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Winter Warmers: 5 Food and Drinks in Riverside To Warm You Up This Season

Whether it’s a hot cuppa joe or a steaming bowl of soup, nippy Toronto weather just has you craving something to beat the winter blues.

Here are five delicious food and beverage offerings from Riverside businesses here on Queen Street East that are guaranteed to keep you warm and toasty this winter:

Photo credit: Amber Kitchen and Coffee

Amber Kitchen and Coffee (@amberkitchento)

Address: 4 Boulton Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2J3

If you love soup, Amber Kitchen switches up their soup offering every season. Each serving comes with toasted bread made in house. Ask the server for the seasonal soup!

Photo credit: Jimmy’s Coffee

Jimmy’s Coffee (@jimmys_coffee)

Address: 806 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H7

One of Jimmy’s Coffee’s winter specials, the Chocolate Chai Latte combines the rich sweetness of chocolate and the subtle spiciness of chai. Customize with your choice of milk!

Photo credit: Eastbound Brewing Company

Eastbound Brewing Company (@eastboundbeer)

Address: 700 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G9

Made with roasted tomato, tomatillo, black beans, charred corn, crumbled cheese and crispy tortilla strips, Eastbound’s Cantina Tortilla Soup is hearty as can be.

Photo credit: Isle of Coffee

Isle of Coffee (@isleofcoffee_to)

Address: 745 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H3

Tea lovers will enjoy Isle of Coffee’s London Fog. Comfort in a cup, a London Fog is an Earl Grey tea-based latte with steamed milk and topped with dried lavender for a floral finish.

Photo credit: Royal Baithak

Royal Baithak (@royalbaithak_11)

Address: 755 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H3

A North Indian classic, Royal Baithak’s take on the Dal Makhni involves simmering lentils and red kidney beans for hours, resulting in a rich and buttery curry packed with flavour.

If you want to be updated on exciting offerings from businesses in Riverside, be sure to check out @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog regularly!

Taking The Scenic Route: A DIY Winter Art Walk in Riverside

Here at Riverside, we’ve been very fortunate to be able to work with local creatives in bringing life to the neighbourhood through public art. This year, we’ve even gotten a few notable additions, as well as festive storefronts as part of Riverside Window Wonderland.

Looking for an outdoor activity that’s easy, fun and *free* to do this winter? Let’s go on a little self-guided art walk! It’s a good way to get acquainted with the neighbourhood too if you’re new to the area. Come along and join us for a winter art walk in Riverside:

“Pass It On” by Gust of Wind Studio

Location: 791 Queen St E and 785 Queen St E

We tapped local artist, designer and illustrator Mateusz of Gust of Wind Studio to work his magic on a community-focused mural comprised of several parts using the elements in the public realm around Fontbonne’s Mustard Seed Courtyard and with the adjacent Re/Max Hallmark Realty location.

Riverside Wayfinding Map

Location: Queen St E and Strange St (across Bonjour Brioche)

This wayfinding map on the Metrolinx hoarding, which highlights Riverside businesses and landmarks, was developed by Geocdesign and put up as a collaboration with Metrolinx to provide wayfinding art on construction hoarding for the future Ontario Line station in Riverside.

Love Local Sign

Address: Queen St E and Saulter St (outside Queen Garden Centre)

The sign, produced in collaboration with Pop Marquee for Riverside Local Love, is not only a photo op; it’s a year-round reminder to champion local businesses. It also represents an important milestone for the Riverside BIA. This season, it got a little holiday-themed makeover!

The Laneway Project

Location: Laneway on Thompson St between Carroll St and Munro St, south of Joel Weeks Park

The Laneway Project worked with the Riverside community to co-design murals in the laneway in collaboration with Toronto mural artist Julia Prajza, who was on site to facilitate and provide support to community members during Riverside Community Paint Days last summer.

