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Out of Plain Sight: 6 Hidden Gems in Toronto’s Riverside

Although the bustling thoroughfare of Queen St East cuts through the whole stretch of Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood, the area still has those IYKYK kinds of places that one might only discover through social media or the good ol’ word of mouth.

Here are 6 not-so secret spots in the neighbourhood:

Photo credit: Christian Jay Quilo

Jimmy’s Coffee Back Patio (@jimmyscoffee)

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

The Riverside store of this beloved Toronto coffee chain may be popular among the residents, but did you know that they have a back patio? Try one of their summer offerings like the Berry Berry Iced Tea or a cold brew and enjoy it on the patio–and yes, it is pet-friendly!

Photo credit: Christian Jay Quilo

Queen Garden Cafe (@queengardencafe)

Address: 771 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H5

Perched in the middle of the Queen Garden Centre is a beautifully quaint glass greenhouse operating as a cafe. Whether you’re there to shop for plants and supplies or just looking for a brief respite from the heat, treat yourself to a beverage from the cafe and have a seat.

Photo credit: Christian Jay Quilo

Arts Market’s Basement (@artsmarket)

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

While the main floor hosts the selection of locally made products and a light scattering of vintage items, the basement is where the bulk of vintage goods are. When you enter the store, simply walk toward the cashier and the stairs to the basement should be on your right. 

Photo credit: Christian Jay Quilo

Joel Weeks Park

Address: 10 Thompson St, Toronto, ON M4M 1L9

Everyone probably knows Jimmie Simpson Park and Riverside Common, but there’s one more park in the neighbourhood, tucked at the end of Carroll St where Dark Horse is. Look for the statue of a giant acorn surrounded by squirrels–that’s how you know you’re at Joel Weeks Park.

Photo credit: Christian Jay Quilo

“Along The Riverbanks” Mural by Nick Sweetman (@nick_sweetman)

Address: 30 Baseball Pl, Toronto, ON M4M 0E8

Hidden at the south end of Riverside’s Baseball Place, this mural by Nick Sweetman depicts the rich biodiversity that lives in Ontario’s rivers, including the nearby Don River. To find it, go south through Riverside Common to the end of Baseball Place and you’ll immediately see this 2000 sq ft mural.

Photo credit: The Broadview Hotel

“The Tower” at The Broadview Hotel (@broadviewhotel)

Address: 106 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2G1

The rooftop is a popular hangout for many guests at The Broadview Hotel, but there’s also an event space called “The Tower” on the same floor that you can rent out, albeit for smaller, more intimate gatherings. It boasts opulent details that’ll surely take your parties to new heights.

You know what to do: follow @riverside_bia on Instagram to stay updated on upcoming events and new stories like this on the blog!

The Best of Brunch: Must-try brunch spots in Toronto’s Riverside

Who doesn’t love brunch? Whether it’s a let loose moment with friends or a wholesome one with family, brunch is a great reason to head out, catch up with good company, and bond over delicious food. Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood in the East End is chock-full of options for your next brunch date.

Here are six brunch spots in Riverside you must check out:

Photo credit: White Lily Diner

White Lily Diner (@whitelilydiner)

Address: 678 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G8

Known for their all-day brunch menu, White Lily serves a wide range of comfort food, from light bites such as toasts and sandwiches to heavier fare like meatloaf with grits and steak & eggs. There can be a bit of a wait during peak hours so make sure to join the waitlist before coming, so you don’t have to wait too long.

MENU | Brunch hours: 9am-10pm, Wednesday-Sunday (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)

Photo credit: Bonjour Brioche

Bonjour Brioche (@bonjour_brioche)

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

Over the years, this East End favorite has cemented itself as a brunch institution in the city. The Croque Madame and the Bonjour Benny (available only on Saturdays and Sundays) are some of the bestsellers on the menu, but you can never go wrong with their assortment of freshly baked goods, such as quiches, croissants, tarts, and breads.

MENU | Brunch hours: 8am-2pm, Wednesday ; 8am-3pm, Thursday-Sunday (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)

Photo credit: ēst Restaurant

ēst Restaurant (@est.restaurant)

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

For a more upscale kind of brunch, ēst is the place for you. The modern European restaurant has taken beloved brunch items and given them an elevated, more refined iteration. Truffle Grilled Cheese, Short Rib Poutine, Chicken & Waffles with Prosciutto, Truffle Burrata–if any of these things whet your appetite, make that reservation stat.

