10 Best Breweries in Whitby

"Distance from downtown: 12 minutes Let’s get Bellwoods over and done with because we all know they are the reigning MVP of Toronto craft breweries, enticing Ossington hipsters with killer beer, chic pub food, and fairy lights since 2012. The Bellwoods crew have created a Torontonian craft brew empire with two breweries, retail stores, bottle shops, and lovingly handcrafted beers ranging from imperial stouts to hoppy, fruity pale ales. In recent years they’ve also started to focus on farmhouse ale using wild yeast and bacteria.Best Brew: Jutsu, an American pale ale made with a blend of two different yeasts."

"Bellwoods Brewery has an adorable sidewalk patio that will make you feel nostalgic. Enclosed by a white picket fence, there are picnic tables, a grill, string lights, and heaters, so no matter the time of day, you’ll feel at home. The sidewalk view of the city streets make it great for people watching, while the beer selection gives you a reason to stay well in to the night."

"The city’s oldest independent brewer, Amsterdam has been serving up craft beers to Torontonians since 1986, well before craft was a “thing.” Now, 30 years later, they’ve got a brewery in Leaside, a harbourfront restaurant on Queens Quay, and a loyal following that goes back decades. Here’s to another 30 years. Try: The Boneshaker IPA, an unfiltered strong beer that’s got taste to match."

"A photo posted by amsterdambeer (@amsterdambeer) on Nov 22, 2016 at 7:37pm PST. Right on the waterfront, Amsterdam Brewery serves up scenery alongside its fine beers. This two-storey brewhouse is massive and is the perfect place to chill or watch a game after your 30-minute tour."

"Toronto’s stalwart brewery has grown by leaps and bounds since its founding in 2000, evolving from the passion project of three laid-off brewery workers to a Downtown destination that now includes its own biergärten and restaurant along with a working brewery. Sitting in the shadow of the CN Tower, the biergärten patio has become a landmark in its own right: a place to try the brewery’s iconic pilsner alongside a menu of European- and Canadian-inspired drinking foods, such as soft pretzels with mustard made from the brewery’s beer, and, of course, poutine, topped with the requisite chicken gravy and cheese curds as well as double-smoked bacon and caramelized onion mayo. Dining at the restaurant: While the biergärten is currently closed, Steam Whistle has announced plans to reopen patio seating when restrictions allow, as well as a fireside dining option where diners can book private dinners for up to six guests focused on a menu of items cooked over wood-fired grills."

"In case you are looking for great night’s fun, Steam Whistle Brewery would be your right choice. It is situated at the base of the CN Tower – which is one of Toronto’s number one tourist destinations and this place gets improved thanks to its kind and friendly employees. Steam Whistle Brewery exists for two decades as well as has managed to earn the title of Canada’s biggest and most popular standalone brewery."

"For so long, Roundhouse Park’s resident brewery made its name on simplicity: it made exactly one product, a refreshing and universally chuggable pilsner, and presented it in a historic – if pared-back – setting. But times have changed, and with them comes a second beer (Steam Whistle Pale Ale) and a gorgeous beer garden complete with the Food Dudes’ German-style eats."

"This Bloordale brewery’s genre-bending wine-beer hybrids taste like pure genius in a glass. Yes, the three-year-old establishment co-owned by Jason Stein and Matthew Park also makes inventive pilsners and saisons and Berliner weisses, which are always available, but it’s the inspired small-batch creations we’re talking about here—like the Ruby, a gorgeous, gem-coloured blend of saisons aged in barrels with sour cherries and cabernet franc skins, and blended with riesling from Ontario’s Pearl Morissette winery. It’s the perfect showcase for the brewery’s terroir-driven approach to beermaking."

"Burdock Brewery is far from your conventional brewery, which is why it lands on a list of the best bars in Toronto. The owners aren’t just interested in beer, but also in wine, cider and the whole works. In fact, if you’ve visited, you’ll know that they’re often blending their passions, quite literally (apparently beerwine and beercider are things)."

