Old Town has a hybrid gelato shop and picturesque storefronts, Canada Reviews

Bordering Moss Park to the north and two square blocks south is Old Town, a tiny pocket of Toronto that’s easy to overlook. But, on your way to the Distillery District or Riverside, you might find that you can spend a day in this vibrant district. 

Start your morning at George Street Diner. With a bright red painted brick exterior and cosy, retro booths inside, it’s no surprise the diner has featured in countless films, TV shows and even music videos (hi, Shawn Mendes) filmed in the city. Start here in the morning and enjoy an Irish breakfast (choose the basic, ultimate or massive version of this famous dish) or stop in to recharge after a few hours of furniture and plant shopping.

 

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For a coffee break, check out what might be one of the city’s most unique spots. Toronto is a big fan of combination shops, but this neighbourhood is the only place in the city that can claim this particular combo. Enter through the front door to Plant Society, a green oasis of beautiful plants, succulents and dried flower bouquets. Hidden downstairs is Moss Park Espresso: a locally owned little coffee shop that draws crowds for its ultra-fluffy gelato made in-house. Any flavour can be turned into an affogato, one of the café’s most popular menu items — we suggest trying it with the pistachio for a sweet and nutty one-two punch of flavour. 

Once adequately fuelled by sugar and caffeine, start your shopping adventure at Haven. Located at the corner of Richmond Street East and George Street is this hulking black brick of a shop that’s impossible to miss. Haven may be tucked away in a less traversed part of the city, but it’s been attracting Toronto’s most stylish residents for decades. The selection here is unbeatable, featuring hard-to-find Japanese brands and even their own made-in-Canada label of high-quality basics, but it’s the staff that make shopping feel like a luxury experience all on its own. 

Just east of Moss Park is a quirky little stretch of multi-coloured storefronts, including a top-to-bottom pink one. Step inside The Apartment and you’ll feel like you’re visiting someone’s actual (impeccably decorated) apartment. This vintage furniture and home decor spot features oodles of homewares organized by colour into a full rainbow, mid-century modern couches and coffee tables and countless treasures. While owner and local legend Fiona often posts new drops on Instagram, real fans know that not everything gets shared online — some of the coolest and rarest gems can only be found by visiting the store in person. 

This area does not disappoint with the quirky and artful storefronts, thanks to the history behind so many of these buildings — and at Acadia Art & Rare Books, the history continues inside. Considered Toronto’s oldest bookstore, it originally opened in 1931 and has been operating in some form since then. In its current form, Acadia focuses on antiquarian books, Canadian history and rare finds. Pore over crates of vintage prints and postcards, say hello to the resident cats lounging about and leave with a piece of history in tow.

Finish off your day with a bit of culture: at 183 Gallery, you’ll discover exhibitions by local artists. This artist collective is also dedicated to highlighting the Moss Park neighbourhood, hosting walking tours, live music events and still life classes to elevate the area as a destination for artistic activity. Check their Instagram (@183gallery) before you go to see what’s on the schedule — you may find yourself in the middle of an art class!

Want more neighbourhood guides? 

For beach-ready eats and funky shops in Kingston Road Village, click here.

For vintage shops and wine bars in Brockton Village, click here.

For perfect patios and green spaces in Bloorcourt, click here. 

For sprawling bakeries and galleries in Bermondsey, click here.