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One of the best parts of travel is experiencing the unique cuisine each destination has to offer. However, plane tickets these days can cost an arm and a leg, and jet-setting is a lifestyle not everyone can afford; but who says you need to travel thousands of miles to taste authentic pad thai or traditional carbonara?

Come along as we embark on a culinary adventure right in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. Let’s go on a (food) trip to just a few of the incredible selection of culinary delights right here!

Photo credit: Il Ponte Cucina Italiana

Italy | Il Ponte – Cucina Italiana (@ilponte.to)

Address: 625 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G7

Did you know? ‘Il Ponte. translates to ‘The Bridge’ as the restaurant is named after the bridge over the Don River. They are strongly rooted in the local community. They have a well curated selection of pizzas and pastas, from the understated Margherita Pizza to the indulgent Linguine alle Vongole, which comes with a generous portion of fresh clams. They offer set dinner menus as well and on Tuesdays they have a half priced wine bottle special (limit of 2 per table).

Photo credit: BlessedLove Caribbean Grocery and Takeout

Jamaica | BlessedLove Caribbean Grocery and Takeout (@shopblessedlove)

Address: 753A Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H3

Two words: Jerk chicken. You can have it the old fashioned way with rice and peas; for something more grab-and-go, get it as a sandwich or as a poutine. BlessedLove also serves oxtail, goat curry, ackee & saltfish, fried plantain, patties (meat and vegetarian options) and all the good stuff!

Photo credit: Isaan Der Thai Kitchen & Bar

Thailand | Isaan Der – Thai Kitchen & Bar (@isaan_der)

Address: 730 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H2

You can’t go wrong with their featured items such as Khao Soi, Som Tum or Papaya Salad, and Fish Panang Curry. Finish on a sweet note with Mango Coconut Sticky Rice. For spicy dishes, you can have the heat level adjusted, from mild to ‘Thai spicy’.

Photo credit: Delhiites Indian Street Food

India | Delhiites Indian Street Food (@delhiitesindianstreetfood)

Address: 717 Queen St E Unit 1/2, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

The name says it all: Delhiites, just steps from Broadview Ave on Queen E serves no-nonsense Indian food such as samosas, momos, biryani, as well as Hakka Chinese dishes. The Butter Chicken Momos, Goat Biryani, Vegetable Manchurian, and Chaat Papdi are just some of the stellar dishes you can find on the menu.

Photo credit: Kismet Turkish Restaurant

Turkey | Kismet Turkish Restaurant (@kismetturkishrestaurant)

Address: 782 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

They’ve got the Turkish classics down: from doner kebab and meatballs or kofte to lahmacun and pide, which are Turkish pizza and flatbread respectively. Make sure to leave room for dessert because Kismet’s Trilece–their take on the tres leches cake–is a must-try.

Photo credit: La Carnita

Mexico | La Carnita (@la_carnita)

Address: 780 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

La Carnita makes tacos with a wide variety of proteins to choose from, such as carne asada, baja shrimp, and even sweet potato. If you prefer a crunchier alternative to the taco, opt for the tostada. Stop by between 4pm and 6pm any day of the week for happy hour.

So the next time wanderlust sets in or a particular craving hits, head over to Riverside and let your appetite choose the next destination.

Follow @riverside_bia for drool-worthy content and updates on dining experiences in the neighborhood!

And just like that, summer is almost over. As the fall approaches, it’s time to switch gears from vacation mode to school mode.

Whether you’re a student yourself or have students in the household, it’s always a good idea to prepare and run a few errands–even if it’s a little last minute–before hitting the books again.

For incoming students, here are 5 tips to help you get ready for the new school year:

Photo credit: Pizzaiolo

Find student-friendly food options.

On days when you don’t feel like cooking or just feeling hungry, it’s always good to know where you can get something filling while on a budget. Places like Pizzaiolo, Chick Wings and Ali Baba’s have deals for under $10. 

