Once down at the heels, South Riverdale is
now chockablock with galleries, restaurants
and boutiques, such as Lea-Ann Belter
Bridal at 785 Queen Street East
Real Estate Guide › East
South Riverdale
- Average 2008 sale price:
- $434,180
- Property crime:
- average
- Crime against people:
- average
- Neighbourhood map:
- See map
With the gentrification of Queen East almost complete, South Riverdale, which encompasses Leslieville, has become a trendy neighbourhood where young professionals and creative types wander past hip cafés, hot restaurants, chic boutiques and oodles of funky furniture stores. Beyond the main strip, the area has a lot going for it: the generous amount of green space includes Greenwood Park (for outdoor swimming, baseball and an ice rink), the Leslie Street Spit (the city’s best birdie venue) and Cherry Beach. This idyllic combination of fashion, nature and convenience comes at a price, however. Semis that once went for under $300,000 now start at $400,000 and up. Public transit users mostly rely on streetcars to ferry them over the Don to downtown.
HOUSING STOCK: The area is a mix of charming Victorian and Edwardian brick semis and row houses, post-war stock and newer townhouses. Most abodes come with character, or reno opportunities. Lots tend to be smaller, with narrow fronts and driveways. The finest houses are between Queen and Dundas.
BARGAIN ZONES: Real bargains are hard to come by, but prices tend to be lower between Eastern and the industrial lands to the south. Properties next to the railway, which cuts diagonally through the neighbourhood, go cheaper.
THE VERDICT: With its “It” neighbourhood status and relative affordability, buyers come looking for more space than a condo provides. Large families may find the houses slightly cramped.
NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Brick Street Breads This satellite location of the much-loved Distillery District bakery provides fresh and organic baguettes and loaves of bread. 255 Logan Ave., 416-465-6808.
Ed’s Real Scoop Customers brave long lines for the deliciously creamy house-made ice cream at this friendly parlour, once a Beach exclusive. 920 Queen St. E., 416-406-2525.
T&T Supermarket This sprawling Asian market has Chinatown’s selection, plus the ease of one-stop shopping. 222 Cherry St., 416-463-8113.
Nearby Restaurants
Khan Baba
Located on a desolate stretch of Eastern Avenue, this large, nondescript, tile-floored room bills itself ... (1.21 km away)
Celline Garden Restaurant
This slightly worn but still attractive dining room makes a more elegant eat-in alternative to ... (1.33 km away)
Fare Bistro
This little sliver of Leslieville plays it safe—unfussy decor, a simple menu of bistro favourites—yet ... (1.33 km away)
Baldini
Selections at this unpretentious, terra cotta–walled trattoria lean toward the traditional: penne alla vodka, spaghettini ... (1.33 km away)
Sushi Marché
(1.33 km away)
Mr. Greek Mediterranean Grill
Mediterranean comes to the Beach with this sunny offshoot of the hometown Greek chain. Locals ... (1.34 km away)
Le Café Vert
The appropriately coloured storefront quickly fills with a 20-something crowd on weekends. The layout (two ... (1.35 km away)
Nearby Shopping and Services
Laura K Design
Keep it simple. That’s the mantra of graphic designer Laura K. Beauparlant, who specializes in ... (1.18 km away)
Garden’s Path
A favourite of brides on a budget, this shop has a reputation for creative designs ... (1.30 km away)
Kristapsons
Smoked salmon is Kristapsons’ specialty; in fact, it’s all they do. Andris Grinbergs and his ... (1.32 km away)
Leslieville Cheese Market and Fine Foods
Here, one can give a patriotic salute to Canadian artisanal cheeses and the usual suspects ... (1.34 km away)
Mercury Espresso Bar
This outpost for the Leslieville creative class boasts hip (if a little loud) music, fashionable ... (1.35 km away)
Brick Street Bakery
Exposed-brick walls, worn wooden floors, and sacks of flour, whole grains and seeds are stacked ... (1.36 km away)
Rowe Farms
Guelph-based Rowe Farms, a long-time poultry supplier, has finally hung out its own Toronto shingles, ... (1.36 km away)
Commuting
- King and Bay:
- 3.7 km
- 401 and 400:
- 16.6 km
- Gardiner and 427:
- 17.8 km
- Subways:
- Pape Station 3.3 km
- Chester Station 3.4 km
- Donlands Station 3.4 km
Commuting and subway distances measured from neighbourhood centre.
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