The 'Food & Wine' magazine placed the St. Lawrence Market among the 25 best markets in the world. You won't find a better place in the town for fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Not to mention exotic foods from every ethnic corner. The historic St. Lawrence neighbourhood also has over 50 vendors offering some of the best delicatessens and restaurants in the city, with a wide range of speciality foods, deli meats, fish and seafood, baked goods and gourmet teas and coffees. Opening hours differ for the farmers market and south market.
Known in the 1930s as the Jewish Market, Kensington today is an awesome display of the city's multi-ethnicity. Here you will find shops packed with products from Europe, Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia and you will hear dozens of languages spoken. A visit to this neighborhood is like taking a trip around the world! With more than 100 shops in all selling everything from second-hand clothing to fresh produce, from exotic pastries to art objects and furniture, you won't go away empty-handed.
Eaton Centre is a must visit place in Toronto. Even if you have no desire to shop, make sure to at least look around this six million square foot glass-roofed arcade. Located between Dundas and Queen on Yonge Street, it is as exquisite as it is vast. With five levels, over 320 stores and restaurants, you will need more than a day to make your way through this shopping wonderland. The center is conveniently sandwiched between two subway stations and is steps away from many of Toronto's hottest attractions.
Dr. Flea's Flea Market is touted to be the largest of its kind in the city. This weekend market was established in 1987 and features an indoor and outdoor shopping area. From collectibles to cosmetics, home products to clothing, comic books to records and food stalls to farmer's market, there is plenty to shop about. You will also find nail salons, hairdressers, bakeries, poultry and delis. With more than 400 vendors, you will get some great bargain deals here.
Just one street over from this trendy strip is the Ontario College of Art and Design, Queen Street West is one of the top shopping streets in the city. When young artists graduated and were desperate for cash, they would bring their treasures here to sell. Soon small shops stuffed with unique items began popping up on Queen Street West. Today, you can still find unusual gifts from cool clothing to antique comics either in the stores or from one of the many friendly street vendors. It's also a hot spot for restaurants and bars such as the Epicure Cafe, the Rivoli and the Queen Mother Cafe.
At 1.6 million square feet (148,645 square metres), Yorkdale Shopping Centre is one among the largest shopping centers in Canada. Shopaholics will be thrilled to find more than 250 of Toronto's most fashionable stores at their disposal to hunt for some of the best apparel and accessories. Its year round customer service programs include gift wrapping, free strollers and wheelchairs, faxing service, valet parking and car cleaning, external security patrols and a lost and found service.
The Holt Renfrew specialty store carries exclusive designer fashions comparable to Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy's in the United States. The chain began early as a hat shop in Quebec City, Canada. You can browse through the private Holt Renfrew collection to find stuff that will still set you apart.
Nicolas is a brand name to be reckoned for elegant dressing. The brainchild of Nicolas Kalatzis, their collections are tailor-made according to your style and are known for their amazing fittings. Their expert staff will guide you through the designer wears to make your own fashion statement.
Louis Vuitton has has been critically acclaimed as the most valuable brand on this planet in the category of luxury fashion. Few can afford the merchandise of this premier French fashion house but there is nothing to parallel the satisfaction of owning a monogrammed Louis Vuitton luggage or jewelry. This Toronto corner store is situated in a pristine white building with glass windows displaying the expensive merchandise inside. Shop for coin purses and compact wallets in premium leather dyed in rare hues, deluxe inks, pens and crystal inkwells, and diamond charms, lockets and bracelets. Though, historically, Louis Vuitton was synonymous with trend-setting trunks and travel gear, today, its prêt-à-porter apparel for women and men is just as popular, creating waves on the international fashion scene. So if you're in a mood to splurge in thousands, make a purchase from this boutique and join ranks with international royalty and celebrities.
Feel like you've stepped into the French countryside when you visit this Toronto shop. Featuring fine French linens, tableware, and home decor, the simple white washed beauty of these items are sure to add the perfect finishing touch to your home. Personal fragrances, ornate jewelry, and delicate children's clothing and toys can also be found here. Find stunning antique glass lamps, and ostrich feather throws to cozy up your living room or pearl napkin rings and silver serving platters to wow your dinner guests. You're sure to find something that strikes your fancy.
If you're looking for stylish apparel at reasonable prices, Joe Fresh is a great option to go to. With over 12 individual stores across Toronto, Joe Fresh is known for its trendy designs for men and women. Using fresh colors, comfortable fabrics and a youthful fashion sense, these stores are often sought by teenagers and young adults. Located on Carlton Street, this outlet is a part of the Maple Leaf Gardens. This Church & Wellesley store also boasts of a good collection of accessories like shoes, bags, swimwear, belts and a selection of clothing for babies and toddlers.
The boutique of Advice From A Caterpillar is as catchy as its name. You will find a curated collection of vintage as well as modern and minimalist apparel and accessories. Its clothing lines, toys, books and home decor products exhibit globe-spanning trends, inspired from diverse historic eras. Kids can show off their fashions as proudly as adults, with flared dresses from the 1950s, Wovenplay party dresses in delicate materials like satin, leather bags, and t-shirts in classy hues with artistic prints. The toys are designed for a gradation of age groups and comprise of colorful planes, rockets, tractors and robots, as well as stuffed animals like chipmunks and circus elephants. Gift your children their own unique space enhanced with quirky items from this store, which include rocking chairs, crochet animals, multi-colored chimes, wall stickers, musical mobiles, rocking horses and animal globes.