Meghan Markle's guide to Toronto

September 22, 2017 - 11:15 BST hellomagazine.com

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Meghan Markle was born and raised in California but for the past six years has called Toronto her home away from home. The star arrived in the city back in 2011 to start production on the now seven-season-deep hit legal drama Suits. Like most Torontonians, the 36-year-old has built her own collection of shops, restaurants and hoods that perfectly complement her meticulously cultivated refined taste.

With her boyfriend Prince Harry in town for the 2017 Invictus Games, the star is set to pull double duty as supportive girlfriend and personal tour guide.

Here, we take a closer look at Meghan Markle's Toronto. -- By Shinan Govani

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A is for Aritzia

The Vancouver-based clothing brand is one of stylish Meghan's go-to haunts. Its mix of cool and casual activewear and soft and sophisticated knits and jackets fit the actress's style profile to a T. Some of her must-have pieces include their linen Veritas shirt and Babaton blazer.

Photo: © Todd Korol/Toronto Star/Getty Images

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B is for Cafe Boulud

Not only has the Suits star cooked with superstar chef Daniel Boulud for a media-stunt, but she is often spotted at his eatery inside the Four Seasons Hotel. She even gets home-delivery, as she once revealed on Instagram: "When you're so sick and receive a special delivery from @cafebouludto of deconstructed chicken soup.”

Photo: © Tara Walton/Toronto Star/Getty Images

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C is for Cheese Boutique

Her "fave foodie destination," is what she calls this west-end temple to fromage. It’s where, too, she goes to procure a certain "out of control French butter.”

Photo: © Colin McConnell/Toronto Star/Getty Images

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D is for Dogs

Bogart and Guy ... the other loves of Meghan's life. The animal lover rescued her pups from shelters in LA and Kentucky. Her adopted boys aren't only her closest companions, but some undoubtedly adorable models for her Instagram posts.

Photo: © Instagram

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E is for Equinox

The New York import is a one-stop luxury shop for some of Toronto's most glam stars, including Meghan. The haute gym has two locations in the city, including one in Yorkville.

Photo: © George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images

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F is for the Financial District

The Bay and Adelaide corridor is home to some of New York's finest law offices and restaurants - thanks to the magic of television. When large crowds gather here it's most likely to catch Meghan and her co-stars in action on the set of Suits.

Photo: © Elijah-Lovkoff/Getty Images

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G is for Georgian Bay

When Meghan wants to escape from busy city life, she heads north to the rugged, northeastern lick of Lake Huron. Nearby Muskoka is a summer oasis for stars like Cindy Crawford and Goldie Hawn .

Photo: © benedek/Getty Images

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H is for Harry

... and highly discreet house guests! The people's prince has paid many secret visits to Meghan's perfectly-decorated Annex hideaway. The pair was also spotted last Halloween at a spooky party held at members-only Soho House.

Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Invictus Games

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I is for Ivy Mulroney

The kid in her life she loves to spoil! Ivy, 4, is the youngest child of her BFF Jessica Mulroney who she has hitherto dubbed the "best partner in crime.”

Photo: © Instagram

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J is for Jake Rosenberg

A go-to-photographer in town, Jake, a co-creator of the site Coveteur, is one of Meghan's frequent collaborators and lunching companions.

Photo: © David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

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K is for Kensington Market

Where Meghan goes to get her boho on. The eclectic neighbourhood, located at College and Augusta, is Toronto’s answer to London's Portobello Market.

Photo: © Marcus Oleniuk/Toronto Star/Getty Images

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L is for Lainey

Friends in media places! One opinion-maker that she knows personally, and has broken bread with, is the gal who is not only one of the co-hosts of the daily Canadian talk show, The Social, but is the force behind the super-popular, internationally-known blog, Lainey Gossip!

Photo: © George Pimentel Photography

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M is for Markus Anderson

One look at the actress's Instagram account and it's clear that Soho House Group consultant Markus is her BFF. When they aren't wining and dining they are travelling the world – and Markus has been credited for introducing Meghan to her prince charming.

Photo: © Instagram

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N is for Narwhal

This hideaway boutique, on Price Street, is one Meghan gravitates to for its designer one-offs.

Photo: © Narwhal

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O is for Octopus Fix

The California native has been known to visit Bar Isabel, on College - a place that evokes her nostalgia of living in Madrid years ago.

Photo: © John Cullen

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P is for Peonies

A fan of fresh-cut flowers – especially her beloved peonies! – Meghan indulges herself by ducking into places like the line of flower shops at the corner of Avenue and Davenport.

Photo: © Malkovstock/Getty Images

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Q is for Queen Street

Once dubbed the world's second hippest district by Vogue magazine, the east-west stretch is also home to one of Meghan's favourite eateries, Terroni. She recently name checked the Italian chain, or rather its take-home chilies, in her cover story for Vanity Fair.

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R is for Rogers Centre

Home of the good ol' Blue Jays. The actress has been spotted at a series of ball games during her six-year stay in the city.

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S is for Streetcar

Forget private drivers, the down-to-earth beauty isn't afraid to hop on Toronto’s public transit system to get around town.

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T is for Trinity Bellwoods-Park

An iconic gathering spot in the city, it’s got it all: “yoga in the park, dance classes...performance art...the mecca for meeting up with friends, throwing a frisbee until day turns to night..." Her co-star Patrick J. Adams is also a fan of the 'hipsters' paradise.'

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U is for Universal

A trip to Rwanda, for World Vision, spurred Meghan to host a charity event to do more to raise money for clean water projects: the fundraiser was held at Yorkville's chic Lumas Gallery.

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V is for Vinyasha Yoga

Meghan carrying a mat around town is not an uncommon occurrence: she gets her regular practice at a studio in Rosedale.

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W is for W Skincare

To Portland Street! She heads here to get the “cold laser treatment” with A-list facialist Lorinda Zimmerman.

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X is for X-ray vision

Meghan sets her sight on Holly Eyewear in Yorkville when on the hunt for the perfect pair of glasses.

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Y is for Yum

Meghan has yet to meet a plate she doesn't want to photograph. The star's Instagram is bursting with images of culinary creations and divine desserts. One of her favourite spots? Dai Lo – an Asian brasserie on College.

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Z is for Zane

Since moving to Toronto, the actress has made the daily commute to Downsview to film Suits. Meghan plays paralegal turned lawyer Rachel Zane, who finds romance with fellow lover of law Mike Ross (played by Toronto native Patrick J. Adams).

Meghan Markle's guide to Toronto