539 Best Places to Shop in Canada

Exotic fruits and vegetables, children's toys, wicker fans, fabric slippers, and other Chinese imports still give Fisgard Street a distinctive Asian flair, but increasingly lifestyle stores are adding a different feel, as in Scandinavian housewares and a schnitzel haus next to dim sum buffet. Fan Tan Alley, a narrow lane off Fisgard Street, has even more nouveau-hippie goods, with a record store and yoga studio tucked in among its tiny storefronts as well as a tiny museum on the area's Chinese-European influences.

Belgian chocolate is combined with local ingredients to produce the handmade confections here: with a maple butter filling, for example, or framboisette, made from raspberries. In summer, try the 24 different kinds of ice creams and sherbets, or bring home some chocolate-infused jams. There's a smaller counter in the presbytery of St-François, at the other end of the island.

The gallery specializes in works by local artists, both established and new, from paintings and sculptures to drawings, prints, and other media.

If you're a believer in buying stylish recycled and upcycled clothing, then this Mile End vintage boutique has your name on it. Bright, spacious, and carefully curated by the owners (who scour North America for their finds), this store makes shopping easy, as everything is arranged by color. Citizen Vintage also started its own label, Studio Citizen, in 2014, using dead-stock and retro fabric to produce fashionable, vintage-inspired pieces in small batches.

A fixture on avenue Greene since 1972, Coach Luxury sources antique furniture, decorative items, and paintings from around the world. Their specialty, however, is contemporary and vintage jewelry and they have some fine pieces in their collection.

The local confectioner is known particularly for artistic chocolate and caramel bonbons in such flavors as passion fruit, chocolate caramel ganache, and hazelnut crunch, but there's also a line of alcohol-infused candies. At the storefront across the street from the east entrance of the Public Library, you can also step in for a coffee to go with your chocolate.

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.

You'll find many large chain clothing stores, such as the Gap, as well as more upscale spots like Harry Rosen and Holt Renfrew at the Scotia Centre and TD Square. There are also a mixture of jewelry and imported goods stores, a variety of restaurants, and the beautiful Devonian Gardens.

Founded in 1979, this is one of the most fascinating galleries in the city with its mission to showcase art spanning the 20th and 21st centuries. The 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.

Located in the heart of the Distillery District, the shop features more than 75 international brands and locally made artisanal works. Unique, handmade pieces range from affordable glass-and-silver pendants to Swiss-made stainless steel rings and higher-end designs 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.

Whether you're looking for a sheer lace eye mask to enhance your bedroom eyes, a sexy body suit, a sensible bra, or cozy flannel PJs to snuggle up with by the fireside, Courval, in business since 1918, has it all.

The name says it all: here you'll find a colorful array of gifts, novelty items, souvenirs, housewares, furniture, and local arts and crafts.

Recently relocated from its Devon House location, the Newfoundland Craft Council's retail center showcases a juried selection of fine art and crafts from the province's most accomplished artists and makers. With traditional and contemporary work in a host of media including wood, pottery, and textiles, there's something here for every taste and budget.

Moccasins, sculptures, jewelry, sage, dream catchers, and tents are among the variety of products handmade by craftsmen of the region’s Innu communities. You can get lots of craft supplies here, too, including beads, embroidery thread, and skins.

Owner-artist Stephen Smith's art—on framed prints, T-shirts, tote bags, and note cards—focuses on local birdlife. The shop, which also has gardening and nature products, is in an 1837 heritage building within a garden, with some interesting features inside. Call to check off-season opening hours.

The 6,000 square feet of this shop provides ample opportunity for browsing among the cabinets, shelves, and bins overflowing with porcelain, silver tea sets, Majolica pottery, Lalique vases, collectibles, and antique maps. It's also Toronto's leading purveyor of vintage and estate jewelry, making it a popular stop for those seeking out engagement rings.

One of Toronto’s longest-running rare bookstores has been family-owned since 1978 and is tucked inside a modest brick building. Inside, more than 50,000 titles—ranging from the Renaissance to today—fill the space, covering everything from art and fiction to travel and politics. Friendly, knowledgeable staff are on hand with thoughtful recommendations. The store also features fine art, coins, and a striking collection of vintage and modern maps and posters.

Brandi recently turned her mobile bookshop into a brick-and-mortar store that sells new and gently used books. Peruse the shelves for the latest bestsellers and age-old classics and join one of three in-house book clubs.

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 CDs and band T-shirts, and this being the Village location, a good selection of queer artists as well. 

Serving as headquarters of the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, the center displays local works and showcases innovative designs. Check out the exhibits upstairs.

Every Friday from 4 to 6 pm and every Saturday, from 8 am to 1 pm, this weekly market brims with fresh produce, baked goods, ethnic cuisine, crafts, and live music. 

Head here to find 1950s rockabilly-style looks from a variety of retro-inspired brands. Cute cardigans, heart-shaped sunglasses, and sundresses in whimsical prints are on the shelves, as well as high-waisted bikinis perfect for flattering those curves.