Aliu IsaA friend of mine—also a fellow foodie—is visiting Toronto for a weekend and asked me for solid recos of all the city’s must-try restaurants, which made me laugh.
I mean, mate, that’ll take me weeks! From the city’s best pad thai restaurants to the top steak frites spots, I’ve painstakingly tried and tested them all.
So, I told him that it’s impossible to sample the best food Toronto has to offer in just one weekend. But I can help him hack the food scene by listing the top foodie tours in TO.
Yep, these curated food tours can be your Cliff’s Notes to Toronto’s culinary landscape.
If you also want to eat your way through my city, don’t stress. Just book some of the foodie tours below, and I guarantee you, you’ll be planning your next visit soon!
Taste the World Kensington Market Food Tour
Media credit: tasty_tours
Website: https://tastytourstoronto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasty_tours/
Meeting Place: Kensington Market
Tour Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays): 11 AM – 1:30 PM
Contact: (416) 871-7133
Taste the World Kensington Market Food Tour is a guided 2- to 3-hour experience into the heart of an iconic multicultural neighborhood. You’ll explore the market while sampling global bites like Tibetan momos, Jamaican patties, and fresh churros.
As the first and oldest food tour in Kensington Market, you’ll get true insider access. You’ll skip the lines at popular local spots, meet passionate small business owners, and learn more about the market’s history.
The group sizes are intentionally small (around 2 to 12 people), so you won’t feel lost in the crowd. Plus, kids under 7 join for free, making this a perfect family adventure.
Just book in advance, especially on weekends, as this popular tour sells out crazy fast!
Pro Tip:
I recommend booking directly on Tasty Tour’s website. Not only will you get the best price, but you’ll also receive a free downloadable Kensington Market neighborhood guide. Score!
Secret Food Tour: Toronto
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Website: https://secretfoodtours.com/toronto/food-tours-toronto/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretfoodtours/
Meeting Place: St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E
Tour Hours: Tue – Sun: 11 AM onwards
Contact: [email protected]
Secret Food Tour: Toronto takes you through two iconic neighborhoods: St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District. Perfect for locals and visitors alike, this 3- to 4-hour walking tour serves up Canadian and multicultural cuisine.
You’ll begin at St. Lawrence Market, one of the city’s oldest foodie hubs, where you’ll sample maple-glazed smoked salmon and a peameal bacon sandwich. You’ll even try a Nanaimo bar—an old-school, no-bake Canadian dessert.
From there, you’ll arrive at the Distillery District—the highlight here is their butter chicken roti, a spicy, savory fusion dish. And of course, no Canadian tour would be complete without biting into a sweet, sticky butter tart.
And if that’s not enough, the tour ends with a secret dish! Exciting, right?
Pro Tip:
I recommend fully charging your phone before you go. There are plenty of Instagram-worthy shots in this Secret Tour—from St. Lawrence Market’s colorful stalls to the Distillery District’s cobblestone streets and red-bricked Victorian warehouses.
Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour
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Website: chopsticksandforks.com/taste-of-the-continents-international-food-tour/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chopsticksforks/
Meeting Place: Kensington Market
Tour Hours: Mon – Sun: 11 AM onwards
Contact: (888) 683-6778
Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour by Chopsticks + Forks is your ticket to eight countries and five continents—all within Kensington Market! This 2.5-hour walking tour packs a global punch, from Caribbean patties to Middle Eastern fare.
As you walk less than a mile, your guide will explain the link between the food on your plate and the surrounding community. The best part? You get to skip the lines and enjoy VIP treatment at each vendor.
For me, the $119 per adult fee is well worth the price. You’ll leave with a full belly and probably a new favorite global dish or two!
Note that while there are vegetarian and pescatarian options available, they cannot accommodate vegans or gluten-free diets.
Pro Tip:
I suggest wearing comfy shoes. The tour’s terrain includes uneven sidewalks, cobblestones, and the occasional curb-hopping, but trust me—it’s worth every step!
Fusion Fare! Tour
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Website: https://www.chopsticksandforks.com/tour/fusion-fare/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chopsticksforks/
Meeting Place: Kensington Market
Tour Hours: Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun: 11 AM onwards
Contact: (888) 683-6778
Another popular Chopsticks + Forks tour is the Fusion Fare! Tour. It takes you through six of the city’s most exciting fusion restaurants (Jamaican-Italian, Japanese-Mexican, etc.), all located in Kensington Market.
