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This Toronto mall is hosting free holiday activities all month long

By
Dorothy Chudzinski
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A Toronto mall is transforming into a holiday destination full of free events.

A hidden gem in the North York community Yorkgate Mall is launching an entire month of fun Christmas activities for the whole family — and they’re all totally free!

Yorkgate Mall, a two-level community shopping centre located just east of Highway 400, is the perfect one-stop shopping experience for Torontonians. With ample parking, easy access to transit and over 60 stores, services and restaurants, the mall is a favourite for visitors in the community, and with a plethora of Christmas activities to enjoy over the holiday season, it’s being transformed into a true winter wonderland.

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Every Saturday before Christmas, Yorkgate Mall will be hosting all kinds of merry events to make your shopping experience even more festive. On December 6, kids can enjoy meeting the official Bluey and Bingo! Get a start on your shopping at their Christmas market throughout the mall. And to sweeten the deal, don’t miss out on a shopping bonus; once you spend $15 before tax at any Yorkgate Mall retailer, you’ll receive a free plaid Christmas stocking.

On December 13, shop around at a special vendor’s market featuring comics, toys and collectibles, as well as a special appearance from your favourite superhero characters. Make sure the kids don’t miss the free Elf on a Shelf game from 1-4 p.m., with hourly prizes to make the stakes even higher!

On December 20, take a break between 2-4 p.m. to enjoy a free Christmas concert, meet with Christmas Skinny Bones the strolling animatronic character and enter for a chance to win some great prizes!

Finally, on Monday, December 23, prepare for a big day with a special meet and greet with Mrs. Claus from 1-4 p.m., as well as a Christmas concert from 2-4 p.m.

“These events are a great opportunity for families to come out and get involved in some fun, free Christmas activities,” says Chris Couch, marketing associate at Yorkgate Mall. “We hope to help provide an exciting and entertaining experience for our customers.”

If you want to meet the big man himself, Santa will be at Yorkgate Mall every Saturday and Sunday before Christmas, as well as on December 22, 23 and December 24, from 1-4 p.m. Everyone who visits with Santa will receive a free      4” x 6” professional photo with frame, as well as a large candy cane and a Santa activity book. You can also receive an official Nice List Certificate, directly from Santa and his Chief Elf!

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If all this festive cheer gets you into the spirit of giving back, Yorkgate Mall is making that even easier with a winter coat drive in support of The Children’s Breakfast Clubs. This season, they are collecting gently used, and clean winter items, including coats, scarves, toques, mittens, boots, and new socks to help bring warmth and comfort to children and families in need. Donations can be dropped off at The Children’s Breakfast Clubs unit in the mall, located on the upper level, beside the food court. Mondays and Wednesdays: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Thursdays: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

“With support from our shoppers, our retailers, and local agencies, this program will help make a difference in the lives of thousands of families,” says Chris Couch, Marketing Associate at Yorkgate Mall. “As the need in our community continues to grow, we’re asking for the public’s help with this year’s Winter Clothing Drive. Our goal is to fight the cold and help keep as many needy individuals and families in our community as warm as possible this winter season, and we can’t do it without you.”

With so many amazing opportunities to get some seasonal shopping done while enjoying free Christmas events, Yorkgate Mall is a true Christmas destination in the city this holiday season!

Toronto’s outdoor rinks are opening, and you can even borrow skates for free

By
Nisean Lorde
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Winter solstice hasn’t yet begun, but Toronto is officially in glide mode. On Saturday, Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Paula Fletcher laced up at Greenwood Park to mark the start of the City’s outdoor skating season, as the city began to roll out openings at more than 50 outdoor rinks and skating trails across the city! Most are scheduled to be up and running by Sat, Dec 6.

“There’s nothing more Toronto than stepping onto the ice on a crisp winter morning,” Mayor Chow said in a statement. “With rinks opening across the city and free skates available, I hope everyone will bundle up, grab a friend and enjoy the best of winter.”

 

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The City operates a vast network of mechanically cooled outdoor rinks (54 in total), making Toronto one of the most rink-dense cities in the world. These include classic downtown spots like Nathan Phillips Square, College Park, Toronto Metropolitan University Square, Trinity Bellwoods Park, and Dufferin Grove, as well as neighbourhood rinks in parks across Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough (you can see the full list here).

Once the rinks are up and running, the facilities will host a mix of family-friendly activities, including free public leisure and figure skating, shinny, ringette, instructional programs and permit-based ice time. Because the rinks are weather-dependent (even mechanically cooled ice can struggle in warm spells), the City is urging residents to double-check conditions before heading out by using the online service alerts page, which lists openings, closures and any temporary disruptions.

If you don’t own skates, you’re still invited to the party. For another season, the mobile Skate Lending Library is back! The ‘Library’ will visit outdoor ice rinks across Toronto this season, offering 250 skate aids to help skaters maintain their balance; 130 pairs of skates and helmets for children and adults; and a fully customized vehicle designed to provide a welcoming and accessible experience. The program is free, and no reservations are required (more information and this season’s full schedule are available on the City’s webpage).

