Six top destinations in the 6ix

Odin Cafe and Bar

514 King Street E

Odin is a Nordic-inspired cafe and bar that boasts a no-fuss menu of seriously good coffee. This is not a place where you will find a venti no-whip, no-foam vanilla latte with a shot of raspberry. The cafe boasts a generous selection of classic java beverages by day, and wine and beer by night. You will find yourself enjoying the drink in your hand as much as the crisp, white angles of its intricately designed interior. Pair their smooth-as-satin filtered coffee with their soothing aesthetics for the ultimate coffee-consuming experience. If you are a coffee aficionado, Odin is your godsend.

The Dirty Bird Chicken + Waffles

79 Kensington Avenue

Do you enjoy fried chicken? Do you enjoy waffles? Put them together and you have yourself a delectable marriage of flavours and textures that will give you an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. The neutral, industrial vibe of the restaurant appropriately compliments the deliciously fried grub, all served on shiny metal trays. You have a choice of ordering only their famous chicken and a side, but most come to this joint for “The ODB,” a piece of fried boneless dark meat chicken on top of a maple, buttered waffle. Other highlights include “The Dirty fries” and their waffle ice cream sandwiches. Dig in.

Bang Bang Ice Creamery

93 Ossington Avenue

Be ready for a wait! Since Bang Bang entered the Toronto food scene a few years back, the line has not shortened much in front of this Ossington staple. Made in-house, the bakery and ice cream production happens in the back. When you enter, you are greeted by a menu that spans the length of the shop’s back wall. At the front is a complete display of Bang Bang’s famous cookies (vegan included), ice cream puffs, and Hong Kong style waffles (a must try), but most come for the ice creamery’s renowned ice cream sandwiches. Time passes quick in line because you will be spending most of it deciding between the plethora of ice cream and cookie flavours. They even have a birthday cake flavoured cookie…need I say more?

The Rooster Coffee House

479 Broadview Avenue

The Rooster Coffee House is one of the homiest coffee houses in the city, rife with board games and familiar neighbourhood faces who treat the cafe as their second living room. The vintage suitcases and sleek bar stools gives off a cool but comfortable vibe. Besides the decor, Rooster also serves delicious coffee, including their own specialty roasts. From espressos to custom blends to one of the best hot chocolates in the city, this coffee house will satisfy anyone from the biggest coffee nut, to people stopping in from a break outside at the adjacent Riverdale Park. The park features rolling hills, soccer nets, and a breathtaking view of the Toronto skyline that accompanies frisbee games and casual picnics. Head over to the Riverdale neighbourhood, it will allow you to kill two birds with one stone.

Andy Warhol Exhibit

77 Bloor Street West

Canada’s largest Andy Warhol exhibition has landed in Toronto, smack-dab in the middle of one of the city’s most extravagant, Warhol-esque neighbourhoods: Yorkville. Entitled Andy Warhol Revisited: A Mirror for Today, the exhibit will run from July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. Curated by Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Ron Rivlin, who owns much of the over 120 original prints and paintings being displayed, the works include some of Warhol’s most famous pieces from the “Campbell’s Soup Cans”, “Marilyn Monroe” and “Elizabeth Taylor” series. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for youth and students. Stop by for a great show by the legendary pop artist.

Harbourfront Movie Screenings

235 Queens Quay W

Toronto’s Harbourfront during the summer is abuzz with uproarious energy from the throngs of locals and visitors enjoying a nice day by the water. This stretch of Queens Quay West is one of the most popular spots in the city, rife with shops, restaurants, and cafes. During this time of year, Harbourfront is the location of choice for a variety of events and activities organized by the city, numerous organizations, and the Harbourfront Centre. One such event is free movie screenings every Wednesday evening. Named “Free Flicks,” this is Toronto’s only summer-long waterfront film series. Some films included in the line-up are Raising Arizona, Boy, and The Descendants. Check out their website for the full schedule and prepare yourself for a film viewing accompanied by a serene Lake Ontario at dusk.