Summer 2026 Update on Toronto: where to stay, dine and enjoy

For family reasons, Toronto has become my “go-to” vacation spot recently, and I could not be happier.

As a world-class destination, Toronto is proud of its standing as a welcoming and accessible city—a great place to bring groups when mobility is a consideration. The sports arenas, live theatres, hotels, and shopping hotspots all provide easy access. Many of them have accessible entrances, elevators, and washrooms, permit service animals, and even offer a free ticket for a support person. Recent improvements to the city’s local and regional transit systems make it even easier. Let the Destination Toronto team help you plan a visit with dignity, independence and integration.
Log on to: https://www.destinationtoronto.com/travel-trade/tools-resources/itineraries/more-ideas/accessible-attractions/

Accommodations

You are travelling to Toronto and wish to stay somewhere not too far from the excitement of downtown, yet close enough to your friends living in the suburbs. The Crowne Plaza Toronto – North York checks off all the boxes.

On our most recent trip to Toronto, we were looking for a hotel that fit this profile. It was the month of July, so we also wanted to find a place with a nice outdoor pool.  I remembered hearing from friends that the Westin Prince and the Pan Pacific had a terrific aquatic facility. Well, upon closer research I discovered that these properties are all one in the same. Last January the Pan Pacific rebranded to a Crowne Plaza. There are   405 guest rooms here, a large parking lot, a beautiful lobby, extensive greenspace (including a jogging track and wooded walking trails), games and pool table rooms (operated by a concessionaire), tennis courts and  Seasons restaurant. We enjoyed the ambiance there and the nice selections on the menu. You can stay active at their  fitness center (which is about to be upgraded) and wooded walking trails. Hosting an event?  They offer 16 meeting rooms and over 20,000 sq. ft. of flexible space for gatherings of up to 500 guests, supported by on-site catering and a dedicated events team. They are also pet-friendly. Cocktails are served at the 900 Lounge Bar.

The hotel  is set on 15 acres of landscaped parkland in the heart of the city. This location near Highway 401 and the Don Valley Parkway offers easy access to CF Shops at Don Mills, the Aga Khan Museum, and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Back in 2019, when the Westin became the Pan Pacific, the hotel benefitted from $15 million in upgrades. This is a beautiful venue. Please allow me to rave about the pool.  It is a large space, with water temperature adjusted according to the weather. There are comfortable lounge chairs to sit on. In a big city like Toronto, finding a hotel with an outdoor pool is no easy task. When you do, they tend to be small with limited places to sit. We accessed the free WiFi and enjoyed some very relaxing time by the water. The water was a bit cool for the first 30 seconds or so after I dove in, but I felt the warmth rather quickly. The Crowne Plaza Toronto - North York is located at  900 York Mills Rd in  North York.  Call 1 877 424 4188 for reservations, +1-416-4442511 for the front desk, and you can e-mail reservations@cptonorthyork.com. 

The hotel is very much handicapped accessible. There is a large drop-off zone for vehicles and a wide entrance. Elevators will bring you to each floor in the building. As for the pool, there is a ramp leading to the poolside.  They have several wheelchair accessible rooms with accessible door locks, grab bars, tall toilets and handrails.
Log on to: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/toronto/ytoym/hoteldetail

Food Scene

In Toronto, food is both a reflection of identity and a celebration of creativity, a true taste of the city’s multicultural spirit. From budget-friendly bites to Michelin-starred indulgences, the city offers something for every palate and price point. From classic peameal bacon sandwiches at historic St. Lawrence Market, to Italian-Jamaican fusion fare at Rasta Pasta located at WaterWorks Food Hall, to splurge-worthy seasonal menus at Edulis. For more unexpected cravings, check out 13-layer chocolate cake at Louix Louis, a four-foot noodle at Mimi Chinese or 100-layer lasagna at La Palma. Toronto’s culinary excellence has earned global recognition with its own Michelin Guide featuring 14 Michelin-starred restaurants, 23 Bib Gourmands, and 52 recommended spots across the city.

Lyla Toronto:  We fully enjoyed our very first experience at Lyla Toronto, an upscale Mediterranean-inspired restaurant located at 60 Sudbury Street in the city’s  Queen West neighborhood, near Liberty Village and BMO Field. The restaurant opened in 2024 and focuses on Italian, French and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, combining coastal flavors with modern techniques and some subtle international.

Lyla is known for its stylish yet welcoming setting. The space is designed for a variety of occasions, from business lunches and date nights to weekend brunches and private celebrations. It also features a renovated patio and private dining spaces, creating an elegant but approachable dining experience.  The elegant dining room can seat 100.

