Aliu IsaEveryone loves deli. And what’s not to love?
Imagine juicy pastrami on rye, melt-in-your-mouth brisket sandwiches, and creamy potato salad. Add dill pickles and smoky matzo ball soup, and there’s no going back.
From St. Lawrence Market to Rexdale Boulevard and beyond, I’m lucky to have tasted the best delis in my city. And I’m even luckier that I’m able to share these awesome finds with you.
Satisfy your cravings now—here’s my exclusive guide to Toronto’s most amazing delis!
Pancer’s Original Deli
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Website: https://www.pancersoriginaldeli.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pancersoriginaldeli/
Address: 3856 Bathurst St, North York
Hours: Mon – Sun: 10 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (416) 636-1230
Must-Order: Pastrami on Rye
Since 1957, Pancer’s Original Deli—a family-run gem—has been slinging amazing deli sandwiches. In fact, they’ve built a steady following thanks to their traditional Jewish comfort food.
My go-to here is their legendary Pastrami on Rye. We’re talking ultra-thin, gently spiced, beautifully pink pastrami, piled high between slices of soft, fresh rye—fair warning, the portions are huge!
You can add a few bucks for some crispy fries, slaw, or classic pickle spears. Or, you could order takeout by the pound or the dozen, so that you can enjoy your deli sandwich messily in front of your TV (with no judgment!).
And if you’re hosting a party, they’ve also got various catering platters—you can choose from deli meats, cheeses, veggies, and even dairy options.
Pro Tip:
Pancer’s Original Deli gets super busy from lunch to dinner. I recommend beating the rush and going for breakfast, which they serve daily from 10 AM.
La Salumeria
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Website: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/la-salumeria-toronto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lasalumeriatoronto/
Address: 2021 Yonge St
Hours: Tue – Sun: 9 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (416) 486-8327
Must-Order: House Special
Old-school Italian deli La Salumeria hasn’t changed much since 1984, and that’s exactly what makes it special. There’s no fancy lighting or trendy decor—just shelves overflowing with delicious Italian staples.
Their pride and joy? The House Special, which I think is probably the best Italian sandwich I’ve ever had. You’ll enjoy crispy ciabatta stuffed with thin slices of prosciutto, spicy salami, buffalo mozzarella, peppers, balsamic, and fig jam.
In addition to giant sandwiches, their deli counter and shelves are packed high with Italian goodies like olive oil and vinegar bottles, and green and black olives. Dried, fresh, and frozen pasta are popular, too.
And if antipasti is more your thing, they offer marinated peppers, mozzarella balls, anchovies, artichokes, and capers. You can snack on them or add them to your sandwich—totally up to you!
Pro Tip:
La Salumeria has no seating inside since it’s a small grocery-style deli. Once you get your order, go to a nearby bench or park to enjoy your amazing sandwich.
Centre Street Deli
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Website: https://www.centrestreetdeli.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centrestreetdeli1988/
Address: 1136 Centre St, Thornhill
Hours:
- Mon – Thurs: 7 AM – 5 PM
- Fri – Sun: 7 AM – 7:45 PM
Contact: (905) 731-8037
Must-Order: Old-Fashioned Smoked Meat Sandwich
Authentic Jewish shop Centre Street Deli has been serving hot, hand-cut meat sandwiches since 1988. And yes, there’s a difference when the meat is cut by hand.
Their Old-Fashioned Smoked Meat Sandwich is what deli dreams are made of—the meat is tender, juicy, and stacked high between fresh slices of rye. Try dipping your smoked meat sandwich into a runny egg, and I swear it’ll become your thing, too.
We like that this spot is family-friendly. They’ve got a solid kids’ menu for the under-12 crowd, and every meal includes a soft drink.
You can also bring home some deli goodness by snagging some of their frozen homemade-style hors d’oeuvres. They’ve got cabbage rolls, potato kugels, meatballs, cheese blintzes, and more!
Pro Tip:
Planning a gathering? Order Centre Street Deli’s Meat Platter tray, which can feed around 8 people. It’s loaded with smoked meat, salami, stuffed chicken, turkey, and all the fixings (coleslaw, potato salad, fresh bread, sour pickles, etc.).
