Toronto Zoo’s newest addition finally has a name! When a baby Masai giraffe joined the zoo family on Feb. 22, the little one was affectionately nicknamed “Baby Long Neck” as the community was invited to submit their votes for an official name. The results are finally in: after more than 23,000 votes were cast, Baby Long Neck is officially Imara!
The name received over 8,000 votes, beating out the other four names included in the vote. All five names were chosen in collaboration with the Kenyan Honorary Consulate in Toronto to reflect the endangered Masai giraffe species. Due to illegal hunting and habitat loss, there are fewer than 35,000 Masai giraffes still surviving in the wild. The species has experienced a more than 50 per cent decline in the past 30 years.
The name Imara is Swahili for strong, firm and resilient. And the giraffe calf has certainly been growing fast: born at a shocking 6 feet, 4 inches, she’s already shot up to 7 feet!
Imara and her mom, Mstari, at the giraffe habitat. Courtesy Toronto Zoo
“She stands for a symbol of strength, optimism and resilience not only for her endangered species but in a world eager to be reminded that hope still thrives,” Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said in a statement.
Imara made her public debut at the zoo on March 13, and apparently there were lineups to see her stretched through the Toronto Zoo’s Africa Savanna over March Break. Visitors have been asked to stay calm and quiet in the giraffe house to respect her development and help her get used to crowds.
You can visit Imara between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every day. The baby giraffe is also currently up for adoption through the zoo — adopting an animal helps the zoo care for animals, offer educational experiences and protect wildlife through vital conservation programs.
The next chapter for 508 Queen St. W. won’t be another live music room after all. The old Velvet Underground space is now being marketed as Hyve, a nightclub and event space billing itself as “Toronto’s premier nightlife experience.” Its online rollout, though, is getting a bit of side-eye across social media.
For starters, Hyve’s online presence is a bit confusing: depending on whether you’re looking at the venue’s .com or .ca site, the club is either “coming soon” or already up and running.
The new concept also looks like it’ll be a full pivot from Velvet’s more intimate concert venue. Expect a flashier, VIP-nightlife model that includes a raw industrial-chic room with Funktion-One sound, LED-heavy production, themed nights spanning techno, afrobeats, hip-hop and house, as well as VIP tables, bottle service and dedicated hosts.
The venue does promise to be an inclusive, safe space with a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, but people on Reddit still have thoughts. In a recent thread, one commenter wrote that Hyve “sounds like an energy drink,” while another said that the venue “really doesn’t fit into the surrounding old building aesthetics at all.”
More than a few also said the site’s pictures and text seem a bit off, pointing to non-working ticket buttons, broken social media links and out-of-date event listings (users added that the “grand opening” date is listed as Friday, Jan 17, which would have been 2025, and an indexed page on the Canadian domain says that the venue “has become the definitive destination for those seeking a premium nightlife experience”).
Perhaps a lot of the piling on is tied to what the address used to be. Velvet Underground had long been part of the Queen West nightlife, first as a mid-90s club associated with emo and goth-themed dance nights and 102.1 The Edge broadcasts, then, after a 2015 shutdown and renovation, as a live-music venue that reopened in February 2016. Over the years, the venue became a familiar stop for touring acts and locals alike, even hosting Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill release party in 1995!
Velvet’s closure was announced last September, when the venue said its lease was ending and the property was being returned to the owner for a new chapter. At the time, the loss hit a nerve because the Velvet was joining a growing list of Toronto venues that music fans have watched disappear, including spots like the Bar Orwell, The Orbit Room, Cold Tea Bar, The Hideout and the Dakota Tavern.
If nothing else, the new site is bringing up all sorts of nostalgic feelings for OG Underground dwellers.
“Their website makes the place sound awful. Door policy to ensure a ‘sophisticated’ atmosphere; get outta here,” a Reddit user noted. “I spent so many wonderful nights at Velvet. It’s a real shame to see it turned into what sounds like a mediocre and likely overpriced club. The VIP booth comes with a sparkler show, though, so there’s that.”
If you’re curious about what happens next at the space, follow @hyve.toronto for updates.
