Etobicoke is a mystery to many people living east of Parkdale. But with its ritzy suburbs, busy lakefront and strong culinary options, there are lots of ways to have fun, and lots of fabulous restaurants to try.

Here are Vv Magazine‘s picks for things to do (and eat) in Etobicoke.

Where To Eat

Royal Meats
Fine dining meets fast food at this popular BBQ joint where you get to choose your meat before it gets tossed on the grill. All their meat is gluten-free as well as preservative-free, and it’s sandwiched by bread made fresh in-house. If you’re more into surf than turf, try their delicious tilapia or salmon sandwich.

Things to do in Etobicoke — Image: Facebook/Royal Meats

Grappa Ristorante
It moved from Little Italy over to The Queensway; however, Grappa held true to its Italian fine dining roots with this new location. A spacious restaurant – unlike many you’ll find in the DT core – Grappa has been family-run for 20 years.

La Veranda
Renowned in the West End for having a large and beautiful garden patio, La Veranda sits pretty in the heart of Royal York. (The ‘hood, not the hotel.) It’s old school North American-Italian — kind of like Etobicoke’s answer to Vaticano.

St. James Gate
Even diehard city folk have heard of St. James Gate, an Irish pub and alehouse, and quite the institution in the West End. Locals go for the free-flowing pints, while travellers make the trek for their regular live music. Their menu features pub fare, and a few dishes steeped in (what else?) beer—think Guinness mussels and basa tacos poached in a Shock Top brew.

Anatolia
Switch up date night with some seriously authentic Turkish cuisine that will make you feel as though you’ve just landed in Istanbul. Fresh ingredients, traditional Turkish recipes, and warm service make Anatolia worth the westward trip.

What To Do

The Old Mill
The Old Mill is a stunning, historic Toronto hotel nestled in theHumber Valley. The Old Mill is ideal for a Staycation, a truly luxurious day at the spa or afternoon tea on a spectacular patio.

Jerkfest
JerkFest 2015 is the annual celebration of jerk cuisine, and has been voted one of the top food festivals to visit in Toronto. Visit Centennial Park on August 8th & 9th for the opportunity to try top Caribbean food vendors as well as musical entertainment, a KidZone and much more!

Etobicoke Creek Bike Trail
Spend an afternoon cycling the scenic trail that runs alongside The Etobicoke Creek. The creek is a run-off from good, old Lake Ontario and runs from Southern Etobicoke all the way up to Caledon. Expect lots of trees.

Lake Shore Sail Club
The Lake Shore Sail Club provides Torontonians with the opportunity to sail off into the sunset. The club offers programs available for newbies and veterans, as well as relaxing daytime cruises for those looking for a low-impact afternoon on the water.

Woodbine Race Track
The Woodbine Race Track is one of the GTA’s longest standing entertainment hubs. Test your luck with their betting options, drink and dine in one of their onsite lounges, or win some money at the slot machines.

Did we miss any of the best things to do in Etobicoke? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.