Toronto city tours offered by Global Alliance allow our clients to experience Canada’s largest metropolis in comfort from the seat of one of our luxurious vehicles with an experience chauffeur as a guide, with the further option to be dropped off to explore Toronto’s many attractions on their own. In today’s post, a few more of this bustling multicultural metropolis’ distinct former (and current) immigrant neighbourhoods and the culinary, retail, and cultural attractions therein will be detailed. A previous post discussed such neighbourhoods in the west end of the city, here are a couple of notables on the east side.

Greektown

Located on Danforth Avenue roughly between Chester Avenue and Dewhurst Boulevard, Greektown remains one of Toronto’s most vibrant and distinctive historic neighbourhoods. Like many of the city’s immigrant strongholds, Greektown on the Danforth has seen more general gentrification in recent years but retains its strong Hellenic character. The Danforth’s Greek restaurants are local culinary legends and are customarily packed on weekend evenings for hearty dinners of grilled meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. Greek shops, bars, delis, and secular and religious institutions dot the Danforth as well, and a public square at Logan Avenue that feels straight out of a historic European capital. The Taste of the Danforth Festival in August is one of the most popular times to experience Greektown, and is perhaps the largest and most attended of Toronto’s many street festivals.

Little India

Further east along Gerrard Street East, Little India is a bustling South Asian marketplace retail strip between Greenwood and Coxwell Avenues. Although Greater Toronto’s South Asian population is concentrated elsewhere, the Bazaar on Gerrard East remains the epicentre for the colourful and active culture of the Indian Subcontinent in the city. Fragrant spice markets and delicious street food line the street, along with distinctive South Asian clothing stores and fine sit-down dining as well. The neighbourhood’s show-off celebration is the Festival of South Asia, usually held in late August.