Dufferin Grove
Natural tranquility and the exuberance of urban life come together in Dufferin Grove Park, the soul and centre of the delightful west Toronto community that shares its name. The park hosts an organic farmers market every Thursday afternoon that draws customers from all over the city. It also offers the added attractions of a basketball court, a hockey rink during winter months and world class pizza, cooked on site in the park’s wood burning ovens. Techies craving a breath of fresh air while surfing the web will especially love the park’s free wi-fi internet service.
Located between Bloor Street West and College Street and just east of Ossington Ave, the largely residential Dufferin Grove, with its charming Victorian and Edwardian era homes, stands in refreshing contrast to the often cookie-cutter architecture of the modern age. Most of the area’s beautiful and historical houses are built in the detached and semi-detached style and stand 2 to 3 stories high. An ethnically diverse neighbourhood, Dufferin Grove is also home to one of the city’s largest Portuguese communities. Fans of Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine will adore the Brazilian bakery, open late and specializing in some of the finest pastries in the city. Dufferin Grove also delivers a wide array of international cuisines, with such fine establishments as Tokyo Sushi, Banjara Indian Cuisine and Lalibela Ethiopian, residents are certain to find something that appeals to their particular taste.
While the classic structures and beautiful parks give Dufferin Grove a turn of the century style, it’s overflowing with all the modern conveniences. The neighbourhood is home of the Dufferin Mall, one of Toronto’s premier shopping plazas, with over 140 stores to meet all consumer needs. Families with younger children have their pick of Dewson Street or Brock Elementary, the community’s two excellent public schools. Though close to the action of downtown, Dufferin Grove maintains a relaxed atmosphere while still projecting a vibrant energy all its own, making it one of the most lively neighbourhoods in all of Toronto.