Iconic Toronto Filming Locations You Can Visit IRL

TV shows filmed in Toronto

Heated Rivalry

Filmed in Toronto at: Joni Restaurant at Park Hyatt Toronto (Yorkville) and Lavelle (King West)

Scene to spot: In Heated Rivalry, Joni appears as a high-end Las Vegas venue, with its sweeping black staircase and striking interiors featured during a post-awards party scene. Later in the series, Lavelle’s rooftop bar and pool double for Tampa, Florida, during All-Star Game weekend, with skyline views and hotel bar scenes that subtly reveal Toronto in the background.

Visit it IRL: Visit Joni inside the Park Hyatt Toronto for an elegant night out in Yorkville, or head to Lavelle in King West for rooftop cocktails, city views and a lively nightlife scene. Together, the two locations highlight Toronto’s range after dark—from refined and intimate to bold and high-energy.
 

The Boys

Filmed in Toronto at: Roy Thomson Hall (Entertainment District)

Scene to spot: The building’s curved glass exterior is digitally altered in The Boys, but there’s no mistaking that Seven Tower, aka the headquarters of Vought International, is Roy Thomson Hall, where Starlight first meets The Deep when she joins the Seven.

Visit it IRL: This concert hall is home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (check the schedule for performances you can catch). Just outside on Simcoe Street and King Street West, you’ll find Canada’s Walk of Fame, which celebrates Canadians who have made their mark in arts and entertainment, philanthropy, science and more.

The Handmaid’s Tale

Filmed in Toronto at: Sankofa Square (Downtown Yonge Street)

Scene to spot: The always-bustling Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) can be spotted in scenes in The Handmaid’s Tale flashbacks to the pre-Gilead era.

Visit it IRL: A fun spot to visit, Sankofa Square often has free festivals, buskers and pop-up activations. Buy a hot dog from a street vendor and grab a seat here for some top-notch people watching. 

Head across the street to the Toronto Eaton Centre for retail therapy (you’ll find stores including Nike, Apple and UNIQLO). You can also walk the PATH underground pathway  to get to the Hockey Hall of Fame or Scotiabank Arena in about 15 minutes.

The Umbrella Academy

Filmed in Toronto at: Gardiner Museum (Yorkville)

Scene to spot: The Umbrella Academy’s Sparrow Academy House features the exterior of Toronto’s Gardiner Museum, a Midtown temple to the ceramic arts.

Visit it IRL: Start with brunch at Sassafraz, a well-known celeb hangout during Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) season. Next, visit the Gardiner to feast your eyes on ceramic arts from around the world and to craft your own pottery on the wheel or through handbuilding techniques. (Classes welcome all experience levels.) 

Afterwards, tour the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), conveniently located right across the street. If you have any leftover energy, tony Yorkville is a goldmine of designer shopping. 

Pro tip: Use this Netflix map to find all nine Umbrella Academy Toronto locations.

Degrassi: The Next Generation

Filmed in Toronto at: Centennial College – Story Arts Centre (East York)

Scene to spot: This Centennial College campus building provides the exterior for the fictional Degrassi Community School, the high school setting where the world was first introduced to a young Drake, who played the role of basketball player Jimmy Brooks over seven seasons.

Visit it IRL: Head a few blocks south to The Danforth and Greektown. If you need a quick snack, grab a juicy gyro at Messini (they stuff fries right into the pita, just like they do in Greece!) or make a reservation to indulge in MICHELIN-recognized fine dining at Azura.

Sort Of

Filmed in Toronto at: Oretta (King West)

Scene to spot: This pretty Italian restaurant with colourful tiled floors and a dramatically arched ceiling is the backdrop of True Luv Restaurant in Sort Of, a cult-hit CBC Gem series. This is the resto Sabi chooses as a date spot they think Lewis would like.

Visit it IRL: Barhop your way along the bustling King West strip. Head up to Lavelle for incredible poolside views of the city, the buzzy Public Gardens restaurant for Italian fare and Negronis and ANIML Steakhouse for craft cocktails and Studio 54 vibes.