April showers have arrived, but who says rainwear has to be boring? Gen Z is all about wearing vintage, and this season, it’s vintage trench coats that are ruling the spring fashion trends. Not only are they more stylish, they’re also often way more affordable! We pulled from the archives to find the best vintage trench coats, available right now in Toronto, and Jeanne Beker helped us pair them with the coolest water-resistant boots to give your rainy day look a modern update.
These one-of-a-kind vintage coats are being held exclusively for Streets of Toronto readers until April 6; contact the shop to buy!
Toronto has a habit of sneaking onto screens even when it’s pretending to be somewhere else. One set turns the city into a slick corporate superhero tower, while another transforms into a brooding campus or a post-awards-party setting. Here are a few popular spots you’ll recognize from iconic film and TV productions.
The Aga Khan Museum (77 Wynford Dr.) is the setting for a Washington, D.C., art-museum meet-up in The Man from Toronto (just remember, it’s pronounced “Torono,” not “Toronto”). The late Professor Fumihiko Maki, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, used light as his inspiration when designing the building, so, depending on the time of day or season, light animates the building in many ways, throwing patterns on the exterior walls of Brazilian granite and illuminating the open-roofed courtyard (making the museum especially striking on screen).
Joni Restaurant (Park Hyatt Toronto) and Lavelle: Heated Rivalry
One of the fun newer additions to Toronto’s filming-location circuit is Heated Rivalry, which uses two very different nightlife spots in the city. In the series, Joni’s dramatic staircase and polished interiors are transformed into a glam post-awards-party setting, while Lavelle’s rooftop pool deck and skyline views stand in for Tampa during All-Star weekend. In real life, Joni in Yorkville (4 Avenue Rd.) is open daily from morning through dinner, with brunch and afternoon tea in the mix, while Lavelle (627 King. St. W.) rises 16 storeys above King West with a lounge bar, dining room, pools, cabanas and amazing city views.
In The Shape of Water, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2018, this historic diner with 24-hour brunch (1132 Dundas St. W.) was retrofitted into a Dixie-themed pie shop in Baltimore. One memorable scene features Giles sitting down for key lime pie and ‘conversation’ with a mute janitor (she takes a bite of the pie and sticks out her green-stained tongue). In real life, it remains an iconic Toronto diner, dating back to 1932 (and the owners have since added key lime pie to the menu!) Other notable films shot here include Cocktail (1988), Hairspray (2007) and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004).
Lee’s Palace: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Photo: Netflix Canada
This cult-fave is filled with recognizable Toronto filming spots you can check out in real life. According to Movie Locations, the library where Scott first sees Ramona is the Wychwood branch (1431 Bathurst St. at St. Clair Ave. W.), and the area where Scott and Ramona go for a romantic stroll at night is by Baldwin Steps, leading through Spadina Park from Davenport Rd. at Spadina Rd.
Scott meets his high-school girlfriend, Knives Chau, outside her school (filmed at St Michael’s College School, 1515 Bathurst St); you’ll recognize the setting, but the stone archway is hidden under a covering of ivy. Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor St W) is also one of the 2010 movie’s key music-scene locations. The rock concert hall in the Annex is where Sex Bob-omb opens for Envy Adams’s band and where Scott faces another ex. And Lee’s is no stranger to movie sets. Decades ago, its interior was filmed as a Jamaican reggae club in 1988’s Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise.
Roy Thomson Hall: The Boys
Parts of the world’s most popular superhero show were filmed at Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe St.). The Boys digitally tweaked the building’s curved-glass exterior into Vought’s Seven Tower, but it’s unmistakably Toronto. In real life, the hall is still very much itself: the home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra!
Allan Gardens Conservatory and Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres: The Umbrella Academy
Toronto shows up in The Umbrella Academy through two of the city’s most atmospheric spots! In the first season, the Elgin Theatre (part of the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres, 189 Yonge St.) serves as the backdrop for Vanya’s violin-rehearsal scenes, providing a dim, almost haunted interior. The historic Yonge Street venue is a National Historic Site and the last operating stacked theatre complex in the world. Allan Gardens Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave.) appears later in the season during a dreamy scene where Luther, trying to charm Allison, turns the conservatory into a glowing, romantic fantasy.
