Get to know downtown Toronto through Bloor-Yorkville’s hidden gems

When you’re exploring a city and trying to get a handle on its vibe, you have two options: stick to the familiar chains and franchises you already know or dive deeper by seeking out hidden-gem destinations that reveal the city’s soul, spirit and spark. In Toronto, the best location for the latter is the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood.

Already the ultimate destination for dining, shopping, wellness and culture in Toronto, Bloor-Yorkville is also home to a plethora of hidden gems. Whether you’re looking for something amazing to eat, drink, wear or experience, here’s how you can have it all in Bloor-Yorkville.

Delectable dining and drinks

C Suite (126 Cumberland St.) Transport yourself—and your taste buds—into the 1920s at this elegant and exclusive cocktail and whiskey lounge. Old World charm dovetails with modern style, flavours and personalized attention here as passionate master mixologists create visually stunning bespoke drinks.

KOKO! Share Bar (81 Yorkville Ave.) Bibimbap or sushi? Both! This tucked-away fusion restaurant merges Korean and Japanese cuisine and has been one of Bloor-Yorkville’s best-kept secrets for more than 15 years. Here, savour the best of both culinary worlds: appetizers, rolls, noodle dishes and desserts, along with sake and soju infusions.

Powder Room (129 Yorkville Ave.) Nick Jonas is one of the lucky few who found this hidden gem shortly after it opened in November 2025, so he hosted a preview of his latest album with a private brunch concert here a month later. The posh menu at this luxurious supper club and cocktail bar features inventive Michelin-starred dishes with an upscale twist.

UTSAV (69 Yorkville Ave.) Dig in to wallet-friendly Indian cuisine at this easy-to-miss local-fave spot nestled below street level. The lunch and dinner menus are renowned for flavour-packed curries, saag and vindaloo, while tandoori starters, biryani, paneer and thali for two are the stars come dinnertime.

Cool coffee shops and cafés

EPOS Café Couture (90 Yorkville Ave.) Opened in late 2025, this brand-new brunch Bloor-Yorkville brunch eatery takes its cue from Parisian café culture, infusing its atmosphere and elevated dishes with a dash of opulent couture. Soak in the ambience indoors or grab a spot on the secret patio. Bonus: the restaurant is also dog-friendly.

Goldstruck Coffee (130 Cumberland St.) Skip your standard double-double and head to this funky industrial chic brew bar that’s reimagining the coffee experience. Offering premium coffee made from locally roasted beans, this café celebrates the art of coffee in each finely crafted cup. Be sure to try their unique cayenne or halvah latte.

One-of-a-kind outfitters

119 Corbo (119 Yorkville Ave.) For luxury women’s fashion and an expertly curated collection of ready-to-wear pieces, visit this high-end shop run by mother and daughter Linda Perisa and Gianna Ritacca, whose keen eyes mean you might snag the latest from such designers as Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Jil Sander and Dries Van Noten before anyone else.

Heidi-Ho2 (Yorkville Village, 55 Avenue Rd.) Opened in 2011, this unassuming boutique is stacked with the trendiest finds in casual, comfortable and ultra-choice women’s fashions. Specializing in cult-fave California brands, this hidden gem offers fashionistas everything from denim and T-shirts to slippers, pyjamas and accessories.

Bodacious beauty salons

Kereshmah (21 Balmuto St.) The state-of-the-art pain-free laser hair-removal treatments at this Bloor-Yorkville beauty, lash and brow bar set it apart from the rest. Kereshmah’s skilled team also offers facials, brow tinting and shaping, custom skin treatments, microblading and makeup application.

Majesty’s Pleasure (102 Yorkville Ave.) Unwind at this low-key award-winning social club featuring a private patio on a rooftop terrace that overlooks Yorkville Avenue, making it feel more like a private penthouse than a standard salon. Their signature Reset Suite treatment delivers a simultaneous manicure, pedicure and facial. Plus, if you become a member of their next-level Leisure Club, you’ll enjoy—among other perks—unlimited manis and pedis.

Meaningful mind-body connections

Loch Gallery (16 Hazelton Ave.) Enjoy exquisite art without the crowds at Loch Gallery, an intimate art destination beloved for its friendly and welcoming staff, its serene and inviting space and the eye-catching whimsical sculptures often on display outside. An art lover’s out-of-the-way sanctuary, it’s been showcasing historical and contemporary collections of significance across Canadian and European art from the 19th to 20th century since 1972.

Pilates by Stav (14 Hazelton Ave.) This tranquil and intimate studio takes a mindful approach to strength, stability, posture, breath control and flexibility. Unlike the big, busy classes you typically find in the city, Stav’s private, semi-private or small-group sessions—blending Pilates, barre, cardio and strength training—are what make this studio special.

Visit the Bloor-Yorkville BIA to find out more about the neighbourhood’s unique restaurants, shops, salons, galleries and health-and-wellness destinations.