The Riverside Common Art Project

Address: Riverside Common Park (657 Queen St E)

If you’re familiar with our Riverside C’Mon! event series, then you’ve probably been to Riverside Common Park. With the help of Indigenous artist Que Rock (and Pop Marquee for the word art), it’s gotten a colourful update with vibrant mural art on the benches, tables, poles and electrical boxes.

Riverside Window Wonderland

Address: Several locations

Riverside Window Wonderland may be over, but the window art will be up until December 31st! This year, we worked with nine talented artists and 25+ BIA members. Get to know the artists and where their art can be found by reading the blog posts linked below!

BLOG: Riverside Window Wonderland: Meet The Artists (Part 1 of 2)

BLOG: Riverside Window Wonderland: Meet The Artists (Part 2 of 2)

If you ever post about public art in Riverside on social, don’t forget to tag us @riverside_bia, the artists and/or the businesses — we love seeing your photos!

Be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog for regular updates on public art in the neighbourhood!

We acknowledge and thank the City of Toronto, Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario for support of this campaign as part of the ‘Riverside Ramps it Up’ project through the Transit Expansion Construction Mitigation Fund 2025.

Last Hurrah for 2025: Pre-New Year Events in Riverside

Can you believe we’re almost at the end of the year already? It felt like it was just yesterday when we had the pilot launch of Riverside Local Love in January; and just recently, we had the 14th Riverside Antler Breakfast. Where did time go?!

The Riverside BIA’s community programming may be done for the year but many of our BIA members still have exciting events coming up to close out 2025 with a bang! Check out these pre-New Year events happening in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood:

Photo credit: Oma Chiropractic & Wellness

Threshold of Light: A Solstice Ceremony Guided by Spirit & Soul

Date & Time: Sunday, December 21st | 2pm-6pm

Location: Oma Chiropractic & Wellness (1 Munro St)

Oma invites you to join Threshold of Light, a Winter Solstice ceremony for a small circle of women on December 21st. The evening begins with a guided meditation and gentle shamanic trance, and then the ritual unfolds in two movements. Book your slot HERE.

Photo credit: Chez Nous

DJ Night at Chez Nous

Date & Time: Sunday, December 21st | 8pm-midnight

Location: Chez Nous (798 Queen St E)

Chez Nous invites you to a soiree to remember, featuring DJs Ashley and Dan! Enjoy live DJ sets and half-price bottles on December 21st. While you’re there, don’t forget to try their seasonal mulled wine, which they’re only serving until Christmas!

Photo credit: Eastbound Brewing Company

Smarty Pints Trivia

Date & Time: Tuesday, December 30th | 6:30pm-9:30pm

Location: Eastbound Brewing Company (700 Queen St E, Toronto)

Trivia night is closing out the year in full force at Eastbound! Mark your calendars for December 30th, grab your crew, enjoy some great beer and Tex-Mex eats, and put your knowledge to the test. Reserve a table for your group HERE.

Photo credit: The Broadview Hotel

Broadview After Dark: NYE Celebration

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 31st | 10pm-late

Location: The Broadview Hotel (106 Broadview Ave)

Celebrate the New Year high above the city at The Rooftop of The Broadview Hotel with a night of music, dancing, and a special burlesque performance set against skyline views. Your ticket includes midnight bubbly and late-night bites. Get your tickets HERE.

Photo credit: The Opera House

Prism Presents: NYE – Arrival

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 31st | 10pm-5am
Location: The Opera House (735 Queen St E)

Usher in the new year and party the night away at the iconic Opera House in Riverside. Check out the full list of upcoming shows at The Opera House HERE.

Check out @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog for regular updates on exciting happenings in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood!

More Than Just a Meal: 14th Annual Riverside Antler Breakfast Highlights

With bellies filled AND hearts full, it’s officially a wrap on the Riverside BIA’s annual year-end fundraiser, the Riverside Antler Breakfast, which took place on Friday, December 12th at Ralph Thornton Community Centre!

For the 14th Riverside Antler Breakfast, we raised funds for Fontbonne Ministries’ Food Program at their Mustard Seed location in Riverside AND Ralph Thornton Community Centre’s community programming.

