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.
MOVING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Pilgrim is making way for a better tomorrow by building a sustainable company culture
with our suppliers, ourselves and our customers. We believe a bit of luxury can go hand
in hand with caring for the environment.
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT
As of 2020, our suppliers have been recycling jewellery molds by melting and
remolding new ones each season. All water will be treated and reused as industrial water.
Lastly, our suppliers have now switched to solar powered energy within their factories.
BYE, BYE BUBBLE WRAP!
Pilgrim is proud to introduce our new FSC certified, eco-friendly packaging.
Our gift-wrapping options have also been phased out for sustainable ones
including organic cotton ribbon and FSC certified paper with eco-friendly non-toxic ink.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Let’s work together to solve current challenges we can strengthen together by increasing
our shared knowledge, setting new goals and coming up with mutually beneficial solutions for our future.
Pilgrim is built and run with heart and soul, and these are key elements of Pilgrim’s DNA. Our social responsibility (CSR) is a vital part of our business and we seek to extend that philosophy to all of our partners and suppliers to cover materials, manufacturing processes and working conditions – wherever our products are made. That is why we choose collaboration partners with the utmost care and have established a Code of Conduct with our suppliers in the East.
Code of Conduct
Our goal has always been to make clean products – and that means using only pure base metals and 100% nickel free materials in our jewellery. Our open dialogue and close collaboration with our suppliers ensures a depth of shared knowledge and the sharing of our CSR Code of Conduct throughout our entire organisation.
You can find more information about Pilgrim's CSR policy here
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.