Kandice VincentVisiting the Junction? Here’s What You Need to Know
The Junction is a bustling neighbourhood that’s packed with hip shops, vibrant galleries, alluring bars, and much more.
Since the Junction has so much to offer, it can be hard to visit the best attractions in a single day. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, here’s our guide on where to shop, where to eat, what to see, and everything else in between.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Junction is in September when the annual Junction Arts Festival takes place. This 4-day event is when the neighbourhood is at its liveliest, and it’s a mega-fest of all things art, music, and culture.
The months of May to October are also great times to visit because of low tourist counts and the warm weather during this period.
How to Get to the Junction
The Junction is easily accessible by a series of different public transport vehicles, but the best way to get here is by bus and taking Line 2 to Dundas West Station.
The 40 Junction bus frequently travels around Dundas Street West and Runnymede Road. It’s the most convenient way to get around the neighbourhood.
Alternatively, you can also easily book an Uber or a Lyft to the Junction, but you’ll have to pay way more money.
Things to Do
1. Paint at Pinot’s Palette
Address: 2866 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8, Canada
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday – Sunday: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Contact: 1 416-769-8585
Website
For artsy people, one place to visit in The Junction is Pinot’s Palette. This Junction classic is the go-to for anyone looking to practice or learn how to paint.
You can sip on alcoholic drinks while pretending to be Picasso at this art studio! It’s the perfect place to bring out your inner artist while getting a good buzz.
2. Dance At CRE8 Studio
Address: 348 Ryding Ave, Toronto, ON M6N 1H5, Canada
Contact: 1 800-674-3275
Website
A great place to express yourself through movement is at CRE8 Studio. This place has vibrant, well-lit dance studios with soft sprung floors.
The rooms are also big, allowing you to move freely without worrying about your movement being constricted. One of our favourite things about dancing here is seeing ourselves in the mirror while LED lights set a dynamic atmosphere.
3. Visit Zalucky Contemporary
Address: 3044 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z3, Canada
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday, Sunday: Closed
- Thursday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Contact: 647-352-3331
Website
The Junction is known for its thriving arts scene, and Zalucky Contemporary is a great part of that! This awesome gallery is all about exhibiting contemporary art, as its name indicates.
The gallery has exhibits and events that frequently change, so expect to see something fresh and exciting each time you visit. Each exhibit features different themes, stories, and design language.
For instance, Sakoon featured drawings of concentric patterns formed by repetitions of a single Urdu word.
4. Explore Runnymede Park
Address: 221 Ryding Ave, Toronto, ON M6N 1H6, Canada
Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact: 1 416-338-4386
Website
One of our favourite parks in the Junction is Runnymede Park, which is a great place to relax and walk.
The park has a baseball diamond, tennis court, soccer field, and lots of benches that make it great for people-watching. Also, the park has huge open spaces and tall trees that are a perfect setup for a picnic.
Where to Eat
1. Chica’s Chicken
Address: 2853 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y6, Canada
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Contact: 1 647-343-6562
Pricing: $
Website
For anyone who loves chicken, there’s no better place to be than Chica’s! This restaurant is a local favourite, offering some of the best chicken sandwiches in the Junction.
The restaurant also serves a variety of delicious sides. We recommend their tangy slaw and crispy waffle fries that perfectly complement their sandwiches.
Some of our favourite sandwiches are their spicy Jalapeño Popper Magic and their classic Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, which will leave your mouth watery.
2. When The Pig Came Home
Address: 384 Keele St, Toronto, ON M6P 2K8, Canada
Hours:
- Monday, Sunday: Closed
- Wednesday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Contact: 1 647-345-9001
Pricing: $
Website
When The Pig Came Home is one of our favourite food spots to sit back, relax, and enjoy a nice plate of barbecue. This place serves some of the juiciest BBQ sandwiches and briskets.
We really recommend the porchetta sandwich, which comes with Perth pork shoulder that is seasoned with lemon zest to add a tangy flavour! Also, try out their original peameal sandwich, which comes with pork loin, eggs, and a fluffy bun.