When The Pig Came Home
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Website: https://www.whenthepigcamehome.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/when_the_pig_came_home
Address: 384 Keele St
Hours:
- Tuesday: 11 AM – 2 PM
- Wed – Thurs: 11 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 11 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Contact: (647) 345-9001
Must-Order: Smoked Meat on Rye
When The Pig Came Home was founded in 2012 by three chef friends with a love for good food and quality ingredients.
What makes them unique is that they work directly with farmers to get some of the best meat around—grass-fed, naturally raised, and free of hormones and antibiotics. Then, they cure, season, roast, or smoke everything in-house, every single day.
If you’re not sure where to start, I recommend their Smoked Meat on Rye—a fan favorite for a reason. It has a half-pound of hand-sliced brisket, yellow mustard, and a classic dill pickle on the side.
For the meat lovers out there (so…most of us?), you can stock up by the half-pound. They’ve got regular and lean smoked meat, hand-sliced brisket, and their juicy, 13-hour roasted porchetta carved by hand.
Pro Tip:
When The Pig Came Home offers catering and holiday menus that are perfect for your next party. You can order large-format family-style portions, ready-to-eat sandwiches, or go DIY with all the meats and fixings.
SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli
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Website: https://sumilicious.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sumiliciousdeli
Address: 5631 Steeles Ave E #5, Scarborough
Hours:
- Wed – Sat: 11 AM – 7 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (647) 347-8899
Must-Order: Smoked Meat Sandwich (Halal)
SumiLicious is known for its Montreal-style smoked meat—no surprise there since the owner is a former Schwartz’s employee. And this place offers amazing meat sandwiches, which is obvious by the Michelin Guide awarding them a Bib Gourmand.
Smoked Meat Sandwich? Yes, please! It’s made with halal brisket, marinated for days in a secret spice blend, then smoked until it’s fall-apart tender—pile it high on soft rye bread and just a simple smear of yellow mustard…heaven on a plate.
I usually get full by this alone, but sometimes, I order it with their Smoked Meat Poutine if I’m feeling extra hungry. Don’t skimp on the gravy either!
I love the vibe here, too. It has themed seating and bar-style window seats, plus TVs tuned into the latest game.
Pro Tip:
You can buy SumiLicious’s meats by the pound. Simply choose from sliced smoked meat (hot or cold), whole briskets, turkey breast, salami, or even karnatzel.
Dave’s Genuine Deli
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Website: https://www.davesgenuine.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davesgenuine.deli/
Address: 1763 Avenue Rd
Hours: Tue – Sun: 11 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (416) 787-3354
Must-Order: Grilled Reuben with Smoked Meat
Opened in 2020, Dave’s Genuine Deli offers comforting Jewish deli classics, from tender smoked meats to sweet, nostalgic desserts.
My go-to order here is their big, fat Grilled Reuben. You get your pick of corned beef, smoked turkey, or smoked meat (my fave), layered with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing—all gluten-free!
And whenever I have a little party, I always order deli sandwiches and meat platters from this spot. It’s only $21.99 per person (minimum 10 people), and everything comes hot or cold with fresh rye, slaw, Marty’s pickles, and a trio of mustards.
If you can’t finish a meal without having dessert, their house-made banana rice pudding is a crowd fave.
Pro Tip:
Dave’s Genuine Deli’s gift vouchers are available, so you can treat a friend to a future deli feast. Simply put in how much you want to give away, and you’re good to go.
Wolfie’s Deli
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Website: https://www.mywolfies.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfiesdeli/
Address: 670 Sheppard Ave W, North York
Hours:
- Mon, Fri, Sun: 9 AM – 3 PM
- Tue – Thurs: 9 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (416) 638-9653
Must-Order: Smoked Meat Sandwich
Wolfies Deli is a family-run spot that has been holding down the fort since 1975.
They keep things classic with staples like corned beef and turkey breast sandwiches, but if you’re extra hungry, they offer homestyle entrees like meatloaf. As for sides, they have potato latkes and coleslaw.
I only go here for one thing—their amazing Smoked Meat Sandwich, which comes stacked high with tender, savory meat that falls apart with each bite. You could even upsize it by going for the Make It Wolf Size.
One of their secret weapons is Wolfie’s homemade hot mustard, which adds that perfect kick to each bite. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll probably want to grab a jar (yes, they sell it online and in-store).
Pro Tip:
Hosting a do? Wolfies Deli offers ½ sandwich trays at just $11.50 per person. Veggie and cheese trays are available, too!
