The Bedford Park-Nortown neighbourhood is a popular and established North York community running from Briar Hill Avenue in the south to the 401 highway in the north, from Bathurst Street on the west to Yonge Street on the east. What was once a middle class residential area north of the city (it became incorporated into the City of North Toronto in 1890) is now a bustling neighbourhood filled with cafes and restaurants. With parks and ravines and the Don Valley River running through it, it originated as a stopping point for farmers on their way into the city, but is now an energetic place to spend an afternoon. It’s well connected via the TTC subway at Lawrence Station and buses running north.
Sports & Recreation
There’s plenty of space for outdoor exploration with a smattering of parks and green spaces, including Lytton Park and Chatsworth Ravine. Fitness enthusiasts can kit themselves out at The Running Room. The area is also home to the Don Valley Golf Course and Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, which opened in 1950, and offers sports and social activities year round.
Lytton Park, Lytton Park, 195 Lytton Blvd
Chatsworth Ravine, 900 Duplex Ave
The Running Room, 2629 Yonge Street
Don Valley Golf Course, 4200 Yonge Street
Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, 141 Wilson Avenue
Steak Out
Eateries are abundant in the Bedford Park-Nortown hub. For a red-meat fix there’s the ever popular The Burger’s Priest, to juicy steaks at Wildfire Grill and Steakhouse or Miller Tavern, which has been operating in the area since the 1860s. Or for lighter fare, established Mexican restaurant Milagro serves up delicious tacos and an excellent ceviche.
The Burger’s Priest, 3397 Yonge Street
Miller Tavern, 3885 Yonge Street
Wildfire Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 3438 Yonge Street
Milagro Uptown, 3187 Yonge Street
Sweet Spots
Pick up a pastry and a coffee at Butter Avenue Cafe, favoured for its creative macarons, or head to T-Buds to sample the extensive tea selection and a sweet or savoury crepe. (The Vanilla Bomb and Banana Nut are to die for.)
Butter Avenue Cafe, 3467 Yonge Street
T-Buds Tea Lounge and Creperie, 3343 Yonge Street