phrase "this river I step in is not the river I stand in". If you look up "Heraclitus" in Wikipedia, you will find clues to this riddle. The bridge is a symbol for the Riverside District. (updated Nov 2015)

The Beach

• This section of Lake Ontario shoreline is known as the Eastern beaches, and includes, from east to west, Balmy Beach, Kew Beach, and Woodbine Beach. The 3.5-km Boardwalk winds along the beaches from Silver Birch Avenue to Ashbridge's Bay Park, west of Woodbine Avenue. The Boardwalk is a great place for strolling and people-watching, especially in the summer, when it's always a bit cooler at the lake than elsewhere in the city.
• 12 Beaches Library, 2161 Queen Street East (located at the north-east corner of Kew Gardens). M-Sa 9AM-8:30PM. The Beaches Library was the last of three identical branches (Wychwood and High Park being the other two) built in 1915 with a $50,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The library's main visual feature is its second floor resembling a Tudor Gothic great hall with a soaring hammer-beamed ceiling, fireplace, lead-glass windows and a third-level mistral gallery. (updated May 2019)
• 13 Glen Stewart Ravine (502/503 streetcar to Beach Ave). Glen Stewart Ravine is a rustic wooded ravine with a stream, trail and wooden footbridges. The ravine is apparently a hangout for wild cayotes, as there is a sign at one entrance instructing you how to react if you encounter one. The gravel trail is 600–650 metres long depending on where you enter, and is steep at its northern end. There are two north-end entrances: one on the south side of Kingston Road west of Beach Avenue, and a second one on the west side of Beach Avenue south of Kingston Road. (updated Aug 2018)
  • 14 Ivan Forrest Gardens, 131 Glen Manor Dr (501 streetcar to Glen Manor Dr & Queen St E). Ivan Forrest Gardens is the southern end of Glen Stewart Ravine. Unlike the northern portion of the ravine, Ivan Forrest Gardens is a city park with lawns, paved paths and a few flower beds. (updated Aug 2018)
• 15 Kew Gardens, 2075 Queen St E (access along Lee Ave). This park includes a large children's playground and wading pool in the north-west corner. In the winter, there's the outdoor ice-skating rink.  
• 16 Kew Williams House (the Kew Gardener's cottage), 30 Lee Ave (East side of Kew Gardens). The house built by the original owner of Kew Gardens in 1901-02. It is one of the most photographed buildings in the Beach. 
• 17 Leuty Lifeguard Station (On the beach at the foot of Leuty Avenue). This Beach landmark was built in the 1920s. (updated Nov 2015)
• 18 R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, 2701 Queen St E (Beside the streetcar loop on Queen St near Victoria Park Ave). Built in the 1930s, this beautiful Art Deco building is Toronto's largest water treatment facility and has been designated a national historic civil engineering site. It's been featured in a number of films and TV shows.  
• 19 Toronto Fire Station 227 (Kew Beach Fire Hall), 1904 Queen Street East (1 block east of Woodbine Ave). Built in 1905, this three-storey Queen Anne structure with a clock tower is still in use today. Originally, there was only one vehicle bay but a second was added in 1960. (updated Nov 2015)

Do

Theatres

• 1 The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Avenue (½ block east of Broadview Ave and Brosview Station), ☏ +1 416-778-8163. The Danforth Music Hall is a venue for concerts featuring international and local artists. The theatre was built as a movie theatre in 1919. It was the Allen’s Danforth, as part of the Allen Theatre chain. The theatre became the Music Hall when it started to feature live acts in the late 1970s. In 2011, it became the Danforth Music Hall after a change in ownership when the theatre was remodelled and renovated. (updated Dec 2015)
• 2 Fox Theatre, 2236 Queen St E (501 streetcar to Beech Ave), ☏ +1 416-691-7330. Operating since 1914, the Fox Theatre is the second oldest, operating cinema in the city. It has a single screen and shows a mixture of second-run movies, independent and foreign films, and classic favourites. The Fox Theatre underwent an extensive restoration in 2007. Some of the changes included 250 new plush reclining red-finish seats with cupholders, a 1930s-inspired carpet, a new concessions stand with an old-fashioned popcorn machine and menu chalkboard, a reupholstered smoking wall, one-of-a-kind classic light up movie posters, and the original Prince Edward and candy bar signs. (updated Dec 2015)
• 3 The Opera House, 735 Queen St E (1 block east of Broadview Ave; 501,502,504B streetcars), ☏ +1 416-466-0313. A former vaudeville theatre from the early 1900s, now hosting concerts, comedy & special events. Sorry, no Verdi or Puccini. (updated Dec 2015)

La dolce vita

• The best thing to do on the Danforth is to find a sidewalk cafe and sit there drinking coffee, wine, beer and eat Mezes. There are plenty of options here and they all are well worth it.

