Bloor-Yorkville

The Bloor-Yorkville area of downtown Toronto is the ultimate destination for travellers seeking great shopping and excellent restaurants in a sophisticated setting. Comparable to New York’s Fifth Avenue or Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, Bloor-Yorkville is Toronto’s most stylish neighbourhood as well as one of its most historic.

A Stylish Shopping District

Swank boutiques dot the streets of the Bloor-Yorkville shopping district, making it a fashion playground for label-loving trendsetters. Often referred to as Toronto’s “Mink Mile,” Bloor Street from Bay to Yonge is home to fashion heavy-hitters such as Chanel, Burberry, Gucci and Prada. Canadian retailers such as the posh department store Holt Renfrew, renowned luxury shoe store David’s Footwear and the high-end menswear store Harry Rosen are also longstanding fixtures in the neighbourhood. You’ll also find shops like H&M and Banana Republic mixed in with the luxury names.

Within the heart of Bloor-Yorkville is the Hazelton Lanes shopping mall, which features luxury boutiques offering plenty of designer brands from Hugo Boss and Vera Wang to Missioni and Nicole Miller. Whether you are looking for Rich and Skinny jeans or the latest designs from Roberto Cavalli, Hazelton Lanes is where you’ll find it.

Located at 50 Bloor St. West, the Holt Renfrew Centre is home to shopping mecca Holt Renfrew, the luxury department store which boasts a wide variety of designer collections as well as an eye-popping footwear selection and the elegant Holt’s Cafe on the second floor. The Holt Renfrew Centre leads to an underground mall where shoppers can make their way beneath Bloor Street to the Shops at Manulife Centre. Situated across the street at 55 Bloor St. West, the Manulife Centre features stores such as Birks, Indigo Bookstore and china retailer William Ashley as well as restaurants, cafes and a movie theatre.

An Exciting Dining Destination

Bloor-Yorkville boasts a wide range of eateries including some of the best restaurants in Toronto. In fact, there are so many dining choices it can be hard to know where to begin. Whether you are seeking the ambience of a casual bistro, the upscale elegance of a four-star restaurant or simply a perfect martini at a trendy bar, you will find what you are looking for in Bloor-Yorkville.

Looking to take a break from shopping and grab a quick bite? There are plenty of popular stops on Cumberland Street, including Lettieri Espresso Bar and Café, a perfect spot to enjoy a delicious cappuccino while people-watching. Diners can find delicious and reasonable priced meals at Italian eatery Dimmi Bar & Trattoria (140 Cumberland Street.) For Japanese fare try Sushi Inn (120 Cumberland Street) or Shogun (154 Cumberland Street.)

For more upscale dining, there is no shortage of choices in Bloor-Yorkville. At 188 Yorkville Avenue, hotspot One Restaurant features an acclaimed menu and a glowing candlelit bar, while the Avenue Bar and Lounge in the Four Seasons Hotel at 21 Avenue Road offers a swank and sophisticated setting and the occasional celebrity sighting, as does the bustling Sassafraz at 100 Cumberland Street. Enjoy authentic French cuisine at Le Trou Normand (90 Yorkville Avenue) or a classic New York strip at Morton’s The Steakhouse (4 Avenue Road.)

Some of the hottest nightlife in Toronto can be found in the streets of Bloor-Yorkville which is home to many trendy clubs and bars. Let loose with some salsa and meringue at hotspot Babalúu (136 Yorkville) a Latin supperclub that turns into a pulsing nightclub after dark. Remy’s Restaurant (115 Yorkville) and Hemingway’s (142 Cumberland) are perennial favourites with locals for enjoying a cocktail on the patio in the summertime.

A History of Arts and Culture

All the fabulous shopping and delectable dining in Bloor-Yorkville just happens to be located within one of the most historic areas of the city. The Village of Yorkville was a residential area dating back to 1830, when it was founded by businessman Joseph Bloor for whom Bloor Street was named. Its roots as a vibrant centre for arts and culture began in the 1960s, when musicians and writers such as Joni Mitchell and Margaret Atwood would frequent Yorkville coffeehouses.

Today the district boasts dozens of art galleries and museums and each fall hosts the wildly popular Nuit Blanche, a free event where galleries throughout the area showcase contemporary art all night long and the streets come to life with displays and performance. In the winter visitors can take in the Icefest Festival, which features an ice carving competition with the stunning sculptures on display throughout the Village of Yorkville Park.

Visiting Bloor-Yorkville in Toronto

Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville district stretches from Avenue Road to Yonge Street and from Scollard Street to Charles Street. The major intersection within the area is Bloor and Yonge.

Phone: (416) 928 - 3553
Fax: (416) 928 - 2034
Email: bybia@bloor-yorkville.com

For more information, a map of the area and a store and services directory visit the Bloor-Yorkville official website.