As a long-time traveler, I know a food tour is the fastest and most immersive way to experience a city’s culture and flavors.

When in Toronto, Ontario, the must-do food tour is the VIP Early Access Food Tour of St. Lawrence Market by Culinary Adventure Co. This intimate, two-hour tour, capped at just eight guests, takes you through one of the city’s finest indoor food hubs. You’ll sample generous portions from family-owned enterprises, hear their stories and learn some of the intriguing history of Canada’s largest city.

My tour was led by the ever-engaging Kevin Durkee, tour operator who goes by the title of Big Cheese. More on him later. “We aim to ignite the culinary imagination of our guests through the unique vendors we highlight,” Kevin explains.

(Full disclosure: I experienced this tour thanks to CityPASS®, a nationwide discount ticket program, during a media visit, but the opinions I shared are my own. Rest assured, the VIP Early Access Tour you sign up for will be identical to the one I enjoyed–no extra perks for travel writers! Also, note that participating vendors may change from time to time, )

Here are the reasons this food tour should top your Toronto itinerary:

Start Your Day Off Right

The tour kicks off before the market opens, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how vendors gear up for the day. You’ll be finished before lunch, leaving plenty of time to explore the city. Balzac’s Coffee Roasters on pedestrian-friendly Market Street adjacent to the market is the first stop. This European-inspired café boasts 16 Ontario locations and serves up a tempting array of hot and cold coffee drinks, teas, ciders, cocoa and fresh pastries.

Wander Through a Historic Market

St. Lawrence Market is in Toronto’s Old Town neighborhood, which dates back to when the city was called York. A public market has stood on this site for over 200 years. Originally, it was an open-air space where farmers drove their horse-drawn wagons between the stalls. The market was roofed in 1903 and hasn’t changed much since, save for modern upgrades like air conditioning and elevators. Horses are not allowed indoors, but you can imagine the clip-clop of their hooves as you stroll through this iconic space.

Today, over 100 vendors–from farmers to fishmongers to bakers to butchers–operate within the market’s two levels. It’s a top culinary destination for both locals and tourists, open daily except Mondays.

Eat a Lot of Delicious Food

Skip breakfast before the tour, as you’ll want to come hungry. We made eight stops to taste and chat with different vendors.

After coffee and pastries, we next headed to Carousel Bakery, known for its peameal bacon sandwich. It’s said to be a favorite of celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse. You’ll read more about “peameal” in my section on Canadian Cuisine.

Next, we visited Mike’s Fish Market for a sampling of Atlantic smoked salmon, gravlax and freshly shucked oysters named “sexy peques.” That’s their real name. 

Ponesse Foods, a market vendor since 1900, offered up enormous, juicy blackberries, bigger than quarters. Kevin paired them with Kozlik’s Balsamic Fig and Dates mustard–an unexpectedly delightful combination. Kozlik’s Canadian Mustard makes 36 different small-batch blends.

Our food journey continued with Scheffler’s Delicatessen & Cheese, where we indulged on a charcuterie board featuring Canadian cheeses and prosciutto, followed by pierogies with sour cream from European Delight. We concluded with a sweet Portuguese egg tart, dusted with cinnamon, from Churrasco’s.  

Learn from a Local Expert

Kevin, who bought Culinary Adventure Co. in 2014, brings a wealth of experience to the table. He formerly owned Cheesewerks, a now-closed fast-casual spot famed for its cheesy creations. His background also includes a stint in marketing at The Walt Disney Company, adding a touch of showmanship to his tours. He shares engaging tales and practical tips, like how peameal got started (keep reading) and adding a Mike’s Fish Market crab cake to your eggs Benedict.

Discover Canadian Food Staples

Peameal bacon was new to me, but it’s a staple in Toronto and a very big deal at St. Lawrence Market. Essentially a pork chop without the bone, it is coated in cornmeal (yellow lentils, historically), and was originally used as a preservative for shipping the meat to Great Britain. Just ask for a “peameal,” and locals know exactly what you mean. It’s usually served on a soft roll with egg or cheese for a hearty breakfast sandwich.

Support Local Businesses

The vendors at St. Lawrence Market are all small, family-owned businesses with rich history. Culinary Adventure Co. supports these vendors by featuring them consistently on their tours, thereby ensuring a steady income for them and a reliable experience for tour guests. If you book your tour directly through the Culinary Adventure Co. website, more of your payment goes to the vendors rather than to third-party commissions. ###