10 Best Food Tours of Toronto

Toronto is not only famous for its skyscrapers and wide open green spaces, but also for its culinary offerings. The capital of Ontario, with its French and English influences combined with American tradition, has one of the best gastronomic circuits in the region, which you can discover on organised tours.

Some of the best things to do in Toronto include taking part in a food tour, where you'll be able to sample the food on offer at Kensington Market, discover the popular bohemian neighbourhood of The Junction, go on a craft beer tour, tour the Distillery District, sample the city's best doughnuts and even take a dinner cruise on Lake Ontario.

From exquisite artisanal cheeses to exotic spices and fresh seasonal produce, Kensington Market is a foodie's paradise. Offering gourmet delicacies, organic produce and international flavours, Toronto's eclectic mix of cultures is reflected in the diversity of food available, from fresh sushi to Mexican tacos and freshly baked pastries.

During your tour, you'll enjoy tastings ranging from small samples of fine cheeses to bites of ethnic dishes that will transport you to different corners of the world. You can also sample pastries at a local bakery, savour empanadas or be seduced by the aromas of exotic spices that fill the air.

This type of food tour is not only a culinary experience, but also a captivating journey through the flavours, smells and colours that make Kensington Market a gastronomic treasure in the heart of Toronto and place it as a must-see on the best Toronto tours.

Interesting details

• Price: from 67 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 and a half hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of Toronto's main sites and immerse yourself in the multicultural offer that distinguishes the city.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you won't have much free time to explore the market on your own.

Toronto is not just about food, as this is a city with a long tradition as a distillery area, so you can also find some of the best beers in Canada. On these beer tours you'll have the opportunity to explore the local craft scene and sample unique craft beers in a setting that combines old and new.

Gooderham & Worts, in the heart of the Distillery District, is one of Toronto's traditional breweries, and in addition to whisky has also been brewing beer. These tours usually include a stop at the brewery for tastings and to pair the traditional brew with local dishes.

Steam Whistle Brewery, located in an old train station, is another traditional brewery that will allow you to enjoy an authentic brewing experience. Here you can not only do tastings, but also discover the secrets of brewing the famous pilsner-style beer.

During these tours, you'll also have time to visit Queen Street West, Toronto's nightlife hotspot with its corridor of bars and a variety of breweries, ranging from the traditional Bellwoods Brewery to the trendy Bar Hop Brewco.

Interesting details

• Price: from 52 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: They are usually done in small groups of up to 12 people, so you will have a personalised experience.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: although the tours include food tastings, if you want to have lunch or dinner you will have to do so at an extra cost.

If you want to take a culinary tour while getting lost in Toronto tradition, you can't miss the Distillery District. Here, history meets contemporary innovation on tasting tours and learn the secrets behind the creation of handcrafted gins and vodkas.

Spirit of York is one of the district's most traditional distilleries and the ideal place to sample Canadian gin. As well as exploring the facilities, you can also learn about the local history, which has been closely associated with the distilling of spirits since the 19th century.

Mill Street Brewery is also part of the traditional circuit, although it's mostly focused on craft beer production. Surrounded by old brick and cobblestone structures, this brewery offers a wide selection of unique beers that you can savour in one of Toronto's best evening activities.

Most of these experiences, in turn, include a visit to Izumi, where the city's deep-rooted Japanese culture is mastered in the brewing of sake. There you'll discover the ancient art behind this drink, known internationally for its subtlety and complexity.

Interesting details

• Price: from 20 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of Toronto's most famous sites in a short tour.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are short experiences, so you will have to do a lot of walking in a short time to see all the sites and tour inside the distilleries.

If you want to discover one of Toronto's sweetest profiles, you can't miss a doughnut tour. The doughnut became a popular food in the city during the waves of immigration and is now one of the most widely consumed products in Ontario's capital.

On these tours, you'll discover Glory Hole Doughnuts, an iconic shop renowned for its innovative creations, which range from traditional ring doughnuts to crème brulée-filled options. The shop's interior décor is colourful and fun, making it an ideal choice if you plan to visit Toronto with children.

JellyModern Doughnuts is another popular doughnut franchise. Here you'll find a variety of flavours ranging from classic doughnuts to those filled with fresh fruit and glazed toppings. The same goes for The Rolling Pin, a bakery that has taken doughnut fever to new heights, including the development of savoury products as well.

During these tours you can not only get to know the culinary phenomenon behind this product, but also do tastings and learn about the making of the different types of doughnuts.

Interesting details

• Price: from 42 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: it is an ideal experience to do with children.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you won't have too much free time to discover the neighbourhoods of each of the shops during the guided walk.

One of the best ways to experience Toronto's multiculturalism is to explore its street food stalls. These tours, which are a kind of guided tour with tastings, usually take you through the Financial District, Kensington Market and the harbour area neighbourhoods, where you can eat on the go while looking out over the scenery of Lake Ontario.

In Kensington Market, as well as bumping into cultural diversity, you'll find vintage and street art shops. The food stalls in and around the market will allow you to try everything from South American arepas to falafel and kebab, two typical preparations of Middle Eastern cuisine. If you're visiting Toronto in December, you'll also find typical Christmas Eve options here.

