10 Must-Try Foods On Toronto Food Tours

Canada warmly welcomes travelers with open arms and vast menus of culinary delights. Toronto, in particular, is famed for its broad range of dishes and cultural experiences. You might think that you’re going to get more of the same North American food here, but it is vastly different from what you get south of the border. Visitors can take a food tour of Toronto to experience the best the city has to offer, maybe including all of the following.

10 Foods You Have To Try When Travelling To Toronto

1) Poutine

Let’s start with the obvious one. Everyone who comes to Canada for the first time wants to try poutine to see how much better it is in its native land. The concept of poutine is simple. You get some thick fries, cover them in cheese curds, and add some gravy. It’s so popular that street vendors also offer vegan versions now. With so many places to try this dish in Toronto, there’s no excuse not to.

2) Peameal Bacon Sandwich

You can’t come to Toronto without having a good sandwich, and there are plenty of different options out there to try. One that comes highly recommended in the city is Peameal Bacon. This sandwich uses a slightly different cut of pork lion that is rolled in peameal. The locals love it, and tourists are quickly converted.

3) Smoked Meat Sandwich

The smoked meat sandwich is actually better associated with Montreal and the meat smoking processes of Quebec. However, there are many skilled sandwich artists in Toronto using some of the finest cured meats to create their own take on this Montreal classic. So, if you are looking for a broader taste of Canada on a food travel tour and not specifically Toronto, this one is for you.

4) Toronto Bagels

This suggestion is one for all those crossing the border into Canada from some of the best bagel-loving cities in the United States. They say that you can’t beat a New York Bagel for its ability to hold a filling and create a satisfying lunch. However, it’s worth checking out how they make bagels during food tours in Toronto. Locals love the fluffier texture, and you can decide for yourself if it’s better or not.

5) Sushi Pizza

This one is a bit of a divisive dish because you could love the idea or decide that its sushi is best left in its traditional form. The sushi pizza originated in Toronto, so if you want to try it in its native form, you have to come to the source. These fried rice patties are an unusual twist and can contain a range of fish or seafood with avocado and sriracha, among other toppings.

6) Butter Tarts

We’ve got lunch and dinner sorted with all those different sandwiches and poutine outlets to find, but what about a dessert? There are plenty of options out there beyond a trip to Tim Hortons. Check out some independent bakeries for the best, most authentic versions of some classics. Butter tarts are worth a try for their long history. They are pretty simple walnut and egg tarts in pastry, but they can be more.

7) Nanaimo Bars

If those butter tarts aren’t indulgent enough, you can always try a Nanaimo bar. If you can find a good-sized bar from a specialist store, you’re going to be set for calories and sugar for a while. The bars are full of rich custard, with chocolate on top and a graham cracker crust. It’s the sort of treat where you may have to limit yourself to one, so make it count.

8) Beaver Tails

Another Canadian classic is the beaver tail – so much so there is even a store named after them. It’s another simple idea that diners can’t get enough of because of the range of options and indulgent feel. Imagine taking donut dough and stretching it out into the shape of a beaver’s tail. That flat, fried base then gets covered in whatever topping you desire. Cinnamon and sugar are a go-to choice, but you can search for some weirder options from street vendors across Toronto.

9) Ketchup Chips

We have to talk about this cultural oddity for a moment because it’s something you should look out for while enjoying food travel in Canada. The debate over the best and worst potato chip flavors will rage on until the end of time. The placement of ketchup chips will vary depending on your upbringing. Look out for them in Canadian stores and see what you think.

10) Caesar Cocktail

Finally, you can’t enjoy a full day exploring the best food in Toronto without trying one of the city’s best cocktails at the end. This one isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s a hot and spicy drink to warm you up in the Great White North. You can have a mixture of Vodka, Clamato, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce with a stalk of celery and some salt on the rim.

Taste Canada’s Best On A Toronto Food Tour

With so much to experience with food travel in Toronto, your best bet is to book a Toronto food tour with expert guides. They are sure to help you find the best versions of all these great local delicacies and more while you’re in the city. You’ll get to enjoy great sensory experiences and make incredible memories while learning a lot about the local culture and culinary history of the area. The knowledgeable guides will have the very best insider information on the hottest restaurants, bars, bakeries, street vendors, and other hidden gems around the city.

Consider adding a food tour to your itinerary when booking your next trip to Toronto. You can return home with a new-found appreciation for Canada‘s food, knowing it really is more than just another side of North America. You might not be a convert to ketchup chips, but you will learn exactly how poutine is meant to taste and that they really know how to treat fried dough.