Greektown on the Danforth

Greektown on the Danforth is a strip of Greek restaurants, bakeries, cafes and shops along Danforth Avenue between Chester Avenue and Pape Avenue in the East End of Toronto, Ontario. The neighbourhood developed after Greek immigrants settled in the area in the mid-twentieth century and remains the centre of the city's Greek community, with Greek lettering on storefronts and blue-and-white decorations. Restaurants serve classics such as souvlaki, grilled octopus, saganaki, moussaka, spanakopita and loukoumades, and bakeries sell baklava, pastries and strong Greek coffee. Many places have patios, which fill on summer evenings, and some stay open late. The area also has gift shops, delicatessens, jewellers and community organisations. The biggest event is the Taste of the Danforth festival, held each August, which closes the avenue to traffic and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors for food stalls, live music and street entertainment. Outside festival time, a visit of around 1.5 hours is enough for a walk and a meal. Weekday afternoons are quieter, and weekends and summer evenings are lively. Photographers find colourful signs, murals and patios along the street. Visitors can reach the neighbourhood by TTC Line 2 to Chester or Pape station, both on the strip, which makes it simple to walk the full length. Carrying some cash helps at smaller bakeries, and reservations are sensible for larger groups on weekend evenings. During Taste of the Danforth, public transit is the best option because roads are closed and parking is scarce. The area is residential, so visitors are asked to keep noise down late at night.