Sankofa Square: The Handmaid’s Tale
Photo: Hulu
In The Handmaid’s Tale, Sankofa Square (formerly Dundas Square) appears in flashbacks to pre-Gilead life, using one of downtown Toronto’s most instantly recognizable intersections to capture the busyness of the city before everything “turns”. The square sits at Yonge and Dundas and draws millions of visitors each year, with festivals, concerts, public art, buskers and other large-scale activations.
Blue horses and genuine Italian hospitality will soon be found in neighbourhoods across Toronto. A cozy Etobicoke restaurant that opened in December and is known for its quality service will soon be expanding to open three restaurants within less than a year.
Located at 848 The Queensway, The Blue Horse Cucina comes from the team behind Kramer’s Bar & Grill, a beloved and lively Yonge Street pub that had been in Davisville Village for more than a decade. Kramer’s closed its doors for good at the end of August 2025 when their lease was ended for redevelopment of the building.
@thebluehorsecucina/Instagram
In December, Christian Chiari, Ben Toma and executive chef Steve Birdwell took over the building that was formerly Pazzia Osteria. With Chiari and Toma both being Italian, they decided to go back to their roots with The Blue Horse Cucina.
“We’ve been working together for roughly 11 years and there is that big influence of Italian cuisine and Italian culture for us,” says Chiari. “The stars really aligned when we found this place — a little cute, holistic space — so it really became very natural to bring the Italian culture and cuisine to life.”
That authenticity is clear from the moment you step into the diner and are greeted in Italian — something Chiari says is always fun to watch customers embrace. The space itself is warm and intimate, the kind of atmosphere only a small, friend-run restaurant can create, with classic red-and-white checkered tablecloths and green foliage snaking across the ceiling.
Housemade focaccia
The menu draws on northern and central Italian cuisine, with a focus on handmade pastas crafted from fresh, simple ingredients. Standout dishes include the linguine alla pescatora and tagliatelle with braised veal shank ragù, while salads, roasted chicken breast and steak round out the menu.
The dishes can be paired with a large selection of Italian wines, including those less popular like a pecorino or corvina. The knowledgeable staff is there to help diners not only find their new favourite, but the ones that pair best with their meal.
If you were a fan of Kramer’s, you might recognize the inspiration behind the name The Blue Horse — the iconic statue that once stood outside the pub. The large plastic horse became something of an urban legend after mysteriously appearing on Kramer’s patio one morning, seemingly out of nowhere.
Crostacei alla Griglia
“I’m not sure where the horse came from, I’m not sure even how it was transported to Yonge Street, but it showed up there at the pub and we didn’t know what to do with it,” says Chiari, noting that many people took photos and climbed the horse over the years.
“It became the symbol of the public community, because there was a lot of laughter and a story behind that horse. It really became something that we wanted to bring with us. It was a memory, and we got attached to that idea and that symbol of community and fun.”
The horse is currently in storage, waiting to return to Yonge Street when The Blue Horse Eatery opens this summer. Located at 1867 Yonge Street, the new spot will pay homage to Kramer’s, bringing a neighbourhood pub back to the area with snacks, good wine and warm hospitality. Chiari says the goal is to welcome back longtime regulars while opening in time for the World Cup.
Grilled Octopus
But that’s not the only expansion in the works for the team. The Blue Horse Rotisserie will be coming to 554 Parliament Street in Cabbagetown, which, Chiari says, they hope to open before the end of summer.
Despite the rapid growth, Chiari says all The Blue Horse locations will be a welcoming space where customers are invited to get to know the owners, learn more about the food and drinks, and stick around a while.
“It’s not just a small business. It’s really part of the community. It’s really fun and we want to welcome people and have them remember us not just for the meal but for that hospitality and experience.”
Easter already? Yup! The holiday falls earlier than usual this year, on Sunday, April 5, 2026, and Toronto has no shortage of spots where you can dress up and linger over a delicious brunch. From a castle buffet at Casa Loma to lobster Benedict, seafood bars and chocolate-heavy finales, the city’s Easter lineup is super festive and very reservation-worthy.
Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto
Celebrate Easter Sunday with a little la dolce vita at this Michelin-starred spot. The limited-time Sunday brunch begins April 5, with seatings starting at 11 a.m. At $100/person, diners can enjoy the Feature Tasting Menu while taking in the city’s gorgeous skyline and water views. Although we don’t have exact Easter menu details, guests will likely be treated to thoughtfully composed dishes that showcase seasonal ingredients and the signature refinement the restaurant is known for. This is a more intimate experience that’s perfect for anyone looking to mark the occasion with understated luxury! Reservations are through OpenTable. 1 Harbour Square, 38th floor.
Casa Loma
Brunch at the Castle | Photo by @svphotography.ca
What better way to celebrate Easter pageantry energy than at an actual castle? Casa Loma’s April 5 Easter brunch is a prepaid $90/person buffet served inside the castle, so guests can explore the historic property before or after their 90-minute brunch seating!
Indulge in breakfast-station staples like chocolate and butter croissants, cinnamon rolls, blueberry pancakes and cinnamon-mascarpone French toast, or check out the omelet station for something more classic. There’s a seafood bar featuring smoked trout, Argentinian shrimp, bacon-wrapped scallops and seared salmon, as well as pasta options like butternut squash ravioli and veal ravioli, and hot-station mains like roasted honey ham, Ontario rainbow trout and carved prime rib! Bonus: if you have kids, there’s a $65 Child Brunch add-on available. Reservations are through OpenTable. 1 Austin Terrace.
Living Room, W Toronto
Celebrate Easter in true W style at the W Toronto Hotel! On April 4 and 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the hotel’s lobby lounge, the Living Room, will transform into theseason’s destination for a festive spring brunch. Expect interactive stations, an Ontario cheese board with grapes, dried fruit and nuts, a breadbasket with whipped butter and seasonal jam, wellness shots, fruit platters, pastries and petits gâteaux. For mains, standouts include the chicken and waffles with truffle maple syrup and steak and eggs finished with chimichurri, while a smoked salmon croissant and wellness breakfast bowl round out the lineup. Pricing: $75/person | $30/child (12 and under). Reservations are via OpenTable. 90 Bloor St E.
REIGN Restaurant & Bar, Fairmont Royal York
Put on your Sunday best and head to REIGN inside the Fairmont Royal York! The hotel’s Easter lobby installation is a sculptural, oversized egg, adorned with delicate seasonal details and crowned by a canopy of blooming pink branches, bringing some fun springtime renewal energy to the Fairmont (look out for it from March 26 to April 27).
Now for the food: On April 4 and 5, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., guests can gather over a Lobster & Polenta Benedict, a Croque Madame French Toast layered with black truffle mornay and crackling crunch, and a Tiramisu Pancake Stack with mini chocolate eggs, alongside tasty brunch classics. There’s also a lemon-asparagus salad if you want something lighter, as well as a braised lamb shank with spring vegetables for a heartier dish. For a sweet finale, Executive Pastry Chef Kapila has handcrafted a chocolate egg inspired by the iconic lobby installation. Bonus: the $75 tableside add-on reveal could come with a golden ticket for a Fairmont Gold weekend stay! For prices and reservations, visit OpenTable. 100 Front St W.
TOCA at The Ritz-Carlton
TOCA is bringing back its popular Easter brunch buffet on April 5 with two seatings (12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.), featuring a massive seafood bar and Easter-inspired desserts, complemented by a carving station with slow-roasted meats and live-action pasta stations! It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking for a luxe meal rather than simple eggs and toast. Prices: $185/adult, $85/child (12 and under). 181 Wellington St W.
LOUIX LOUIS at The St. Regis Toronto
LOUIX LOUIS has one of the most balanced Easter brunches on this list! The Easter Royal Brunch Buffet takes place on April 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ($125/adult | $55/child), so guests can expect part-buffet, part-plated signature dishes, with select à la carte faves all served in a sky-high dining room. Load up on house-made viennoiseries, fresh seafood, carved ham and lamb, seasonal salads and artisanal cheeses, then order something distinctly brunchy, like the Lobster Omelet with tarragon béarnaise or the Chicken & Waffle with maple butter and truffle honey. Dessert is also festive, with a chocolate Easter display, a chocolate fountain and made-to-order crêpes. 325 Bay St.