 

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Alongside the rink openings, the City is highlighting several accessibility measures designed to make winter recreation more inclusive. Look out for ‘sledges’: imagine adaptive devices that allow people with disabilities to sit and propel themselves on the ice (these are available at both indoor arenas and outdoor rinks during leisure skate times). And people who use manual or powered wheelchairs are also welcome on the ice during leisure skates!

Toronto’s winter programming is about much more than just skating. If you’re into skiing and snowboarding, head to the Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre from January to March (weather and snowfall permitting). If fire pits are more your style, designated outdoor fire pits can be booked in advance on the City’s website.

If you’re up for more free skating this winter, this Toronto airport hangar is turning into a massive free skating rink with live DJs and light shows!

This gorgeous little artsy escape north of Toronto is like stepping into a Group of Seven painting

By
Nisean Lorde
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Instagram: @thedoctorshouse

If your perfect vacation is all about trees blazing with colour, quiet rivers and rocky outcrops, then Kleinburg Village makes for an ideal artsy little escape. This heritage village is tucked between two branches of the Humber River in Vaughan, and boasts a winding main street, boutiques and cafés, with the legendary McMichael Canadian Art Collection sitting in the woods just up the hill.

It’s only about a 45-minute drive from downtown Toronto, in the city of Vaughan, so it makes for a dreamy day trip or weekend getaway within the GTA. If you don’t have a car, you can reach Kleinburg via TTC and York Region Transit, but it’ll take you around two hours each way.

The main reason to add Kleinburg to your travel list is the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. It’s located on a 100-acre wooded property just above the village, and it’s devoted entirely to Canadian and Indigenous art.

Roam through a permanent collection of 7,500+ paintings, including pieces by generations of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and contemporary artists, as well as masterworks by Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. These iconic landscapes have helped shape how many people imagine Canada, through some of the country’s most charming artwork (think canvases of rugged wilderness, expansive skies and vibrant seasons).

Afterward, explore the core of the village: it’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a real-life Group of Seven painting! From the McMichael, it’s just a short walk down Islington Ave into the heart of historic Kleinburg Village. Here, heritage buildings, boutiques, galleries and European-style cafés dot the street — a scene that’s especially charming when the trees are in full fall colour or dusted with snow.

There are tons of cute cafés and restaurants to choose from to cap an outdoorsy, artsy day. Stroll into Kleinburg Kafé for an espresso and a house-made dessert built around locally sourced ingredients. For a late-night dinner, Belsito Trattoria is just steps from the McMichael and serves authentic Italian fare with a contemporary touch (try the Linguine Frutti di Mare “al cartoccio,” wrapped in pizza dough and baked in the oven).

The village is also filled with indie shops and specialty spots. White Cherry Boutique is an upscale fashion shop carrying polished, modern pieces, while SugarPlum Children’s Boutique provides the latest curated styles for baby and kids (perfect for Christmas shopping).

Don’t forget the old-school specialty shops like Immanuel Florist for holiday-ready Winter Urn Planters, and Old Firehall Confectionery for flowers, sweets and nostalgia-friendly treats!

One of Kleinburg’s best features is how quickly you can shift from Main Street to the forest. The McMichael’s property includes walking paths that wind through an enchanted forest with past outdoor sculptures. From here, you can link into the wider Humber River trail network that wraps around the village. Again, this is especially pretty during the fall and winter season, when the hillsides go full orange-and-gold, or are covered in tiny snowflakes.

 

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The Kortright Centre for Conservation is just a short drive from Kleinburg, and features the most stunning year-round trails. The magical Christmas forest runs until Dec 23, 2025, and it’s a literal winter wonderland filled with lights, crafts, activities, wagon rides and treats. You can even enjoy a private visit with Santa in his cabin!

After a day of sightseeing, dining and shopping, have a bit of ‘me’ time.  The Essence offers facials, laser treatments, and other lymphatic drainage services with a focus on high-end, tech-forward skincare. Or just go for a simple mani-pedi at Eva Nails & Spa.

If you do decide to make a weekend out of the trip, there are many homey inns and modern hotels to stay at!

After exploring Kleinburg, check out the prettiest town in Canada: it’s a cozy holiday getaway with cute cafés and holiday lights!

Toronto’s pad Thai obsession began in this 18-seat Queen west spot nearly 50 years ago

By
Megan Gallant
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Queen Mother Café may now span three storefronts and draw crowds for its pad Thai and ping gai, but it started as a tiny 18-seat spot serving simple sandwiches and salads.

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Founders and former co-owners Andre and David

When founder Andre Rosenbaum opened it in 1978 at 206 Queen Street West, the idea was to carve out a welcoming refuge inside a mid-19th-century building — a place that felt like the “mother” of Queen West before the strip became what it is today.

More than 45 years later, the restaurant keeps this legacy as much of the staff has worked there for decades. That includes Sivaranjan Nadarajah who took over full ownership of the restaurant this year after buying into one-third of the share in 2021.

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Nadarajah has been a part of Queen Mother Cafe family since 1993 when he got a job as a dishwasher while in high school. Of that time, he fondly recalls running back and forth between the café and Rivoli which Rosenbaum, whose partnership team had expanded, also owned at the time.

