What is The St. Lawrence Market?
Since 1803, St. Lawrence Market has provided food from around the world in the center of historic Old Town Toronto. Today, it houses 200 vendors selling everything from local mustard to lobster to international cheeses and fresh pasta.
The South Market is housed in a massive turn-of-the-century brick building with a cast-iron ceiling inspired by London’s St. Pancras train station. It’s buzzing with restaurants, artisans and specialty food vendors; the Market Gallery hosts changing exhibits dedicated to Toronto’s art, culture and history; and the Market Kitchen hosts cooking classes. The North Market is home to Saturday farmer’s and Sunday antiques markets.
Is St. Lawrence Market worth visiting?
National Geographic declared it the “Best Food Market in the World,” in 2012, and while it’s likely been surpassed since then in their books, it’s worth a visit if you’re a fan of architecture and international gourmet goods.
For foodies and even non-foodies, St. Lawrence Market offers an enjoyable experience in a historic part of the city. Stop in for fresh seafood, kangaroo, cheeses from around the world, local wines, French baked goods, and Greek olive oil. There are also a number of artisan shops that sell jewelry and other crafts. St. Lawrence Market is filled with local grocery shopping, but tourists also come for the scene, as well as the well-known peameal bacon sandwich.
While you’re here for the food, note the architecture. The current main building was erected in 1902, and the Old City Hall, which dates back to 1845, was incorporated into it. You can see part of the original jail in the lower level of the market. There’s also The Market Kitchen, a cooking school and event space where you can take culinary classes or partake in special hands-on dinners that include shopping the market for ingredients.
What's the best way to see the St. Lawrence Market?
The best way to explore it is either a food tour with Culinary Adventure Co or a history tour with Bruce Bell.
What's good to eat in the St. Lawrence Market?
Carousel Bakery's Peameal Bacon Sandwich
If you eat pork, you can’t come to Toronto and not bite into the city’s famous peameal bacon sandwich. Peameal bacon is a type of back bacon made from lean boneless pork loin, which is wet-cured and rolled in cornmeal. Carousel Bakery's Peameal Bacon Sandwich is easily regarded as the best one of its kind in the city.
Locals arrive early to enjoy this “Home of the Oink” restaurant vying for a top peameal sandwich title as well with its Peameal Bacon on a Kaiser.
Hawking has all kinds of seafood since 1992, including fish and chips and lobster rolls; the food here is slightly greasy but mouth-wateringly good. Buster’s has been a mainstay at the market for several years, making it one of Toronto’s favorite St. Lawrence eateries. Always fresh and seasonal, you can get your fix of their signature seafood no matter the month. Their beloved lobster roll served with house fries or a salad is a must-try.
Unlike Montreal, Toronto can’t boast about its bagels, but St. Viateur gives Montreal a run for its money by baking beloved bagels with various cream cheeses, smoked salmon, etc.
Stock up with the best in cheeses, meats and olives here.
Speaking of Montreal…. This nod to Canada’s French side serves up delightful fresh crepes.
Popular Yip’s Kitchen has provided tasty Chinese food to St. Lawrence customers for years, so be prepared to wait in line if you go. Just know it’s worth the wait!
Go Greek at one of the best places for Greek food in Toronto. With tasty Greek omelets for breakfast and juicy roast lamb for lunch, this restaurant has no shortage of new things to try.