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Toronto prides itself on having some of the finest shopping in North America. Indeed, most of the world's name boutiques have branches here, especially in the Yorkville area, where you can find such luxury labels as Chanel, Prada, and Cartier. For those a little leaner of wallet, you can join in one of Torontonians' favorite pastimes: bargain hunting. Locals wear discount threads like badges of honor and stretch their dollar at Winners—where overstocked and liquidated designer pieces and last-season fashions are slashed to a fraction of their original retail prices.
Toronto has a large arts-and-crafts community, with numerous art galleries, custom jewelers, clothing designers, and artisans. Sophisticated glass sculpture and Inuit art are ideal as gifts or for your own home. A few record stores are still going strong despite the dominance of digital music. The survivors’ trump card has been focused inventory and knowledgeable staff—head to Rotate This for alterative and indie music or Atelier Grigorian for classical and jazz. Bookstores such as Indigo have lounge areas where you can sip a coffee from the in-store café while perusing books by Canadian authors such as Alice Munro, Ann-Marie MacDonald, and Rohinton Mistry; don’t miss favorite independent Book City.
When it comes to department stores, all roads lead to Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street West, the epicenter of Toronto's designer shopping. A mere block east is the more mid-price department store The Bay. A second Bay can be found across from Eaton Centre, a sprawling shopping complex with multilevel parking in the heart of the city.
The carefully selected fiction and nonfiction at Type Books includes local authors, as well as fun cards and gifts. The art and architecture section has pride of place at the front of the shop, and the extensive children's area is in a bright spot up a few steps at the back.
Established in 1972, Bakka Phoenix has the distinction of being the world's oldest science fiction and fantasy bookstore. The shop is home to several thousand new and used titles, with the selection catering to readers of all ages. Knowledgeable staff members are always on hand to help find what you're looking for (or suggest something new).
This hushed secondhand bookshop has a tempting selection of coffee table--sized art and photography books, along with more luggage-friendly novels and plays—all denoted with Scrabble-tile signs. You may even spot some rare out-of-print treasures.
Snag deals on classic books and new releases alike at this multilevel used bookstore (short for "Books Magazines Video"). Comics fans will also be happy with the selection of single issues and graphic novels.
One of the city’s longest-running rare bookstores occupies a nondescript brick building overflowing with more than 50,000 titles dating from the Renaissance to the present day. Family owned and operated since 1978, you will be astounded by the innumerable variety of books that cover every inch of this building ranging from art to fiction, travel to politics. Knowledgeable and friendly staff are ready to recommend fascinating reads. D & E Lake also specializes in selling fine art, coins, and modern and vintage maps and posters—all as impressive as the shop’s book collection.
Glad Day is the world's oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore—no mean feat, especially in high-rent Toronto. In the Gay Village epicenter of Church Street, the store is packed with shelves featuring the latest and greatest in queer voices from across Canada and beyond; those shelves are frequently rolled aside to host readings, events, and even dance parties. The bar serves both coffee and alcohol, and the kitchen turns out homey diner-style eats (which are particularly appreciated during weekend drag brunches).
Dubbed "a book shop for people who like to eat," you'll find a smattering of everything needed to elevate your culinary experiences here, from the latest trendy cookbooks to tasteful accents like hand-crafted chambray napkins and whimsical illustrated coffee mugs. A true community hub, the shop also publishes cookbooks focused on singular ingredients written by celebrated local food writers, and its upcycled thrifting section is not to be overlooked for rare vintage finds.
This Canadian megachain bookstore has stores all over the country, but it's headquartered in Toronto. It has a huge selection of books, magazines, records, and gift items as well as a Starbucks and occasional live entertainment. Increasingly, it's becoming a "lifestyle" store with items such as housewares, mugs, pillows, blankets, and cookware taking up prime in-store real estate.
While it's moved its location over the years like a traveling hobbit, this shop is one of Toronto's most beloved comic book providers. Along with thousands of illustrated paperback and hardcover tomes, the Snail has been stocking shelves over the last 45 years with hard-to-find collectibles such as Studio Ghibli figurines, fearsome futuristic model kits of the Gundam and Evangelion variety, and other covetable fandom favorites.
Books on advertising, art, architecture, and urban planning pack the shelves of this aesthetically pleasing store, fittingly located in the arty 401 Richmond heritage building. Part of the store is devoted to modern gifts, including elegant writing tools, modern jewelry, and Pantone-theme everything.
Looking for that first-edition Bukowski, Atwood, or Murakami to complete your collection? This intimate shop specializes in rare editions of popular authors across a range of genres; head up the back stairs for the "Rare Room," where glass cases hold the biggest treasures. There's also a selection of inexpensive used books, vintage art prints, and even tarot cards.
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