As the birthplace of some of the most creative forces in the entertainment industry, The Six (as Drake calls it) is home to a global mix of Black people. Visitors who pop into the city each August know its famous Caribana festival, but to truly understand the city you’ll need to dig deeper. This collection of Black-owned restaurants, shops, and cultural institutions offers an insider’s look at a city bubbling with Black entrepreneurs and artists.
Aunty Lucy’s Burgers
The unique Aunty Lucy’s Burgers (located on the main floor of The Annex Hotel) pairs the creative Chief Bosompra with Top Chef Canada semi-finalist, Adrian Forte as a consulting chef. Together they’ve created a menu that has rewritten what a burger joint can do. The selection of burgers are named after Ghanaian locations, and sides (swap your go-to fries for Kelewele – fried plantain) offer a flavorful African twist you’ll come back for.
Rasta Pasta
Located in the city’s historic Kensington Market, Rasta Pasta blends Jamaican and Italian cuisine to create unique takes on popular dishes. It is worth waiting in the lunch-hour line to try their spicy jerk chicken lasagna, savory grilled paninis, or a plate of their succulent jerk pork.
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A Different Booklist
This bookstore specializes in authors and literature from the African and Caribbean diaspora, and the Global south. Inventory includes a range of books that discuss race for children and teens; biographies of influential Black figures; and adult fiction written by BIPOC authors.
Buna Coffee
This cozy coffee shop (buna means coffee in Amharic) has brought the age-old Ethiopian Jebina coffee brewing techniques to the city, hand-roasting each cup to perfection. If it tastes authentic, it’s because it is: Beans are imported directly from a farmer’s co-op in Ethiopia. Take the time to pause your exploration of the city to enjoy the elaborate coffee ceremony that accompanies each brew.
Get Fresh Company
Instead of spending your money on kitschy souvenirs, pick up locally made streetwear from this local brand. Their in-house label of casual wear and accessories are embellished with their telltale intricate signature logo. Partnerships with The Toronto Raptors, Puma and Remy Martin speak to the line’s versatile audience.
Roywoods
With a location in the food court at Union Station and another a little further west, this duo serves up mouth-watering Jamaican dishes on-the-go. While their main offerings include jerk shrimp, curry goat, oxtail and other meat plates, they’re best known for the jerk chicken sandwich, which is best accompanied by a bottle of Ting, a Jamaican grapefruit-flavoured soft drink.
Nia Centre for the Arts
This charitable organization supports emerging and professional Black artists from across the Afro-Diaspora by providing a space to learn and showcase their work. The Centre hosts exhibitions and artistic and cultural experiences that are open to the public and help to support their youth and community engagement programs.
The Real Jerk
If this spot sounds familiar, it’s likely because you recognize the Gerrard Street location from Rihanna’s Work music video that features Toronto-native Drake. On a regular day, you’ll find more dining than dancing, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself swaying as you eat. The restaurant’s laid-back Caribbean cuisine has been a staple in the city for more than 40 years.
Kaela Kay
Ghana-born designer Catherine Addai has been dressing Toronto’s A-list and Hollywood celebrities including Ava Duverney with her colorful collection made on African wax cloth. Pop into her North York boutique to see her eye-catching designs up-close at the Kaela Kay Fashion Boutique and Design Studio.
Ballet Creole
Founded in 1990 by the Trinidadian-born dancer and choreographer Patrick Parson, this troupe infuses Cuban, Caribbean folk, West African and jazz styles of dance with classical ballet techniques. The company hosts an annual dance season, December holiday production, and performs at several festivals and community events throughout the city.
