You may know it as Greektown, or the neighborhood that hosts one of the biggest food festivals in the city come August, but the Danforth has much to offer beyond just incredible Greek food. In addition to buildings that date back to the 1920s, the Danforth strip is home to some buzzy new businesses, fitness studios, and nail salons that will definitely make a trip to the east end worth your while.
Block off a Saturday or Sunday for A stroll around the Danforth and be sure to check out these 6 cool places.
Tips Nail Bar
Address: 848 Danforth Avenue
If you’re seeking a fresh paint job for winter or could use a shellac touch-up, Tips Nail Bar is where to go on the Danforth for the best manicure of your life. Seriously, one look on its Instagram will have you swooning. Apart from a stylish mani/pedi, you can also get your brows microbladed, threaded, or waxed, your lashes lifted, a spray tan, or even a microdermabraison, facial, or peel. This gem of a salon was voted Toronto’s best manicure and pedicure shellac by Toronto Life, BlogTO and NOW – and it’s a one-stop-shop for all your beauty needs.
Loft Cycle Club
Address: 452 Danforth Avenue
You won’t find a fitness experience quite like Loft Cycle Club. This spin and sculpt boutique studio at Danforth and Chester offers a selection of curated classes that combine spinning with strength training, yoga, stretching, and more, incorporating stationery bikes, and mat work. If you’re bored of your regular spin class, come here because with multiple types of classes run daily, there is no shortage of fun options. You can also expect an ongoing calendar of wellness events and workshops on topics like meditation, mindful eating, and more.
Zed*80
Address: 185 Danforth Avenue
From the same folks who brought you Tilt, the city’s largest retro arcade bar, comes Zed*80, a smaller, more intimate version of a gamers haven located right near Broadview station. The east-end outpost features 38 arcade, pinball, and console games with the same nostalgic appeal. Plus there’s a menu of bar snacks, cocktails, and craft brews. Add it to your winter date night bucket list.
August Kinn
Address: 1374 Danforth Avenue
Shopping for baby provisions has never been more instagrammable. August Kinn was birthed into the world by two moms who dreamed of opening a baby shop, and went ahead and did it. Shop the stores selection of well-made apparel, accessories, and nursery accents in an elegant setting, and do it without stressing. The ambience here makes it basically impossible to feel any anxiety.
H2O Float Spa
Address: 138 Danforth Avenue
When you need to chill out in a major way, come to this float and massage spa, which has been billed as ‘the most relaxing place in Toronto.’ Stow yourself away in a float pod (you may have also heard them referred to as a sensory deprivation chamber) and soak away your stress in crystal clear waters infused with a 1,000 pounds of pure epsom salt. Choose a unique theme for your experience (rainforest solo float, anyone?), make it a 30 minute power float on your lunch break, or pair your hydrotherapy experience with a massage – whatever option you choose, you’ll emerge from these waters feeling deeply de-stressed.
Von Doughnuts
Address: 713 Danforth Avenue
As far as gourmet donuts go, Von Doughnuts is truly an above the average dealer. This Food Network recognized bakery makes all of its donuts, icings, fillings, custards, and jams from scratch, fresh daily with as much attention to the quality of ingredients as creativity. You can expect a new batch of unique varieties daily, which are posted on its site and socials. Choose from delicious options like blueberry lime, creme brûlée, peanut butter & jelly, and macaroon. What’s not to love?
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In case you haven’t heard, June 2nd is National Doughnut Day, which is the perfect excuse to forego your diet and seek out sweet treats in the name of celebrating a “national” holiday. From classic beloved glazed doughnuts to gourmet maple-infused bacon doughnuts, you’ll be able to satisfy your cravings at our ten favourite doughnut shops in Toronto.
Glory Hole
Three types of doughnuts are made fresh everyday, with a large selection of flavours to make your head spin. Glory Hole is doughnut heaven. Flavours change from season to season, all of them creative and tantalizing. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another doughnut shop that sells lemon ricotta cake doughnuts or a toast n’ butta yeast doughnuts.
The Toast n’ Butta Doughnut from Glory Hole (Image: Instagram/@gloryholedoughnuts)
Von Doughnuts
All doughnuts, icings, fillings, custards and jams are made from scratch and filled with love. Each day brings a new roster of quirky flavours with equally quirky names like the One Night Stand and Pucker Up Sucker.
Von Doughnuts (Image: Instagram/@vondoughnuts)
The Rolling Pin
If their wide selection of gourmet donuts haven’t impressed you, the fact that they recently won Food Network’s TV show Donut Showdown should convince you to visit. If you’re looking for award-winning, high quality doughnuts, this is the place to go.
Ferraro Rocher Doughnuts rom The Rolling Pin (Image: Instagram/@therollingpinTO)
Jelly Modern Doughnuts
Each batch of donuts is prepared fresh by pastry chefs and bakers using organic, locally-sourced ingredients. Whether they’re dipped, filled, or cake-style, all of them contain sugary goodness. Their menu changes from day to day so you’ll never tire of their selections.
A Jelly Modern creation (Image: Instagram/@jellymodern)
Through Being Cool Vegan Baking Co.
You no longer have to scour the city to find vegan-friendly donuts. Through Being Cool make vegan treats in house every day, including batches of Instagram-worthy donuts.
Raspberry Buttercream and Brownie Crumble doughnuts from Through Being Cool (Image: Facebook/@Through Being Cool Vegan Baking Co.)
Krispy Kreme
There’s no brand more iconic than Krispy Creme in the donut world. It flourished for over 75 years and is still a popular stop for the classic glazed donut and other melt-in-your-mouth flavours today. You can find these budget-friendly treats at their shops across the city and on National Doughnut Day, they’re actually free.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts (Image: Instagram/@KrispyKremeCan)
SanRemo Bakery
At SanRemo Bakery, doughnuts come in all shapes and sizes (mini, regular, jumbo). Though their menu stays constant, there’s still an overwhelming 25 flavours to choose from. The drive out to Etobicoke is worth the drive, trust us.
Nutella filled doughnut from SanRemo (Image: Instagram/@SanRemoBakery)
Tiny Tom Donuts
You don’t have to go out of your way to find these donuts, they come to you! At festivals, amusement parks, sports games or the CNE, you’ll usually be able to spot the blue and while donut mobile without trouble. Tiny Tom Donuts are bite-sized, sugary, and portable, and are the perfect accompaniment for when you stroll around the festive grounds. When they’re not popping up, you can find their permanent location in Markham.
Tiny Tom Donuts (Image: Instagram/@food_wit_me)
The Steady Cafe & Bar
This cafe & bar serves more than eggs Benny and booze; they’re also home to a rotation of award-winning vegan doughnuts. What better way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon than sipping mimosas and fried vegan dough treats?
A doughnut and mimosa from The Steady (Image: Instagram/@heathered_grey)
Did we miss any of the best doughnut shops in Toronto? Let us know in the comment section.
Featured Image: Instagram/@SanRemoBakery
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