In a city of over 9,000 restaurants, even die hard local foodies can't possibly eat everything in Toronto.
So how does a food lover go about curating a holiday in the Canadian metropolis that covers as many bases as possible?
Well, the first thing is, you have to accept that you can't do it all...but you're going to have a delicious time trying.
Considered Canada's premiere food city, Toronto has long been known for its range of cuisines and restaurant styles and price points. The sixth North American city to join the Michelin Guide, Toronto's first edition of stars, recommendations, and picks from the esteemed publication was the first in Canada to launch, back in 2022 (delayed by two years due to the pandemic, to boot).
From Michelin stars to markets
Still, Toronto is also a city known for its casual foods from around the world, thanks to its immigrant population. Take the beef patty, for example: savoury meat inside a distinctly golden yellow pastry pocket so significant to the city's culinary and cultural identity it became a political––and pop culture––moment.
There's no better place to get a sense of how diverse Toronto is than to stroll the colourful bohemian Kensington Market, packed with food businesses selling everything from tacos to takoyaki and gelato to jerk chicken.
But market culture goes even deeper at St Lawrence Market, the cherished food hall home to some of the city's most beloved longstanding vendors of classic local eats and ingredients, like the peameal-style bacon sandwich and Montreal bagels, plus pasta, pastries, and pasteis de nata.
Vancouverites will immediately understand that St Lawrence Market is Toronto's equivalent to Granville Island's Public Market. Both thrive in repurposed buildings, though St Lawrence has us beat when it comes to tenure: the market has been in the vicinity, though not in the exact building, since the early 19th century.
Food tours: St Lawrence Market and Distillery District
Now home to 120 vendors in the south market alone, those keen to learn about classic Canadian and Torontonian foods should take a guided tour in order to focus on some market highlights and neighbourhood history. Secret Food Tours offers a three-hour walking tour that includes four St Lawrence Market stops and two about a kilometre down the road at the Distillery District.
The Secret Food Tour is ideal for those who need a comprehensive intro to Canadian classics, with a couple of Toronto food superstars sprinkled in. Limited to just a dozen participants, the journey of delicious discovery includes lots of history tidbits about the city and the chance to cut the line at some of the Market's most popular stalls. The quantity of food spread out over the half-dozen stops makes for great value and some vendors make it easy to take your portion or leftovers to go.
Learn the backstory of Toronto's iconic pork breakfast sandwich (and why one of the St Lawrence Market's top vendors borrows from British children's storytelling for its signature suggested condiment) before feasting on a TikTok viral colourful pasta dish from a staple stand.
The Distillery District is a prime example of Toronto doing a great job at repurposing unused and historic facilities. Opened in 2003, the 47 buildings that comprised the former Gooderham & Worts Distillery were transformed into a hub for arts, culture, and food. Live music fills the plazas, colourful art abounds, and businesses welcome locals and visitors to enjoy all they have to offer. (Even my 11-year-old said astutely "Gastown should be like this!" and I'd have to agree.)
While you will complete your food tour here, you should plan to spend some time at the Distillery District regardless. It's home to Toronto's premiere chocolatier, Soma, which has a gorgeous collection of bars, truffles, and treats, plus seasonal gelato. Food lovers will appreciate the Distillery District's selection of snacks, meals, and drinks, from ice cream to tapas and coffee shops to cocktails.
Coffee and treats galore
Unsurprisingly, Toronto is spoiled for choice when it comes to local coffee brands and where to get a sweet treat.
Coffee is serious business in Toronto, which is brimming with options for beans and brews. Milky's, Fahrenheit, Pilot, Neo, Dineen, Found, Sam James, Fika, Subtext, Ethica, Arvo...for a caffeinated topic, contemplating options is exhausting. Turn any corner and you could wind up at a great café, which was how I landed at Hale Coffee, which has a beautiful location at 1 Adelaide, for a nice flat white to fuel a big walk around downtown sights one morning.
Similarly, ask anyone who lives in Toronto where to get the best ice cream and the loyalties come out hard. One of the top contenders is often Bang Bang, which draws a line at its tiny Ossington Avenue scoop shop and bakery. (Incidentally, its new next door neighbour is about to be Vancouver's own Lunch Lady Vietnamese restaurant.)
Bang Bang is run by a sibling duo and is a true boutique ice cream shop, with rotating and staple flavours that make the most of seasonal, regional ingredients with a strong Asian influence (and perhaps a dose of nostalgia). Order by the cup, cone, or sandwich, and expect scoops like Niagara Cherry with "Milk Jam," Cinnamon Toast, Lychee Rosewater Raspberry, Roasted Pineapple Custard, or Totoro (ube and coconut).
Those willing to brave yet another line may enjoy Mizzica's gelato. It's open late, so its corner spot on Queen Street West at John makes it a great go-to if you've been at a concert or show down on King Street's "theatre row." That said, the line and spring chill proved too daunting for my travel companion (a very tired kid) so we had to pass it up, with regrets.
Casual eats from around the globe
When it comes to meals, Vancouverites should feel right at home in Toronto. That's largely because the volume of chain restaurants is staggering. Not only are there some venerable Canadian brands that have a significant presence in Toronto (you know the usual suspects) but there are also some Vancouver-born restaurants that are making a name for themselves there, like the aforementioned Lunch Lady and spots like Hello Nori, Giovane Caffe, and Freehouse Collective concepts like Ballyhoo.
Though many a downtown block features a sprawling icon of "upscale casual" Canadian chain dining, the city is absolutely loaded with indie options (or, at least Toronto restaurant groups that haven't expanded to Vancouver).
