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Written By
Zain Usmani
Mar 27, 2023
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Toronto is the most culturally diverse city in the world reflected in some of its unique neighbourhoods. With more than half of its population born outside of Canada, there are not many ethnicities you won’t find in Toronto. Unsurprisingly, there are cultural enclaves around the city where Canadians of a certain descent more commonly reside. Many of these neighbourhoods have rich histories, and over time earned nicknames. Toronto has it all, from familiar cultural districts like Chinatown and Little Italy to the more unique neighbourhoods of Little Jamaica and Greektown. For newcomers here are some of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto.
Chinatowns are not an unfamiliar concept in North America. Almost every large city in Canada and the United States has a neighbourhood they can call Chinatown. However, no city does it as well as Toronto. Toronto has not one, but three Chinatowns, with many other neighbourhoods that people commonly refer to as Chinatowns.
The main Chinatown and the one Toronto is known for is located around the Dundas St West and Spadina Avenue intersection. This Toronto neighbourhood is the largest Chinatown in North America and one of the oldest in Canada, dating back to the 1870s.
Toronto’s Chinatown is famous for its bustling streets and mouth-watering food. For decades, restaurants like Mother’s Dumpling, Dim Sum King, and Mongolian Hotpot have attracted customers. Chinatown Center, a shopping mall with hundreds of shops lies in the heart of the bustling neighbourhood.
Even though the biggest Chinatown get most of the attention, there are smaller Toronto neighbourhoods that many classify as Chinatowns. The East Chinatown neighbourhood is located at Gerrard Street East and Broadview Avenue. The Greater Toronto Area also has sizeable Chinatowns in Scarborough, Markham, Mississauga, North York, and Richmond Hill.
Little Italy is another cliche ethnic neighbourhood present in many North American cities. Of course, that means Toronto has one as well. The Toronto neighbourhood of Little Italy, which many refer to as College Street West is famous for its overwhelmingly Italian atmosphere. This Toronto neighbourhood has a significant Portugese-Canadian population as well.
Little Italy is centred on College Street, between Harbord Street to the North and Dundas Street to the south. The most iconic part of Toronto’s Little Italy lies on the strip of shops and restaurants along College Street. You’ll find everything from modern game board cafes to traditional Italian dine-in restaurants and Italian shops. Whether you are looking for a bar or a typical Italian cafe, Little Italy will not disappoint.
Little India is a newer Toronto neighbourhood with a unique origin story behind it. Toronto’s Little India origins began in 1972 when Gian Naaz purchased a theatre on Gerrard Street and began to screen Indian and Pakistani films.
The area lacked a significant South Asian population. However, South Asian shops and restaurants quickly began appearing near Gerrard Street. This, in turn, drew the community to the Toronto neighbourhood, resulting in a big South Asian presence.
Today, Little India, also known as Gerrard India Bazaar, is situated between Greenwood and Coxwell, on Gerrard Street East. Since its humble beginnings 50 years ago, the neighbourhood has turned into a vibrant center of South Asian culture. From Indian restaurants to South Asian superstores, this Toronto neighbourhood can make anyone feel like they are in India.
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The Danforth and Greektown have become two synonymous words to describe the same Toronto neighbourhood. Toronto is home to one of the largest Greek populations outside Greece, and a majority of that population resides in this Toronto neighbourhood. Located on Danforth Avenue in East Toronto, Greektown on the Danforth is known for featuring traditional Greek cuisine through its many restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.
Toronto’s Greektown is famous for having one of the largest street food festivals in Toronto. In August, the Toronto neighbourhood hosts The Taste of Danforth. This food festival has become an icon of Greek-Canadian culture and gives Canadians a chance to try out some of the best Greek flavours. Of course, you don’t have to wait until August! The Danforth is lined with Greek restaurants and shops, ranging from traditional Greek restaurants to modern vegan cafes.
Another ethnic neighbourhood in Toronto is Little Jamaica. Located on Eglinton Avenue West, Little Jamaica is a center of Jamaican and Caribbean culture in the Greater Toronto Area. The ethnic enclave is bustling with Jamaican and Caribbean-owned businesses. From Jamaican hair salons to restaurants serving a range of Caribbean foods, Little Jamaica is definitely worth the visit.
If you live in Toronto, there is a good chance you have been to the Caribana Festival, which is the largest street festival in North America. Caribana, the annual festival of all things Caribbean, now takes place at Lakeshore Boulevard. Many people don’t know that the festival began in Little Jamaica.
Caribana took place on Eglinton Avenue West before it got too big and relocated. At the heart of this Toronto neighbourhood lies Reggae Lane. Reggae Lane has become a symbol of Jamaica in Toronto and presents a mural featuring Jamaican musicians from the neighbourhood.
Located not far from Little Italy, Portugal Village recreates many aspects of Portuguese and Brazillian culture right here in Toronto. To many, Little Italy and Portugal Village are the same neighbourhood due to their proximity and undefined boundaries. As a result, Portugal Village, also known as Little Portugal, has a significant Italian population.
Portugal Village is always vibrant and busy, having something for everyone. Whether you want to indulge in delicious Portuguese cuisine or enjoy the unique atmosphere of Portugal Village, this Toronto neighbourhood will not let you down. Portugal Village is brimming with many eating options, Portuguese art in every corner, and loads of Portuguese items.
There are countless cultural enclaves, that make for some of the best neighbourhoods to live in Toronto. These are just a few of the exciting and dynamic neighbourhoods. Toronto prides itself on being a home to people from over 250 ethnicities. No matter where you are from as a newcomer, you will never feel out of place in the most culturally diverse city in the world.
WRITTEN BY
Zain Usmani
Writer, Prepare for Canada
My name is Zain Usmani and I am a freelance content writer who currently resides in Mississauga, Ontario. I immigrated from Pakistan to Canada 5 years ago and have lived in many cities ever since. I have lived in Calgary AB, Edmonton AB, Regina SK, London ON, and Mississauga ON, while visiting over 40 Canadian cities and towns. I have a great passion for writing and I love helping people through it.
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