Neighbourhood Crawl: Summerhill, west end style heads to midtown, Canada Reviews

Long thought of as the quiet cousin to big and brassy Rosedale, the Summerhill nabe is finally coming into its own, attracting some of the city’s top chefs and fashionistas to a quiet strip of Yonge that is not going to stay quiet for much longer.

Shuck the status quo

Summerhill is waking up thanks to a heavyweight crew from Union and Quetzal. The loud, high-energy room at Seahorse pairs a stellar raw bar with massive seafood ice boxes and rich bouillabaisse. Grab a seat at the stone bar and order the charred runner beans — they completely steal the show. 

Fuel up on microfoam

Ultra-cosy new Yonge Street escape Dua’s Coffee brings serious café energy with 10/10 hospitality. Skip the standard drip and order a frothy, Greek-style freddo cappuccino or a ceremonial strawberry matcha. Pair your brew with a flaky raspberry croissant or a decadent Biscoff cookie baked fresh daily.

Creativity Loading

Tucked along Yonge just north of Summerhill station, Muse Gallery is an intimate contemporary space showcasing emerging and established Canadian artists that always has something on the go. Founded in 2005 by artist-director Jay Belmore, the gallery offers a creative break from the boutiques. This summer Muse hosts Summer Days (June 18 to July 8), a group exhibition featuring more than 25 artists.

 Wellness Unlocked

Looking for the latest and most innovative treatments to nourish the skin and feed the soul, Fig Bar Summerhill offers a tech-forward approach in a minimalist, spa-like setting. Fig Bar caters to the neighbourhood’s wellness-minded clientele with a menu of options that include the latest in injectables and longevity treatments as well as facials, light therapy and more. 

 A totally Toronto department store

When Good Neighbour opened its doors mid-2024 in the middle of Summerhill, it brought new life into the neighbourhood. The sprawling lifestyle-turned–department store is the kind you could spend a full day wandering, and there’s even a kids’ section at the back filled with toys and other colourful odds and ends that are fun for all ages. 

A boutique boom

Over the past year and a half, seemingly everyone wants to open up shop in Summerhill. There’s T.Line, dedicated to crafting the perfect button down shirt; Luxton, a women’s outerwear brand that found a permanent home in the neighbourhood just this year; the Lobby by Heaps Estrin, featuring pop-ups and a rotating display of local artisans; and, just recently, Wynona Studio, an ultra-elegant T.O.-based tailoring house.