Auberge du Pommier
Auberge du Pommier’s Easter meal service runs April 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. as a five-course prix fixe for $130! It’s set in a North York French dining room, making it a perfect choice if you’re looking for a quieter, more refined alternative to the city’s grand buffets. Start your Easter brunch with the crêpe mille-feuille layered with peas, mint, tarragon, morels and Comté, then move on to duck sausage and an Œufs Vol-au-Vent with poached egg, puff pastry, Béarnaise and jambon de Paris. For the main, choose between aged lamb with Koshihikari rice and barley miso jus, or red sea bream with radish, seaweed, caviar and beurre blanc, before finishing with a chocolate-raspberry gâteau de Pâques and petit fours. 4150 Yonge St.
The weather in Toronto is only just starting to warm up, but the 2026 calendar has spoken: Easter is coming early this year! Whether you celebrate the holiday or you’re just in it for the egg hunts and the chocolate, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the festivities in Ontario. Spend the long weekend watching colourful floats drive by at an Easter parade, hunting for treats at an egg hunt or capturing the perfect family photo op with the Easter bunny at a nearby farm. Hop into spring with these 10 Easter events all around Ontario.
Head over to Queen Street East in the Beaches on Easter Sunday and take part in a long-standing Toronto tradition. Celebrating 60 years, this fun-filled afternoon of colourful floats, marching bands and good old family fun is a great way to celebrate spring. Looking for more long weekend festivities? Check out the community Easter egg hunt on Friday, April 3.
This Saturday, visit Aurora for a delightful Easter-themed morning. Try your luck at egg fishing, take the family on an interactive story walk, traverse the hopstacle course and snap a photo with the Easter Bunny. For an exciting scavenger hunt with great prizes, download the Goosechase app before April 6 and join the fun.
Throughout the entire Easter weekend, the Markham Fairgrounds will be buzzing with festivities. Take the kids for a spin on a midway ride or join them in a round of mini putt. Nosh on some carnival favourites, and join in on the Easter egg hunt in the barn.
If you happen to be in cottage country over the weekend, stop by the Muskoka Pioneer Village for a family-friendly Easter egg hunt. With thousands of colourful, delicious chocolate eggs awaiting discovery, it’ll be a fun time for all. Bonus points to the lucky kids who finds the golden eggs tucked around the field — they’ll receive a special prize from the Nutty Chocolatier!
Celebrate Easter on the shores of Lake Huron this weekend. With family-friendly entertainment, including train rides, inflatables, face painting, a magic show and an Easter Bunny appearance, the kids will have a blast. Meet some furry friends the children’s animal farm and search for some Easter eggs, too.
Journey down the enchanted Spring Forest Trail at Willowtree Farm and discover colourful eggs along the way. Listen to the Easter Bunny spin a magical tale and get the kids crafting at the greenhouse. A stop at the farm cafe will be a welcome treat for the grown-ups — as is a visit to the on-site farm market, featuring fresh produce and preserves.
Pickering is bringing the community together for a fun-filled Easter parade filled with buskers, clowns and festive floats. Afterwards, stop by the local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 606 between 11 a.m. and 122 p.m. to continue the party with a BBQ. Take part in the annual Bonnet Contest (featuring not just bonnets but bikes, wagons and doll prams, too), and enjoy some games and live entertainment.
Head over to the Friday Harbour resort community for a weekend filled with Easter delights. Sign the kids up for basket weaving and bag decorating, traditional Easter egg decorating or even a spring tie-dye activity. Events run from 12–3 p.m., and don’t miss out on the ninth annual egg drop, running from 2–3 p.m. (teams can pay $15 to join).
Southwestern Ontario’s favourite farmers’ market invites the family to celebrate Easter with an exciting morning of egg hunting. Running at three separate times (9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.), prepare to scour the farmyard in search of eggies, enjoy a meet and greet the Easter Bunny and explore Canada’s largest year round farmers’ market for some take-home goodies. Plus, some of the vendors will be offering Easter candy and treats — if you can find them!
Book your tickets and stop by Downey’s Farm for a day of Easter family fun. Spot adorable baby farm animals, search for Easter eggs with the kids and hop aboard a wagon ride for a storybook adventure. Before heading home, explore the farm shop for tasty treats and freshly baked goods. You can also take part in an Easter dance party, let your inner artist shine at a bunny ears colouring station and have fun at a magic show.
