Toronto

Destinations

18 May

Written By Anca Enica

DESTINATION GUIDE WITH MILA YUDINA

Portrait of designer Mila Yudina against a neutral background — Toronto Design City Guide: A Curated Journey with Mila Yudina

Toronto’s design culture is shaped by a layered mix of contemporary art, architecture, independent fashion, hospitality and material-driven craftsmanship, creating one of North America’s most quietly compelling creative cities. From artist-run bookstores and sculptural lighting studios to design-led restaurants, boutique hotels and concept stores, Toronto offers a creative landscape defined by diversity, atmosphere and discovery.
Created in collaboration with Mila Yudina, this edition of the Designeers Design Destination Guides explores the best design destinations in Toronto through a curated selection of galleries, cafés, restaurants, hotels, artisan studios and cultural spaces shaping the city’s contemporary creative identity today.
**May 2026**
**Words:** designeers and mila yudina

breakfast and coffee:

Nut Bar

Nutbar is one of Toronto’s most design-conscious wellness cafés, known for its organic breakfasts, speciality coffee and calming contemporary interiors. Defined by natural textures, soft neutral tones and a minimal aesthetic, the space reflects the city’s growing culture of wellness-led hospitality and intentional living.

favourite design museum:

Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario remains one of Toronto’s most important cultural institutions, celebrated for its world-class collection, architecture and contemporary exhibitions. For Mila, the AGO also carries a deeply personal significance, a place shaped by hours spent wandering the galleries with her daughter, discussing paintings and sharing moments of reflection through art.

fine dining:

Quetzal

Quetzal offers one of Toronto’s most atmospheric dining experiences, where architecture, open-fire cooking and layered interiors come together with striking intensity. Defined by dramatic lighting, tactile materials and a cinematic yet intimate atmosphere, the restaurant delivers a sensory experience that extends far beyond the plate.

lunch:

Amal

Designed by Studio Munge, AMAL pairs contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine with a richly atmospheric interior shaped by layered materials, warm lighting and tactile detailing. The restaurant has become one of Toronto’s most design-led dining destinations, where immersive interiors and hospitality exist in complete harmony.

Cocktail Bar:

Bar Raval

Bar Raval is one of Toronto’s most iconic design-led dining destinations, celebrated for its sculptural mahogany interiors inspired by Spanish Art Nouveau architecture. Designed by PARTISANS, the space combines dramatic craftsmanship, atmospheric lighting and Catalan-inspired hospitality, creating an experience that feels both cinematic and deeply immersive.

favourite design museum:

BATA Shoe Museum

The Bata Shoe Museum offers a uniquely intimate perspective on design through craftsmanship, culture and history. Through thoughtfully curated exhibitions, the museum explores identity, material innovation and global traditions, revealing how everyday objects can carry both personal and cultural narratives.

a design hotel to stay in:

The Broadview Hotel

Set within a restored 1891 landmark in Toronto’s East End, The Broadview Hotel balances historic character with a distinctly contemporary sensibility. Defined by bold textiles, curated vintage details and warm materiality, the boutique hotel offers a design-led stay deeply connected to the creative energy of the surrounding neighbourhood.

an artisan everyone should know about:

Ridgely Studio Works

Founded by artist and designer Zac Ridgely, Ridgely Studio Works approaches lighting through sculpture, material experimentation and architectural form. Known for its distinctive use of crushed glass, onyx, spun steel and sculptural metalwork, the Toronto-based studio creates collectible lighting pieces that balance craftsmanship, atmosphere and contemporary design innovation.

A place to adventure out of town:

Thornbury, Ontario

Located outside Toronto, Thornbury offers a slower, more nature-driven rhythm shaped by landscape, seasonal beauty and small-town charm. Surrounded by the shores of Georgian Bay, it has become a favourite Ontario escape for those seeking calm, atmosphere and a quieter retreat from the city’s urban pace.

Favourite concept store for design inspiration:

WDLT117

Set within a restored Victorian townhouse in Toronto, WDLT117 approaches retail as a curated experience shaped by travel, discovery and contemporary design culture. Blending fashion, home objects and collectible pieces, the concept store feels less like a traditional shop and more like a layered creative environment designed to inspire curiosity and exploration.

Your go-to bookstore:

Art Metropole

Founded in 1974 by the artist collective General Idea, Art Metropole remains one of Toronto’s most important destinations for artist publishing and independent visual culture. The artist-run bookshop specialises in contemporary art publications, artists’ books and printed matter while continuing to support experimental creative practices through exhibitions, talks and public programmes.

Photography Credits
Amal Studio Munge
the broadview hotel worker bee supply

More from Mila Yudina

Mila Yudina: Sculpting Interior Spaces with Emotion & Intention

Mila Yudina is a Toronto-based interior designer known for her sculptural narrative interior design approach—refined, understated, and rooted in timeless European-influenced interiors.