Dragon City has changed over the years. I dropped by in mid-July to fetch dinner from Juicy Dumpling, which is on the first floor of this mall. You can enter and exit this eatery to get to the mall. I used to take Cantonese classes as a teen a block away. Afterwards, I had the option of hanging around this mall and then heading home by streetcars, or I'd go nuts and walk all the way down to Eaton Centre, hang around, and then go home. I loved malls back then. I can't say that I feel the same way these days. This mall is a shadow of itself, which is a shame. It used to be cool seeing vendors in the lobby. I got a sterling silver ring here when I was in grade 11. I still have it. Excellent quality. It still fits, too! Back then, bubble tea wasn't as popular as it is now. I did love getting iced pineapple drinks from a vendor in the basement. Sadly, it's gone, along with most of the food court down there. I saw two eateries in the basement that were left standing. The eateries are scattered on the ground, second, and fourth floors. Frankly, I don't know why the designers skipped naming the fourth floor the third floor. Chinese culture doesn't like the number four because it sounds like death when you say it out loud. Weird. The ground floor is the most interesting because it has the most stores. Sun Wah Bookstore has been kicking around for decades. It was nice seeing it again. Tung Tung Dan Quen King has bubble waffles and more. Sugar Marmalade is next to Juicy Dumpling, so you can stuff yourself with carbs and then go on a dessert high next door. There were a couple of Chinese herb stores, a pharmacy, a gift store, an optical store and more on the ground floor. It's such an eclectic, odd mix of stores. The second floor had six or seven businesses that were open. It was sad seeing half this floor vacant. There's a claw machine place called PaliPali Claw. I suck at claw games, so I didn't go in. Owl of Minerva, Clay Pot Rice, and Canteen are you eateries. I've never been to the fourth floor, There was a sign saying that Sky Dragon Chinese Restaurant is there. It's interesting that it's the only business up there. I hope that there's a rooftop patio or something up there, too. Forget hitting the washrooms here. They are gross. You're better off hitting the washrooms at Chinatown Centre where they are passable. It was nice to return, but the Dragon City that I loved as a teen is long gone. Instead, I embrace ice cream, bubble waffles, and dumplings. Here's to new memories! (341) read more

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DO NOT GO TO THIS STORE. The lady who runs this gift shop (there is no name) is VERY VERY RUDE. I told her I wanted to buy a pack of hongbao and she raised her voice at me saying 'you put your $4 there (pointing at the shelf)! I am BUSY!" -- and i was the only customer there. read more

Dragon City - Gift shop - Shopping Centers Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Dragon City is a strange and unusual little mall located in the heart of Chinatown at the southwest corner of Spadina and Dundas. It was built in the 1980's and there are parts of it that look that age. In the lobby there are bubble waffle kiosks and I believe a bubble tea kiosk. The basement has a pet shop. The main level has an unusual combination of shops. Among them: a Dairy Queen/Orange Julius, a Chinese book store, a bubble tea kiosk, a jewelery store, an optical, and a few restaurants. The second floor is mostly restaurants and an arcade like place that has those claw machines where you can win stuffed animals. The washrooms are on the second floor and are super filthy. I would avoid the washrooms unless it's an extreme emergency. The third floor is mostly medical and dental offices. I also heard that there is a dim sum restaurant on the "top floor" but I have never actually seen it (however, I have never gone looking for it). This place was the Bee's knees when it first opened, but now it's lost its former glory. The optical there (Fashion Optical) is actually quite good and I was buying my glasses there for over 20 years until I found an optician that I like and trust in Ottawa (where I now live). They have some really nice looking frames and the owner, Mr. Chan, is a hoot. Anyway, the mall is worth a walkthrough to experience the unusual-ness. read more

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Old looking Chinatown type mall with hidden gems!!! (Not your typical shopping mall). Literally what I call a halfway point between the beginning of Chinatown before hitting all the Vietnamese PHO places! AND the beginning of Kensington Market!! Through the side street and you'll discover a whole area of good eats!!! Mexican + Jamaican + Tibet + Doughnut! Gem 1: Egg Waffle lady!!! (This alone earned it 4 stars. My favorite street snack!) She has a line. Always. $3.50 CAD for 1, 2 for $6 CAD. The center is moist and fluffy, edges are crispy. Deliciousness in every bite. Gem 2: Get your Taiwanese dessert fix at Sugar Marmalade! Entrance is through the mall. Gem 3: Get your fried juicy dumplings!! Gem 4: Cute shop to buy some "Pokémon" plushies for kids or some souvenirs for friends! Gem 5: free Restrooms! Down one flight to the lower level or go upstairs! So you don't need to force yourselves to "eat somewhere just for the bathroom break". read more

