Plan the ideal staycation right in the heart of Toronto

If you’re dreaming of an awe-inspiring summer vacation this year, why not skip the plane tickets, hours of travel time and currency-exchange headaches to savour a sensational staycation right here in the city?

Toronto’s vibrant Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood is the ultimate destination for the perfect getaway, with its amazing restaurants, galleries, attractions and shopping, plus luxe hotels and world-class hospitality—no passport required.

Embarking on a five-star Bloor-Yorkville summer staycation is as easy as these three steps:

Step 1: Perch on a perfect patio

The neighbourhood’s robust collection of restaurants and bars boasts global flavours and diverse menus, as well as scores of sun-drenched patios.

Amal (The Colonnade, 131 Bloor St. W., 2nd floor) Whether it’s lunch, brunch, dinner or drinks, the clean, calming hues of the Mediterranean-inspired patio at this Lebanese restaurant make having a meal feel like a vacation in and of itself. The full halal-certified menu celebrates coastal flavours and traditional spices, with cocktails that transport your taste buds across the globe.

Hemingway’s Restaurant & Bar (142 Cumberland St.) This casual and lively Bloor-Yorkville institution is home to four different patios on three floors. With 24 draft beers on tap, live music, social events and a slew of big screens to take in sporting events, it’s an ideal spot for classic New Zealand–inspired pub fare and tasty late-night munchables.

Kasa Moto (115 Yorkville Ave.) Dine on everything from sashimi and nigiri to signature dishes—such as the ginger-soy-marinated Jidori chicken—at this contemporary Japanese restaurant and lounge, which features a sprawling rooftop terrace with plush patio seating, a full-service bar and bookable private cabanas.

Sassafraz (100 Cumberland St.) If people-watching is your thing, pull up a seat on the shaded patio at this iconic Toronto restaurant located in a Victorian row house in the heart of Yorkville. Its Canadian cuisine and internationally inspired menu combined with its A-list location make for alfresco dining at its finest.

Skylight (W Toronto, rooftop, 90 Bloor St. E.) An amazing spot for a nightcap, this playful yet opulent rooftop oasis sits high above the streets of Bloor-Yorkville—and is also open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Explore its expansive menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and choose from indoor or outdoor dining.

Step 2: Hit up a heavenly hotel

Instead of heading home after a day out in Bloor-Yorkville, pamper yourself and book a stay at one of the city’s hottest hotels.

The Anndore House (15 Charles St. E.) Quirky and modern, and housed in a revamped 1950s brick building, this unique boutique hotel features 115 guest rooms in four different styles. Dine outdoors at Constantine Restaurant and Bar, and enhance your stay with special add-ons, such as a “birthday swag” experience—complete with in-room decorations and cake.

The Hazelton Hotel (116 Yorkville Ave.) This luxury hotel has earned its reputation as one of Toronto’s finest for its sleek, sophisticated and super-spacious rooms. Indulge in a massage, a facial or a dip in the saltwater pool at the Spa by Valmont, then settle in for a meal or a drink on the candlelit, tree-lined patio at ONE Restaurant.

Park Hyatt Toronto (4 Avenue Rd.) Home to the iconic Stillwater Spa, this elegant hotel offers 219 rooms, including a massive two-level, 1,430-square-foot penthouse suite. Sip a cocktail on the 17th-floor patio at Writers Room, or enjoy fine dining at Joni Restaurant. And if you’ve got a canine companion, have them join you for your staycation: the hotel is dog friendly, too.

Step 3: Make time for a magnificent morning stroll

After you wake refreshed and rejuvenated, enjoy a leisurely stroll to one of Bloor-Yorkville’s cozy cafés for breakfast with a European flair.

Coco Espresso Bar (29 Bellair St.) Owner Raffaele Bettalico brings authentic Italian coffee to Yorkville—and a bean-roasting tradition that dates back more than 140 years. Tuck into such traditional Italian favourites as cannoli and biscotti with a latte or cappuccino or try one of Coco’s organic gluten-free pastries.

Delysées Luxury Desserts (161 Yorkville Ave.) If you’re looking for exquisite French delights—think mouth-watering macarons, eclairs, cakes and vegan desserts as beautiful as they are delicious—this boutique patisserie is a must-visit staycation stop. Not sure what to have? Try one of Delysées’s scrumptious tasting boxes for a little bit of everything.

If that’s not already exciting enough, with CaféTO back for another summer, Bloor-Yorkville transforms into a pedestrian and patio-lover’s warm-weather paradise, with a full road closure along Bellair Street allowing for an exciting array of traffic-free outdoor-dining options.

To discover more of what the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood and CaféTO have to offer this summer, visit Bloor-Yorkville BIA.