10+ Best Local Dishes From Toronto Tourists Should Try

Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and its food scene reflects that cultural mix complementing Local Dishes. While the city doesn’t have just one signature dish, it offers a range of must-try foods that are either local creations or have been embraced as Toronto classics. If you’re visiting and want a taste of what makes this city special, here are some of the best dishes to try.

10+ Must-Try Local Dishes in Toronto for Tourists

Peameal Bacon Sandwich

This Toronto staple dates back to the early 1900s and consists of thick-cut, juicy pork loin rolled in cornmeal and served on a bun. The most famous version can be found at Carousel Bakery in St. Lawrence Market, where it’s often topped with mustard and other condiments for extra flavor.

Carousel Bakery: Carousel Bakery has been a staple at St. Lawrence Market for years, drawing steady crowds for its classic peameal bacon sandwich.

• Location: St. Lawrence Market
• Website: St Lawrence Market
• Phone: (416) 363-4247
• Price: Budget-friendly

Paddington’s Pump: Paddington’s Pump serves up a full-on peameal bacon sandwich experience. Their version comes stacked with thin slices of peameal bacon on a crusty roll, topped with tomato and lettuce, plus coleslaw and a pickle on the side.

• Location: 91 Front St. W., Toronto, ON M5J 1E6 (St. Lawrence Market)
• Website: Paddingtons Pump
• Phone: (416) 368-6955
• Price: Average pricing

Jamaican Patty

A popular grab-and-go snack, because the Jamaican patty is a flaky pastry filled with seasoned beef, chicken, or vegetables. While its origins are Caribbean, this dish has become a staple in Toronto.

Randy’s Take-Out is a well-known Toronto spot for its delicious Jamaican beef patties. These golden, flaky pastries are filled with flavorful, seasoned beef, making them a popular snack for locals and visitors alike.

• Location: 1569 Eglinton Ave W, York, ON M6E 2G9
• Website: Randy’s
• Phone: (416) 783-5313
• Price: Budget-friendly

Patties Express is a popular spot in Toronto offering a variety of delicious Caribbean-style patties. Patties Express has become a go-to for those craving authentic Jamaican patties.

• Location: Multiple Locations
• Website: Patties Express
• Price: Budget-friendly

Nanaimo Bars | Local Dishes

Nanaimo bars, a beloved Toronto treat, feature layers of wafers, nuts, coconut, custard, and chocolate ganache. Originally from British Columbia, this sweet snack has been a local favorite since the 1950s and can be found in coffeehouses and bakeries across the city.

ChocoSol Traders – Known for their unique take on chocolate treats, ChocoSol serves up delicious Nanaimo bars that stand out for their rich layers and high-quality ingredients.

• Location: 1131 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6E 1B1
• Website: ChocoSol Traders
• Phone: (416) 923-6675
• Price: Average pricing

Butter Tart

One of Canada’s most beloved desserts, the butter tart consists of a flaky pastry shell filled with a rich, gooey mixture of butter, sugar, and eggs.

Eric’s Handcrafted Butter Tarts: Specializing exclusively in butter tarts, Eric’s offers a variety of flavors, including traditional, pecan, and raspberry white chocolate.

• Location: 77 Seventh St, Etobicoke, ON M8V 3B3
• Website: Instagram
• Price: Budget-friendly

Circles and Squares Bakery: Circles and Squares Bakery isn’t just another local spot, it grabbed first place at Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival in 2023. Their butter tarts are rich, gooey, and clearly doing something right to stand out in a province full of competition.

• Location: 1909 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4S 1Z3
• Website: Circles and Squares Bakery
• Phone: (416) 534-0005
• Price: Average pricing

Smoked meat sandwiches

Smoked meat sandwiches are a beloved Toronto delicacy, drawing inspiration from Montreal’s iconic version. These sandwiches are typically made with hand-cured, spiced, and smoked beef brisket, then served on rye bread, often with mustard or pickles.

SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli: SumiLicious has built a loyal following for its Montreal-style smoked meat sandwiches — tender, stacked, and full of flavor. It’s even earned a Bib Gourmand nod from the Michelin Guide, which says a lot about the quality without the fine dining price tag.

• Location: 5631 Steeles Ave E #5, Scarborough, ON M1V 5P6
• Website: SumiLicious
• Phone: (647) 347-8899
• Price: Average pricing

Pancer’s Original Deli: Pancer’s Original Deli has been holding it down on Bathurst Street for over 60 years, serving classic Jewish deli staples the old-school way. Their smoked meat sandwiches are the star — stacked high, done right, and packed with tradition.

• Location: 3856 Bathurst St, North York, ON M3H 3N3
• Website: Pancer’s Original Deli
• Phone: (416) 636-1230
• Price: Average pricing

Roti

Thanks to the city’s large Caribbean and South Asian communities, roti is a popular and widely available dish. Whether you prefer a West Indian-style roti filled with curried goat or a South Asian version with spiced potato and paneer.

Roti Mahal: Roti Mahal, over on Queen Street West, brings a fresh spin to classic Indian dishes. It’s a casual spot with bold flavours — think saucy curries and stuffed rotis that hit the spot without trying too hard.