3. Isaan Der
Address: 2961 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z2, Canada
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday – Thursday: 12:30 – 3:00 PM, 4:00 – 9:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Sunday: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Contact: 1 800-674-3275
Pricing: $$
Website
Isaan Der is one of the best Thai restaurants in the Junction. They’re inspired by provincial dishes from the region of Isaan, and they serve spicy salads, soups, and curries.
Their food really brings an oriental flavour to Toronto, and we think their papaya salad really captures that with its spice and sourness. Also, try their ping gai, which is basically BBQ chicken with lots of garlic and sticky rice.
4. Claudia’s Coffee
Address: 3079 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z9, Canada
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pricing: $
Website
One of our favourite places to grab coffee and locally-made baked goods is Claudia’s Coffee.
We recommend their sweet cappuccino and creamy matcha latte, which has the perfect balance of sweet and nutty. And don’t leave without giving their gluten-free cakes and their sweet cinnamon-flavoured gingerbread a try.
5. Famous Last Words
Address: 92 Pacific Ave, Toronto, ON M6P 2R1, Canada
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday, Sunday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Pricing: $$
Website
For bookworms looking for a bar to drink in, Famous Last Words has you covered. This literary-themed bar is decked in fancy chairs and bookshelves that really make you feel like you’re in a library.
We suggest ordering Fahrenheit 451 for its smoky and orange flavours and “Everyone brave is forgiven,” which is a fascinating mix of herbal flavours. You can also enjoy reading a book from the bar’s bookshelves while sipping on a drink.
6. Full Stop
Address: 2910 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8, Canada
Hours: Monday, Sunday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pricing: $
We always look forward to visiting Full Stop for its great coffee and lovely atmosphere.
They serve a wide range of great coffee, with some of our favourites being their strong Americano and creamy latte. These drinks also pair well with their sweet cookies and lemon blueberry loaf.
Where to Shop
1. Mjolk
Address: 2959 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z2, Canada
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
A visit to the Junction isn’t complete without stopping by Mjolk. This store sells aesthetically pleasing decor and furniture; think IKEA but elevated by 100.
The place looks like a gallery, with lovely and sleek designs all around you. You’ll find Nordic homeware, sleek Scandinavian cabinets and closets, and hardwood dining tables and chairs.
2. Gerhard Supply
Address: 2949 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z2, Canada
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
For a wide selection of menswear in the Junction, we recommend a visit to Gerhard Supply. When you enter the store, you’ll be reminded of the sleek boutiques in Osaka where every luxurious item is laid out on a minimalistic table.
Gerhard Supply carries some top-quality products that are really made to last for everyday wear. The store carries shirts, ties, and trousers from brands like Philip Sparks, Muttonhead, and Bay Cooper.
3. Pandemonium
Address: 2920 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8, Canada
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact: 1 416-769-5257
Website
Pandemonium is one of the oldest preloved stores in the Junction, and it doesn’t just sell books but also records, vinyl, and rare music memorabilia.
Inside, warm lights illuminate racks of records and huge bookshelves lining the store’s walls. The store is also adorned with paintings, pictures, and decor relating to music, like a vintage gramophone!
4. ARTiculations Art Supply
Address: 2949 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Z2, Canada
Hours:
- Monday, Sunday: Closed
- Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for art, ARTiculations is an awesome art supply store, workroom, and gallery all in one!
This store supplies locally made and eco-friendly art tools and paint. Plus, you can try your newly bought materials in the workroom after purchasing them.
5. Williams Design
Address: 387 Keele St, Toronto, ON M6P 2K9, Canada
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Friday, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
If you love antiques and old heirlooms, then drop by Williams Design. There’s a wide range of antique finds here, from old medical equipment to architectural salvage to art.
It’s a great place to visit if you’re a serious collector of old pieces or just looking for unique items to bring back home.
Shopping here feels like you’re on a treasure hunt because you never know what you’ll come across.