Serena Williams, part of the Toronto Tempo ownership team
Toronto’s newest professional basketball franchise is inviting fans inside its future home for the first time.
On April 14, the Toronto Tempo will host Before the Bounce, a one-hour kickoff rally at Coca-Cola Coliseum to introduce the team’s identity, atmosphere, and ambitions ahead of its inaugural season. The event will run from 7 to 8 p.m., and is the first public shindig for the franchise.
Billed as more than a simple open house, Before the Bounce is more of a preview of game night at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Fans will get their first look at the team’s inaugural court design, along with a sampling of the in-arena experience—from music and lighting to dance performances and crowd engagement.
“Before the Bounce is about opening our doors and welcoming people into the heart of Tempo basketball for the first time,” said Whitney Bell, chief marketing officer, Toronto Tempo. “There’s nothing like experiencing a team in its home arena, and this event is our way of bringing the Tempo community together — to feel the energy, see what we’re building, and get a real sense of what’s coming when we tip off our inaugural season.”
The evening will feature a fireside chat with newly minted head coach Sandy Brondello, team president Teresa Resch, and general manager Monica Wright Rogers. The discussion will be moderated by Kayla Grey.
Fans will also be able to purchase official merchandise, see the premium CIBC Courtside Club seating, and get a sense of how the team plans to blend sport, entertainment, and community.
That community angle is underscored by the ticketing model: admission is priced at $15, with proceeds supporting MLSE LaunchPad through Tempo Impact.
It should be a busy month for the Tempo as it ramps up for the start of the WNBA season in May.
First up, the WNBA will hold its expansion draft on Friday, April 3 when the Tempo and the other new franchise, Portland Fire, will make selections from players left unprotected by other teams. Free agency will begin the following week, with the full WNBA draft held April 13.
The Toronto Tempo will open preseason play against the Connecticut Sun at Coca-Cola Coliseum on April 29.
Bobby Flay is officially bringing his “crunchified” burgers to Toronto this summer — and we’ve got the exclusive on why the Food Network icon is betting big on The Well. While a 65-restaurant expansion is planned across Canada, it all starts at Front and Spadina, right in a city that already takes its burgers very seriously.
At the centre of it all is Flay’s signature creation: putting potato chips directly into the bun, a technique he calls “crunchifying.” While it’s a risky choice in a city full of burger purists, but one he’s confident will win people over.
“Putting potato chips on your burger creates a very different contrast of texture and experience while eating a burger,” he told us. “They give one extra texture that most burgers don’t have.”
Even after years of Beat Bobby Flay, Flay is surprisingly modest about what happens in a regular kitchen. He doesn’t rule out the idea that a home cook could beat him — especially when it comes to a signature dish.
“Sure,” he told us. “I think that every good home cook has one dish that can probably give me a run for my money.”
Scaling a chef-driven concept to dozens of locations is no small feat. Michael McGill, president of Bobby’s Burgers, says the key to consistency starts with how Flay built the brand from day one.
“Maintaining chef-driven quality at scale starts with the way Bobby Flay built the brand,” he told us. “Every menu item, ingredient and preparation method has been carefully developed and tested to ensure it can be executed consistently without compromising flavour or quality.”
That foundation, McGill explains, is backed by a strong operational system designed to support growth without losing what makes the brand work.
“We provide comprehensive training, detailed kitchen systems and ongoing support so that every location delivers the same experience guests expect,” he said.
As for a uniquely Canadian burger, don’t expect one — at least not right away. For launch, the team is sticking to what already works. McGill says the focus is on introducing diners to Bobby’s Burgers before making any local tweaks.
“Our priority is introducing Canadian guests to the core Bobby’s Burgers experience, which means starting with the same signature burgers, fries and shakes that have made the brand so popular in the U.S.,” he told us.
That doesn’t mean Toronto won’t eventually leave its mark. McGill points to the city’s influence as something the brand is already thinking about as it expands.
“Toronto is an incredibly dynamic food city and we are always inspired by the markets we enter,” he said. “As the brand grows in Canada, there may be opportunities to explore local influences or limited-time offerings — but the foundation will remain the chef-driven menu that Bobby created.”
