The North York Centre directory.

A Toronto-born family restaurant in Empress Walk — an enormous all-day menu of deli sandwiches, salads and comfort classics.

Local pick: The huge menu and the deli sandwiches

One of the most talked-about modern Korean spots in North York, just off Yonge on Spring Garden — stylish small plates, soju and a buzzy room.

Local pick: Modern Korean small plates and soju

North York's Yonge corridor is home to one of the city's largest Persian communities — a cluster of Iranian restaurants, bakeries and grocers around Lansing and Willowdale serving kababs, ghormeh sabzi and saffron ice cream.

A 24-hour Korean institution on Yonge famous for gamjatang (pork-bone soup) and sundubu — a late-night go-to in the North York Koreatown.

Local pick: Gamjatang at 2 a.m.

A long-running, no-frills Korean and Korean-Chinese restaurant near Finch — bibimbap, kimchi jjigae and jajangmyeon that draws weekend waits.

Local pick: Jajangmyeon that tastes homemade

One of the largest branches in the Toronto Public Library system, beside Mel Lastman Square — multiple floors of collections, study space and programs.

Local pick: The vast collection and quiet study floors

A vertical mall at North York Centre station — a grocery, cinema, food court and shops connected directly to the subway.

Local pick: A movie and a Loblaws run at the subway

A renewed shopping centre at the Yonge–Sheppard subway interchange — a grocery, fashion, services and dining connected to two subway lines.

Local pick: Shops and a grocery right at the subway interchange

The stretch of Yonge through Lansing and around Sheppard — banks, grocers, pharmacies, cafés and everyday services for the surrounding condo and house streets.

The North York Koreatown along Yonge from Finch toward Steeles — Korean grocers, bakeries, cafés, BBQ joints and late-night eats outside Finch station.

Local pick: Korean groceries, bakeries and BBQ

A large, top-regarded TDSB high school (grades 9–12) home to the renowned Claude Watson Arts Program — a major draw for Willowdale families.

Local pick: The renowned Claude Watson arts program

A TCDSB arts academy (grades 7–12) just off Yonge — an audition-based Catholic school for dance, drama, music and visual arts.

Local pick: An audition-based arts academy

A well-regarded TDSB elementary just off Yonge — one of the catchments families target when buying in Willowdale.

Local pick: A sought-after Willowdale catchment

North York's civic gathering square beside the Civic Centre — a reflecting pool and amphitheatre in summer, a skating rink in winter, and festivals year-round.

Local pick: The reflecting pool in summer, the rink in winter

An 1850s Georgian farmhouse preserved as a city museum on Yonge — costumed interpreters, hearth cooking and the story of rebel surveyor David Gibson.

Local pick: The costumed-interpreter hearth cooking

North York's performing arts complex on Yonge — a large main stage, recital hall and studio theatre hosting concerts, musicals and community events.

Local pick: A show in the main hall

A green ravine park tucked behind the Yonge towers — a creek, walking trails, a playground and a quiet escape from the corridor.

Local pick: The creek trail behind the towers

A tucked-away neighbourhood park in the Avondale pocket south of Sheppard — a playground and open green space ringed by low-rise streets and towers.

Local pick: The playground and the quiet green

A full community recreation centre and park in north Willowdale — indoor pool, gym, arena, fitness classes and a surrounding park.

Local pick: Lane swims, the gym and the rink

A Newtonbrook neighbourhood park west of Yonge near Finch — a playground, sports field and a venue for summer community and cultural festivals.

Local pick: The playground and the summer cultural festivals