Beyond the busy boardwalk, sun, sand and surf, discover an array of friendly restaurants, pubs and unique shops.

BEST BURGERS There’s nothing like a burger and fries after a day at the beach. At Lick’s (1960 Queen St. E., 416-691-2305), sink your teeth into the Canadian chain’s always-popular Homeburger featuring its signature Guk sauce, or the vegetarian Nature Burger. The menu at this lively spot is a kid’s dream, with hot dogs, fries and chicken fingers, plus ice cream and sundaes.

THE SWEET SPOT The appeal of sweet boutique The Nutty Chocolatier (2179 Queen St. E., 416-698-5548) is obvious—chocolate, and lots of it. Quality control is high: only Callebaut chocolate imported from Belgium is used in goodies like handcrafted truffles. Temptations include the maple cream truffle, filled with whipped maple-flavoured white chocolate covered in a white-chocolate shell and decorated with maple sugar.

TEA FOR YOU It’s always tea time at the elegant Pippins Tea Co. (2106 Queen St. E., 416-694-7772). Choose from more than 130 loose-leaf and packaged teas, including Kusmi Tea, Mighty Leaf, Taylor’s of Harrogate, and the shop’s own Pippins Teas (140 varieties). Be sure to snap up some sweet treats—Duchy Organic biscuits, for starters—and great little gifts like fine china and earthenware teapots.

CRAFTY PEOPLE Get acquainted with the work of Canadian artists and artisans at Arts on Queen (2198 Queen St. E., 416-699-6127). This bastion of folk art is also a great place to find cute cards and artsy souvenirs, plus jewellery, clocks by Roger Wood, pottery and more.

SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM Beat the heat with a cold treat from Ed’s Real Scoop (2224 Queen St. E., 416-699-6100). Owner and chief ice cream maker Ed Francis has been known to take requests when it comes to adding to his menu. Home to some of the city’s best home-style ice cream, gelato and sorbet, this tiny parlour boasts more than 80 flavours, including crème brûlée and red-hot-chili chocolate gelato.

PUB & PATIO A buzzing pub and resto, Quigley’s (2232 Queen St. E., 416-699-9998) has been around for 15 years. The lazy-days-of-summer vibe makes it a popular destination—it’s only a block from the boardwalk. Kick back with a Guinness on the patio, head inside for pizza or pasta, or enjoy live music Thursday through Saturday. Sunday brunch features afternoon jazz and R&B.

RETRO RESTO Known as “The Goof” by locals (burnt out lights in a “Good Food” sign led to the nickname), The Garden Gate (2379 Queen St. E., 416-694-3605) has been a neighbourhood staple since the 1970s. The Chinese-Canadian restaurant recently got a facelift that has brought it into the 21st century, but the retro-diner booths remain. Regulars—and there are many—still order their meals by number.

JAVA JOINT Take your organic fair-trade brew—beans are roasted on the premises—outside at Remarkable Bean (2242 Queen St. E., 416-690-2420) to enjoy the view of the street from comfy wooden benches, where an awning offers welcome shade to the sun-weary. Or grab a seat inside for fresh-squeezed lemonade and a savoury blue cheese, walnut and pear muffin.

The charming boutiques, bars and restaurants of The Beach are easily accessible from downtown. Take the 501 Queen streetcar eastbound. Transfer points include Queen and Osgoode subway stations.

For more from the You Are Here series, please see the following:

Bloor-Yorkville

Toronto Islands

Distillery Historic District

Mirvish Village

West Queen West