Daniel van Welie and Amen Habtemariam are the co-owners. Van Welie also owns another Toronto restaurant, Cano, which serves up classic Italian cuisine. He grew up in St. Laurent, having left Montreal 15 years ago to head down Highway 401.

On the evening we dined there, the Lyla team had enacted some changes. For starters a new culinary team of Daniel Kim and Seungho Jeon were brought on board as executive and sous chefs respectively and as a result the menu was relaunched.  Kim’s experience includes Michelin-starred Osteria Giulia and Michelin-recommended Sammarco and Opus Restaurants.   Jeon was formerly at Sydney’s acclaimed Two Hat restaurant Bennelong and Toronto’s The Chase. Together, the chefs bring a fresh energy to Lyla with a contemporary Mediterranean menu shaped by modern Italian and French cuisine and accented by subtle Asian influences.

Discover a reimagined raw bar showcasing premium Japanese fish and seafood, fresh pasta handcrafted by Famiglia Baldassarre, exceptional steaks and thoughtfully curated tasting experiences. Lyla offers handcrafted cocktails, an extensive wine selection, and brunch beverage specials. The restaurant also features a "Golden Hour" cocktail program and weekend brunch offerings.

We opted for the newly introduced  Chef’s Menu. For $110 per person, there are four “chapters” or servings. Chapter I offered the Radicchio & endive (whipped mozzarella di bufala, strawberry, almonds and strawberry vinaigrette) or steak tartare (anchovy oil, pear gel, sous-vide egg yolk and gochujang-gouda crisp). All three of us opted for the latter; the meat was placed on top of the cracker, easy to consume each of the four on the plate with one bite.

We moved on to Chapter II. I went for the Paccheri Alla Gin (pork cheek, chili-garlic, san Marzano rosé and pecorino romano) while the other two members of the party chose the Risotto Al Funghi (shitake mushrooms,  koji butter, black garlic and puffed buckwheat). The servings for each dish were generous. Mine tasted savory, and luxurious, a rich, creamy pasta dish with a surprisingly elegant balance of flavors. As for the risotto, the overall experience can perhaps best be compared to a warm, comforting bowl of creamy rice infused with the concentrated flavor of sautéed mushrooms. It feels elegant yet cozy, making it a classic Italian comfort food.

Onwards we went to Chapter III, which offered a choice of Sea Bream (Japanese madai fillet, ossetra caviar beurre blanc, blood orange and ramp oil) or Steak et Pavé (USDA prime New York striploin, dry aged 21 days, with potato pavé, crème fraiche, Shimada jus and green onion salt). We all chose the steak, which came perfectly prepared medium rare and cut like butter. The pavé, meanwhile, is a  French-style potato dish known for its elegant, layered appearance and rich texture. The word pavé means "paving stone" or "cobblestone" in French, referring to the dish's neat, rectangular blocks. We did save room for dessert, and on this night the pastry team prepared small and very tasty dishes of tiramisu.

 You should check out the Grotto, Lyla’s hidden private dining space, designed for intimate gatherings and elevated shared experiences. Tucked away from the main dining room, this refined setting offers a warm, immersive atmosphere paired with a curated chef’s menu and personalized service. Ideal for celebratory dinners, client entertaining, cocktail-style receptions, or special occasions, The Grotto blends exclusivity, ambiance, and Mediterranean hospitality to create a truly memorable event. It features candlelit tables and curated place settings. Lyla Toronto has a handicapped accessible entrance and patio. There are no stairs when you enter the venue, and the washrooms are all at the same level.

Lyla Toronto is located at 60 Sudbury Street.  It is open Monday to Friday from Noon  to 10 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 10 pm, which kicks off with brunch.  You can log on to www.lylatoronto.com or call  (647) 948-7997

The Bagel House:  Do you remember the days when Torontonians would come to Montreal and leave with bags of bagels because they simply could not get the same quality down Highway 401?

Well, in 1999, Sat Chouhan and Jessie Sahdra set out to change all of that and brought Toronto The Bagel House. The two friends learned the business working for places like REAL Bagel, Fairmount and St. Viateur. “We saw the Toronto people buying all the bagels to bring back home, so we decided let’s bring it to them,” Sat told me when I visited the still relatively new Promenade Shopping Centre location in suburban Thornhill. “They were grabbing five or six dozen per person.”

