Annex, Toronto guide

The neighbourhood’s defining feature is its tall, red-brick mansions. Built between the 1880s and early 1900s, they’re known for their recognisable ‘Annex style’, with steep roofs, round turrets and large bay windows. The grandest is Casa Loma, a Gothic Revival-style castle built by a wealthy financier. Take a self-guided tour of its opulent rooms, secret passages and priceless artworks.

Thanks to its large student population, the Annex has some of Toronto’s best bookshops. You’ll find havens for second-hand tomes alongside speciality stores for foreign-language novels and comic books. Film buffs should also catch a movie at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema. This century-old independent theatre screens a range of Canadian and international documentaries.

With its historic manors and tree-lined streets, the Annex was made for walking. Start on Bloor Street, where heritage buildings sit alongside modern architectural gems like the Royal Ontario Museum. Make time to pop into cosy cafes and indie bookshops along the way. Or explore the leafy University of Toronto campus. One of its prettiest footpaths is Philosopher’s Walk, which takes you along the former Taddle Creek.

Kids and adults will love the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), whose collection ranges from dinosaur fossils and Bronze Age artefacts to First Nations cultural objects. There’s also a dedicated family gallery where you can handle real specimens and enjoy interactive installations. The wacky Bata Shoe Museum offers kid-friendly activities and events, while budding history buffs will love playing kings and queens at Casa Loma.

While you’ll need to pay to enter, admiring Casa Loma’s magnificent architecture from the street won’t cost a penny. Directly across from it, check out the free Spadina Museum. This impressive mansion was home to the affluent local family from 1900–1930 and offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of former elites. ROM has free admission on the third Tuesday night of every month, and the Bata Shoe Museum is free on Sundays.

Restaurants in the Annex serve up a rich melting pot of cuisines. Find buzzing Japanese bakeries selling fluffy souffle pancakes, sizzling Korean barbecue joints and Middle Eastern eateries. There are plenty of places to try Canada’s national dish, ‘poutine’ (french fries with gravy and cheese curds). And make time for a coffee — options range from board game cafes to hole-in-the-wall spots and cafe-gallery hybrids.

The Annex is heavily populated by students, so expect to find more than a few pubs serving cheap beer. But there are also plenty of sleek cocktail lounges, rooftop bars and taprooms known for their seasonal ales. Catch live music at Lee’s Palace, a local institution that’s hosted big-time bands over the last four decades, including Oasis, Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Annex is heaven for thrifty types, with second-hand shops selling everything from vintage clothing to books and antiques. Most of the action is concentrated around Bloor Street. Literature lovers won’t want to miss the flagship of local chain BMV Books, offering three floors packed with second-hand books and records. If you’re after something more upmarket, head to neighbouring Yorkville for chic designer boutiques.

From late April to early May, movie fans flock to the Annex for the annual Hot Docs Festival. The largest documentary festival in North America, it’s been going for three decades and features Canadian and international films, talks and workshops. In June, the neighbourhood comes to life with rainbow colours for Pride Month, with the annual parade snaking down Bloor Street.