This year, we managed to raise $20,000+ thanks to all of  our incredible sponsors, as well as all of you who bought tickets to the fundraiser and bid on the silent auction. We hope you enjoyed the delicious holiday spread and the items you got to go home with! 

With that said, check out some of the many highlights from this year’s Riverside Antler Breakfast:

It’s not called the Riverside *Antler* Breakfast for nothing! 

Freshly baked treats, including mini croissants courtesy of Johnson Family Bakery

Oh, deer! Check out the festive tablescape for this year’s fundraiser

This Riverside BIA merch pack was just one of 30+ items up for auction

Shoutout to all the generous sponsors of the 2025 Riverside Antler Breakfast!

From blueberry & chocolate chip pancakes to salmon croquettes, the chefs at Fontbonne went all out on the breakfast buffet

A life-sized dose of JOY thanks to Pop Marquee

Riverside BIA Executive Director Jennifer Lay welcomed everyone with introductory remarks

Accordionist Jack Lay serenaded guests with classic holiday tunes throughout the program

Everybody was all smiles at the Riverside Antler Breakfast

Santa checking in on who’s been naughty or nice this year

In attendance was Councillor Paula Fletcher who shared a few words with guests

Took a trip down memory lane and looked back on the Riverside Antler Breakfast over the years

Guests were eager to place their bids on many amazing items from the silent auction

$20,000+ raised  — y’all are amazing!!!

We’d like to give a shoutout to all the generous sponsors of the 2025 Riverside Antler Breakfast. This year’s fundraiser would not have been possible without your unwavering support! On behalf of this year’s beneficiaries, THANK YOU!

If you missed this year’s fundraiser, you can still show your support for Fontbonne Ministries at Mustard Seed and the Ralph Thornton Community Centre through the donation pages hyperlinked. They’re open year-round too so you can access the links anytime!

Check out @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog for regular updates on exciting happenings in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood!

Make a List and Check it Twice: Holiday Shopping in Riverside

Whether you’re planning on treating yourself to a little retail therapy or you’re still working on that shopping list for your loved ones, Riverside in Toronto’s East End is the place to be.

From cool vintage finds to delicious baked goods, here’s a list of places where you can shop gifts for yourself, family and friends this holiday season (+ support local!):

Photo credit: The Vintage Hall

The Vintage Hall (@thevintagehallto)

Address: 754 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

Probably the East End’s hottest shopping destination as of late, The Vintage Hall is a massive treasure trove of all things vintage — three levels, to be exact! Follow them on Instagram and watch the styling videos they’re doing for the holiday season for a little sartorial inspo!

Photo credit: Naz Treasures

Naz Treasures (@naztreasures)

Address: 717 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

One of the more recent additions to the Riverside community, Naz Treasures carries apparel, accessories and even jewelry. From cozy sweaters to furry hats to plush scarves, Naz Treasures has your winter fashion essentials covered.

Photo credit: Bonjour Brioche

Bonjour Brioche (@bonjour_brioche)

Address: 812 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H7

Riverside has something for the foodies too, of course! This holiday season, Bonjour Brioche has a limited edition bundle perfect for gifting, which includes granola, cookies, dark roast coffee beans and their signature salad dressing. They also have gift cards!

Photo credit: Arts Market

Arts Market (@artsmarket)

Address: 790 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

Looking for little knick-knacks for Secret Santa or white elephant? Arts Market has a wide range of products from small local entrepreneurs. For a sneak peek of some of the holiday-themed items they have in store, check out the shopping haul video we did HERE. They have gift cards too.

Photo credit: Amavi Atelier

Amavi Atelier (@atelier_amavi)

Address: 634 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G3

Another new member of the Riverside BIA, Amavi Atelier is a mecca for antique home decor. They specialize in sourcing unique, antique home goods from around the world. If you’re looking to splurge on a beautiful piece or two for your home (or a loved one’s), head over to Amavi!

To stay updated on exciting promotions from businesses in Riverside, make sure to check @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog regularly!