Toronto is a collection of cool neighbourhoods, be it the trendy Ossington strip or the hipper Leslieville. But there’s one street — or should I say avenue — that has become somewhat of a trendsetting spot itself: Geary Avenue.
I moved to Wallace Emerson last year from the Annex, and while there are some creature comforts of the area I miss, my close proximity to Geary has not only helped cushion the blow, but also helped me discover some new favourite spots I didn’t know I needed.
Just so you can feel cool yourself, here’s how to spend the perfect day on Toronto’s Geary Avenue.
Running all my errands
I always love to channel my inner Alison Roman and shop at a local market whenever I need to stock up on groceries.
For meat, The Butcher’s Son has been my go-to since I moved in because their meats are sustainably sourced and always high quality. I’ve also been known to grab a sandwich or two for lunch, or a jar of Sugo’s red sauce, which, yes, they do sell the literally “secret sauce.”
Newport Fish & Seafood Market really opened my eyes to the world of seafood, and also has really good pantry staples if you’re looking for a restock.
Also, I’ve been getting my hair cut from Craig at Outlander Barbershop since they moved to Geary late last year, and I couldn’t recommend the shop enough!
Lunch time
Even if you’ve never been to Famiglia Baldassarre, you’ve probably tasted their pasta, as they supply almost any pasta place worth its salted water in Toronto. But, if you want to go straight to the source, they have a rotating lunch menu for two hours, Wednesday to Friday. Come early, cause the line is always out the door.
When they’re not open, an easy substitute is Good Behaviour. The sandwiches are always on point, and grabbing a pint of the Butter Pecan ice cream is my guilty pleasure on a hot summer day.
A fabulous dinner
Parallel has become a regular spot for me as someone who used to live across the street from Fat Pasha. While their offerings aren’t completely the same, it’s the perfect comp, and I always leave with one of their jars of tahini.
If you’re looking for a more casual joint, Big Trouble Pizza has elevated pizza and burgers. My go-to is the Butter Jam Jam pizza or the Kwispy Wanch Burger Combo.
For a really fancy meal, General Public most definitely fits the bill — even if the bill doesn’t always fit your wallet. From the tall seafood towers to the bites of caviar, this is definitely a once-in-a-while but oh-so-worth-it spot. They also have a great brunch/lunch menu, but the herb-crusted Black Cod is my favourite thing on the menu.
A night out
Now we get to what Geary is most known for: a rockin’ night out.
Obviously, The Greater Good is an iconic fixture on this strip. With an array of craft beers on tap, a North of Brooklyn inside, arcade games on the second floor, and a killer back patio, you’re definitely in for a good time.
But, for me, I’m all in on Blood Brothers Brewing — not lying when I say it is my favourite brewery in the city. Please, send me a case of Auto Pop. I beg!
If wine is your drink of choice, Paradise Grapevine’s patio is probably unmatched on the block with wines that showcase the best of the Niagara Peninsula.
When Friday or Saturday is getting late, but the night is “still young,” you can dance it away at Standard Time — which is always throwing a party starting from 11 p.m. Elder millennials need not apply.
See you on Geary.
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