Toronto/Yorkville and the Annex

From Halal Explorer

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Yorkville and The Annex are two neighbourhoods along Bloor Street where downtown Toronto meets midtown. Helped by the University of Toronto and the stately homes in the area and the neighborhood has a different feel than the downtown neighbourhoods to the south with their modern condos and busier lifestyles. So take a walk along Bloor St, browse through the designer boutiques in Yorkville or take an afternoon (or a day) to roam the halls and exhibits of the Royal Ontario Museum.

Yorkville Halal Travel Guide

The Annex

The Annex is one of Toronto's oldest neighbourhoods and its first streetcar suburb, characterized by its distinctive tall narrow houses, lively community along Bloor Street, and indeed its name. Considered a food and shopping mecca, this neighborhood is well known by Torontonians as one of the friendliest neighbourhoods in the city. Due to the proximity of the neighbourhood to the University of Toronto and Central Technical School with its famous art school The Art Centre - there is a large population of students and faculty and the commercial strip along Bloor Street has quite the feel of a college neighbourhood (albeit an affluent one). Most of the commercial activity in the neighbourhood takes place along Bloor St, which is filled with small restaurants, pubs and bookshops. The side streets are mostly residential, with long, narrow townhouses to the south of Bloor and large, stately mansions to the north. The borders of the neighbourhood are, to some extent, debatable, however, less so than many other neighbourhoods in the city. The eastern and western boundaries are generally agreed to be Avenue Road and Bathurst Street respectively and the southern boundary is generally agreed to be Harbord Street. The northern boundary is considered to be Dupont Street.

Yorkville

During the 1960s, Bloor-Yorkville served as the centre of Toronto's hippie culture. After large scale development in the 1980s and 1990s, it has become Toronto's upscale shopping neighborhood, containing boutiques dedicated to haute couture. It has also become a focal point during the Toronto International Film Festival, making the area "ground-zero" for celebrity watching.

Along the narrow Cumberland Street and Yorkville Avenue, between Bay Street and Avenue Road, you will find smaller but expensive independent clothing stores. Near the junction of Yorkville Avenue and Hazelton Avenue, you will also find a number of private art galleries with more on Dupont Street near the northern end of Hazelton Avenue.

In 2018 and the Yorkville is being redeveloped again as condo towers are beginning to replace the low-rise buildings that give the neighbourhood it's character.

The Mink Mile

Bloor Street from Yonge Street to Avenue Road is known as the Mink Mile for its pricey, high-end stores such as Tiffany and Holt Renfrew.

Discovery District

Much of the neighborhood is synonymous with being Toronto's Discovery District, so named as it contains many of Toronto's most important centres of education, such as the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Royal Ontario Museum. Canada's foremost centres of medical research are also located in this neighbourhood, with several of Canada's most prestigious hospitals arranged in a row along University Avenue between College and Dundas Streets.

Travel as a Muslim to Yorkville

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Yorkville and the Annex are within walking distance of many major attractions and a central point for the Toronto's subway system. Streetcar and bus connections link the subway stations to the surrounding neighbourhoods.

By car

From the Don Valley Parkway: exit at Bloor Street, follow Bloor Street West to Spadina.

From the 401: exit at Allen Road. Follow Allen Road south until Eglinton. Turn left on Eglinton, and right on Bathurst. Follow Bathurst to Bloor. Or: Exit the 401 at Avenue Rd., proceed south to Bloor St, where you make a right turn and continue until you reach spadina.

From the Gardiner Expressway: exit at Spadina. Follow Spadina north until Bloor St.

Parking: Finding a parking space on Bloor Street or any of the side streets is extremely difficult at the best of times and basically imfeasible during regular business hours. There is one parking lot in the neighbourhood, a commercial one just off Bloor Street, on Lippincott Street, one block east of Bathurst Street.

By subway

The neighbourhoods are well served by the subway. Subway line 1 (Yonge-University) runs to Spadina Station; the Street George Station on the same line is several blocks east of the Annex. Museum and Queens Park stations provide access to the University campus and some of the museums.

Subway line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) runs underground immediately north of Bloor Street, it stops at Spadina Station and Bathurst Station, on either end of the Annex, while the Bay and Yonge-Bloor stations access Yorkville. The Spadina and Bathurst stations have transfer-free connections to 510 and 511 streetcars respectively.

