New Toronto Neighbourhood Guide

Home to some of the best parks in South Etobicoke, the city's first outdoor skating trail, houses with a view of Lake Ontario, easy access to downtown Toronto and the Waterfront Trail, a grilled cheese festival, an Aussie inspried cafe, and a blossoming main street.



Reasons To Love New Toronto

  • Awesome parks, with a lake view. New Toronto is home to arguably the best parks in South Etobicoke, with almost all of them located right on the shores of Lake Ontario and a clear view of the Toronto skyline. Since the parks are located only a few streets apart from each other, you can easily spend an afternoon hopping between the playgrounds, splash pads, and outdoor swimming pool. The largest park, Colonel Samuel Smith Park, has so much to explore you could spend the whole day there. Bring your pup to enjoy the big off leash dog park there too.

  • A mix of traditional and trendy independent shops, and big box stores nearby too. New Toronto residents can enjoy the growing number of independent shops and restaurants that are popping up along Lake Shore Blvd, like cozy coffee shops and international inspired restaurants. They are also a short drive to casual and luxury shopping at Sherway Gardens, as well as big box shopping options along The Queensway.

  • An easy commute to downtown Toronto. With close access to the Lakeshore GO Train line, the TTC streetcar line, and Gardiner Expressway or Highway 427 getting around is pretty easy. The 501 streetcar line is somewhat of a Toronto legend, being the longest streetcar route in North America, running between Long Branch in the west and Neville Park in the east. The 501 streetcar is a locals answer to the the double decker tour bus.

  • It's hard to get lost in New Toronto. The numbered streets make it easy to navigate, with most streets running south towards Lake Ontario, and only a handful of intersecting streets running east and west.

  • House prices have increased steadily, however it is still more affordable to buy a house in New Toronto than in Toronto proper. Lots of young families are moving into New Toronto after realizing their dollar goes further here - often getting a larger home, with a bigger yard, and more parking than they could have dreamed of further east.

  • Lake views, for real. Many New Toronto residents have clear views of Lake Ontario from their street, with some being so lucky to have awesome lake views from their own home.

  • Community festivals that involve live music, a carnival, and a lot of grilled cheese. Every June, New Toronto hosts the Grilled Cheese Challenge where local restaurants and businesses enter their custom grilled cheese creation into the competition and festival attendees get to vote for their favourite after taste testing them all. During the August long weekend, the Lakeshore Grounds at Colonel Samuel Smith Park are taken over by live music, food trucks, and a carnival. Music lovers should check out Village Vinyl on Lakeshore for live music and a great vinyl collection.

  • Houses with character, history, and charm. You will find lots of houses built in the 1920s-1950s in New Toronto, and many of the owners have maintained or restored the original charm of the property. Dreamy millwork, original glass door knobs, and stained glass windows! Some New Toronto residents are lucky enough to back directly onto Lake Ontario and have direct access to the water from their backyard.

  • A bit of a hidden gem, for now. Compared to it's neighbours to the west (Long Branch) and the east (Mimico), people don't seem to be as familiar with New Toronto. But that's definitely changing! In the meantime though, it means that New Toronto may be a slightly more affordable option for home buyers who are looking to get into a great neighbourhood now that will be a hot spot in the future. Mark our words!

  • Humber College’s Lakeshore campus calls New Toronto home. Located at Kipling and Lakeshore, Humber College students bring a buzz to the neighbourhood and help support the local businesses too. The large and lush campus includes some of the historic buildings in Colonel Samuel Smith Park which were once part of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital built in the late 1800s, and are now used as classrooms.



Things To Do, Eat, and See in New Toronto

  • Hop on your bike, explore the Waterfront Trail, and enjoy this cycling friendly neighbourhood. South Etobicoke residents benefit from the Waterfront Trail winding through their neighbourhood and the connection it brings to the outdoors right in the city. If you live in New Toronto, you know seeing cyclists out exploring the quiet residential streets is a frequent sight. Thanks to the designated bike lane on Lake Shore Blvd, cyclists travelling east can pick up the trail from Norris Cres and bike right along the edge of Lake Ontario. It's really beautiful! Make sure to stop for tune ups or upgrades at Cycle Butik which is located conveniently along the route on First Street, a great family bike shop.

