10 Things to Eat in Toronto and Where

Vanessa Korovina

Updated: 14 August 2025 ·
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What to Eat in Toronto

Canadian cuisine is a mix of traditions and recipes from different populations, with French, Scottish, and Italian influences, and now in Toronto you can find restaurants serving food from all over the world, with some dishes that have also become local favorites.Let's discover together what are the 10 things to eat in Toronto.

1 - Poutine

spicy smoked bacon poutine
spicy smoked bacon poutine

It is a typical dish of Canada, not just the city of Toronto, and consists of crispy fries topped with cheddar cheese and plenty of hot gravy.It's a true comfort food, beloved for the contrast of textures and flavors: the crispiness of the fries perfectly complements the creaminess of the gravy and the softness of the slightly melted cheese. Today, you can also find it with some variations, which may include smoked meat, mushrooms, or even foie gras. Here in Toronto, you can even find it with the famous Canadian Bacon, also known as Peameal Bacon.This recipe originated in the 1950s in small diners in Quebec and quickly spread across the country, becoming one of the symbols of Canadian cuisine.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $5.00
  • Main ingredients potatoes, oil, gravy, cheddar cheese

2 - Peameal Bacon Sandwich

peameal bacon sandwich 1
Photo by Leventio.

The Peameal Bacon Sandwich is the most beloved street food, consisting of a sandwich made with slices of unsmoked Canadian bacon, also known as Peameal Bacon. The bacon slices are soaked in brine and coated with cornmeal, then grilled until golden brown and crispy on the outside. They are then served in a soft kaiser roll, often accompanied by mustard.This sandwich was created in the early 1900s by William Davies, a butcher in Toronto, and is now a must-try specialty of the city, with the St. Lawrence Market being the iconic place to sample it.

  • Recommended for anytime
  • Average cost $7.00
  • Main ingredients Canadian bacon, bread, mustard

3 - Tourtière

warm tourtiere 1
Photo by Craig Dugas.

Tourtière is a traditional Canadian savory pie, a meat pie wrapped in a golden, flaky crust, filled with a mixture that varies by region and family traditions. Common ingredients include ground pork, beef, or veal, seasoned with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, giving it a warm, inviting aroma. Some versions also include potatoes for a firmer texture.It is typically prepared during Christmas and other special occasions, but it can now be found almost any time of the year.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $5.00
  • Main ingredients ground pork, beef or veal, pie crust, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg

4 - Canadian Cheese Soup

cheddar cheese soup
cheddar cheese soup

Canadian Cheese Soup is a creamy and flavorful cheese soup. It is popular throughout the country, but it is particularly associated with cheese-producing provinces, including Ontario, of which Toronto is the capital.This soup is made with cheddar cheese, milk or cream, and broth, often enhanced with ingredients like onions, celery, carrots, and sometimes beer, which gives it an even deeper flavor. With its velvety consistency, it's perfect to enjoy with toasted bread or crackers.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $8.00
  • Main ingredients cheddar cheese, milk, broth, onions, celery, carrots

5 - Canadian Style Pizza

pizza food snack brown pizza 1
pizza food snack brown pizza 1

Canada and Toronto have also created their own pizza: Canadian Style Pizza, which reflects the typical flavors and ingredients of Canada, to try if you want to explore new tastes.What sets it apart are the toppings, such as the must-have Peameal Bacon, the typical Canadian bacon, and in some cases even maple syrup, another key ingredient in Canadian cuisine.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $15.00
  • Main ingredients flour, water, tomato, cheese

6 - Bagel

bagel with salmon 1
bagel with salmon 1

Canadian bagels are made with a slightly sweeter dough compared to the American version, and are boiled in water with honey before being baked in wood-fired ovens, giving them a golden, slightly crispy crust while keeping the inside dense and soft. Among the most popular flavors are those topped with sesame or poppy seeds.As for the filling, one of the most common is that which uses Canadian salmon, a true Canadian delicacy, with a particularly intense color and soft, flavorful meat.