By streetcar

The 510 Spadina LRT Streetcar runs from Union Station south to Queen's Quay in the Harbourfront neighbourhood, along which it runs west to Spadina, it then runs north on Spadina to Spadina Subway Station where it connects to the Bloor-Danforth line. The 510 runs entirely in its own right-of-way. The 511 Streetcar runs from Exhibition Place in the Harbourfront neighbourhood, along Fleet Street to Bathurst, it then runs north on Bathurst to Bathurst Subway Station. The 511 runs with traffic for most of its route.

Route 506 runs along College, Carlton and Gerrard Streets from High Park to the west to Main Street station to the east. It runs across the southern edge of the University of Toronto and connects with the subway line 1 (Yonge-University) at College Park and Queen's Park.

Travel on a Bus in Yorkville

Route 94 runs along Wellesley, Hoskin and Harbord from Castle Frank station to Ossington station and connects with the Yonge line at Wellesley station. It runs straight through the U of T campus and stops at the north end of Queen's Park.

Route 5 runs along University Avenue and Avenue Road from the coach hub to Eglinton station, connecting with the University-Spadina line at Queen's Park and Museum. This route runs straight through Queen's Park.

Route 6 runs along Bay Street from Queen's Quay to Yorkville, stopping at Union station and Bay station as well as the coach terminal. This route runs along the eastern edge of the U of T campus.

By bike

There are bike lanes running east-west on Harbord and College Streets. Bloor Street is also quite bike friendly despite not having a bike lane. There are poles reserved for bike locking along all major streets, including Bloor.

