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10 Best Toronto Food Tours From a Local 2024
If you’re looking for the best Toronto food tours, then this article is for you!
Food tours are becoming increasingly popular because they allow people to get an inside look at what makes a city tick. It’s not just about the food – it’s about seeing hidden gems in some of Toronto’s most beautiful neighbourhoods and learning about the history that makes this city special.
See Toronto from a different point of view by walking the streets of Little Italy, Kensington Market, Chinatown, and Little India with a guide who has extensive knowledge of these neighbourhoods.
Some tours will even give you an insider’s look into unique food venues that are off the beaten path!
As a local, I’ve discovered many different cultures through tour guide tips on small group tours. And believe me, I’ve been working my way through local chefs for decades.
There are a lot of great food walking tours in Toronto, but I’ve narrowed it down to 10 that you should definitely consider trying out when you visit Toronto.
You can use my experience exploring the city via food tours to help you decide which food tour is right for you. As a travelling foodie, I know what I’m talking about.
I’ve eaten my way across the world many times over!
Now you can too, all without leaving Toronto!
Let’s dive right in to the best Toronto food tours you need to take to discover the city better than a local.
I recommend this food tour in Toronto!
What is a food tour?
If you’ve never been on a food tour before, you may be unfamiliar with the concept.
A food tour is a tour (usually a walking tour) that revolves around food. These can be cooking experiences that involve you shopping for ingredients, like I did in Morocco, or tours to restaurants and established eateries.
Typically you visit 3 or more restaurants/cafes/local markets along the way.
But they aren’t just about the food!
I’ve been on food tours around the world and am always surprised about how much I learn.
The chocolate tour I did in Paris taught me a lot about French culture. The food tour I did in Jordaan, Amsterdam helped me uncover a neighbourhood I otherwise would never have visited.
I’ve even done a number of walking food tours in Toronto to discover more about my home city! Like the street art I never would have noticed before or the best gourmet mustard – and its connection to our city’s history.
These local food tours offer a way for you to blend your love of food with an experience of learning about culture and history. They’re usually run by local guides who are chefs or otherwise have extensive culinary knowledge.
It’s a better way to get to know a city than a two hour walking tour where you’re too hungry to listen.
So don’t just bring your appetite to a food tour: you’ll also need to bring your curiosity!
Note: Most tours are able to adjust to dietary restrictions. Just ask in advance to ensure that you can safely eat things along the way. I do this when I book, as I’m celiac.
10 Best Toronto Food Tours for a culinary trip
St. Lawrence Market Food Tour by Culinary Adventure Co.
This St. Lawrence Market Food Tour is one of the best food tours I’ve ever been on.
St. Lawrence Market Food Tour by Culinary Adventure Company offers small tours led by local guides who have extensive knowledge of these neighbourhoods.
Starting at 11am, you’ll get to enjoy the amazing chocolate croissants that usually sell out by 8am thanks to your guide. They’ll help you navigate all of the outstanding dishes that can be hard to find in the maze of St. Lawrence Market which is usually teeming with visitors.
This tour will show you hidden gems off the beaten path while tasting 15+ different foods! These tastings include everything from homemade mustard to the famous peameal bacon sandwich – your taste buds won’t know what hit them!
A visit to the best food market in Canada can be overwhelming. Without the tour, I’d have missed the local Ontario cheese that I now pick up weekly!
Highlights:
- Discover the history of Toronto’s St Lawrence Market
- Get a taste of Toronto’s most famous delicacies.
- Sample 15+ different foods with an expert guide.
- Learn about the history that makes this city special in one of the world’s best food markets.
- Knowledgeable guides who customize the tours to fit your needs.
- Private tour options.
Chinatown + Kensington Market Food Tour with Culinary Adventure Co.
The Culinary Adventure Co. hosts an incredible food tour that explores the Chinatown and Kensington Market neighborhoods in Toronto. You’ll see parts of the market most locals miss!
