Inspired by a recent post on some of the WORST value restaurants in the city, what are some of the BEST value restaurants?

As the title says, I'm a pretty boring and "average" person. I don't really have a unique identity. I love a wide variety of things and music, but I've never really felt comfortable experimenting with myself or my identity. I live in a pretty small place and am doing university online solely at the moment due to family caregiving requirements.

I'm going to be in Toronto for a bit, I know how diverse it is both in terms of cultural diversity and subculture diversity, and I'd love to experience them. Does anyone have recommendations for places to go? I know I won't really fit in, but just getting to go and experience music and talk to people who are into things that I haven't even discovered yet is something I'm incredibly interested in. Any places to go, bars, clubs, etc.? Subcultures I don't even know about are more than welcome too!

Hello! let me give you some context about myself.
I was born and raised within the metro vancouver, leaving very few times and being trapped. I was born with ADHD, and F.A.S.D. Being assessed from a young age. It is also very likely I have A.S.D., and am being assessed as we speak. I am 18 years old, a student in film school, and have an intense desire to leave Vancouver.

The reasons for me wanting to leave vancouver and specifically head to the GTA are as follows:
- Trauma and a desire to escape from my family (dysfunctional home, and they wont reach me in Toronto)
- opportunities in the film industry/more financial opportunities (at least so I heard)
- A desire to leave Vancouver in general (my steak is too juicy and my lobsters too buttery, i know)
- Starting a new life away from the shit that happened to me in vancouver. All of my trauma, mistakes, and disdain are trapped within the mountains. And leaving not just the GVA, but BC would allow me to bloom like a flower under the sun

Which brings me to Toronto. Ive been obsessed with it for the past few months, doing research, looking at house prices, learning about its neighborhoods, culture, and way of life. As well as annoying the shit out of my friend from southern ontario by asking her a million questions about toronto constantly. In some sense, I am a torontoboo. To me, Toronto offers an escape, an alluring promise to start a better life. My freedom.

Which brings me to the crux of my question. What is socializing like in Toronto? how easy/hard is it to make friends in toronto as someone whos socially inept?
the truth is, I am genuinely socially inept, and not in the "hehe~ im so awkward! ah eto bleh!" sense. But in the genuine, borderline inhuman sense. I cannot read social cues, I can mask, but barely, and neurotypicals can tell. I am eccentric by art student standards, which is INSANE. But making friends for me is possible, just an uphill and often tiring battle. I find people forming their own cliques, and I find it hard to truly connect with people. I feel like an alien in human clothing sometimes.
I heard that Toronto is easier to make friends than Vancouver, Thus Vancouver freeze so I heard. but how well does that apply to neurodivergent people? Im sure with neurotypicals its a cake walk, but that is not me. How accepting are people in Toronto? specific groups/places I should go to find people incase I end up moving there, or even before? Any pointers or advice? (give it to me blunt, I dont want sugar coated answers, long answers even better). Thank you toronto! ^^

I've recently moved to Toronto and hastily decided to live on a side street off Yonge/Sheppard to be walking distance to my office. Honest thoughts on the area? Am single and in my mid thirties, with a car. The draw was the size of the condo relative to the cost, as well as underground parking, access to parks, and nearby greenery for my dog. Have been feeling worried I might be too isolated from the city's popular restaurants, events, the dating scene, shops, etc. Worth also noting that I prefer quieter evenings during the week and value being able to do day trips to nearby towns by car. Please convince me the decision wasn't a mistake!

Hi Everyone, I live in Parkdale-High Parkand I am having a hard time deciding who to choose to vote for in the upcoming election. I am generally progressive when it comes to most issues, for example I was against the island airport expansion, against the bike lanes being removed. What do you think about the candidates in Ward 4 Parkdale High Park? What candidates are supporting and why do you think they are the right choice?

We're hearing all extreme sides yet nobody seems to want to come up with a solution. On one hand, people want to just keep the bike lanes because it makes them safer. On the other hand, people want them gone because they feel it worsens their commute times. There's constant arguing about numbers like usability, car travel times, business revenue, etc.

Now using a politically neutral discussion, realistically what is the proper solution? How should we appease the people that actually use them without upsetting the people that were negatively affected? What alternative streets should have this if not for Bloor?

Waymo got approval to start mapping and testing here, their goal is a full launch by 2028.

How do you actually feel about having robotaxis on our streets? Do we really need more cars in Toronto?

I’m insured with Square One in Ontario, and my insurance is going from almost $400/month to almost $800/month when my policy renews.
Back in November 2025, my car was involved in an at-fault accident, but I wasn’t the one driving. The damage to the other driver’s car was under $2,000, and the damage to my car was minimal, around $700.
Nobody was injured, and we reported the collision, but neither party went through insurance to make a claim. Everything was settled out of pocket, and no insurance company paid for any damages. This was also the only accident involving my car in the past three years.
I recently learned about Ontario’s Minor Accident Protection Rule under Regulation 664. From my understanding, insurance companies aren’t allowed to increase premiums because of a minor at-fault accident if the damage is below $2,000 per vehicle (which was the limit when my accident happened), nobody was injured, and the damages were paid privately.
Does my situation qualify under this rule, even though the collision was reported and I wasn’t the person driving?
Has anyone successfully challenged an insurance increase using this rule? Can Square One actually lower my renewal premium if I provide pictures, repair receipts, and proof of payment?
My renewal is coming up, and I’m trying to figure out what I can do because going from $400 to $800 a month over an accident with such minor damage seems ridiculous.
Any advice or personal experiences would be appreciated.

