Cathy MerrittBloor West Village—or BWV as the locals call it—may take up only a small portion of Toronto, but its popularity shouldn’t be understated. This eight-block strip boasts a staggering array of over 400 bars, restaurants, and shops! So, it’s not a surprise that it attracts a steady flow of visitors every day.
I personally come here to enjoy the food because the variety of cuisines is insane. So far, I’ve indulged in hearty Ukrainian meals, umami-rich ramen, and earthy and spicy shawarmas. I could happily spend an entire month just eating out here.
If this is your first time visiting Bloor West Village, here’s a guide to help you prepare your itinerary.
Where is Bloor West Village in Toronto?
Bloor West Village is in Toronto’s West End, near Etobicoke. This area is bordered by Jane Street to the west and Ellis Park Road to the east.
What is the main street of Bloor West Village?
Bloor West Village’s main street is Bloor Street West. This street runs through the entire strip, and it’s where all the area’s restaurants, bars, and shops are located.
How to Get to Bloor West Village
By Subway. Riding the subway is the best way to get to BWV. You can take the Line 2 subway and alight at Jane Station, which is right on Bloor Street West. You can also choose to disembark at High Park Station if you prefer to be closer to High Park.
By Car. There are many parking lots here, and one that I recommend is the car park on 2155 Bloor Street West. It’s a no-frills lot, and the rate is C$5 per hour, making it among the cheapest options in the area.
What to Do
Explore High Park
From: theeajadams
Address: 1873 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +14163380338
Technically, High Park isn’t part of the eight-block strip that makes up Bloor West Village, but it’s still right on Bloor Street West and near the supposed boundary of the neighbourhood. So, I personally consider this park as part of the area.
High Park is a sprawling public park with lots of attractions within its premises. I mean, it literally has a zoo, several sports fields, a large children’s playground, a maze, and even an outdoor pool! You can spend a day here and still not explore everything.
I love coming here to see the animals of High Park Zoo (there’s a capybara!). Sometimes, I enjoy a long hike along the park’s perimeter. If I’m feeling bored, I’ll just lie down on the expansive green lawn and maybe read a book or take a nap.
Attend the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival
From: bwvtuf
When: Every year in September
The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival is undoubtedly the neighbourhood’s main event. It’s the largest Ukrainian street festival in North America and only happens every September, so you have to mark it on your calendar so that you won’t miss it!
There are so many things you can expect during this festival. The musical performances are guaranteed to be a hoot because renowned Ukrainian artists fill the neighbourhood with bright and catchy melodies of traditional folk songs and contemporary songs.
And of course, there will be food—lots of it. Every year, I treat myself to savoury borscht, juicy and smoky kebabs, and indulgent pastries, and I just know I’ll do the same thing again this year.
Where to Eat
Momo Ghar
From: thewanderingcameragirl
Address: 2392 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Thursday and Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +14167611833
If you’ve never tried a momo before, this is your sign to go to Momo Ghar ASAP. Momos are Tibetan-style dumplings, and they’re so flavourful and hearty!
I’m currently obsessed with the jhol momo. The wrapping is perfectly elastic, and the filling is oozing with savoury juices and tender minced meat. The dumplings are also served in this sesame and chilli broth that packs quite the spicy punch.
After every meal, I end up sweating because of all the heat!
Fox and John’s Pub and Restaurant
From: foxandjohns
Address: 2199 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—11 am to 1 am
- Thursday and Friday—11 am to 2 am
- Saturday—10 am to 2 am
- Sunday—10 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +16473487937
Fox and John is an English-style pub that’s always brimming with energy. This pub doubles as a sports bar because it has several TVs that broadcast football matches, hockey competitions, and more!
As much as I love the fish and chips here, it’s the chicken hot pie that has my heart. I love how hearty this meal is; the creamy sauce is loaded with carrots, onion, celery, and chicken pieces. It’s also served with mashed potatoes and even more vegetables, so every bite feels like a warm hug that also heals the spirit.
A Dark Horse
From: adarkhorsepub
Address: 2401 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—12 pm to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +14167694696
Another great pub in BWV that you might want to check out is A Dark Horse. Compared to Fox and John, the vibe here is more intimate and cozy, so it’s the perfect destination if you just need a chill night out after work.
The smoked salmon wrap is absolutely delectable. It’s made with spinach tortilla and has a generous spread of pesto and a heaping filling of smoked salmon, red onions, and goat cheese. The smoky, zesty, and nutty flavours work really well!