MENU | Brunch hours: 10am-3pm, Saturday & Sunday

Photo credit: Duke’s Refresher + Bar

Duke’s Refresher + Bar (@dukesriverside)

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

Whether you’ve worked up an appetite or just looking to cure a hangover, head over to Duke’s Refresher + Bar, one of the new additions to the Riverside community. Brunch offerings include The Canadiana Benny and the Chilaquiles, which is their take on breakfast nachos. If you’re a sweet tooth, Duke’s French Toast will definitely hit the spot.

MENU | Brunch hours: 10:30am-2pm, Saturday & Sunday

Photo credit: Prohibition Social House

Prohibition Social House (@prohibitionsocialhouse)

Address: 696 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G9

Although they’re most known for their bar and late night happy hour, who says you can’t start the party early? With classics like Buttermilk Pancakes and Eggs Florentine to pair with cocktails such as the Prohibition Mimosa and the Bloody Cesar/Bloody Mary on the brunch menu, one thing’s for sure: early weekend fun is not at all prohibited.

MENU | Brunch hours: 10am-3pm, Saturday & Sunday

Photo credit: Eastbound Brewing Company

Eastbound Brewing Company (@eastboundbeer)

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

Aside from the drinks on the regular menu, they’ve also got a few additions for brunch such as the Eastbound Michelada and the seasonal Radler. For food, standouts include the Sausage & Egg Taco-tasticos and House-smoked Trout Bowl, as well as stellar vegetarian options like The Traveller Breakfast Burrito and the Crispy Eggplant Sandwich.

MENU | Brunch hours: 10am-2pm, Saturday & Sunday

For more content like this, make sure to check the Riverside BIA blog for new posts every week and follow @riverside_bia on Instagram for updates!

Listen to the Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside

Kicking off the Beaches International Jazz Festival is the “Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside”, happening on July 5-7 at Jimmie Simpson Park (870 Queen St E) in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood.

The Beaches International Jazz Festival (@beachesjazz) is a month-long music festival held each year in July in the lakeside Beaches community of Toronto along Queen Street East, which includes Riverside, Leslieville, and Woodbine. 

The annual event has come far from its humble beginnings in 1989. Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, it has become a much-anticipated summer tradition that gathers thousands of music lovers every year and has served as a platform for Canadian jazz performers to showcase their talent.

“Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside”, which is now in its fifth year, will see several local talents bring smooth jazz over a span of three days. While you’re there on July 7th, don’t miss stopping by the Riverside C’Mon Local Summer Market on 10-4 at 657 Queen E.

Here’s the lineup of performers who will be taking the Jimmie Simpson Park main stage on July 5-7:

Friday, July 5

3:30 PM – The Caradang Pincente Jazz Orchestra

7:15 PM – Chandra Raye & the Get Down

9:00 PM – Neon Nostalgic

Saturday, July 6

11:00 AM – Free swing dance lesson with Swing Toronto

11:30 AM – Martin Loomer and the Orange Devils

2:00 PM – Swing Shift Big Band

4:30 PM – Jackson Steinwall

6:00 PM – Quincy Bullen Band

7:30 PM – K-Man and the 45s

9:30 PM – Purple Rain Revisited

Sunday, July 7

11:00 AM – Christian Overton and the Composer’s Collective

1:15 PM – The Toronto Jazz Orchestra

3:30 PM – Little Magic Sam

5:30 PM – Trainwreck

For more information on the “Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside” and the rest of the Beaches International Jazz Festival’s programming, head over to the official website.

(All photos grabbed from Beaches Jazz Fest website)

Riverside C’Mon! (July): Local Summer Market

With summer in full swing, the Riverside C’Mon community event series continues with not just one but two exciting Sunday markets in July, showcasing small businesses, local products, and talent in Toronto.

Riverside C’Mon is a series of community events held at Riverside Common Park located at 657 Queen Street East in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood.

Here’s what’s happening and who’s participating in Riverside C’Mon’s Local Summer Market in the month of July:

Sunday, July 7th

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

Photo credit: Chris Oday

Toronto-based musicians Chris Oday (@chrisodayyy) and Tony Smith will be performing on July 7th to bring the good vibes. Oday is on from 11am-1pm, and Smith follows at 2pm-4pm. There will be face-painting for the kids by Laura Adams.

VENDORS

Photo credit: Ivy & Lua

Ivy & Lua (@ivyandlua)

This women of colour-owned small jewelry brand offers high-quality, hypoallergenic accessories in a variety of mediums including polymer clay, resin, gemstones/pearls, as well as gold-plated and gold-filled metals.