Follow along with Bobby’s Burgers on Instagram for updates.
Most Niagara getaways begin and end with the Falls (and, understandably so, they’re mesmerizing), but just beyond the Falls, Niagara’s South Coast offers a different kind of getaway. Travel along the stretch that links Pelham, Wainfleet, Fort Erie and Port Colborne, and you’ll find a quieter kind of escape surrounded by country roads, enviable beaches and the most charming downtown cores dotted with cute cafés and chic indie shops.
The Niagara South Coast tourism board calls the area “Niagara’s heartland of hidden gems.” As it’s only about a 90-minute drive from Toronto, it makes a great day trip or the perfect excuse to turn one day into a full weekend.
Start your mini-getaway in Pelham: it’s very green and hilly, giving the town storybook vibes. The Fonthill Kame is the highest point of land in the Niagara area, so head there first for a few Insta snaps before tackling Pelham’s trail network. Wander the 15.4-km Short Hills Loop for escarpment views and access to Short Hills Provincial Park: it’s super pretty during the early spring runoff, and you might even spot a white-tailed deer or a meadow vole.
Next up is Wainfleet: it’s only about a 15-minute drive from Pelham. According to Niagara’s South Coast, it’s a place where “the absolute highlight” at twilight is watching the stars come out. It’s also the perfect stop for some beach time and to reconnect with nature, making it a great pick whether you’re travelling solo or with a group!
Long Beach Conservation Area is one of Wainfleet’s best-known hidden gems for swimming, fishing and sailboarding, while Reebs Bay Beach offers accessible parking and washrooms if you want a classic public-beach day with more amenities on hand.
Away from the shore, Wainfleet Wetlands is one of the Niagara Peninsula’s standout fossil-viewing areas, with exposed ancient marine lifeforms and a strong birdwatching draw. Or head to Wainfleet Bog: it’s the only bog wetland in the Peninsula, offering trails and boardwalks through restored habitat (great for hiking and observing diverse wildlife).
Fort Erie is about a 30-minute drive from Wainfleet, and it’s considered the South Coast stop for beach people. Bay Beach in Crystal Beach is one of the big draws, with white sand, warm water and mats trailing down to the shoreline. Waverly Beach offers a quieter shoreline moment (again, great for both families and solo-trippers) and sits right by the Friendship Recreation Trail, which itself runs 16 kilometres across Fort Erie.
Once you’ve had your beach fill, grab some grub at The Breakfast Beacon for all-day breakfast and daily lunch specials (100% nut-free), and head to M&J’s Restaurant for Niagara’s finest ‘broasted’ chicken.
Fort Erie also has tons of heritage moments for you to explore your inner geek! The Old Fort Erie site (open mid-May to end of August) brings the War of 1812 to life with tours and musket demonstrations, and the century-plus-old Point Abino Lighthouse is open for guided tours every other Saturday from June to September (it makes for a very pretty warm-weather side trip).
End your getaway in Port Colborne; it just might possibly be the most charming of the bunch. This canal town is about a 20-minute drive from Fort Erie and is steeped in marine heritage. Bridge 21 (aka the Clarence Street bridge), the Port Promenade and the Welland Canal all offer front-row views of ships passing through town. And the city’s waterfront anchors are strong. H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park overlooks Sugarloaf Harbour and Gravelly Bay, while nearby Sugarloaf Marina is perfect for fishing and people-watching.
For culture, the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum (typically open from May to December) is one of the best stops in the region, with a heritage village, gardens and exhibits on the town and canal, while Arabella’s Tea Room (open between June and September) is a sweet spot for afternoon tea and homemade biscuits served by volunteers dressed in historical costume!
For food, head to the Market Café (they serve great early-bird breakfasts) or Melina’s Family Restaurant for old-school family restaurant plates. If you’re planning a summer weekend, the Canal Days Heritage Marine Festival remains the city’s signature event and is set for July 31 to August 3 this year.
April is just around the corner, and Toronto is blooming into spring with plenty of fun things to do! From Cardi B and Hayley Williams in concert to an Easter parade and the Jays, here are 10 things to do in Toronto this week.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Toronto, check out our Instagram page, @streetsoftorontodo.
