Old East York
Tight-knit community with East York's hometown heart
About Old East York
Old East York wears its former borough identity with pride. Centred along Coxwell Avenue and O'Connor Drive, this neighbourhood retains the small-town-within-a-city feel that East York was famous for before amalgamation. The streets are lined with tidy post-war bungalows and modest two-storey homes, many owned by families who have been here for generations. Front-yard gardens are tended with care, and neighbours still wave from their driveways. The commercial life of Old East York runs along Coxwell Avenue and Cosburn Avenue, where independent businesses, coffee shops, and the beloved East York Civic Centre keep things grounded. Stan Wadlow Park is the neighbourhood's crown jewel, a sprawling greenspace with a pool, tennis courts, and a community centre that hosts everything from hockey leagues to seniors' programming. The Taylor Creek trail system runs along the northern border, providing a ravine escape that feels miles from the city.
Key Highlights
Walkability
68/100 — Good walkability along commercial corridors; quiet residential streets
Transit
TTC bus 70 O'Connor, bus 23 Dawes; Coxwell station (Line 2) at the southern edge
Vibe
Hometown, tidy, unpretentious
What Makes Old East York Special
Liveability Scores
Walk Score
Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
Good Transit
Bike Score
Bikeable
Local Favourites in Old East York
The best-rated spots right in the neighbourhood, from cosy cafes to beautiful parks.
Parks & Green Spaces
Alder Stairs
51B Alder Rd, East York, ON M4B 2Y2, Canada
Charles Sauriol Park, Forks of the Don
4.6O'Connor - Parkview, Toronto, ON M3C 1R7, Canada
Cosburn Park
4.5115 Roosevelt Rd, Toronto, ON M4J 2K5, Canada
Dieppe Park
4.4455 Cosburn Ave., East York, ON M4J 2N2, Canada
Fitness & Gyms
mindset CYCLING
57 Barfield Ave, East York, ON M4J 4N4, Canada
007 Self-Defence - Kickboxing and Security
4.81038 Coxwell Ave, East York, ON M4C 3G5, Canada
Playgrounds
Playground
5Cullen Bryant Park, 50 Barbara Crescent, Toronto, ON M4C, Canada
Cafes & Coffee Shops
Yaya’s cafe & loukoumades
4.81027 Coxwell Ave, East York, ON M4C 3G4, Canada
Tim Hortons
4.3561 O'Connor Dr, East York, ON M4C 2Z7, Canada
Restaurants
Revitasize East York
4.71012 Coxwell Ave, East York, ON M4C 3G5, Canada
BOCA Brunch On Cosburn Avenue
4.6488 Cosburn Ave., East York, ON M4J 2N5, Canada
The Donlands Diner
4.5417 Donlands Ave, East York, ON M4J 3S3, Canada
Skara Greek Cuisine
4.41050 Coxwell Ave, East York, ON M4C 3G5, Canada
Bakeries
mon K patisserie
4.71040 Coxwell Ave, East York, ON M4C 3G5, Canada
Lickadee Split Ice Cream Shoppe
4.7980 Coxwell Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 2R3, Canada
Select Bakery
4.4405 Donlands Ave, East York, ON M4J 3S2, Canada
Libraries
Toronto Public Library - S. Walter Stewart Branch
4.7170 Memorial Park Ave, East York, ON M4J 2K5, Canada
Bars & Pubs
Sophie's Sports Bar Ltd
4.5466 Cosburn Ave., East York, ON M4J 2N5, Canada
367 Café
4.4367 Donlands Ave, East York, ON M4J 3S2, Canada
The Wally Tap & Grill
4.1302 O'Connor Dr, East York, ON M4J 2T8, Canada
King's Belly Pub
3.9429a Donlands Ave, East York, ON M4J 3S3, Canada
Happening in Toronto
Upcoming events, festivals, and community gatherings across the city.
Hamilton at the Princess of Wales Theatre
Princess of Wales Theatre
St. Lawrence Market Saturday Artisan Market
St. Lawrence Market
AGO Exhibit: Canadian Modernism Reimagined
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Toronto Tech Meetup: AI & the Future of Work
MaRS Discovery District
Jazz Nights at The Rex Hotel
The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar
Improv Comedy Night at Second City Toronto
The Second City Toronto
Nearby Neighborhoods
Explore the communities surrounding Old East York.
Guides & Articles
Helpful resources for anyone exploring Toronto neighbourhoods.
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