  • Spend a evening unplugged with the family or friends at Funny Bones Games Lounge and Cafe. Whether you're an avid board gamer or like us, discovering what's old is new again, Funny Bones has nearly 700 games to choose from so there a little something for everyone.

  • Get turned around on the winding trails of Colonel Sam Smith Park. This park has so many hidden gems we almost feel bad putting it on blast. Winding trails will take you deep into the park and along the shores of Lake Ontario. You will almost forget you are in the city, it's that peaceful! The park is known for bird watching but is also a great place to watch the boats cruise into the Lakeshore Yacht Club, go fishing, lace up your skates and enjoy the views from the outdoor skating trail at the Powerhouse Rec Centre, head to the dog park, relax on the beachfront, catch a game of Aussie Rules football on the east fields, or wander the Lakeshore Grounds - formerly the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital and now part of the Humber College campus. One of our favourite spots is Whimbrel Point, the piece of the park that extends furthest south into Lake Ontario. This park is packed with so much to explore so we'll let you discover the rest.

  • Grab a coffee and a sweet treat too! We love The Sydney Grind for their great coffee and delicious Australian inspired treats - fairy bread, lamingtons, and Anzac cookies. We think you will love the relaxed vibes here and the owner Rima is really lovely too! Also check out The Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop and Black Goat Cafe for yummy in house made sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. If a coffee and cigar is your combo of choice, check out Havana Castle's huge cigar collection. For those craving something really decadent, Sweet Olenka's is the spot for ice cream and chocolate treats. Karly loves their salted caramel truffles!

  • Parks galore! Grab the kids or a good book, and pick a park or two to spend the day in. New Toronto has some great options, like Prince of Wales Park, Cliff Lumsdon Park, Rotary Park, and Colonel Sam Smith Park. Kids (or kids at heart) will love the bike trails, splash pads, outdoor swimming pool, skating rink, and playgrounds. Cliff Lumsdon Park is a great spot for a picnic with the CN Tower and Toronto skyline in the background. There is also a 10,000+ sqft skateboard park at Eighth St and Birmingham.

  • Enjoy the culinary diversity that New Toronto offers. Enjoy popular dishes from around the world without leaving your own neighbourhood. Cellar Door offers wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta dishes inspired by southern Italy. For British staples check out Kitchen on Sixth which is a popular spot for all day brunch with a British spin, or New Toronto Fish and Chips, a neighbourhood staple serving golden battered seafood favourites the same way since 1973. Eat like a New Toronto native at Albatros Pub or Fine Bakery & Deli, great spots for Eastern European classics. Swing by Michael's West Indian Flavour, and then finish the night at Wild Pigeon with their New Toronto Caesar while enjoying their Let's Get Weird comedy night.

  • Grab brunch at Huevos Gourmet. You will know you are in the right spot when you see the line of couples and families stretching out the front door waiting for a table. Cozy and always busy, Huevos Gourmet offers all-day brunch with a Mexican meets French flare, with fresh squeezed juices and fun cocktails. Snag the window seat for a side of people watching with your meal.

  • Enjoy horse watching from your living room. With the New Toronto Police College Training Facility at Birmingham and Fifth St, New Toronto residents can see mounted police while they practice strolling the neighbourhood without the burden of public unrest.

  • Get your sweat on at one of the many great fitness clubs in the neighbourhood. Vive Fitness (24/7), Mibody, Optimum Training Centre, and Cross Fit Colosseum are some of the most popular spots.

  • Get in the holiday spirit at the Etobicoke Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade. The parade has been ranked the 4th best Santa Claus parade in Ontario (yes, somebody actually ranks Santa Clause Parades) and is filled with floats, marching bands, the jolly man himself, all with its own Etobicoke kind of flare. The parade runs from Dwight Ave into Long Branch, along Lake Shore Blvd.

  • Lace up your skates and enjoy the city's first outdoor skating trail. Shaped like a figure eight, the skating trail at Colonel Samuel Smith Park near the Power House Recreation Centre is a popular destination for all Torontonians in the winter. It is extra fun at night under the lights with the holiday music playing in the background.

  • Scope out your favourite Toronto Maple Leafs stars and top prospects at the Mastercard Centre. During practice sessions, this training facility for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies is open to the public on a first come first serve basis for viewing (standing room only). Enjoy free open ice skating for families on Saturdays from September through June.