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As artists move farther west on Queen Street to more affordable quarters between Bathurst Street and Gladstone Avenue, so too do the independent and experimental art galleries and the clothing shops showcasing funky Canadian designers. The abundance of antique and used furniture, trendy kitchenware, and off-beat and vintage clothing shops guarantees interesting finds (see West Queen West).

Artists after cheap rent settled among the textile shops along Queen Street between University Avenue and Bathurst Street in the early 1980s. Galleries and shops bursting with art, hip clothing, handcrafted jewelry, and home-decor items followed. These days, chains such as Montreal-based Le Chateau, The Gap, and Banana Republic have a definite presence as well.

This chaotic enclave is a true gem. Once a Jewish market, the predominant ethnic flavor is now Portuguese and West Indian, with strong hints of Asian and Hispanic. The many food shops reflect this, stocked as they are with cassava, cornbread, pulses, cheese, salted cod, and spices. Fruit and veggies are some of the freshest – and cheapest – in the city. The waft of incense and strains of Reggae will lead you to the dimly lit secondhand clothing stores, many with a goth or hippie flair, nestled in Victorian houses (see Kensington Market).

This market brings over 20 dealers together under one roof – an antiquelover’s dream. Georgian silver, majolica, vintage luggage, militaria, prints and maps, and furniture are just some of the treasures awaiting you.

Lovers of vintage clothes, radios and vinyl, and furniture from the 1960s and 1970s – some from well-known designers – will have a shopping fest along this eclectic stretch. Perhaps inspired by their trendy retro design neighbors, modern home-decor shops and interior design firms are also making this area home (see Leslieville).

Clustered in this upscale district, choice boutiques and fine art galleries offer everything the well-heeled and -monied traveler desires. Even the local mall, Hazelton Lanes, harbors luxury shops such as a Rolls Royce dealership and Whole Foods Market, which tempts with mouth-watering but pricey prepared foods to fill the picnic basket (see Hazelton Lanes).

You may think you’re in Hong Kong as you browse along Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street, speculating on the use of exotic ingredients such as dried shrimp and the odoriferous durian fruit, or eyeing the dizzying array of Chinese housewares, knickknacks, and herbal medicines on offer. A terrific place to find unusual souvenirs at low prices (see Chinatown).

Anchored on each end by a major department store – The Bay and Sears – this shopping oasis has something for every taste and bank balance. Books, plasma TVs, gourmet cookware, fashion – the range of goods across hundreds of tores is huge (see Eaton Centre).

Considered by gastronomes around the globe as one of the world’s best markets, a visit here is reason enough for food lovers to travel to Toronto. A huge selection of meat, fish, cheese, and produce, as well as handcrafted gifts, make for a one-of-a-kind experience. Vendors pushing food samples and buskers add to the dynamic atmosphere; frequent special events and festivals liven things up even more. When you can’t carry another thing, visit the free parcel check on the west side of the lower level, outside (see St. Lawrence Market).

Bloor Street between Church Street and Avenue Road is lined with international designer boutiques: Gucci, Tiffany’s, Hermès, Chanel, and Max Mara, as well as excellent homegrown stores. Drop by fine jewelers Birks; William Ashley China, a top-notch china and glass store; Holt Renfrew, a small department store specializing in high-end clothing; Harry Rosen, a superb men’s clothing store with impeccable service; and the Roots flagship store, offering quality leather and sportswear (see Holt Renfre, Harry Rosen, David's, ManuLife Centre, Roots).