What to see in Yorkville

  • Bata Shoe Museum - 327 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.667236, -79.400087 at Street George St; Subway: Street George ☎ +1 416-979-7799 - Opening from Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 5PM, Sunday noon-5PM Adult $14, senior $12, student (with ID) $8, child (5-17) $5, Other rates]. Admission is pay-what-you-can on Thursday 5PM Monday - 8PM - Bata Shoe Museum - One of Toronto's more unusual attractions, this offbeat museum is devoted to shoes and footwear. Exhibits include Napoleon Bonaparte's socks and footwear from cultures all over the world. Also interesting is the building's unique deconstructivist architecture, meant to resemble an opening shoe box.
  • Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art - 111 Queens Park GPS: 43.667933, -79.393627 between Bloor Street and Charles St; Subway: Museum ☎ +1 416-586-8080 | Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 10AM Monday - 6PM, Friday 10AM Monday - 9PM, Saturday Sunday 10AM Monday - 5PM Adults $15, Seniors(65+) $11, Students $9, other rates]. Admission is half price on Friday after 4PM Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art - Galleries featuring a collection of rare ceramics, 18th-century yellow European porcelain and Chinese white and blue porcelain. Free guided tours take place daily at 2PM.
  • Hazelton Avenue, Yorkville - GPS: 43.672413, -79.393714between Yorkville Ave and Davenport Road - Hazelton Avenue is a beautiful residential street within Yorkville lined with older houses with small but very attractive front yards. There are private art galleries at the north and south ends of the street. At the north end and there is a short art gallery row along the north side of Davenport Road. Often, a sculpture is displayed in front of the art gallery.
  • Heliconian Hall - Heliconian Club | 35 Hazelton Ave GPS: 43.671846, -79.393384 1 block north of Yorkville Ave ☎ +1 416-922-3618 - A Heliconian Hall - The Heliconian Hall was built as a church in 1875, when this part of Toronto was still rural. The Heliconian Club, an association of women involved in the arts and letters, acquired the building in 1923. (The club was formed because the all-male Toronto/Yonge-Dundas#See|Arts and Letters Club denied membership to women at that time.) The hall has "Carpenter's Gothic" architecture with a board and batten exterior, intricate trim, a carved rose window and a wooden spire. The hall's vaulted ceiling provides excellent acoustics, making the club ideal for musical and dramatic presentations. See the club's website for events open to the public. The hall is a designated National Historic Site of Canada.
  • Mary Pickford Memorial | 555 University Ave GPS: 43.656825, -79.388848At Elm Street just south of entrance to Hospital for Sick Children - Silent film star Mary Pickford, known as "America's Sweetheart", was born in Toronto in 1892. A bust and historical plaque marks her birthplace, now the site of the Hospital for Sick Children. The plaque was unveiled by her third husband (of 42 years) Buddy Rogers in 1973. The bust by artist Eino Gira was added ten years later. There is also a plaque for Mary Pickford on Toronto/Entertainment and Financial Districts#Canada's Walk of Fame|Canada's Walk of Fame on Simcoe Street just south of King Street.
  • Mural about Portuguese exploration of the New World - Queen's Park Subway Station - GPS: 43.6600, -79.3905 mezzanine level TTC fare or pass required to view the mural up close. Queen's Park (TTC) - This ceramic tile mural, a gift from the Government of Portugal and is located within the fare-paid area of the subway station mezzanine level. The mural's theme is Portuguese exploration of the New World.
  • Museum Subway Station - GPS: 43.667017, -79.393455 along subway line 1 at the Royal Ontario Museum TTC fare or pass is required Museum (TTC) - In order to evoke exhibits at the neighbouring Royal Ontario Museum and the supporting columns along the platforms of Museum Station were modelled to resemble the ancient Egyptian deity Osiris, Toltec warriors, Doric columns found in the Parthenon, China's Forbidden City columns, and First Nations house posts. This makes Museum the most impressive station on the subway system.
  • Queen's Park | long= Subway line 1 to Queen's Park Station or 506 Streetcar to University Ave - Queen's Park (Toronto) - Queen's Park is an urban park in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1860 by the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), it was named in honour of Queen Victoria. The grounds are a pleasant place to stroll or people-watch. The park's centrepiece structure is the Ontario Legislative building.
  • Ontario Legislative Building | Queen's Park GPS: 43.662532, -79.391667 ☎ +1 416-325-7500 | Opening Hours: 8:30AM Monday - 5PM Ontario Legislative Building This grand Victorian building is home to Ontario's provincial legislature. Tours are offered every weekday year-round and on weekends during the summer.
  • Statue of Queen Victoria - GPS: 43.662231, -79.391113at the front of the legislature building, east of the main door - The seated figure of Queen Victoria is facing south towards University Avenue. To Queen Victoria's left is a small grove of cherry trees that bloom in early May.
  • Statue of Edward VII - GPS: 43.664451, -79.392434on a large mound north of the Legislature building - The equestrian statue of Edward VII originally stood in India, but was moved to Canada after 1969, when India became a Commonwealth republic.
  • Royal Ontario Museum - the ROM | 100 Queens Park GPS: 43.667756, -79.394799 at Bloor St; Subway: Museum ☎ +1 416-586-8000 | Opening Hours: Sa-Thursday 10AM Monday - 5:30PM; Friday 10AM Monday - 8:30PM General admission: adult $17, student/senior (65+) $15.50, child (4-14) $14, with extra rates for special exhibits - One of the larger museums in North America, and the largest in Canada. Thousands of artifacts and specimens are featured in over 20 exhibits; including dinosaurs, Ancient China, native Canadians, Canadian furniture, medieval Europe, art deco, ancient Egypt, textiles, middle east, India and Pacific islanders. The world's largest totem pole, which is over 100 years old, is also housed in a place of honour. The original building was built in 1910, and is a handsome romanesque revival, with many carvings of people and events. The newer addition is a large deconstructivist crystal, made of steel and glass. Royal Ontario Museum
  • Trinity-St. Paul's United Church - 427 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.666133, -79.405572 just west of Spadina Avenue ☎ +1 416-922-8435 - Trinity-St. Paul's United Church - Trinity-St. Paul's is a landmark in the Annex completed in 1889. The church has advocated for same-sex marriage, fair trade and improved conditions for the homeless.
  • Toronto Fire Station 312 | 34 Yorkville Ave GPS: 43.671873, -79.388906 between Yonge Street and Bay St, 2 blocks north of Bloor Street Opening Hours: Operating fire hall; interior not open to public - This is one of the city's oldest active fire halls, built in 1878 for the Yorkville Fire Department before the City of Toronto annexed Yorkville in 1883. The two-storey structure has a five-storey clock tower with three bays (originally there were only two), and it has a coat of arms from the old Yorkville Town Hall. This is probably the cutest looking fire hall still in operation in Toronto. It's archectural style is "Victorian Gothic".
  • Toronto Fire Station 315 | 132 Bellevue Ave GPS: 43.656744, -79.404724 3 blocks east of Bathurst Street at the junction of College Street and Bellevue Ave Opening Hours: Operating fire hall; interior not open to public - Built in 1875, this is one of the city's oldest fire halls. It is a two-storey structure with an eight-storey clock tower. It has three bays, only one from the original building. The current tower was partially rebuilt in 1972, after a fire set by an arsonist. The tower's clock was not salvagable, and a replica replaced the original when the tower was rebuilt from 1972 to 1973. Both Stations 312 and 315 are examples of "Victorian Gothic" architecture but have a much different style of tower. Fire Station 315 is a landmark building and can be easily seen from Spadina Avenue.

