A Local's Guide to an Ideal Day in Toronto

"New York and London are like Beyoncé," says hotel owner Tiffany Ramsubick, while "Toronto is Solange—more lovable and perhaps even more talented. It boasts incredible culture, food, and nightlife. It's easily accessible and not swamped with tourists."

Ramsubick runs the art-filled, eight-room Ode, Toronto's sole Black-owned boutique hotel, alongside her mother and three siblings. Her vision for a perfect day in Toronto revolves around Little Portugal (also known as Dundas Street West), the west-side neighborhood where the Ode opened in 2021. "It's the city's best area," shares Ramsubick, a lifelong Torontonian and lawyer. "Downtown is bustling, but in Little Portugal, you can truly feel at home. Enjoy a coffee, relax on a patio, and watch the day unfold." Here’s her guide for a flawless day in Toronto.

A Morning in Toronto: Coffee and Thrift Shopping

As a mom to a 19-month-old daughter, I enjoy my Sundays when my husband takes care of parenting duties while I get to sleep in at the Ode. Once I'm up, I stroll two doors down to Larry’s Back Pocket for a sweet iced Dirty Chai Latte. After that, I walk a bit further along Dundas to Hiya Scone and Coffee, a new spot near the hotel famous for its delicious scone flavors like Sweet Lime, although my favorite is Earl Grey.

With a scone in hand, I continue my walk east on Dundas, admiring the fantastic shops. VSP Consignment is the go-to for consignment clothing, showcasing the best selection of designer pieces in the city. I love trying on Gucci, Prada, and Miu Miu items and imagining what it would be like to own them. Easy Tiger Goods is another gem on Dundas, featuring adorable knickknacks and crafts, many from local artisans—perfect for souvenirs. Just a bit further is Good Habits, a woman-owned boutique offering vintage clothing, jewelry, and unique items from local creators. Nearby, Soop Soop has trendy, millennial styles that I’m tempted to try on, even if I'm unsure I can pull them off. The first part of my perfect day involves a lot of fun clothing experimentation.

After all that shopping, I head east to Hamers Coffee for their Western Breakfast Sandwich, featuring egg, manchego cheese, romesco, prosciutto, and aioli on bread from Blackbird Baking Company—hands down, the best breakfast sandwich in the city.

Hamers has a small communal table, but I prefer to take my sandwich to Trinity Bellwoods Park. I sit on a bench and tune into a podcast. I’m a fan of Starlee Kine’s Mystery Show, which explores quirky internet mysteries like Jake Gyllenhaal’s height or the latest book Britney Spears is reading. Trinity Bellwoods is perfect for people-watching; it’s a vast park stretching from Queen Street West to Dundas Street West, bustling with summer visitors. With a dog park, tennis courts, and plenty of picnic spots, it’s a thoughtfully designed park where there’s always something interesting happening.

An Afternoon in Toronto: People-Watching and Captivating Art

From the park, I stroll east to Naked Beauty Bar located at Dundas and Bathurst Streets. This is my favorite spot for mani/pedi treatments, especially because they excel in nail art. The team is incredibly talented, and I always opt for something unique and challenging—most recently, my nails were designed to look like they were dripping paint.

After my nail session, I head further east to the Art Gallery of Ontario, also on Dundas, just to check out the latest exhibitions. I enjoy wandering through the gallery for an afternoon. It’s expansive and features an impressive array of diverse artworks. I appreciate that there’s free admission for visitors aged 25 and under, as they strive to encourage more people to explore art. One exhibition that left a lasting impression on me was Jorian Charlton’s Out of Many. She’s a Black photographer who works with film, and her focus on family creates truly stunning visuals.

The Kensington Market area is just a short stroll north from the museum, so that’s where I’d head next. I love browsing through vintage shops like Courage My Love and Dancing Days. After shopping, I’d make my way to El Rey for their crispy squid tacos paired with an Open Windows cocktail—a delightful mix of tequila, mezcal, pineapple, and lime. It’s the ideal day drink that adds a little energy and flair. I’d enjoy the patio for more people-watching, or perhaps invite a friend to relax there for the afternoon.

To recover from the tacos and cocktails, I’d visit Othership on Adelaide, which they call an “otherworldly bathhouse.” They have an ice bath—the longest I’ve managed to endure is 30 seconds. You alternate that with their sauna, which is said to boost your immune system. There’s also a sensory deprivation tank. Othership is a gorgeous spot to unwind—it’s simply a feel-good place to be.

Evening in Toronto: creative cocktails and artisan pasta

After that, I’d head back west to Ossington Avenue, which runs north and south. The stretch between Dundas and Queen streets is vibrant. On my way to Ossington, I’d kick off the evening with a drink at La Piscina, a bar on Dundas known for its amazing cocktails. I’d start the night with a Purple Rain, my go-to drink here. It’s a blend of gin, crème de violette, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Then, I’d indulge in a long dinner at my favorite Italian spot in the city, Enoteca Sociale. They serve handmade pasta with fresh ingredients and the best sauces—not too complicated, just perfect. My husband Victor and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner there years ago. I always have to order the chicken-liver mousse to start, followed by the gnocchi topped with tomato sauce and smoked ricotta. It’s light and flavorful—the perfect combination.

To wrap up the night, we’d stroll over to Bar Mordecai, just a few doors down. It feels like stepping into a Wes Anderson film—super stylish and an ideal spot for a drink. My favorite cocktail is the Tame Impala, a mix of tequila, lime, ginger, chai, soda, and mezcal. There are karaoke rooms downstairs. My signature song is Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” You’ve got to choose a song that challenges you, knowing you might not nail it.