Toronto’s diverse population makes for incredible food flavours from around the world. If you’re looking for Korean, Jamaican, Mexican, or even Norwegian food — Toronto has it all. And Canadian food too!
St. Lawrence Market
For over two hundred years, the St. Lawrence market has been the culinary beacon for Toronto. In 2012 National Geographic ranked it as the best of the world’s Top 10 Food Markets. Carousel Bakery‘s Peameal Bacon Sandwich is easily regarded as the best one of its kind in the city; Buster’s Sea Cove is the go-to place for seafood with its generous lobster rolls; Uno Mustachio is the king of the veal sandwich, and it has been serving the good stuff since 1984; St. Urbain Bagel is the best Montreal-style bagels you’ll get outside of Montreal.
Kensington Market
Kensington Market is one of Toronto’s most eclectic neighbourhoods, with tons of art and vintage shops to explore. One notable feature of the market’s charm has to be the abundance of restaurants. The tacos at Seven Lives are an elite experience that can’t be missed; Rasta Pasta is an experience to remember with their blending of Italian and Jamaican food; the fried chicken waffle sandwich The Dirty Bird is a must; for a juicy burger, Ozzy’s has been favored by the likes of Jason Momoa; reservations might be hard to come by at Michelin Guide Grey Gardens. Finally, Hawker is an upscale spot for plant-based small plates.
Downtown
Toronto’s Downtown is where you’ll find the finest restaurants in Toronto. PAI serves some of the best Thai food in the city; Canada’s 100 Best has deemed Alo to be Canada’s Best Restaurant for 2 years in a row; Richmond Station has a seasonal menu with the freshest and finest ingredients in town; Canoe is a 54th-floor restaurant with impressive views inside and out; Leña serves South American cuisine with Spanish influences; The Chase is a rooftop restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, and dishes are a tight mix of pasta and meaty plates classics;
Ossington Street
Ossington Avenue is a hub of all things savory. As you walk up and down the street, every storefront you see is a little culinary world of its own. Bellwoods Brewery focuses on using local ingredients… and then there’s also the beer; Pizza Libretto is a favourite for quality Neapolitan-style pizzas; Vietnamese Pho Tien Thanh serves some of the best Pho you can find in the city; the fantastic Foxley is a cozy bistro serving contemporary pan-Asian plates meant for sharing; Côte de Boeuf is Toronto’s local bistro bar serving locally sourced beef butchered and hand sawed in-house; Reposado Bar is THE place in the city for tequila and mezcal
Fancy a Poutine?
It’s the quintessential Canadian fast food, it’s not Toronto without poutine, a blending of fries, cheese curds, and gravy. You can find poutine at almost every burger joint or pub/bar in Toronto really, but among the best spots are the Smokes Poutinerie, a chain with several locations in the city; the fantastic NomNomNom, located in a row of shipping containers at 707 Dundas Street West; Sneaky Dees, an iconic dive bar; Fresco’s Fish and Chips at Kensington Market.
World Gastronomy
ITALIAN
Terroni is a Torontonian staple for Italian culinary, with multiple locations on Adelaide, Queen, Yonge (Summerhill), and a variety of cousin locations like the Sud Forno;
Sugo serves the best lasagna in town; the ultimate casual Italo-Canadian ambience;
La Palma is kinda fancy, but it’s a top destination for Italian AND gorgeous cocktails;
MIDDLE EASTERN/PERSIAN
Fat Pasha is an absolute gem of Israeli/Middle Eastern food close to Casa Loma;
Pomegranate for excellent Iranian food (especially stews);
CHINESE
Mother Dumplings is Chinatown’s premier restaurant for dumplings, fried or steamed;
R&D is a perfect representation of high-end modern Canadian Chinese cuisine;
Rol San has served all-day dim sum for more than three decades!;
MORE ASIAN
Daldongnae is probably the best Korean BBQ restaurant in…Korean Town;
Khao San Road, Pad Thai is absolutely local, with a chef from Bangkok;
Pho Tien Thanh serves some of the best Pho you can find in the city;
AFRICAN
Lalibela restaurant serves Ethiopian favorites like lamb, chicken and vegetarian options;
Discover Toronto Like a Local 