As the most diverse city in the world, Toronto has long embraced the mashup. Italian and Canadian cuisine combine to create tiramisu pancakes at Viaggio Restaurant. There's Hungary Thai where you can order a combo plate with pad thai and schnitzel. Mix bocce and golf and you get Lob, a fun and tricky indoor sport.
This fusion of cultures means that you'll get to experience double the fun when you visit Canada's biggest city, even if you're only able to stay for 48 hours. On your next weekend trip to The 6, use our guide on where to eat, drink, play and stay. Plus, keep scrolling for some more Time Out tips to make the most of your weekend.
Friday late afternoon
Once you touch down in Toronto, grab a ticket to hop aboard one of City Sightseeing's red double-decker buses. The bus tour will escort you past major points of interest, like the CN Tower, Harbourfront Centre, Chinatown and Kensington Market, helping you check off plenty of sites quickly. The bus offers guided narration on headsets (and sometimes in-person, too). Don't write off these bus tours as tourist traps; you'll learn a ton and cover a lot of ground without having to worry about navigation.
If you want to stop at Casa Loma, the massive castle dating back to 1914, hop off the bus to do so. You could spend hours here, but even a quick self-guided walk will reveal the splendor of the 200,000 square-foot mansion.
Time Out tip: Certain City Sightseeing tickets are good for 48 hours, so you can use the hop-on, hop-off bus as transportation all weekend long if you plan ahead.
Friday evening
After all that sightseeing, take a break with some pasta, pizza and wine at Viaggio Restaurant, a modern Italian spot listed in the Michelin Guide. Though it's located at the edge of Toronto's Little Portugal neighborhood, this restaurant will transport you to a warm Italian kitchen.
Start with the pillowy focaccia, then move onto the creamy cacio e pepe or classic pepperoni pizza. There's a solid selection of wines, including orange wines, to choose from—and even few "bin ends," limited quantity wines which are priced to sell. You must save room for dessert because the tiramisu pancakes with espresso syrup and marscapone syrup make for a surprisingly decadent Italian-Canadian mashup. Viaggio is a popular spot, so be sure to make dinner reservations well in advance.
Friday late night
It's not time for bed yet! Cap your Friday night with a game at Lob, a hybrid bocce-golf combo that'll have you strategizing on how to succeed at the game and laughing out loud when it all rolls away. This wildly fun group game is perfect for a couple or a small group.
Order a drink (or two) to sip while you play. The locally brewed Saulter St. Riverside Copper Pilsner is a malty, refreshing choice. Or go for a themed cocktail, like the Lob Ball with Forty Creek Rye.
Saturday morning
Roll on out of bed and head for the beautifully designed Simpl Things for a brunch menu that chef Cody Wilkes describes as "comfort Italian." I describe it as "so mouthwatering I can't stop thinking about it weeks later." The Eggs Shaksugo, the milk bread avo toast, the polenta fries and the wedge salad are a few standouts, but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
Even if you're not a drinks-at-brunch kind of person, it's worth ordering one here—and coming back later for cocktail hour because Evelyn Chick has created a memorable menu that'll lure you back time and time again.
Time Out tip: The menu's Italian by day and Taiwanese by night, continuing the city's dedication to fusion fare.
Saturday afternoon
We're going to give you a few options here, depending on when you're visiting.
If tours are available, a walking tour with Hidden Rivers tours is an absolute must. These tours with Torontonian and historian Matthew Jordan dig deeply into Toronto's history, exploring how and why the city has the largest ravine system in the world. Even if you didn't ace history or geography class, these tours are incredibly compelling, thanks in large part to Jordan's passion for and knowledge of the subject. You'll see powerful public artworks, admire gorgeous architecture and learn why Toronto is considered "a city within a park."
If tours aren't offered during your visit, fear not. There are plenty of other options for your afternoon, like catching some sun at Woodbine Beach or strolling through the cute shops of Leslieville.
Saturday night
Nestled inside a historic home, a meal at The Hamptons feels like being invited into a friend's home for dinner. The friends, in this case, are Rachel Chartrand and Mike Young.
Their restaurant's menu changes frequently (sometimes daily), based on what's in season and on the chef's whims, so you can be guaranteed you're going to get something fresh made with finesse. When I was there, I sunk my teeth into a strawberry focaccia that nailed the sweet-and-savory combo so well that I nearly threw out the adage "don't fill up on bread." Then my group and I sampled a variety of fresh salads, plump gnocchi and a savory cauliflower dish.
Cocktails aren't an after thought here. Instead, they're stirred up with the same care given to the food options. Seasonal ingredients (chosen from the restaurant's food menu offerings) pair perfectly with your dish of choice.
Saturday late night
Fancy a nightcap? Do a DIY Bloordale Bar Crawl by visiting Seoul Shakers; Sad Songs Cantina; or Grey Tiger. Or head over to the historic Distillery District.
Sunday morning
Make the sendoff a sweet one with the Underground Donut Tour, which will escort you to a variety of donut shops in different neighborhoods. Along the way, you'll get to tour Graffiti Alley and the Kensington Market neighborhood. If you don't have time for the full tour, head to COPS Donuts. There are several COPS locations, but I recommend the Adelaide location where Barbie pink decor adds to the experience.
Sunday afternoon
After all that sugar, you're probably going to want a healthy lunch, and Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar is the key. This Toronto classic since 1999 serves up plant-based foods and refreshing juices in a variety of locations throughout the city.
Sunday late afternoon
Before you take your boots a'walkin, head to the Bata Shoe Museum. Yes, it's a museum all about shoes, but it's not just about fashion. This museum explores history, sociology, sports and even religion all through humble footwear. From space boots to Bolivian dancing shoes and ballet slippers to basketball sneakers, this quirky museum is unlike any other. Look for everything from the oldest shoes in the western hemisphere (made of yucca) to giant cowboy boots to miniscule Polly Pocket heels—then think about the meaning behind your own footwear choices before lacing up your sneakers to head home.
Time Out tips
Getting there
If Porter Airlines flies from your city, see if you can book one of their flights into Billy Bishop Airport. Also known as YTZ, this airport is located close to the city and is super convenient. It's an extremely rare thing to say in this era, but flying Porter Airlines was a delight. There's no middle seat, the staff were kind and they serve complimentary beer/wine in actual glasses. A flight experience that treats you like a human—can you believe?!
Getting around
Toronto is a very large city, and much of it is walkable. But there will definitely be moments when you'll need to rely on a streetcar or Uber (or the City Sightseeing bus, if you were paying attention!), so be budget for that expense.
Getting some rest
Finding a hotel in the Downtown Toronto area, like Sutton Place Hotel Toronto, will put you close to the attractions. The city itself is pretty quiet, so even if you're staying Downtown, you should be able to get a good night's sleep.