Experiences when visiting hotel near the Rogers Centre, Toronto

Voted by Conde Naste Traveler as one of the best food cities in the world, Toronto emits a magnetic and multicultural vibe that extends to the exciting restaurant scene.

Micro-Brewery Tours

Discover where beer enthusiasts quench their thirst with the hotel's Craft Brewery tour.  From small ‘nano’ breweries serving up one keg at a time, to large-scale facilities producing lake-sized batches, this tour takes guests to some of Toronto’s best spots for locally brewed suds.  For the ultimate experience, the hotel’s Concierge team can even arrange a personal tour, where guests can meet the brew master and enjoy a sample from the tanks.

Ritz-Carlton, Recommends: Upon returning to The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, guests will enjoy one of the best views of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower while sipping a specialty Michelada or beer cocktail at Ritz Bar.

To make a reservation for your curated experience, please contact our Concierge Team at toronto.concierge@ritzcarlton.com.

Niagara Wine Region

From cool climate Chardonnays to earthy Pinot Noirs, Niagara's wine region boasts some of Canada's best wines.

Ritz-Carlton Recommends: Guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto can participate in a variety of one-of-a-kind wine experiences thanks to an exclusive arrangement with some of the area's most celebrated vineyards.

Tasting the History of Chocolate

Soma is the brainchild of David Castellan and Cynthia Leung. With the concept in mind to finding new ways to create and enjoy chocolate, David and Cynthia have gone on to create a local cult following that has brought them world acclaimed status. In 2015 their “Porcelana” dark chocolate bar received the award for the best dark chocolate in the world.

Ritz-Carlton Recommends: Visit their Distillery District location and request to sample their newly launched “chocolate tasting”. Reasonably priced and perfect for anyone looking to brush up on their knowledge of chocolate.

To make a reservation for your curated experience, please contact our Concierge Team at toronto.concierge@ritzcarlton.com.

St. Lawrence Market

Make time to visit the St. Lawrence Market. Voted the #1 street market in the world by National Geographic for its 120retailers. Filled with restaurants, artisans and specialty food vendors offering visitors the unique and lively atmosphere of an authentic farmers market; the Market Galley with changing exhibits dedicated to Toronto’s art, culture and history; and the Market Kitchen with cooking classes for all ages and abilities.

Ritz-Carlton Recommends: Stop by the Carousel Bakery and try their famous Peameal Bacon Sandwich.

Kensington Market

If eclectic art and culture is your fancy, make the stop to Kensington Market and spend the afternoon in one of Toronto’s most diverse areas. The rich multicultural mix is obvious in the shops packed with goods from Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America and Asia. A visit to Kensington Market is like a sensory trip around the world. It’s also a treasure trove of vintage clothing shops tucked in among eclectic restaurants and cafés.

Ritz-Carlton Recommends: Enjoy some true fried chicken at the “Dirty Bird Chicken & Waffle” joint. A popular mainstay with area locals.

Some say Toronto is one of the best street art cities on earth

Stretching almost a full kilometre from Spadina Avenue to Portland St., Graffiti Alley is a colourful display of works by local and world-renowned secret wall art painters like Evan Bansky, the subject of the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, who left his own indelible mark on the city when he visited a few years ago.

Recently named one of the globe's coolest neighbourhoods by Vogue magazine

Queen Street West is where cutting edge galleries dot the street scape from Trinity Bellwoods Park to Dufferin Street. Anchored by great nightlife, eclectic shops and unique boutiques, it's a must see for any visitor to the city.

Explore local art galleries that line the fully pedestrianized brick-paved streets

In addition to being North America's largest and most well preserved collection of Victorian industrial architecture, the Distillery District is widely regarded as Canada's premiere arts, culture and entertainment destination. Brimming with creativity, the pedestrian only village is home to over 20 art studios and galleries, as well as unique stores, shops, restaurants, cafes, theatres and more.

Luminato is Toronto’s International arts festival and one of the preeminent arts festivals in North America, having commissioned over 100 new works, with more than 3,600 performances featuring 15,000+ artists from over 40 countries.

Riverdale/Leslieville

These two areas stretch out from the Don Valley Parkway towards Toronto’s Beach or Beaches neighbourhood. Here are some spots to check out:

In Leslieville, Descendant serves delicious Detroit-style pizza (square, deep dish pies with the sauce on top).

Mercury Espresso Bar is a tiny spot in Riverdale/Riverside with a cool vibe. On a typical sitting you’ll be entertained with music alternating between The Beatles and Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor.

