Vivek Shraya's Leslieville

The multi-hyphenate artist takes us on a tour of her favourite haunts

- BY TEAGAN SLIZ

VIVEK SHRAYA, a musician, writer and visual artist, left her hometown of Edmonton in 2003 and moved to Queen and Dovercourt, where she met her partner and lived for 14 years. “We were very much west-end queers, but we were always fascinated with the east end. It seemed so vibrant yet relaxed,” she says. After decamping to Calgary for six years, the pair returned in 2023, settling in a two-bedroom townhouse in Leslieville. “It feels like a haven from the chaos of downtown,” says Shraya, whose 12th solo album, Vivica, drops this month. Here are some Leslieville spots she highly recommends.

For an early brunch
WHITE LILY DINER
“This is my favourite weekend brunch place, but it’s super popular. You have to show up right at 9 a.m., otherwise it’s going to take several hours to get a seat. I’m obsessed with their buttermilk biscuits. They have this peppery taste that’s really unexpected in a good way. Motown and soul music are always playing in the background, and it makes for such an uplifting atmosphere.” 678 Queen St. E., whitelilydiner.com