10 Best Food Tours of Toronto

The capital of Ontario is also famous for its culinary offerings, which are particularly varied. I'll tell you about the best tours you can take to discover the flavors of Toronto.
10 Best Food Tours of Toronto

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Toronto is not only famous for its skyscrapers and wide green spaces, but also for its culinary offer. The capital of Ontario, with its French and English influences combined with American tradition, has one of the best gastronomic circuits in the region, which you can discover on organized tours.

Among the best activities you can do in Toronto is to participate in a food tour, where you can learn about the dishes offered at the Kensington Market, visit the popular and bohemian neighborhood The Junction, take a craft beer tour, tour the Distillery District, taste the best donuts in the city and even go on a dinner cruise on Lake Ontario.

1. Kensington Market Food Tour

Kensington Market, Toronto|©Greg S
Kensington Market, Toronto|©Greg S

From exquisite artisanal cheeses to exotic spices and fresh seasonal produce, Kensington Market is a foodie's paradise. Offering gourmet delicacies, organic produce and international flavours, the stalls feature Toronto's eclectic mix of cultures, reflected in the diversity of food available, from fresh sushi to Mexican tacos and freshly baked pastries.

During your tour, you'll enjoy tastings ranging from small samples of fine cheeses to bites of ethnic dishes that will transport you to different corners of the world. You can also sample pastries at a local bakery, savor empanadas or be seduced by the aromas of exotic spices that fill the air.

This type of food tour is not only a culinary experience, but also a captivating journey through the flavors, smells and colors that make Kensington Market a gastronomic treasure in the heart of Toronto and place it as an unmissable stop on the best Toronto tours.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 67 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours and a half.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of the main sites of Toronto and immerse yourself in the multicultural offer that distinguishes the city.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: you will not have much free time to explore the market on your own.

Take a food tour of Kensington Market

2. Toronto Beer Tour

beer in Toronto|©cottonbro studio
beer in Toronto|©cottonbro studio

Toronto is not only about gastronomy, as this is a city with a long tradition as a distillery area, so you can also find some of the best beers in Canada. In these beer tours you will have the opportunity to tour the local craft scene and taste unique craft beers in an environment that combines the old and the new.

Gooderham & Worts, in the heart of the Distillery District, is one of Toronto's traditional breweries, and in addition to whiskey has also been dedicated to brewing beer. These tours usually include a stop at this site where you can do tastings and pair this traditional drink with some typical dishes.

Steam Whistle Brewery, located in an old train station, is another traditional brewery that will allow you to enjoy an authentic beer experience. There you can not only do tastings, but also discover the secrets of brewing the famous pilsner style beer.

During these tours, you will also have time to visit Queen Street West, the place that reflects Toronto's nightlife with its corridor of bars and where you can find a variety of breweries, ranging from the traditional Bellwoods Brewery to the modern Bar Hop Brewco.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 52 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: they are usually done in small groups of up to 12 people, so you will have a personalized experience.
  • Disadvantages of these excursions: although the tours include food tastings, if you want to have lunch or dinner you will have to do it at an extra cost.

Join a beer tour

3. Distillery District tour with beer tasting

Spirit Of York Hand Sanitizer|©Greg's Southern Ontario
Spirit Of York Hand Sanitizer|©Greg's Southern Ontario

If you want to take a food tour while getting lost in Toronto tradition, you can't miss the Distillery District. Here, history merges with contemporary innovation, on tours where you can do tastings and also learn the secrets behind the creation of handcrafted gins and vodkas.

Spirit of York is one of the most traditional distilleries in the district and the ideal place to try Canadian gin. There, in addition to exploring the facilities, you can also learn about the local history, which since the 19th century has been closely related to the distillation of alcoholic beverages.

Mill Street Brewery is also part of the traditional circuit, although it is mainly focused on the production of craft beer. Surrounded by old brick and cobblestone structures, this brewery offers a wide selection of unique beers that you can savor in one of the best things to do at night in Toronto.

Most of these experiences, in turn, include a visit to Izumi, where Japanese culture, deeply rooted in the city, is masterfully found in sake brewing. There you will discover the ancient art behind this beverage, known internationally for its subtlety and complexity.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 20 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 1 hour.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will get to know in a short tour one of the most famous sites in Toronto.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: they are short experiences, so you will have to walk a lot in a short time to see all the sites and tour inside the distilleries.