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A mall with half of their life drained out of it. Almost all the stores and restaurants inside were empty or abandoned. The only thing promising was the small food stand out front selling waffles with a line of people. The waffles were sweet and had a slight crunch to it. It's a shame that this place is located in a dead mall. This place is the definition of a hole in the wall or hidden gem restaurant. Would probably come here again just for the waffles read more

This a small mall but has some great gems. There's an older woman that makes Hong Kong egg bubble waffles and they are delicious. They also make fish balls and milk tea. Definitely stop by the next time I'm in the area. read more

When I walked in this mall, I thought I was in China. The depressing, pale white walls and dark atmosphere almost reflects a hospital; I guess this is a dragon city for you. I came here after a long walk from Downtown and wanted to finally sit down after a rough walk in the rain with my sandals on. It was quite an afternoon to begin with. The entrance of this mall is quite appealing with the high ceiling and the egg pancakes stand. I got a little hungry so I decided to grab some egg pancakes. The lady doesn't have change. Are. you. serious. On to the inside.. it's a really dull mall and the quietness made me really sleepy, I almost knocked out on the bench. The upside of this place is its free wi-fi, which is a rarity at Chinese malls. I don't even think there is much to do at this mall than for the elderly to just wait for their meds, so it seems. Surprisingly, the elderly here are extremely polite...after they elbowed me, probably because I don't "fit in." The only appeal is the pretty gift shop on the left but the boss lady is extremely tyrant with her staff--it is exactly glamorous on the outside and ugly on the inside. Not ideal for a tourist to come in, unless you're really tired and need to hog some wi-fi. read more

What an awkward little mall. Karaoke, Dim Sum restaurants, odds and ends shops I don't get, and of course a Dairy Queen make up this bizarre bazaar of Chinese tricks. I'm not one of those people that hates Chinatown. In fact, I love buying party odds and ends, vegetables and blindly ordering snails off of menus while indulging in cold tea. But this mall is like a sterile insane asylum lined with stores that just don't. make. sense. PEPPER'S PISSED at the mailman. When a package is missed it's sent to the basement of this place. read more

Dragon City - Shopping Centers Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I haven't been by here in years but somehow managed to come by twice in the last few months. I've never really liked this mall as there seems to be a lot of just odd stores. The escalators aren't always working and the place is not the cleanliest. The restaurant upstairs isn't good. I didn't have a chance to go to the basement food court but there used to be some gems there. There is a better asian mall down the street but that one is slightly better only because it's slightly cleaner and a lot larger. read more

This mall is a landmark of Chinatown, mostly for the flashy sign on top, and it now has a sign that proclaims the coming of Dragon Condos so that seems promising. My local pickup Canada Post location is inside as well as a DQ/Orange Julius beside it on the main street level. In the basement is a cool aquarium store called Downtown Pet Center. Being a hub in Chinatown there is a lot of socializing going on. Above the mall toward the west there are some condos. It's nice to see a couple little new restaurants opening up along Dundas in the mall at street level making them seem off the beaten bath of Chinatown and more a part of the Alexandra Park neighbourhood. Dragon City can be considered an unassuming neighbourhood mall with personality and that's fine with me. read more

Dragon City - New resto outside on Dundas. - Shopping Centers Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Dragon city has some highlights. For a yummy dessert get a freshly made custard cake or have fish balls for lunch with their yummy sauce.

Strip mall... like other strip malls I've seen before. Small businesses inside on about three low levels - selling all sorts of clothing, odds, and ends all crammed together. It does offer free Wi-Fi, reasonably priced and easy parking, and has restrooms, despite it's outdated strip mall look. read more

The only good thing about this mall it has the better Minerva Owl(Korean Restaurant) out of any locations, it has Dairy Queen, Rogers, Pet Shop bottom floor, one bootleg video store(some anime section), and some nice stores. Overall, it's ok, just needs more good stuff to the mall. read more

Free wifi. That's all you need to know about this place. Oh and the egg puff stand here is better than most. read more

There is FREE WIFI in Dragon City!! There is not too much to Dragon City. It is pretty much a landmark in the centre of downtown chinatown. From the outside there is a large tv screen on top of the building. It is also constantly decorated with various advertisements. I think the coolest was when it was changed into a Duracell battery at one point. They used to have a pet store in the basement I don't know if it is still available. You can take a look around if you waiting for someone and need to kill time. Otherwise, the basement is pretty much dead. Upstairs you can check out the bubble capsule machines. You can also buy your cute Sanio plushies (but you can buy these anywhere) and origami paper here in the little shop upstairs. The main floor has the eye glass store I go to and a general store where you can pick up trinkets. Last thing is the entrance of dragon city is always fragrant due to the waffle stand. They are not cheap, but they do taste and smell good. read more