Tahini’s
From: wonderof.jazzylife
Address: 2434 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +12899486786
Mediterranean cuisine with influences from other cuisines? Say less! If this sounds like your cup of tea as well, then you better head to Tahini’s ASAP.
I’m so impressed with the innovative flavours of the shawarma here. My go-to order is the habanero chicken shawarma because it combines the rich savouriness of a classic shawarma and a numbing spice from the habanero sauce.
This wrap also has a hint of sweetness from the pomegranate molasses, and to my surprise, it complements the other flavours.
Shelby’s Legendary Shawarma
From: shelbyscanada
Address: 2202 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 4 am
Contact Number: +14163508443
Another shawarma spot in BWV that I highly recommend is Shelby’s Legendary Shawarma. This restaurant serves classic shawarma meals, but they also have innovative takes on this dish.
One of my favourite things to get here is the shawarma tikka masala. Whoever got the idea to fuse shawarma with tikka masala should get a pay raise because it’s such a brilliant idea.
The earthy, rich, and tangy flavours clashing together (in a good way), the inclusion of crispy onions, and the fluffy basmati rice…I’m drooling just typing out these words!
Queen’s Pasta Cafe
From: queenspastacafe
Address: 2263 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14167660993
If you love pasta as much as I do, then Queen’s Pasta Cafe should be on your itinerary. There are just so many pasta options here, and frankly, I’m struggling to narrow down my recommendations.
If I had to pick one, I’d have to pick jumbo lobster ravioli as my favourite. The herb cream sauce is cooked with roasted red peppers, so it has that lovely smoky, peppery, and slightly spicy flavour profile, which is then contrasted by the mellow sweetness of the lobster filling inside the ravioli.
Simply Thai Cuisine
From: simplythaicuisine
Address: 2253 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—12 pm to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14167698866
Simply Thai Cuisine is a Bloor West Village restaurant that my family loves to visit. The vibe here is inviting, which makes the experience of eating out with my family all the better.
The pad Thai is my favourite thing to order here. The stir-fried noodles have a satisfying crunch, and they taste bright and zesty, thanks to the lime sauce.
The toppings are also abundant here. The tiger shrimp are plump and slightly sweet, the chicken pieces are tender and juicy, and the roasted ground peanuts have a slight smokiness to them that I like.
Marusya’s Kitchen
From: janchenkobakery
Address: 2432 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Wednesday—10 am to 3 pm
- Thursday—10 am to 8 pm
- Friday—10 am to 9 pm
- Saturday—9 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14378808363
I’m always looking for a restaurant serving delicious Eastern European food, so when I discovered Marusya’s Kitchen, I was thrilled. I’ve dined here several times now, and they haven’t disappointed me!
I keep coming back to their beef stroganoff. The beef has been slow-simmered for hours, which is why the meat is so tender that it practically falls apart. The sauce is also top-notch—so thick, creamy, and rich. Honestly, I think I could down this sauce like it’s a shot of tequila.
Sunshine Village Grill
From: sunshinevillagegrill
Address: 2200 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—7 am to 3 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—7 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14167631444
Are you hunting for a great brunch spot in Bloor West Village? I have the best recommendation for you: Sunshine Village Grill!
I can’t get enough of their grilled breakfast burrito. It’s absolutely massive, thanks to its many fillings (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, peameal bacon, and cheddar cheese). Just a few bites are enough to fill my stomach!
If I’m craving something sweet, I usually go with the caramel French toast. The toast has a nice crust, and the caramel syrup is decadent. It’s also topped with bananas and pecans, which provide a mushy-and-crunchy texture combination.
The Swan: A Firkin Pub
From: firkinpubs
Address: 2205 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday—11 am to 12 am
- Thursday—11 am to 1 am
- Friday—11 am to 2 am
- Saturday—10 am to 2 am
- Sunday—10 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +14167679222
The Swan is so quintessentially British that stepping inside makes you forget that you’re still in Canada.
Any of their pub faves is a must-try, in my opinion. If I can only pick one, I recommend the steak and ale pie. I love how tender and juicy the steak is (it’s slow-braised for several hours), and the gravy makes it taste even richer and more savoury. Oh, and the mashed potato is wonderfully creamy as well!
Kinton Ramen High Park
From: yellowcouple.eatsmtl
Address: 2216 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +16473412216
When the weather is dreary, I start craving a bowl of ramen. Fortunately, there’s a ramen shop in BWV: Kinton Ramen!