"Burdock combines wine and beer to make beautiful, fruity hybrids. They source local Ontario fruit, and they age their beers using leftover grape skins!. Their space includes a brewery, restaurant, and a music hall, and they’ve even got a chic patio to enjoy your freshly-brewed beer."

"Distance from downtown: 19 minutes The Jays 2018 season may be a complete throwaway, but this baseball-themed brewery certainly is not. Nestled in residential Leslieville, Left Field has something for every beer drinker -- from sours to IPAs to the classic Eephus Brown Ale, all of which emphasize simple, distinct, and clean taste. They regularly partner with local food trucks and host Blue Jays Trivia night for the superfans out there."

"Pre-dating the brewery boom in Toronto by a few years, this spot on a low-key Leslieville side street has become one of the top names in Toronto beer. The tiny, suitably baseball-themed taproom is a tad spare – but who cares when you can get fresh pints of classics like the Eephus (still one of my favourite browns in town) and new creations like thirst-crushing fruit-flavoured sours?. Bonus: It’s dog-friendly!"

"Bars and pubs Greenwood-Coxwell. What is it: One of the first breweries to set up shop in the now hop-happy East End, this baseball-themed establishment knocks it out of the park (pun intended) with thoughtful, flavor-filled beers. The Sunlight Park, a grapefruit saison, is a light and refreshing summer quencher that anyone would enjoy."

"21 Doughnut aficionados no longer have to make the pilgrimage to this Hamilton-based bakery for their yeast-risen rings, now that the brand has a booth at Stackt, Toronto’s new shipping container market. The selection changes daily, but their roster of rotating flavours has included lavender-lemon, blood-orange hibiscus, raspberry-habanero and the #Hamont Cream-Filled, Donut Monster’s take on the beloved Boston Cream. There is no wrong choice."

"Founded in 2002 by Bay St. lawyers Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow, Bustle Clothing is a leading Canadian sportswear label, known for its cheeky twist on menswear classics. Shop their new unisex collaboration – Playboy X Bustle. The collection includes: heritage classics, collegiate prep, streetwear, vintage-inspired T-shirts and accessories."

"Toronto’s beer scene has plenty of ­cutting-edge newcomers, so it’s refreshing to also have at least one that’s happily obsessed with the olden days. That’s just how they brew things here in Little Portugal, drawing influences from Belgian and Old World beers that have been brewed since the Middle Ages. The Sunny Places sour pale ale is more contemporary but relies on a centuries-old variety of Norwegian yeast called kveik that gives it a time-tested tang."

"Here, 13 rotating taps showcase inventive riffs on Belgian-style beers. Must-tries include the Flemish Cap, an old-world saison fermented with Brett cultures from Guelph’s Escarpment Labs, and the Promethean Fire, a Flanders-style red ale fermented in cognac barrels. Great brews aside, the brewery is situated on a bustling chunk of College Street, and big tables, a bigger backyard and a laid-back atmosphere all lend an air of conviviality."

"By far the cutest macarons in the city, this small patisserie in Kensington Market should not be missed for fans of the traditionally French dessert. In a variety of adorable shapes, these macarons delight the eyes as much as they delight the tongue. All of the shapes take inspiration from the animal kingdom (panda, corgi, etc…) or pop culture (the limited edition Toronto Raptors macaron) and anime (No-Face from Spirited Away, Tiger from Winnie the Pooh, and Doraemon, etc…)."

"DaanGo means “cake” in Cantonese and they’ve taken cuteness to the max with their selection of cartoon character macarons, pun-tastic pastries and visually stunning cakes. In addition to their adorable creations, come here for their unexpected flavours such as Vietnamese coffee, roasted milk tea, Ovaltine, pandan coconut and durian. Also, don’t forget their scrumptious cookies!"

"Speaking of bread-like desserts, there’s also this gorgeous spot to check out. You can order handcrafted strudels right to your door all season long. The sweet and flakey dessert is perfect as a gift or for treating yourself."