  • Recommended for anytime
  • Average cost $10.00
  • Main ingredients flour, water, yeast, sugar, salt, honey, Canadian salmon

7 - Jamaican Beef Patties

jamaican beef patty
Photo by Jason Lam.

Toronto is a cosmopolitan and multicultural city, and this is also reflected in its cuisine, as one of the locals' favorite dishes is Jamaican Beef Patties, a dish originating from Jamaica.Jamaican Beef Patties are a type of pastry made with a golden, crispy crust that encloses a rich filling of ground beef, flavored with spices like curry, pepper, onion, and garlic. It may be a distant relative of the Tourtière but in street food form. With a strong, spicy flavor, the filling is often enriched with ingredients like peppers or peas.

  • Recommended for anytime
  • Average cost $5.00
  • Main ingredients flour, butter, water, salt, ground beef, curry, pepper, onion and garlic

8 - Bannock

bannock camping bread 1
bannock camping bread 1

Among all the recipes and dishes you can discover in Toronto, there's also a truly ancient recipe that tells the story of the country: we're talking about bannock, a type of traditional bread from Indigenous peoples in Canada.It's a simple bread, made with just a few basic ingredients like flour, water, and yeast, but it can also be enriched with sugar, salt, butter, or animal fat. There are various versions of bannock; some are cooked on a grill, others in the oven, while some are fried for a crispier exterior and soft interior. It is still very popular in Canada, served as a side to savory or sweet dishes, and is often prepared as a symbol of tradition and togetherness.Historically, this specialty of bread was prepared by Indigenous communities during long days of travel or hunting, due to its ease of preparation and preservation.

  • Recommended for anytime
  • Average cost $2.00
  • Main ingredients flour, water and yeast, sugar, salt, butter

9 - Pancakes with Maple Syrup

breakfast meal sweet pancakes fruit maple 1
breakfast meal sweet pancakes fruit maple 1

Maple syrup is one of the most iconic ingredients of Canada, famous around the world for its sweet and rich flavor, derived from the sap of maple trees.Maple syrup, thick and amber-colored, is perfect for pancakes. This combination of warm pancakes and maple syrup is a classic Canadian breakfast dish, loved by all. Pancakes are usually served with a generous amount of maple syrup poured over them, but they can also be enriched with butter, fresh fruit, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.The production of maple syrup is an ancient Canadian tradition, dating back to Indigenous peoples, who taught European settlers how to gather sap and turn it into syrup.

  • Recommended for breakfast, snack
  • Average cost $8.00
  • Main ingredients maple syrup, flour, milk, eggs, butter, fresh fruit, sugar

10 - Butter Tarts

butter tarts canada
Photo by Kaarina Dillabough.

Finally, we conclude with a typical Canadian dessert that will make you fall in love: we're talking about Butter Tarts.These are small tarts with a flaky, buttery crust, filled with a sweet and sticky mixture of butter, sugar, the inevitable maple or corn syrup, eggs, and vanilla. The filling, which can vary from a soft to a denser consistency, is often enriched with nuts, like pecans or butter nuts, for a crunchy contrast. Mainly popular in Ontario and Quebec provinces, they are a must-try.

  • Recommended for anytime
  • Average cost $2.00
  • Main ingredients flour, butter, sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup, eggs, vanilla, nuts

Where to Eat in Toronto: Best Restaurants, Local Spots, and Street Food

toronto signage near buildings under white clouds 1
toronto signage near buildings under white clouds 1

In Toronto, you can find restaurants featuring local and international cuisine: even though we are in the north of America, Caribbean dishes have also made their way here, as well as offerings from around the globe. Surely, the classic Canadian dishes like poutine, tourtière, and the Peameal Bacon Sandwich are great options for a quick lunch.In the city, one of the best places to eat is the markets: the St. Lawrence Market is Toronto's most famous market, but don't miss the Kensington Market in the eponymous neighborhood or the Wellington Market. In Chinatown, you will find plenty of Chinese restaurants, while Downtown has wonderful panoramic restaurants. Lastly, keep in mind that people eat dinner early in Toronto, starting around 6:30 PM, and some kitchens close by 9:30 PM.

