Toronto’s best stationery shops appeal to the artist in all of us. Find handcrafted pens that glide just right, pour over gorgeous handmade paper in Koreatown or sign up for a workshop and learn the art of calligraphy in the east end. Whether it’s for writing, sketching or a serious doodle, paper is personal, and these spots will help you find the pulp that’s perfect for you. [Feature image: Take Note]

Lunch-minded in the west end? Head straight to Bloor and Lansdowne. These Bloordale restaurants are knocking it out of the park with homey interiors and fast and fresh lunch fare. In this blossoming hood, you’ll find PB&J on vegan sourdough, a Nordic-inspired sandwich and a mainstay for casual classics. For all your on-the-go and dine-in needs, these lunchtime gems have you covered. [Feature image: Brock Sandwich] 

Tequila’s smokier cousin, Mezcal is traditionally handcrafted in the Oaxaca region of Mexico. This agave-based liquor has a rich history, made the same way today as it was two hundred years ago. Although typically taken straight, these Toronto cocktail bars are putting a spin on the Mexican classic, mixing it with maple, citrus, cherry and more to highlight its uniquely earthy flavour. [Image credit: iStock.com/Bogdanhoda]

Queen West’s top spots for a first-time meeting are an eclectic mix of trendy cocktail bars and laidback watering holes. Get ready to up your dating game with smooth sipping, low lighting and shared plates best suited for two.

No doubt about it: Toronto’s premiere oyster shacks will shuck all your assumptions about land-locked seafood restos and transport seafood lovers to a full-oncoastal bliss. Sourcing plump, sweet oysters from east and west, these local spots celebrate the ocean’s most sumptuous snacks with unique menus and killer drinks to match.

This year, skip the Valentines-Day flowers and candlelit dinner and hit the town with a group of pals. Our list of Love Week hotspots has you covered from Kensington to Riverside, from dance parties to laid back locals. Check out OKStupid at Handlebar for hilariously awful online dating conversations read live or hit up the Wavelength music festival and discover Canada’s best new underground music. Who needs Cupid, anyway?

2015 saw an explosion of next-level breakfast spots on the west side, with a new series of cute-as-hell restos that are offering a new spin on Toronto’s favourite meal. Get ready for eggs benny on fresh baked waffles, quinoa breakfast fried rice and enough Caesars and mimosas to keep you going all Sunday long.

Toronto is the main stage for everything new and bold in Canada’s jewellery scene. Local artisans and designers blend the old and new, pushing the boundaries of everyday bling. These shops offer a selection of the finest handmade jewellery, all crafted with the utmost attention to detail, style and functionality.

Wander into a coffee shop in Toronto and the best kept secret off the menu is probably the cortado. Typically served in a glass tumbler, a cortado is one part espresso and one part velvety steamed milk. These west-end cafés serve up a taste of the Spanish classic, offering quiet, communal spaces for a quick bite and your daily caffeine fix.