Join a Distillery District Tour

4. Toronto Donut Tour

Jelly Modern Doughnuts|©Ed Chu
Jelly Modern Doughnuts|©Ed Chu

If you want to discover one of Toronto's sweetest profiles, you can't miss a doughnut tour. This bread doughnut became a popular food in the city during the immigration waves and, nowadays, it is one of the most consumed products in the capital of Ontario.

On these excursions you can visit Glory Hole Doughnuts, an iconic store that has gained renown for its innovative creations, which include everything from traditional ring doughnuts to crème brulée-filled options. In addition, the store's interior décor is colorful and fun, making it an ideal choice if you plan to visit Toronto with children.

JellyModern Doughnuts is another popular doughnut franchise. There you will find a variety of flavors ranging from classic doughnuts to those filled with fresh fruit and glazed toppings. The same goes for The Rolling Pin, a bakery that has taken doughnut fever to new heights, including the development of savory products as well.

During these tours you can not only get to know the culinary phenomenon behind this product, but also do tastings and learn about the elaboration of the different types of donuts.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 42 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours.
  • Advantages of these excursions: it is an ideal experience to do with children.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: you will not have too much free time to discover the neighborhoods of each of the stores during the guided walk.

5. Toronto walking tour of street food stalls

Toronto, Street Food|©irvindr
Toronto, Street Food|©irvindr

One of the best alternatives to get to know the multiculturalism of Toronto is to tour its street food stalls. These excursions, which are a kind of guided tour with tastings, usually take you through the Financial District, the Kensington Market and the neighborhoods of the harbor area, where you can eat on the go while watching the scenery of Lake Ontario.

In Kensington Market, in addition to bumping into cultural diversity, you'll find vintage and street art stores. The food stalls in and around the market will allow you to try everything from South American arepas to falafel and kebab, two typical preparations of Middle Eastern cuisine. If you visit Toronto in December, you will also find typical Christmas Eve options there.

Another popular place to visit during these experiences is the St. Lawrence District, where tradition meets innovation in Toronto's oldest flea market. Here you'll find everything from Montreal bagels to fresh oysters, immersing yourself in the history and flavour that define the city's varied and complex culinary scene.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 62 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 3 and a half hours.
  • Advantages of these excursions: it is an ideal option to tour the city while tasting the local flavors.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: it is a long walking tour, so it can be tiring.

Buy a guided tour of Toronto

6. Toronto Fusion Food Tour

Chinatown, Toronto|©Blake Gumprecht
Chinatown, Toronto|©Blake Gumprecht

Another great way to experience the different cultural faces of Toronto is to embark on a culinary journey through the world of fusion food, where diverse cultures converge in creative and delicious dishes. From bustling Chinatown, where the fusion of Chinese and Western flavors is evident on every corner, to the Entertainment District, these tours will take you through the city's most varied spots.

In Chinatown you'll find everything from dumplings filled with innovative flavors to authentic Asian delicacies with a modern twist, and the Entertainment District, where Toronto's nightlife unfolds, you can explore restaurants that combine ingredients and techniques from around the world.

This district is the epicenter of fusion dining, with options ranging from Latin American-influenced sushi to Asian tapas, whether you plan to visit Toronto in summer or winter.

In Kensington Market you will find mainly Arabic food options and in Little Italy, where Italian traditions are mixed with influences from all over the world, you will be able to taste from pizzas and pastas to typical sweets from the Italian peninsula, such as cannolo and tiramisu. In any case, at every stop you will be able to taste new flavors and discover delicious adventures.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 67 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours and a half.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will discover through food some of Toronto's most popular neighborhoods.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: there are no fixed itineraries and the itinerary may change according to the day of the tour, as some places, such as street markets, are closed during certain dates.

Join a tour of Chinatown

7. Gastronomic tour of St. Lawrence Market

St Lawrence Market, Downtown Toronto (1 of 1)|©Michael Croudson
St Lawrence Market, Downtown Toronto (1 of 1)|©Michael Croudson

St. Lawrence Market is one of the oldest markets in North America and a melting pot of flavours that offers a unique culinary experience. On tours of this site you can explore the colorful fresh produce stores, where you'll find everything from fruits and vegetables to fish and meats.

