Ian CheesemanAs a kid, weekends often meant a trip to the farmers’ market. Sure, picking out my favorite fruits was fun, but what I really lived for were the endless samples from cheerful vendors who always had a smile and a story to share.
Now that I’m older, I still make weekly visits to my favorite farmers’ markets. Sometimes, I swing by to get locally grown produce or try free samples, but most of the time, it’s to see what the rest of the community is up to.
With live music, dancing, and open mics, there’s never a dull moment at the best farmers’ markets in Toronto. If you want to join the fun, I’ve made a list below to help you get started.
- 1. St. Lawrence Market
- 2. Downsview Park Merchants Market
- 3. Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market
- 4. Afro Caribbean Farmers’ Market
- 5. Withrow Park Farmers’ Market
- 6. The Leslieville Farmers’ Market
- 7. Sorauren Farmers’ Market
- 8. York Farmers’ Market
- 9. Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market
- 10. Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market
- 11. Underpass Farmers’ Market
- 12. Nathan Phillips Square Farmers’ Market
1. St. Lawrence Market
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Website: https://www.stlawrencemarket.com/
Location: 92-95 Front Street East
Operating hours:
- Tue-Fri, 9 AM to 7 PM
- Sat, 7 AM to 5 PM
- Sun, 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +14163927219
The St. Lawrence Market is arguably the best farmers market in the entire city. With over 120 merchants, you can get everything from locally grown produce and specialty meats and cheeses to freshly baked goodies.
Like many locals, I like to come here on a Sunday to grab a bagel or two and a hot cup of coffee to wash it down. Even on the busiest days, there’s plenty of space to sit and enjoy your meal while soaking up some sun.
If you’re looking to explore the local cuisine, it’s a great place to start. It has a dizzying variety of eateries inside, serving local favorites and globally-inspired flavors all under one roof.
Pro Tip:
On Sundays, they might set up extra stalls outside for the Variety Market. You’ll find artisanal treats, handmade crafts, and vintage treasures.
2. Downsview Park Merchants Market
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Website: http://www.dpmarket.com/
Location: 40 Carl Hall Rd, North York
Operating hours: Weekend, 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +14166382525
Located in a 10,000-square-foot space, Downsview Park Merchants Market is a family-owned indoor market where you can buy fruits, vegetables, and other crops grown from local farms.
Since they sell produce in bulk at an affordable price, it’s a must for large households or small businesses. You can cut costs significantly by buying directly from farmers instead of purchasing from large chain stores.
When you’re done stocking up the pantry, you can treat yourself to a freshly made meal at the food court. They have tables and chairs right next to the stalls so you won’t have to walk too far after all that shopping.
Pro Tip:
Browse the aisles of the market to find artisanal goods and other homegrown products.
3. Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market
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Website: http://www.tbfm.ca/
Location: 241-257 Shaw St, Toronto
Operating hours: Tue 3 PM to 7 PM
Phone: +12894397111
On Tuesday afternoons at the Northwestern corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park, you’ll see a small farmers market pop up.
It’s focused entirely on fresh, locally sourced, and organic goods. From seasonal fruits and veggies to freshly baked bread, they only sell honest-to-goodness food.
Since the farmers’ market is located in a park, there’s plenty of space to spread a picnic blanket and enjoy the fresh air. Bring your dog along, too—they can join you on a picnic, but they’ll need to stay clear of the stalls.
Pro Tip:
They do monthly basket draws. To participate, you only have to buy $20 worth of goods from the market, which gives you a chance to win a basket full of goodies.
4. Afro Caribbean Farmers’ Market
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Website: https://afrocaribbeanfarmersmarket.com/
Location: 1531 Eglinton Ave W, York
Operating hours: Sun 11 AM to 3 PM
At the Little Jamaica Afro-Caribbean District, you’ll find a small farmers market with live music, dance performances, and good food. They sell fresh fruits and vegetables like bell peppers, cabbages, and tomatoes from local urban farmers.
Aside from locally grown produce, they have baked bread, delicious preserves, and freshly pressed juices. They also have artisanal goods inspired by the Afro-Caribbean culture.
What I like the most is the strong sense of community here. It’s a great place to try out new cuisines and learn more about the cultures that make up Toronto.
Pro Tip:
Currently, they open only on Sundays twice a month. You’ll find the market’s schedule on their socials and website.
5. Withrow Park Farmers’ Market
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Website: https://withrowmarket.ca/
Location: 725 Logan Ave
Operating hours: Sat 9 AM to 1 PM
Phone: +14379808748
From June to October, Withrow Park becomes the venue for a quaint yet bustling farmers’ market. They’re situated at the Northeast corner of the park, particularly between Carlaw and McConnell Avenue.
They sell organic, sustainably grown produce, herbs, and flowers. While I do look forward to season crops like pumpkins and apples the most, I also come here to stock up on other pantry essentials.
After grabbing all I need, I like to sit on the grass and snack on my pastries while listening to live music.
Pro Tip:
They often have spin-to-win events at the market. If you join, you’ll have the chance to spin a wheel and win a $10 coupon, which you’ll have to spend on whatever vendor it lands on.