Promenade Shopping Centre marks the sixth location. It is being managed by Sat’s son Jashon, who was born in Montreal. Jashon told me he wants to help establish even more spots, perhaps even in the United States. How about one in Montreal? Wouldn’t that be something!

“Our bagels are made using the same simple ingredients -water, flour, sugar, eggs, and oil-no shortening,” said Jesse. They are hand-rolled and boiled in honey-water to provide a crunchy-sweet exterior and baked in a wood oven, fueled by maple.”

 The bagels are so good that the Toronto Blue Jays have made some orders. So has superstar singer Ed Sheeran for a concert here.

Each one of The Bagel House locations is of a different size. The Promenade Shopping Centre one has a number of tables and a mouthwatering menu to enjoy on-site or to go. Besides over a dozen different kinds of bagels, they make delicious breakfast and lunch sandwiches. I had the opened-face smoked salmon with cream cheese on a poppy seed bagel and a turkey and egg on white seed, splitting them up and taking the leftovers back with me. I also picked out a dozen to go, including the newly introduced Road Kill  (flat, with poppy seeds on one side and white on the other) and the large twister version. They also have cherry and apple turnovers, knishes, latkes, cheese bagels and other side dishes, not to mention their own homemade spreads and tuna salads. I left with the latter two, not to mention a container of sesame bagel crisps. This allowed me to share my latest discovery with the rest of the family.

You can visit one of the following Bagel House locations: 1722 Avenue Road, 1548 Bayview Avenue,   1438 Yonge Street, 450 Eglington Road West, 2572 Yonge Street and 1 Promenade Cir in Thornhill.

The Promenade Shopping Centre location is a standalone facility, with easy handicapped accessibility at the entrance, tables  and washrooms.

Log on to  www.thebagelhouse.com for more details.

 Pizza Nova:  As I enjoyed a nice walk along Church Street in downtown Toronto, I found myself standing beneath the Pizza Nova sign, hungry and curious. The aroma of freshly baked dough and melted cheese drifted through the air, promising comfort and satisfaction.

Founded in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough in 1963, Pizza Nova is a family-operated business that is committed to sharing the rich taste of Italy with Canadians.  There are more than 150 stores and concession locations in Southern Ontario, inspired by family values such as trust, integrity, and authenticity. The company is known for its fresh toppings, high-quality ingredients and a wide range of authentic Italian menu items including lasagna, panzerotti, Italian sandwiches and chicken wings. They also have a line of Primucci branded products featuring extra virgin olive oil, homestyle tomato sauce, Italian hot peppers, spicy green olives  and sundried black olives. Domenic Primucci, the president of Pizza Nova, comes by his passion for Italian food and the ingredients that create it. His father and uncles opened the original Pizza Nova.   The first franchised Pizza Nova opened in 1969, and since then, Pizza Nova and the Primucci family have helped hundreds of families own and operate their own stores. I am very impressed with how implicated the company is in the community in terms of charitable endeavors.

What is a typical culinary experience here like?  You can start off with a slice of pepperoni pizza. The crust is crisp on the outside and soft within, providing the perfect foundation for the rich tomato sauce and generous layer of mozzarella. The pepperoni delivers just the right amount of spice, making each bite both familiar and rewarding.

There is also the  Pesto Amore Pizza, where Pizza Nova shows its creative side. The pesto adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor that blends beautifully with the cheese and toppings. It feels lighter than a traditional pizza, yet every bite is packed with character.

You can also try the wings. Often a supporting player in a pizza meal, these wings confidently step into the spotlight. They are juicy, flavorful, and coated in a sauce that strikes a pleasant balance between sweet and spicy. 

No visit is complete, I was told,  without trying the garlic bread. Golden brown and fragrant, it arrives warm and buttery. The garlic flavor was bold without being overwhelming, making it the perfect companion to the pizza.

 How much did I like Pizza Nova? A few days later, I went for lunch at another location on downtown Bay Street.

Pizza Nova was recently named the official pizza of Rogers Stadium, the Live Nation-operated outdoor concert venue at YZD in North York, bringing its signature quality and authentic offerings to one of Toronto’s most exciting live entertainment destinations. The partnership officially launched with Bruno Mars's opening performances.

Born from a shared belief in the power of unforgettable experiences, the partnership reflects Pizza Nova’s commitment to bringing people together over great food and memorable moments. Much like live music, pizza has a way of connecting people, creating shared experiences that stay with fans.

“We believe great experiences deserve great food,” said Domenic Primucci, “Live music brings people together in a powerful way, and we saw an opportunity to elevate what fans can expect when attending a show at Rogers Stadium. We’re proud to bring our authentic pizza experience to one of Toronto’s premier entertainment venues.”