Bergstrom Original features sleek dresses, unusual shoes and striking purses made in Toronto.

Cabbagetown

This used to be a working class area where Irish immigrants occupying tiny houses grew cabbages in their front yard. It’s been transformed into a hugely popular spot with artsy types. Once-sooty brick fronts are now sandblasted clean and gleaming, and the front gardens have charm to spare.

Grab an ice cream cone at Park Snacks on the corner of Winchester and Sumach and admire the architectural details of sumptuously restored homes.

At the end of nearby Amelia Street you’ll find a series of handsome houses with front yards that look out onto a leafy park.

The Ritz-Carlton Recommends: Riverdale Farm is a charming spot to take the kids, with farm animals from cows to sheep. If you left the kids at home, stop in the morning at St. Lawrence Market and grab some fine Ontario charcuterie and fresh bread and fruit for a Riverdale Park picnic.

Kensington Market

If eclectic art and culture is your fancy, make the stop to Kensington Market and spend the afternoon in one of Toronto’s most diverse areas. The rich multicultural mix is obvious in the shops packed with goods from Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America and Asia. A visit to Kensington Market is like a sensory trip around the world. It’s also a treasure trove of vintage clothing shops tucked in among eclectic restaurants and cafés. Ritz-Carlton Recommends: Enjoy some true fried chicken at the “Dirty Bird Chicken & Waffle” joint. A popular main stay with area locals.

This has been a starting point for many a Toronto immigrant over the decades; serving as a centre for newly arrived Jews, Portuguese, Chinese and more. It’s a true Toronto polyglot now, although there’s a preponderance of shops and restaurants with a Caribbean or central/South American theme.

Torteria San Cosme serves up tasty Mexican street sandwiches, while Perola supermarket sells deep red-purple Guajillo chilies, cans of cactus and dozens of tiny jars of hot sauce.

Jimmy’s is a fine Toronto coffee shop that recently was featuring Chaiwalla Chai with ginger; a tasty twist on traditional Indian chai.

The Ritz-Carlton Recommends: The city closes off traffic through Kensington Market on Sundays and it becomes a giant street party. Try the barbequed jerk chicken at Rasta Pasta on Sundays.

Summerhill

This might be the design centre of Toronto, with several high-end and unique shops selling interesting household furnishings and places (such as Department of Interiors) that specialize in bespoke design strung along a pretty stretch of Yonge St. north of downtown.

BB&L (also known as Boo Boo & Lefty, the owners’ two dogs) features everything from bright pillows to beehive lights and posh books with titles such as “In the Spirit of The Hamptons” and cocktail books by celeb chef Daniel Boulud.

Boxcar Social is a trendy coffee shop with old plumbing bits supporting weathered wood shelves stocked with locally roasted coffee or bottles of Scotch. The upstairs is an airy, light place that’s perfect for a quiet conversation, while a nearby sandwich spot called Black Camel (across from the Rosedale subway station) serves up excellent pulled pork and Texas-style brisket sandwiches.

The Ritz-Carlton Recommends: Perhaps no building in Toronto sums up the changes in the city as much as the Liquor Control Board of Ontario shop near Summerhill Ave. and Yonge Street. Once a train station in a city where buying liquor was barely tolerated, it’s now a gleaming store with an event kitchen, craft beer for sale and a tasting room where you can sample everything from Puligny-Montrachet to Canadian ice wine and Kentucky bourbon.

The Danforth

Sometimes called Greektown, this area just northeast of downtown features a series of tempting Greek restaurants, some casual and kitschy but many happening and hip. Almost all have fine patios.

Men’s Essentials sells outstanding shaving gear and products from Italy, England and elsewhere. Definitely a step above the usual men’s grooming products, and a joy to use.

Pizzeria Libretto has a thin crust, wood-oven pizza that’s divine, while the Dora Keogh pub has live Irish music on Friday nights and then Saturday and Sunday in late afternoon.

The Ritz-Carlton Recommends: The Taste of the Danforth is an annual summer event that draws huge crowds of locals. The smell of souvlaki is everywhere, and there’s often great music.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue is renowned for its superlative selling services and merchandise offerings. The best of European and American designers for men and women can now be found in Toronto. Only steps from our hotel.

Yorkdale

Yorkdale is Canada’s premier shopping centre, located in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area. Its large and exclusive list of retailers leaves nothing to the imagination and everything for the shopper at heart.

Toronto Eaton Centre

Perfectly located in the heart of the downtown core, the Eaton Centre has been and is the shopping epicenter for tourists. Home to iconic department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstoms, shoppers have more than enough selection to choose from.