The east end’s main thoroughfare has long been known for two things: Greek food and the Taste of the Danforth. Over the past many years, though, homebuyers drawn to the subway line have slowly turned the long strip of two-storey brick buildings into a bustling neighbourhood that has attracted a rich selection of fine shops, independent coffee houses, Thai joints and haute cuisine restaurants. The Danforth has reached a wonderful maturity that we think should be celebrated. Here are 21 of the best reasons to cross the viaduct.
You missed El Pipil – -I love this store as I can always find interesting gifts whether they be something for the dining room, clothes, purses, or jewellery. And, it’s very affordable
June 10, 2010 at 8:48 am | by dBroadview Espresso is worth the trip alone.
June 10, 2010 at 8:53 am | by Patrick LawCyclemania is also worth mentioning, and Balisi for great shoes.
June 10, 2010 at 10:16 am | by KimYou missed Pulp paper shop. I love going in there – I always find something.
http://sevendollarpants.com/
June 10, 2010 at 10:23 am | by Seven Dollar PantsStrange that Grassroots Environmental Products is not on the list – I feel like this store is the glue that holds together the funkiness, the consciousness and the convenience of the Danforth. Check them out at http://www.grassrootsstore.com
June 10, 2010 at 10:25 am | by tedOh, I would add Moksha Yoga Danforth to that list as well – what a great place to get a good sweat going on in a cozy and friendly atmosphere!
June 10, 2010 at 10:26 am | by tedhttp://www.mokshayogadanforth.com
you didn’t go very far east !
June 10, 2010 at 10:32 am | by R Laniganthere’s a plethora of magnificent restaurants, boutiques, art & craft stores, bakeries, butcheries etc…all the way to Woodbine Avenue and beyond…
This should really have been called ‘The Riverdale Guide” for the two blocks it encompassed.
an ok list, i guess, but how did you miss the only cafe?!
June 10, 2010 at 11:24 am | by agent47It’s hard to pick just 21! I have lived here for 20 years with three kids….so we’ve been around. I would have added Lolita’s Lust, for it’s fab food and great low-keyness (!), Moss, for it’s great indoors-out merchandise, and Mezes, a traditional Greek place where my kids have known the same waiters since birth.
June 10, 2010 at 4:24 pm | by MaraI agree! Sweet Tooth is the best and the staff there are very friendly and helpful!
June 10, 2010 at 4:43 pm | by Carole NellesHow is Drysdale & Co not on this list?? Best place for fun cards, gifts and accessories…could spend hours in there! http://drysdaleandco.com
Also Envelop for simple, beautifully made clothing and El Pipil for affordable clothes and good gifty items too.
June 11, 2010 at 9:16 am | by riverdalefanWow, so The Danforth! It’s Called 21 Favourite Spots. Not, Heres a list of every store on the street. Stop your whining and self promotion of your own business, you didn’t make the list get over it. As for the stores you miss, perhaps if people who live on the Danforth Shopped the Danforth the store’s would still be there and we would not have endless Dollar Store, Nail Shops and empty store fronts. This street is dying a slow cruel death thanks to self importance of the people who live here. Shop were you live, support the small business and get over yourselves.
June 11, 2010 at 12:19 pm | by DouglasUm, Douglas, “comments” sections are for people to add their 2 cents, which people have done constructively and with enthusiasm, pointing out that beyond just 21 places there are even more great things in the area. You’re negativity and nastiness isn’t helping anyone.
June 12, 2010 at 1:37 pm | by bobLOVE dash kitchen. Scones are the best in the city! and the meatloaf and the chicken are my faves. Also the only place i can find that carmelized onion compote in the city.
June 12, 2010 at 2:09 pm | by mike ryanWell BOB, my 2 cents was my option. If you don’t like, tough the truth hurts. When I may my comments there was only 2 positive remarks about the stores they talked about. The rest was whining “why isn’t” ” I would have chose ”
June 12, 2010 at 2:19 pm | by DouglasReality is there once was tons on wonderful stores on this street, that was until they all started shopping at the box stores. ” we have to say money for our kids”. Now there is empty store front, bums everywhere, crime is up, and the people are self important. And you proved my point BOB, you made no comments on the street stores listed, you just attacked mine!
How far East is this Neighbourhood? You missed Walima Cafe- the first Moroccan Restaurant to be on the Danforth (just west of Coxwell). Nice atmosphere with lanterns and carpets. It’s a small resto but cozy and serving tasty tagines and couscous. There are more than just 21 stores on Danforth, I guess if they listed everyone it wouldn’t be a favourite list. Maybe making separate shopping fave list and a dining fave list would help.
