Where to Eat, Shop & Play in Toronto’s Roncesvalles Village

Short on hype, but rich in charm, Roncesvalles Village is the perfect neighbourhood for laidback exploring. This west-end neighbourhood’s Polish roots sit alongside a collection of cafés, family-style eateries, tree-lined streets and High Park, one of the city’s biggest parks—which is replete with playgrounds, a zoo and a cluster of cherry trees that blossom each spring.

Here’s how to make the most of 12 hours exploring the neighbourhood locals call Roncy.

Morning: Brekkie (or brunch) with a side of shopping

As much a residential neighbourhood as a retail district, the stretch of Roncesvalles Avenue between Queen Street West north to Bloor Street, bustles every morning.

You’ll share the streetscape with commuters waiting for the streetcar, cyclists powering along the dedicated bike lanes, kids en route to school and caffeine addicts seeking their morning fix at one of the local cafes.

Breakfast person? Sit down to a modern redux of diner food at Sunrise Grill & Crepe, where you can dig into a platter of eggs, bacon and French toast served with a mountain of fresh fruit, while the kids indulge in the likes of Nutella crepes.

Or if you prefer to eat later, start exploring before brunch. No trip to Roncy is complete without browsing the many boutiques that line Roncesvalles Avenue between Dundas Street West and Queen Street West.

There’s Muttonhead for Canadiana-printed T-shirts and hoodies, Likely General for artfully curated homewares, clothing, gifts and artwork, and the Cookery, a kitchenware shop that will delight home cooks and bakers alike.

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, get ready for brunch. The Ace is one of the neighbourhood’s most loved restaurants, serving up MICHELIN-approved dishes like bacon guacamole eggs Benny or caramelized pear brioche French toast in a flea-market chic former diner.

Afternoon: Nature walks, playtime & maybe lunch

Walk on over to nearby High Park for activities to suit all ages. Little ones will love the zoo, where you’ll find bison, deer and llamas. The park’s south playground, Jamie Bell Adventure Park, is a meandering, wooden adventure zone that’s among the city’s most unique kids’ spaces.

If you’ve travelled with a friendly pup, go on a hike together. High Park’s expansive leash-free dog park includes trails and forested areas, perfect for sniffing and scratching.

It’s easy to spend hours within the park’s 161-hectare (400-acre) space—a special trip during cherry blossom season is worthwhile, although it will be busy—and by the end of your visit, you’ll probably be feeling peckish.

Head back to Roncy for an Eastern European-style lunch at Café Polonez. You’ll find hearty Polish dishes like borscht, pierogies, goulash and schnitzel. But if you feel more like Caribbean, get a table at La Cubana.

This trendy eatery’s retro interior will grab your attention while the Cuban comfort food will stay on your mind long after you leave. You can’t go wrong with the guava BBQ beef short ribs—it comes with tostones (twice-fried plantains), red cabbage ’slaw, plus rice and beans.

If you started with a late brunch and just want a snack, pick up a paczki (traditional Polish donut) at Benna’s Bakery & Deli. Or, for a jolt of espresso, look for the retro orange chairs in front of Cherry Bomb Coffee. They roast their own beans (grab a bag to take home with you!) and offer an array of melt-in-your-mouth pastries.

Fantail is another local favourite, not least of all for their superfood-packed Innocent Muffin—voted one of Toronto’s best.

Evening: dinner & a movie

Dinner options abound along Roncesvalles Avenue, so you could just take a stroll and land upon a great option.

For those who indulge in copious amounts of BBQ (think smoked pulled lamb with pomegranate molasses), Barque Smokehouse is a gold-star choice.

For families, Pizzeria Defina is a surefire hit. Try The Winner, which devoured the competition at the prestigious International Pizza Expo Las Vegas (2013).

For those who crave Indian food (including vegans, Halal and gluten-free diners), Dil Se Indian Restaurant & Bar beckons with its North Indian-style home cooking. Owner Mani Ram skips the market and imports spices from India, which he grinds and blends in-house for the restaurant’s dishes.

Lastly, don’t miss a show at Toronto’s oldest still-screening repertory theatre. Revue Cinema runs recent releases, classic films and cult faves. It’s also a sight itself for its Edwardian exterior and Art Deco detailing.

Keep an eye out for special events and series like Designing The Movies, Drunken Cinema, Throwback Cinema, Silent Revue and more.

Getting to Roncesvalles

Take the Line 2 Bloor-Danforth subway to Dundas West station
Or, take the 501 Queen streetcar to Roncesvalles Avenue, or the 504 King streetcar to Roncesvalles Avenue at Queen Street West