1 - St. Lawrence Market

  • Description the most famous market in Toronto, a true paradise for food lovers
  • Specialty Peameal Bacon Sandwich
  • Average price from $10.00 per person
  • Address Lower Jarvis St - Get directions / Tel: +14163927219

2 - 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower

  • Description the wonderful restaurant on the CN Tower, with Canadian cuisine and an incredible view of the city
  • Specialty Ontario Pickerel and clams
  • Average price from $90.00 per person
  • Address 290 Bremner Blvd - Get directions / Tel: +14163625411

3 - Mill Street Brewpub

  • Description famous brewery in the heart of the Distillery District, great beers and pub dishes like burgers
  • Specialty burger Brewmaster's Smash
  • Average price from $30.00 per person
  • Address 21 Tank House Lane - Get directions / Tel: +14166810338

4 - Richmond Station

  • Description restaurant in the heart of Downtown, with refined dishes and high-quality ingredients, Canadian cuisine
  • Specialty Fenwood Farms Organic Chicken
  • Average price from $60.00 per person
  • Address 1 Richmond St W - Get directions / Tel: +16477481444

5 - Smoke's Poutinerie Spadina

  • Description a place specializing in poutine, with many versions to suit all tastes
  • Specialty poutine
  • Average price from $10.00 per person
  • Address 457 Spadina Ave - Get directions / Tel: +14165911622

6 - Kensington Market

  • Description market in the heart of Kensington, with street food, international cuisine, and events
  • Specialty street food
  • Average price from $10.00 per person
  • Address +14163231924 - Get directions / Tel: +14163231924

7 - Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen

  • Description very popular Jamaican restaurant in the city, with flavors and dishes from Jamaican cuisine
  • Specialty Likkle Homemade Patties
  • Average price from $30.00 per person
  • Address 104 Portland St - Get directions / Tel: +14167928105

8 - The Fourth Man in the Fire Pizzeria

  • Description pizzeria in the heart of the city, where you can try different flavors of pizza, even unique ones
  • Specialty Canadian style pizza
  • Average price from $25.00 per person
  • Address 832 Dundas St W - Get directions / Tel: +14167923473

9 - Wellington Market

  • Description food court where you can find everything, from places with ready meals to fresh product shops
  • Specialty street food
  • Average price from $10.00 per person
  • Address 486 Front St W Lower Ground Level - Get directions / Tel: +14162037777

10 - The Burgernator

  • Description popular burger joint among the locals, also serves excellent poutine
  • Specialty burgers
  • Average price from $15.00 per person
  • Address 269 Augusta Ave - Get directions / Tel: +16477480990

11 - Sweetie Pie

  • Description small and charming bakery in the Distillery District, where you can taste different butter tarts
  • Specialty butter tarts
  • Average price from $10.00 per person
  • Address 6 Case Goods Lane - Get directions / Tel: +16472453301

12 - Avenue Open Kitchen

  • Description diner specializing in fast dishes, such as sandwiches and paninis
  • Specialty Peameal Bacon Sandwich
  • Average price from $10.00 per person
  • Address 7 Camden St - Get directions / Tel: +14165047131

13 - Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House

  • Description café specializing in breakfast and brunch, with pancakes and many different choices
  • Specialty pancakes with maple syrup
  • Average price from $15.00 per person
  • Address 394 Queen St W - Get directions / Tel: +14165047474

14 - Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar

  • Description vegetarian and vegan restaurant, with many plant-based options
  • Specialty fresh bowls
  • Average price from $20.00 per person
  • Address 47 Front St E - Get directions / Tel: +16476937556

15 - Amsterdam Brewhouse

  • Description famous brewery at Harbourfront, excellent beers and typical pub dishes
  • Specialty Amsterdam Good Chicken Sandwich
  • Average price from $30.00 per person
  • Address 245 Queens Quay W - Get directions / Tel: +14165041020