Williamsburg, who? Spend a day on Toronto's coolest strip. Lower Ossington stretches only a few blocks, between Queen and Dundas Streets West, and yet is packed with some of the coolest shops, bars, and restaurants the city has to offer. 

Toronto, ON, Canada

Ossington Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada

A Day on Ossington

Okay, so you're on vacation? That don't mean you can't work out! 

If you're into starting your day with enough energy to take you through the week, start off at Ride Cycle Club. The instructors will pump you up for the rest of your vacation, and if you forgot something? Don't worry, they've got it (even showers with coveted Aesop body wash). 

Your class is done (or your morning yawn), and you're looking for a spot for a coffee. Thankfully, you can't walk a full block without hitting a great coffee shop on this stretch of Toronto. 

Sam James is a staple in Toronto, in fact, a friend who used to work there claimed it was Katie Holmes' regular spot whenever she was in town. Their menu is known to be straight to the point and always fantastically brewed with their in-house Butter Knife brand. Sit in the window and people watch as you sip your coffee and wait for everyone else to wake up. 

When people talk about a hidden gem, I always assume they're talking about Rooms, in part because without their googly-eyed sign, you might walk right past them! Inside the coffee shop you'll find a cozy, Japanese-inspired nook that immediately makes you feel right at home. Taste one of their seasonal drinks (it's a Peach Yuzu Latte as I'm writing this), and head out into the back garden to enjoy a moment of quiet. Downstairs features a small Japanese zen garden (!!!) so you can meditate on how you'd like to spend your day. 

Is is really a vacation if you don't have a second breakfast? 

After a long coffee break, you will make your way to the top of the strip before shopping the way back down -- so it's probably best you fill up with some brunch. Manita Ossington is self-described as a "Mediterraneanish" bistro, the perfect spot to see and be seen. The cafe is often filled with regulars chatting with the staff, and their shelves are always stocked with independent brands from Canada and hard-to-find gourmet products from around the Med (which you can purchase to take home or take on your travels)

You are caffeinated, you are fed, it's time to experience what Ossington has to offer. Below are two curated options for your afternoon, as you work up an appetite for dinner. 

And in case you're wondering -- yes they did achieve their goal. The Essential Crew is all you'll ever need. 

No, not a French-themed disco. It's a wine club. But it's so much more than a wine club! Brought to you by Paris Paris, the fantastic restaurant next door, Club Paris is where you can buy bottles of the sommelier's faves, and the accessories to match. They specialize in wine that is hard to find in Canada, so expect international grapes in unconventional labels. If wine isn't really your thing, they also have a small but unconventional selection of tableware, accessories, and magazines for your perusal!

If Club Paris wasn't Parisienne enough for you, step into Annie Aime for some of that French je ne sais quoi. The shop has been around for ten years, selling ethically-minded French brands. It's not as trendy or flashy as some of the other spots I've mentioned, but the store (and owner) is endlessly creative and a fun shopping experience for all. 

I had to include one that's strictly for the guys and theys among you. Lost & Found has been around for over ten years, first at a tiny location on Dundas, before moving around the corner to a small spot on Ossington, and has finally landed at an expanded location in a beautifully designed building on Lower Ossington. Is it weird to be proud of a store? Lost & Found is an essential stop for the discerning dresser searching for a unique and curated selection. 

Okay, this is a bit of a niche suggestion, but hear me out! 

The best way to remember a trip is to do something memorable, and on Ossington you can do just that, with options for how elaborate you'd like to be. Do you want to make you own jewellery, or would rather just buy and engrave it? On Ossington, you can do both. 

Anice Jewellery sells pre-made pieces, but what is really special is you can sign up for a workshop and you'll learn to make your own! If you're not that much of a DIY-er, they also hold custom sessions, where you can design your own jewels with the help of one of their makers. Workshops start at $60 CAD + material fees, and include beverages and refreshments to enjoy while crafting. It's a wonderful and memorable way to spend the afternoon, and a great way to meet like-minded friends on your travels.  

