115 Best Places to Shop in Toronto, Ontario

The Toronto location of this internationally renowned luxury jeweler caters to the city's elite. The glass cases feature a good selection of the jewelry designer's classic creations, including the triple-gold-band Trinity Ring and the striking nail-shape Juste Un Clou collection.

Located in one of the city's historic buildings, this boutique is one of the company's largest in North America. Most of the brand's latest offerings, including classic and seasonal bags and accessories, are here, and the staff is welcoming, knowledgeable, and helpful, just what you'd expect from a store of this caliber.

The best-dressed Torontonians clear out their closets at this consignment store, which always has something cheap and cheerful on the racks. Brands range from fast-fashion to vintage to designer; the eagle-eyed might even spot some Marni or Max Mara.

Founded in 1979, Corkin Gallery is one of the most fascinating in the city with its mission to showcase art spanning the 20th and 21st centuries. The gallery’s unique, industrial space complements the experience of viewing its roster of artists, such as Barbara Astman and David Urban, and spanning media from painting to photography, sculpture, and mixed media.

Most of the reasonably priced jewelry at this Distillery District shop is Canadian-designed, and all of it is unique and handmade. Pieces range from inexpensive glass-and-silver pendants to Swiss-made stainless steel rings and pricier pieces set with pearls and other semiprecious stones.

The best and longest-running vintage store in Kensington Market is crammed with the coolest retro stuff, from sunglasses to sundresses, plus an ample supply of cowboy boots and gently used Birkenstock sandals for guys and gals, all at low prices. Not everything is secondhand here: there's a wall of sparkly Indian-inspired clothing, lots of costume jewelry, Mexican luchador masks, and a selection of unique buttons.

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.

Though Yonge Street is no longer a record store mecca, Dead Dog is an excellent indie shop in the nearby Gay Village. There are plenty of new vinyl records from hot up-and-coming indie bands, artists from a wide spectrum of genres, and box sets and reissues from legends like David Bowie, but regulars gravitate toward the constantly refreshing used bins to flip around for gems. There's also a good collection of DVDs, Blu-Rays, and band T-shirts, and this being the Village location, a good selection of queer artists as well. 

The Doll Factory carries 1950s rockabilly-style pinup looks from Toronto designers Damzels in this Dress, and other retro-inspired designers from across the continent. Chunky heels, heart-shaped sunglasses and printed sundresses are on the shelves, as well as high-waisted bikinis perfect for flattering those curves.

Designed in British Columbia, these jeans and chinos are made for biking, climbing, or even the boardroom. The secret is their breathable, stretchy fabrics with reinforced stitching in the necessary "pain" points along with trendy cuts and colors.

Feminine, Korean-inspired styles such as slip dresses, wide-leg trousers, blouse-y tops, and delicate jewelry are sold at Durumi.

Retail cannabis shops have taken over Toronto, and Dynasty is a rare one that stands out---not just for its sleek and quirky design, but also its focus on the harvest quality of its plants. That's because it grew out of the next-door sister store Dynasty Plant Shop, which carries a similarly well-curated set of products. Expect good vibes, approachable staff, and clothing and accessories.

Elmwood. Since 1982, the Elmwood, hidden inside a historic redbrick building, has been offering classic spa packages including hot stone massages, anti-aging facials, microdermabrasion treatments, and exfoliating wraps. 18 Elm St., Dundas Square Area, Toronto, ON, M5G 1G7. 416/977–6751. www.elmwoodspa.com. Mon.–­Thurs. 10–9, Fri. 9–9, Sat. 9–8, Sun. 10:30–6:30. Dundas.

Browse traditional, as well as contemporary and even avant-garde art from the Canadian Arctic—a far cry from the traditional whale carvings and stone-cut prints you may expect—at this family-owned gallery founded in 1961.

Flatiron’s Christmas Market is the only year-round Christmas store in Old Town Toronto and is one of the oldest gift shops in the neighborhood. The owners are proud supporters and members of the LGBTQ+ community; their small shop is packed full of imported and handmade European Christmas decorations, as well as off-season gifts such as Canadian souvenirs, home decor, and more. Its novelty and cute offerings have attracted celebrity clientele such as Liza Minnelli, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Halle Berry—this is the perfect spot to buy small and unique gifts for your loved ones back home.

This buzzy Queen West mainstay stocks style for men and women including Hunter wellies, Frye boots, Birkenstock sandals, Sperry Top-Siders, Converse and Vans sneakers, and a great selection of Laurentian Chief and Minnetonka street moccasins and mukluks.

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 hip boutique, which occupies two floors of a Victorian home, is a one-stop shop for the whole fashion-forward family. The ground floor is devoted to colorful women's and kid's threads, designer denim, and local selections like Bluboho jewelry and Mary Young lingerie. Head upstairs for menswear and home goods, including gorgeous glassware and candles.

For more than 10 years, HAVEN has been the go-to shop for premium and modern men’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as hard-to-find Japanese labels such as Junya Watanabe, NEEDLES, and KAPITAL. The store occupies an expansive, 1,500-square-foot, light-filled space with soaring ceilings and knowledgeable, friendly staff. Exclusively available in store is HAVEN’s namesake brand; inspired by classic Canadian designs, it offers utilitarian clothing in cotton, wool, and Gore-Tex to complement the country’s climate.

A tried-and-true spot for cool and cute footwear for any gender, Heel Boy stocks unique styles by well-known brands like Hunter, Ted Baker, Sam Edelman, and Superga, as well as on-trend bags and accessories.

The Parisian design house caters to the upscale horse- and hound-loving set, with classic sportswear, handbags, and accessories.

Though it's off the main shopping drag, Hollace Cluny is a must-visit for modern design aficionados looking for that special piece. Along with classics from brands like Knoll, they carry a huge array of pieces from contemporary designers, with everything from ceramics to eye-popping statement lighting fixtures.

This homegrown womenswear label counts some of Toronto's coolest artists, musicians, and actors among its fans. The tiny flagship shop stocks the latest in Horses' limited-run pieces, all hand-sewn in Toronto. The chic, albeit pricey, modern staples include smoking dresses, stylish jumpsuits, and patterned jackets.

The immaculately restored picks in this upscale consignment shop include familiar names such as Pucci, Hermès, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent. Gentlemen can head next door to I Miss You Man for vintage Versace button-downs, gently used Acne jackets, and Dior jeans—all in near-mint condition.

Looking for a vintage jacket bearing the logo of your favorite sports team? You'll probably find it at this Parkdale boutique, which stocks retro clothing at reasonable prices. Vintage denim, broken-in concert tees, and even vinyl records are on the shelves. It's a good place to find clothes you won't find anywhere else, with ultra-knowledgeable owners willing to tell you the whole history of the items in great detail.

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.

If you like kitchen gadgets, you might lose a couple of hours here. Check out the rainbow array of Le Creuset enamelware and design-forward kitchen tools. There's also a vast selection of insulated lunch boxes, funky Popsicle molds, barware, and any other obscure item your kitchen may be lacking.

Fluevog's funky shoes are perfectly displayed in this roughly converted high-ceilinged industrial space. The building was once the distillery boiler house, which explains the three-story brick oven that takes up a third of the floor-space, and the safety ladder leading to an overhead catwalk. Take a seat on the stunning embossed leather couch when trying on the fun, quirky merchandise.

At this old-school printing company, you'll find a range of whimsical illustrations including band posters, mock-retro tourism posters, and other one-of-a-kind creations. You'll also find screen-printed "Greetings from Toronto" postcards, art supplies, and contemporary indie crafts in the gift shop.