11 Best Shopping in Leslieville, Greektown, Little India, and The Beach, Toronto

This two-floor antique shop is a rummager's paradise, and a favorite of local set designers looking for period-authentic items. The shelves groan with everything from '50s salt-and-pepper shakers to Hudson's Bay blankets, and there are racks of vintage clothing (for both women and men) with pieces that date as far back as the 19th century. You can rifle through the scores of carefully labeled apothecary drawers to trawl through opera glasses, costume jewelry, and military patches, or peer into display cases at the vintage lunchboxes and handbags.

More than 50 artisans and purveyors display their wares in tiny spaces where vintage collections rub shoulders with mixed-media paintings, artisanal soaps, and jewelry.

The Doll Factory carries 1950s rockabilly-style pinup looks from Toronto designers Damzels in this Dress, and other retro-inspired designers from across the continent. Chunky heels, heart-shaped sunglasses and printed sundresses are on the shelves, as well as high-waisted bikinis perfect for flattering those curves.

This hip boutique, which occupies two floors of a Victorian home, is a one-stop shop for the whole fashion-forward family. The ground floor is devoted to colorful women's and kid's threads, designer denim, and local selections like Bluboho jewelry and Mary Young lingerie. Head upstairs for menswear and home goods, including gorgeous glassware and candles.

If you like kitchen gadgets, you might lose a couple of hours here. Check out the rainbow array of Le Creuset enamelware and design-forward kitchen tools. There's also a vast selection of insulated lunch boxes, funky Popsicle molds, barware, and any other obscure item your kitchen may be lacking.

A Beach institution, the Nutty Chocolatier serves ice cream on waffle cones (made in-house daily), as well as handmade molded chocolates and truffles. Even though their house-made sweets are delicious, the sizable selection of imported candy and treats from the United Kingdom and other parts of the globe have an equally devoted following.

Those in need of a souvenir tee should skip the tourist-trap shops and make a beeline for this local brand's soothing all-white boutique, where you can pick up stylish T-shirts, tanks, joggers, and sweaters—all manufactured in Canada.

Cottage-chic is the name of the game at this home decor shop that's all about cute, woodsy items like rugs, retro deck chairs, quirky signage, and Tiffany-style lamps. There's a nice selection of furniture, and they also do custom orders for pine shelving and cabinets.

This popular health-food supermarket focuses on organic produce and a wide variety of grab-and-go foods. The surrounding mini-complex contains a juice bar; an outpost of local plant-based restaurant Fresh; a zero-waste store with a variety of eco-friendly home goods, personal care items, and gifts; and a storefront devoted to vitamins and supplements.

Looking for that first-edition Bukowski, Atwood, or Murakami to complete your collection? This intimate shop specializes in rare editions of popular authors across a range of genres; head up the back stairs for the "Rare Room," where glass cases hold the biggest treasures. There's also a selection of inexpensive used books, vintage art prints, and even tarot cards.

Tucked in the back of colorful gift shop Token (itself a worthy stop for colorful gifts, kitchenware, and greeting cards) is the aptly named Tiny Record Shop, which offers an all-killer-no-filler selection of vinyl. If you're still missing that one rare Bowie or Stereolab LP to complete your collection, this is the place to check.