Kim’s Convenience

Filmed in Toronto at: Mimi Variety (Old Town)

Scene to spot: This Queen Street East convenience store provides the exterior for the iconic corner shop owned by the Korean Canadian Kim family, in this popular CBC sitcom that launched the career of Marvel action hero Simu Liu.

Visit it IRL: It’ll feel like you’re stepping into a scene from Kim’s Convenience when you pick up a beverage and some candy at the convenience store. From here, walk north about 15 minutes to check out the Allan Gardens Conservatory. 

The park’s historic Palm House recently reopened after several years of restoration work. Six greenhouses, all filled with lush greenery, including orchids, begonias, cacti and tropical trees, are also available to stroll.

Murdoch Mysteries

Filmed in Toronto at: Toronto Islands 

Scene to spot: The scenes for the King’s Rowing Club were filmed in the Toronto Islands near Centreville Amusement Park. Keep your eyes peeled for the Avenue of the Islands Bridge near the bandstand in some of the rowing shots.

Visit it IRL: Take the public ferry or a water taxi over to the Toronto Islands for the day. To start, check out Centreville—kids and adults alike love the Log Flume ride! 

Next, rent a bike to pedal your way around all three islands: Centre Island, Ward’s Island and Hanlan’s Point (where you’ll find Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, another Murdoch Mysteries filming location, along with the popular clothing-optional beach).

Suits

Filmed in Toronto at: Bay Adelaide Centre (Financial District)

Scene to spot: This 51-storey skyscraper provided interior and exterior filming locations for Suits’ Pearson Specter Litt office building (where Mike Ross lies to land a junior associate position and starts secretly dating paralegal Rachel Zane).

Visit it IRL: A quick stroll through the Financial District will bring you to many public art installations, including “Dreaming” by Jaume Plensa. Head right into the lobby of Bay Adelaide Centre to find “Straight Flush,” a light installation by American artist James Turrell, whose art inspired Drake’s “Hotline Bling” music video.

Movies filmed in Toronto

X-Men

Filmed in Toronto at: Casa Loma (Midtown)

Scene to spot: Casa Loma, an authentic Gothic Revival-style mansion in midtown Toronto, provided the location for Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.

Visit it IRL: Built in 1914, this 98-room heritage landmark was once the largest private residence in Canada. It features secret passageways and breathtaking views of the city. 

Through the summer, you won’t want to miss the Casa Loma Summer Series, which includes Symphony In The Gardens and Sunset Concerts. Year-round, you’ll also find immersive escape room experiences, plus the fancy BlueBlood Steakhouse.

Chicago

Filmed in Toronto at: Distillery District (Old Town)

Scene to spot: Despite being set in Chicago, much of this musical was filmed in Toronto. Those scenes of the prison exteriors? That location is none other than Toronto’s Distillery District, the Old Town neighbourhood home to 19th-century buildings and cobblestone lanes.

Visit it IRL: Now filled with restaurants, galleries and shops, the pedestrian-only Distillery District is worth a day-long visit. Grab brunch at French restaurant Cluny Bistro, a gin cocktail at Spirit of York Distillery, pick up a souvenir T-shirt from Canadian brand Peace Collective and catch a show at Soulpepper Theatre Company.

The Shape of Water 

Filmed in Toronto at: The Lakeview (Ossington Village & Little Portugal)

Scene to spot: The diner where The Shape of Water’s Giles goes to eat pie and chat with the server in this Oscar-winning flick? None other than the Lakeview, a 24-hour diner that’s been open since 1932.

Visit it IRL: Get a banquet burger at the Lakeview (which is also where a scene for the Tom Cruise movie Cocktail was filmed), then walk south on Ossington Avenue to spend the afternoon. 

Grab a beer at Bellwoods Brewery, an epic waffle cone at Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery, and check out all the pretty things from Canadian jewelry brands Mejuri and Melanie Auld Jewelry.

More set-jetting in Toronto

Looking for more film and TV inspo? Other streamable hits in which Toronto has a co-starring role include Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Suicide Squad, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Orphan Black, and many more. 

If you’re planning a set-jet to Toronto, consider rolling it into a film-cation where you can binge on film screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and celeb spot across town and on the red carpet.

—This story has been updated with new details since it was first published in March 2021.