Another popular place to visit during the holiday season is the St. Lawrence District, where tradition meets innovation in Toronto's oldest flea market. From Montreal bagels to fresh oysters, immerse yourself in the history and flavour that define the city's varied and complex culinary scene.

Interesting details

• Price: from 62 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 3.5 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: an ideal way to tour the city while sampling the local flavours.
• Disadvantages of these tours: it is a long walking tour, so it can be tiring.

Another great way to experience the different cultural faces of Toronto is to embark on a culinary journey through the world of fusion food, where diverse cultures converge in creative and delicious dishes. From bustling Chinatown, where the fusion of Chinese and Western flavours is evident on every corner, to the Entertainment District, these tours will take you to the city's most varied spots.

In Chinatown you'll find everything from dumplings filled with innovative flavours to authentic Asian delicacies with a modern twist, and in the Entertainment District, where Toronto's nightlife is alive and kicking, you can explore restaurants that combine ingredients and techniques from around the world.

This district is the epicentre of fusion dining, with options ranging from Latin American-influenced sushi to Asian tapas, whether you plan to visit Toronto in summer or winter.

In Kensington Market you'll find mainly Arabic food options and in Little Italy, where Italian traditions blend with influences from around the world, you'll find everything from pizzas and pastas to Italian sweets such as cannolo and tiramisu. In any case, at every stop you'll be able to try new flavours and discover delicious adventures.

Interesting details

• Price: from 67 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 2.5 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will discover some of Toronto's most popular neighbourhoods through food.
• Disadvantages of these tours: there are no fixed itineraries and the itinerary may change according to the day of the tour, as some places, such as street markets, are closed on certain dates.

St. Lawrence Market is one of the oldest markets in North America and a melting pot of flavours that offers a unique culinary experience. On tours of this site you can explore the colourful fresh produce shops, where you'll find everything from fruits and vegetables to fish and meats.

The lively atmosphere of the market will also take you past the empanada and Asian speciality stalls, as every corner of St. Lawrence Market tells a story that reflects Toronto's multicultural diversity. Its downtown location also makes it an ideal place to tour before continuing your tour of Lake Ontario or visiting Toronto's best museums.

St. Lawrence Market is also known for its cheese stalls and bakeries, which reflect the French and Dutch traditions that shaped Toronto's past.

Interesting details

• Price: from 55 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know an epicentre of cultural diversity in the heart of Toronto.
• Disadvantages of these tours: you will have little free time to explore the flea market on your own.

The Junction is often referred to as Toronto's trendy neighbourhood, and as a haven for the city's hippie and bohemian movement. However, this counter-culture hotspot is much more than an amalgamation of shops and restaurants; it is a melting pot of creativity and diversity, reflected in the unique flavours on offer, which you can discover on tours of the district.

Coffee shops are part of the neighbourhood's regular landscape, as are bakeries, health food shops and organic markets. During these excursions you can visit all these places and taste gourmet options as well as artisanal cheeses, freshly baked breads and seasonal fruits. In addition, in this district, close to High Park, you can also take part in some of the best bike tours in the city.

If you're planning on visiting Toronto with children, The Junction is also home to themed shops and bookstores that are sure to catch the attention of the little ones, who won't want to miss out on a tour of one of the city's most eclectic neighbourhoods.

Interesting details

• Price: from 70 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of Toronto's most famous neighbourhoods from a gastronomic perspective.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the neighbourhood is large, so you will have to walk a lot during the tours, so they are not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

If you want to sample the traditional wine of the Niagara wine region you can join a wine tasting tour in Toronto. With its favourable climate and fertile soil, the region has flourished as a wine epicentre, offering wine lovers an unparalleled sensory experience.

During these experiences you can opt for a local wine tasting in Toronto or tour the vineyards that stretch across the Niagara landscape, where grapes are grown seasonally and harvested in October, characterised by the red wine. The region's natural beauty combines with winemaking expertise to create the perfect setting for discovering the secrets of Canadian wines, which are highly praised around the world.

If you choose to tour the vineyards you can also take part in wine tastings at each of the wineries, although you should be aware that these experiences usually require full-day tours from Toronto, which may not be advisable if you plan to visit the city in 3 days or less.

However, you can also combine this experience with a visit to Niagara Falls from Toronto.

Interesting details

• Price: from 85 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 6 to 7 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of the most famous wine regions in North America.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they usually last all day, which could be inefficient if you are planning a short stay.

One of the best ways to see Toronto is from Lake Ontario on a cruise. If you opt for the evening alternative, you can also include dinner on the tour. This will allow you to combine the sightseeing with a unique culinary experience while getting to know the city's waterfront and nearby islands.

For dinner, you can usually opt for gourmet dishes or fresh seafood options. During the tour, you can also enjoy an elegant ambience, with soft music and a relaxing atmosphere that perfectly complements the experience on Toronto's best cruise tours.

During the evening tour, you can also take in the panoramic view of the city, illuminated by the skyscrapers that characterise the Toronto skyline and reflected in the calm waters of Lake Ontario.

Interesting details

• Price: from 65 euros per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get a different view of the city's night skyline from Lake Ontario.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: as they are night tours, you will not be able to make stops on the islands, only to see them from the deck of the boat.