Welcome to Bloorcourt! Commonly agreed upon as being sandwiched between Dufferin Street at the west, Montrose to the east, Dupont to the north and Bloor (or sometimes Harbord) to the south, Bloorcourt is a mighty community that’s worth checking out if you haven’t already.
Though not as flashy as some other nearby neighbourhoods, Bloorcourt offers residents a chill place to live and hang out, where it’s all about good vibes and even better times.
Ready? Here’s what to check out in Bloorcourt.
Local shops and spots
Small businesses are the heart and soul of Bloorcourt, and they run the gamut from grocers, clothing retailers, cafes and more.
Bloorcourt offers a great selection of specialty grocers that stock their shelves with a ton of goodies, like Strictly Bulk and its killer selection of spices, nuts, flours, grains, and pretty mention any other baking item you’d need, plus artisanal packaged items and cleaning supplies — all since 1987.
Butchery needs are met at Vince Gasparro’s Meat Market, a family-run shop at the corner of Bloor and Roxton where juicy cuts are the name of the game. Try out the Wild Boar Stupid Good, a popular favourite based on an old family recipe.
You’ll find more quality cuts and imported Portuguese and South American products down the road, at Nosso Talho, a Portuguese butcher with a 45-year history. Go for the AAA+ Ontario Picanha and grab some fresh produce like Brazilian maracuja and goiabas on the way out. Don’t forget to meet Macelleria Venezia Butcher owner Enzo, a longtime business owner in the area.
Check out The Monkey’s Paw for rare and first-edition books and take a spin on the super fun book vending machine, the Bibliomat, then head across the street to The Maker Bean cafe to play with 3D printers and laser cutting while sipping a latte, billed as the nation’s first makerspace cafe.
For clothing needs, visit Siberia Vintage for a truly massive curated selection of vintage finds, Muddy George for stylish and contemporary threads for men, or Gigi’s House of Frills for glamorous lingerie and intimates.
Support more local businesses like:
Time to eat
Come to Bloorcourt hungry because this neighbourhood has a pretty darn good selection, if you ask me!
Ethiopian restaurant heavy-hitters like the go-to African Palace or Lalibela Ethiopian delight customers with massive platters and portions, while the cozy Vit Beo just around the way serves up Vietnamese snacks, sandwiches, and slurpy noodles. Treat yourself and order the Shrimp Toast or the Pho Bo Ko, you won’t regret it.
Gus Tacos’ OG Gladstone location has been made over into the restaurant’s first sandwich spot, aptly named San Wich, where Mexican tortas reign king — pro tip: come early for the egg chorizo jalapeño cheese, only available until 1 p.m.
Love birds have the pick of the crop when it comes to romantic date night spots in Bloorcourt, like sharing a pizza at the newly opened Piano Piano, sipping natty wines on the Paradise Grapevine patio, or just staring into each other’s eyes over some fresh oysters at Chantecler — voted the city’s best French resto.
Other neighbourhood faves include the Lemonhead pizza from Mac’s, a decadent pie with lemon pepper cream and ricotta, and the Beef Bulgogi Chorrillana from Sarang Kitchen, ribeye bulgogi topped with a fried egg on a bed of crispy fries. But my absolute fav has to be the Bisteck Encebollado at La Bella Managua, a Nicaraguan joint pumping out fresh and tasty plates.
Ready to dive into more? Treat your taste buds at these other establishments
Let the good times roll
Now for entertainment, Bloorcourt offers a cool and curated selection of places to have some fun — that you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Catch a flick at Paradise Theatre, originally a one-story brick theatre built in 1910, when this stretch of Bloor Street was first paved. Now showcasing classic movies and live events, the Paradise has been restored to its original 1930s glory.
Laugh it up at Comedy Bar, the local spot for comedy and improv shows, which also has a couple of cameos in the 2023 comedy and drama movie, I Used to Be Funny, starring Rachel Sennott. If dancing or watching live bands is more your thing, visit The Piston for a rocking good time.
Dufferin Grove is a popular park to hang out in (and to visit the Thursday Farmers Market), complete with fire pits and pizza ovens, but for a more secluded (and less crowded) vibe, head to Dovercourt Park instead.
Bloorcourt today
Even though Bloorcourt is a smaller neighbourhood in the city, it’s filled with beloved and important businesses, restaurants, and services, and it’s waiting for you to come explore!
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