If you're looking for a more permanent (and tattoo-free) memento, I suggest heading down to Melanie Auld, where you can work with a stylist to create a permanent welded bracelet or anklet, as a lasting keepsake of your Ossington journey. Melanie Auld is a fine jeweler, in the style of Mejuri or Missoma, who create custom pieces in a refined environment. They also do engraving and piercing, if you prefer a memento with less permanence. 

So you've just woken yourself up at the Drake Hotel, or perhaps a very stylish Airbnb, and you're wondering how you're going to spend the day. Toronto can be overwhelming with so many different neighbourhoods hosting their own hidden gems, but you've heard Ossington is a pretty cool bet! Follow along for a full day of food (a lot of food), shopping, and quite a bit of walking along one of Toronto's coolest strips. 

This barely scratches the surface of what there is to explore. Take your time and meander into whatever store catches your eye! The Lower Ossington strip is short but packed with fun, trendy, and unique shops waiting for you to find something special to take home. 

The Lower Ossington strip is now home to some of Toronto's coolest shops for everything from trinkets to vintage. Below are a few faves, organized from North to South. 

If you happen to be planning a wedding (or planning to plan a wedding 👀) -- lucky you! The first stop on this list is a bridal first--everything second shop. If a wedding is the last thing on your mind, don't worry, Loversland is so much more. The shop focuses on independent designers from their bridal boutique in the back to the lifestyle accessories and gifts in the front. You'll be drawn in by the bright colours and airy atmosphere, and come out with gifts for yourself and your loved ones back home. 

*p.s: if you do think you'd like to check out their bridal selections, make sure to make an appointment with one of their stylists! 

I hesitated adding this at the very beginning, because you might get completely sucked into their record bins and spend the rest of your day here, but it's impossible not to recommend. From hard to find gems to new releases, Rotate This is a staple for any music lover visiting Toronto. Their whole team is made up of music nerds who are always ecstatic to share their favourites, and will be happy to help you find that special disc you didn't know you needed. 

Kotn started with a simple goal -- to create the perfect t-shirt without compromising on quality, price, or ethics. They have since expanded beyond that simple t-shirt to elevated basics, timeless designs, and even home linens! Kotn is a certified B-corp, and they partner directly with cotton farmers in Egypt to ensure you're getting the best quality at the fairest price for everyone in the supply chain. They're a homegrown talent who recently expanded into the U.S and I'm so happy to have watched this brand grow! This new flagship is huge and beautifully designed, and once again the staff will make you feel welcome (and probably give you a few recommendations of their own).

Around the corner on Queen Street West you'll find the current outpost for Good Friends Market. The pop-up market used to be housed in an old theatre on Ossington, until they got a bit too big for the space and moved just down the street. The vintage and handmade goods market features local sellers and makers, and no pop up is ever the same. Be sure to follow them on instagram where they post updates on upcoming pop-ups, and featured vendors!

Good Friends + Good Vintage + Good Handmade (@goodfriendsmarket)

It's been a busy day already, and maybe you want to keep that momentum going. If you don't want to wait long, and you'd rather save your appetite for dinner, I recommend stopping by Dear Grain and grabbing a sandwich, or their picnic pack, before heading over to Trinity Bellwoods Park. Dear Grain's sourdough is the best in the city, if you ask me, and they truly are experts, incorporating it into their pastries as well as their bread. An easy spot to grab a yummy sandwich and a pastry before continuing on your Ossington adventure! In case you want to make your own picnic pack, their pantry shop is always well stocked with everything you might need for a picnic in the city. 

**ps: if you decide to go with their picnic packs, I recommend ordering it earlier on in the day for pickup later on, so you can make sure you secure exactly what you want before it sells out for the day!

Why get ready back at the hotel when you can just get ready on Ossington? Well, of course you'll have to take time to put away all those bags of Mandy's Gourmet Salad dressing, but before you do, head back up to Dundas for a well-deserved stop at Project Essence. The Japandi inspired salon offers dry manicures that will have you looking fresh for dinner and drinks (and beyond) from your eyebrows all the way down to your toes. 

No matter what anyone tells you, this is nothing like Sweetgreen. 

