The Brooklyn
of Toronto is
West Queen West.
The case for West Queen West
The stretch between Bathurst and Gladstone on West Queen West is all record shops, late-night bars, and restaurants that punch way above their weight. On summer weekends, Trinity Bellwoods Park fills with cheap tallboys and dog walkers. The Ossington strip alone could keep you fed and drunk for a week straight.
The Ossington strip packs over 30 independent bars and restaurants into a single 600-metre stretch between Queen and Dundas.
Close contenders
Other cool neighborhoods in Toronto.
Kensington Market
Kensington Market is the chaotic heart of Toronto. Vintage shops spilling onto sidewalks, $3 empanadas, fish markets next to punk bars. Go on a Sunday when they close the streets to cars.
Davenport
Davenport is the quiet creative corridor running along the escarpment between Dupont and St. Clair. Portuguese bakeries, small galleries, and studios that spill into Dundas West. More neighborhood than scene.
Davenport
Davenport is the quiet creative corridor running along the escarpment between Dupont and St. Clair. Portuguese bakeries, small galleries, and studios that spill into Dundas West. More neighborhood than scene.
Three sides of the neighborhood
Where to go in West Queen West.
All 24 spots mapped out
West Queen West, corner to corner.
Our 24 top picks
The West Queen West guide.
Practical info
Good to know.
The boring numbers that decide whether you stay three days or four.
| Currency | CAD |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Cost level | $$$Moderate to expensive |
| Best months | September into early October |
| Local time | UTC-4 |
| Plug type | US plug · 120V/60Hz |
| Emergency | 911 |
Local tip
The best slice of pizza in the neighborhood is at Bitondo's on Clinton Street. Cash only, no seating, perfect pepperoni.
North America · Canada
If you like Toronto, try one of these.
Head to head
How does Toronto stack up?
Common questions
Things to know about West Queen West.
What is the Brooklyn of Toronto?
The Brooklyn of Toronto is West Queen West. The stretch between Bathurst and Gladstone on West Queen West is all record shops, late-night bars, and restaurants that punch way above their weight. The Ossington strip packs over 30 independent bars and restaurants into a single 600-metre stretch between Queen and Dundas.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Toronto?
West Queen West is widely considered the coolest neighborhood in Toronto. The stretch between Bathurst and Gladstone on West Queen West is all record shops, late-night bars, and restaurants that punch way above their weight. On summer weekends, Trinity Bellwoods Park fills with cheap tallboys and dog walkers. The Ossington strip alone could keep you fed and drunk for a week straight.
What is the hippest neighborhood in Toronto?
West Queen West is the hippest neighborhood in Toronto. Between record shops, street art, and the Ossington strip's stacked lineup of late-night bars, this stretch of Queen runs grittier and louder than anywhere else in the city.
What is the trendiest neighborhood in Toronto?
West Queen West is Toronto's trendiest neighborhood right now. New restaurants keep opening between Bathurst and Gladstone that punch above their weight, and Trinity Bellwoods on a summer Saturday tells you exactly who's moving in.
Where do creatives live in Toronto?
West Queen West, on the stretch between Bathurst and Gladstone. Creatives work the record shops and the bars and restaurants packed along the Ossington strip, where over 30 independents fill a single 600-metre run. A converted school on Shaw cycles through gallery shows and workshops.
What is the most bohemian neighborhood in Toronto?
West Queen West is Toronto's most bohemian neighborhood. It runs gritty and loose: street art covers a full block parallel to Queen, late-night cocktail bars stay busy, and the park nearby fills with cheap tallboys and dog walkers on summer weekends. No plans required.
Where should I stay in West Queen West, Toronto?
The best boutique hotels in West Queen West include Gladstone House, The Drake Hotel, and HOTEL OCHO. Toronto's longest continuously operating hotel, built in 1889, with 55 artist-designed rooms where no two look alike and a lobby ceiling hand-painted with over 13,000 symbols.
Is West Queen West in Toronto safe at night?
West Queen West is a lived-in creative neighborhood, not a tourist compound. Bars and restaurants here stay busy late, which keeps streets active. Use normal city awareness.
Is Toronto expensive?
Toronto rates $$$ on a global travel scale. Moderate to expensive, but West Queen West's independent spots offer better value than tourist areas.
When is the best time to visit Toronto?
September is the city's best month: highs around 20-23C, low humidity, and patios still running. June and early July are good too, though afternoon thunderstorms roll through. Steer clear of the mid-July to mid-August humidity and February cold, when wind chill regularly hits -20C. Stretch into early October for fall color along the ravines.
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