Good for margaritas + nachos

V beautiful co-working space tucked in an old factory by the highway. They also rent amenities out for meetings + you can sign up to have mail delivered here. Music's great too: https://soundcloud.com/eastroom

Anyone who knows anything about me knows these rank really highly in my cookie bracket. They really salt the dough, which you can taste, and have a million ever-rotating flavours - Mini Egg and Twix are obvious favourites, and their shortbread-stuffed chocolate chip cookie is surprisingly complex, too. You really just need to try them. They also do ice cream sandwiches at this location!

Great fritters (apple, oreo, pineapple, etc.). Stay crispy for a really long time.

Small but well-stocked location. Doesn't get too overwhelming, but there's always something you're gonna want.

Everything here is good, but Burnt Marshmallow is an original fav. They have nice sorbet options too. Great spot for a summery first date if you both like sweets, sweating, and making small talk around strangers (lines get v long but kinda worth it).

Really popular consignment store, they always have a ton of new stock and prices are v reasonable. They once kept and watered one of my plants for 3 weeks while I was on vacation ( = people there are nice and chill).

Nice outdoor coffee option, really good oat milk lattes!

Literally closed every time I try to go, but looks good. New ramen + Japanese sandwich spot. Also this might not technically be Riverside anymore, but a good reason to detour north to east Chinatown.

Fish market + they carry some nice dry goods. Kinda pricy but quality is great. On Saturdays they do a salmon bagel special, but often sell out really early.

Great local butcher. They also carry Gertie's Peanut butter Pies.

Well-stocked little grocer, their produce is good and they always have fun (kinda crazy?) snacks and drinks. The flowers in the fridge are usually nice. They also randomly carry Diamond Crystal kosher salt which can be hard to find here.

Go-to brunch spot in the neighbourhood, everything on the menu is good and everyone who works there is super nice. If you order something and have the option to choose, get the white bread (or even if you don't, ask for a swap). It reminds me of Shokupan, toasty and chewy. Famous for their yeasted donuts, which they only have from Wednesday - the weekend. The baker posts rotating flavours on his IG @whitelilybaker and sometimes you have to call to reserve them. The Hot Cross Bun (Easter special) + Cookies and Cream are big yeses. Wait times can be long, but you can call to have them put you on the list! Go to Boxcar Social a few blocks down for a coffee while you wait.

Everybody loves these tiny guys!!! I like their hot chocolate, it's really dark (flav wise).

Kind of the no-brainer coffee spot in the area. I personally like the iced coffees more than hot, and their lemonade/iced tea feature is always good! Good pastries (pineapple coconut cardamom muffin is a fav). Great bottle shop. They also carry a few fancy groceries - Acid League vinegars, tinned fish, artisanal chips, canned gin cocktails, etc. If you live in the area they have a great loyalty program.

Formerly my favourite Kouign Amann in the city but they switched the recipe in 2020 and I no longer love it, but they have lots of dessert options! Great sandwiches (they rotate ~monthly, have meat from Sanagan's, and always a vegan option which is just as good as anything animally). Only do drip coffee and have whole milk.

Great vintage furniture + homeware, not crazy expensive. Lots of #MCM if you are into that!!!! Also easy to shop online.