By Victoria Beales on
Locals know Yorkville as the place to get pampered, window shop, or to show off a new outfit (or sports car). In short, it’s where to spend time in Toronto if you’re not on a tight budget.
Yorkville’s key intersection is Bloor Street West at Avenue Road. Major luxury retailers line this stretch of Bloor Street, known to locals as “Mink Mile.” Yet the heart of the neighbourhood is nestled away on the side streets, where you’ll notice a peaceful, even village-like vibe—except this is a village replete with Lamborghinis and Manolo Blahniks.
Care to indulge in the luxury? Here are recommendations for the best of Yorkville, including fashion, accessories and gift shops, as well as spas, restaurants, cafés, bars and more.
Sassafraz (100 Cumberland St.) is a romantic dining spot set in a row of historic Victorian townhouses. Its evolving seasonal menu spotlights local products in contemporary Canadian dishes.
Alobar Yorkville (57A-162 Cumberland St.), part of the Alo family of restaurants, serves well-crafted cocktails and a curated wine list—all within a trendy interior.
Make your workout a premium experience at Equinox’s Yorkville location, where there’s dedicated Pilates, yoga and cycling studios, plus a stylish member’s lounge. Or spin fans can catch a class at SoulCycle. They’re both found within the Yorkville Village (55 Avenue Rd.) shopping complex.
Unwind with a visit to Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto (60 Yorkville Ave.), with your choice of massage or enhancement treatments from their lavish menu. Spa by Valmont at The Hazelton Hotel (118 Yorkville Ave.) also offers a selection of signature, world-class treatments to help you feel truly relaxed.
Fashion is pretty much everywhere you look in this neighbourhood; the Yorkville Village (55 Avenue Rd.) complex boasts dozens of designer boutiques. For major names, hit up the Mink Mile on Bloor Street West, between Avenue Road and Yonge Street, and pop into Burberry, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel … well, the list goes on.
Yorkville is home to a number of the city’s most sought-after galleries. These include Liss Gallery (112 Cumberland St.), LUMAS Toronto (159 Yorkville Ave.), Gallery Gevik (12 Hazelton Ave.) and Kinsman Robinson Galleries (108 Cumberland St.).
Sorry Coffee Co (102 Bloor St. W.) and Goldstruck (130 Cumberland St.) face out onto the lovely little Village of Yorkville Park, so you can grab a pick-me-up and have a tranquil break … before recommencing the shopping.
Take a little bit of luxury home with a visit to William Ashley (131 Bloor St. W.) and Holt Renfrew (50 Bloor St. W.). Both offer everything from tea sets to high-end small appliances that will surely take your space to the next level.
When Eataly Toronto opened in 2019 (55 Bloor St. W.) patrons lined up outside to experience this multi-storey, shopping-and-dining temple to Italian cuisine. And the buzz hasn’t died down; it’s now a local favourite due to the sheer range of Italian food on offer. There’s a sit-down Milanese trattoria, a fresh seafood counter, a Neapolitan pizza bar and all manner of groceries and specialty goods.
Nothing caps an evening better than a meandering stroll with an iced treat in hand. Summer’s Ice Cream (101 Yorkville Ave.), Punto Gelato (146 Cumberland St.) and The Gelato Shop by Coco Espresso Bar (29 Bellair St.) are all tried-and-true spots for a scoop.