As the official pizza of Rogers Stadium, Pizza Nova will serve slices and dips from two dedicated concession locations throughout the venue. The partnership builds on Pizza Nova’s longstanding reputation for quality, strong brand recognition and deep roots in the Greater Toronto Area.

Located in North York, Rogers Stadium is a 50,000-capacity open-air music venue and the Greater Toronto Area’s largest purpose-built music venue, hosting some of the world’s biggest touring acts.  The two locations I visited were both handicapped accessible at the entrance and for the bathrooms. Tables were all at the same level. For more information, visit www.pizzanova.com.

 Eggspectation:  From a single restaurant in 1993 to a growing international brand, Eggspectation (www.eggspectation.com) has expanded across  Canada, the United States and the Middle East. With each new location, the group stays true to its mission of delivering excellence and creativity to every guest experience.

When I began travelling to Toronto a little more often, staying in the downtown area,  I was delighted to discover that just a few blocks away from where I was staying was an Eggspectation locale. It is on Bay Street just inches away from an entrance to the Eaton Centre on Albert Street. Naturally, this has become a “go-to” spot for me on my subsequent trips. Most recently, I reunited with an old friend from Montreal whom I have barely seen over the past three decades. He lives an hour away in the suburb of Thornhill, but works downtown, so it was a convenient place to meet

There are more than 100 plus items on the Eggspectation menu and this place is a lot more than just breakfast. This particular location is particularly popular. On the morning we had breakfast, the dining room was packed, and the seasonal patio was filling up as well.

Sazu, who has worked for Eggspectation for 23 years, was our server. I went for the All American: two free-range eggs prepared over easy with smoked bacon, thick-cut ham and sausage.  It was served with their trademark Lyonnaise-style potatoes. A few weeks earlier I sat down with company President and CEO Enzo Renda at the Complexe Desjardins location (always one of my favorites) and he urged me to try the  S’mores French Toast: a Brioche French toast sandwich with Nutella, mini marshmallows, strawberry, banana and Graham crackers.

My friend Michael ordered the  Southwest Sunrise, sauteed red and green peppers with cheddar cheese topped with strips of freshly sliced avocado, fresh Pico de Gallo, sour cream, and fresh jalapeños.

Sazu told me that the eggs benedict items are usually the most popular items on the menu.

Enzo Renda, who works closely with his son Bennett,  spends half of the year on the road building the brand. “I always envisioned being international,” he told me.

There are  presently two locations in Montreal (de Maisonneuve is the other), the one in Toronto, two in Ottawa and one in Richmond, BC a suburb of Vancouver. The United States presently has 11 franchises and four more under construction. Then comes four in Dubai and another in Pakistan. At one time there was a presence in New Delhi, India and Egypt.

In the United States, Eggspectation locations are open until 9 pm with complete dinner menus. 

In Toronto, other faves include French crepes, Belgian waffles, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, pastas, burgers, seafood, steak and—of course—eggs benedict!  

This attractive location has two entrances, one interior via an office building and another off of Albert Street. There are 90 seats inside, including 12 at the bar and 90 more on the patio.   

There is handicapped access via the office building and the Albert Street entrance, as well as a washroom at the main level.

 Eggspection Toronto is located at 483 Bay Street, #130.  For more information, call 416-979-3447 or log on to www.eggspectation.ca. It is open from 7 am to 4 pm weekdays and 7 am to 5 pm on weekends. Franchises worldwide are available, and you can get more details on the website.

Homies Donuts Arrive:  In the spring of 2024, Terry Axiotis opened his first Homers Donuts shop on Sherbrooke Street  West in the NDG district of Montreal. What followed was a rapid rise to success.

There are already 15 locations across Quebec, with others known as Homies now present in Toronto, Ottawa and New York City.  Dearborn, Michigan is next, with the goal of hitting the 100 franchise mark in five years.

On my way to Toronto, I made a detour into the gigantic suburb of Scarborough. That is where the latest “Homies” ( dubbed Homies Desserts) debuted on Kingston Road. Interestingly,  I did not even need to use the generally congested Highway 401 to get to my downtown Toronto destination. Google Maps led me  there in a very simple manner.

But back to the donuts. Axiotis sold the franchise to some Montrealers who worked at the South Shore Homers location. It opened in late April in a small strip mall and was an instant success. One of the young teenage employees who served me said that he was on hand for day one, attracted by the hype. He showed such great enthusiasm, they hired him.