This 3-hour tour runs on weekends at 11 am with 18+ tastings of traditional dim sum dishes, including dumplings, noodles, tripe, fried chicken feet, and more!
Have you always wanted to try a traditional Chinese brunch, but had no idea what to order?
Your expert guide will take the guesswork out of it so you can know you’re getting the best dishes on the menu.
After eating your way through Chinese dishes, you’ll have just enough room left to enjoy some highlights of Kensington Market, including my obsession, Wanda’s Pie in the Sky.
I literally returned the next day to get 4 slices of pie because I was so in love.
Participants will also learn about the history of these two iconic neighbourhoods over lunch.
Most people walk the area never knowing that Chinatown began as a Jewish area.
Taking this Toronto walking food tour is the best way to stretch your legs, explore an iconic area, and have the best meal you’ll find in Toronto.
Highlights of This Food Tour:
- Learn about the history of these two iconic neighbourhoods.
- Eat your way through Canada’s famous delicacies with a food expert.
- Experience an incredible tour that will leave you feeling satisfied and well-fed.
- Take one of the best 9 food tours in the world, as rated by Forbes.
- Tour the multi-cultural enclave of Kensington Market.
King & Queen West Sunday Brunch Tour with Toronto Food Tours
King & Queen West Sunday Brunch Tour is a walking tour that takes you through the streets of this diverse neighborhood.
It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the best brunch in one of Toronto’s hippest areas while getting a guided history of Graffiti Alley.
You’ll be led by a local expert as you explore six restaurants and sample eight dishes that range from sweet to savoury.
Along the way, your guide will provide insight into this vibrant neighbourhood’s history and culture, as well as share insider tips on where to eat in Toronto. Included in the ticket price are all food tastings at each stop plus the restaurant gratuities.
I was so full from this food trip in Downtown Toronto that I genuinely wondered if I’d ever eat again!
Luckily, you can take some of the items to go – but don’t forget to save room for the classic Canadian cocktail!
You’ll love this one-of-a-kind experience!
Highlights of This Food Tour:
- Explore a vibrant neighborhood’s history and culture.
- Get insider tips on where to eat in Toronto.
- Sample 8 dishes from classic Canadian dishes to Korean steam buns.
Little Italy VIP Food Tour with Toronto Food Tours
The Little Italy VIP Food Tour is a 12-dish, 3-drink food tour led by a chef.
The tour will take you to some of the best family-owned restaurants in the neighbourhood.
It includes dishes like lasagna and pizza served family-style, along with other Italian classics.
You’ll enjoy large plates of pasta and massive pizzas with the rest of your tour group, allowing you to taste far more than you ever could trying to recreate this food tour of Toronto on your own.
This is an opportunity to learn about this historical neighbourhood, which has been home to many immigrants from different parts of Europe for over 100 years.
You’ll even find some hidden mafia secrets!
Highlights of This Food Tour:
- Taste some of the best Italian food in Canada.
- Explore a historical neighbourhood and learn about its diverse history.
- Learn from an acclaimed chef as you eat.
- Be a patron at local, family-run establishments you’d otherwise miss.
- Variety of classic dishes you wouldn’t be able to try alone.
Toronto Great Canadian Food Tour by Chopsticks and Forks
Have you always wanted to try traditional Canadian food, but didn’t know where to start?
Check out this amazing Toronto walking food tour!
In 2 and a half hours, you’ll make your way through the National Historic site of Kensington Market with a knowledgeable guide.
You’ll try dishes like poutine, a Canadian classic, and even explore First Nations delicacies you’ve probably never heard of.
As a late afternoon food tour, you’ll be sure to be so full you won’t need dinner.
But that just gives you more time to explore the epic things to do in Toronto at night.
Guests rave about the guide’s knowledge.
It turns a food tour into a history tour – so you get two amazing tours for the price of one!
Highlights of This Food Tour:
- Learn more about local delicacies from Canada.
- Get a unique opportunity to try First Nations food that most locals don’t even know about.
- Have all of your questions answered on these small guided walking tours.
