TORONTO GUIDE

food, coffee, art museums, etc.

Toronto is a magical city. A place so charming that even when it snows sideways and the wind nips at your ears in early November, you forgive. I felt called to visit the entire year. When things are meant to happen they do, and the trip coalesced it was perfect timing, meeting up with a friend who was traveling there for a conference on ticks and mosquitoes. Leading up the visit, I was delighted, upon my research, to find that Toronto is a city that has all my favorite things: world class art museums, excellent and diverse food, and walkability with good public transport. It is also only a short hour 30 minute flight from DC.

We stayed in a sleek, soulless highrise with a beautiful view of the city. I could see the CN tower while lounging on a cold white leather couch. I went to as many art museums as possible, ate excellently, walked all around and took every mode of public transport, except, regrettably, the ferry. Upon leaving, I walked to the airport.

My Toronto guide is below ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

ART MUSEUMS:

• Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)– a possible new favorite art museum!? So much lush art on display and the most gorgeous architecture (designed by Frank Gehry). My favorite exhibits on display were Jesse Mockrin: Echo (DMV born artist!) Yayoi Kusama’s INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM - LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER, Oluseye: Orí mi pé, and the Henry Moore room.

• Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto (MOCA) – a small but mighty museum. Currently on exhibition: the photographs of Jeff Wall, until March 22, 2026.

• Aga Khan Museum, a museum of Islamic art, ranging from textiles to paintings and ceramics. A bit out of the way, but gorgeous design and collection.

• Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)- a vast museum including art, world culture, and natural history. One of the largest museums in North America.

• Gardiner Museum – a gorgeous ceramics museum, right across from the Royal Ontario Museum. Loved Linda Rotua Sormin’s Uncertain Ground.

• Overrated: Casa Loma, a castle museum, somewhat expensive, out of the way, unimpressive.

FOOD:

• Kao Kang by Koh Lipe at The Well food hall. What to get: panang curry and mango sticky rice.

• Indian Street Food Co. from Waterworks food hall. What to get: butter chicken from and steak frites from Tantco Steak bar

• St. Lawrence Market has bit of everything (over 200 vendors!) super cute space with any kind of food you could want.

• Kibo Market. What to get: onigiri and sushi.

• The Momo House, a Tibetan dumpling spot. What to get: momos in the butter chicken sauce.

• Roywoods, a Jamaican and Caribbean spot. What to get: jerk chicken and plantains.

• Sleepy Pete’s, unreal breakfast sandwiches. What to get: sausage and egg sandwich.

• nutbar, a self-described “superfood brand” with delicious, filling smoothies.

• Overrated: Alice (on multiple lists while I was doing research, good food but strange aura and decor).

COFFEE/PASTRIES:

• NEO COFFEE BAR – a sleek spot with excellent coffee and matcha, Japanese-style pastries. Great space to work.

• Nonni Cafe & Bakery – cozy spot with delish coffee and pastries

• Rooms Coffee, 135 Ossington — beautiful decor, great specialty lattes (I loved the pistachio drink)

• ivy. Coffee Shop – small, stylish spot. Tru the strawberry matcha.

• Emmer, a small bakery known for specialty pastries and baked goods. I loved the peanut butter miso cookie.

• Tanghulu Tanghulu – traditional chinese snack, candied fruit

Love,

Caitlin