Photo credit: Little Peeps

Update your wardrobe.

Riverside has a number of vintage clothing shops, where you can score one-of-a-kind pieces to wear to school while being a sustainable consumer. If you have younger kids, Little Peeps has a great selection of children’s clothing and other lifestyle items.

Photo credit: Christian Jay Quilo

Stock up on supplies.

From pens and notebooks to storage organizers and cleaning products, you can always count onRiverside’s Dollarama to have almost everything you need at unbeatable prices.

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Take advantage of free resources.

Aside from access to a wealth of knowledge, did you know that your Toronto Public Library card gives you free admission to select museums and attractions in the city like the Art Gallery of Ontario, CN Tower, and more? Drop by the Queen/Saulter branch to know more.

Photo credit: Oma Chiropractic and Wellness

Indulge in a little TLC for yourself.

While doing your best in school is important, it’s also imperative to take care of ourselves in the process, whether that means getting your teeth cleaned at Riverside Dental or booking a massage appointment with Oma Chiropractic (and getting one of these free back-to-school pin while you’re there).

To all the students, best of luck in the new school year and don’t forget to have fun!

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram for fun content and be sure to check out the Riverside Blog for new stories every week.

If you follow us on Instagram, you probably know that we’ve been featuring restaurants with patio dining over the past couple of months for Queen East Eats.

This year, we collaborated again with Toronto Food Blog, a locally-based food blogger and content creator, to pay a visit to select establishments and see (and taste) what they have to offer.

Queen East Eats is a joint annual campaign by the Riverside and Leslieville BIAs, highlighting patio dining in businesses along Queen Street East.

In case you missed this series on our socials, here’s a recap of all the Riverside and Leslieville-based restaurants Toronto Food Blog covered–and what they loved!

Ricky + Olivia (@restaurantrickyandolivia)

Address: 996 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1K1

Chef duo Ricky Casipe and Olivia Simpson’s namesake restaurant is all about putting their own unique spin on classics. The Big Mac Steak Tartare and Caesar Salad with beet tahini and Monforte Toscano cheese are perfect examples of the chefs’ fun approach to food.

Duke’s Refresher + Bar (@dukesriverside)

Address: 709 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

Duke’s Riverside does comfort food and does it well. A must-try is the Woody Burger with BBQ sauce, American cheese, bacon, and caramelized onions on bacon focaccia, complete with a side of hand-cut fries–you can’t go wrong with a good ol’ cheeseburger.

Pasaj (@pasajtoronto)

Address: 1100 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1K8

Go on a culinary journey at Pasaj. For brunch, try the Sucuk Benedict with zucchini fritters, poached eggs, and whipped feta sauce; as well as Grandma’s Pancakes with sour cherry jam, tahini helva, labne, and pistachios. They also serve sandwiches from their bakery, Simit & Chai.

ēst Restaurant (@est.restaurant)

Address: 729 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

An unexpected star off of ēst’s menu is the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake with lavender and earl grey, a decadent dessert with a delightful medley of textures. Their beer collab with Saulter Street Brewery makes for a great refreshment on a sweltering summer day, too.

Frankie’s Italian (@frankiesyafrankies)

Address: 892 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1J3

Frankie’s menu consists of hearty Italian fare, including a variety of pasta dishes like the Lamb Ragu Gnocchi with ricotta and parmesan. For pizzas, the Speziata Dolce with soppressata, goat cheese, and hot honey is a must-try.

Real Greek Gyros (@realgreekgyros)

Address: 731 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

The name itself pretty much tells you what to expect: fast, authentic, and no-gimmick Greek food. You can count on Real Greek Gyros to satisfy your craving for staples such as Gyros on a pita, Souvlaki Dinner, and Gyros Salad.

Photos by Toronto Food Blog

Make the most of the remaining weeks of patio weather we have left and dine al fresco at these restaurants and more. Discover Queen East Eats by exploring the online patio map.