“They were always kind, and the chef became a good friend almost immediately,” Nadarajah says of Rosenbaum and the ownership team. “They supported me, treated the staff well, and I never felt the need to look for another job.”

As the restaurant expanded to three storefronts and a backyard garden patio, it also became a family operation. Two of Nadarajah’s brothers now work alongside him, joined by longtime staff — including a server who has been with the place for more than forty years.

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Ping Gai

Chef Noy Phangnanouvong has been working in the kitchen since the Laotian and Thai flavours were first introduced to the menu in the early 1980s. Now, they are some of Queen Mother Cafe’s most recognizable dishes.

“Back in the day, the owners sponsored a couple of people from Thailand because of the war,” Nadarajah says. “They invited them over for a house party, served Thai food, and the owners thought, this is interesting — why don’t we build a menu like this at Queen Mother Cafe?”

That’s how Queen Mother Café accidentally introduced a whole generation of Torontonians to pad Thai. The recipe — along with the beloved ping gai and its old-school veggie burger — hasn’t budged since. That stubborn consistency, the team says, is exactly why the place has held its ground in the neighbourhood for decades.

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The back garden patio

“We’ve had customers come in after 20-plus years and tell us the ping gai or pad Thai tastes exactly the way they remember,” says Brandon Lopez-Rawson, the front-of-house general manager. “It’s familiar for a lot of our long-time regulars. That consistency Ranjan has kept in the kitchen means people always know what they’re going to get when they walk in.”

Despite the classics, the menu has evolved over the decades, making Queen Mother one of Toronto’s earliest fusion spots. Nadarajah has even added Sri Lankan-inspired dishes, like a vegetarian roti wrap and samosas.

Nadarajah says they’re grateful to the neighbourhood regulars, who, like the staff, have become part of the restaurant family.

“We definitely have some loyalty,” he says. “Regulars come in, and just by looking at them from the kitchen, I can tell what they’re going to order for the family.”

These 3 Toronto spots just ranked among the top 50 steakhouses in North America

By
Nisean Lorde
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Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse

Three Toronto steakhouses just landed on a list of the 50 Best Steak Restaurants in North America, proving you don’t need to fly to Chicago or New York for a world-class steak dinner.

The rankings come from the World’s Best Steak Restaurants, the group behind the uber-popular World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list, which is widely considered one of the most closely watched steak rankings on the planet!

At No. 13 in North America (and No. 76 worldwide), Jacobs & Co. (81 Bay St) was the top Toronto restaurant to make the list. No surprise here. Toronto steak fans already treat the Michelin-recognized space as a bit of a pilgrimage. Earlier this spring, the restaurant moved from its legendary Brant St location to the fourth floor of CIBC Square in the centre of Toronto’s financial hub. The new 14,000-square-foot space boasts a piano lounge, floor-to-ceiling windows, private dining rooms and even a small shop where you can grab steaks and bottled cocktails to go.

The menu is designed around Jacobs’s extensive collection of dry-aged meats, with Canadian and international beef aged anywhere from 30 to 150 days, and a steak list that includes everything from Ontario rib-eyes to high-end Wagyu!

Sides are just as important at Jacobs as well, with a collection of fan faves like duck fat French fried potatoes and tableside Caesar salad. Complement your meal with a vanilla cherry cheesecake and wine by the glass (the cellar has more than 6,500 bottles and pours available on some higher-end labels).

Over on Ossington, Linny’s (176 Ossington Ave) lands in the 16th spot. This deli-inspired steakhouse comes from chef David Schwartz (of Sunnys Chinese and Mimi Chinese fame) and the Big Hug Hospitality team.

Chef Schwartz’s mother’s recipes are framed on the wall, and her influence is on every plate. The menu is built around both classic steakhouse cuts and Jewish deli comfort food: think kasha and bowties, challah service and shake-and-bake chicken elevated with hot honey.

The showstopper is the 40-oz dry-aged Angus Porterhouse from Penokean Hills! It’s cooked under an over-fired broiler that can hit 1,800°F, then brushed with pastrami tallow butter.

 

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Landing in 38th spot is Bisteccheria Sammarco (4 Front St E). This classic Italian steakhouse from Michelin-starred chef Rob Rossi and David Minicucci, the team behind Giulietta and Osteria Giulia, just opened in April at Yonge and Front, and is already a huge hit. There are just four core cuts, all Ontario beef from Cumbrae’s, aged in-house for at least 60 days and cooked in an upright broiler!

Try the 26-oz Ribeye, finished with sea salt, olive oil and a side of Sicilian salmoriglio sauce. The rest of the menu is equally impressive, with hits like burrata-crowned beef tartare, raw seafood platters, and fettuccine alla Scrofa Cento Uova made with a hundred egg yolks per batch!

Other Canadian restaurants to make the list include the road-trip-worthy Fat Rabbit in St. Catharines (No. 19). This is literally part-restaurant, part-butcher shop: the space is set up so that whole animals are broken down in-house. Every steak, chop and charcuterie plate comes from animals sourced from small Ontario farms, so diners can expect ethically raised meats and house-made charcuterie in a chic, green-tiled space that feels very Parisian.

