36 Hours in Toronto: Where to Eat, Explore and Stay

Toronto is the kind of city where 36 hours will never feel like enough, but it’s more than enough time to understand why so many people fall for it. Canada’s largest city is a vibrant mix of cultures, neighbourhoods and cuisines, where glass skyscrapers sit alongside independent coffee shops, waterside trails and some of the best food scenes in North America.

The secret to enjoying Toronto isn’t trying to tick off every attraction. Instead, spend your time exploring a handful of places, eating well and soaking up the atmosphere that makes the city feel so welcoming. Whether you're strolling along the waterfront, discovering local markets or finding a hidden cocktail bar, Toronto rewards curiosity.

In June, we worked with Destination Toronto to put together a 36-hour Toronto itinerary that’s designed for a first visit. It’s perfect for those looking for a city break that combines culture, great food, waterfront views and a hotel with plenty of character. It won't show you everything Toronto has to offer, but it will give you a genuine taste of the city and leave you planning your return before you've even left the city.

In this 36 hour guide to Toronto, we’re going to walk you through exactly what we got up to, with top tips on how you can follow our lead to make the very best of a short time in the city.

Day One

Check in and settle into West Queen West

Arriving in Toronto in the early afternoon with Air Transat gave us enough time to settle in before heading out to explore. We checked into Gladstone House in West Queen West, a boutique hotel that makes an ideal base for a first visit, with its mix of local artwork, characterful interiors and easy access to some of the city's best cafés, galleries, bars and independent restaurants.

For our first evening, we kept things simple. After a transatlantic flight, this isn't the time to try and cram in every major sight. Our body’s still need to adapt to a 5 hour (behind) time difference. Instead, we took the opportunity to freshen up, get our bearings and ease ourselves into the city. A leisurely drink, a good dinner and a wander around the neighbourhood is often the perfect introduction to Toronto.

Evening Itinerary 

• Wander along Queen Street West, stepping into Hopeless Romantic books (famously a romantic reader’s paradise that’s also in Union Station)

• Walk through Trinity Bellwoods Park and spot the CN Tower in the distance

• Drink delicious Cocktails at Cocktail Bar in Dundas Street West 

• Have dinner at Grey Gardens in Kensington West from acclaimed Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg; the perfect introduction to the Toronto food scene

Day Two

Morning: St. Lawrence Market

Photography by Pippa Moyle, using a Sony RX100 VII from MPB

Start the day early with a visit to St. Lawrence Market, one of Toronto's most iconic food destinations. We joined a tour with Kevin from Culinary Adventure Co, whose knowledge of the city's food scene, history and diverse cultural influences brought the market to life in a way that simply wandering between the stalls never could. 

Along the way, we sampled a fantastic range of local specialities, including peameal bacon, Canadian ice wine and beautifully prepared vodka gravlax, alongside plenty of other fresh and authentic produce. The experience offered not only some excellent food but also a deeper understanding of Toronto's identity as one of the world's most multicultural cities.

If you're planning to take the tour, keep breakfast light – or perhaps skip it altogether. The generous tastings quickly add up, and you'll want plenty of room to enjoy everything on offer. For first-time visitors, it's one of the best introductions to the city and an excellent way to start your Toronto adventure.

Late morning: Distillery District and SOMA

Photography by Pippa Moyle, using a Sony RX100 VII from MPB

From St. Lawrence Market, our next stop on the 36-hour itinerary was the historic Distillery District. One of Toronto's most charming and photogenic neighbourhoods, it is known for its pedestrian-only cobbled streets, beautifully preserved Victorian industrial architecture, independent boutiques, galleries and striking public art installations. It's the perfect place to slow down, browse the shops and soak up the atmosphere while capturing a few photos along the way.

While exploring the district, we made a stop at SOMA Chocolatemaker for something sweet. A must-visit for chocolate lovers, SOMA offers an impressive range of handcrafted chocolates to suit every taste, alongside seasonal treats such as gelato during the warmer months. They have a range of dairy free chocolates available too; the slow roasted hazelnut dark bar was Pippa’s favourite. 

Top Tip: Enjoy a coffee, matcha or iced tea at Balzac’s Coffee in the Distillery District. It’s in a lovely building with high ceilings and outdoor seating that spills out into the square. 

Lunch: El Catrin

We stayed in the Distillery District for lunch at El Catrin. Lively, colourful and full of energy, it's the perfect spot to pause without having to venture across the city again. On a warm Toronto afternoon, the restaurant's mist-cooled patio provided a welcome escape from the heat, allowing us to enjoy a selection of delicious tacos while watching the lunchtime buzz of the Distillery District unfold around us.

We'd recommend making time for a proper lunch stop rather than grabbing something on the go. Toronto's food scene is a huge part of the city's identity, and slowing down to enjoy a meal is all part of the experience.

