Toronto Shopping

Toronto Eaton Centre

Millions of shoppers every year make their way to the Toronto Eaton Centre, located at the corner of Yonge and Dundas Streets in the heart of downtown Toronto. There are more than two hundred shops and restaurants housed on the four levels of this glass-domed mall, ranging from upscale retailers A/X Armani Exchange and BCBG to mall favourites like Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters. A tip for tourists: visit the Guest Service Info Desk on Level 2 for a free city map and brochures on local attractions. Click for the Toronto Eaton Centre official website.

Bloor-Yorkville

The swanky Bloor-Yorkville shopping district is Toronto’s version of New York’s Fifth Avenue. The main shopping area on Bloor Street is lined with one chic designer boutique after another including Gucci, Prada, Chanel and Burberry. The historic Yorkville neighbourhood nestled between Yonge and Avenue Roads is also dotted with trendy shops such as Anthropologie, Jeanne Lottie and Vera Wang, as well as several funky bistros and bars. A tip for tourists visiting Toronto in September: this area is a celebrity hotspot during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Kensington Market & Chinatown

Seeking a more eclectic shopping experience? A must-see destination when visiting Toronto are the narrow streets of the Kensington Market neighbourhood- particularly for vintage lovers and bargain hunters. Tucked between College Street, Spadina Avenue and Dundas St. West, Kensington Market is home to several vintage shops including Courage My Love, Flashback and Exile as well as hipster favourite Bungalow, which features retro home decor pieces and a mix of new and vintage apparel.

Queen Street West & West Queen West

The popular Queen Street West shopping area between Yonge Street and Bathurst Avenue is packed with a mix of funky shops like John Fluevog Shoes and trendsetter favourites H&M and Zara, as well as dozens of hip cafes, bars and bistros.

Head further west along Queen past Bathurst Street and the bigger retailers give way to an edgier collection of boutiques featuring cutting edge styles by local designers, as well several art galleries and furniture stores. This area from Bathurst to Gladstone Avenue, known as West Queen West, is Toronto’s Art and Design District and boasts the largest concentration of art galleries in Canada.

The Distillery District

Toronto is a city with a rich past, and a visit to the Distillery District offers visitors a taste of the city’s history as well as a unique collection of boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Located east of the downtown core, whiskey production took place throughout the 19th century in the carefully restored distillery buildings, which now house some of the funkiest shopping in the city. From the stunning boutique Lileo with its organic lines and renowned denim collection to the popular foodie destination A Taste of Quebec which offers a delectable selection of artisan cheeses and other gourmet specialities, there is plenty of unique shopping to explore on the cobblestone streets of Toronto’s Distillery District. Click for more information on The Distillery District.

St. Lawrence Market

Love shopping for food? St. Lawrence Market is a must-stop for foodies visiting Toronto. The Saturday Farmers’ Market in the North Market has been a city tradition since 1803, with vendors setting up at the crack of dawn to showcase their fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. The South Market features over 50 merchants renowned for their incredible array of meat, fish, baked goods, desserts and produce. Located west of Jarvis Street between King Street East and the Esplanade, St. Lawrence Market is easy to get to from downtown Toronto. Click for full details on the St. Lawrence Market.

Fine art, funky fashion and fabulous food... you can find it all shopping in Toronto! - December 16 09