St. Lawrence Market Toronto: The City's Greatest Food Market

St. Lawrence Market has been at the heart of Toronto's food culture since 1803, making it one of the oldest continuously operating markets in Canada and one of the world's great food market experiences. National Geographic named it the world's best food market, and a visit confirms why — the South Market building overflows with more than 120 specialty vendors selling artisan cheese, cured meats, fresh fish, local produce, baked goods, and prepared foods from Toronto's extraordinary multicultural community. The North Market hosts a Saturday antiques and farmers market that draws devoted regulars from across the city.

The peameal bacon sandwich is the market's most iconic food — a distinctly Canadian sandwich of back bacon rolled in cornmeal, served on a fresh kaisser roll from Carousel Bakery, which has been in business here for decades. The queue at Carousel on Saturday mornings stretches around the building but moves quickly, and the sandwich is worth every minute of waiting. Beyond this local institution, the market's food vendors span the world: empanadas from a Colombian family, Korean kimchi made in-house, fresh pasta rolled to order, and half a dozen cheese shops competing for the title of best cheddar in the province.

The market's location at the eastern end of King Street West places it within walking distance of the Distillery District, the Financial District, and the waterfront. Weekend visits are an unmissable Toronto ritual for the city's residents and provide visitors with an authentic window into the city's identity as a proudly multicultural food capital. Come hungry, bring a reusable bag, and budget at least two hours to explore every vendor before sitting down to eat.