Junction & Davenport Travel Guide

Independent eateries, murals and low-key bars around Dundas West and the Stockyards.

• Best for: Independent restaurants, weekend brunch and mural walks
• Vibe: Laid-back, creative, neighbourhoody
• Nearest station: Dundas West (TTC Line 2 Bloor-Danforth)
• Price level: Mostly $-$$
• To the main sights: About 20-35 minutes to downtown by transit
• Safety: Generally safe; quiet evenings, take usual urban precautions

Great for:

• Brunch and independent cafés
• Street art and casual mural walks
• Markets and weekend shopping
• Budget and mid-range stays
• Exploring west Toronto by bike or foot

Maybe skip it if:

• You want luxury hotels and high-end dining
• You need 24-hour nightlife and big clubs
• You have only a few hours in Toronto and want downtown sights

The neighbourhood sits around Dundas Street West where it meets Keele and Lansdowne; the Stockyards strip runs a little north of Dundas. High Park and Bloor West Village are a short ride to the south and east respectively.

• Markets: Weekend markets and pop-ups are busiest Saturday mornings; arrive early to avoid queues.
• Cash and cards: Most cafés accept cards, but smaller stalls may be cash-only.
• Transit: Use Dundas West station (Line 2) as your main transit hub.
• Walking shoes: Wear comfortable shoes, streets and laneways are best explored on foot.
• Evenings: Evening activity winds down earlier than downtown; check opening hours.
• Biking: Bike lanes and Bike Share docks make cycling a quick way to get around.

• Mural walk: Stroll Dundas West to spot colourful street art and small murals on laneways and shopfronts.
• Stockyards: Explore the former industrial strip now home to independent shops and restaurants.
• Annette Food Market: Local market/food hall atmosphere for casual bites and weekend browsing.
• High Park: Large green space for walking, cherry blossoms in spring and wooded trails including the black oak savannah (High Park black oak savannah).

• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): Take the UP Express to Union Station (about 25 minutes), then TTC subway Line 1 northbound to St George and change to Line 2 westbound to Dundas West, total journey around 45-60 minutes depending on connections; combined fares typically range higher because of the UP leg. Taxi or ride-hail is simplest door-to-door in one trip, about 30-50 minutes depending on traffic and priced broadly higher than transit.
• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ): Walk or use the pedestrian tunnel/ferry to the mainland, then either walk into the downtown core and take TTC subway Line 1 northbound with a transfer to Line 2 west, or catch a taxi. Public transit to Dundas West takes around 25-35 minutes; taxi/ride-hail is simpler and usually 20-30 minutes.
• From the main sights: From Union Station take TTC Line 1 northbound to St George and change to Line 2 west to Dundas West station, journey about 25-35 minutes; a taxi from downtown is 15-25 minutes depending on traffic.

• Walk: The Junction & Davenport is compact and eminently walkable, most cafés, murals and shops are within a 10-20 minute stroll of each other.
• TTC: Dundas West is on the Line 2 Bloor-Danforth subway; several bus routes connect the Stockyards, Keele and Annette areas to the subway.
• Bike: Bike lanes and quieter residential streets make cycling practical; look for Bike Share Toronto docks near major intersections.

There are few large hotels inside the Junction itself; accommodation tends to be small guesthouses, B&Bs and budget to mid-range options in nearby streets. If you want more hotel choice, look closer to Bloor West Village or downtown and commute by subway. Book ahead for weekend market times and festival weekends.

Dining here is dominated by independent cafés, brunch spots and global comfort food along Dundas West, Keele and the Stockyards. Expect mostly $-$$ prices with something for early-morning coffee through to relaxed evening meals; weekends are busiest. Head to Dundas West for clusters of cafés and Keele/Annette for market-style eateries.

• Leela: Indian cuisine; $$, a neighbourhood staple for hearty curries and casual dining.
• Bevi Birra: Casual restaurant; $$, popular for relaxed meals and a neighbourhood feel.
• Dirty Food Eatery: Breakfast spot; $, known for breakfast and brunch in a casual setting.
• In The Junction Caribbean Cuisine: Caribbean; $, casual spot for Jamaican and Caribbean flavours near the heart of the Junction.
• North of Bombay: Indian cuisine; $$, sit-down Indian restaurant with classic dishes.
• Pizza Cantina: Pizza; $, neighbourhood pizza joint good for quick, casual meals.
• Il Burratino: Pizza; $$, artisanal-style pizzas in a small, local setting.
• Momotaro Sushi: Sushi; $$, a compact sushi option among other independent restaurants.

Nightlife in the Junction & Davenport is low-key and local: craft beers, casual bars, a few spots for live music and sports pubs. Most places are clustered along Dundas West and nearby side streets; late-night options are limited compared with the downtown core. Expect modest cover charges or none at all, and a friendly neighbourhood crowd.

• 3030: Bar; $$, small local bar with regulars and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Axis: Bar; $$, casual bar near the junction popular with neighbourhood crowds.
• Junction Underground: Bar; $$, low-lit spot that hosts music and events on occasion.
• The Draft Room: Bar; $$, beer-focused pub good for watching sports and laid-back evenings.
• The Hole in the Wall: Bar; $$, neighbourhood bar with a cosy, unpretentious vibe.
• See-Scape: Bar; $$, relaxed spot a short walk from the main Dundas strip.

Shopping is a mix of practical department stores and independent boutiques; the Stockyards has several small shops while major discount department stores sit close to the neighbourhood. Dundas West is where you’ll find most of the boutiques and specialty stores for browsing. Expect mid-range prices and some good-value chain outlets.

• Canadian Tire: Department store, household goods and practical items close to the neighbourhood centre.
• Winners: Department store, discount designer and brand-name clothing and homeware.
• Marshalls: Department store, off-price clothing and footwear in a familiar chain format.