These are the best unique boutiques in Toronto

Whether it’s browsing cute trinkets, poring over records, perusing unique jewelry or finding your new favourite beauty brand, we’re lucky to have our pick of super cool spots to shop in the city. We’ve rounded up some of the most unique boutiques in Toronto, from a sustainable refillery to a mercantile that showcases local small businesses.

BEST HOUSEWARES STORE

If you live in the Annex, it’s difficult to pass by JUXTAPOSE HOME without taking a peek inside. With a curated, well-priced selection of kitchen goods and linens, cozy home accents and more, you’ll find you’ll end up convincing yourself that you actually do need to add another mug to your collection! 616 Bloor St. W. 

BEST RECORD SHOPS

SONIC BOOM is Canada’s largest independent record shop, housing new and used vinyl along with books, apparel and music accessories across its two floors. Sonic also hosts rockin’ events for music lovers! 215 Spadina Ave.

ROTATE THIS is where the vinyl collectors and music enthusiasts know to go. With a used record collection that is stocked with rarities and genuinely helpful staff, set aside a few hours to dig through the stacks. 186 Ossington Ave.

BEST KIDS’ BOOKS

With sections for babies, young adults and everyone in between, MABEL’S FABLES will delight any young reader and have them coming back to discover more great reads. 662 Mt. Pleasant Rd.

BEST BOOK STORE

WIth three glorious floors filled wall-to-wall with bargain books, it’s hard not to spend hours at a time at BMV every time you visit. Check the sticker prices for deep discounts even on new releases. 471 Bloor St. W.

Serious readers and casual chapter sloths alike will love TYPE indie bookstore, with three locations in town, including one in Forest Hill village.  427 Spadina Rd.

BEST NEW REFILLERY

There aren’t many places in Toronto to sustainably refill detergent, disinfectants and more. THE GREEN JAR is looking to change that. One visit might be enough to make you a refillery convert! 1061 St. Clair Ave. W.

BEST BEAUTY SHOP

Started by Miriam Gee and her daughters, GEE BEAUTY brought cult beauty brands, like Tata Harper, to Canada and this beauty boutique has been making skin care and makeup a luxurious experience ever since. 2 Roxborough St. W.

BEST GAME STORE

For game lovers, card collectors and fantasy fans, HAIRY TARANTULA  knows its stuff. Shop Pokemon cards and Dungeons & Dragons collectibles, and visit for weekly game nights. 3456 Yonge St. 

BEST LOCAL JEWELRY

With unique and funky finds, VICKY’S JEWELLERY is always a fun shopping experience. You never know what you’ll leave with — a frog brooch or a floral statement necklace? 404 Eglinton Ave. W.

BEST BOUTIQUE

Family-owned shop ED’S MERCANTILE features local small businesses and has a little bit of everything — perused vintage clothes, handmade pottery and bath bombs all in one trip. 605 Bloor St. W.

BEST NEW REFILLERY

There aren’t many places in Toronto to sustainably refill detergent, disinfectants and more. THE GREEN JAR is looking to change that. One visit might be enough to make you a refillery convert! 1061 St. Clair Ave. W.

BEST ANTIQUES

An antique shop that’s home to everything from vintage diamond rings to props from Guillermo Del Toro’s Nightmare Alley, CYNTHIA FINDLAY FINE JEWELLERY AND ANTIQUES is a treasure trove — and staff are as knowledgeable as they are friendly! 284 King St. W.

BEST PLANT SHOP

This Toronto store will be there for all your plant care needs. CHIVE has made the Queen West storefront its Canadian headquarters. You won’t be able to resist stepping into the shop after passing by the floor-to-ceiling windows displaying some of the store’s coolest greenery, including tiny succulents and massive monsteras. 837 Queen St. W.

BEST FOR GIFTS

Whether it’s holiday shopping, birthday gifts or souvenirs, everyone needs a go-to gift shop. And for many Torontonians, that’s SCOUT. With two locations on opposite sides of the city, this boutique is dangerous to step in if you have no clear shopping goal in mind — you’ll probably emerge with a puzzle, locally-made mug and some other cute trinket in hand! 405 Roncesvalles Ave. and 1140 Queen St. E. 

For more Best Of 2023 lists, click here.