What to Eat in Toronto: 10 Mouthwatering Foods That Define True Foodie Goals

If you’ve landed here, you’re probably asking yourself: what to eat in Toronto? Great question, because Toronto isn’t just Canada’s biggest city—it’s one of the most diverse food capitals in the world.

Walk a few blocks and you’ll find flavors from Jamaica, India, Italy, Korea, China, and beyond. Basically, if you can crave it, you can find it here.

I still remember my first food crawl through Toronto. One hour I was digging into a Jamaican beef patty on Eglinton, the next I was sipping bubble tea in Chinatown, and by evening I was stuffing my face with peameal bacon sandwiches at St. Lawrence Market. Let’s just say my jeans were not happy, but my heart? 100% satisfied.

Ready to dive in? Here’s your ultimate guide to what to eat in Toronto—from iconic Canadian staples to hidden neighborhood gems.

1. Peameal Bacon Sandwich

Known as “Canadian bacon” abroad, peameal bacon is actually a Toronto original. This cured pork loin, rolled in cornmeal, is juicy, salty, and slightly smoky. Served on a Kaiser roll with mustard, it’s the city’s signature sandwich. 

You’ll find the most famous version at Carousel Bakery in St. Lawrence Market, where locals and tourists alike line up for this simple but satisfying bite. Hearty, savory, and unmistakably Canadian, the peameal bacon sandwich is a Toronto classic you can’t miss.

2. Butter Tart

Sweet, gooey, and proudly Canadian, butter tarts are a pastry filled with a rich mixture of butter, sugar, and egg. Sometimes they include raisins or pecans, but purists love them plain. Though butter tarts are enjoyed across Canada, Toronto’s bakeries have perfected them into flaky, bite-sized indulgences. 

They’re the kind of dessert that makes you lick your fingers and crave another. Grab one with coffee from a local café and you’ll instantly understand why they’re a national treasure.

3. Poutine

A Montreal creation that Toronto has fully embraced, poutine is the ultimate comfort food: crispy fries smothered in gravy and topped with squeaky cheese curds. Toronto puts its own spin on it, with restaurants offering versions loaded with pulled pork, mushrooms, or even lobster. 

From late-night diners to food trucks and pubs, poutine is everywhere in the city. Whether you stick with the classic or try a gourmet twist, this messy, indulgent dish is Canadian comfort at its best.

4. Roti

Thanks to Toronto’s large Caribbean and South Asian communities, roti has become a staple of the city’s food scene. Soft, flaky flatbread is wrapped around curried chicken, goat, vegetables, or chickpeas, creating a filling and flavorful meal. 

Whether you grab one from a Trinidadian spot in Scarborough or a downtown Indian restaurant, Toronto’s roti is unmatched in variety and taste. Portable, hearty, and bursting with spice, it’s the perfect example of how global flavors thrive in the 6ix.

5. Jerk Chicken

Toronto’s Jamaican community has made jerk chicken a citywide favorite. Marinated in scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and herbs, then grilled over open flames, jerk chicken is smoky, spicy, and irresistible.

Served with rice and peas or tucked into a sandwich, it’s a dish you’ll find in neighborhoods like Little Jamaica along Eglinton West. 

Juicy, fiery, and full of Caribbean flair, jerk chicken shows how Toronto embraces global flavors and makes them part of its culinary identity.

6. Dim Sum

Toronto’s Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, and dim sum is its crown jewel. From steaming baskets of shrimp dumplings to BBQ pork buns and silky rice rolls, dim sum is a must-try experience. Many restaurants still use the traditional cart service, letting you pick dishes as they roll by. 

Whether you go casual in Chinatown or upscale in Richmond Hill, dim sum in Toronto is a cultural and culinary experience not to be missed.

7. Sushi Pizza

Only in Toronto would someone invent “sushi pizza.” This quirky fusion dish features a crispy rice patty topped with salmon, tuna, avocado, spicy mayo, and other sushi staples. Born in the 1990s at a Japanese-Canadian restaurant in the city, it quickly became a local favorite. 

Crunchy, creamy, and fresh all at once, sushi pizza is playful, inventive, and very “Toronto”—a reflection of the city’s love for blending cultures in delicious new ways.

8. Empanadas

Toronto’s Latin American community has made empanadas a popular street food and café snack. These golden, hand-held pastries are stuffed with fillings like beef, chicken, cheese, or vegetables and either baked or fried. You’ll find them at Colombian bakeries, Argentine cafés, and food stalls across the city. 

Affordable, portable, and packed with flavor, empanadas are the kind of food that fits perfectly into Toronto’s fast-paced, multicultural lifestyle.

9. Shawarma

Toronto has fully adopted shawarma, thanks to its thriving Middle Eastern community. Juicy, spiced meat—often chicken or beef—is sliced from a vertical spit and tucked into pita or wrapped with garlic sauce, pickles, and veggies. It’s late-night comfort food, popular after a night out, but also a quick lunch staple across the city. 

Affordable, flavorful, and everywhere, shawarma is proof of how immigrant cuisines become part of Toronto’s daily food culture.

10. Ice Wine & Desserts

Ontario is famous for its ice wine, a sweet dessert wine made from grapes harvested after freezing on the vine. Toronto restaurants and bars often serve it with rich desserts like cheesecake or crème brûlée. Paired with butter tarts or chocolate, it’s a luxurious way to end a meal. 

Smooth, sweet, and uniquely Canadian, ice wine is a treat that shows off Ontario’s wine country—and adds a little elegance to Toronto’s diverse food scene.

Don’t Make These Rookie Mistakes

• Only eating downtown: The best bites are often in the neighborhoods.
• Skipping markets: St. Lawrence and Kensington are musts.
• Playing it safe: Toronto = diversity—try something new.
• Underestimating portions: Poutine will fill you up fast.
• Bad timing: Some bakeries close early—go before dinner.

Conclusion: Taste the World in One City

So, when someone asks you what to eat in Toronto, the real answer is: everything. From classic Canadian staples like peameal bacon sandwiches and butter tarts to international treasures in Chinatown, Little Italy, and beyond, Toronto is basically a world tour on a plate.

What makes it even better? The pride locals take in their food. Every dish, whether it’s a simple shawarma wrap or a Michelin-star tasting menu, reflects the city’s diversity and creativity.

My advice? Show up hungry, bring stretchy pants, and don’t be afraid to wander into random hole-in-the-wall spots. That’s where the magic usually happens. And hey, if you find yourself juggling a shawarma in one hand and a butter tart in the other—congrats, you’re officially eating like a Torontonian. 😎