TORONTO CITY GUIDE
Your Guide to Toronto’s Best Spots
Discover Toronto through Sasha Mei’s eyes and explore her favourite spots and hidden gems across the city. From coffee shops and restaurants to shopping, art and local favourites, Sasha shares the places she keeps coming back to. Whether you’re planning a weekend in Toronto or looking for new places to discover, consider this your guide to experiencing the city like a local.
CAFES
Sasha takes her coffee seriously. Library Coffee is one of her favourite coffee shops in Toronto, chosen first and foremost for the quality of its coffee. She loves settling in with a cappuccino or picking up a bag of beans to brew at home.
“Most people will go places for the vibe, I go wherever the coffee is good.” — Sasha Mei
For something fresh and feel-good, Nutbar is a Toronto cult classic. Sasha loves the Lemon Glow smoothie and açai bowl, while their breakfast bars are her go-to when she needs a quick, healthy snack.
OUR ACTIONS
At Pilgrim, we have created a tradition of helping others whenever possible through charitable work and donations. Every year we work in collaboration with Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Doctors without Borders is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. They provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Their teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff - bound together by the charter. Their actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality. They are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation.
MSF was founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of journalists and doctors. Today, they are a worldwide movement of nearly 65,000 people.
Each season, Pilgrim's designers work closely in collaboration with MSF's team to design unique pieces of jewellery in support of this cause.
For each MSF jewellery piece sold, Pilgrim donates $21 directly to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Doctors without Borders.
TO DATE, PILGRIM HAS DONATED $3 000 000 CAD TO MSF.
IN A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN BE ANYTHING, BE KIND.
LIFESTYLE
Some of Sasha’s favourite places in Toronto are less about what to buy or eat and more about how she experiences the city.
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of her favourite buildings in the city. Designed by Frank Gehry, it’s a place Sasha visits regardless of what’s on view, taking time to enjoy the natural light, quiet her mind and climb the spiral staircase to the top floor.
Then there’s Issues. It may technically be a shop, but Sasha considers it part of her lifestyle. With one of her favourite selections of print magazines in the city, it’s a place that reflects something she strongly believes in:
“Print = life.” — Sasha Mei
Around Avenue Road and Davenport Road, a collection of small flower shops has become part of Sasha’s weekly routine. She stops by at least once a week for beautiful seasonal flowers at a good price, and for the people who always brighten her day.
SHOPPING
Sasha’s favourite places to shop in Toronto are all about pieces worth keeping. Pilgrim is her go-to for statement and staple jewellery, with rings holding a special place in her collection.
At River Crossing, the clothing selection is worth a look, but Sasha is especially drawn to the homeware. VSP Consignment is another favourite, with some of Sasha’s most treasured pieces coming from its consignment selection.
RESTAURANTS
From neighbourhood comfort food to date-night favourites, these Toronto restaurants are the kind of places worth coming back to.
Le Swan is the ultimate comfort spot, where being a regular makes every visit feel a little like coming home. The order rarely changes: steak frites and a glass of whatever is on the featured fun pour.
“It’s nice to have a restaurant where you’re a regular and are welcomed as if you’re coming home.” — Sasha Mei
Milou is a reliable favourite at any time of day, from breakfast through dinner. A midday stop for the cheese and honey is a favourite.
For date night, Bar Isabel is an easy choice. The tasting menu is a favourite, but a late-night visit for Basque cheesecake and an amaro is just as tempting.