You'll know when you've arrived at Mandy's by the large crowd outside its doors. Since 2004 Mandy's has been providing Montreal with tasty, filling, gourmet salads, and finally in 2022 they opened their doors in Toronto to explosive success. You know how sometimes when you get a salad from a chain it's mostly lettuce and barely anything else? Not at Mandy's. Every bowl is packed and balanced so you aren't left feeling like a rabbit eating a few soggy leaves. I could honestly wax poetic about Mandy's salads for ages, but we don't have the time. You need to eat, so chose from one of their signature salads and bowls, or create your own. They also have a seasonal menu that changes every few months, just to keep things fresh. And if you love it as much as I do (and I do), you can purchase the two Mandy's cookbooks, as well as their bottled dressings so you can drin-- uh.....put on your salads at home. 

pro tip: go on their website to order beforehand, so you're not elbowing through the lunchtime crowd trying to get your order. 

Once you feel like you've had a bit of sun (I hope), watched someone win a Grand Slam at the Bellwoods Park Tennis Court, and cooed over the dogs enough, it may be time to soak your feet. This apertivo isn't your typical wine-and-cheese plate, but it'll get you feeling brand new for the night to come. 

By my calculation, it's way later than lunch time and you might be needing something to eat by now. If you haven't popped into a cute coffee shop or bakery yet, now is the time to refuel before a relaxing after-afternoon. 

Once you've secured your food, I recommend walking just a little bit out of your way to Trinity Bellwoods Park, where you can enjoy your lunch with a little people watching between the tennis courts and baseball diamond, relaxing under the canopy of trees, or enjoying the doggos racing around the bowl. 

Are you looking for high-tech facial, without sacrificing your whole evening? Look no further than Formula Fig. All of their treatments take a maximum of 30 minutes but that doesn't make them any less effective. If you want to pamper yourself at the end of a long day, Formula Fig makes it easy. Think of it as the first step in your getting-ready-routine for the evening! The best part is they have a fully stocked skincare shop featuring the most innovative skincare brands available, so you can take some of your treatment home. There's no house brand the estheticians try to sell you on, instead they are trained to keep up with the latest and best products to keep your skin looking wonderful. 

Once your skin and nails are looking fresh, go back to your hotel and take a load off. Maybe change and get into your evening look, if you're planning on going out, or just drop off your shopping bags so your arms don't get tired. Either way, meet me right here when you get back: 

Some of us have started this day early, or maybe you joined a little later. Either way, this next part of the itinerary offers up a few options for those who think they want to bow out a little early. 

I considered offering this up for lunch, but a years-long rivalry and a Michelin Bib Gourmand deserves more. 

If you ask any self-respecting West-End Torontonian about their favourite Pho spots, one of these two will be on their list -- but only one. For decades we've argued about which is better, Golden Turtle or Phǒ Tién Thành. Most people love one of them dearly, and will insist that it is the better of the two. Few people know that the owner of Phǒ Tién Thành, Tuấn, used to work at Golden Turtle, before setting off on his own in 1995! 

Both restaurants are still family run businesses, but Phǒ Tién Thành is the only one to have been honoured with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. It's my personal fave, but my best friend says she will never turn away from Golden Turtle. Maybe it's a little ridiculous to have two bowls of pho for dinner....or maybe it's the best way to settle a 25-year old rivalry. 

The Team - Toronto | Ride Cycle Club | Indoor Cycling Studio

Ride Cycle Club

Sam James Coffee Bar OZ

Rooms | 135 OSSINGTON

le menu

Manita

LoversLand

A world of timeless designs that honour the people who make them and the places they’re made. 

Kotn · For Lasting Ways of Life

Kotn Ossington Flagship

Club Paris

Rotate This on Insta

Rotate This

Annie Aime

Lost & Found

Anice Jewellery on Ossington By Appointment & Workshops

Melanie Auld Jewelry Toronto

Dear Grain Sourdough Studio

Trinity Bellwoods Park

Mandy's

Formula Fig Ossington

Project Essence

Pho Tien Thanh – a restaurant in the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Canada. The MICHELIN inspectors’ point of view, information on prices, types of cuisine and opening hours on the MICHELIN Guide's official website

A Day on Ossington

Buy to unlock full guide