Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood is an ever-growing part of the city, with nods to its European immigrant past and to its present as a highly sought-after family-friendly community. Snuggly located between High Park, Lake Ontario, Dundas Street West, and the Railpath, Roncesvalles Village boasts hundreds of local shops, restaurants, and businesses.
Ready to explore this beloved neighbourhood just like the locals do? Here’s your guide to everything Roncy!
Dining
First things first: food! Once known as the hub for Toronto’s Polish community, you can still find a few Polski restaurants and shops in Roncy like Chicago Bakery and Deli, which serves up authentic favs like dried sausages and deli meats, freshly baked breads and buns, and the classic Polish brioche-style donut — paczki!
For a Polish sit-down meal, Cafe Polonez is a local favourite, but for a more hidden gem type deal, take it over to Chopin, a no-frills bar that seriously contends for one of the best plates of pierogis found in the city, and is named after Polish composer Frédéric François Chopin.
Be sure to check out long-standing Greek diner Ari’s Place, which has been slinging old-style breakfasts and hot dinners since 1975, or Barque Smokehouse, the place for lip-smacking BBQ like ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, plus classic sides like pimento Mac N’ cheese and dill pickle slaw.
As far as cafes go, Cherry Bomb Coffee is known for its flaky almond croissants and fresh coffee, while Ed’s Real Scoop is the neighbourhood spot for an ice cream dessert — try Ed’s signature flavour, burnt marshmallow!
Shopping
With a little bit of food in our bellies, it’s time to shop it like it’s hot, and there’s no shortage of boutique and specialty stores in Roncesvalles! Start off at Canadian-made Muttonhead Apparel for wardrobe classics or Frock for some darling accessories.
Keep it going with home decor and artisanal finds at 313 Design Market, used CDs and books at She Said Boom, and children’s toys at Scooter Girl or candies and games at Sweet Thrills.
Roncy specialty stores include the Thin Blue Line cheese shop for Canadian and international curds and the Spanish Pig, which sells everything from whole legs of Iberico Jamon to olive oils and tasty tinned fish.
Entertainment and unique finds
As with every Toronto neighbourhood, there are always a few establishments that make the community shine bright, and that’s just the case here in Roncy. The Revue Cinema is always a local hangout to catch some flicks, and it stands as one of the city’s oldest theatres, built in 1911, now with heritage designation.
MyOlive Olive Oil Tasting Bar is a great option for a unique night out, replacing shots of alcohol with balsamic vinegar and aged oils! In that same vein, check out The Cookery for local culinary classes like handmade pasta and even knife skills workshops.
Of course, High Park is the big name that gets tossed around for green spaces in the neighbourhood, but don’t forget Sorauren Park either! Whether walking your pup or browsing the local gems at the weekly Farmers Market, it’s always a cool place to chill. The High Park Library is one of Toronto’s few Carnegie buildings, and it lives up to its name, too!
There you have it! That’s the best of the best in Roncy.
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