I can’t recommend the beef miso ramen enough. The broth has a distinct umami flavour that makes it irresistible, and the beef pieces are soft and tender. The noodles have a nice springy texture, so they’re super fun to chew.
Where to Shop
Lemon and Lavender
From: lemonandlavenderinc
Address: 2314 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 6:30 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14169009294
I can’t resist pretty things, so when I passed by Lemon and Lavender for the first time and saw the beautiful lavenders hanging by the windows, I knew I had to check the store out. I found that it was full of cute souvenirs and the like.
I’m a big fan of the candle selection here, and my favourites have to be the candles by Feather and Flame Candle Co. I’ve lost count of how many times I bought the Wings of the Swan candle; I love that the vanilla scent isn’t too intoxicating. Every time I light this candle, my room smells like freshly baked cake!
Buck’s Hard Goods
From: bucks.hard.goods
Address: 2240 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10:30 am to 6 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16477484766
Need to upgrade your wardrobe? Then, you might want to stop by Buck’s Hard Goods.
What makes this shop stand out is that they offer streetwear staples from independent brands instead of major brands. As someone who’s tired of seeing the same old fast fashion brands, I undoubtedly love this shop for their dedication.
It also helps that their selection is pretty cool; a lot of denim, I’ve noticed, as well as simple tops. I really like the Mage Sweater Vest that I bought here. It’s not as heavy as I would expect a sweater vest to be, and it feels soft on my skin.
Trixie
From: trixieboutique
Address: 2313 Bloor St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday—11 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14167620084
Trixie is another great shop to check out if you’d like to get new clothes for your wardrobe. To be more specific, this shop is perfect for denim lovers because the denim options here are impressive.
I bought the Voyage Jean, and I’m obsessed with it. It’s a pair of high-rise jeans, which is a style that I don’t normally like, but the fit is pretty relaxed, so I’m comfortable wearing them.
I also really like that the jeans are made with 99% cotton and 1% spandex. It has the durability of cotton and the elasticity of spandex, and in my opinion, that’s a great combination.
Fig Tree Boutique
From: figtreeboutique
Address: 2284 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11 am to 6 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14167670777
Yet again, I have another boutique to recommend to you (BWV just has many options, okay?): Fig Tree Boutique. This shop specializes in women’s clothing, and the clothes here are chic, trendy, and stylish, which is exactly why I love shopping here.
I recently got the Calvin Dress here because it’s just so pretty. The dress mimics the look of crochet, and the stripes of beige, orange, purple, and sand look so good together. It’s pretty lightweight and airy, making it a perfect outfit to wear on a bright and sunny day.
Meaty Eats
From: realmeatyeats
Address: 2288 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—9:30 am to 6:30 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—9 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +19052787999
If you love to cook, then you’ll love Meaty Eats. This shop sells different cuts of beef, chicken, and pork, and the best part is that they source their meat from family-run farms all over Canada.
I’ve bought my steaks here numerous times, and I love their freshness. I’m not even the best home cook, and still I’ve managed to whip out a pretty decent, medium-rare steak!
Aside from fresh cuts, this shop also sells prepared foods like pasta dishes and frozen dumplings. I’ve tried their frozen spaghetti dishes before, and they’re not too bad.
Bloor Village Flowers
From: official_bloorvillageflowers
Address: 2208 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—8 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—8:30 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14167635682
Sometimes, all I need is a pretty bouquet to lift my mood. If you’re the same, then you have to check out Bloor Village Flowers.
The Ava hand-tied bouquet is my favourite item to get here. It consists of pink ranunculus, purple chrysanthemums, iris, casablanca lilies, and lisianthus, so the colours are very vibrant and eye-catching.
Aside from floral bouquets and arrangements, this shop sells house plants. I know a friend who got her plants here (a bonsai juniper and a fishbone plant), and she’s still looking forward to getting more in the future.
Seven Point Cannabis
From: seven_point_cannabis
Address: 2114 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—9 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—9 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14167674207
If you’re looking for a local dispensary, you’ll be delighted to know that BWV has a few cannabis shops. One that gets recommended often is Seven Point Cannabis.
One of my friends is a regular patron here. In particular, she really likes the edible selection; the chocolate peanut butter cup is her go-to order because the chocolate and peanut butter flavours are strong enough to mask the weed taste.
Most of the items here have at least 10 mg of either THC or CBD, which is a moderate dose. So, if you buy something here, be sure to consume it responsibly!
