Bookmark these for later or order now to #SupportLocal Toronto businesses without stepping out of the house.
By Lisa Jackson with revisions by Arienne Parzei
At this point in the social distancing saga, you’re likely starting to feel pretty stir-crazy. We get it: staying at home gets old fast, even with ample Zoom “happy hours” and Netflix shows to binge-watch. We can’t blame you for yearning to get out and explore Toronto’s big backyard. But as non-essential businesses weather the lockdown storm, supporting local has never been more important.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to experience Toronto culture without leaving your house. Many popular Toronto attractions have even created virtual activities to keep the kids busy (and give parents a much-needed break). Along these lines, there are other ways you can bring “the 6ix” into your home. From food tours in a box to cocktail kits, play tourist in Toronto and support local businesses—without stepping foot outside your door.
Take a food tour in a box.
Earlier this year, one of the city’s best food tour companies shifted from in-person experiences to food tours at home. The Culinary Adventure Co.’s Food Tour in a Box™ became quite the hit with their curated culinary boxes delivered right to your door.
They initially launched with their popular neighbourhood food tours, including Chinatown + Kensington Market, Little India + Gerrard Street East, and Greektown + Danforth, filled with delicacies like Chinese buns, peameal bacon, handmade pickled jalapeños, artisan cheeses and other snacks and surprises from Toronto vendors. As demand grew, so has their range of themed boxes.
You can now choose from boxes designed for the Baker, the Butcher, the Cheesemonger, the Adventurer and more. It’s the perfect way to support local businesses and to send a shout-out to the ones you love. If it’s a gift, they now ship across Canada (for their non-perishable boxes)!
Also read: Toronto Food Delivery Services You Should Know About
Become your own bartender.
Just because we can’t enjoy happy hour at our favourite bar or restaurant, doesn’t mean we can’t pretend from home. The solution? Cocktail kits! Over the last several months, some of Toronto’s favourite spots for libations have gotten crafty, putting together some of their most popular cocktails in ready-to-make kits.
Delivered right to your door, these cocktail kits include everything you’d need to make multiple servings of a single drink, including the booze, mix and even the garnish. Establishments like Reyna, Patois and Project Gigglewater have quite the selection from rum punch to hot toddy kits.
Also read: Your Guide to Toronto’s Cool-Weather Cocktails
Feast on Insta-worthy sweet treats.
Toronto has a way of taking your everyday food items and kicking them up a notch or two, going so big and bold that you can’t resist snapping a pic. We’re living in an Instagram world after all. When it comes to sweet treats, these aren’t your average donuts and cookies you’ll find at Grandma’s house on a Sunday afternoon. (That is when we could go to Grandma’s house…)
If you feel like “eating your feelings” in self-isolation or want to perk up someone’s day with a sugar rush delivered to their door, look no further than the epic donuts from Glory Hole Doughnuts, the rainbow-coloured mochi donuts from Isabella’s Boutique Restaurant, the (almost) too pretty to eat canelé from French-Japanese bakery Ichibake, over-the-top cookies from either Craig’s Cookies or Courage Cookies and Bunner’s Bake Shop for everything vegan and gluten-free. All establishments offer curbside pickup and many can deliver for a fee within the GTA.
Have fun with No Fun.
Could this brand name be any more relevant to real life? At a time when we’re all having fewer kicks, No Fun—a popular Toronto apparel store—is offering a Mystery Box that can be delivered to your door. Place an order online and let staff shop on your behalf, packing a box with at least one t-shirt in your size and a bunch of surprise gear (which may include unreleased or sold-out gems). A great way to inject a thrill into an otherwise “meh” day.
Build your own beer tour.
Grabbing pints with your posse isn’t an option, but why not build your own brewery tour to experience at home? Right now, many Toronto microbreweries are offering home delivery, and with the click of a mouse, you can curate a tasting flight of hometown ales lickety-split.
For instance, your selection could include a limited-edition Neu Rodes from Kensington Brewing Co., huckleberry sour from Junction Craft Brewery, a refreshing Lager with Lime from Black Lab Brewing and a Jelly Emperor Dry Hopped Sour from People’s Pint.
Change up the lineup each week to get a real deal taste of Toronto’s beer scene. Too pooped to pick your own pack? Mill Street has an Essentials Mix Pack of their 5 favourite ales, plus their new Sour Neighbour Cherry Sour. Just open and enjoy it!
Also read: How to Have an Epic Pub Experience at Home
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