Outdoor activities

• 4 Donald D Summerville Olympic Pool, 1867 Lakeshore Blvd E (501 streetcar to Woodbine Ave; walk south), ☏ +1 416-392-7688. The facility has an Olympic-sized pool, a large children's pool, and a diving pool. (updated Dec 2015)
• Run, bike or inline-skate along the Martin Goodman Trail: The Beach-section of this trail, is a smooth asphalt path running parallel to the Boardwalk. The Martin Goodman trail is 20 km long in total, and is part of the longer 350-km Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail. It can be very busy on weekends.
• Swimming in Lake Ontario. The most common concern is water pollution. Toronto's beaches are tested daily from June to Labour Day weekend. You can check the water quality at any of Toronto's beaches on-line or by calling the City of Toronto's hotline at +1 416-392-7161. The Toronto Police Lifeguard Service program supervises Balmy, Kew, Beaches Park, and Ashbridge's Bay-Woodbine Park Beach from the first week of June to Labour Day, 11:30AM to 6:30PM daily. Swimming in the lake poses some dangers: the lake bottom is uneven and there may be sharp objects in the sand, and there can be dangerous currents. Take note of warning flags, and never swim alone.
• Discovery Walk. Take a self-guided tour of the Eastern Ravine & Beaches, (PDF map), including the Boardwalk, Ashbridge's Bay and the Glen Stewart ravine. This 9-km walk will take about 3 hours, but you can just do a section of it if you prefer.
• 5 Withrow Park, 725 Logan Ave (south of the Danforth along either Logan Ave or Carlaw Ave). This park has a great area for 2-9 year old kids, an area to let dogs off leash and a skating rink in the winter. (updated Dec 2015)

Festivals

• Beaches International Jazz Festival, Kew Gardens. A free open-air event mainly showcasing Canadian jazz that takes place the last weekend of July each year, drawing over 800,000 visitors. 
• Bloomsday Toronto. A one-day celebration of James Joyce's novel Ulysses, occurring on (of course!) June 16th each year. 
• Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay. There are fireworks at Ashbridges Bay on Victoria Day (the Monday preceding May 25) and Canada Day (July 1). The Woodbine Beach area at the foot of Woodbine Ave may be the best location to view them. (updated Dec 2015)
• Taste of the Danforth, Danforth Ave (along Danforth Ave between Broadview and Donlands subway stations). The Taste of the Danforth festival happens the second weekend in August. During this event, the Danforth is closed off to vehicular traffic and there is a massive street party. Don't drive and hope to find parking. Take the subway to either Broadview, Chester, Pape or Donlands. Of course there is a Greek theme with tons of BBQ'ed souvlaki but there is other types of food too. There are midway rides for kids too. There are 2 stages. The main Greek stage is at Logan. About a million people fill the Danforth for this festive event. (updated Dec 2015)
• Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade. Takes place Easter Sunday along Queen Street, from Victoria Park Avenue to Woodbine Avenue. 

Buy

The Beach

• There are lots of small, unique shops along Queen Street East in The Beach (a.k.a. The Beaches), from west of Woodbine Avenue all the way east to Victoria Park Avenue.

Gerrard India Bazaar

• Venture into the East at the Gerrard India Bazaar (a.k.a. Little India) at Coxwell and Gerrard. Great for picking up bargains like an armful of bangles, and to shop for takehome souvenirs.

