Once one of the poorest areas of Toronto, Cabbagetown is now a vibrant community running largely along Parliament Street and a designated heritage conservation district. Lauded as the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in all of North America, Cabbagetown is home to many artists, musicians, journalists and writers, as well as professionals, doctors and social workers affiliated with nearby University of Toronto or one of the many hospitals on University Ave. This colourful community is home to many fantastic and quaint businesses, low-rise historic buildings, and fantastic pubs and restaurants.
The History of Cabbagetown
Cabbagetown was once known as the village of Don Vale, just outside of Toronto. The community got its name from the Macedonian and Irish immigrants who first moved to the area beginning in the late 1840s. They were said to be so poor that they grew cabbage in their front yards. In the 1850s, the area consisted of farmland with cottages and vegetable plots.
Don Vale was absorbed into the city of Toronto in the late 19th century, still home to many working-class Irish. Many brick, Victorian style houses were built and the working-class neighbourhood reached its peak of prosperity just before WWI, which is the age of many of the homes.
After the war, the area became impoverished. Many families were forced to take shelter under one roof, and the beautiful brick houses began deteriorating, which lowered the perceived value of the neighbourhood. It was at this point that much of the southern area known as “Cabbagetown” was razed to become what is now known as Regent Park.
In the early 1970s, efforts were made to preserve the area against the urban renewal of Regent Park, which resulted in borders being drawn for the Cabbagetown we know today. A ban was put in place to keep any building higher than four stories from being built, as residents worried for the aesthetic of their community. Gentrification eventually set in, as wealthier residents began restoring the small Victorian row houses and became activists for their community. Several forerunners of the efforts were headed by gay and lesbian residents, leading to the neighbourhood being known as queer friendly. Property values steadily rose.
In the early 2000s, after decades of fighting developers’ plans to change the landscape, the community was able to convince the City of Toronto to designate Cabbagetown as a heritage conservation district. This allows the area to hold onto its overall appearance, landscapes, and open spaces, and has lead to the beautiful pocket of colour and history we all know and love today.
Cabbagetown Highlights
Cabbagetown Farmer’s Market
Cabbagetown’s Farmer’s Market takes place from June to October, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Riverdale Park West. Opened in 2001, it was Toronto’s first organic markets. It was closed for a short while in 2015 until strong community drive brought it back, wishing to make sustainably sourced food more available to downtown residents.
The Toronto Necropolis
An unorthodox place to visit, but one of the most beautiful. the Toronto Necropolis dates back to the 1850s, making it one of the city’s oldest cemeteries. Stunning Gothic and Victorian architecture is surrounded by a generous amount of greenery, and there are even a few stained glass windows. The Toronto Necropolis is the resting place of many important figures in Canadian history, including Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, and Jack Layton.
Cabbagetown Festival
Typically happening in early September, the Cabbagetown Festival showcases the community’s best and brightest as locals of all kind take to the streets. Arts and crafts vendors, a myriad of food offerings, entertainment and more are on display for this colourful festival.
Riverdale Park West
This massive park sits on the East side of Cabbagetown. There’s plenty of space to wander while also leaving room for a number of facilities, including two ball diamonds, a cricket pitch, a picnic site, wading pool, pond and dog off-leash area.
Cabbagetown Real Estate
To first-time visitors, Cabbagetown's streetscape of well-maintained Victorian housing, an eclectic variety of styles and an intimate scale gives the sense of a small, well-kept town from the nineteenth century. Some streets, such as Metcalfe, present a view that is very close to that of a century ago. But this neighbourhood is not a museum. Behind many restored facades are some starkly modern interiors and rear constructions. Down the lanes can be found the cutting edge of industrial conversion. Out of sight and above the rooflines, Cabbagetown's upper stories include some stunning and creative deck gardens. With the community's mix of income, some hidden renovations are directed by hired designers and architects; others are thoughtfully planned and carried out through the payment of sweat equity.
The historical experience of Cabbagetown is expressed through its streetscape: the building facades, gardens, fences and other elements that are visible from the sidewalk. This area, unique in the density of original buildings and the general quality of restoration, presents a rare view of the nineteenth century for us to-day. Homeowners contribute to that when they make changes consistent with the style of their homes.
Looking for the best of Cabbagetown?
Parks
Schools
Please click here for a comprehensive list of schools in Cabbagetown..
Restaurants
F’Amelia: Rustic trattoria in a cottage with hearty Italian food and world wines, plus a glass atrium and patio.
House on Parliament: Busy pub with dark-wood accents that pours local and global beers, plus chic bar bites and British fare.
Kingyo: Informal, contemporary Japanese izakaya featuring small plates created by chef Koji Zenimaru.
Cafés
Staij & Co Café and Pastry Boutique: Creating custom cakes, this white-paneled café also offers espresso, tea & an array of treats.
Red Rocket Coffee: Local option with a laid-back vibe for baked treats and sandwiches, plus coffee and espresso.
Absolute Bakery and Café: Absolute Bakery is a family run business and serving Cabbagetown Toronto for the past 10 plus years. We specialize in French style cakes, pastries and baked goods.