Cathy MerrittI’m the kind of person who gets so lost in what I’m doing that I forget to eat during mealtimes. In fact, my mom or a friend will literally have to text me a reminder to eat!
Fortunately, once I do remember to eat, I don’t have to stay hungry for long because delis are everywhere in Toronto, and they’re always my saviours. I can just walk in, get a sandwich loaded with savoury turkey slices and salty cheese, and I instantly feel better.
If you’re in a rush and have no time to sit down and eat inside a restaurant, head to these delis instead! They’re always stocked with amazing treats—from meaty sandwiches to refreshing beverages.
- Pancer’s Original Deli
- SumiLicious Smoked Meat and Deli
- Centre Street Deli Express
- When the Pig Came Home Delicatessen
- Dave’s Genuine Deli
- Aunty Ems Deli and Coffee
- Schmaltz Appetizing
- New Yorker Deli
- Lambo’s Deli
- La Salumeria
- Scheffler’s Delicatessen
- Stack’d Deli Kitchen
- Zelden’s Deli and Desserts
- Elm Street Italian Deli
- Pavao Meats and Deli
- Mak European Delicatessens
Pancer’s Original Deli
– From: pancersoriginaldeli
Address: 3856 Bathurst St, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14166361230
Pancer’s Original Deli has been a staple in North York since 1957, and that alone should be reason enough to check out this place. The vibe here is just warm and friendly, and the food is delicious and homey.
My go-to order here is the smoked meat; it’s so tender and savoury, and its smoky flavour is subtle yet distinct at the same time. Sometimes, I add peppers and mustard to my sandwich because they add a slight kick of spice that tickles my taste buds.
| Pro Tip: This deli offers catering services for parties. |
SumiLicious Smoked Meat and Deli
– From: atastysight
Address: 5631 Steeles Ave E #5 Milliken Crossing, Scarborough
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday—11 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16473478899
If you’re in Scarborough, then you need to have SumiLicious in your itinerary! This deli is best known for its smoked meat because not only is it delicious, but it’s also affordable! Oh, and if you’re Muslim, you’ll be delighted to know that they have halal options as well.
The smoked meat sandwich is a classic, and it’s also my go-to. The smoky, savoury flavours penetrate deep into the meat, so every bite is a delight. Pair that with poutine, and I’m ready to go into a food coma!
| Pro Tip: If you like their pickles, peppers, and mustard here, you can actually buy a litre or a jar of them here. |
Centre Street Deli Express
– From: centrestreetdeli1988
Address: 995 Bay St.
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +19057318037
The first Centre Street Deli is located in Thornhill, a suburban district off the northern border of Toronto, but it now has an outlet in the city itself, which I’m super glad to discover. Now, I don’t have to travel far just to get a bite of their sandwiches!
I recommend ordering the Club Roll because it’s packed with assorted meats—roast beef, pastrami, and smoked turkey. Every bite is rich and savoury! It also comes with fries and pickles, so by the time I’m done, I’m stuffed.
| Pro Tip: You can book their catering services for your special event. |
When the Pig Came Home Delicatessen
– From: when_the_pig_came_home
Address: 384 Keele St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday—11 am to 2 pm
- Wednesday and Thursday—11 am to 4:30 pm
- Friday—11 am to 6:30 pm
- Saturday—10:30 am to 6:30 pm
Contact Number: +16473459001
I admit, this deli caught my eye with its name. I mean, “When the Pig Came Home”—that sounds more like a title for a short story than a deli! Anyway, I checked this place out of curiosity, and now it’s one of my favourite deli shops.
I usually come here during breakfast, and my order is always the fully loaded peameal on a bun. It’s like an English-style breakfast, but in sandwich form: it has eggs, bacon, and cheddar, so it’s super filling.
If you prefer a classic deli sandwich, try their Reuben on rye. It’s made with a half pound of brisket and topped with their deli sauce and kraut. It’s smoky and savoury, with a hint of tanginess and acidity.
| Pro Tip: If you want to book their catering services, send an email to [email protected]. |
Dave’s Genuine Deli
– From: waterworksto
Address: 1763 Avenue Rd
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday to Sunday—11 am to 8 pm
- Wednesday and Thursday—8 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14167873354
Dave’s Genuine Deli is a cozy nook along Avenue Road. It’s a great spot for a midday break; the peaceful atmosphere and phenomenal food are a match made in heaven.