Elisa in Vancouver is listed as Canada’s best steak restaurant overall (No. 11 in North America, No. 26 worldwide). The dining room is built around an open grill, with Executive Chef Andrew Richardson running a steak program that spans Canadian and US Prime beef and Japanese Wagyu, all cooked over sustainably sourced hardwood for a subtle, smoky char. Sides and seafood get just as much attention: try the branzino with cavolo nero, wood-grilled rainbow carrots in beef tallow and fresh herbs, and triple-fried chips, all with a lineup of delicious sauces!

The World’s Best Steak Restaurants publishes the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants ranking each year, and has become a well-respected ranking, running since 2019.

The rankings are put together by London-based Upper Cut Media House and are based on anonymous visits by a network of steak ambassadors who evaluate restaurants using dozens of criteria, including meat quality, sourcing and aging techniques (so, kind of like a Michelin Guide for steakhouses).

In 2025, more than 900 steakhouses around the world were assessed, with only 101 making the global list. This new list of the 50 Best Steak Restaurants in North America uses the same vetting process, meaning the Toronto spots that made the cut are definitely worth a visit.

Check out the full North American list on Instagram @worldbeststeakrestaurants.

Facing Cancer, Finding Community at Wellspring

By
Dorothy Chudzinski
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wellspring cancer support

Before his diagnosis, Matt Van Engelen’s life was typical — days working, and time spent cooking and hanging out with his wife and son. But after several sleepless nights from intense back pain, his wife, Syd, insisted he go to the hospital. Following a series of tests, doctors delivered life-altering news: Matt had lymphoma.

Treatment began quickly, but the physical toll was soon matched by emotional isolation. “I had been feeling so dejected. I just wanted to speak to someone who had gone through what I was going through,” Matt said. On his social worker’s recommendation, he looked into Wellspring and registered for their lymphoma support group. “Once I got into the group, everyone was so welcoming and warm. It was easy to be vulnerable, which was exactly what I needed.”

After a brief remission, Matt’s lymphoma returned, hitting harder than before. The second round of treatment was gruelling, both physically and emotionally. “I had to stay downstairs most of the time because I was immunocompromised and had a young son who was always playing and collecting germs,” he explained. Being a social person, this was a drastic change for Matt. Fortunately, he still had the Wellspring lymphoma group to lean on.

The toll also began to weigh on his wife, who was now the primary caregiver to Matt and their young son, Davey. Recalling that time, Syd shared, “There wasn’t a lot of room to breathe. My own feelings and health were secondary; my boys came first.” Syd shared that she was thankful that Wellspring was able to provide additional support for Matt in a way that she didn’t always know how.

As his eight-month long-term disability leave neared its end, Matt realized he needed help preparing for post-treatment life. He enrolled in Wellspring’s Return to Work program, which helped him make a plan and establish a routine. “The program taught me how to talk to my insurer, and even how to sit at a desk again for eight hours a day — something you wouldn’t think you’d forget,” he said. “It really helped to practice, and to speak with others who were going through the same thing.”

Matt describes his outlook now as cautiously optimistic. He occasionally still pops into the lymphoma support group to offer assistance to newly diagnosed individuals. Reflecting on the support he received at Wellspring, Matt has a simple message for those thinking of donating: “I say do it. You have no idea how many people you’re going to help.”

 

5 incredible foodie gifts for the Toronto eater who’s tried everything

By
Jennifer Schembri
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Richmond Station

For the Toronto foodie who already seems to have (eaten) everything, giving the usual gift card feels… tired. This holiday season, skip the predictable and go straight for experiences that feed the senses, not just the stomach. From streets steeped in flavour to theatrical tasting menus and dinner mysteries, here are three foodie adventures guaranteed to wow anyone who considers themselves a connoisseur of the city’s eats.

1. Culinary Adventure Co. Chinatown + Kensington Market Tour

Step off the beaten path and into a three-hour stroll through two of Toronto’s most flavour-packed neighbourhoods. Along the way, taste over 18 festive bites: steaming dim sum, Vietnamese street snacks, Mexican treats and Ontario artisan cheese, all paired with stories that turn the streets into an edible snow globe. Wander past colourful storefronts, uncover hidden history and soak in the holiday lights glinting off Kensington’s cobblestones. $129 Adult | $124 Senior 60+ | $124 Children 6-12

2. Chef’s Table at Richmond Station

 

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For a front-row seat to culinary wizardry, this is the gift that keeps giving. Guests sit at the kitchen counter with Top Chef Canada winner Carl Heinrich as he orchestrates a six-course seasonal tasting menu. From oysters to Honeycrisp apple pavé, each dish is a mini performance, paired with wine or sparkling drinks. It’s dinner theatre at its tastiest because sometimes, the best seats in Toronto are right next to the action. $1

3. Secret City’s ‘The Perfect Bite’ Murder Mystery Dinner at Peter Pan Bistro

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Who says dinner can’t come with intrigue? At this interactive experience inspired by Glass Onion: A Knives out Mystery, each course hides a clue, and every bite moves the story forward. With secrets darkly delicious and twists around every corner, it’s a gift that keeps guests guessing — and munching — until the very end. Perfect for friends or family who love solving puzzles as much as they love dessert. $169 per person.

