Even The New York Times recognizes The Junction as one of the most “hip” and “stylish” neighbourhoods in North America. And we have to agree – it’s an area of Toronto that is seeing a spike in interest among home buyers – young professionals and those looking to start their family lifestyle.
Anchored by the intersections of Dundas Street West and Keele Street, this neighbourhood is also recognized as an emerging art and design district by many Toronto press outlets. We’ve been taking many clients out to The Junction to look at homes, so we wanted to highlight what we (and they) love about this Toronto neighbourhood.
Galleries & Events in The Junction
The Junction’s alluring vibrancy is largely due to its rich history and present-day culture but most recently, the addition of unique design shops has turned this into a destination neighbourhood. The Junction boasts over 220 small businesses that include shopping destinations for eclectic art and design, home décor, and antiques.
In May, the Junction BIA hosts the CONTACT Photography Festival, which is the largest annual photography event in the world, and a premiere cultural experience in Canada, with over 200 exhibitions. In June, The Junction Summer Solstice Festival is one of the most popular street festivals in Ontario, as attendees celebrate the longest day of sun in one of Toronto’s most surprising neighbourhoods. This once-a-year event provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the best of The Junction outdoors for 12 hours. Restaurants and businesses spill into the streets, and we can’t think of a better way to experience a new place to potentially live than by a 12-hour day meeting new people and finding new places to return to.
Eating in The Junction
The Junction is known for its organic cafes, farmers’ markets and street fests, but there are plenty of cool bars and microbreweries that are starting to mix in and things are getting pretty exciting. If you’re planning to partake in the Toronto institution known as brunch, you’ll need to put Dirty Bird at the top of your list. Order the smoked jonnycakes and the “dirty” Caesar, made with in-house beet juice. You won’t be disappointed.
Eating in The Junction wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Chica’s – THE place in Toronto for Nashville Hot Chicken. We love the fact that they didn’t renovate the space to make it look new – they’ve kept the integrity of the original space intact, so a win before even ordering. Our recommendation is to share an order – get the one piece (white or dark) with fries and coleslaw. They offer three variations of hot – we went medium just to be safe and didn’t regret it for one second. Finished here? Head on over to Indie Alehouse for some delicious locally brewed suds to wash it all down.
If nightlife is your thing, we recommend starting out at Playa Cabana Cantina, which places an equal amount of priority on food and drink. Margaritas, guac and tacos – who can think of a better way to start the night. Don’t forget about the fish tacos which are some of the best in the city and the crispy-shelled chicken tacos. Impossible to be disappointed here. Still craving more? Head on over to some of our favorite watering holes – all catering to different tastes and vibes: Famous Last Words for book/cocktail nerds, the uniquely popular Hole in the Wall, Junction City Music Hall for live entertainment (as scheduled) and 3030 Dundas West as your go-to end of the night landing spot.
Shopping in The Junction – Best Boutiques
Most wouldn’t think of The Junction as a destination for shopping, but what else is there to do in-between all of that eating?! This neighbourhood is home to some of the best home décor shops, like Made by Madigral (check out their refurbished antiques and chic décor accents), and Mjolk, where you can find super-stylish Nordic-inspired pieces to freshen up your home. We especially love the tea and espresso sets to use when entertaining.
A new face to The Junction is one of our absolute favourite women’s boutiques, Naked Red. Stop in to see Daniela – she’ll outfit you in some of the softest, most stylish tops and the perfect jeans to go along with it. Dresses, work outfits – you name the occasion and she’s got the perfect outfit for you. And the best part – you can afford to get more than one piece. We’ve walked out of there with a bag full, our outfits planned for the week, and a smile on our faces. Trust us. This is a must-go.
Convinced that The Junction is worthy of a Saturday afternoon? We can’t say enough about this area, and the growth in popularity is only going to increase. Why not spend an entire day exploring this gem of a neighbourhood and picture yourself living in The Junction.
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