6. The Leslieville Farmers’ Market
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Website: http://leslievillemarket.com/
Location: 150 Greenwood Ave, Toronto
Operating hours: Sun 9 AM to 2 PM
Phone: +16473814555
Another amazing outdoor market that pops up seasonally is the Leslieville Farmers’ Market at Greenwood Park. Each week, you’ll see around 55 merchants, offering a vast selection of goods.
They have fresh produce, specialty cheeses, homemade meals, and artisanal crafts. I’d come here just for the fruit, but I always end up with other delicious and unique finds.
This market is also a fun place to hang out and have a picnic on a Sunday. They always have live music, dancing, and other fun activities for market-goers of all ages.
Pro Tip:
Since there aren’t any picnic tables and chairs around, I recommend bringing a picnic blanket so you can enjoy your haul on the grass.
7. Sorauren Farmers’ Market
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Website: https://soraurenmarket.com/
Location: 50 Wabash Avenue
Operating hours: Mon 3 PM to 7 PM
Phone: +14165336363
If you prefer to chill on your days off instead of braving the busy aisles of the weekend farmers’ markets, you should drop by Sorauren Park on Mondays. They only set up once a week from 3 PM up to 7 PM, so you can grab afternoon pick-me-ups or dinner.
They might not be as big and bustling as other spots on our list, but they do have a lot of patrons. Since they have free live entertainment and music, it’s easy to see why people are drawn back to this market week after week.
Apart from freshly harvested local produce, you can buy delicious treats to munch on while you browse the stalls. You can never go wrong with dumplings and sandwiches, but try to expand your palate as they have quite a diverse range of cuisines to offer.
Pro Tip:
When the weather gets too cold for outdoor fun, this farmers’ market usually transfers to an indoor location. You’ll find updates on their new spots on their socials and website.
8. York Farmers’ Market
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Location: 7509 Yonge St, Vaughan
Operating hours: Thu–Sun, 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +19058869992
Open from Thursday to Sunday, York Farmers’ Market is an indoor food hub that has been around since 1953. This quaint yet historic spot has been a local favorite because of the excellent variety of local goods available. That, and its chill vibe.
Although it’s not as loud or as crowded as other markets on our list, it’s not also boring. They have live music and even open mics, which is the perfect opportunity for local artists to share their talents with the rest of the community.
Other than the seasonal fruits, I come here to buy seafood—fresh or cooked. They have sushi, baked salmon, fresh oysters, and more.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss out on hand-dripped coffee and pastries.
9. Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market
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Website: https://www.dufferingrovemarket.ca/
Location: 875 Dufferin St
Operating hours: Thu 3 PM to 7 PM
On the Northwest corner of Dufferin Grove Clubhouse, you’ll find Toronto’s oldest farmers’ market. They set up every Thursday afternoon from 3 PM to 7 PM.
Known for its commitment to organic farming, this market gathers farmers offering seasonal fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and flowers. You’ll also find unique items like handmade preserves, organic honey, and freshly baked sourdough bread.
What I like the most about this spot is that vendors are knowledgeable and eager to share stories about their sustainable practices. They make the entire experience more personal and enriching.
Pro Tip:
Arrive early to snag the freshest picks, especially for popular items like heirloom tomatoes and artisanal cheeses.
10. Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market
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Location: 550 Bayview Ave
Operating hours: 9 AM to 1 PM
Phone: +14165967670
During the warmer months of the year, the Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market is hosted outdoors, where you can bask in the sun while you explore the exciting stalls. Then, it moves indoors when the temperature drops.
Their operating hours also change with the seasons. You can simply check their socials for the latest announcements, so you won’t miss out on the seasonal produce and all the fun.
Here, they like to do a lot of community-oriented activities. They take festivities to a whole new level by inviting professional acts to put on a show for their patrons.
Pro Tip:
Some shops won’t accept cards so don’t forget to bring cash when you visit.
11. Underpass Farmers’ Market
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Website: http://underpassparkmarket.com/
Location: 29 Lower River Street
Operating hours: May to Oct, Thu 4 PM to 7:30 PM
The Underpass Farmers’ Market might not have an extensive selection of vendors, but they have enough options to suit everyone’s tastes and needs. They have the usual fruits, veggies, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, and homemade meals.
My favorite thing about this spot is that there’s so much space. Even when it gets busy, it never feels too crowded and stuffy.
The only downside is that it’s not open year-round. It usually opens in May and lasts until October before the weather becomes too cold
Pro Tip:
Since it’s a smaller farmers’ market, goods tend to run out pretty fast. Don’t waste time and grab popular items like seasonal fruits, pastries, and donuts while you can.
12. Nathan Phillips Square Farmers’ Market
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Location: 100 Queen St.
Operating hours: June-Sept, Wed 8 AM to 2 PM
Located right in front of city hall, this outdoor farmers’ market caters to busy professionals and urbanites. It’s an excellent stop for anyone seeking fresh groceries or a quick, delicious lunch.
Operating weekly, this market features fresh produce, artisanal foods, and handmade goods. You can also buy freshly baked pastries alongside specialty items like organic jams, cheeses, and small-batch sauces.
Although it’s at the heart of the city, it’s not as crowded as other markets. You certainly won’t have to wait in line, which is perfect for the busy professionals who frequent the area.
Pro Tip:
Bring cash for smaller vendors who may not accept cards.