Greektown & The Danforth

• 1 Alex Farm Products, 377 Danforth Ave (opposite Chester Ave near Chester Station.). Delicatessen. Olives, feta and other cheeses. (updated Sep 2015)
• 2 Athena Bakery, 598 Danforth Av (1 block W of Pape Ave & Pape Station.), ☏ +1 416-462-1411. Greek pastry shop. Take-out only, no eating area provided. (updated Sep 2015)
• 3 Book City, 348 Danforth Ave (¾ block W of Chester Ave & Chester Station.), ☏ +1 416-469-9997. Medium-size book store (updated Sep 2015)
• 4 Gifts From The Earth, 320 Danforth Ave at Carrot Common (1 block W of Chester Ave & Chester Station.), ☏ +1 416-465-4579. A cool rock store where you can buy all sorts of crystals and there are some telescopes there too. (updated Sep 2015)
• 5 LCBO (liquor), 200 Danforth Ave (1 block E of Broadview Ave & Broadview Station), ☏ +1 416-469-4724. This LCBO store once made the rather bold claim that it has the "best selection of Greek wines outside of Greece". Ouzo is available at $20+ per bottle. All beer (single bottles/cans and 6-packs) are sold cold from a special refrigerated room. (Most LCBO stores sell only a very limited selection of cold beer.) (updated Sep 2015)

Leslieville

• 6 Arts Market, 1114 Queen St E (501 streetcar to Brooklin Ave), ☏ +1 647-997-7616. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. Arts & crafts store selling jewellery, illustrations, greeting cards, wood working, ceramics, fashion accessories, photography, paintings, knitters, etc. on behalf of over 150 artists and designers. (updated Jan 2016)
• 7 The Bone House, 946 Queen St E (1 block east of Logan Ave), ☏ +1 416-463-2663. Sells organic dog food and toys, most made in Canada. (updated Jan 2016)
• 8 Doll Factory by Damzels, 1122 Queen St E (501 streetcar to Brooklin Ave), ☏ +1 416-598-0509. Closed Mondays. NOW magazine: "The Toronto-based design duo behind Damzels’ retro-flirty frocks have one of the biggest cult followings in town." (updated Jan 2016)
• 9 Gadabout Vintage, 1300 Queen St E (1½ blocks east of Leslie St), ☏ +1 416-463-1254. Antique & vintage clothing, jewellery, home goods & knickknacks. (updated Jan 2016)

Riverside District

• 10 Tiny Record Shop, 777 Queen St E (501 streetcar to Saulter St or Boulton St), ☏ +1 416-479-4363. Independent record store with vinyl stock. (updated Dec 2015)

Eat

Here are listings by district within the East End.

Chinatown East

• 1 Green Earth Vegetarian Cuisine, 385 Broadview Ave, ☏ +1 416-778-9199. Features vegan versions of international dishes (USA, Italy, Mexico, China, Thailand, Vietnam). TV mounted above counter shows Supreme Master Television. 
• 2 Simon's Wok Vegetarian Kitchen, 797 Gerrard St E (at Logan Ave), ☏ +1 416-778-9836. Vegetarian Chinese cuisine served in communal manner. (updated Nov 2015)

Gerrard India Bazaar

• 3 Gautama, 1416 Gerrard St E (at the corner of Hiawatha Rd), ☏ +1 416-469-4444. Indian buffet. (updated Aug 2018)

Greektown & The Danforth

There is lots of choice for restaurants in Greektown. After dinner, the sidewalks lure many locals out for a casual stroll along the Danforth. It's a great way to spend a summer weekend evening.

• 4 Allens, 143 Danforth Avenue, ☏ +1 416 463-3086. Great food and bar with a superb selection of beer. Try another from Unibroue such Fin de Monde or Maudite for real beer. Live Celtic music on weekends. 
• 5 Astoria Shish Kebob House, 390 Danforth Avenue, ☏ +1 416 463-2838. One of the better Greek restaurants around. 
• 6 Danforth Dragon Restaurant, 861 Danforth Ave, ☏ +1 416-461-9238. Tu-F 11:30AM-9:45PM, Sa noon-9:45PM. Hakka cuisine — Chinese food with Indian spices. Take-out and delivery only. (updated Sep 2019)
• 7 Douce France, 820 Danforth Ave (between Pape and Donlands subway stations), ☏ +1 647-348-7661. Tu-F 8:30AM-6:30PM, Sa 8:30AM-6PM. This French pâtisserie & café boasts that ingredients for its products come from France. A pastry counter stands at the entrance, opposite several shelves of packaged goods from France. In the back of the shop is a café with table service. Staff here speak both French and English. (updated May 2019)
• 8 Il Fornello on The Danforth, 576 Danforth Ave (1½ blocks west of Pape Ave and Pape subway station), ☏ +1 416-466-2931. Serves pizzas baked in a wood-oven quite visible from the dining area. Seasonal sidewalk patio. $12 pizzas on week-days. (updated Aug 2018)
• 9 Momo Hut & Gardens, 401 Danforth Ave, ☏ +1 416 363-8580. Su-Th noon-8PM, F-Sa noon-10PM. Offering a pretty extensive selection of momos — from standards such as beef, pork, and chicken to more esoteric permutations — which are delicious and filling if a bit under-seasoned. But despite its name, best practice at Momo Hut is to stray off the dumpling portion of the menu into their selection of other Tibetan specialties (stir-fried rice and noodle dishes as well as spicy meat curries), which is limited in range but even more reliably delicious. Staff is friendly as can be, and quite accustomed to helping newbies learn the ins and outs of the cuisine. $15-30. (updated Nov 2019)
• 10 Ouzeri, 500A Danforth Ave, ☏ +1 416 778-0500. Generous portions of Greek food in an elegant setting. 
• 11 Red Rocket Coffee, 1364 Danforth Ave (½ block east of Greenwood Station on subway line 2). Finding a branch of this eclectic space-themed cafe is not hard; look for the red circle with the white rocket inside. Licensed by LLBO, serving wines from Niagara Region, beer from the Mill Street Brewery, and Waupoos cider from Prince Edward County. 
• 12 Sher e Punjab, 351 Danforth Avenue (on the south side across from Carrot Common), ☏ +1 416 465-2125. Great Indian food in a nice family atmosphere. Try the lamb saag. 

