Welcome to Leaside
An active and family-focused community minutes from downtown Toronto
As one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Toronto, Leaside is an upscale, family-focused small town that offers unique independent shops, excellent schools, numerous parks and trails, and diverse restaurant options. Leaside is located within minutes of downtown Toronto, making this an ideal area for commuters.
Single-family houses with large yards built in the traditional Tudor style make up most of the Leaside neighbourhood. Condominiums and townhouses line the edge of Leaside along with several of the nicest rental properties in Toronto. Leaside is an excellent location for those who seek a fun, community-centered lifestyle and crave easy access to downtown amenities.
What to Love
- Access to an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities
- Family-friendly and community-centered culture
- Active five-star dining scene and upscale shopping districts
Local Lifestyle
Residents of Leaside enjoy an affluent lifestyle with abundant green spaces, high-end shopping and dining experiences, accessible transit routes, and top-notch schools. Leaside is a great place for young families, entrepreneurs, and commuters. The neighbourhood offers beautiful parks for outdoor recreation and is highly walkable — most parks, shopping, and dining is in a central location with a 10-minute commute to downtown.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
For a small neighbourhood, Leaside offers plenty of unique dining options. A local favorite is Mayrik, an Armenian restaurant that offers a modern and serene atmosphere with an accessible menu. The restaurant promises “grandmother’s comfort food with a twist” — dishes include pink lamb chops with a North African herb sauce, roasted cauliflower with pine nuts and pomegranate seeds, and fluffy pita bread paired with fresh Mediterranean dips.
For friendly service, a spirited atmosphere, and extra-warm cookies, Craig’s Cookies on Bayview Avenue is a “can’t-miss” experience! Passionate about flavour and fun, Craig started his business in 2013 and has been providing the residents of Toronto with tantalizing cookies ever since. Choose from over 100 flavours — but Craig recommends his famous shortbread cookie for first-timers.
Grilltime is a hidden gem in the Leaside neighbourhood. Their mouthwatering, sizzling steaks are prepped with quality ingredients by local celebrity Bill Grill. Their menu features dine-in options, or if you prefer to grill at home, you can purchase Butcher Boxes to go. Grilltime also offers Thanksgiving specials with pre-packaged meals to cook at home and “Cottage Value Packs” for family vacations.
Leaside’s bustling shopping district can be found along Bayview Avenue. With its fun collection of local and upscale shops and delicious restaurants, Bayview Avenue is the ideal spot to visit if you’re shopping for exclusive goods. Another shopping destination is along Eglinton Avenue and Laird Avenue, which provides Leaside residents with larger retailer options.
Things to Do
Trace Manes Park is home to the Leaside Tennis Club, Leaside Atom Baseball, and Pedalheads Bike Camp, and it has everything you could want in a park. Take the kids to the playground, wading pool, or the Leaside Public Library and catch a baseball game on the field. There’s even an outdoor natural ice rink open from late December through February.
The community staple of Leaside is the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, located at Millwood Road and Laird Drive. The Gardens opened in 1951 and was named in memory of the World War II veterans from Leaside. A multi-recreational complex, the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens includes an indoor ice arena, an indoor swimming pool, a curling rink, and a banquet room.
Located in the West Don River Valley, Serena Gundy Park boasts numerous picnic spots, rugby, soccer, and field hockey fields, hiking and walking trails, and horse stables. The trail is fairly short, providing the perfect spot for an early morning dog walk or a quick jog in a beautiful, tree-lined landscape.
Schools
Leaside is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
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Leaside High School, a public school for grades 9-12. Novelist Margaret Atwood graduated from Leaside in 1957.
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