Photo credit: Purrfectly Playful at Riverside C’Mon

Purrfectly Playful (@purrfectlyplayful)

This female-owned business handcrafts beautiful cat toys such as luxurious natural feathered lures, sleek birch wood, spring wire wands, and refillable catnip kickers.

Photo credit: Marubashi Preserves

Marubashi Preserves (@marubashi.shop)

Bring bold new flavours to your cooking with products by Marubashi, such as pickled vegetables, spice blends, seasonings, and sauces with a focus on Japanese/Japanese-Canadian food. 

Photo credit: Link Haus

Link Haus (@link_haus)

Take your pick from over three dozen flavours of gourmet sausages from Link Haus. At the market, you can get them frozen and vacuum-sealed to take home or fresh off the grill to enjoy on the spot.

Photo credit: Sparkle – Macrame and more

Sparkle – Macrame and more (@sparkle_by_batul)

This handmade macrame business makes colourful pot holders, organizers, keychains, earrings, wall hangings, bookmarks, key holders, and more.

Sunday, July 21st 

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

For the second installment of the July Local Summer Market, DJ Stevie Kicks (@steviekicksdj) and steel drum pannist Trenyce Sweeney will be sharing their talent with Riverside. DJ Stevie Kicks goes on at 11am-1pm, and Trenyce Sweeney at 2pm-4pm. There will be face-painting for the kids by Merlin and crafts by Celina.

VENDORS

Photo credit: DC Canada Education Publishing

DC Canada Education Publishing (@dceducation)

The innovative publisher of children’s books, games, and music from Ottawa will be selling educational books, puzzles, plush toys, and more.

Photo credit: Yofiit

Yofiit (@yofiit)

This black and woman-owned vegan company creates better-for-you plant milks loaded with protein and less sugar and without gums and fillers.

Photo credit: Kallis Oils

Kallis Oils (@kallisoils)

Kallis Oils provides natural skincare, including shea and essential oils, sourced from the highest purity of plants from around the world.

These are just a few of the vendors who will be participating in the Local Summer Markets for Riverside C’Mon in July!

If you want to receive event details, perks, and promos straight to your inbox, you may RSVP here.

FYI, there will be at least one Riverside C’Mon event every month until November this year so make sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and stay updated on Riverside’s events and programming!

June 20th Riverside Vintage Crawl: All You Need To Know

Hot off the heels of the successful return of Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest just a couple weeks ago (and after a five year hiatus), the Riverside BIA is marking another milestone for the neighbourhood: the first Riverside Vintage Crawl.

On Thursday, June 20th, 6pm-10pm, Riverside’s vintage shops are coming together for a night of shopping and music. This event aims to put Riverside on the map as an up-and-coming destination for sustainable fashion and vintage goods.

From event-exclusive deals to fun challenges, here’s a rundown on everything to expect at the Riverside Vintage Crawl:

Who is participating?

The tight-knit (pun intended 😉 neighbourhood of Riverside now boasts a good number of vintage shops, each one with its unique curation of vintage clothing, accessories, and more.

PLUS a special pop-up vintage market in collaboration will be joining the mix on June 20th with the Hippie Market at Queen Garden Centre & Cafe – 771 Queen St E

Don’t miss a beat

We’re bringing back the Beats for another round of good times. It wouldn’t be a party without music, no? Come find them in the shops and at the pop-up:

  • DJ Negus at Common Sort (6-10pm)
  • DJ Tony Cicero at Ran’s Closet (6-10pm)
  • DJ Stephan Obadia at Second Voyage Vintage (7-10pm)
  • Another local DJ at Queen Garden Centre (6-10pm)

“We pay the tax”

For the duration of the Vintage Crawl, the participating shops will be covering the HST, which means all purchases made in-store during the event will be discounted for you! Yes, that’s a 13% discount on top of other deals they might have, so take advantage of this limited time offer.

Join the Vibemap Challenge

Just like Eats & Beats, the BIA has put together a fun Vibemap Challenge for the Vintage Crawl. The mechanics are simple: download and use the Vibemap app to explore the Riverside Vintage Crawl, check in to spots, and add vibes and tips. Rack up enough “Challenge Points” to increase your chances of winning prizes such as Riverside swag and gift cards from the participating vendors. The Riverside BIA will be doing a raffle after the event and awarding prizes to the winners!

*Vibemap is available to download on the App Store for Apple and Google Play for Android.

Don’t forget to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram for updates on the Riverside Vintage Crawl. You may RSVP here to get event details straight to your inbox. See you on June 20th!