The Roncesvalles Guide: Our 25 favourite eating and shopping destinations along Parkdale’s Polish drag

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Referred to as Little Poland by long-time residents and Roncey by the younger crowd, the Roncesvalles strip is one of the few neighbourhoods in the city that has earned its “hip” label without been invaded by raucous nightlifers. Progress keeps marching forward here, despite an ongoing road rehabilitation project that has claimed a few business causalities. We recommend spending a spring Saturday visiting these 25 spots. By Karon Liu. Pictures by Jenna Wakani.

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by Karon Liu April 22, 2010 at 4:01 am

41 Comments

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Rainbow Songs over, say The Mercantile? Seriously?
And where’s the Revue and She said Boom?
April 22, 2010 at 5:52 am | by Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite
A more serious omission: The Intersteer!
April 22, 2010 at 6:44 am | by Jason
And where’s Dressers–a Roncy go-to for great affordable fashion? How about Kennel Cafe — the ‘hood is dog paradise afterall? And Pollock’s…sure it’s a Home Hardware chain, but family-run and filled with great staff who know their nuts and bolts.
April 22, 2010 at 6:56 am | by Karen
Yeah, who doesn’t love hanging out at a hardware store on a Saturday afternoon in spring?
April 22, 2010 at 8:25 am | by Jonas
Thanks for the wonderful south-to-north tour along one of Toronto’s most enjoyable neighbourhood high streets. I see you had to make some hard decisions on your top 25. HOWEVER, I think you have missed two establishments that for me define the strip, the Revue Cinema (possibly the best independent cinema in the city) and Gate 403 (one of the few remaining jazz and blues bars in town).
April 22, 2010 at 8:45 am | by Andy
How about getting someone who actually LIVES in the area to write about the best spots to visit. Just sayin’.
April 22, 2010 at 9:21 am | by Ana
Not a bad list but not great either…….Have to agree with most of the comments above – without Intersteer (intimate patio in back, the “regulars” who seem like characters from a movie), The Mercantile and the Revue on the list, you missed the boat.
April 22, 2010 at 9:31 am | by Natalie
To the commenters above, I don’t live in the area but I already know about the Revue Cinema. I’ve been there a bunch of times. This roundup didn’t need to include it.

I suspect Toronto Life’s goal was to inspire a weekend jaunt over to Roncey, and in this they fully hit the mark. Tons of places in this roundup I didn’t know about. Tons of new reasons to make a trek over there. If you’re a retailer listed among these 25, be prepared for your business to double, especially after the streetcar roadworks debacle.
April 22, 2010 at 9:44 am | by Alexander
Great roundup. I appreciate the concentration on “lower roncesvalles” too, we’ve been left out for a long time. Go LoRo!
April 22, 2010 at 9:57 am | by Christian
Great Roncey list! However I would just make two suggestions – For the best although not really advertised treat at Granowska’s ask for a thin waffle roll that is filled with fresh whipped cream upon order – simple but delicious!!! Chopin restaurant is good however Polonez is the premiere Polish restaurant – confirmed by the traffic in and out of the place – excellant food!
April 22, 2010 at 11:11 am | by Yvonne
Toronto has fabulous neighborhoods! RT @toronto_life: The Roncesvalles Guide: drag http://bit.ly/cfc4W7

