Yes, the Beach neighbourhood is overrun this time of year, but we’ve got options. And one of them is Kingston Road Village.
Beach crowds too much, try strolling up through the drop-dead gorgeous oak-filled Glen Stewart Ravine, which drops would-be upper beachers at Balsam and Kingston. Cross the road for a coffee and pastry at one of two wonderful cafés: Black Dog Coffee and Black Canary. Or trundle further down Kingston to Scarborough road and the OG coffee shop Savoury Grounds.
Then, stroll the strip and check out some of the fun stores including Skaut Design, vintage finds at Softhouse or Ukes Abroad, a combo ukulele and paddleboard store. Further east, Blossom and Tempest is a fun local apothecary, studio and gift shop. Then, lose yourself for a while in the wonderfully cluttered Great Escape bookshop.
Beach-ready eats
Ready for lunch? Check out Spaghetti Western for some gigantic and delish sandwiches on freshly baked sourdough or homemade pasta. The sammies are perfect for a picnic. Or prefer a drink and a snack? The very cool 99 Bottles bottle shop is open 364 days a week, and has a fantastic patio. Come for the Parisian vibe. Leave with a bottle of craft spirits for home.
For dinner, the best spot on the strip is the Beech Tree, purveyors of the finest burger we’ve sampled in the city. No joke.
Top it off with a stop at Chocollata Bridadeiros or a scoop of ice cream from Brett’s, the far-less-busy alternative to Queen Street’s legendary Ed’s Real Scoop.
Don’t miss
If it’s time to head back to the beach, be sure to head down the east side to take in one of the most iconic spots in the city: the R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, which has a giant hill overlooking the water, its own little beach and a few secrets of its own. If you know, you know.