The perfect winter day for families in Toronto’s east end
Here’s a brunch-to-dessert guide for family fun in the east end of the city.
There’s no need to hibernate just because the Toronto weather has gotten colder! There are plenty of things for families to do — yes, even in the wintertime.
Toronto’s east end is home to some of my favourite places in the city — from the cafés in Leslieville to the colourful shopping in Little India, your senses awaken as you take a stroll through these neighbourhoods.
To help you plan your perfect winter day in the east end, we put together a cozy walking tour that will see you sipping warm drinks, partaking in fun winter activities, and creating memories along the way.
Here’s how you and your family can spend a fun winter day in Toronto!
Brunch at Maha’s
Start your day with a hearty brunch at Maha’s on Greenwood Ave. This popular Toronto brunch spot may have line-ups on the weekend, but hopefully you’ll luck out on your winter visit. There’s something for everyone here, and I highly recommend ordering the Cairo Classic and their signature Honey Cardamom Latte.
Kids will love the ice cream lattes and the Date Grilled Cheese. For picky eaters, the pita with a couple of sides is the way to go. Get ready for your taste buds to be transported to Egypt!
Skate at Greenwood Outdoor Ice Rink
With full bellies, cross the street and lace up for a fun family skate session. The beauty of this skating rink is that it’s covered. This means you’ll be protected on those extra cold and windy Toronto days.
There are benches for the many breaks little legs need and access to bathrooms if needed. There’s also a skating trail in addition to the rink if you don’t need the side boards to hold on to!
Take a stroll through Little India
Once you’re done skating, head north on Greenwood Ave. towards Gerrard St. and take an easy, slow stroll through Little India towards Coxwell St. Kids will love going into the various clothing stores to see the gorgeous, sparkly costume jewelry, and beautiful saris and other traditional outfits. Be sure to pop into a store for some freshly brewed chai if you need to warm up.
Also known as Gerrard India Bazaar, this area boasts more than 125 small businesses selling everything one could possibly want. It’s a great place to get some shopping done for home décor, clothing, jewelry, and spices.
Head towards Udupi Palace for some dosas if you’re hungry or Godspeed Brewery for a bevy. Glory Hole Doughnuts is also worth a stop.
Play at Monarch Park
Head north on Coxwell and stop in at Monarch Park, where kids can enjoy a winter playground session while the adults sit on the sidelines (ideally with a warm beverage in hand). This park is popular in the summertime because of the pool and slides, but it’s an equally great spot for a late afternoon winter stroll — especially for dog lovers.
There’s also an outdoor rink here if your family wants to sneak in another skate session before dinner.
Dine at Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant
Hopefully you’ve built up an appetite by this time! Make your way towards Danforth Ave. by heading further north on Coxwell. While the Danforth area is known as Greektown, the east end of the street is very multicultural, and you’ll find many Ethiopian restaurants and stores here.
If you’ve never had dishes like Tibs and Doro Wat, Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant is a great spot to indulge. The meat and veggie platter is a popular option, and the family-dining style — using your hands to eat — will be fun for the kids as well.
Dessert at Unicorn Café
What better way to end your family fun day on Toronto’s east end than with dessert? This colourful café is a hit with young kids and teens because they serve up whimsical and fun looking treats like fancy shakes, pretty hot chocolate with candyfloss, and rolled ice cream.
The Unicorn Café does tend to close earlier in the evening, so be sure to check their hours before you wander over.
Icons by Icons8
Code and markup by Kyle Duncan. ©Torontoverse, 2023