From Monday to Wednesday, the Toronto Blue Jays will be facing off against the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series on home turf. Snag some tickets and cheer our Canadian champs on from the stands!
Cardi B is heading to Toronto on her Little Miss Drama Tour on Monday, after the release of her latest album, Am I the Drama? And if you miss the concert, you can head to Rebel for her official after party!
The hilarious drag duo that is Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamo are coming to Toronto for two nights, Tuesday and Wednesday on their The Bald and the Beautiful: Very Bald, Very Beautiful tour.
Over 250 vendors will offer everything from artisanal pet treats and food to unique handmade accessories and grooming essentials at this annual pet expo, running all long weekend, and there will also be a creative grooming station (where you can watch pups be transformed into works of art).
The Beaches Easter weekend celebration is back with some super festive fun! Enjoy the famous Easter parade this Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. with family. The parade starts on Queen Street at Munro Parkland and ends after turning onto Woodbine Avenue, so grab your kids and set up early for the best seats!
On Thursday, have the time of your life reliving Dirty Dancing with a unique live-to-film concert event features the original film projected in full, accompanied by a live band and singers performing every magical song from the soundtrack.
Toronto’s amazing multi-hyphenate Mae Martin (the mind behind Netflix’s 2025 hit Wayward) is performing back in their hometown on Saturday on their new stand-up tour, The Possum.
Running for just four nights only from Wednesday to Saturday, catch award-winning musical Bat out of Hell in Toronto! This reimagined show features a dynamic eight-piece rock band live on stage, bringing to life the music of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf.
Celebrate the beginning of Earth Month with Evergreen Brick Works! The celebration begins on Sunday, with full-day programming that includes egg decorating, a bird and bee habitat-making workshop, mochi making (with an Easter twist), seed planting, a garden party and more.
Toronto loves Paramore lead vocalist Hayley Williams — so much so that after the launch of her 2026 tour, which included just one date in the city, she quickly added another! She’ll be performing solo in Toronto for the first time for two nights, Tuesday and Wednesday, with support from Water from Your Eyes.
Just an hour east of Toronto is a small pastoral hamlet that would make the perfect day trip. Nestled in Clarington, the tiny town of Orono on the southern stretch of Highway 35 is less about big-city sights and more about the charm of niche indie shops, heritage buildings and cute cafés.
Start your visit in the heart of town and stroll along Main Street, where you can buy everything from Kawartha Dairy ice cream to boutique jarred chutney and fresh apple blossom flowers. If you’re into history, the Orono Town Hall alone is worth the trip. It was built in 1898 in a Romanesque Revival style and today still hosts festivals, parades and community events.
Next up, visit the Orono Antique Market. It’s now housed in the community’s historic armoury building on Park Street and is filled with all sorts of antiques and vintage treasures, while the Main Thru Church Antique Mall hosts about 30 booths and showcases filled with collectibles, everything from glass and fine china to books, furniture and silver.
Courtesy Donna Banks/Facebook
After your mid-morning stroll, stop in for a filling lunch of haddock and French fries at the Orono Country Café (which also offers delicious pie, like coconut cream and lemon meringue). Just down the street, Enchanted Crystal Cafe serves lattes, teas and baked goods inside a crystal-filled shop (try playful faves like the Honey Bee Latte, Lavender London Fog and Pistachio Rose Matcha).
For a proper nature break, head to the Sidney B Rutherford Woods Walk Park. It’s nestled right behind the village and offers the most charming forested trail system, with multiple entrances from around downtown, including Main Street and Station Street. If you’re looking for a bigger nature moment, the Orono Crown Lands are only a couple of minutes west of downtown, with about 15 kilometres of marked trails, benches, a picnic area and no admission fee. Wilmot Creek also runs through the property, with a rainbow trout run in mid-April and salmon later in the year.
If you’re staying into the evening hours, grab some takeout or a casual dinner at Twisted Pizzeria for New York-style pies as well as pasta and wings combos, while Sunny’s Restaurant is the village’s go-to spot for Chinese food (it’s been serving Orono since 1999). Before you head home, pick up some snacks and baked goods from the Orono General Store.
A. Burberry coat + tall red boot
C. Earthy green trench + waterproof suede Chelsea boot
E. Snakeskin jacket + square toe bootie