4. Gelato tasting at Death in Venice

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Death in Venice isn’t just scooping gelato — it’s running a full-blown flavour lab on Dundas. This tasting session serves up 16 courses of the shop’s mega hits and strangest experiments, all while breaking down the science that separates gelato from ice cream. Think cheeseboard gelato, seasonal specials and whatever the team is tinkering with that week. After the tasting, you’ll step behind the scenes into the production lab where every idea gets tested. The experience is led by the owner — a chemical engineer turned chef and 2019 Gelato Cup of North America winner — meaning you’re basically eating dessert with a mad genius. From $70 per person.

5. Wine tasting without the pretence 

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If you’re tired of wine events that feel like homework, this Cabbagetown tasting is the reset. Hosted by Laura, a Canadian-wine specialist with nearly twenty years in the game, Crushable pours small-lot bottles you won’t spot at the LCBO. It’s essentially a smart, low-pressure spot to hangout where people ask real questions, drink great wine and skip the theatre of “structured tannins.”

8 Toronto holiday high teas, ranked by how festive they really are

By
Nisean Lorde
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Holts Café Bloor

Toronto’s holiday high teas are basically like real-life Christmas movie scenes you can sip: think feel-good experiences that are a bit sentimental and a touch nostalgic! Each festive tea service is unique, so you can expect everything from Nutcracker spreads to seasonal notes of spiced apricot and cardamom-vanilla.

To help guide your holiday tea journey, here are eight of the most festive high tea experiences to check out in Toronto this season.

8. Holiday Luxury Afternoon Tea and Paint | The Tea Room, Windsor Arms Hotel

Where: Windsor Arms Hotel, 18 St. Thomas St
When: Sunday, Dec 14, 2025 | 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Price: $170 per person (prepaid)

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Windsor Arms is already an afternoon tea institution, but their luxury holiday tea experience takes things up a notch this December! The event is held in the historic, sunlit Courtyard Ballroom. Guests can work through a festive, relaxing painting session led by You and I Paint, while grazing on gourmet finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and decadent desserts. Sip on bottomless tea and a glass of sparkling wine (there are also non-alcoholic options).

7. Festive Afternoon Tea | Old Mill Toronto

Where: 21 Old Mill Rd, Etobicoke
When: Thursdays-Sundays, runs until Jan 4, 2026
Price: $35-$70 per person

 

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Head over to the Old Mill if you’re looking for English country-style Christmas tea service. The heritage property dates back to 1914 and sits by the Humber River, with Tudor-style architecture, fireplaces and wood-panelled rooms that are perfect for ‘a cuppa’ during winter. Indulge in a curated selection of handcrafted teas, finger sandwiches and warm scones with authentic Devonshire cream imported from England. Festivities take place in multiple rooms with seasonal décor and twinkling lights. If nothing else, it’s the perfect grandmacore experience for the holidays!

6. PRELUDE: Festive Afternoon Tea x Jo Malone London | Clockwork, Fairmont Royal York

Where: Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails, 100 Front St W
When: Fridays-Sundays, runs until Jan 4, 2026
Price: $49.50-$99 per person

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The Fairmont is basically Toronto’s unofficial Christmas headquarters, and their festive holiday tea service has sparkled since 1929! This year’s edition is themed around Jo Malone London’s Sandalwood & Spiced Apricot scent. Expect tiers loaded with seasonal notes of spiced apricot and cardamom-vanilla, paired with delicious desserts like candied-ginger and cranberry scones, apricot-ginger cupcakes and snow-cherry chocolate trifles. Throw in some classic finger sandwiches and delicious savouries like Fogo Island shrimp and lobster rolls, and you’re to go!

5. The Enchanted Nutcracker Afternoon Tea | Shangri-La Toronto

 

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Where: Lobby Lounge, 188 University Ave
When: Nov 20-Dec 28, 2025 | multiple seatings daily
Price: $108 per person + taxes/service charges

The Lobby Lounge transforms into a magical winter tea sanctuary, surrounded by festive décor and a full-on Nutcracker theme, created in partnership with The National Ballet of Canada to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Expect theatrical, holiday-coded eats like smoked-salmon croissants, brûléed foie gras, and wild-mushroom tartlets, followed by buche de Noel, Mont Blanc, and eggnog-inspired ornaments, all paired with the most delicious premium teas (and an option for sparkling wine or a mocktail).

4. Festive High Tea | W Toronto, Living Room

Where: W LIVING ROOM, 90 Bloor St E
When: Runs daily, Dec 1-31, 2025 | 11 am- 2 pm
Price: From $99-109 per person

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Sip, savour and sparkle this season in the Living Room! The festive high tea experience blends timeless ritual with modern twists, loose-leaf teas, artfully plated savoury dishes and delicious seasonal sweets like s’mores macarons, chocolate mousse, Mont Blanc tartlets and winter spiced cheesecake.

