No one knows and reps their neighbourhoods in Toronto or Prince Edward County like a Drake team member. To live like a local the next time you stay with us at The Drake Hotel, Drake Devonshire, and Drake Motor Inn, study up on our staff’s recs for all the homegrown favs and hidden gems to hit during the perfect 24 hours in Toronto or Prince Edward County.
James Rogers, Chef de Cuisine, Drake Devonshire
Coffee: Beacon Bike Brew, Picton
Baked Goods: Farmhouse Eats, Picton
Farm/Produce: Hagerman Farms, Picton
Beer + Snacks: Midtown Brewing, Wellington
Outdoor Tour: Millennium Trail + Sandbanks Provincial Park, Wellington
Wine Tasting: Drake Devonshire, Wellington
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Drake Devonshire, Wellington
Ice Cream: Slickers Ice Cream, Wellington
If timing permits, rent a bike too or go for a walk and check out the local stores in Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington and then head to West Lake Water Sports and rent a boat or jet ski and check out the Lake and Sand Dunes.
Bayley Dathorne, Front Desk Manager, The Drake Hotel
Morning Coffee: Jimmy’s Very Own, Ossington
Outdoor Tour: Trinity Bellwoods Park, Trinity Bellwoods
Sights/Sounds:The Bentway, Lakeshore
Late Lunch: Pennies, Trinity Bellwoods
Pre-Evening Drink: The Drake Hotel Lobby Bar, West Queen West
Later Night: Tonight Bar, Parkdale
Waking up the next morning, I would grab a quick brunch at The Drake before heading across the street to the new neighborhood SJ Tattoo Studio to ink myself with a permanent memento of my night in West Queen West!
Dylan Turner, Senior Bar Manager, The Drake Hotel
Quick Coffee: Larry’s Back Pocket, Dundas Street West
Light Bite: Lambo’s Deli, Trinity-Bellwoods
Outdoor Tour: Trinity Bellwoods Park, Trinity Bellwoods
Sights/Sounds: The Dakota Tavern, Dundas Street West
Tattoo: War Tooth Tattoo, Dundas Street West
Cocktails: West End Cocktail Tour (Cry Baby Gallery, Project Gigglewater, The Shameful Tiki Room Toronto, Black Dice Café, Hank’s Liquor and Wasted Youth Bar).
Last stop: Some late-night Ponzo from Fourth Man in the Fire fixes you right up. Pro tip: if you order a three-pack of doughnuts, they’ll give you six, but let’s keep that one a secret!
Damien Smith, Server, Drake Devonshire
My ideal 24 hours in the County would be a whirlwind tour spent with friends visiting out of town and catching many sweet sites to be seen and experienced.
Breakfast: Drake Devonshire, Wellington
Lunch on the Go: Piccolino Mercato, Wellington
Healthy Snack: Good Place, Wellington
Beach: Sandbanks Park or Wellington Rotary Beach or one of the secret beaches
Day Spa: Wander The Resort, Bloomfield
Wine: Rosehall Run Vineyards, Prince Edward
Dinner: Darlings Pizza (Bloomfield), Bocado (Prince Edward), Stella’s Eatery (Wapoos)
Post Dinner Cocktail: Russ + Co., Picton
Last Breakfast: Creekside Café, Wellington
Last Lunch: La Condesa, Wellington
Saurav Sharma, Front Desk Manager, Drake Devonshire
Bike Rental: Ideal Bike, Wellington
Breakfast: Drake Devonshire
Coffee: Beacon Bike + Brew Café, Picton
Lunch: Lake on The Mountain
Shop: Vintage/Thrift/Local Art Shopping on Main Street, Picton
Show: Regent Theatre, Picton
Dinner: Flame + Smith, Bloomfield
Drinks: Koenji Whisky Bar, Wellington
Ice Cream Shop: Slickers Ice Cream, Wellington
Josue Vergara, Senior Sous-Chef, The Drake Hotel
Start the day with a morning cruise on a longboard to Lakeshore Blvd., being sure to stop at Brodflour in Liberty village for the best croissant in the city before they are all gone! They mill all their flour on-site and as a result, have a unique flavour profile to all their sourdough loaves and pastries. A hot coffee and croissant at the lake enjoying the view of Sailboats, swans and families of ducks is a splendid vibe to start your day.
Breakfast, Burger or Milkshake: Originals, Parkdale
Lunch: UFO Restaurant, Trinity Bellwoods
Date Night: Midfield Wine Bar, Dundas Street West
Post Dinner Play: Tilt Arcade Bar, Parkdale
Beer / Cocktails: Bar Hop, Shameful Tiki Room Toronto, Pharmacy, SIMPL THINGS
Later Night Cap: Food + Liquor, Parkdale