Little India + Gerrard East Food Tour by Culinary Adventures Co.
By now it should be obvious that I am OBSESSED with Culinary Adventures Co. and their Toronto food tours.
This company is incredible: built by local Toronto chefs for locals and tourists alike to learn more about the city, they offer some of the tastiest tours I’ve ever been on.
This food tour of Little India and Gerrard East is the perfect introduction to Indian food for anyone who has never had it.
It even converted my curry-averse mom!
As an Indian food lover, I was entranced by the range of dishes on this tour, including Pakistani kebabs and South Indian dosa.
They even claim to have found the best naan in Canada, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.
You may even get a chance to sample some Indian candy that you’ll become obsessed with.
Book your tour today to take your tastebuds on a sizzling adventure!
Highlights of This Food Tour:
- Enjoy a range of Indian, South Asian, and Pakistani dishes, alongside Canadian classics.
- Get to take part in an exclusive behind-the-scenes kitchen experience.
- Get educated in the health and wellness benefits of various spices.
- Learn more about Toronto’s multiculturalism.
Explore the Junction Food Tour by Toronto Food Adventures
The Junction oscillates between being called Toronto’s hippest area and an up-and-coming neighbourhood.
Whatever you want to call it, it’s home to some incredible food.
On the Explore the Junction Food Tour, you’ll learn about this incredible neighbourhood – including why it still had prohibition until the 1990s!
Stop in at local bakeries, a traditional deli, and a hidden restaurant locals struggle to find. Your guide will even give you additional restaurant suggestions to visit for the rest of your time in Toronto, so the foodie tour can keep on going!
This 3-hour tour has a private vegan option, so even the plant-based foodies can experience a food trip in Toronto.
Highlights of This Food Tour:
- Explore a neighbourhood most locals and tourists don’t know.
- Meet local artisans who craft Toronto’s culinary landscape.
- Get a combination of historical facts, foodie delights, and local culture from a guide who actually knows the area.
501 Streetcar Food Tour from The Foodies Group
501 Streetcar Food Tour is a food tour that takes you from west to east along Queen St. The tour lasts 4.5 hours and features 5 stops along the 501 streetcar route.
It means that you’re not just exploring one area or one cuisine: you’re going to get the best of a full street in Toronto!
This tour is perfect for foodies who love classic streetcars and want to see more of the city of Toronto.
With the help of the TTC, you’ll cover almost 25km to find foodie hidden gems.
As a bonus, you’ll learn how to get around Toronto with the public transport system, which is essential for any budget traveller in Toronto.
Highlights of This Food Tour:
- See more of Toronto as you eat your way along.
- Get a taste of Toronto’s street food scene.
- Explore different neighbourhoods in the city.
- Learn more about the culture and history of Toronto as you explore new places.
Old Toronto Beer Tour by Beer Lovers Tour
If you’re looking for a tour that’s all about the beer, there’s nothing better than Old Toronto Beer Tour by Beer Lovers Tour!
This is your chance to experience four brewery visits and tastings while learning from experts in the brewing industry and exploring historic sites like The Distillery District.
And with transportation provided on their exclusive “Beer School Bus,” it’s easy to see why this is Canada’s longest-running craft beer tour!
Don’t worry, this tour isn’t just about beer.
You’ll also get an amazing charcuterie board with Ontario cheeses and meats.
It’ll help sober you up and introduce you to some delicious Toronto food!
Highlights of This Food Tour:
- Explore Toronto’s brewing heritage and history.
- Enjoy a delicious charcuterie lunch.
- Make new friends who share your passion for craft beer.
- Sample over 14 different styles of beer.
- Exclusive Beer School Bus transportation provided for the day.
Toronto’s Ultimate Chocolate Tour by Tasty Tours
Do you have an insatiable sweet tooth? Is chocolate your kryptonite?
Then you need to take this sweet foodie tour of Toronto!
Located in King West, Queen West, and Kensington Market, Toronto’s Ultimate Chocolate Tour takes you through a sampling of the best chocolate shops in Toronto.