Leslieville

• 13 Descendant Detroit Style Pizza, 1168 Queen St E (501/502/503 streetcar to Jones Ave), ☏ +1 647-347-1168. Closed Mondays. Gourmet, square-shaped pizza. Expect about 20-30 minutes for your order to be prepared. The small size pizzas are fairly large. The large pizzas should be shared among 2-3 persons. Serves beers from small breweries. $20-25 per person. (updated Jul 2016)
• 14 Leslie Pumps General Store & Kitchen, 929 Queen St E near Carlaw Ave, ☏ +1 416-465-1313. Open 24 hours. A gas station with a kitchen for light meals like BBQ sandwiches, hamburgers, etc. Nice butter tarts. Patio available and a few interior tables. The gas station uses barn wood on both the exterior and interior making the building attractively rustic. Inexpensive. (updated Nov 2015)
• 15 Rashers, 948 Queen Street East (at Morse Street; 501/502 streetcar to Logan Ave or Carlaw Ave), ☏ +1 416-710-8220. Bacon sandwich shop (updated Dec 2015)
• 16 Te Aro, 983 Queen St E (501/502 streetcar to Pape Ave), ☏ +1 416-465-2006. Coffee roaster & cafe offering pastries & wholesale beans. (updated Dec 2015)

Riverside District

• 17 Bonjour Brioche, 812 Queen Street E (1 streetcar stop east of Broadview Ave.), ☏ +1 416-406-1250. Tu-Su 8AM-4PM. Light lunches available. Patio. Latte bowl (larger than a cup) for $4. The owner and a chef are from France. Cash only. (updated May 2018)
• 18 Lady Marmalade, 265 Broadview Ave (504/505 streetcar to Dundas St & Broadview Ave), ☏ +1 647-351-7645. 8am-3pm. Egg dishes for breakfast and salad & fancy sandwiches for lunch. Uses local products where possible. (updated Dec 2018)

The Beach

Garden Gate Restaurant affectionately known as "The Goof"

There are many restaurants along Queen Street East in The Beach.

