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Totally Toronto: About Toronto : Neighbourhoods : Annex
Annex
All About The Annex Neighbourhood Guide
The neighbourhood known as The Annex, located north-west of downtown Toronto, is one of both quiet tree-lined streets and a variety of shops, attractions, restaurants and bars.
Location
The Annex is roughly considered to be the area bordered by Bloor Street in the south, Dupont Street in the north, Bathurst Street in the west and Avenue Road in the east (although the adjacent areas to the south and west are often included as well).
Much of the neighbourhood consists of residential tree-lined streets and old homes and mansions, many of which were built back in the late 1800's and early 1900's. However, the border streets feature some of the most varied and eclectic shops and restaurants in the city.
The Annex is shaped by many different influences. It borders the University of Toronto along Bloor Street, so as a result it is an area that is strongly influenced by a student vibe, which has also kept prices lower than in other parts of the city.
However, in the east along Avenue Road it borders upscale Yorkville, which has its own influence on the neighbourhood as well as the more multicultural areas to the west of Bathurst Street.
The Annex is accessible by the subway line that runs east-west along Bloor Street, as well as streetcar lines that run north-south along Spadina Road and Bathurst Street.
The true heart of The Annex lies along Bloor Road, where stores, restaurants and coffee shops pack the busy street. On the eastern part of the district on Bloor you will find a few of the city's biggest museum attractions.
Museums
Possibly the most popular museum in the city is the Royal Ontario Museum, or ROM. Located at the corner of Bloor and Avenue, this museum of culture and natural history is Canada's largest. Kids and adults alike enjoy the many permanent and temporary exhibits, including an extensive collection of dinosaur skeletons and Egyptian artifacts.
Across Avenue Road from the ROM you will find The Gardiner Museum. The recently renovated institution is devoted to showcasing ceramic art, and is the only such museum in Canada. Meanwhile, a little west on Bloor at St. George Street you will also the Bata Shoe Museum, where one can learn the history of footwear through the ages.
Restaurants
Part of the biggest appeal of The Annex is the wide variety of restaurants, the majority of which are quite accessibly priced. No one particular style dominates, although there are a large number of sushi, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants along Bloor. Sushi on Bloor is one of the most popular sushi spots in the city.
It's possible to find something for everyone to eat. For vegetarian, One Love Vegetarian on Bathurst and LIVE Organic Food Bar on Dupont are available. For those looking for a place to grab a coffee and a snack, all of the large coffee shop chains are on hand, but Ezra's Pound on Dupont and Futures Cafe and Bakery on Bloor are great choices as well.
In the northeast corner of The Annex, the area of Avenue and Davenport Roads features numerous more upscale restaurants. Sotto Sotto and Vittorio's on Avenue are two popular Italian restaurants there, while the nearby Mistura Restaurant is run by noted Food Network celebrity Massimo Capra. Other options in the area include Cantine Bar and Grill, and Joso's, a seafood restaurant known for its 'bordello' décor.
Nightlife
The Annex also features a lively nightlife scene, anchored on Bloor by the iconic Toronto music venue Lee's Palace. Opened in 1985, the club regularly hosts popular and up-and-coming bands from around the world, particularly alternative rock. Upstairs there is also a club called The Dance Cave, which is popular with students.
Bars in The Annex, and particularly along Bloor Street, are generally geared towards the student demographic. Irish pub style establishment and sports bars are quite common along this strip. Contrast this with the nearby bars and clubs of Yorkville, which is geared towards a more upscale demographic
Shopping
The Annex is a wonderful neighbourhood for walking, and this is also a great way to enjoy the shopping in the area. The section of Bloor Street between Spadina and Bathurst has a wide variety of selections, including stores selling clothes, arts and crafts, used-books, music and films.
The most iconic store in The Annex is Honest Ed's, located at the intersection of Bloor and Bathurst. With its flashing lights and unique style, this low-budget department store has been a Toronto landmark for decades. You can buy clothes and household goods here, as well as choose from an astonishing variety of kitsch. Ed's has been quite successful, and nowadays it actually anchors its own neighbourhood of shops and restaurants, called Mirvish Village.
The north-western edge of The Annex also has many great shops, particularly those focused on antiques, art, and household decorations and furnishing. There are several art galleries scattered across the Annex, including the Robert Mede Gallery on Davenport, and La Parette Gallery on Bathurst.
Accommodation
As for accommodation, The Annex does have options, but most of the hotels are located in the vicinity of nearby Yorkville. Where Avenue Road meets Bloor Street, there are several hotels including the Holiday Inn Toronto, The Park Hyatt Hotel, and The Four Seasons.
Within the residential areas of The Annex, there are also several bed and breakfast spots, including the Annex Guest House and Feathers Bed & Breakfast in the Annex.
Also See:
» Mirvish Village |
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