University of Toronto

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The University of Toronto Street George Campus lies immediately south of Yorkville and The Annex. With its green spaces and many interlocking courtyards and the campus forms an urban park of 71 acre. Most buildings on the eastern and central portions of the campus were built between 1858 and 1929 using a combination of Romanesque and Gothic Revival architecture.

Central campus

The central campus lies between Queens Park Crescent and Street George Street, and can be visited by taking the 506 Streetcar to McCaul St. The courtyards within the surrounding walls of the University College and Knox College buildings may make you feel that you are within Harry Potter's w:Hogwarts|Hogwarts.

  • Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research - 160 College Street GPS: 43.6600, -79.3929just west of University Ave - The building features a 4-metre high bamboo grove just inside the main entrance. Effectively, it is a small interior park with benches within the bamboo grove.
  • Front Campus | King’s College Circle GPS: 43.661715, -79.395178 - The Front Campus and the traditional heart of the university, is focused on the oval lawn enclosed by King's College Circle. It is dominated by University College on its north side.
  • University College - 15 Kings College Circle GPS: 43.6626, -79.3955 ☎ +1 416-978-7516 - Free admission University College, Toronto - University College, an eclectic blend of Richardsonian Romanesque and Norman architectural elements, is the centrepiece of the University of Toronto's beautiful campus. It was built in 1857, when the surrounding area was hinterland to the north of the town. Both the university and the city have grown all around it, but the building remains important both academically and architecturally. The building was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1968. Take a look at the building's front lobby and take a look at the woodwork along the corridors. If you go to second floor above the lobby, you might be able to peek into a quaint old-fashioned lecture hall. Also, look at the courtyard and the fanciful architecture surrounding three of its sides. The simplest way into the courtyard is from an entrance through the western side of the building, which in itself is worthy to see.
  • University of Toronto Art Centre - within University College Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday noon-5PM, West to 8PM Free University College, Toronto - This gallery has several rooms and two types of exhibits. Most rooms contain changing exhibits of contemporary art. There is also the permanent Malcove Collection containing Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox religious art plus some Greco-Egyptian-Roman items dating from as early as the first century.
  • Convocation Hall - 31 King’s College Circle GPS: 43.660776, -79.395415

Convocation Hall (University of Toronto) - Built in 1907, Convocation Hall is recognizable for its domed roof and Ionic-pillared rotunda. Besides the annual convocation ceremonies and the building serves as a venue for academic and social events throughout the year. Its design includes neoclassical features from both the Greek and Roman periods including columns and the building's entablature, and its domed roof. There is an emphasis on principles of proportion, symmetry, geometry and uniformity of parts.

  • Sandford Fleming Building | 10 King's College Road GPS: 43.660024, -79.395159near the College Street entrance - University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering - The Sandford Fleming Building is the traditional centre of activity in the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. The building was built in 1907 originally for the physics department. It is named after Sir Sandford Fleming and the chief engineer of the Intercolonial Railway of Canada and the chief engineer on Canadian Pacific Railways surveys, and is famous for helping to establish a standardized twenty-four-hour system of international time zones.
  • Knox College - 59 Street George Street GPS: 43.661448, -79.396764 on west side of King’s College Circle - Knox College, Toronto - The sandstone buildings of Knox College epitomizes the North American collegiate Gothic design, with its characteristic cloisters surrounding a secluded courtyard. Knox College is a postgraduate theological college founded in 1844 and today is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The college moved into its current building in 1915. Take a look at the building's lobby on the eastern side of the building. It has a historic castle atmosphere. Pass through the lobby to the courtyard surrounded on all four sides by impressive, old-fashion architecture.
  • Hart House & Soldiers' Tower - 7 Hart House Circle GPS: 43.663910, -79.394481 NE of King’s College Circle Hart House (University of Toronto) - Hart House is a Gothic-revival student centre complex overlooking a lawn within Hart House Circle. Among its many common rooms and the building's Great Hall is noted for large stained-glass windows and a long quotation from John Milton's Areopagitica that is inscribed around the walls. The adjacent Soldiers' Tower stands 44|m|ft|0 tall as the most prominent structure in the vicinity, its stone arches etched with the names of university members lost to the battlefields of the two World Wars. The tower houses a 51-bell carillon that is played on special occasions such as Remembrance Day and convocation.
  • Justina M. Barnicke Gallery - within Hart House ☎ +1 416-978-8398 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday noon-5PM, West to 8PM Free - This small gallery has two rooms displaying contemporary Canadian art. The exhibits change monthly.
  • Trinity College - 6 Hoskin Ave GPS: 43.665182, -79.395659 north of Hart House Trinity College, Toronto - The main building of Trinity College displays Jacobethan Tudor architecture, while its chapel was built in the Perpendicular Gothic style of Giles Gilbert Scott. The chapel features exterior walls of sandstone and interiors of Indiana Limestone, and was constructed by Italian stonemasons using ancient building methods. The building's cornerstone was laid on April 30, 1851. Trinity College was incorporated as an independent university in 1851, and a charter was granted by Queen Victoria the following year. Trinity College was originally an arts and divinity institution but, by the end of the 19th century its scope included medicine, law, music, pharmacy and dentistry. The college admitted its first female students in 1884. In 1904, Trinity College became part of the University of Toronto. Be sure to see the courtyard, with its geometric patterns, between the wings of the building.
  • Philosopher's Walk | long= southern entrance to the east of Trinity College on Hoskin Ave; northern entrance just to the west of the Royal Ontario Museum - Philosopher's Walk (Toronto) - Philosopher's Walk is a scenic footpath that follows a meandering, wooded ravine linking Trinity College to Bloor Street on the west side of the Royal Ontario Museum.
  • Queen Alexandra Gateway - GPS: 43.668238, -79.395797At Bloor Street behind the Royal Ontario Museum - The Bloor Street entrance to the Philosopher's Walk was built in 1901 to commemorate the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. It was moved to its current location from the junction of Bloor Street and Avenue Road in 1962.
  • Amphitheatre - GPS: 43.666278, -79.395154 - The small amphitheatre midway along the Philosopher's Walk was designed to be acoustically vibrant for lectures and performances.