As much as I love the sandwiches here, I actually prefer getting their entrees because they’re so filling. In particular, I’m obsessed with the chicken fingers, which are super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
This comes with a side of plum sauce, which adds a sweet, fruity kick. This burst of sweetness surprisingly complements the tender’s savoriness well.
| Pro Tip: They offer catering services for events. Check this page for the possible catering menu. |
Aunty Ems Deli and Coffee
– From: auntyemsdeli
Address: 1672 St Clair Ave W
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday—10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +16475489028
Looking for a vegan spot? Then, you need to stop by Aunty Ems Deli and Coffee.
I’m obsessed with the Italian sub here. The vegan salami and ham taste exactly like their non-vegan counterparts (perfectly salty and smoky), while the balsamic vinaigrette and caper aioli add a zing of lemony tanginess that ties everything together.
If you love desserts, then you might like their Nanaimo bar. It has a chocolate Oreo coconut walnut base, followed by a custard buttercream in the middle, and then topped with a salted chocolate ganache. It’s such a decadent treat!
| Pro Tip: Check the deli’s fridge or freezer because it often has frozen items on sale. I usually get the pizza pockets. |
Schmaltz Appetizing
– From: schmaltzappetizing
Address: 414 Dupont St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—9 am to 2 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +16473504261
If you love bagels, then I have the spot for you: Schmaltz Appetizing. This deli shop offers a wide variety of bagel sandwiches, so sometimes, I have to spend a few minutes just making a decision!
My current obsession is the Klutz, which is absolutely loaded with savoury turkey, tangy scallion cream cheese, salty cheddar, and sour pickles.
If I want something less intense, I’ll go for the Chub Chub. This sandwich uses whitefish, which is flaky and smoky, and it also has lemon dill gravlax and horseradish cream cheese, both of which add a tangy zing to every bite.
| Pro Tips: If you don’t like any of the bagel options, you can build your own. Schmaltz Appetizing also owns Grateful Catering, which is great if you have a special event. |
New Yorker Deli
– From: newyorkdeli_to
Address: 1140 Bay St
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday—8:30 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14169233354
We might be in Toronto, but every time we step inside New Yorker Deli, we feel like we’ve been transported to the Big Apple. Plus, this deli offers all-day breakfast, which is why I personally love coming here.
My favourite is the Carnegie, which is a sandwich packed with your preferred meat (I usually pick turkey, but corned beef is great as well). It’s a simple sandwich, but it’s so filling. Plus, it’s served with latkes (potato pancakes) or fries.
| Pro Tip: If you order from the website, you might be able to score a promotion. Currently, the promotion is C$5 off a minimum order of C$30 by using the code save5. |
Lambo’s Deli
– From: lambosdeli
Address: 176 Bellwoods Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14167033688
Another great deli you might want to visit if you’re a big fan of New York-style subs is Lambo’s Deli. This deli now has two locations within the city, but in my opinion, the one on Bellwoods Avenue is undefeated.
The turkey pesto sandwich is my go-to order. It has my favourite sandwich ingredients: smoked turkey, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, arugula, and pesto. So, every bite is a delicious symphony of smoky, cheesy, nutty, and spicy flavours.
| Pro Tip: If you want to book them for catering, send a request to [email protected]. |
La Salumeria
– From: lasalumeriatoronto
Address: 2021 Yonge St
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—9 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14164868327
La Salumeria is an Italian deli that feels like it’s been stuck in time. Instead of modern, artfully curated shelves, the shelves are overflowing with old-school bottles of oils, vinegars, and other foodstuffs. The space is also small, so the overall aesthetic here is clutter in a charming way.