• 19 The Beacher Cafe, 2162 Queen St E (at Macclean Ave), ☏ +1 416-699-3874. Variety of meals: Breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, souvlaki, quiche, fish & chips, etc. Seasonal patio overlooking Queen Street. Moderately priced. (updated May 2018)
• 20 Ed's Real Scoop, 2224 Queen St. East (at Beech Ave.), ☏ +1 416 699-6100. Homemade ice cream and cones. 
• 21 Tori's Bakeshop, 2188 Queen St E (just west of Balsam Ave), ☏ +1 647-350-6500. Closed Mondays and after 5PM. Vegan & organic baked goods; no refined sugar used; nice cappuccino; small interior seating area. (updated Aug 2016)
• 22 Oscar Coffee & Espresso Bar, 2377 Queen St E, ☏ +1 647-350-2377. 7AM-6PM. Espresso coffee (main feature) and other non-alcoholic beverages. Food is limited to a few sweet items such as muffins, cookies. Seasonal patio. The name "Tamblyn", set in floor tiles at the entrance, indicates the shop was once a drug store in the defunct Tamblyn chain located mainly around Toronto from the 1920s. (updated May 2018)
• 23 Garden Gate Restaurant ("The Goof"), 2379 Queen St E (at Beach Ave). An local institution since 1952 serving Canadian Chinese cuisine, breakfast, hamburgers. Try blueberry pancakes. The restaurant's nickname comes from the restaurant's neon sign when half the lights for the words the "GOOD FOOD" burnt out leaving only "GOO F" illuminated. The effect is best seen on the east side of the restaurant's sign. (updated Sep 2015)
• 24 The Belgian Chocolate Shop, 2455 Queen St E (at last stop on the streetcar line), ☏ +1 416-691-1424. Closed Mondays. The chocolates are made onsite using raw chocolate imported from Belgium. The shop owner is from Belgium. (updated May 2018)
• 25 Vi Vetha, 2485 Queen St. East (at Neville Park), ☏ +1 416 686-5688. Good brunch selections, served until 4PM. 

Drink

Greektown & The Danforth

• 1 Dora Keogh Irish Pub, 141 Danforth Ave (½ east of Braodview Ave and Broadview Subway Station), ☏ +1 416 778-1804. Daily 5PM-2AM. A genuine Irish pub that has the finest pour of Guinness in Toronto. 

The Beach

• 2 The Feathers Pub, 962 Kingston Road (3 blocks west of Victoria Park; 502/503 streetcar or 22 Coxwell bus), ☏ +1 416 694-0443. Possibly Toronto's most British pub, and has over 460 single malt whiskies available. 
• 3 Murphy's Law Irish Pub, 1702 Queen St. E. Toronto, ON M4L 1G6 (At Kingston Road; 501/502/503 streetcars), ☏ +1 416-690-5516. Come in for a pint of Guinness and stay for hours at this genuine Irish establishment. Great for functions and get togethers. 

Upper Leslieville

Upper Leslieville is located along Gerrard Street, north of Queen Street East.

• 4 Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Dr (Bus 31 to Ivy Ave or 506 streetcar to Greenwood Ave and walk 4 blocks north), ☏ +1 647-346-5001. Microbrewery and pub in a workshop-style building along a semi-industrial lane in Upper Leslieville. (updated Jan 2016)

Riverside District

• 5 Saulter Street Brewery, 31 Saulter St #1 (in a laneway behind houses beside a small park), ☏ +1 416-463-9379. Noon-9PM. In this micro brewery, located in a former garage, visitors can sample the brews and view the brewing equipment arranged along two walls of the tap room. 6oz glass $3, 12oz $5. (updated Aug 2018)
• Wayla, 996 Queen Street East, ☏ +1 416-901-5570. Dsily 8PM-2AM. An upscale bar inspired by underground clubs of New York City. It attracts mid-20s to mid-40s professionals — gay, lesbian, transgender, straight & bisexual. It hosts a Sunday afternoon tea dance for gay men. Its comedy showcase features queer stand-up comics, and its art features LGBT artists. (updated Jan 2020)

Sleep

• 1 The Broadview Hotel, 106 Broadview Ave (NW corner of Queen St E and Broadview Ave), ☏ +1 416-362-8439. Boutique hotel opened July 2017 in a renovated 1891 building, which replaced a previous rundown hotel operation under a different management and owner. $216-$404/night. (updated May 2017)
• 2 Days Inn-Toronto Beaches, 1684 Queen St E (at Kingston Rd), ☏ +1 416 694-1177. 5-minute walk to the beach. Included breakfast and high speed internet. 

Cope

Public washrooms are located along the beach at Balmy Beach (at the foot of Silver Birch Ave.), Kew Gardens (at the foot of Lee Avenue), Ashbridge's Bay Park, Woodbine Beach Park.

Connect

• 1 Beaches Library, 2161 Queen St. East, ☏ +1 416 393-7703. M-Th 9AM-8:30PM, F Sa 9AM-5PM.. Free computer and internet access. (updated Jan 2018)

Go next

Routes through the East End

Etobicoke ← Downtown East ←	W  E	→ Scarborough → END
END ← Entertainment and Financial Districts ←	W  E	→ Scarborough → Oshawa
Whitchurch-Stouffville ← Scarborough ←	N  S	→ Entertainment and Financial Districts → END