Eastern campus

The eastern campus lies on the east side of Queens Park separating it from the rest of the university. It contains two colleges with several older buildings. Museum Subway Station is adjacent to the eastern campus.

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  • Victoria College - Victoria University in the University of Toronto | 73 Queens Park Cres E Victoria University, Toronto - Victoria college, founded in 1836, features several older buildings.
  • Old Vic - Victoria College - GPS: 43.666940, -79.391921 - Build in 1896, "Old Vic" is the main building and an example of Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style.
  • Annesley Hall | 95 Queen's Park GPS: 43.667654, -79.392715 Annesley Hall - Built in 1903 in the Queen Anne style, Annesley Hall is the first university residence built for women in Canada. It is the oldest residence within the college and is a National Historic Site of Canada.
  • Burwash Hall - GPS: 43.666902, -79.391104 - Burwash Hall - Burwash Hall is the second oldest of the residence buildings at Victoria, being completed in 1913. The building is an extravagant Neo-Gothic work with turrets, gargoyles, and battlements. The portion of the building opposite St. Mary Street is called the Gate House with a attractive oval portal under a castle-like tower.
  • St. Michael's College | long= south of Street Mary Street and west of Bay St, just east of and adjacent to Victoria College St. Michael's College, Toronto - St. Michael's College, founded in 1852, is an undergraduate college for liberal arts and sciences within the University of Toronto. It has a Roman Catholic affiliation.
  • St. Basil's Church - GPS: 43.666387, -79.389031 St. Basil's Church, Toronto - Consecrated in 1856, St. Basil's Church is the oldest building at the University of Toronto in continuous academic use. It serves the college parish.

Western campus

The western campus lies between St. George Street and Spadina Avenue and contains a mix of old and modern buildings. It can be visited by the 506 streetcar At Beverley Street or Street George Street, or by the 510 streetcar to Willcocks Street.

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  • Robarts Library - 130 Street George Street GPS: 43.664478, -79.399701 Northwest corner of Harbord Street & Street George Street ☎ +1 416-978-8450 Robarts Library - The most significant example of Brutalist architecture is the massive Robarts Library complex, built in 1972 and opened a year later in 1973. It features raised podia, extensive use of triangular geometric designs and a towering fourteen-storey concrete structure that cantilevers above a field of open space and mature trees.
  • Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library - passage on the left after entering the Robarts Library from Street George Street Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - 5PM, Thursday to 8PM during the academic year Free admission - Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library - The largest repository of publicly accessible rare books and manuscripts in Canada and the library is several stories high with shelves around an open atrium. The old books give the place a noticeable musty smell. Behind the entrance and one floor below is a area for changing exhibits.
  • Cherry tree blossoms - GPS: NE corner of Harbord Street & Huron Street next to the Robarts Library - There is a grove of Japanese cherry trees on the Southwest side of the Robarts Library. The trees bloom in late April or early May (depending on weather) and blooming lasts for only one or two weeks. There is a web page to find more precise information about when cherry trees bloom in Toronto.

