23 Best Shopping in Chinatown, Kensington Market, and Queen West, Toronto

Packed with galleries, interesting shops, and two cafés, this beautifully refurbished industrial building is an essential component of Toronto's contemporary art scene. Check out YYZ Artists' Outlet, which holds consistently engaging shows, or Gallery 44 for contemporary photography. There's also the respected artist collective Red Head Gallery. Don't miss well-stocked Swipe for books on all things design and Spacing for stylish Toronto-themed T-shirts, prints, and knickknacks.

Indicative of a Queen West long gone, the most remarkable thing about Abraham's is that somehow it survives. Handwritten signs snarl "don't even think about it" amid a jumble of haphazardly piled rusty props and dusty "antiques" from doctor's bags and deer trophies to worn church doors, creepy clown shoes, and a sparkling collection of 1950s microphones. Purchasing anything will take some guts—few prices are marked, although everything, they say, is for sale.

Paul Wong, an artist and dealer from Vancouver, started this gallery, which is directly across the street from the Art Gallery of Ontario. The paintings and sculpture are a window into contemporary Canadian art, featuring both emerging and established artists. Just a few steps down at 324 Dundas Street West is Bau-Xi Photo, which shows Canadian and international fine art photography.

Determined vintage buffs hunt through the racks of band T-shirts, faded jeans, worn shoes, and biker jackets in this unfinished upstairs warehouse-style location. It's also famous for its signature in-house screen-print tee designs.

Teak tables, chairs, and cabinets give this vintage shop the feel of a strangely cavernous 1970s bungalow. Organized racks are filled with Hawaiian and secondhand T-shirts, vintage 1970s dresses, and comfortably worn jeans, but you'll also find new styles, too.

The best and longest-running vintage store in Kensington Market is crammed with the coolest retro stuff, from sunglasses to sundresses, plus an ample supply of cowboy boots and gently used Birkenstock sandals for guys and gals, all at low prices. Not everything is secondhand here: there's a wall of sparkly Indian-inspired clothing, lots of costume jewelry, Mexican luchador masks, and a selection of unique buttons.

Designed in British Columbia, these jeans and chinos are made for biking, climbing, or even the boardroom. The secret is their breathable, stretchy fabrics with reinforced stitching in the necessary "pain" points along with trendy cuts and colors.

Feminine, Korean-inspired styles such as slip dresses, wide-leg trousers, blouse-y tops, and delicate jewelry are sold at Durumi.

This buzzy Queen West mainstay stocks style for men and women including Hunter wellies, Frye boots, Birkenstock sandals, Sperry Top-Siders, Converse and Vans sneakers, and a great selection of Laurentian Chief and Minnetonka street moccasins and mukluks.

Dubbed "a book shop for people who like to eat," you'll find a smattering of everything needed to elevate your culinary experiences here, from the latest trendy cookbooks to tasteful accents like hand-crafted chambray napkins and whimsical illustrated coffee mugs. A true community hub, the shop also publishes cookbooks focused on singular ingredients written by celebrated local food writers, and its upcycled thrifting section is not to be overlooked for rare vintage finds.

At this old-school printing company, you'll find a range of whimsical illustrations including band posters, mock-retro tourism posters, and other one-of-a-kind creations. You'll also find screen-printed "Greetings from Toronto" postcards, art supplies, and contemporary indie crafts in the gift shop.

The Canadian yoga brand's massive concept store on Queen West is a must-visit for runners and yogis alike. Along with plenty of athletic and loungewear for men and women, there is a 1,000-square-foot yoga and dance community studio.

Mountain Equipment Co-op's flagship store is as busy as basecamp at Mt. Kilimanjaro. It's an excellent spot to pick up emergency winter gear, water purification tablets, or a camping coffee kit. The merino undershirts are highly coveted as they'll keep you toasty on winter nights.

A blaze of rainbow colors, Original is glamorous, life-affirming, and a little outrageous. If you're heading to a gala or you're after a crinoline dress (in fuchsia), you need to come here. The endless selection of platforms, pumps, and wedges is outdone only by the dress section, up a multicolor flight of stairs.

It might take some digging but Shoney’s no-nonsense, uncurated collection of vintage wares is replete with diamonds in the rough. The stock is frequently replenished so you never know what you'll find among the obscure band tees, gently used Roots hoodies, and glamorous silk bathrobes that share the racks with Italian military surplus, flashy '70s furs, international soccer kits, and cycling jerseys. Their outside $5 rack is often bursting with snaggable deals. 

Exiting through this gift shop is not mandatory, but you'll want to check out the overwhelming selection of curiosities, from touring exhibit memorabilia and books on maximal architecture to pop-art-inspired toys and prints of celebrated paintings. Adults and kids can shop side by side among the books and fun educational items.

More than 1,500 daily arrivals fill the rows of this bright and cavernous mostly secondhand shop famous for its Broadway-caliber window installations. They carry many albums of local indie musicians, and you might even catch a live in-store performance.

Organic, natural, and hormone-free products are the core offerings here. Build yourself a healthy picnic basket for a lunch in nearby Trinity-Bellwoods park with Ontario farm-raised deli meats; organic, grass-fed, fermented European cheeses; locally grown sprouts; and enticing bulk treats sweetened with raw cane sugar whenever possible.

Books on advertising, art, architecture, and urban planning pack the shelves of this aesthetically pleasing store, fittingly located in the arty 401 Richmond heritage building. Part of the store is devoted to modern gifts, including elegant writing tools, modern jewelry, and Pantone-theme everything.

The mops, brooms, and multicolor bins and buckets stacked outside make this kitchenware and restaurant equipment store appear much like all the other Chinese knickknack shops along Spadina. However, once you're inside you'll find endless aisles stacked to the rafters with rice bowls and bamboo steamers, and restaurateurs piling up their shopping trollies with glasses and servingware to feed the masses. A gap halfway along the north wall leads to the industrial-scale equipment.

Tucked away on the second floor of the already hidden Textile Museum, this shop is one of the city's best-kept secrets and an absolute treasure trove. It overflows with textile-based art from Canadian artisans, as well as works by craftspeople from around the world keeping traditional, and often disappearing, skills alive. There are loads of books, scarves galore, unusual bags and hats, and crafty stuff for kids, too; many items are accessibly priced. Check out the changing exhibition on the second and third floors while you're here (admission charge) to develop a taste for the shop's featured items; past exhibits have included Finnish designer Marimekko and Afghan war rugs.

Find bargains aplenty on brand-name suits and shirts from brands like Calvin Klein, Armani, and DKNY at this remnant from the market's old-world textile industry days. The larger-than-life Tom Mihalik, the store's owner, keeps his prices low (and will often go lower, if you ask politely). The sales staff can quickly navigate the selection and help you put together a complete and well-accessorized look.

A few vintage gems and pretty silk scarves may be found among the army jackets, cub scout uniforms, and 1970s polyester shirts and cowgirl attire, but most of the inventory is simply fun and kitschy. Imported Thai and Indian trinkets, body jewelry, tiaras, and wigs are part of the charming and eclectic mix.