Toronto is always changing, and some of the city’s most interesting neighbourhoods are the ones flying under the radar. From old industrial blocks finding a new purpose to strip malls hiding some of the best food around, these five areas are giving people a reason to venture beyond their usual spots.
Milliken Mills
Milliken Mills skips the tourist traps for real cultural density. The main draw is the strip mall food scene — think unpretentious spots along Kennedy and Steeles packing a massive range of South Asian, Chinese and Southeast Asian eateries, including HK-style cafés and dim sum. Toss in Milliken Mills Park for weekend cricket and ongoing upgrades at the GO station, and the whole area is quietly turning into one of the most reliable food neighbour-
hoods outside the core.
Carlaw Avenue
Carlaw Avenue is gearing up for a massive shift, mostly because the future Ontario Line subway is putting a station right at Gerrard. For the moment, the strip is keeping its artistic edge, remaining home to indie photo studios, small workshops and Crow’s Theatre.
East Harbour
Toronto is taking a massive 38-acre gamble here, turning an old industrial site into a mini downtown from scratch. Although it is mostly dirt right now, the real tourist draw will be the century-old Unilever factory, getting transformed into a bustling indoor-outdoor public market packed with local food stalls. Toss in major new music venues and bike trails con-
necting straight to Ookwemin Minising (formerly known as Villiers Island), and it becomes a massive cultural hot spot worth visiting.
The Port Lands
The Port Lands is getting one of the biggest waterfront facelifts the city has ever seen. Workers are literally moving the earth to change where the Don River flows into the lake, a massive engineering trick to stop local flooding and build the foundation for Ookwemin Minising. It’s a massive construction zone for now, but the goal is a proper community
with parks, trails and water views.
Mill Pond and Old Richmond Hill
This historic pocket is shaping up to be one of the 905’s best emerging spots. A major revitalization project is giving the walking paths around Mill Pond a serious upgrade, which is a massive win since the park sits right next to the historic main street on Yonge.
Want more neighbourhood guides?
For iconic eats and artful storefronts in Old Town, click here.
For beach-ready eats and funky shops in Kingston Road Village, click here.
For vintage shops and wine bars in Brockton Village, click here.
For perfect patios and green spaces in Bloorcourt, click here.
For sprawling bakeries and galleries in Bermondsey, click here.