Nicole Gottselig is a Toronto-based writer, born and raised on the west coast. In 2012, she swapped the mountains for #theSix skyline and spends most of her free time scouring Toronto neighbourhoods for a wild salmon sashimi, a good dive bar or a used bookstore. Nicole can usually be found planning her next trip, practicing her headstand in an Ashtanga yoga class or devouring the Sunday edition of The New York Times.
Are you ready to sweat your way down Yonge Street? Choose from physically challenging or restorative yoga, ballet-inspired fusion classes with a kick, Brazilian jiu jitsu, body firming group classes, or a good old treadmill and free weight workout. From Lawrence to King, these gyms also boast serious convenience since all are mere steps away from subway stations along Toronto’s Yonge line. [Image courtesy of Barreworks]
The Mexican version of a Caesar, a michelada (pronounced mee-chay-law-da) uses beer instead vodka with just the right amount of tomato or Clamato juice, lime, spices and a salty rim. In fact, the sky’s the limit when it comes to blends and garnishes on this refreshing Mexican favourite. Here are the top cantinas bringing the michelada north of the border to fans in the Six. Salud! [Image credit: iStock.com/MelMcKay]
The humidex is off the charts, summer festivals are in full swing and patios are packed. Yes, summer has finally arrived in the 6. To survive the dog days of summer, we’ve handpicked some of our top spots for must have summer essentials – from sunscreen, swimsuits and sunnies, to bikes, hats and sandals. [Image credit: iStock.com/Atilla ALTUN]
If there’s one beverage Torontonians love, it’s craft beer. Thanks to a craft brew boom, Toronto is now a true beer lovers’ market. With local and microbreweries opening up all over the Six in the past year, we’ve rounded up our top picks for restaurants that brew on site, tap rooms, brewpubs and bottle shops. [Image credit: iStock.com/mwphotos]
It’s not about how much you spend when decking out your space, it’s about those quality finds that reflect your unique style and taste. From one-of-a-kind found objects and mid-century furnishings to coasters inspired by TTC tokens or a bubble gum pink turntable, here’s our picks for the best design shops in the city for tasteful objects and necessary accessories alike. [Image credit: iStock.com/jodiejohnson]
While there’s no shortage of shopping options at Yonge and Eglinton, we’ve picked out our local faves, some of which have been flying under the radar for years. Stroll through a used clothing shop, a charming bookstore, a boutique toting a modern collection of men’s and women’s garb, an art store or a spot for new skincare items. Here’s our guide to shopping on Eglinton Avenue. [Image credit: iStock.com/Troels Graugaard]
There’s no need to fake it ‘til you make it in the DIY realm anymore. Whether it’s time to sew together the pieces of an abandoned dress-making project, create a one-of-a kind birthday gift or spin your next masterpiece out of a mound of clay, we’ve compiled the top Toronto studios to learn how to do it all. [Feature image: The Make Den]
Is there any country in the world that does bar food better than Spain? Don’t worry, you don’t need to cross the pond, we’ve hand-picked the city’s top spots for authentic Spanish tapas. These cozy tavernas are serving up some of the most piquant-in-flavour small plates in Toronto – and they each boast their own unique, chilled-out vibe to boot.
Whether you’re a Jeopardy couch champ or have a bank of random references you’re dying to blurt out, a weekly trivia night is a great way to one-up your pub night and go home with plenty of bragging rights. From general knowledge, theme nights and prizes up for grabs, check out these top bars to use your memory muscles. [Image credit: iStock.com/mihailomilovanovic]
Whether you’re looking to decompress, bring some more calm into your day or enhance your creative juices, meditation classes in a group sitting may offer the perfect recipe. From a mindfulness centre, a group meditation circle, hybrid classes to the traditional, these are some of the best spots in Toronto to go within.
Mother’s Day weekend calls for experiences that are above average. Veer off the well-travelled restaurant path and check out these local spots to give your mom that extra bit of ambience and pampering. Whether it’s a five-star high tea, buttermilk biscuits, an iconic diner, or plenty of pie and high-grade fare, here’s our top picks for brunch and sweet treats fit for a queen.
Now that the signs of spring are in the air, and maybe you’ve spent more time watching Netflix and ordering in than you’d like to admit, it’s time to spring forward and give your body and mind a boost. Here are some of the top spots in Toronto to reboot, restore, replenish and reset.