By: Aly Zorn
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Toronto is one of the most interesting cities to explore, especially one of Canada’s coolest retail strips, Queen Street West. Whether it’s shopping, eating, working out, or visiting one-of-a-kind shops, Queen West has got the goods. If you’re not sure where to start on Queen West, check out some of my top places to visit and head on out for a stroll.
Read on below and see for yourself why these 10 spots made the list of cool places to go on Queen Street West!
Crown Flora + Greenhouse Juice Co.
Instagram/@greenhousejuice
740 Queen Street West
Imagine sipping on a fresh-pressed green juice while being surrounded by lush plants — dreamy, right? That’s exactly what the Crown Flora + Greenhouse Juice space is. Parkdale-based florist, Crown Flora and notable juice brand, Greenhouse Juice Co. co-exist together in a bright and airy storefront and it’s a match made in plant heaven. Sip on some juice, buy a plant, and go green — literally!
The Store On Queen
Instagram/@thestoreonqueen
662 Queen Street West
If you’re looking for funky and bold fashion, be sure to check out the The Store On Queen aka TSOQ as their selections will blow your mind. With an eclectic mix of dare-to-bare styles, fancy dresses, and fun accessories, the Toronto-based store has no shortage of options. Trust me, this is the place to shop for a girls night out or a hype Instagram post.
Shinola
Instagram/@nicolemaaak
1000 Queen Street West
Upscale lifestyle retailer from Detroit, Shinola, is one of the newer additions to Queen West, located right at Queen and Ossington. Specializing in leather goods and bespoke watches, the massive open concept store also sells handmade bicycles and curated gift items. Even if you can’t afford their price point, take a peek inside to check out the modern layout of the store. Make sure to look up to see the bicycles hanging from the ceiling!
Zane
Instagram/@victoriabouvy
753 Queen Street West
A great shop to pop into on Queen West is Zane. Specializing in contemporary and trendy jewelry, you’ll also find unique sunglasses and minimal handbags that will elevate any outfit. Most recently, Zane also added on to create space that hosts pop-ups, markets, and various private events.
Pure Barre
Instagram/@purebarretoronto
737 Queen Street West
Looking to sweat it out in the Queen West neighbourhood? Pure Barre, located right at Tecumseth, is a hip workout studio with a number of ballet-inspired full body workouts. Don’t let the word ballet fool you — these workouts may be low intensity, but they are not easy as they seem. They combine barre techniques with light equipment, weights, and use repetition to get you toned!
Nana
View this post on Instagram
785 Queen Street West
I for one, am a huge fan of Thai food and curry. I proudly call myself a Thai food addict and with that said, I can tell you that Nana, the cozy restaurant on Queen West, is among my list of favourites in the city. Serving up dishes that are inspired by the street food in Thailand, each dish is packed with so much flavour and you’ll keep coming back for more!
DECIEM
Instagram/@samkarmali
881 Queen Street West
When it comes to affordable beauty, the folks at DECIEM know a thing or two. While the low prices are its biggest draw, you’ll soon find that quality and range of product is quick to follow. Get ready to shop from a collection of targeted serums, facial treatments, and makeup. The tincture-like, minimal packaging is also hard to forget, lending to the unique branding.
Otto’s Bierhalle
Instagram/@musteatmore
1087 Queen Street West
Head on over to Queen and Dovercourt for fun German fare at Otto’s Bierhalle. Snack on tasty traditional dishes like schnitzel and wurst, but make sure you try Otto’s twists on classics and creating dishes like Spaetzle and Cheese — a play on mac and cheese. Also, do yourself a favour and check out the bathrooms while you’re there!
Convenience
Instagram/@mansnotwell
1184 Queen Street West
The affordable snack bar, Convenience, on Queen West is fronted by a cute convenience store (duh!) Step inside to the actual bar section and you’ll be greeted by a quirky 80s-themed atmosphere with a menu to match with items like Mac Daddy Nachos, Bang Bang Shrimp, and more. Did I mention the $5 cocktails on tap?! Don’t forget to head downstairs for the line of retro phones on the wall — perfect for an Instagram photo opp.
Armed
Instagram/@blairalex
1380 Queen Street West
Head a little further west on Queen and step into jewelry heaven — aka Armed. This fun and unique shop houses not only trendy statement pieces but also selections that are perfect for everyday. Founder Desiree Girlato is a self-taught jewelry designer and her passion is palpable. There’s never been a better time to pop in and build your bracelet stack and get armed!
Featured Image: Instagram/@21_julia_12
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