The Danforth and Greektown Guide

Greektown on the Danforth runs along Danforth Avenue in the east end, roughly from Chester station to Pape station. Greek tavernas, pastry counters, coffee bars and grocers sit shoulder to shoulder on both sides, with patios spilling onto the pavement in summer. It is one of the clearest examples in Toronto of an immigrant community creating a destination, and it is easier to get to than most of the city's food districts, since the Line 2 subway runs under it. There is no single sight. The attraction is the density of places to eat, and the way families of different generations fill the tables together.

A route that fits dinner:

1. Broadview station. Start here and walk east over the Prince Edward Viaduct, the big bridge across the Don Valley, which gives a view of the valley and the downtown skyline.
2. Chester station. Greektown begins around here. Take your time on the first blocks, where blue and white awnings begin.
3. A bakery. Try a spanakopita (spinach pie), a cheese pie or a pastry with honey, and drink a Greek coffee if you have time to sit.
4. Alexander the Great Parkette. At Logan Avenue, a small park with a statue of Alexander, a good point to see the area's pride in its heritage.
5. The main restaurant stretch. Between Logan and Pape the patios are densest. Look for grilled octopus, lamb, souvlaki and saganaki, the fried cheese that some restaurants flame at the table.
6. Loukoumades. Order these small fried dough balls with honey for dessert, and share.
7. Pape station. Return by the subway, or walk on for a late coffee.

When to come

Dinner is the natural time. The street is calmest during the day, when you can browse shops and sit in a café, and livelier as restaurants fill after sunset. Summer evenings are best because the patios open and the whole street feels like an outdoor dining room. Each August the Taste of the Danforth festival closes the street to traffic and draws very large crowds; if you dislike crowds, avoid that weekend, and if you enjoy a street party, it is the busiest and loudest way to see the neighbourhood. Check the festival dates yourself, as they can change.

Who it suits, and what to skip

Practical notes: the stations at Chester, Pape and Broadview are close enough that you can start at one end and leave from the other without retracing your steps. Many restaurants fill by early evening on weekends, so a booking helps for groups, and portions are generous enough that two people can share starters and still order mains.

The Danforth suits travellers who want to treat food as the day's theme, groups who can share plates and anyone who enjoys a relaxed, loud and friendly dinner. Sharing dishes works well here, so go with at least two people. It is a poor match for the downtown sights; pair it instead with a day spent in the east end. A natural combination is Little India or Leslieville earlier in the day, then the subway to the Danforth for dinner. The Beaches are a summer alternative on the same side of the city.

Skip the idea of rushing. Greek meals are built for sharing: order a few cold dishes such as tzatziki and taramasalata with bread, then grilled mains, and let the table fill gradually. A quick souvlaki and a look at the street is fine if you only have an hour, but the neighbourhood shows its character through a slow meal. Skip the most heavily advertised tourist menus and look for restaurants where Greek is spoken at the tables. Our food guide and nightlife guide explain how the Danforth compares with other areas, and getting around covers the subway and how to pay.