5 Awesome Reasons to Make a Distillery District Summer Visit

*Latest Update: June 2025*

It’s time for another Distillery District Summer and this iconic Toronto neighbourhood has so much to offer! Gorgeous patios, the ICFF Inclucity film festival, live music, outdoor markets – and of course dozens of Canadian owned retail stores. Our Toronto Tour Guide team has put together a list of what you can expect from the Distillery District this Summer.

Keep reading and find out 5 great reasons to visit the Distillery District this Summer.

Enjoy a European Style Patio

Discover the Distillery District this Summer 2022. — The Distillery District is literally a giant patio – and the neighbourhood has leaned in with an array of outdoor seating options. Usually on Trinity Street, during the ICFF Festival (try our Distillery District Film Tour), seating is found on Gristmill Lane so you can enjoy lunch under the sun.

The Distillery District was already an urban heavenscape of gorgeous patios – now the neighbourhood has been amped up to 11. Grab a chilled drink and pastry from Arvo Coffee, Balzacs or Arena Coffee and enjoy this perfectly shaded escape from packed Toronto streets.

Awesome Local Businesses

Did you know there are dozens of local businesses in the Distillery District? From Sake to locally-crafted women’s fashion at Hoi Bo, there are lots of surprises to find while strolling through the area. There are new, exciting retailers in the Distillery District Containers right beside Balzac’s coffee. Discover favourite Canadian brands and local baked goods.

Incredible Restaurants and Cafes

We’re not quite sure it’s possible to eat your way through the Distillery District in one visit. In fact, we’re pretty certain that you should book at least a weekend to try. With so many unique and delicious options, we recommend a clear schedule and empty stomach.

Read our full list of Distillery District restaurants and cafes open for Breakfast and Brunch.

Classics like Brick St. Bakery and Wildly Delicious (who also offer a huge line-up of their products in-store) are great spots if you want a quick bite that doesn’t skimp on quality. Both have a variety of hand-crafted, made to order sandwiches and bowl dishes to-go.

Wildly Delicious Cheese Boards are the perfect light snack while roaming the Distillery District.

Looking for a seated meal? You won’t find a better option than the Catalan flavours of Madrina Bar and Tapas – in 2023/24 they received a coveted Michelin nod! Featuring a number of seafood (don’t miss the canned sardines!) plates and possibly the best Bone Marrow we’ve had – your Summer vibe will thank you for going Mediterranean.

Don’t forget Mill Street’s pair of restaurants either. The Mill Street Beer Hall and Pub both feature great pairings to go with their multitude of beers.

Take a Distillery District Tour

Since 2005, Go Tours Canada has been a mainstay of the Distillery District. It’s not Summer in the Distillery District without people on 2 wheels rolling by – we invite you to become one of the 160,000+ Segway riders we’ve trained with our family fun Segway Spin. Easy to learn – we’ll show you the neighbourhood on 2 wheels.

Pick up a few neat facts and explore the red-bricked lane-ways of the former largest distillery on Earth. Do you prefer using your own two feet? Our Walking Tours bring you inside some of the fantastic architecture and expand on the rich history of the neighbourhood – you’ll get the inside scoop on Distillery District history. Want to satisfy your appetite? Try our Distillery District Breakfast Tour. Feeling adventurous? Try our Canary District Segway Tour.

BlogTO ranked Go Tours “One of Toronto’s Top Tours” and Segway Tours are constantly rated one of the top activities on Tripadvisor. This is a great chance to bring your small office or team for a clutch Summer experience. Along the way, one of Go Tours’ charming and knowledgeable guides will tell you some of the most exciting pieces of history from the neighborhood.

Get Soma Chocolate

Ranked one of the best Chocolatiers in the World, Soma Chocolate has been one of the Distillery District’s favourite tourist destinations for years. If you haven’t been yet, Summer is the perfect opportunity to try this award-winning chocolate – and especially their gelato.

Read our Guide | Where to get Ice Cream and Gelato in the Distillery District.

Soma Chocolate Distillery District 2020 — The classic dark chocolate bar

With gelato, chocolate, Italian style cookies and dozens of other products on their shelves, Soma Chocolate is a must-visit. The moment you open the door, a wall of mouth-watering aromas light up your senses. Seriously, your mouth will water. Definitely budget a few extra dollars for this stop in the neighbourhood, you won’t regret it.

Don’t forget about the popular Distillery District Christmas Market / Winter Village later in the year – you can start planning with our 2024 guide.

We hope you make a Distillery District summer visit part of your next trip to (or around) Toronto and enjoy new discoveries along with now classic retailers. Want deals on our Segway and Walking Tours? Join our Mailing List.