Ah, Toronto in the Autumn! Is there any better time of the year? The leaves are changing, the air is filled with the scent of nutmeg, and the temperature is gradually changing towards the chilly. In other words, it’s prime weather to feel all nice and cozy! And as always at this time of year, we start looking for things to help us gain the ultimate cozy and comfortable state. Warm clothes, hot and fresh foods, soothing drinks, and even furniture our bodies can sink into while our minds sink into a good book, for all of these things we need look no further than our very own Old Town Toronto.
Clothing – Kochi Stores, 83 Front Street East
While it’s not incredibly cold outside, it is a bit nippy and that means that it’s time for a fashionable scarf or a stylish shawl that stands out! Enter Kochi Stores on Front Street! They’re open for business and have launched a number of seasonal items that will get you feeling warm in no time, including their wonderful shawls, scarfs, and even some cozy nightwear to be comfortable in! And while you’re there, check out their amazing selection of masks, linens, and bedding!
Something Warm to Drink – NEO COFFEE BAR, 161 Frederick St Unit 100
Honesty time, we know there are criticisms out there of them, but nothing works so well with the chill of fall than a nice warm pumpkin spice latte! For our frequent fix of cinnamon and nutmeg, we don’t hesitate to go down to NEO COFFEE BAR where theire seasonal menu, along with their standard items, will have you feeling that Fall city life! Not in the mood for a coffee buzz? They’ve got some wonderful hot apple cider, hot chocolate made with house-made chocolate syrup, and a wide selection of teas!
Hot Eats, Crepe T.O., 52 Church St, Carousel Bakery & St. Urbain Bagel Bakery, St. Lawrence Market
It’s science; good food warms you inside and out and creates elevated levels of comfort. Good thing we have some of the best spots for cozy food in Toronto!
First up is Crepe T.O. right on the corner of King and Church. While you could go for some of the incredible sweet crêpes that have you feeling a cheery and warming respite from the chilly weather (we suggest their Cloud 9 signature with bananas and Nutella), their savoury all-day breakfast ones are where it’s at. From the hearty Argos (egg, roast beef, avocado, red onions, mushrooms, green peppers, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, and bbq sauce) to the simple and homey Good Morning T.O. (egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, and garlic aioli), these hearty crêpes will warm you right down to the bone with zero regrets!
For many of us the St. Lawrence Market becomes a cozy retreat on a particularly blustery day. The people, the warm lighting, and the many ovens are as good as any fireplace. And when it comes to feeling cozy very little beats the taste of freshly baked bread right from the oven. Carousel Bakery is one of our longtime favourites with fresh croissants and breadsticks. And St. Urbain Bagel Bakery is the best spot for a fresh bagel either on its own or in a tasty sandwich.
Comfy & Cozy Furniture, EQ3, 222 King St. East
Sometimes we need to make a bit of a bigger change to feel cozy and for that we like stepping into the EQ3 showroom based here in Old Town Toronto. With beautiful, modern designs that can easily be customized to your needs, you can have that cold, practically empty living room, dining room, office, or bedroom turn into your own private cavern of coziness.
A Book to Sink In To – Ben McNally Books, 317 Adelaide St. East
There is nothing more cozy than wrapping yourself up in your best blanket and snuggling up to a good book. Fortunately for us here in Old Town Toronto, we have one of the best book shops in the city. Whether you wish to explore new worlds with high fantasy, delve into the dark underbelly of a good crime novel or connect with a person through their memoirs, the new location of Ben McNally Books has your next favourite book! Can’t decide what to read? You can always ask Ben himself or subscribe to the newsletter and get a number of excellent staff picks!