3. Christmas High Tea | Osteria Mattarello, Markham

Where: 230 Commerce Valley Dr E, Markham
When: Dec 25, 27, 28, 2025
Price: $55 per person

Head to Markham for an Italian spin on high tea, paired with a menu filled with savoury bites like salmon tartare on brioche or prosciutto-wrapped figs, alongside treats like cherry cheesecake, lemon cannoli and espresso tiramisu! Expect seasonal décor and an intimate dining room setting.

2. Toys & Tea Festive Afternoon Tea | Epoch Bar & Kitchen Terrace, The Ritz-Carlton

Where: 181 Wellington St W
When: Runs daily from Dec 1, 2025, to Jan 1, 2026
Price: $95 per person | $50 per child

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Indulge in a selection of seasonal pastries, delicate finger sandwiches, and freshly baked scones, complemented by a curated assortment of fine teas! The tea experiences are set in a beautifully adorned atmosphere that captures the magic of the holidays. In the spirit of giving, a portion of the proceeds from Toys & Tea will go toward purchasing Christmas gifts for children at SickKids Hospital.

1. Diptyque Holiday Afternoon Tea | Holts Café Bloor

Where: Holts Café Bloor, 50 Bloor St W
When: Thursdays-Sundays, runs until Jan 4, 2026
Price: $82 per person

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Holts’ holiday tea service wraps the season in candle-brand aesthetics. The service is inspired by the brand’s Sapin candle (so a warm, woodsy pine scent). Reservations are required 24 hours in advance.

The six must-try tourtières in Toronto this holiday season

By
Jennifer Schembri
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’Tis the season to indulge in the classic Québécois Christmas pie — tourtière. Chef Anthony Rose sleighed the competition, helping us pick the perfect flaky winner for a Christmas feast that’s oh-so-delicious.

Winner: Charmaine Sweet Studio

“Now, this is a gorgeous pie. The seasoning is spot-on, the crust is fantastic, and the texture is exceptional.” 939 Eglinton Ave E., $37

Runner-up: Goûter

“They certainly weren’t afraid of flavours here! The crust really maintains its structure.”  300 Eglinton Ave. W., $48

Pâtisserie La Cigogne

“This is incredibly juicy, and the spices are perfectly balanced. I appreciate the textures of the potatoes and carrots.” 626 Bayview Ave., $47.95

Rosedale’s Finest

“The meat is not quite fatty enough for me, but it’s got all the right seasonings and the crust is nice and flaky.” 408 Summerhill Ave., $9.99

Marché Marie

“It’s got lots of meat, lots of carrots and potatoes, but I wouldn’t really call this a tourtière — it’s more of a traditional beef pie.” 13495 Bathurst St., $25.75

Cumbrae’s

 

“Now this is a nicely-spiced filling. The meat is very moist and the crust is simple but good.” 1589 Bayview Ave., $32.99

Anthony Rose

Streets of Toronto’s tasting chef is the visionary behind Fat Pasha and Schmaltz.

These are the most magical holiday train rides in Ontario this winter

By
Nisean Lorde
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northpoleexpress
The North Pole Express. Courtesy Max Howe/Google Photos

Holiday-themed train rides present a perfect opportunity to get into the festive spirit this winter. These magical trains are filled with traditional carols and live entertainment, covered from top to bottom in luminous decorations and offer tasty treats, providing the perfect family bonding experience! The annual CPKC Holiday Train and Holiday Express will make a pit stop in Toronto on the evening of Nov. 29, but there are many other holiday train experiences in Ontario that you can check out:

North Pole Express, Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario

north pole express
Courtesy Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario/Facebook

Step into a festive world of wonder as you board this magically decorated vintage train — you’ll feel like you’re in a holiday movie! Santa will be waiting to greet children (from ages one to 92) and take professional photos in the 1899-style dining car. Don’t forget to bring your kids’ wish lists as Santa’s elves will ensure your messages reach the North Pole from their telegraph office via a Santa-gram! When you’re done riding the train, take a stroll through the holiday station and museum grounds, featuring crackling fire pits, carolers, delicious refreshments, reindeer games and more! Cost: $25.57. The train ride runs on Saturdays, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, 90 William St. W., Smiths Falls, Ont.

Christmas train ride experiences | Waterloo Central Railway

Santas Candy Crossing image 1
Courtesy waterloocentralrailway.com

Hop on board the Merry Mission Dayliner and join your fellow passengers to help bring back the Christmas Spirit! This festive 60-minute daytime train ride is designed for families; expect an interactive, Christmas-themed scavenger hunt featuring festive scratch cards and a visit from Santa himself! Cost: $30.99

Join the Christmas Cheerlight Charter for an evening adventure for guests of all ages. Restore the magic of the holidays by completing challenges and collecting stamps. From singing carols to collecting stamps, you’ll receive the title of one of Santa’s Official Merry Makers! You’ll also receive a visit from Santa and a special moment to commemorate your mission. Cost: $45.99

For a more adult-themed holiday train ride, check out Santa’s Nightcap, for ages 19 and over. Join Santa for a nightcap as he kicks back and lets loose before another busy day of transporting Christmas candy. Your ticket includes one alcoholic beverage and snack from Santa and a take-home treat, with more drinks available for sale. Cost: $55.99

The train rides take place throughout November and December. Each journey begins at the WCR Farmers’ Market Station (330 Farmers Market Rd., between the St. Jacobs Farmers Market and the Value Village Shopping Centre).

