Brianna HarrisonAfter watching a documentary about organic food, my friend decided to go on a health kick, which includes replacing sugar with 100% organic honey. Unfortunately, the stuff her local grocery carries doesn’t seem to be the real deal.
That’s when I suggested she buy honey from a local apiary or honey farm.
Together, we combed through the top apiary services in Toronto to find the best options. What’s cool is that we even managed to score goodies like candles and mead!
If you’re also curious about where to purchase top-tier organic honey (and other hive-related products!), here are some of the best apiaries in TO.
How much does raw or organic honey cost in Toronto?
Raw or organic honey in Toronto typically costs $12 to $25 per jar (250 to 500g), depending on the source, variety, and certification. Retail price can also range between $15.81 and $45.42 per kilogram.
1. Kiss My Bees Honey
Business Address: 15 Firner St, Hampton
Website: https://www.kissmybeeshoney.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissmybees/
Contact Details: (905) 728-9419
Business Hours: Mon – Thurs, Sat – Sun: 8 AM – 8 PM
Friday: 9 AM – 8 PM
Kiss My Bees Honey is a family-run apiary owned by beekeeper JoAnn Poirier. She’s a proud member of the Durham Regional Beekeepers Association and the Ontario Beekeepers Association, so you know she’s legit.
Her farm’s cupboard is stocked daily with raw, unpasteurized wildflower honey—you can even call ahead to order the creamed or comb kind.
What’s cool is that during summer, you can snag honey, along with natural soaps and organic beeswax lip balms, at the Whitby Farmers Market.
As for services, they offer free honey bee removal without the use of pesticides or harmful chemicals. This says a lot about their passion for beekeeping.
Of course, no place is perfect. Their pricing for artisanal honey and organic products may feel higher compared to grocery store brands.
Has a smooth and sweet taste that we loved!
“My wife and I just bought the golden honey. Oh my goodness! It has a smooth and sweet taste that we loved! We will go back for more for sure!”
-Andre C, Google Review
Never go back to buying grocery store honey
“Bought honey from them at a farmers market, and I’ll never go back to buying honey from the grocery store. You can taste the difference in the quality of this vs the store-bought. Definitely recommend!”
-S J, Google Review
2. The Bee Shop
Business Address: 1340 Bloor St W
Website: https://www.thebeeshop.net/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-bee-shop-toronto
Contact Details: (416) 533-2337
Business Hours: Mon – Fri: 10 AM – 7 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
For over 20 years, The Bee Shop has been a go-to urban farm apiary, honey shop, and educational hub.
Here, you’ll find Duchman Gold’s honey on the shelves, alongside raw, comb, and blueberry honey. They also carry beeswax and bee venom, as well as bee-themed jewelry and a wide range of beauty products.
To make the most of your visit, we recommend joining their apiary tour, where you can sip on a cup of honey lemonade, taste local honey, get a honey stick, and check out the rooftop apiary.
You can also sign up for one of their adult and youth beekeeping, mead-making, and candle-crafting classes and programs.
While their products and services sound like a dream, we heard that their customer service seems to need more work.
By far my favourite place to get a fresh honey
“This is by far my favourite place to get fresh honey and to get beeswax for my candles. The owner of the shop, Oliver, is always super friendly, and last time he even waited an extra 10 minutes while he was already closed, so I was able to pick up some beeswax for my craft!”
-Alisa Fish, Google Review
Absolutely amazing beeswax candle-making class
“I did a beeswax candle-making class here back in February, and it was absolutely amazing. Oliver is super kind and knowledgeable, and taught such a fun class. They’ve got great products here and it’s just such a good vibe, I will definitely bee back 🐝🐝🍯”
-Jova, Google Review
3. Pioneer Brand Honey
Business Address: 5815 15th Sideroad, Nobleton
Website: https://pioneerbrand.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pioneerhoney/
Contact Details: (416) 807-2253
Business Hours: Tue – Fri: 10 AM – 6 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 3 PM
Pioneer Brand Honey is a third-generation bee farm that began back in the 1930s, when Charles Sauriol, a naturalist and Order of Canada recipient, started his first colony. Today, his grandson carries on his legacy.