There’s no menu, so you have to “build” your deli sub. My usual combination is prosciutto, spicy salami, mozzarella, tomatoes, peppers, and fig jam, and oh my goodness, the flavours! Salty, savoury, spicy, tangy, and even sweet—this sandwich has it all!
| Pro Tip: There’s no dedicated parking spot here, so I don’t recommend driving to this deli. |
Scheffler’s Delicatessen
– From: schefflersdeli
Address: 93 Front St E, St. Lawrence Market
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163642806
St. Lawrence Market is a gold mine when it comes to delis, and one of my favourites is Scheffler’s Delicatessen. This deli has been around since 1955, and the fact that it’s still around is a testament to its quality.
I love treating myself to the cheese and spice-stuffed peppers. I love the explosion of salty and spicy flavours!
When I have money to spare, I also splurge on the fresh truffles from Italy and France.
| Pro Tip: Don’t want to buy an entire cured ham, prosciutto, etc.? You can actually buy smaller amounts here. |
Stack’d Deli Kitchen
– From: stackdkitchen
Address: 93 Front St E Upper Level 14, St. Lawrence Market
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—8 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14168928140
Another one of my favourite delis in St. Lawrence Market is Stack’d Deli Kitchen. This one is best known for its iconic Montreal-style smoked meat sandwich. In fact, that’s the main reason why I keep coming back here.
The smoked meat filling is generous; the final sandwich ends up looking so fat that it’s tricky to bite into. I also love the inclusion of the mustard and Swiss cheese. The creaminess and tanginess pair well with the meat’s smoky, savoury flavours.
| Pro Tip: If you want to book them for catering, you need to fill out a form, which you can access from the website’s menu (click “catering”). |
Zelden’s Deli and Desserts
– From: fullcravingsto
Address: 1446 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—8 am to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16473473474
As much as I love the classic homey and cozy atmosphere of an old-school deli, I do have a soft spot for a deli with a more modern flair. That’s exactly the vibe I get from Zelden’s Deli and Desserts, which is why it’s made it on my list of favourites.
Of all the sandwiches, the Bovine is the one I’m obsessed with. The beef brisket is super tender and savoury, and the BBQ sauce makes it even richer. The sautéed onions and peppers add an interesting burst of sweetness and spiciness, elevating the sandwich to a whole new level.
| Pro Tip: Zelden’s Deli and Desserts is willing to cater for special occasions. If you’re interested, you can send a request to [email protected]. |
Elm Street Italian Deli
– From: torontoeaters
Address: 15 Elm St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—11 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14165916411
Elm Street Italian is a hidden gem that deserves more hype. The aesthetic here is a pastiche of different influences; at first, I’m reminded of a Brooklyn sandwich shop, but it also feels like an Italian coastal town. I love it!
The sandwiches here are also massive, even the half ones. I recommend trying the Don of Elm Street. It has pepperoni, beef salami, mortadella, provolone, and roasted peppers, so it has all the flavours: salty, savoury, cheesy, sweet, and spicy! My friend jokes that if there’s ever a godfather of all sandwiches, it would be this one.
| Pro Tip: Keep in mind that there are no seats here, just a ledge where you can lean against while eating. It might be better if you drive here so that you can safely eat inside your car. |
Pavao Meats and Deli
– From: pavaomeats
Address: 1435 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—7 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—8 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14165337667
Pavao Meats and Deli has a special place in my heart. This is both a butcher shop and a grocery store, and it’s also one of the few places offering products from Portugal and Brazil. In other words, this place is a heaven for home cooks like me.
They don’t sell sandwiches here, so what I do is order the ingredients and then make my own at home. For the cold cut, I get the beef chorizo because I like the subtle spice it has, and then I pair it with Castello blue cheese, which is creamy and tangy. I also like to drizzle a little bit of balsamic dressing to give it more punch.
| Pro Tip: This deli now has an online store, so you won’t have to go to the physical location anymore. |
Mak European Delicatessens
– From: makeurodeli
Address: 1335 Lawrence Ave E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—9 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14164440719
Bosnian cuisine is hard to come by in Toronto, so you can imagine my delight when I discovered Mak European Delicatessens. This deli also has a store section, so you can stock up on your favourite European snacks!
The deli sandwich changes every day, which I find exciting. Other than that, I like to order the stuffed peppers because they’re so hearty. I love how tangy and savoury the ground beef filling is, and the thick sauce makes everything even more tangy.
| Pro Tip: If you want them to cater your special event, send a request to [email protected]. |