Christmas on the Rails | Halton County Railway

halton railway christmas
@streetcarmuseum/Instagram

Get into the Christmas spirit on this enchanting train ride! Ride the rails with Santa this holiday season on a vintage streetcar — trek through the woods and admire snow on the trees as traditional Christmas carols ring through the air. The streetcars, buildings and grounds will all be decorated for the season. Rides are about 20 minutes, and you can purchase cider, hot chocolate, coffee and delicious cookies on-site. Dates: Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14. 13629 Guelph Line, Milton, Ont.

Christmas Lights Trolley Tour, Kingston Trolley Tours

kingston trolley
@kingstontrolley/Instagram

Join this 75-minute Christmas light viewing trolley tour and experience Kingston lit up for the holidays! It’s a perfectly festive family activity where you’ll carol along to Christmas classics as you travel throughout the city on a vintage red trolley. Tours operate Thursday to Sunday from Dec. 4-7, Wednesday to Sunday from Dec. 10-14, and then daily from Dec. 15-31. Tours depart from 248 Ontario St. in downtown Kingston. Tickets can be bought online or by calling 613-549-5544. Cost: $19 (children) | $38 (teens/adults 16+). Kingston and Pembroke Railway Station. 209 Ontario St., Kingston, Ont.

Santa Treats Train Ride, Port Stanley Terminal Rail

port stanley train
@pstr_tourist_train/Instagram

Head to southwestern Ontario for this vintage holiday train ride! Enjoy a ride across Elgin County’s countryside from the warmth of a heated train car. Santa will bring treats for the kids and there will be tons of games, activities, and live entertainment on some trains. The train ride runs on Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Cost: $20 for adults, $12.50 for children. Port Stanley Terminal Rail. 309 Bridge St., Port Stanley, Ont.

Toronto just got a Japan-famous ramen shop serving a style you’ve probably never tried

By
Nisean Lorde
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A cult-favourite ramen chain from Japan has opened its first Canadian outpost in downtown Toronto, and noodle lovers are already lining up!

Machida Shoten Toronto is a branch of the massively popular Japanese chain known for Yokohama Iekei-style ramen, a deeply savoury ramen that’s huge in Japan but still relatively rare in Canada. This ramen originated in the 1970s in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and combines the richness of tonkotsu (pork bone) broth with the depth of shoyu (soy sauce) seasoning.

The brand was founded in Japan in 2008 and has since exploded to over 800 locations worldwide, including shops across Japan, the United States and Asia. Now, Torontonians can experience authentic Iekei ramen for themselves at College and Spadina!

The Toronto location’s soft opening is on Nov 28, but the grand opening party is set for Dec 12, when the restaurant is promising 50% off all ramen bowls for the day. In the meantime, food creators have already been slipping in for early bowls!

 

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When you head over, customize your ramen just the way you like it by choosing your preferred noodle firmness, broth saltiness and chicken oil level.

The broth is thick, creamy, and full of umami, enhanced with a touch of chicken oil for amazing flavour. It’s paired with medium-thick, straight noodles and complemented with traditional toppings like spinach, chashu pork, nori, fresh quail eggs in each bowl, seasoned egg, negi (green onions) and spicy karami.

Each Iekei Ramen comes with a complimentary bowl of rice (this is the Machida Shoten way to enjoy your meal authentically!). For sides, indulge in pan-fried pork and veggie dumplings, crispy fried chicken with mayo, boiled soybeans, torched pork belly slices or the “Aburi chashu don” rice bowl topped with seared chashu pork belly.

Machida Shoten Toronto is located at 326 College St. Head over on Nov 28 for the soft opening, and on Dec 12 for the official grand opening.

10 road-trip restaurants near Toronto that are absolutely worth the drive

By
Jennifer Schembri
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Les Incompetents Photo: Daniel Neuhaus

We’re all in agreement, Toronto has a stacked dining scene — you can have omakase in a back alley, Michelin stars in a mall and a smash burger on every corner. But sometimes the best meals aren’t in the city at all. Sometimes they’re down a winding country road, inside an old gas station, or hidden behind an Instagram account set to private.

If you’re looking for a mini escape with maximum flavour, here are the restaurants within a two-hour radius of Toronto that are genuinely worth filling the tank for. Think: sourdough obsessives, forest-to-table tasting menus and Italian-American comfort.

1. Tony’s Sourdough
Elora | 1 hr 30 min

The place where a Bangkok pizza master moves to a village to roll dough by hand

In Elora’s tiny Mews, chef Tony Bish is rolling exactly 100 pizzas a day — no more, no less — because quality control is a religion here. Bish has cooked everywhere from Hong Kong to Brisbane and trained at Le Cordon Bleu, but his sourdough starter comes from a far more sacred source: his American grandmother’s pancake recipe. He left Bangkok with his wife and two small daughters to settle in Elora, where he sells out daily. Expect a small six-pizza menu that blends ancient grains, local mushrooms, imported Italian cheeses and a whole lot of precision. The dough changes with the weather; the toppings change with the day; the adventure you’re seeking is “global chef opens world-class pizzeria in a storybook village.”
It’s the definition of a destination pie.