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  • John H. Daniels Building, Faculty of Architecture - former Knox College | 1 Spadina Crescent GPS: 43.659562, -79.400638 506 streetcar to Spadina Ave or 510 streetcar to College Street - 1 Spadina Crescent - The John H. Daniels Building was built in the Gothic Revival style in 1875 and a highly visible landmark along Spadina Avenue. The building was used originally for Knox College until the college moved to the central campus in 1914. During World War I, it was used as a military hospital where once Amelia Earhart worked as a nurses aide. It became a medical research lab in 1943. It again became an academic building in 1972 for the Faculty of Arts and Science. Today, it is used by the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, and has a modern extension on its north side. The grounds are nicely landscaped. Pedestrian access is on the east side of the building.

What to do in Yorkville

  • Annex Neighbourhood Stroll. If you're interested in Victorian architecture and the Annex is a great place to just wander. The area includes countless detached and semi-detached homes, most built in the elegant Victorian style at the turn of the century. North of Bloor are the mansions, south of Bloor are the rowhouses; both are equally worth a look. Admiral Road and Elgin Avenue are particularly attractive.
  • Bloor Hot Docs Cinema - GPS: 43.665334, -79.410656 ☎ +1 416-637-3123 Restored 1913 movie theatre that screens documentaries and independent film festival fare, and often features classic favourites. Definitely the place to go if you feel like watching Dr. Strangelove on the big screen. If you're in town for Halloween and the midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is recommended.'
  • The Fringe Theatre Festival - 720 Bathurst Street GPS: 43.663161, -79.410828 1½ blocks south of Bloor Street and Bathurst Subway Station ☎ +1 416-966-1062 One of the city's cultural highlights, The Fringe Festival is an annual summer event featuring comedy, drama, dance, and a range of other independent productions put on in and around The Annex. 2008 is a particularly big year, since it's their 20th anniversary.
  • Snakes & Lattés Annex - 600 Bloor Street W. GPS: 43.664827, -79.413211 1½ blocks west of Bathurst Street and Bathurst Subway Station ☎ +1 647-342-9229 | Opening Hours: Sunday - West 11AM Monday - midnight, Thursday - Saturday 11AM Monday - 2AM - Board game café; a $5 cover charge gives access to a huge library of games.
  • Snakes & Lattés College - 489 College Street GPS: 43.655874, -79.409170 2 blocks west of Bathurst Street on the south side ☎ +1 647-342-9229 Board game café with over 1000 board and card games.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Yorkville

The Annex

True to its bohemian character, The Annex is dotted with small bookshops and independent record stores centred around Bloor and Bathurst. You'll find the predictable headshops and ethnic/tribal stores, but there are also some truly exceptional places to shop.

  • Asiallery Studio | 1069 Bathurst Street GPS: 43.672324, -79.413905 between Vermont Ave and Dupont Street ☎ +1 416 616-5431 | Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10AM Monday - 7PM, Saturday 10AM Monday - 6PM, Sunday noon-5PM Carries hand-made, unique and exquisite fashion accessories at excellent prices.
  • BMV Books | 471 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.665895, -79.406844between Major Street and Brunswick Ave; Subway: Spadina ☎ +1 416 967-5757 | Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 10AM Monday - 11PM, Friday Saturday 10AM Monday - midnight, Sunday 10AM Monday - 10PM Carries a formidable selection of new and second-hand books on two storeys in subjects ranging from literature and spirituality to self-help and travel books. Their DVD selection caters to an impossibly wide range of taste, and is a real steal at around $5 each. Also has bargain-priced, slightly out-of-date travel books (though they don't yet stock the excellent brand).
  • The Green Beanery | 565 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.665049, -79.410965 at Bathurst St; Subway: Bathurst ☎ +1 416 588-7700 ext 249 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30AM Monday - 6PM Cafe & roastery housed in a former bank (the vault still remains) selling an array of coffee gear. A fair-trade, non-profit organization that offers a mind-boggling selection of coffees and teas.
  • Five flower shops | 126, 128, 130, 132 & 136 Avenue Road GPS: 43.6743, -79.3968west side of Avenue Road between Davenport Road & Bernard Ave - Five flower shops (Grower's Flower Market & Gifts, Jong Young Flower Market, Ken's Flowers On Avenue, Yang's Flower & Fruit Market, Kay & Young Florist) form a "flower neighborhood" competing side-by-side with each other within the same block on Avenue Road.