On the more casual side, a spot like Campechano has earned its rep over the last decade as a "no fuss" Mexican restaurant with its generously loaded tacos built with ingredients that meet its whole animal ethos and emphasis on rich flavours. Tacos take the spotlight here (a pair of them with a drink, some chips and guac and you are stuffed and satisfied) and come in house-made tortillas using heirloom Mexican corn.
Tender pork carnitas, sweet and spicy al pastor, or juicy lamb barbacoa are among the taco options on offer (alongside several vegetarian fillings) and the Campechano menu also includes quesadillas and a quartet of build-your-own birria tacos with consommé (the traditional broth dip).
The Adelaide location of the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand pick has a terrific patio, too, and plenty nearby to see while you're walking off your taco feast.
Brunch is a respected ritual in Toronto, but you are going to need to plan to wait in line, as several of the city's favourite spots don't take reservations. That's the case with Maha's, an east side classic known for its Egyptian brunch.
Never had an Egyptian-style morning meal? No worries. Mark Wahba, who works the floor of the packed house-like dining room of his family's restaurant with ease and charm, will walk anyone through the menu, which has enough tempting options to make you wonder if two of you can justify ordering about a half-dozen brunch plates: Grilled cheese with dates, falafel wrapped around soft-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs with spiced beef...you might have to bring some dice to roll or close your eyes and just point.
In the end, it was Wahba's description of the long simmering process of the traditional Egyptian foole that won me over. It's a plate blanketed in Maha's take on the creamy bean stew topped with two runny golden-yolked sunny side up eggs served with tender bread you'll want to use to scoop up your bites. Add a few pieces of a refreshing veggie salad and you've got a balanced breakfast, made even better with the addition of Maha's popular Honey Cardamom Latte, too.
There are no pancakes here, but if you're craving something sweet (and dates in your scrambled eggs or grilled cheese isn't enough), the Sakalance is like a mix-and-match dream. Your plate comes mapped out with halawa (a sesame paste confection with a fudge-like texture), clotted cream, fruit preserves, and Egyptian sugar cane molasses, with warm balady (Egyptian flatbread) to rip and scoop with.
Maha's is the venture of chef Maha Basoom, who runs the Michelin Guide-endorsed restaurant with the help of her son, Mark, and daughter, Monika, the latter having Top Chef Canada season 10 competitor on her resume. The room has a distinct homey feel, and the crew there go a long way to make each table feel at home.
High end dining: Lots to choose from in Michelin's first Canadian city
Speaking of TV's Top Chef Canada, the series has attracted plenty of Toronto talent, including Chef Carl Heinrich, who opened Richmond Station restaurant (with business partner Ryan Donovan) in 2012 before the series' second season aired. (Belated spoiler alert: Heinrich won.)
Known for its focus on seasonal and regional ingredients, natural wine program, and no tipping policy, Richmond Station has enjoyed much acclaim in its decade-plus tenure, often ranked as one of Canada's "top places to eat."
The menu has several bistro-style classics and calling card dishes, like a thick, hearty house burger, but the kitchen can also go gentle, with specials like mussels escabeche, or a well-balanced duo of duck with earthy roasted parsnips and lively fresh rhubarb.
For a further venture into fine dining territory, Toronto is home to just one Michelin Guide two-star restaurants, and a dozen one-star, the latter of which includes the spectacular Osteria Giulia.
Blink and you'll miss the sign (it's small lettering on the window of the narrow Avenue Road space, steps from the posh heart of Yorkville) but once you are in, you are likely to have an incredible experience of gracious hospitality and fantastic contemporary Italian fare.
Chef Rob Rossi's menu is a combination of Giulia staples and seasonal selections, including fresh pasta, elegant salads and antipasti, and larger mains. Start with a signature item like toasted Blackbird Bakery sourdough with a generous dollop of butter and slender, salty Cantabrian anchovies, but consider balancing the richness with the Insalata di Agrumi, a seasonal salad built on a base of creamy buffalo ricotta, with layers of snappy radicchio, sweet and juicy citrus, candied walnuts, and a snowfall of Pecorino Canestrato cheese.
The Tagliolini al Granchio made for a beautifully follow, presented as a glorious and tangled mound of thin pasta ribbons tossed with wild snow crab, smoked bottarga with sherry, citrus bergamot and chives.
Osteria Giulia is also known for its desserts, in particular the Millefoglie, which is puff pastry layered with tropical fruit cream, which is as beautiful as it is delicious. Coffee lovers will like the espresso-forward tiramisu, which is deconstructed and decadent.
Come hungry, stay curious
Toronto offers a staggering culinary sprawl, but as a Vancouverite, that assures delicious discoveries. The city’s food scene is as dynamic as its population: From vibrant market stalls to sophisticated elegance, the city rewards adventurous palates and open minds.
Frankly, the only real strategy for eating your way through Toronto is to come hungry and stay curious. No matter where you end up dining, chances are you’ll already be planning your next visit before you’ve even boarded the plane home to Vancouver.
Thanks to Destination Toronto for facilitating a portion of the meals and activities mentioned above. All opinions and inclusions are those of the author and were based solely on personal experience. None of the businesses or entities featured were granted any previews of the story before publication or paid to be mentioned.
š½ Find more delicious Metro Vancouver food and drink video stories by following V.I.A's Forking Awesome on TikTok and Instagram, and signing up for our Forking Awesome newsletter š¬ delivered fresh to your inbox every Thursday.
