Baldwin Village is a quaint enclave just east of Chinatown lined with about three dozen restaurants, cafes and stores. Baldwin Village is home to The Art Gallery of Ontario. This is the perfect neighbourhood for those who appreciate arts, crafts, and curios.
The History of Baldwin Village
Baldwin Street was laid out and named after William Warren Baldwin, who owned much of the area, in the early nineteenth century. The neighbourhood developed in the early 20th century as the Jewish Ghetto moved westward from its original location in The Ward towards what became the Kensington Market Jewish community, and the strip became home to a number of Jewish stores and restaurants. As the Jewish community moved north from downtown, the area's proximity to Chinatown led it to be populated by Chinese-Canadians. Also close to the University of Toronto and surrounded by the area known as the "Student Ghetto" it also became a centre for the 1960s youth movements. Most notably it was the central location for draft dodgers from the Vietnam War in Toronto. The draft dodgers converted a number of homes to shops catering to the new community. In 1978 the first café on the block opened, and since then the area has become one of the best known restaurant districts in Toronto. Mandel's Creamery at 29 Baldwin Street, the last remnant of the block's Jewish heritage, closed in 1995 after 90 years of operation, though the Yiddish lettering on its window has been preserved by the John's Italian Caffe, the neighbouring establishment at 27 Baldwin which expanded into the Mandel's former property. John's Italian Caffe, in turn, closed in 2014. An effort to preserve the window was launched by the Ontario Jewish Archives after the establishment was sold in 2015 to new owners who intend to open a Taiwanese style tea shop.
Baldwin Street Today
Walking along Baldwin Street at lunch hour is like walking into a Business Improvement Area’s best-case scenario. The trees are lush, the storefronts funky, and the restaurant patios packed. The short strip’s buzz is palpable. This is all the more impressive because Baldwin Street is one of a few commercial streets of its kind that isn’t organized into a BIA. Instead, Baldwin Village is fortunate enough to have established a strong, attractive identity from its storied history, which culminates in today’s community-minded tenants.
One of Baldwin’s biggest strengths is its assortment of restaurants, which draws those from farther afield. Anyone coming just for a lunch or dinner still gets the strong sense of being in a neighbourhood, and those in sweatpants out to wash their jeans mix with those in suits on a lunch break from business.
Baldwin Street Real Estate
Renting and buying in Baldwin Village is far less expensive than some of Toronto's ritzier downtown neighbourhoods. Much of the area with the detached houses and townhouses is owner-occupied, but the rest of the community has a many apartment buildings with relatively low rents that cater to lower-income families.
The area is made up of middle-class families, students, seniors and working couples, a large section of whom are of Chinese descent. The style is a bit on the funky side, with some longer-term residents still reliving the good ol' day of anti-war protests.
Looking for the best of Baldwin Village?
Parks
Schools
Please click here for a comprehensive list of schools in Baldwin Village.
Restaurants
Wah Sing Seafood Restaurant: Known for its 2-for-1 lobster special, this bright Chinese seafood spot offers many classic dishes.
Kinton Ramen: Diners slurp housemade noodles, with a variety of Japanese broths & toppings, at shared counters.
Valens Restaurant: Casual grill featuring breakfast, Italian-inspired dishes & steaks, with a leafy patio & a full bar.
Cafés
Carbonic Coffee: This simply decorated haunt offers espresso drinks made with house-roasted beans plus baked goods.
Light Café: Trendy, modern setup for colourful Taiwanese drinks paired with sandwiches, salads & desserts.
Charidise: Roomy café with a lively vibe offering milky tea-based drinks & Taiwanese rice & noodle dishes.