Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities on earth, and that diversity makes it one of the great, if underrated, food cities in North America — a place where you can eat your way around the world without leaving the city. The strength here is breadth and authenticity rather than a single signature cuisine. Here's how to eat in Toronto.
The global mosaic. Toronto's food is defined by its immigrant communities, and the best eating is often in the neighborhoods. Chinatown (and the city's several Chinatowns, plus the Chinese food in suburbs like Markham and Scarborough) offers superb dim sum and regional Chinese. Greektown (the Danforth) is lined with Greek tavernas. Little Italy and Little Portugal, Koreatown, Little India (Gerrard Street), the Caribbean, Ethiopian, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Middle Eastern communities — all have outstanding, authentic food. Exploring this is the heart of eating in Toronto, and it's often affordable and casual.
St. Lawrence Market and the peameal sandwich. The historic St. Lawrence Market is a food-lover's must — dozens of vendors selling fresh and prepared foods, perfect for grazing. The signature local bite is the peameal bacon sandwich (cornmeal-crusted back bacon on a bun), a Toronto original most famously found at the market. It's the closest thing to a hometown dish.
Kensington Market. This bohemian, multicultural neighborhood is a grazing paradise — global street food, indie cafés, cheese and spice shops, empanadas, tacos, and more packed into a few walkable blocks. Wandering and snacking your way through Kensington is one of the best food experiences in the city.
The dining scene. Beyond the ethnic neighborhoods, Toronto has a sophisticated restaurant scene — acclaimed fine dining, inventive modern Canadian cuisine, a strong farm-to-table movement drawing on Ontario's produce, excellent brunch culture, and lively dining districts (King West, Ossington, Queen West, the east side). The craft-beer and cocktail scenes are strong, and Ontario's nearby wine country (Niagara, Prince Edward County) supplies excellent wines, including ice wine.
How to plan. Target the experiences rather than a fixed list: a dim sum lunch in Chinatown, a Greektown or Little Italy dinner, a graze through St. Lawrence Market and Kensington, the peameal sandwich, and one ambitious modern-Canadian meal. Be adventurous and venture into the neighborhoods (and even the multicultural suburbs) for the most authentic food. In Toronto, the diversity is the delight — come hungry and explore.