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April 22, 2010 at 11:22 am | by Remax2000Realty
And for incredible pizza how about Homebaked Pizza Company? As a resident of Ronces for almost 15 years, it was a welcome addition to the neighbourhood!
April 22, 2010 at 12:29 pm | by Michelle
It’s unfortunate that your article totally ignored some stores that were there from the beginning of the area when it was “Little Germany” – the last German store from that era is The Old Country Shop- it’s been open for 48 years on Roncey’s. How about Pollock’s Hardware? Shame that the past is so soon forgotten.
April 22, 2010 at 12:30 pm | by Bean
Glad to see Mrs. Huizenga’s on the list but The Mercantile was a serious omission. Also totally agree that The Intersteer and Homebaked Pizza should be represented. There’s no need to list every coffee shop on Roncey (outside of the chains). You can’t walk up the street without tripping over them. Maybe pick a couple that are standouts or institutions (my picks would be Cherry Bomb & Alternative Grounds).
April 22, 2010 at 12:37 pm | by funkybarb
Some of my best days in Toronto have started with a coffee and scone from Cherry Bomb followed by a walk through the park. Cherry Bomb: You have my heart.
April 22, 2010 at 1:23 pm | by Josh D
Agreed that Revue should have been included.
My recommendations…
chocolate brownie from Mabels and korean short ribs from Rowe Farms. hello deliciousness!
April 22, 2010 at 5:04 pm | by Toronto Jen
Roncesvalles is terrible. I would stay away. Ok fine, some consider it the last remaining true “old” Toronto neighborhood; some may find its little quirks — like the weekly Sorauren farmers market or Pumpkin festival at Halloween, or true old school hockey rink built overtop a baseball diamond in winter, charming– but really, it’s not that good. Go to Leslieville, or Ossington, or College Street. Anywhere. But. Here. Roncesvalles is hard to get to, anyway. It’s uphill, which would exhaust you. There are lots of old people, and old people smell funny. You have to walk through Parkdale, and it’s dangerous, because of, you know, Those People. You’ll probably get harassed for change. Who likes change, anyway. Okay, fine, you can visit. But only once. And you can’t have the duck. But if you go, please be like Karon and give yourself a misspelled hipster name and Tweet about your time there. They’d love that. And you can make a list just like Karon’s, avoiding half of the local-local spots, and instead suggest a half dozen places locals would never go, places run by her friends Myke and Dahna and Cat. Yeah, do that. That would be ok.
April 22, 2010 at 6:00 pm | by Sasha
Dressers is a must (missed?) on this list. Ania Skin Care is a great little beauty salon as well. you need about 25 more spots on this list!
April 22, 2010 at 9:40 pm | by Julie
Sasha – that was the best post ever – totally made my night! thank you :)
April 23, 2010 at 8:14 pm | by shawn
So many awesome spots missed, Benna’s – the best deli on the street on the south end, also Chicago Meats – another great deli at the north end. Didnt mention any of the drug stores, with the great personal service, or Bistro 299, what a fabolous restaurant, and Tangerine Salon, what a great crew, and also The Village Spa, amazing little day spa with the personal touch from Nicole the owner/operator.
April 24, 2010 at 2:30 am | by AL
What about Another Story Bookshop. It was nominated as one of the top 3 independent bookstores in Canada by the Canadian Booksellers Association last year and no mention in Toronto Life!!! It has books that I can’t find elsewhere. Another Story is my favourite bookstore in the city, not just on Roncesvalles.
April 24, 2010 at 6:19 pm | by Mona Morrison
Best cabbage rolls in Canada are from the Super Kobasa
April 24, 2010 at 9:24 pm | by Sandie
I am very disappointed in this article – it really shows a TOTAL lack of understanding of both neighbourhoods and neighbourhood businesses. I am disappointed at a list of 25 great spots that includes a second-rate secondhand bookstore but ignores one of Toronto’s most innovative and exciting independent bookstores – a real gem in this city – Another Story — with a collection of titles for that is chosen with real care and thought and has the best children’s book section in the country! Why is a venue that is neither shop nor eatery included rather than the Revue movie theatre with its fabulous programming – it’s not just a repertory film house but does some innovative series programming as well ? And why aren’t any of the great Thai spots here? Toronto Life once again fails to adequately represent a real neighbourhood because it hasn’t really done it’s homework!
April 25, 2010 at 9:03 am | by Jeffrey CANTON
Love my hood love my shop and so does Toronto Life http://tinyurl.com/2fa2v4w

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April 25, 2010 at 5:17 pm | by saraPlanetkid
I too am very disappointed with this article and with Toronto Life for having published it. I’m pretty sure that most of you would agree that Vincent Sushi is not a good restaurant. Cheap raw fish? Sounds farmed! Scary.

Also, why the heavy focus on South Roncesvalles? Karen certainly does not live in the neighborhood and has not provided us, the readers of Toronto Life, with well-thought journalism. Shame.
April 27, 2010 at 7:36 am | by Matt
I really hate how Toronto Life Online insists on putting lists of this number over as many pages. I wish they’d stop doing it this way and put at least 5 on a page. Once, they had 50 pages for a list of 50 things. I lose patience after about 3 clicks- each one accompanied by an annoying pause, even though I have ultra high speed internet and a fast computer.
April 27, 2010 at 8:15 am | by me
How could they miss River Restaurant our cit’s most successful social enterprises. Shame on you Toronto Life – River serves great food and solves the problem of no experience no job double bind for Toronto’s at risk young people.
April 27, 2010 at 8:52 am | by simon leenhouts
Gee, “eating and drinking” at all those clothing boutiques sounds DELICIOUS.
April 27, 2010 at 11:08 am | by Leah
Brad’s??? Really?? Never ad a good experience.
April 27, 2010 at 12:23 pm | by Bettes
The article is titled “Our 25 favourite eating and shopping destinations…” so not having the Revue on the list makes sense. (not knocking the Revue of course!)
The list isn’t bad at all, although there are a few good things that were missed.
For neighbourhood folks, Pollock’s home hardware has a terrific staff; I don’t really like the Mercantile – a bit pricey, and Qi (healthfood store), carries alot of the same products.
Kennel Cafe is also terrific, with a really friendly helpful staff.