Bloor-Yorkville

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Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Yonge Street is often called "the Mink Mile" because of its cluster of expensive, high-end stores. Along Cumberland Street and Yorkville Avenue, one and two blocks north of Bloor Street respectively and there are rows of shops, restaurants and art galleries. There are also more art galleries along Davenport Road between Avenue Road and Hazelton Avenue. (By the way, Hazelton Avenue runs through a very charming residential area.)

  • Holt Renfrew - Holt Renfrew Centre, 50 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.670154, -79.388086 just west of Yonge Street ☎ +1 416-922-2333 - High-end department store with provision for valet parking at the front door.
  • Hudson's Bay - The Bay | Hudson's Bay Centre, 44 Bloor Street E GPS: 43.671230, -79.385288just east of Yonge St; direct connection to subway at Bloor-Yonge Station ☎ +1 416-972-3333 - Department store. There is an even larger Bay store further downtown.
  • Hudson's Bay Centre - 2 Bloor Street E GPS: 43.671121, -79.386028just east of Yonge St; direct connection to subway at Bloor-Yonge Station - The start of a small network of tunnels lined with shops and connecting to two other malls: Cumberland Terrace (at Bay Street with a tunnel to Bay Subway Stn) and Manulife Centre (south of Bloor St). It also connects to the Hudson's Bay and Holt Renfrew stores. It's similar to the downtown PATH but much shorter.
  • Tiffany & Co. - 150 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.669154, -79.393378just east of Avenue Road ☎ +1 416-921-3900 - High-end American retailer known for fine jewellery, china & silver.
  • William Ashley - 131 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.6688, -79.3932 2nd floor of The Colonnade building ☎ +1 416-964-2900 - Upscale store offering high-end porcelain, china, crystal & luxury items. The merchandise displays are very colourful, and are worth seeing even if you have no room in your baggage for a new set of china. There actually was no real person named William Ashley; the founder of the store was a woman, Tillie Abrams, who felt that a masculine moniker would give the retailer credibility as, at that time in 1947, "gentlemen ran businesses, not ladies".

Islam in Toronto

Here, we explore some notable mosques in Toronto that reflect the diversity and unity within the Muslim community.

1. Masjid Toronto @ Adelaide

Address: 86 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1K6, Canada

Masjid Toronto @ Adelaide is a prominent mosque situated in the heart of downtown Toronto. The mosque, with its distinctive architecture, serves as a spiritual haven for worshippers in the bustling urban landscape. Its central location makes it accessible to both residents and visitors, fostering a sense of community in the heart of the city.

2. Toronto Islamic Centre & Community Services

Address: 817 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2G9, Canada

The Toronto Islamic Centre & Community Services is not just a place of worship but a hub for community engagement and social services. The center emphasizes the importance of not only spiritual growth but also the well-being of the community at large. Its central location on Yonge Street makes it a focal point for various community activities and events.

3. Madinah Masjid

Address: 1015 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1M1, Canada Phone: +1 416-465-7833

Madinah Masjid stands as a symbol of the diversity within Toronto's Muslim community. Located on Danforth Avenue, the mosque is known for its inclusive atmosphere, welcoming worshippers from various cultural backgrounds. The mosque also plays an active role in community outreach and charitable initiatives.

4. Masjid Toronto

Address: 168 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1C6, Canada Phone: +1 416-596-0507

Masjid Toronto, situated near Dundas Street West, serves as a spiritual and cultural anchor for Muslims in the city. With a commitment to fostering understanding and tolerance, the mosque is not only a place of worship but also a venue for educational programs and interfaith dialogue.

5. Masjid Darussalam

Address: 4 Thorncliffe Park Dr, East York, ON M4H 1H1, Canada Phone: +1 416-467-0786

Masjid Darussalam, located in East York, exemplifies the community spirit embedded in Toronto's mosques. The mosque serves as a center for both spiritual and social activities, fostering a strong sense of unity among its diverse congregation.

6. Muslim Prayer Room at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Address: 2075 Bayview Avenue ECG 05, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada

Within the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a Muslim Prayer Room provides a quiet space for prayer and reflection, catering to the spiritual needs of both patients and healthcare professionals. This inclusion reflects the city's commitment to accommodating diverse religious practices in various settings.

7. Turkish Canadian Islamic Trust

Address: 336 Pape Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2W7, Canada Phone: +1 416-469-2610

The Turkish Canadian Islamic Trust, located on Pape Avenue, is a cultural and religious center that promotes the Turkish heritage within the Muslim community. Beyond serving as a mosque, the trust is actively involved in cultural events, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives.