The apiary’s specialty is delicious Ontario honey (buckwheat, wildflower, etc.), but you can also snag mead.
On top of that, their shelves are stocked with just about everything the hive has to offer. Examples include beeswax candles, bee pollen, lip balms, skin creams, honey mustard, and much more.
When it’s time to pay, watch out for the attendant, who we heard could be quite rude.
And after your purchase, feel free to explore the farm, which is surrounded by natural beauty. It’s set on the rolling hills of King Township’s Oak Ridges Moraine, right at the headwaters of the Humber River.
Best honey we ever purchased in Ontario
“Best honey we ever purchased in Ontario. Friendly owners, great products. Definitely worth the drive from where we are in Aurora. Highly recommend!”
-Valentin Sorokin, Google Review
Best tasting self-farmed, unpasteurised honey
“Stumbled across this place after trying their product at an apple farm. We have bought from many keepers, and this brand blew us away. We tracked down the source. Been here a few times now. I have witnessed consistent good service to us and other customers. Personally, my partner and I agree, they have the best tasting self-farmed unpasteurised honey anywhere within hours of the GTA. The family living there is genuine. The fresh organic eggs, as well as all their other products, are all worth the nice drive. After all, it’s their bees-ness 😂 😜. I highly recommend.”
-Red Dwarf, Google Review
4. Bee Local 416
Business Address: 65 Spruce St
Website: https://www.beelocal416.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beelocal416/
Contact Details: (647) 893-6298
Business Hours: 24/7 online
Bee Local 416 is proof that you don’t need sprawling fields to enjoy fresh honey. Founded by Joseph Curry in 2016, they place honeybee hives in backyards and rooftops across the city, cared for by Registered Beekeepers.
Curious about becoming a beekeeper? They offer Beekeeper Mentor Sessions, wherein a registered beekeeper will come to your apiary and walk you through hive manipulation, swarm control, pest management, and more.
If you don’t have an apiary yet, you can book an Apiary Visit. You’ll learn about honeybee biology, behaviour, and sustainable practices.
Note that these sessions book up quickly, so plan ahead.
Of course, a honey farm isn’t complete without delicious and sustainable products. From comb and neighborhood honey to cosmetics, pollen, lip balms, candles, and more, they’re turning the hive into a lifestyle brand.
Delicious honey from Toronto bees
“Delicious honey from Toronto bees. This local business replies to emails quickly and delivers the products within 3 to 9 days. I highly recommend it!”
-Margarita Arbelaez, Google Review
Great tasting pure honey from a local business
“Great tasting pure honey from a local business. My order was delivered promptly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A+ Highly recommended!!”
-Ben Smith, Google Review
5. Toronto Bee Rescue
Business Address: 938343 Airport Rd, Mulmur
Website: https://torontobeerescue.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torontobeerescue
Contact Details: (416) 809-5669
Business Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Toronto Bee Rescue is run by Peter Chorabik, who was inspired by three generations of hobby beekeepers in his family. Now, his business has grown from just two hives in 2012 to over 600 hives across the GTA.
They’re known for their Hive Share Program, where you can purchase a share of a hive and directly support the bees and the beekeeper managing them.
In return, you get honey from your sponsored colony—anywhere from 30 to 100 lbs of raw, unpasteurized honey a year. A bonus is that you get to visit the farm and work alongside a professional beekeeper; this is a perfect activity for families and friends.
As expected, this program is a bit pricey.
Fantastic natural honey and honeycomb!
“Love the self-serve 24/7 honey station. Fantastic natural honey and honeycomb!”
-Robert J Hanney, Google Review
Their staff truly cares and loves the bees
“Peter and Toronto Bee Rescue do great work, and I’m happy to support them through their Hive Share. Their staff truly cares and loves the bees, and delicious honey as well.”
-James, Google Review
