St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market is Toronto’s best-known food market, set in two buildings on Front Street East, at the edge of the Old Town. The site has been the city’s market ground since the early 1800s, when the first public market was set up here, and the present complex combines a historic hall to the south with a modern building to the north. National Geographic once named it among the world’s best food markets, and it remains a favourite stop for both residents buying groceries and visitors looking for lunch.

The South Market is the main attraction. Its large hall, opened in the early twentieth century, incorporates the facade of Toronto’s former City Hall, which stood on the site in the nineteenth century, and the vaulted space is lined with more than a hundred stalls. Fishmongers, butchers, cheesemongers, bakers, fruit and vegetable sellers and delicatessens fill the aisles, and the counters are loud with shoppers and vendors. Specialties include fresh seafood, smoked meats, imported cheeses, olive oils and many ready-to-eat dishes. The famous peameal bacon sandwich, a Toronto classic, is served at a bakery counter on the main floor and draws a long queue at lunchtime. On the upper level, the Market Gallery, in a former council chamber, hosts displays on the city’s history and art.

The North Market, across the street, hosts a farmers’ market on Saturdays, where growers from the surrounding region sell produce, honey, preserves and flowers. On Sundays the same space is used for an antiques market, so the building has a different feel from day to day. Visitors who come on a Saturday see the market at its busiest and most colourful, with queues and crowds, while weekday mornings are quieter and easier to browse.

The surroundings are rich in history. St. Lawrence Hall, a Victorian civic building, stands nearby, and the Flatiron Building is a short walk west. The Distillery District and the waterfront are within walking distance, so the market fits neatly into a day exploring the eastern side of downtown.

The market suits food lovers, families and anyone who enjoys watching people at work. Arrive hungry, bring a bag for purchases, and consider a plan to try several small items from different stalls rather than a single large meal. Admission is free, and most shops are happy to offer samples. The South Market is closed on Mondays, so plan around that.