Halal Restaurants in Toronto

For those adhering to Halal dietary restrictions, the city offers a plethora of options that cater to various tastes and preferences. In this article, we will explore some noteworthy Halal restaurants in Toronto, each offering a unique blend of flavors that reflect the city's rich cultural diversity.

Umi's Kitchen: Halal Caribbean Delights

Located at 346 Dundas St E, Umi's Kitchen stands out as a gem offering Halal Caribbean cuisine. The restaurant takes patrons on a culinary journey through the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean, all while adhering to strict Halal guidelines. From jerk Chicken to flavorful seafood dishes, Umi's Kitchen is a delightful spot for those craving a taste of the tropics while maintaining their dietary preferences.

Naan Kabob Afghani: A Culinary Journey to Afghanistan

For Afghani cuisine enthusiasts, Naan Kabob at 691 Yonge St is a must-visit. Known for its authentic Afghani flavors, the restaurant boasts a menu that showcases the diverse and rich culinary heritage of Afghanistan. The warm ambiance and aromatic dishes make Naan Kabob a favorite among those seeking a taste of Afghanistan in the heart of Toronto.

Shah's Halal Food: A Downtown Halal Haven

Situated at 65 Duncan St, Shah's Halal Food has earned a reputation for its delicious offerings and convenient downtown location. With a diverse menu that includes Kebab, biryanis, and other flavorful dishes, Shah's Halal Food caters to a broad range of tastes. The restaurant's popularity is reflected in its impressive 4.1 rating, as reviewed by 272 satisfied customers.

Chamsine Authentic Halal New Cuisine: A Taste of the Mediterranean

Found at 235 Queen St E, Chamsine Authentic Halal New Cuisine transports diners to the Mediterranean with its delectable offerings. The menu features a fusion of Mediterranean flavors, showcasing dishes inspired by Lebanese and other regional cuisines. The restaurant's commitment to using only Halal ingredients ensures that patrons can enjoy their meals with confidence.

Sizzler Kabab: A Spadina Avenue Sensation

Nestled at 381 Spadina Ave, Sizzler Kabab is a go-to spot for those craving mouthwatering Kebab and Middle Eastern delights. Boasting a menu that includes a variety of grilled meats, falafel, and flavorful Sauces, Sizzler Kabab provides a satisfying Halal dining experience in the heart of Toronto.

Lahore Grill & Fast Food Halal Restaurant: (Pakistani) Culinary Delights

Located at 1274 Gerrard St E, Lahore Grill & Fast Food Halal Restaurant is a haven for fans of (Pakistani) cuisine. From succulent Kebab to aromatic biryanis, the restaurant offers a diverse array of dishes that capture the essence of (Pakistani) flavors. The welcoming atmosphere and authentic preparations make Lahore Grill a standout choice for Halal dining.

Almadina Bistro: Casual Afghani Fare in Yorkville

Situated at 10 Edward St, 2nd Floor, Almadina Bistro offers a casual yet sophisticated spot for those seeking Afghani cuisine. With a diverse menu that includes Kebab, stews, and flavorful Rice dishes, Almadina Bistro brings the authentic taste of Afghanistan to Yorkville. The second-floor location provides a cozy and intimate setting for a delightful dining experience.

Toronto's Halal restaurant scene is a testament to the city's multicultural vibrancy. From Caribbean delights to Afghani and (Pakistani) specialties, each restaurant on this list offers a unique culinary journey for those seeking Halal options. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor exploring Toronto's diverse neighborhoods, these Halal restaurants provide a taste of the rich cultural tapestry that makes the city a global culinary destination.

Muslim Friendly hotels in Yorkville

Telecommunications in Yorkville

  • Internet Minimart | 519 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.665458, -79.409022 Located on second floor ☎ +1 416-818-6246 - Internet Cafe
  • FedEx - 459 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.666027, -79.406471at Major Street ☎ +1 416-928-0110 Opening Hours: Check website for opening hours - FedEx has a number of Internet-connected computers as well as fax machines and photocopiers. FedEx packages can also be sent from and received there.
  • The Wicket - Canada Post Outlet - 55 Bloor Street West GPS: 43.669568, -79.388976 in the ManuLife Centre, Southeast corner at Bay Street ☎ +1 416-923-8532 | Opening Hours: Closed Sundays & holidays - Stamps, shipping services, money orders.

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