But it’s not just about boxes of chocolate.
You’ll also get a lesson on how to properly taste chocolate!
They advertise this Toronto food tour as being one chocoholics can be proud of – and they are so right!
Whether you love dark, milk, or white chocolate, this tour will have you in cocoa heaven.
Book your spot today and dive into these sweet treats today!
Highlights of This Food Tour:
- Learn how to properly taste chocolate.
- Discover the best chocolate shop in Toronto and eat your way through some of their best samples.
- Uncover the history of chocolate.
- Explore new parts of the city, even if you’re from Toronto.
Explore Toronto with other Amazing Tours
If food tours aren’t your thing – or you need a break after doing too many in a row (trust me, I’ve been there. You will need a break!) – then you should check out these other amazing experiences in Toronto:
- Take a day trip to Niagara Falls and go on a boat cruise
- See the Distillery District in the most unique way with a segway ghost tour
- Take a guided bicycle tour to work up an appetite for a Toronto food tour
- See Toronto from the sky with a helicopter tour
- Take the Best of Toronto Tour to discover the best the city has to offer
Tips for Taking a Toronto Walking Food Tour
- Wear good pair of walking shoes. Although you’ll often be stopping and sitting in restaurants to eat on most tours, there is a fair bit of walking. You’ll want to forgo pretty shoes in favor of comfortable shoes.
- Do not eat before a food tour. Whether you’re going for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you will not want anything in your belly.
- Bring a tote bag so you can take leftovers with you – or take things you couldn’t even start!
- Wear something that isn’t constricting. Tight clothes are not your friend when you need room for a full tummy. Think of Joey’s Thanksgiving pants on Friends: you want something elastic, flowy, or loose so you can eat your fill!
- Bring your camera. You may think food tours are only about the food, but these epic tours will also take you through some of the most beautiful areas in Toronto. Snap pics of your food for the gram and of the epic scenery to add to your stories.
- Be sure to tell them about dietary requirements early on. If you are gluten-free, vegan, or dairy-free, you’ll want to ensure they have time to accommodate your needs. Do the same if you have an allergy.
- Picky eaters should still take these tours! It’s a great opportunity to expand your horizons. I don’t like pork, but I always try it when I’m on a food tour. It helped me uncover some pork dishes I actually really enjoy!
- Be prepared to make some new friends! Food tours are a great time to chat with other tour-goers. Solo travellers will love these tours as a way to make friends while travelling.
Wrap Up of Best Toronto Food tours
Visiting a new city can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where to go or what to do.
Food tours are a great way for visitors to learn more about Toronto’s diverse food scene while exploring different neighbourhoods in the city.
Get ready to taste the world within Toronto! By the end of the tour, you’re sure to be stuffed with food and knowledge of Canadian history.
To this day, I take food tours in Toronto, even though I was born and raised here. I learn something new every time!
I recommend this food tour in Toronto!
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- 15 Best Hotels in Toronto with Private Hot Tubs
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- Best Time to Visit Toronto (from a Canadian)
- 55 Fun & Interesting Facts About Toronto, Canada
- Where to Eat in Toronto: For All Budgets
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Canada Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Canada travel insurance?
100% YES! — Canada has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens! Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I recommend World Nomads – starting at just $5 a day!
💧Can you drink the water in Canada?
Yes — In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. There are very few, rural areas that you can’t. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated.
🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?
Yes — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you’ll need to rent a car. (Read more)
📲 Will my phone work in Canada?
Maybe — Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. If your phone doesn’t work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. We don’t have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so you’ll need your phone for maps.
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Canada accommodations?
My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I use Hostel World. If you want a home-y feeling, check out VRBO (which is cheaper and safer than Airbnb).
Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters!
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?
For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
🎫 Do I need a visa for Canada?
Likely Not — US, UK, and EU passport holders don’t need Canadian visas. However, some other countries do (check here!). And if you plan to stay for more than 4 weeks (an average tourist visa length), you will need to look into visas to live in Canada.