The lively atmosphere of the market will also take you past the empanada and Asian specialty stalls, as every corner of St. Lawrence Market tells a story that reflects Toronto's multicultural diversity. Because of its location in the center of the city, a tour of this site is an ideal option before continuing your tour of Lake Ontario or the best museums in Toronto.

St. Lawrence Market is also known for its cheese stands and bakeries, which reflect the French and Dutch traditions that shaped Toronto's past.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 55 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will get to know an epicenter of cultural diversity in the heart of Toronto.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: you will have little free time to explore the market on your own.

8. Tasting tour of The Junction neighbourhood

The Junction neighborhood, Toronto|©Greg S
The Junction neighborhood, Toronto|©Greg S

The Junction is often referred to as Toronto's trendy neighborhood, and as a haven for the city's hippie and bohemian movement. However, this counterculture hotspot is much more than an amalgam of stores and restaurants; it is a melting pot of creativity and diversity that is reflected in the unique flavours on offer, which you can discover on tours of the district.

Coffee shops are part of the neighborhood's regular landscape, as are bakeries, health food stores and organic markets. During these excursions you can visit all these places and taste gourmet options as well as artisanal cheeses, freshly baked breads and seasonal fruits. In addition, in this district, close to High Park, you can also participate in some of the best bike tours in the city.

If you plan to visit Toronto with children in The Junction you will also find themed stores and bookstores that will attract the attention of the little ones, who will not want to miss the tour of one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in the city.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 70 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 3 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of Toronto's most famous neighborhoods from a gastronomic perspective.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: the neighborhood is large, so you will have to walk a lot during the tours, so they are not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

Join a bike tour in Toronto

9. Canadian wine tasting experience

WINE TASTING|©Vinos Navarra
WINE TASTING|©Vinos Navarra

If you want to taste the traditional wine of the Niagara wine region you can join a wine tasting tour in Toronto. With its conducive climate and fertile soil, the region has flourished as a wine epicenter, offering wine lovers an unparalleled sensory experience.

During these experiences you can opt for a local wine tasting in Toronto or tour the vineyards that stretch across the Niagara landscape, where grapes are grown seasonally and the harvest occurs in October, characterized by red wine. The natural beauty of the region combines with winemaking expertise, creating a perfect setting to discover the secrets of Canadian wines, which are highly praised around the world.

If you choose to tour the vineyards you can also participate in wine tastings at each of the wineries, although you should be aware that these experiences usually require full-day tours from Toronto, which may not be advisable if you plan to visit the city in 3 days or less.

In any case, you can also combine this experience with a visit to Niagara Falls from Toronto.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 85 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 6 to 7 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of the most famous wine regions in North America.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: they usually last all day, which could be inefficient if you are planning a short stay.

Book a tour to Niagara Falls

10. Dinner cruise on Lake Ontario and Toronto islands

Downtown From The Island|©Ben Senior
Downtown From The Island|©Ben Senior

One of the best ways to get to know Toronto is from Lake Ontario, during a cruise. If you opt for the evening alternative, you can also include dinner on the tour. This will allow you to combine the sightseeing with a unique culinary experience while getting to know the city's waterfront and nearby islands.

For dinner, you can usually opt for gourmet dishes or fresh seafood options. During the tour, you can also enjoy an elegant ambiance, with soft music and a relaxing atmosphere that perfectly complements the experience on the best cruise tours in Toronto.

In addition, during the evening tour you will also be able to distinguish the panoramic view of the city, illuminated by the skyscrapers that characterize the Toronto skyline and reflected in the calm waters of Lake Ontario.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 65 euros per person.
  • Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will be able to see a different night skyline of the city, from Lake Ontario.
  • Disadvantages of these excursions: since they are night tours, you will not be able to make stops on the islands, only to see them from the deck of the boat.

Book a cruise tour in Toronto

Reviews from other travellers

4.8
· 1821 Reviews
  • B
    B.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    A great way to learn a little about Toronto's history.
  • C
    C.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The fact that there were only a few of us was perfect, we were able to enjoy our meal more calmly because there were not many people with us.
  • J
    J.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved getting to know a little bit more about the life of a Toronto resident by getting to know a little bit of the food and history while enjoying it.
  • A
    A.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    This was one of the best gastronomic tours I have ever taken. I have always thought that a city is best known through its food and here they have a very rich culture as well as an amazing diversity of flavors.
  • U
    U.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I felt like I was part of Toronto as I ate at the small, crowded stalls.