Afternoon: Toronto Islands

The Toronto Islands are one of the city's most popular attractions, offering a peaceful escape that feels worlds away from downtown despite being just a short ferry ride across the water. After lunch, we made our way to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and hopped on a ferry to Central Island. 

The journey itself is part of the experience, with Toronto's impressive skyline gradually unfolding behind you as you cross the harbour. Seeing the city from the water gave us a whole new appreciation for its scale and beauty.

Once on the islands, slow the pace down. Wander the paths, seek out the beaches, stop for skyline photos and, if time allows, hire bikes to explore further. We rented bikes from Centre Island, opposite the ferry terminal using the Bike Share Toronto app, and found it to be the quickest and most enjoyable way to discover the area. 

Cycling along the winding trails led us to hidden corners, quiet waterfront spots and some of the best views back towards the city. The sandy beaches felt a million miles from the urban skyline, offering a surprising contrast to the bustling streets we'd left behind. Just keep an eye on the ferry timetable for your return journey and enjoy one final look at Toronto's spectacular skyline as you make your way back to the mainland.

Top Tip: Download the app Bike Share Toronto to use the bikes that are parked opposite the Central Island ferry terminal. Alternatively, you can follow the main pathway toward Centre Island attractions (past the bridge and fountain area) for roughly 10–15 minutes until you reach the bike rental stands near the pier area. Rentals operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to go earlier in the day, especially on weekends. Guests typically provide a valid photo ID as a deposit and can choose from single bikes, tandems, or quadricycles, with hourly or day-rate options available.

Evening: Little Portugal and Do West Fest

After an afternoon on the islands, return to the city for dinner at Conejo Negro in Little Portugal. The menu brings together Creole, Caribbean and Latin influences, drawing on chef Alycia Wahn’s experience in New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville. One of Toronto's most talked-about restaurants, it quickly became clear why it has earned such a strong reputation. The jerk chicken is so popular that it had sold out by 7pm. 

The atmosphere is warm and intimate, striking the perfect balance between relaxed and refined, while the knowledgeable staff bring genuine passion to the menu, happily guiding guests through the dishes and ingredients. With a varied menu and plenty of choice, it’s a great choice for anyone looking to experience Toronto’s multicultural food scene in one meal.

After dinner, we took a stroll towards Dundas Street West. We were incredibly lucky to visit during Do West Fest, when the neighbourhood transformed into a lively, pedestrian-friendly celebration of live music, food vendors, patios and community spirit. We were amazed by the number of stalls and pop-ups, with countless opportunities to stop for a drink, a snack or simply soak up the atmosphere. 

Even outside festival season, this is one of Toronto's most vibrant neighbourhoods. Creative, unpretentious and full of character, it's the kind of place that gives you a genuine feel for the city. In the warmer months, the streets come alive with patios, creating a buzzing social scene that spills out onto the sidewalks long into the evening.

To find more festivals, make sure you take a look at Destination Toronto.

Day 3 morning: Coffee and onward travel

Photography by Pippa Moyle, using a Sony RX100 VII from MPB

Use your final morning to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out; we had our morning order of an oat cappuccino and a peppermint tea at Gladstone Hotel with a delicious breakfast. 

If Toronto is just one stop on a wider Canadian adventure, consider continuing your journey by VIA Rail from Union Station to Ottawa. The train transforms what could be a simple transfer into part of the travel experience itself, offering a far more relaxed alternative to navigating another airport. 

We took the VIA Rail onwards to Ottawa and found it to be a wonderfully easy way to travel. With comfortable seating and ever-changing views of the Ontario countryside rolling past the window, the journey provided a welcome opportunity to slow down, reflect on our time in Toronto and enjoy a different side of Canada along the way.

36 hours is only enough time to scratch the surface of Toronto, but that's part of its appeal. From the flavours of St. Lawrence Market and the historic charm of the Distillery District to island escapes, vibrant neighbourhoods and some of the city's best independent restaurants, this itinerary offers a genuine introduction to what makes Toronto so compelling.

What stood out most during our visit was the city's ability to balance big-city energy with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. One moment you're cycling past sandy beaches with skyline views, the next you're discovering local galleries, food markets or a tucked-away neighbourhood restaurant.

If you're visiting Toronto for the first time, don't try to see everything. Instead, spend 36 hours eating well, exploring a handful of neighbourhoods and enjoying the city's distinct character. Chances are, you'll leave with a much longer list of places to return to.

Getting to Toronto

Air Transat flies direct from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow to Toronto year-round. For travel inspiration, deals and to book visit airtransat.com.

This article was created in partnership with Air Transat and Destination Toronto as part of the City Girl Guide to Canada.