St. Lawrence Market guide: what to eat and when to go

St. Lawrence Market, near the east end of downtown Toronto, is one of the city's best-loved food destinations. It is a working market where locals shop for meat, fish, cheese and bread, and a place where visitors come to eat Toronto's most famous sandwich. Here is how to make the most of it.

What is St. Lawrence Market?

It is a historic public market in Old Town Toronto, made up of more than one building. The South Market is the big hall full of permanent vendors: butchers, fishmongers, bakeries, cheese shops, delis and prepared food counters. The North Market side is best known for the Saturday farmers market, a tradition on this site that goes back to the early 1800s.

What should you eat at St. Lawrence Market?

The must-try is the peameal bacon sandwich: thick slices of brined, cornmeal-crusted pork loin, griddled and piled into a soft bun, usually with mustard. It is a Toronto classic, and the long-running sandwich counter that made it famous is in the South Market.

Beyond that, look for:

Look for	Why
Fresh bread and pastries	Many bakeries, from rye to sweet buns
Cheese	Ontario and Quebec cheeses, as well as imports
Smoked fish and seafood	Good for a picnic or to take home
Deli counters	Sandwiches and cured meats
Prepared food	Lunch counters for a quick, hot meal
Sweets	Butter tarts and other baked goods

Get the peameal bacon sandwich first, before the line builds, then wander and graze.

When is the best time to visit St. Lawrence Market?

Weekday mornings are the calmest. Saturday is the busiest and most atmospheric day, with the farmers market on and the South Market full of shoppers, especially in the morning. The South Market has traditionally been closed on Mondays, and opening hours have changed in recent years, so check the market's website before you go.

Is the St. Lawrence Market Saturday farmers market worth it?

Yes, if you want to see the market at its liveliest and buy seasonal produce from Ontario farmers. Arrive early for the best choice. It is more of a shopping trip than a sit-down food experience, so combine it with breakfast or lunch in the South Market.

How do you get to St. Lawrence Market?

It is a short walk from Union Station and the Financial District, and close to King Street. The King streetcar stops nearby. There is paid parking, but on Saturdays it fills up, so transit or walking is easier.

Is St. Lawrence Market expensive?

As a grocery store, it can be pricier than a supermarket, because many vendors sell specialty and high-quality products. As a place to eat, it is good value: a sandwich and a pastry make a satisfying, affordable lunch. Many vendors take cards, but carrying a little cash can help at smaller stalls.

Can you buy butter tarts at St. Lawrence Market?

Usually, yes. Butter tarts are an Ontario favourite, and bakeries in and around the market often sell them. They are small pastry shells with a sweet, gooey filling of butter, sugar and egg, sometimes with raisins or pecans. Buy a couple to share, and try one plain before you try anything fancier. They also travel well if you want to take some home.

How long do you need at St. Lawrence Market?

An hour or two is enough to eat, browse and pick up a few things. Combine it with a walk through the nearby Distillery District or along Front Street, or head west to explore downtown.

What should you know before you go?

• Arrive hungry, but not starving: the line for the famous sandwich can be long at peak times.
• Bring a bag if you plan to buy groceries.
• Seating is limited inside, so be ready to eat standing up or take food outside.
• Some vendors close earlier than the market itself, especially later in the day.

What else is there to eat near St. Lawrence Market?

The surrounding Old Town and St. Lawrence neighbourhood has plenty of cafés, pubs and restaurants, and the Distillery District, a short walk east, has restaurants and cafés in restored Victorian industrial buildings.

Mosey is built around rating dishes, not just places. At a market with dozens of vendors, the useful memory is the specific one: which counter, and what to order there.

More guides to read next:

• Mississauga and Brampton food guide: Punjabi, Pakistani and Caribbean food in Peel Region
• Summerlicious and Winterlicious: how Toronto's prix fixe festivals work
• How to check DineSafe results in Toronto: pass, conditional pass and closed

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