I feel like every time I'm on line 2 and we're approaching Yonge-Bloor, they announce that a supervisor is at the station. Why do they announce that now? Does this announcement happen because someone logged an issue on the TTC anti-harassment app?

Toronto has tons of trail connections and side street lanes planned but not executed yet.

So I was parked in a mall parking spot and a mall security guard was walking around the parking lot with a TPS parking enforcement officer issuing tickets. I got to my car at 11:30am and the ticket was issued at 11:27😣

the reason it says is “Parking Vehicle on Private Property WithOut Consent”. The mall is open and parking lot is open and I got this ticket. I did not leave my car overnight, I’m for sure going to dispute the ticket. How can they prove this? Seems like she(mall security) was targeting random cars in the parking lot…

Edit: yes I was at the mall tech support at the mall before the 10am opening time

Hi everyone! I’m visiting Toronto for a couple of days after originally planning a trip to Montreal from Europe, so this is a bit last minute and I haven’t managed to do a proper research, sadly.

I’m more interested in history, architecture, art and quirky hidden places than the main tourist attractions. I’ve really enjoyed wandering around some streets in Cabbagetown and visiting Necropolis.

Any recommendations for historic streets, interesting old buildings, small museums (like Spadina or Mackenzie House), or walking tours focused on Toronto’s history and architecture?
Would love to hear about your favourites. If you feel like - coffee shops recommendations are welcome as well. Thank you :)

Looking to make friends with some fellow knitters or fibre arts as a whole!

I have to get to the island airport for 11:30 am on Sunday.

I understand that I need to give myself extra time because of road closures. Since my route to the airport on the shuttle crosses the Marathon, I'm wondering if any has experience with this.

Do they let traffic through when there are gaps in the runners?

How much extra time should I give myself?

Anyone able to recommend half decent Chinese in the west end? Ever since Westown closed, me and friends have been unable to find a reasonable replacement. Bonus points if it can be delivered.

Thanks!

I thrive in the summer. Tons of energy, happy, motivated, etc. it’s been fall for all of two seconds now and I can feel myself having low energy, struggling to wake up since it’s darker out in the mornings, wanting more coffee, and not feeling as motivated. Has anyone got any tips for having that summer mentality in the fall/winter? Do you take supplements? Any thoughts are welcome.

I have winter tires on steelies for my 2012 Genesis and I'm shopping around for a good independent shop in Toronto or Hamilton for the seasonal swap. The dealer quote I got felt high for what's basically an hour of work. Looking for a place that does it right (proper torque, no scratched rims, bonus if they re-balance while they're at it) without the dealer markup. Where do you go, and what are you paying?

Where to get your skin evaluated and prescribed retinoids or tret with continuous care to make adjustments based on the results?

Whenever I need a dermatologist I am given a referral for that one issue and get whichever dermatologist is on duty.

I would like to have continuous care to re-adjust the treatment as needed.

It's for skin pigmentation due to other medication. (Not covered by Ohip, so I don't even know if I need a referral.)

Can anyone recommend a clinic?

(Medical grade laser on-site would be a definite plus.)

Hello everyone!

I’m planning a small birthday celebration for my boyfriend and am looking for karaoke venue recommendations in the GTA! 🎉

We’re expecting around 15–20 people and are hoping to book a place for approximately 3–4 hours.

Ideally, we’d like somewhere that:
- Can accommodate a group of 15–20 people
- Is reasonably priced, preferably with affordable room rental rates or group packages
- Allows us to bring our own food or small party trays
- Has a fun atmosphere for a birthday celebration

I’m open to private karaoke rooms or other karaoke venues that would work well for a group this size.

If you’ve celebrated a birthday at a karaoke place in the GTA, I’d love to hear about your experience!

Recommendations on pricing, food policies, and any hidden fees would be super helpful too.

Thanks in advance! 😊

For those who have been to Medieval Times, what kind of atmosphere can we expect? I think the price is $83 per person, but I don’t think the meal is included in that price. I’m thinking of buying tickets now for November 15 for my wife’s birthday—which package would you recommend? (Queens Royalty, Celebration, Royalty)

Hey there! I have an extra ticket to You Can See Everything (Nathan Fielder) tonight at 9 at The Queensway if anyone is interested.

Hi I am new to Toronto, based in downtown and want to get waxing done. My skin is very sensitive, i tend to get bumps and little burning post waxing, which calms down in a bit after using aloe vera and stuff. Back home i used to get Rica waxing done (liposoluble plant based wax) which gave me less irritation compared to honey wax.
Any suggestions where can i get something similar in Downtown?

I feel like downtown Toronto, Scarborough, North York, and Etobicoke all have very different needs and priorities. What matters to someone downtown might not matter as much to someone in the suburbs.

Sometimes I wonder whether the former City of Toronto would have been better off remaining independent, rather than having its decisions shaped by the needs and priorities of the entire GTA mix of urban and suburban communities. What do you think?

I was looking at volunteer opportunities at the ROM and I saw that you have to pay for a membership and donate annually to qualify to volunteer there. Since when is it required to pay to volunteer? Is this normal?

Edit: this is not about orgs asking for specific skills from volunteers, this is about having to pay financially to volunteer

Edit 2: The ROM CEO makes 500k/year, I think he can spare a few volunteers from having to donate to qualify

My mom is new to Toronto and she'd love to be more immersed in the fall foliage. What are some of the best areas I could take her for a drive or walk?