A new gem in the neighbourhood, although its closer to Dundas St is MariClaRo, at 457 Roncesvalles. AWESOME handmade bags and accessories from many different local canadian craftspeople. That should be on the list!
It complements shopping at Frock, etc.
April 27, 2010 at 5:46 pm | by hc
I need to agree with “me” up there.
The way Toronto Life online publishes lists, each item on a separate page, makes for cumbersome reading and just annoys your readers.
I understand this is done to maximize ad space, but give us a break! Listing a few items per page would still give you numerous pages to sell ad space.
April 28, 2010 at 10:28 am | by Lelli
Screw you Sasha! You are obviously from the east end, and can’t wait for 5 years until the east becomes cool again. Ronces is an awesome neighbourhood, and the “old people” show that it is a true neighbourhood, full of families, young professionals, and yes hipsters, but at least it’s not consumed by hipsters, who invade areas and start up narrow venue bars and cafes and then abandon the area when it gets played out. On a side note I agree with the other posts that the list is a little heavy on lower Ronces, but still shows some of what the neighbourhood has to offer. Oh and I’d rather walk through Parkdale and be approached by passive crackheads for change, than Moss Park and be scared to death. Parkdale was also featured in Now magazine as one of the hottest areas in Toronto, so obviously you’re not up on your game. Wrongbar is the leading Electronica bar in Toronto, while places like The Parkdale Drink and Blondies are great places to party; all of which are walking distance (downhill) from Ronces. The thing that makes me so upset about this post is your complete lack of knowledge on the area, Ronces had its streetcar rails ripped up to have water mains replaced and that created over a year of constant construction which resulted in multiple businesses closing, if anything Ronces needs this boost, so thank you Toronto Life.
April 28, 2010 at 10:44 pm | by Brad
Brad. You obviously missed the point of Sasha’s post. It was a brilliant tongue in cheek praising of Ronces, while at the same time criticizing the author’s obvious lack of knowledge about the neighborhood. The L.A. Story reference about the duck made me howl.
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Did anyone read this article who’s not from the Roncey/High Park neighbourhood?
May 20, 2010 at 4:11 pm | by Gerrard
Roncesvalles – okay, I’m not cool, but I’m cool with that – is indeed a place with more than 25 great places. But, some days are better than orthers; that is true of any location in any city.

But Sasha’s comments are not “tongue in cheek” when they offend. Humour at the expense of anyone else is not funny. Substitute “women”, “gays”, “blacks”.”Scots” for the odour reference and see how unfunny, un”tongue in cheek” it is.
Sasha needs to develop a true sense of humour, so that one can tell what he or she truly thinks.

As to the other comments, they are honest, enlightening, poignant, and funny at times. Thank you for giving me so many new doors to open, uphill or down.
June 2, 2010 at 9:56 am | by Richard
Completely agree with “me” as well, I hate reading Toronto Life articles posted likes this over 27 page. Very frustrating.
June 3, 2010 at 2:59 pm | by Kane
not sure if Sasha is a resident and wants to scare people away. Seems like she/he (not sure which – maybe if s/he changed the spelling a bit to help us understand?) certainly likes to get negative – even if it is tongue in cheek. I live right on Roncy and I can say that all the 25 places listed, and all the other ones (Review, Dressers, Mercantile, Another Story) are fantastic. Its a really great old neighborhood with a new kind of buzz – maybe as the kids who were all born there 4, 8, 12 and 15 years ago start growing up and getting social lives we will see another kind of nightlife. BUt for now its a day life place, with tons of kids of all ages – and a really good place to spend some time, rain or shine.
June 14, 2010 at 12:41 pm | by Jim
This is by far the best, coolest and most genuine of Toronto’s neighbourhoods. I grew up nearby, even went to the nearby high school and I have always loved it for its people (which has always been a mix of old, young, everyone in between, professionals, old timers, etc.) who have kept the neighbourhood authentic and fun without any pretension, which unfortunately, has become a rare thing in this beautiful city.

To those who point out the flaws in the article of shops missed, you’re right! To who wrote the article, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to enjoy the neighbourhood more because this neighbourhood really has more than at first meets the eye. As an aside, its location is amazing as well–next to High Park, walking distance to the lake, close enough to take a street car across College St. (from the park). What’s really best is that it’s kind of a secret, so please everybody, shhhhhh!
June 16, 2010 at 7:11 pm | by liz
this list sucks! where is intersteer? krak? benna’s? the revue? abysmal! is this the gentrifier’s guide to roncey?
June 17, 2010 at 1:05 pm | by mike
The Mercantile is a horrible place. It caters to people who need to pay seventeen dollars for a bottle of vinegar in order to feel good about themselves.

The newer businesses on Roncesvalles are transforming a once cool and unique street into a yuppie strip mall. Every article like this just accelerates the destruction of the place.

I’m with Sasha, please stay away from Roncesvalles. You’ll hate it.
June 25, 2010 at 9:20 pm | by jiminy

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Neighbourhoods