Over the course of 2.5 hours, you’ll be skipping lines like a VIP and tasting your way through dishes you didn’t know existed. Each plate tells a story, not just of the dish, but of the people, traditions, and communities that made it possible.
We like that the tour keeps a casual pace, just enough to build an appetite between bites. Along the way, your guide will drop tidbits of history and tasty trivia.
If you’re vegan or allergic to gluten, nuts, dairy, or eggs, this tour might not be for you.
Pro Tip:
Toronto’s weather can be a bit of a wild card, so dress smart during summer! Since this tour takes place mostly outdoors, bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and a pair of shades, and make sure to wear lightweight clothes and comfy shoes.
St. Lawrence Market Food Tour
Media credit: tastesandtalestoronto
Website: https://tastesandtales.ca/experiences/st-lawrence-market/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastesandtalestoronto/
Meeting Place: St. Lawrence Market
Tour Hours: Tue – Fri: 10 AM and 1 PM
Contact: [email protected]
The St. Lawrence Market Food Tour is definitely a must-book. Named the best food market in the world by National Geographic, this legendary spot boasts over 120 vendors, serving peameal bacon sandwiches, pastries, artisanal cheese, and more.
You’ll spend around 45 minutes to an hour walking on charming cobblestone streets as your friendly local guides share anecdotes about early settlers and architectural gems.
The rest of the time will be focused on sampling a variety of curated tasting courses—from savory bites to sweet surprises. And what’s cool is that food, drink, and restaurant tips are all included in the tour fee.
If you want to bring something home, feel free to shop for Canadian deli meats, baked goods, and fresh produce, as well as locally made trinkets.
Pro Tip:
This St. Lawrence Market Food Tour starts at 10 AM/1 PM. I suggest skipping breakfast so you can enjoy every course without hitting a food wall too soon!
Little Italy Food Tour
Media credit: tastesandtalestoronto
Website: https://tastesandtales.ca/experiences/little-italy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastesandtalestoronto/
Meeting Place: Little Italy
Tour Hours: Wed: 6 PM onwards
Contact: i[email protected]
Little Italy Food Tour is a three-hour culinary stroll, but you’ll only walk 20 to 30 minutes in total. From fresh-made pasta to dark espresso, this tour pays homage to the rich Italian roots of the neighborhood.
You’ll get to taste what made this area famous—from rustic, old-school dishes to modern takes on Italian classics. I mean, who wouldn’t want to sample creamy risottos and scrumptious cannolis all evening?
Along with your glass of Chianti, you might also find bites influenced by Portuguese, Latin American, or even Asian cuisine. Note that all food and drinks (yep, including wine) are included in the tour.
Guided by a local expert, you’ll not only taste your way through the district, but you’ll also hear fun and interesting stories about the neighborhood’s history.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to bring a government-issued photo ID to the Little Italy Food Tour. That’s because this tour includes wine pairings, and you might be asked to present your ID before letting you take a sip.
King West + Entertainment District Brunch Tour
Media credit: datenightyyz
Website: culinaryadventureco.com/tour/king-west-entertainment-district-brunch-tour
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryadvco/
Meeting Place: David Pecaut Square
Tour Hours: Sunday: 11 AM onwards
Contact: +1 877-317-4870
King West + Entertainment District Brunch Tour is Toronto’s only brunch tour, which is held every Sunday. Starting at David Pecaut Square, you’ll walk through the city’s hippest neighborhoods, packed with style and irresistible eats.
This brunch adventure features over 15 tastings, offering a trip through Australian, Canadian, Italian, Middle Eastern, Turkish, and French brunch traditions. I just love sampling DIY mimosas, handcrafted lattes, and Italian cookies, don’t you?
Along the way, your guide will dish out not just food but also fun facts and behind-the-scenes stories that make this experience way more than just a meal.
You can also book a private version of this tour if you’re celebrating a birthday, bachelorette, or just an all-girls or all-boys day out.
Pro Tip:
You should wear something photo-ready. This awesome brunch tour is packed with Instagrammable bites and cool backdrops, from art sculptures to movie landmarks that might look familiar, so pose away!