• Location: 554 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B7
• Website: Roti Mahal
• Phone: (416) 546-9404
• Price: Average pricing

Sushi Pizza

A unique Toronto invention, sushi pizza features a crispy rice patty as the base, topped with fresh sashimi, avocado, and spicy mayo. It’s a fusion dish that blends Japanese flavors with a Canadian love for comfort food, and you can find it in sushi spots across the city.

Oi Sushi – Renowned for its innovative approach, Oi Sushi presents a signature sushi pizza with a crispy rice patty, fresh toppings, and a delightful blend of sauces.

• Location: STACKT Mkt, 28 Bathurst St Unit 1-103, Toronto, ON M5V 0C6
• Website: Oi Sushi
• Phone: (416) 346-6861
• Price: Average pricing

Nami Japanese Seafood Restaurant – As the birthplace of sushi pizza, Nami offers an authentic experience with its original creation, featuring a crispy rice base topped with fresh seafood and a special sauce.

• Location: 55 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1K6
• Website: Nami Restaurant
• Phone: (416) 362-7373
• Price: Premium pricing

Toronto-Style BBQ

While barbecue may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Toronto, the city has developed its own spin on smoked meats, influenced by Southern, Korean, and Caribbean flavors.

SmoQue N’ Bones is a premier barbecue smokehouse and whiskey bar in Toronto, celebrated for its authentic Southern-style barbecue and extensive whiskey selection.

• Location: 869 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G4
• Website: SmoQue N’ Bones
• Phone: (647) 347-5730
• Price: Premium pricing

Poutine | Local Dishes

Though poutine originated in Quebec, Toronto has embraced it wholeheartedly. The classic combination of fries, cheese curds, and gravy is served in countless variations across the city, from traditional versions at Smoke’s Poutinerie to gourmet twists at Nom Nom Nom Poutine.

Poutine Hub is a Toronto-based eatery specializing in a variety of poutines, burgers, hot dogs, wings, and more.

• Location: Multiple Locations
• Website: Instagram
• Price: Average pricing

Smoke’s Poutinerie is Canada’s largest and original poutine restaurant franchise, founded in 2008 by Ryan Smolkin in Toronto.

• Location: Multiple Locations
• Website: Smoke’s Poutinerie
• Price: Budget-friendly

Jaguar Chocolate

While most people are familiar with chocolate, Jaguar chocolate offers a unique twist, made from the Cacao Blanco bean. Toronto’s ChocoSol leads the way in bringing this rare treat to the world.

ChocoSol Traders is a Toronto-based social enterprise specializing in bean-to-bar, stone-ground dark chocolate.

• Location: 1131 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6E 1B1
• Website: ChocoSol Traders
• Phone: (416) 923-6675
• Price: Average pricing

Tourtière

Try a French-Canadian spiced meat pie. Tourtière is a spiced meat pie that’s become a Toronto favorite, blending pork (or beef) with onions, potatoes, and warming spices like cinnamon and cloves.

Gerrard Street Bakery – This bakery offers a distinctive tourtière infused with Kinsip Whisky Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, adding a unique sweetness to the traditional savory filling.

• Location: 635 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y2
• Website: Gerrard Street Bakery
• Phone: (416) 465-4567
• Price: Average pricing

Ma Maison Gourmet – Ma Maison’s classic tourtière features a savory blend of pork, potatoes, and aromatic spices like nutmeg and clove, all encased in a light, flaky pastry.

• Location: 4243 Dundas St W A, Toronto, ON M8X 1Y3
• Website: Ma Maison Gourmet
• Phone: (416) 236-2234
• Price: Average pricing

Bagels

Montreal-style bagels :From classic deli sandwiches to sweet blueberry bagels, these fresh, daily-baked treats are a must-try for any bagel lover.

The Bagel House is a Toronto-based bakery specializing in authentic Montreal-style bagels. Established in 1999, it has become a beloved destination for bagel enthusiasts, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Location: Multiple Locations
• Website: The Bagel House
• Price: Budget-friendly

St. Urbain Bagel Bakery – St. Urbain Bagel is renowned for its commitment to quality and tradition, making it a must-visit for bagel enthusiasts seeking an authentic Montreal bagel experience in Toronto.

• Location: 93 Front St E #11, Toronto, ON M5E 1M6
• Website: St Urbain Bagel Bakery
• Phone: (416) 364-8305
• Price: Budget-friendly

Final Thoughts

Toronto’s food culture is as diverse as its population, offering a mix of traditional Canadian eats and international flavors that have become local favorites. Whether you’re in the mood for something savory, spicy, or sweet, there’s always something new to try. Exploring the city’s food scene is a great way to experience its multicultural spirit, one bite at a time.

More….

• https://www.hungry416.com/must-try-local-dishes-in-toronto-ontario/
• https://au.hotels.com/go/canada/ca-best-local-dishes-from-toronto
• https://www.tastytourstoronto.com/blog/iconic-must-try-food-what-is-toronto-known-for/
• https://www.overheretoronto.com/10-best-buffet-restaurants-in-toronto/