A staple in the Chinese community but not much to do besides a quick look around. The centre is pretty empty and you can browse all the stores in 15 minutes. I've been coming here since I was a toddler and it holds many me,oriels for me but I don't recall ever buying anything from any if the stores beyond a bottle of water. Highlights of the centre include the waffles made in the lobby and the mom and pop shops. Good for a quick browse when you're in the neighborhood. read more

Yep, this mall is dreary and ain't much to look at but they have a great Ultrasound and Xray clinic on the third floor. Surroundings may be simple and spartan, but their technicians are skilled and sweet-natured. This goes a long way when it comes to mammograms and other tests. I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes for any procedure, walk-in or otherwise. And it's down the hall from the Bloodwork Clinic which is pretty much empty mid-day, so that's the best time to go. You can be in and out of both places in a heartbeat. Love it! Too bad the clinic doesn't show up in a search here, would love to give them a proper shoutout without having to piggyback on Dragon City's page. read more

Check out the book shop on the left of the mall (1st floor) they've got cheat books for getting your G1/M1. I remember how silly I thought it was, but the questions and answers are the exact ones I got tested on way back when. read more

Dragon City - Can't leave.Dragon city without this delicious treat. - Shopping Centers Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Was here over Chinese New Year and was very excited to try my favourite HK snack foods: curry fish balls and egg waffle balls. Although it satiated my hunger the fish balls were bathed in a bath or peppers and not curry and the stall across for egg waffle balls were soggy. read more

Whatever happens, do not use the washroom here. If emergency, run, i literally mean, RUN, down the street to Chinatown Centre (around 10 min walk or in this case, running would probably be less than 5 mins) instead. The washroom at dragon city is nastyyyyy and also, the mall itself is kind of creepy. read more

Awesome mall in the Chinatown core with THE most fun karaoke experience I've had with legitimately the BEST chicken wings I've ever had. Think sweet sticky PERFECTLY CRISPY but soooo tender and juicy inside. 10/10 will go back read more

This place is a very VERY awkward little mall. The nice air conditioning and free wifi make up for it, though. Being a tourist in a different country, finding free wifi that actually worked was like striking gold. read more

I used to like this mall a lot more but it has since lost its appeal. The stores are dull and not much to buy inside. Even the curry fish ball stand at the front isn't as good as it used to be. The pet store in the basement is interesting if you are from the US... they sell piranhas. But if you want to visit a better chinese mall I would recommend taking the 15 min drive down to the Pacific mall. read more

Several times I be to Dragon City mall I find this mall is very dirty they need to update the mall and the washroom. They should make a bigger mall all in one not having dragon mall and chinatown mall which it does not make sense. read more

I mostly just come here for the pet shop in the basement- AWESOME aquarium and fish selection, all kinds of beautiful fish and the most gorgeous betta fish I've ever seen. Very friendly staff, too, and excellent prices on supplies and fish food. And the fish are all healthy and active, unlike half the big chain petshops I've been too. The rest of the mall is pretty meh. The waffle bar in the entrance smells fantastic but I've yet to buy anything from it, namely because I can't read the signs at all. The gift shop and its outdoor table setup is an interesting look, but don't linger- the salesladies are REALLY pushy. That said, for the year of the snake, that being my own sign and favourite animal, I bought some adorable tassels of snakes with coins in their mouths. Not good for sitting in due to its one bench, right by the gift shop (and it has those balloon things that keep playing obnoxious chimey music)... kind of a shame, since every time I've been there, I walked the rest of Chinatown or Queen Street beforehand and would love a place to sit a few minutes. The clothing shops look interesting, but I've never bought. Not sure if they'd cater to a curvy size ten woman, knowing how small Chinese clothes tend to run. There's also a large store of Chinese movies (can't speak a word of Mandarin or Cantonese aside from reading some characters, sooo, no point on me going in there). Also a hair salon in the basement, as a precaution I'd avoid it if you're white/don't speak Chinese because it appears to largely cater to asians and I've never heard any english in it. They do offer Japanese hair straightening, apparently, though. Several other shops I've only casually looked at, so those are all that stick out in my mind. The snack vendor tables near the entrance (at least on weekends, never been there on a weekday) have an awesome variety of Japanese snacks, but the man's pretty hard to understand. Unless you're fine with less-than-pleasant restrooms or REALLY have to go, avoid it. It's not very clean (though I've seen worse) and they have a "Don't steal t.p. or soap" sign in it... Also, pretty koi pond and waterfall on the basement level. The fish always seem to be playing follow the leader. read more