I left with a box of a dozen donuts to surprise family members with. Needless to say, the oversized  Homies (Homers) donuts are always appreciated. They have 30 flavors.  I ordered an extra chocolate sprinkle one to eat in the car. The rest of the box contained a nice variety, including the original pink rainbow sprinkles, chocolate Dubai, the cookie monster, crème brûlee, skor, millefeuille, oreo and s’mores. You can also order sandwiches, sides and milkshakes. Check out the retro arcade on site. Homies just debuted in Ottawa, with more openings slated for  Mississauga, Waterloo, Barrie and Brampton.

The Homies team did a great job attracting influencers to the new Toronto area locale, so check out their  Instagram @homes_canada. A well-deserved shout out to their in-house and on camera social media guru Adonia Kyvelos, who has the gift on screen. This Homies is easily accessible from the parking lot, with no steps at the entrance. Homies is located at 4549 Kingston Road.  You can call 416-599-6406. Go on to  https://homersmtl.ca/

Little Canada

Last winter I discovered Little Canada for the first time. Spanning 45,000 square feet in the heart of downtown Toronto at Eaton Centre, Little Canada shrinks the distance from coast to coast to make it possible for Canadians to explore and appreciate the country’s vast geography in miniature form, highlighting thousands of big stories and iconic scenes in a unique and immersive way.

Little Canada is open seven days a week, and features seven distinct destinations including Little Niagara, Little Toronto, Little Golden Horseshoe, Little Ottawa, Pétit Québec, Little East Coast and the newly launched Little West Coast. Little North is the newest edition since my last visit, and I was pleased to make another tour of the facility. This tiny yet breathtaking replica of Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon lets visitors step into the beauty, culture, and stories of Canada’s Arctic

There was a specific reason I went back.  You see last time I stepped inside the Littlization Station to get shrunk into a 3D printed Little Me! I struck my favourite pose as 128 cameras captured a photo of me. That photo will then be transformed into a 3/4″ version of myself. I wish to thank Little Canada’s Meg McNabb for keeping that for me. It was there when I came to see her; she even had mini-me glued into a small plastic display box. Once I was on site again, I resumed the same tour from last winter, truly enjoying it just as much.

Accessibility is a priority at Little Canada. The attraction provides full access for guests with mobility challenges, accommodates service animals, and is designed without tight corridors to allow easy navigation. Seating is available throughout for resting, and audio/visual elements can be adjusted for guests with sensory sensitivities. Story cards are also available for guests who are hearing impaired, offering written versions of information typically shared verbally.

Little Canada is located at 10 Dundas Street East. For more information, visit www.little-canada.ca. I’d recommend taking the subway—Line 1 (Yonge–University) and exiting at TMU Station.
Check out https://little-canada.ca/. This is just about the coolest place in town! 

Sports

In Toronto, sport is a shared heartbeat uniting a nation. Whether it’s the rush of a Raptors playoff game, the deep-rooted belief in the Maple Leafs and Blue Jays, the global spirit of TFC fans, or the feverish anticipation of Canada’s first WNBA team, the Tempo - Toronto’s fans ignite stadiums with unmatched energy.

I attended my first ever Leafs game at Scotiabank Arena last winter and recently took in my second Jays games in as many years at Rogers Centre. The game was sold out, meaning in excess of 40,000 fans. It did not matter that the team was in last place and its top players were slumping. The 2026 Toronto Blue Jays season marks the franchise’s 50th anniversary campaign, with memorabilia displays on the 100 level, retro giveaways and special theme weekends.  What a fabulous ambiance you will experience here.

A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available by reservation by calling Rogers Centre parking at 416-341-1234. Callers should have their accessible parking permit number ready when making a reservation. Fans unable to secure parking are also encouraged to utilize Spothero.com to find alternatives near the ballpark.   

Although fans with accessibility needs may enter Rogers Centre through any open gate, their designated accessible entrance is Gate 7, located on the south side of the building, near Bremner Boulevard. Fans requiring accessible support are encouraged to enter through Gate 7. Elevators are also available at Rogers Centre Gates 3, 9 and 13. Rogers Centre does not permit the rental of wheelchairs during games/events, however, they are able to provide wheelchair escorts to those who require assistance to their seats. Fans requiring assistance or information regarding accessibility should contact the Fan Services Team by phone at 416-341-1000 or by email at fanfeedback@bluejays.com at least one (1) business day prior to their planned visit.
For complete details on travelling to Toronto, log on to https://www.destinationtoronto.com