Overview
The West End of Toronto has everything a neighborhood just outside the downtown core should have. It’s slightly quieter, with less traffic, but isn’t short on culture and lively events. In the midst of Parkdale’s ongoing gentrification, here you can find trendy bars like The Yukon, a thriving thrift store scene and a variety of Tibetan restaurants specializing in chili momo’s, yummy dumplings that just might get you through the winter. Then there’s the cozy, quaint and welcoming neighborhood of Roncesvalles, with its thriving Polish community, annual festival and gorgeous small town streets lined with cafes. The Junction area is now an industrial artists haven, full of galleries with great reputations like Katzman Contemporary and Arsenal Toronto. Explore the ethnic enclaves of Little Italy or Little Portugal and the largest park situated entirely within the city of Toronto, High Park. With all of this, it’s easy to see why Toronto’s West End is the hippest part of the city.
Best For
Thrifting and bar hopping on the western fray of West Queen West into Parkdale.
Homes
Victorian homes of various sizes, typically with around 3 bedrooms are common in the West End’s more suburban areas. Many of the homes in the West End also feature stone fireplaces, particularly around High Park and Bloor West Village. Condos are also popular in Liberty Village catering the young people who want to work in Liberty Village’s art and design studios or tech startups that are so popular in this area of the city.
Fun Facts
Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, but even it has an area in Toronto to call its own. Little Malta is located in the Junction and its most iconic feature is the Malta Bake Shop where you can try a variety of unique ethnic pastries filled with various cheeses, nuts and dried fruit.
Why We Love West End
High Park. With a third of the park still in its natural state, a rare oak savannah can be found here. Come to explore nature, go for a swim, picnic or visit the resident zoo, where you can find wallabies and peacocks. With lots of opportunities to learn you can also visit the Colborne Museum Lodge, the High Park Nature Centre or watch a Shakespeare in the Park play.