What multi-hyphenate artist Vivek Shraya loves about Leslieville
Including an iconic brunch spot, a bespoke burrito and the ultimate sunset-and-skyline vantage
Vivek Shraya, a musician, writer and visual artist, left her hometown of Edmonton in 2003 and moved to Queen and Dovercourt, where she met her partner and lived for 14 years. “We were very much west-end queers, but we were always fascinated with the east end. It seemed so vibrant yet relaxed,” she says. After decamping to Calgary for six years, the pair returned in 2023, settling in a two-bedroom townhouse in Leslieville. “It feels like a haven from the chaos of downtown,” says Shraya, whose 12th solo album, Vivica, drops this month. Here are some Leslieville spots she highly recommends.
White Lily Diner
“This is my favourite weekend brunch place, but it’s super popular. You have to show up right at 9 a.m., otherwise it’s going to take several hours to get a seat. I’m obsessed with their buttermilk biscuits. They have this peppery taste that’s really unexpected in a good way. Motown and soul music are always playing in the background, and it makes for such an uplifting atmosphere.’’ 678 Queen St. E., whitelilydiner.ca
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Queen Books
“Everyone who works here really cares about books. One of my favourite reads of 2025 was Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li, which I picked up because one of the staff recommended it. They also know how to throw a great event—book launches, panel discussions and themed book clubs.” 914 Queen St. E., queenbooks.ca
Good Cheese
“One of my partner’s best friends owns Good Cheese. It’s my favourite local place to buy gifts, and I’m always picking up gift cards for people. They have such a great range of cheeses, jams, spreads, crackers, gelato, and even wine and beer. I don’t drink, but I’ll grab a bottle of their sparkling apple cider for special occasions.” 614 Gerrard St. E., goodcheese.ca
Riverdale Park East
“There’s this beautiful thing that happens at the park in the summer. Every evening, people bring a pizza, a beer, their dog and just sit in the park and watch the sunset together. It feels like you’re at an outdoor concert—except the show is the sun.” 550 Broadview Ave.
Masa Deli
“I’m addicted to Masa Deli. I have to try hard not to go there every morning. After I work out at Lift Lab, it’s my treat on the way home. I’m there so often that they programmed my special order into their system—the Vivek burrito: egg, cheese, a hash brown and this great carrot-based hot sauce they have.” 954 Queen St. E., masa-deli.square.site
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Completo
“Completo is the most under-rated taco spot in Toronto. In the summer, I love to order their hard-shell steak tacos and eat them on the bench out front. They haven’t programmed a Vivek taco yet, so maybe that’s something I can work on.”
5 Coady Ave., completo.club
Living Waters
“If I could get a massage at this spa every day, I would. They play really calming music and use this lovely skin care brand called Eminence for their facials, and their massage therapists have the touch. Shout out to Jerry and Dave. I go once every two weeks.” 1114 Queen St. E., livingwaterstherapies.ca
Gadabout
“I’m not even the biggest vintage shopper, and I could easily spend hours here. It reminds me of Ollivander’s from Harry Potter. It’s full of old maps and magazines, vintage accessories and clothes. I recently got a pair of huge earrings there.” 1300 Queen St. E., gadaboutvintage.com
Teagan Sliz covers Ontario real estate for Toronto Life and Storeys. She also writes for Cottage Life and has reported on everything from hidden-gem restaurants to Canadian wildlife and forest fires. She graduated from Queen’s University with a bachelor’s in history and art history and from Centennial College, where she studied Canadian publishing.