"Marché does a nice job of simulating a European-style marketplace with separate food prep stations and fresh presentation. If you select the a la carte buffet option, you can wander from counter to counter and cherry-pick from the hot and cold selections, or watch while the chefs prepare your fresh omelette, crepe or personal pizza. Located entirely indoors and opposite the entrance to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Marché really jumps during busy weekday lunchtimes."

"What is it: A southern French café and bakery originally from New York City, in the heart of First Canadian Place in the city's Financial District that serves locally sourced breakfast and lunches to a daily throng of area suits. Bonus points for the freshly baked artisan breads, quiches, cookies, croissants and all of the other French, buttery bites Maman turns out that make any morning better. Try the pistachio loaf, trust us."

"If you have a thing for uber-cute French patisseries, get thee over to First Canadian Place in downtown Toronto. Maman hails from New York and is the place to grab a slice of lavender blueberry loaf cake and an on-point latte to get on with your day. Or, if you want to be more European, grab a seat at one of their rustic wooden tables and stay awhile."

"The Swan, one of Toronto’s most famous diners, occupied the same space on Queen Street West for more than 20 years. Now Le Swan has taken over to serve French bistro food alongside diner classics - think charcuterie followed by a tuna melt and steak frites with a side of grilled cheese. The menu here includes both dishes that you’d find in a Grey Poupon commercial and food that feels sort of like time travel, which makes it a little different than just about anywhere else in the city."

"Everyone’s curious about the new incarnation of Swan on West Queen West which is Jen Agg’s latest project, a so-called French diner that does rotisserie chicken and late night fondue."

"This Bloordale brewery’s genre-bending wine-beer hybrids taste like pure genius in a glass. Yes, the three-year-old establishment co-owned by Jason Stein and Matthew Park also makes inventive pilsners and saisons and Berliner weisses, which are always available, but it’s the inspired small-batch creations we’re talking about here—like the Ruby, a gorgeous, gem-coloured blend of saisons aged in barrels with sour cherries and cabernet franc skins, and blended with riesling from Ontario’s Pearl Morissette winery. It’s the perfect showcase for the brewery’s terroir-driven approach to beermaking."

"Burdock Brewery is far from your conventional brewery, which is why it lands on a list of the best bars in Toronto. The owners aren’t just interested in beer, but also in wine, cider and the whole works. In fact, if you’ve visited, you’ll know that they’re often blending their passions, quite literally (apparently beerwine and beercider are things)."

"Burdock combines wine and beer to make beautiful, fruity hybrids. They source local Ontario fruit, and they age their beers using leftover grape skins!. Their space includes a brewery, restaurant, and a music hall, and they’ve even got a chic patio to enjoy your freshly-brewed beer."

"Enjoy snacks from all over the world at this next delicious pick. The new Toronto pop-up is serving snacks from everywhere this spring. Their flavours are so authentic, you’ll feel like you’ve actually travelled to these destinations, not just tasted them!"

"Planta started with a simple goal in mind: to create delicious food that helped propel environmental sustainability – and delicious meals. Since then, Planta has found a happy home in cities all over North America, but Toronto is where you’ll find the flagship location. The chic, light-flooded locations across the city look nothing like what you’d expect from a vegan restaurant, and the food that follows is just as surprising."

"Planta Yorkville is a casual/upscale vegan dining experience. The restaurant is bright and beautiful, and the menu has a variety of small and large plates. The small plates are perfect for sharing: cauliflower tots, bang bang broccoli, and fully loaded nachos."

"You might not know it, but Toronto is home to lots of beaches, offering the perfect escape from the busy city on a hot day. Among its most visited spots are Sunnyside, Woodbine, Cherry and Kew beaches, all of which are easy to access and have lifeguards on duty throughout the summer. Bluffer’s Beach – a long, sandy stretch at the foot of the Scarborough Bluffs – has great views as well as hiking trails, bike paths and picnic areas."