The Danforth, Toronto Neighbourhood Guide: Getting To The Greek

Not many areas in Toronto have a good selection of natural areas, restaurants, and housing options like The Danforth does. Home to Canada’s largest street festival, Taste of the Danforth, this neighbourhood has an exciting and proud ambiance. Stocked with authentic restaurants and unique storefronts, this is an amazing place to go window shopping and grab a bite to eat with friends. The homes here are close to the Bloor-Danforth subway line, a perfect situation for those who commute to downtown Toronto for work. The neighbourhood is also close to the Don Valley Parkway, which is perfect for drivers leaving the city for work.

With the barriers of the Don Valley and Don River, this area was secluded from Toronto’s early development. This changed as industry came to the Don River. Industrial entrepreneurs like the Taylors and Helliwells set up mills powered by the river, generating large amounts of wealth starting in the late 1700s. By the early 1900s, the Danforth area was annexed by the city of Toronto, and bridges like the Prince Edward Viaduct eliminated transportation difficulties for people leaving or entering this part of the city. Midway through the 1900s, The Danforth experienced waves of new Canadians, from the English to Italians to Greeks.  

This neighbourhood is defined by Danforth Avenue and has housing to the north and south. To the north, there is a selection of semi-detached houses with front porches. South of Danforth Avenue, there is a wider range of home styles, such as bungalows, Victorian semi-detached homes, and newer townhouses. Most of these buildings were constructed in the early 1900s. There also are newer condominiums along Danforth Avenue. One significant piece of architecture on the east end of this neighbourhood is the Prince Edward Viaduct. This truss-arch bridge crosses over the Don River, housing two railway lines and an electrical transmission line.

This neighbourhood is defined by Danforth Avenue and has housing to the north and south. To the north, there is a selection of semi-detached houses with front porches. South of Danforth Avenue, there is a wider range of home styles, such as bungalows, Victorian semi-detached homes, and newer townhouses. Most of these buildings were constructed in the early 1900s. There also are newer condominiums along Danforth Avenue. One significant piece of architecture on the east end of this neighbourhood is the Prince Edward Viaduct. This truss-arch bridge crosses over the Don River, housing two railway lines and an electrical transmission line.

Danforth Avenue is a popular shopping area with many stores starting near Broadview Avenue and heading east. If you’re a fan of vintage culture, consider stopping by Kops Records where you can choose from a large selection of vinyl LPs by your favourite artists. Near here you can find Body Blue and El Pipil, two clothing shops. Carrot Common is a small shopping mall near Hampton Avenue where you can buy organic food, natural supplements, or freshly pressed juices. Walking east you can pick up some treats at Leonidas Chocolates, or buy a gift for a youngster at Space Toys.

Due to its Greek roots, the number of Mediterranean establishments in this neighbourhood is staggering. Original Grill serves authentic Greek street food from handcrafted gyros to lamb dinners with pitas, rice, potatoes, and a salad with feta and cucumber. Greek food may be the dominant category in this area, but there are also plenty of different cuisines to choose from. Good Vibes Kitchen has Jamaican food served in a relaxed setting, and you can have a nice sit-down meal at Trecce, an Italian restaurant with pasta, pizza, and fresh seafood on the menu. Other cuisines on the Danforth include Indian, Japanese, Thai, and Middle Eastern, to name a few.

Parks in The Danforth are mostly south of Danforth Avenue. Withrow Park, between Logan and Carlaw Avenues, has an outdoor rink for skating in the winter. It also has a baseball diamond, two large sports fields, a basketball court, a large playground with a splash pad, two tennis courts, and an interconnected, paved pathway system. Phin Park is farther east and has a playground, a basketball court, a splash pad, and a full-sized running track. There is also a concrete table tennis table at this park, as well as benches so people can rest. Near Phin Park is Pocket Designated Off-Leash Area where you can take your furry friend to play in a large field.

The Earl Beatty Community Centre near Glebeholme Boulevard and Woodington Avenue have an indoor pool with drop-in lane swimming. This centre offers Pilates, yoga, and fitness classes for adults, as well as children’s programs for ball hockey, gymnastics, martial arts, and soccer. There are several fitness establishments along Danforth Avenue, however, the most notable is Motiv Fitness & Pilates. The Danforth also has a selection of yoga studios like Modo Yoga Danforth, Energia Athletics, and Toronto Yoga Co.

Taking public transit from The Danforth to downtown Toronto is easy with the Bloor-Danforth subway line a quick walk from most houses. People in this neighbourhood head west starting from Coxwell, Greenwood, Donlands, Pape, Chester, and Broadview subway stations. If commuters are heading to the south part of downtown, they might opt to take a bus to Queen Street East where they can grab a streetcar going west. Drivers will likely go along Danforth Avenue, arriving downtown about 10 minutes faster than public transit.

This neighbourhood has a nationally acclaimed reputation for its food and culturally rich atmosphere. The multiculturalism of The Danforth makes the area one of Toronto’s most visited, with restaurants and interesting shops around every corner. Housing in this part of town is densely packed with townhouses and semi-detached and detached homes, and more condominiums are built every year. Public transportation to downtown is easy with the Bloor-Danforth subway line, and drivers are close to the Don Valley Parkway if they need to leave the city in a hurry. This neighbourhood also has many facilities for recreation, enjoying the outdoors, or pursuing an active lifestyle through its community centres, gyms, and parks.