2. Rizzo’s House of Parm
Crystal Beach | 1 hr 45 min

Matty Matheson’s Italian-American fever dream — big portions, bigger personality

 

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If you’ve ever wished The Bear came with more red sauce and more wholesome family backstory, get in the car. Rizzo’s is Matheson’s ode to his wife’s Italian heritage and their daughter (yes, named Rizzo).Think chicken, veal, or eggplant parm the size of a steering wheel, linguine and clams, bolognese, rapini, polenta — all served in a warm, chaotic, extremely Matty atmosphere. It’s Italian-American comfort with Fort Erie soul. Come hungry.

3. Bar Les Incompétents
St. Catharines | 1 hr 30 min

The kind of place everyone will claim they discovered first

Dreamed up by the team behind Fat Rabbit, this new St. Catharines brasserie has big secret-society vibes: the Instagram is private, the regulars are extremely online, and the name is a cheeky nod to Home Alone. Inside, it’s a lively, modern room pouring serious wine with a focus on seafood, a proper raw bar and playful, French-ish small plates meant to be eaten with your hands. As St. Catharines keeps quietly becoming the coolest food town in Niagara, this is the spot everyone will soon pretend they knew about first.

4. Salty Blonde Bagel Bar
Barrie | 1 hr 10 min

A modern brasserie with a locked Instagram and “if you know, you know” energy

 

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Celebrity chef Randy Feltis wanted to bring a slice of New York to Barrie — so he hand-rolls bagels with fermented barley malt, a sourdough base, Canadian flour, and a laser-focused “less is more” philosophy. There’s lox, pastrami, SLTs, crab beignets, sesame corn dogs, beef tartare and a hip diner-bar vibe that feels both coastal and cottage country.

5. Hexagon
Oakville | 45 min

Chef Rafael Covarrubias’s French-inspired tasting menu earned Oakville its first ever Michelin star.

Hexagon is fine dining without the fuss — polished, precise, yet surprisingly warm. The plates land like tiny sculptures, the ingredients are seasonal and luxurious, and the whole experience feels like the GTA’s fastest way to Paris. If you want a big-deal dinner without a big-deal trip, this is your move.

6. Restaurant Pearl Morissette
Jordan | 1 hr 20 min

Ontario’s only two-Michelin-star experience outside Toronto — the full farm/wine/ferment/fire fantasy

Set on 42 acres in Niagara, RPM is less a restaurant and more a culinary worldview. There’s no printed menu — the kitchen cooks what the fields, cellar and producers decide. Chefs Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson build a flowing tasting that moves through things grown, pickled, smoked and fire-kissed, poured alongside very serious wine and surprisingly elevated juice pairings. The room is calmly minimalist, the pacing unhurried. If food-as-art is your love language, welcome home.

7. The Pine
Creemore | 2 hrs

A tasting menu presented as a sheet of tiny tattoo-style doodles in a former gas station

 

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At The Pine, your “menu” arrives as a page of line drawings — a dumpling here, a bird there, a lone mushroom — and over 16-plus courses you slowly decode what each sketch meant. Chef Jeremy Austin folds his time in Shanghai, Wuxi, Hong Kong and Italy into a hyper-local, hyper-precise progression of dishes built around ingredients from his wife’s family farm. It’s part Nordic minimalism, part culinary theatre, part gas-station fever dream. A must for food nerds.

8. Naagan
Owen Sound | 2 hr 30 min

This 17-seat room centres Indigenous foodways and hyper-local ingredients

Dinner stretches over a dozen or so courses without a single imported lemon in sight. Chef Zach Keeshig cooks using only what grows, roams, or can be foraged nearby: wild mushrooms, spruce tips, sweetgrass, berries, sea buckthorn and more. The result feels like a geography lesson braided with ceremony. If you crave storytelling with your dinner, this is the most spiritually immersive meal on the list.

9. Heart’s Tavern and Bar
Kimberley | 2 hr 20 min

The cozy European tavern of your winter fantasies

 

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Imagine stumbling into a village tavern that feels like a Nordic wine bar crossed with an Alpine lodge. Heart’s is a butchery, bar, and seasonal kitchen with a constantly changing menu, hearty veg-forward dishes, and a warm wooden interior straight out of a Wes Anderson farm sequence. They also run themed dinners — Piedmont-inspired nights, duck feasts, Alpine suppers and more. It’s comfort food with real character — and a hidden gem that regulars guard fiercely.

10. Fat Rabbit
St. Catharines | 1 hr 30 min

A whole-animal butchery and one of Canada’s buzziest dining rooms

 

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In a low-key St Catharines strip mall, chef Zach Smith is running a restaurant-butchery hybrid where whole animals come in and precise plates go out. Expect ethically raised meats, vibrant crudos and housemade charcuterie in a chic, green-tiled space that feels like a Paris wine bar dropped in Niagara.Come for the ragu. Stay for the head-on reminder of where your food actually comes from.

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