The city’s most instantly recognisable symbol, it remains a hugely popular visitor attraction. Gaze out at the view from what is still the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere.

A huge, all-encompassing gem of a museum, it focuses mainly on world cultures and natural history, with exhibitions on everything from dinosaurs to Canada’s First Peoples.

Billed as ‘North America’s only castle’, this Gothic Revival-style mansion was built only a century ago by a local financier. The house and gardens remain an enjoyable visitor attraction.

Open since late 2013 and occupying a plum downtown location, this is the largest indoor aquarium in Canada with more than 5 million litres of marine and freshwater habitats.

A comprehensive zoo with a substantial conservation programme, it has more than 5,000 animals from various corners of the world.

Open since the 1960s – and originally one of the world’s first look-and-touch interactive museums – the centre has modernised to offer plenty to the modern visitor.

Standing behind a strikingly modern facade designed by Frank Gehry, this excellent gallery has a collection of 80,000 works spanning various continents, styles and centuries.

A museum and hall of fame in one, this perennially popular attraction details the history of Canada’s favourite sport. It’s heaven for fans, and interesting for those curious about the local passion.

One of Toronto’s – indeed Canada’s – quirkiest attractions, the museum follows the steps of footwear from ancient Egyptian footwear to high-heeled fashion accessories. Its tagline is ‘For the Curious’.

A summer magnet for families and g-force lovers, this is a large-scale theme park with rides including Leviathan, Vortex, Shockwave and Behemoth. Planet Snoopy is on hand for younger visitors.

The Drake Hotel has established itself as a lively mix of local trendy hangout and laid-back urban boutique hotel with just 19 attractive rooms, each with a different decor. For locals, it’s the most important meeting place in the neighborhood thanks to its program of live acts, well-frequented rooftop bar and excellent café on the ground floor. Bonus: Next to the reception desk, there’s a retro passport photo machine that’s a huge hit with Toronto’s partygoers.

Hip new restaurant serving modern Canadian fare with a good range of vegan and vegetarian options. As you sit in the large and elaborately designed dining room, you can’t help noticing that no expense was spared on the interior designer’s fee. If you’re lucky enough to have Martin from Jena in Germany waiting at your table, you can also look forward to some particularly honest and competent views on the wine list.

The neighborhood regards Doc as its philosopher and conscience. His two-story mix of motorcycle leathergoods shop, retro memorabilia and photo museum – he snaps anyone wearing a biker vest and hangs the photos on the wall for posterity – is a popular haunt for locals with a particular fascination for all things biking-related.

At this “brilliant little chocolate box for bibliophiles,” there’s a family atmosphere and a clearly organized, because rigorously curated, selection of books. The store simply wishes not to present its clients with printed trash. So it somehow makes sense that the booksellers themselves also write. Derek McCormack for one has just published a splendid collection of short stories.

Since 2008, the young designer Lawrence Blairs has been running the colorful, but style-themed furniture design store Atomic Design, which specializes in Canadian contemporary and mid-century design. Available articles include pieces by Ray & Charles Eames, Ingo Maurer and Victor Vasarely.

A temple for paper lovers. This store will even order the favorite material of designers, graphic artists and illustrators is occasionally from Japan, if the customer so wishes. From paper flowers to elegant coffee-table books, this is the place to find the most beautiful paper.

Soul food at this eatery means Afro-American and Afro-Caribbean cuisine with a modern twist. But we wouldn’t be in Toronto if it weren’t also about making a stand: “We want to celebrate the city’s ethnic and cultural diversity.” Our tip: Try the southern fried chicken and waffle …

Extremely laid-back hangout with a carelessly funky decor that since 2006 has earned itself a loyal clientele with regular DJ events and live gigs – lots of drag and burlesque, but also karaoke. Best come lightly dressed because the place is small, so it’s very, very communicative.

Before Jeff Brodawka opened his extraordinary shoe boutique in Toronto four years ago, the man with a degree in industrial design worked for John Fluevog in Vancouver. No wonder, then, that his product portfolio is very different from those of “normal” shoe stores. Sometimes garish, sometimes classic, often a little provocative, his shoes all have one thing in common: top handcrafted quality. One of his quotes tells us where his creative inspiration comes from: “When I was in London, seeing my first Paul Smith store was a revelation.”

Aside from designer Angela Phung’s The Store in Queen (719 West Queen West), Fawn, Kasha Bilobram’s original vintage-style boutique, has since 2007 established itself as a prime address for unusual women’s fashion. Fawn is often the first address for Asian and American upcoming labels, such as In God We Trust, Uzi, Markoo, and A Detacher by Polish designer Monika Kowalska.

Set within the Shangri La Hotel, this offers quality fine dining.

Long one of Toronto’s best, with elegant French cuisine.

A Portuguese restaurant with an excellent reputation for its seafood.

A much acclaimed neighbourhood restaurant with inventive dishes.

A cheese-themed menu makes it a winner with families.

Does what the name suggests, and in some style, serving up everything from oak-aged gin martinez to guajillo margarita.

A mecca for craft beer fans, this small-batch brewer has an ever-changing list of beers on tap – there’s food too.

A rooftop patio aimed at a classy, mature crowd – the name stands for ‘Everything for Sale’.

Where to head for a lively house/techno experience, with regular international and local DJs.

A laid-back wine bar, perfect for those who enjoy a decent tipple without dressing to the nines.