Are you visiting Toronto? One of the most amazing things about this city is its cuisine. There are hundreds of great food spots to try out, and the food here is as diverse as its multicultural population. So, what is the most popular food in Toronto?
Toronto doesn’t have a unique or distinct food peculiar to it. But it has lots of popular food worth trying. They include Macarons, Veal Sandwich, Roti, Peameal Bacon sandwich, Roast Cauliflower, Khao soi, Bagels, Baja fish tacos, churros, wok-fried jerk lobster, Singapore slaw, bagels, and pupusas.
What makes the Toronto food scene great is its cosmopolitan nature. You’ll find a lot of distinct ethnic cuisine such as Chinese, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Asian, Indian, Caribbean, African, and lots more. It all depends on which location you find yourself in the city. This article discusses the most popular foods in Toronto.
Quick navigation
1. Macarons at Nadège Patisserie
If you’re in Toronto, one thing you shouldn’t miss is the macarons at any of the Nadège Patisserie locations in the city. These places have a lot of treats on offer for you if you have that sweet tooth craving, but nothing beats delicate and sumptuous macarons. They come in different flavours, so you can expand your palette to its limit. Beyond the common flavours like chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel, etc., you’ll also find other unique flavours such as rose, raspberry, matcha green tea, and cotton candy. In addition, you can take a two-hour class at Nadège to learn how to make macarons.
2. Veal Sandwich
This is perhaps one of the most popular dishes in the city, and you can find it in many locations. But California Sandwiches is one of the best spots in the city to get your veal sandwiches. There are several locations in the city, depending on where you are. So, you won’t have any trouble finding a place to try this dish. While it’s almost impossible to say that Toronto has a distinct food, the veal sandwich slathered with tomato sauce is as close as it gets.
3. Peameal Bacon Sandwich
There is more than one sandwich in Toronto, and this is one you shouldn’t miss out on. It’s an iconic Toronto food, and one of the best places to get it is the Carousel Bakery at St. Lawrence factory. The simple sandwich is a griddled peameal on a bun. One bite, and you get to enjoy the smoky deliciousness of the bacon and see why it’s that simple. Having been in that location for over 30 years now, the meal is as iconic as the city itself.
4. Roti
The unique thing about Toronto is the diversity of its cuisine, and the Gandhi Roti in Parkdale testifies to this. Here is one of the best low-budget restaurants to visit in Toronto. You’ll enjoy the delicious Indian roti with all kinds of fillings. Variety is the spice of life here, so you can try out exceptional ones like the mutter paneer roti, spinach and potato roti, and the malai kofta roti.
5. Roast Cauliflower
It doesn’t matter if you’ve had cauliflower before or not. However, the roast cauliflower at Fat Pasha is a whole different experience. It’s roasted whole and smothered in tahini, pine nuts, salty halloumi, pomegranate seeds, and the skhug hot sauce. This dish is pleasing to the eyes but even more delicious to the mouth.
6. Khao soi
Another delicious ethnic food you should try out when you visit the city. You can get this creamy and delicious meal from the Pai Northern Kitchen, and this Thai food is as good as you can get in Toronto. It’s fresh egg noodles in golden curry with an assorted topping of coriander, crispy noodles, green onions, and any kind of meat or shrimp, depending on your choice.
7. Baja fish tacos
The best tacos in Toronto are undoubtedly at Seven Lives in Kensington Avenue. This deli serves juicy fish tacos; deep-fried fish sandwiched in tacos with condiments of seasoning that include pico de gallo, cabbage, and Baja sauce. Once you taste the tacos here, almost nothing will ever come close.
8. Bagels
These are a common sight in Toronto, and you can find them anywhere. But there are also various options, which makes it confusing as to which to go for. Get the Montreal-style bagel with chewy insides that go best with cream cheese if you’re ever in doubt. The St. Urbain bagels offer some of the best bagels in the city, and you can get them directly from the oven. The bagel here balances density with softness to be the perfect meal.
9. Pupusas
Mexico might be known for its tacos, but there are other delicacies. Pupusas is one of them, and if you’re in Toronto, you should check out the Tacos el Asador to enjoy this dish. It consists of refried beans and fried corn cakes stuffed with cheese. The meal comes in hot and is an experience you shouldn’t miss.
10. Singapore Slaw
Another iconic Asian food to try out in Toronto is the Signature Singapore Slaw. This salad dish consists of 19 ingredients, and it’s as crunchy as it’s sweet. Tasting this is like having a medley of textures and flavours in your mouth, and there’s a balance between everything. Some ingredients include cucumber, fried shallots, sesame seeds, pickled red onion, daikon, etc.
11. Churros
If you are still in the mood for baked sweet treats, consider getting churro from the Panchos bakery. There are two locations in the city, Kensington market, and Dufferin and Bloor. You’ll get these deep-fried doughs with coats of sugar and cinnamon. You can get them plain or add fillings such as jam, caramel, and chocolate.
12. Wok-fried Jerk Lobster
Patois Toronto combines the Chinese and Jamaican culinary influences, which reflects their menu. One food they offer that you shouldn’t miss is the wok-fried lobster. The hong kong style lobster gets its first cooking in a court bouillon and then gets tossed into a Jamaican jerk paste with butter. It’s served with lime and cilantro topping.
In Conclusion
There are a lot of delicacies to try out while in Toronto. It’s always about choice and your openness to explore. While the city doesn’t have a specific food that’s distinct to it, it’s the cultural melting pot of cuisines from all over the world.