There was a time, just a few decades ago, that Yonge Street between Wellington and College was the epicentre of Toronto sleaze. The venerable Massey Hall on Shuter, the original home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, gave the area some cultural heft and the legendary A&A Recordings and Sam the Record Man were meccas for vinyl lovers, but who are we kidding? Massage parlours and strip clubs ruled.
The opening of the Eaton Centre in 1977 signalled a new era, and since then the area has slowly turned into a hot spot for both high and pop culture. Massey Hall is still going strong. Go to the movies at the massive Yonge-Dundas Cineplex, see a stage show at the Elgin/Winter Garden or Mirvish theatres or just bliss out among the fountains at Yonge-Dundas Square.
It’s becoming a desirable neighbourhood in which to live, with more than 700 floors under construction at various condo developments, the Eaton Centre continues to evolve – Saks Fifth Avenue is opening this week next to the Bay at Queen – and Ryerson University has added sparkle with its new glass-walled Student Learning Centre.
Here’s where you can shop, eat and live on and around this vital strip.
Where to shop
Though we can’t tell you where to shop on Yonge Street’s entire 1,896 kilometres, we’ve got you covered when it comes to retail spots between Wellington and Gerrard.
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If it’s clothing you’re after, designer and manufacturer American Apparel (338 Yonge, 416-977-8005) specializes in cotton basics (T-shirts, hoodies, underwear, socks) for men, women, children and even pets. It also carries vintage-style accessories, shoes and racy weekend wear. Head to Urban Outfitters (235 Yonge, 416-214-1466) for urban chic, bohemian, fashion-forward and trend-setting men’s and women’s clothing and a selection of items for the home, including vinyl records and record players, candles and bedding. BC transplant 8th and Main (211 Yonge, 647-348-1222) provides urban-casual, unisex clothing and accessories.
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Ugly Dukling sneaker boutique (4 Edward) sells limited-edition brand sneakers not available to the larger chains. If you’re in the market for Rihanna’s Puma line, high-top Ewings or Reebok leather classics, this is your spot. For the minimalists, Muji (20 Dundas West, 416-591-2233) is a popular Japanese retailer of inexpensive, well-crafted clothing, housewares, travel accessories and more.
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Looking for popular brand-name watches, sunglasses and accessories? Try Watch It! (317 Yonge, 416-597-2929).
Atmosphere (2 Queen West, 416-260-1735) has a two-level store to meet all your camping and hiking needs, with seasonal clothing, shoes and outerwear on the first floor and outdoor equipment upstairs.
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One of five Toronto locations selling Japanese beauty products, Jealousy Beauty Inc (363 Yonge, 647-707-2745) carries diet supplements, face masks, makeup, specialty face creams and even herbal remedies to help a colicky baby sleep.
Health-conscious folks can find a well-stocked selection of natural food and cosmetics, vitamins, herbs and health drinks at Sweet & Natural Health Foods & Vitamins (415 Yonge, 416-595-1215).
Old-school record shop Play De Record (357A Yonge, 416-586-0380) carries vinyl, new and used CDs, and clothing rents out DJ and production equipment and offers music lessons. Head to the closing sale, on till the end of February, before the shop moves to a new location on Spadina.
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We can’t forget the strip’s centrepiece: the Eaton Centre, home to more than 175 stores and restaurants. Hyba (218 Yonge, 416-598-2065) – Reitmans’ running and activewear shop for petite to plus-size women – has a pop-up store open until March 31. For high-end bohemian-inspired women’s clothing, head to Free People (416-593-0880, freepeople.com), which opened on February 12.
Upscale New York department store Saks Fifth Avenue (176 Yonge, 416-507-3100) has opened inside the Hudson’s Bay building at Queen and Yonge, paving the way for high-end competitor Nordstrom, which launches at the Eaton Centrein the fall.
Where to Eat
Whether you’re working, playing or shopping along the Yonge strip, you need to fuel up. So check out these resto tips.
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Breakfasts on this strip are best eaten at the Senator (249 Victoria, 416-364-7517). Slide into a carved-wood booth and chow down on massive, fluffy banana pancakes or the sleeper hit of the brunch menu, a huevos rancheros platter that features an entire chorizo with Mexican fixings. If you feel your caffeine levels running low, grab a cup and soak in the atmosphere at Dineen Coffee Co. (140 Yonge, 416-900-0949) or Balzac’s (122 Bond, 416-597-1700).
Those looking to do lunch on the cheap should head (as most Torontonians do) straight for Banh Mi Boys (399 Yonge, 416-977-0303) and its budget-friendly baguette sandwiches. If a sloppy, saucy Italian panino is more your speed, Toronto-bred California Sandwiches (435 Yonge, 416-901-1973) does one of the city’s top veal sandwiches, and TLP (15 Elm, 416-662-3546) makes hearty butcher-shop-inspired sammies, including a classic Toronto peameal.
David Laurence
The Banh Mi Boys taco
Paramount Fine Foods (253 Yonge, 416-366-3600) is a surefire crowd-pleaser, with its puffy, warm-from-the-oven pita and other Middle Eastern faves?
David Laurence
Sustaining downtown shoppers and the Ryerson student population alike, Salad King (340 Yonge, 416-593-0333) serves curries and pad thai (follow their legendary spicing system carefully) in a gleaming setting on a second floor above Yonge.
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Salad King
Offering a more refined atmosphere, La Bettola di Terroni (106 Victoria, 416-504-9998) presents extra-simple twists on the southern Italian recipes that have made the chain a local staple (think cacio e pepe pasta or smoked swordfish carpaccio). The Queen and Beaver (35 Elm, 647-347-2712) marries English pub with country mansion, serving poached hen and scallop-snapper bisque alongside corned beef and potato pie and one heck of a hand-chopped burger.
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On the other end of the classiness scale: the Imperial Pub (54 Dundas East, 416-977-4667), a venerable Ryerson drinking hole with a menu of fried chow and a decent selection of craft beer, and newcomer Duke’s Refresher (382 Yonge St #8, 416-979-8529), which has an absolutely mammoth lineup of craft suds.
Don’t miss our advertising feature about more Yonge Street businesses here.