June 15, 2010 at 7:41 am | by aliyaThis was a pretty bleah list. Nothing exciting. Also, having one per page is annoying. Click, re-adjust screen, look at entry, re-adjust screen, click….
June 15, 2010 at 11:50 am | by Mary EvaLove the Globe Bistro.
However, it’s utterly odd that whoever wrote this piece equates professional women with women who are 30 and older (Negash & Dessa). There are plenty of professional women younger than 30, and there are plenty of women 30 and up who are not professionals, and/or unprofessional.
June 15, 2010 at 11:12 pm | by M-A-POMG! I used to go there a lot when I was a SWAPPER! such nice memories :)!!
June 15, 2010 at 11:54 pm | by pattinMy wife and I live east of Toronto in Newcastle and whenever we are in the city, we finish off our day with a sumptuous meal at Mezes. We were recommended to Mezes by friends 12 years ago. We have now developed a personal relationship with the staff and the food has remained consistently delicious. A recipe for satisfied customers! OPA!
June 16, 2010 at 11:56 am | by Willie Wooi think in regards to the fact that everyone has different needs and wants the 21 favourites of ONE magazine at a certain point in time should just be something to inform you about cool places..i’ve found word of mouth travels faster in this neck of the woods anyways so this should give people more of a perspective, if anything, on who they deem worthy of their business
June 20, 2010 at 11:16 pm | by avaand i for one am glad tabula rasa made the list! fashionista’s everywhere: this shop is for you!
My favorite Danforth haunts are Drysdale & Co. and Mocha Mocha. I got to MM every Friday for eggs! Also, I know there’s one in every neighborhood, but the Danforth Book City is fantastic!
June 21, 2010 at 12:28 pm | by JIf you want to head a little further East to Woodbine and Danforth, Relish is a great little restaurant. Delish!!!
July 2, 2010 at 7:17 pm | by TyWhere is Grassroots, Bookcity and Ten Thousand Villages?!
July 5, 2010 at 12:43 am | by PriyankaI would have added Seven Numbers , they always continue to amaze me .uhmn sexy duck
July 7, 2010 at 11:52 pm | by AndresI have lived in the Danforth/Riverdale area since 97. I can’t say it is better or worse than it used to be. All I know is that it is a geat place to shop, dine, and drink. No neighborhood is perfect, but I feel very fortunate to live here. There really is something for almost everyone.
July 19, 2010 at 4:36 pm | by JohnI don’t agree that Sweet Tooth belongs here. They don’t bake anything themselves – it’s all ordered in. There are better bakeries in the area that bake their own goods.
For the people moaning about the list not including anything further east, let’s face it. There isn’t much to offer. Sure there are some great places like The Only, Danforth Pizza House and Relish, but for every good place you will find ten horrible places that you would not step foot in.
Think of that Taco King joint at Donlands. They opened up, served disgusting food and closed in a couple weeks. That’s the Danforth east of Jones.
Plenty of young people are moving in the area so hopefully some decent bars, restaurants and shops will follow. When Tim Horton’s or does not have a shop for blocks, that says something (although Esso is bringing one in the coming weeks).
July 19, 2010 at 5:15 pm | by SteveWow TL – you made it all the way to Carlaw. Another article about all the places the white people like to go. How about you get out of the BMW next time and walk a little further down the Danforth to find some more restaurants.
July 25, 2010 at 10:14 pm | by DaveHow Messini is not on this list shows the writer doesn’t venture past Jackman that often. Great gyro which comes close to what you’d have in Greece. You can take a picture of the line up at 2:30am and decide where people favorite spot is.
August 13, 2010 at 3:34 pm | by BobYou missed one of the most unique spots on the street- a small business person opening up a shop that reflects the passion of the owner. Fermentations, a Danforth fixture for 17 years has been a mecca for people that love great beer and wine, and want to have a hand in making it their own. The shop has constantly punched above its weight, producing wines and beer that consistently outscore commercial products costing three times more. Danforth needs more stores like this- high quality, owner operated, and unique.
August 13, 2010 at 4:44 pm | by cfThis list is simply an example of the writer being snooty, thinking that quality equals to anything that is an imitation-Yorkville lifestyle. The fact that this list barely pasts Chester and that most stores on this list seems like a yuppie’s wetdream rather than a reflection of true gems give this no credibility whatsoever. There are some great little mom and pop type shops that aren’t the most glamourous but great little spots and are worthwhile to check out. They won’t charge you an arm and a leg for pretentiousness either.
August 13, 2010 at 11:10 pm | by Yogi Bear