PLAN YOUR EXPERIENCE
As you prepare for Global Toronto 2023, some places and events we think are worth considering while you’re here.
Day-by-Day Guide
GT23 activities occur across the city, but each evening, delegates will have a bit of time and space for one of Toronto’s favourite pastimes: Eating well. Some tips for your dinnertime:
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Prior to attending an exciting opening night of GT23 showcases at Longboat Hall, explore Queen Street West; a dynamic hub with some of Toronto’s best restaurants, independent boutiques, street art, galleries, and more.
Tuesday Night Venue: Longboat Hall
103 Dovercourt Road
Neighbourhood: Queen St. WestNearby Food and Drink
Bar Poet
1090 Queen St. West
Hip bar with nice food optionsHello123
1122 Queen St. West
Cosy evening drinks and a variety of vegan tapasFonda Lola Mexican Brewery
942 Queen St. West
Contemporary Mexican cuisine for your Taco TuesdayAstoria in the Great Hall
1087 Queen St W
French-American eatery and cocktail barThe Dog and Bear Pub
1100 Queen St. West
Traditional English pub and sports bar.The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St. West
Happy hour every weeknightPrequel and Co. Apothecary
1036 Queen St. West
Cocktail bar inspired by the apothecaries of Art Nouveau Paris.Nearby Ossington Ave has a huge per-capita hip dining options including:
Pho Tien Thanh
No-phrills pho
57 Ossington AveOddseoul
90 Ossington Ave
Bustling hip fusion KoreanMamakas Taverna
80 Ossington Ave
Hip Greek jointShopping and More
Drake Art and the Drake General Store
1150 Queen St. West and 1151 Queen St. West
Contemporary art gallery and funky shop at the iconic Drake Hotel
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This jewel of the Dundas West ‘hood has long been welcoming eclectic music of all kinds, and GT23 evening showcases will be no exception. But Lula is also one of the neighbourhood’s go-to dining spots. They’re putting together a special prix-fixe menu for GT delegates to experience, and we recommend you take them up on it (if you haven’t filled out our survey by now, please let us know you’ll be at Lula by emailing us).
Wednesday Night Venue: Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1T9
Neighbourhood: Dundas St. WestLate-Night Options
BSMNT 254
254 Lansdowne Ave
Late-night live-music and DJ venue bustling most nights of the week
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After evening showcases at Harbourfront Centre, delegates will be taken to Toronto’s Chinatown/Kensington Market neighbourhood to seek out late bites/drinks/wanderings. This walkable hippie-haven is home to one of Canada’s largest Chinatowns and renowned for its second hand shops, art spaces, and hip bars. Hard to pick the wrong restaurant - Chinese, and Vietnamese spots abound, but there’s much more - but here’s a couple of suggestions:
Food and Drink
Juicy Dumpling in Chinatown
280 Spadina Ave
Counter-serve shanghai-style dumplings and moreGoldstone Noodle
266 Spadina Ave
Classic Hong Kong dinerSunnys Chinese
60 Kensington Ave
Michelin-starred upscale take on ChineseRol San
388 Spadina Ave
Much-loved late-night dim sumPamenar
307 Augusta Ave
Trendy and intimate hot spot for coffee and snacks, great music - and a large gin selectionThe Oud and The Fuzz
21 Kensington Ave
Armenian eats, cocktails, and live music
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Before GT23’s closing night at the TD Music Hall, explore dining options in the Yonge and Dundas area. This bright and bustling neighbourhood centres around the iconic Yonge and Dundas square in Toronto’s downtown core.
Wednesday Night Venue: TD Music Hall
178 Victoria Street
Neighbourhood: Yonge and DundasNearby Food and Drink
Fran’s Restaurant
200 Victoria St
Well-known classic dinerA few great upmarket Italian options include:
Trattoria Mercatto (in CF Toronto Eaton Centre)
220 Yonge St
Buca Osteria and Enoteca
604 King St West
Sud Forno
132 Yonge St
La Bettola Di Terroni
106 Victoria StBarbarian’s Steakhouse
7 Elm St
Classic longtime steakhouseRichmond Station
1 Richmond St West
Seasonal cuisine, co-owned by a “Top Chef Canada” winnerSansotei Ramen
179 Dundas St West
Casual modern Japanese noodle placeJazz Bistro
251 Victoria St
Upscale restaurant and jazz club
Plan Your Time in Toronto
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Carmine: Something is Awake
Sun Sept 17, Aga Khan MuseumThis year, GT is working closely with the Centre for Creative Business Innovation (CCBI) at Humber College. One of the CCBI’s fellowship programs creates the student-led Culture’s Compass arts conference - with whom we’re partnering for a GT day on campus, and who GT23 participants will have the opportunity to meet.
Another fellowship program unites Humber with the Aga Khan Museum to foster a greater intercultural understanding of Muslim heritage in the world of music, while also helping emerging and early career artists achieve greater professional experience. Participating students composed music inspired by the Museum's Rumi exhibition, which they’ll perform on Sunday, September 17, 5:30 pm at the Museum.
More info and tickets: https://agakhanmuseum.org/programs/carmine
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Venus Fest
Thu-Sat September 21 to 23, It’s OK*If you have a moment outside of GT, join our friends at Venus Fest; a three-day festival and mentorship event focused on fresh voices and addressing historical industry challenges while looking to the future. All festival nights feature musical performances and dynamic venue art installations. Bonus: it’s being held at GT23 venue It’s OK*.
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Nuit Blanche
September 23, 7pm to 7amExperience Toronto transformed by Nuit Blanche, a dazzling all-night exploration of contemporary art from local, national, and international artists. This year's theme, Breaking-Ground, explores ideas centred around the natural world, change, and innovation.
Geary Art Crawl
September 23 and 24Nuit Blanche will play a starring role in the Geary Art Crawl, produced by our friends at Uma Nota. This is a two-day rain or shine celebration of art and culture, featuring live music, visual art, pop-ups, food, and more.
Tlalli Festival
September 23Tlalli Festival is a celebration of live Indigenous music, dance, and ancient culinary traditions. It’s dedicated to honouring and celebrating the multi-millenary-old connection among Indigenous Peoples across the Americas, and beyond, and held on a farm just outside of Toronto.
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The Hampton Inn by Hilton Toronto Airport Corporate Centre is located at 5515 Eglinton Ave W, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5K5.
There is a shuttle to/from the airport, and the airport is easily connected to Toronto’s heart, Union Station (and 2 other stops on the “UP Express” train). A shuttle between the hotel and GT23 activities will leave first thing each morning, and return following evening activities.
We’ll be on the move through the week, but you should know that the weather in Toronto in September, generally, is pleasant: Expect temperatures during the day from 15-22 celsius and the lows later in the evening of 12-15. Generally, minimal rain in Sept, though last year was a bit wet. Bring a raincoat just in case.
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Get a bird’s-eye view of our city with a trip up the capstone of Toronto’s iconic skyline.
An exciting rotation of arts, culture, and historic exhibits.Through the end of Sept, the ROM is offering a distance discount: The farther you’re coming from, the more you’ll save.
The AGO is one of the largest art museums in North America, containing over 120,000 works ranging from cutting-edge contemporary art, significant works from Indigenous and Canadian artists, and European masterpieces.
An internationally acclaimed pedestrian village of one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, theatres and more (and yes, some booze-makers).