Amelie CameronGoing to markets is one of my favourite pastimes, and fortunately, Toronto has an abundance of them. Among the options, St. Lawrence Market is my absolute fave.
This market is jam-packed with fun things to do and amazing stalls offering unique wares.
The food, though, is the highlight for me. The fresh pastries are so fragrant that they make my mouth water, and the deli sandwiches are so fat with juicy meat that I’m ready to go into a food coma after just a few bites.
If you’re a fellow foodie like me, check out these stalls at St. Lawrence Market. In my opinion, they offer the best food there!
- Things to Know
- Buster’s Sea Cove
- Churrasco of St. Lawrence
- Yip’s Kitchen
- Yianni’s Kitchen
- Scheffler’s Delicatessen
- Uno Mustachio
- St. Urbain Bagels
- Carousel Bakery
- Crepe It Up
- St. Lawrence Pizza and Pasta
- Paddington’s Pump
- Everyday Gourmet Coffee Roasters
- Quik Sushi
- Carnicero’s Prime Meats and Fine Foods
- bomba at the St. Lawrence Market
Things to Know
Address: 93 Front St. E
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm, 5 am to 3 pm (Farmer’s Market)
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163927219
Buster’s Sea Cove
From: torontogirlxo
Location: Upper Level, #33
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—9 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163699048
Buster’s Sea Cove holds a special place in my heart because it’s where my parents used to take me when we stopped by the market back when I was a child. Now, as an adult, I still love their food.
The East Coast lobster roll is an absolute must-try here. The lobster meat is wonderfully buttery and subtly sweet, and the salty fries cut through all that richness.
The seafood orzo pasta is another one I love. It’s thick and creamy, and the flavours are a symphony of tangy and savoury. It’s also brimming with shrimp, scallops, calamari, and mussels, and I love their chewiness.
| Pro Tip: This place only accepts debit or cash—no credit cards. Keep that in mind when coming here. |
Churrasco of St. Lawrence
From: stlawrencemarket
Location: Upper Level, #49
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—7 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14168622867
Churrasco of St. Lawrence is another staple of my childhood that I’m still obsessed with as an adult. This stall is run by the same family, so it’s lovely to see the same faces after all these years.
The food here is absolutely delicious, too. They specialize in Portuguese cuisine, and my go-to is the piri piri chicken. The chicken meat is tender and juicy, and every bite is bursting with peppery, spicy, garlicky, and citrusy flavours. It tastes even better when paired with the sauce, which also packs quite the tangy and spicy punch.
| Pro Tip: This stall only accepts cash. |
Yip’s Kitchen
From: yips_kitchen
Location: Lower Level, #B13
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—10:30 am to 6:30 pm
- Saturday—8 am to 4:30 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 4:30 pm
Contact Number: +14162032472
Are you craving dim sum? Don’t worry, because St. Lawrence Market has Yip’s Kitchen!
I love to treat myself to their spring rolls, which are filled with chewy rice noodles and umami-seasoned vegetables, and siu mai, which are savoury dumplings with a juicy pork filling.
If I want to make my meal extra filling, I usually add a plate of fried rice. My favourite is the house special fried rice; it has BBQ pork, shrimp, scallions, and eggs, so it has a lovely combination of rich, smoky, and savoury flavours with every spoonful.
| Pro Tip: This place only accepts cash. |
Yianni’s Kitchen
From: yiannisgreekkitchen
Location: Lower Level, #B33
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 6 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163610769
Yianni’s Kitchen offers Greek dishes so delicious, it makes me want to go to Greece ASAP!
You can’t go wrong with the classic chicken souvlaki dinner. The chicken breast is wonderfully grilled, so it has that nice charred flavour while the meat is still succulent. The tzatziki sauce adds a tangy punch.
If you love desserts, then you have to get the apple fritters as well—and make sure you eat them while they’re still hot. The flavours are distinctly cinnamon-y and sweet, and they taste better with a cup of hot coffee (or tea).
| Pro Tip: This stall offers catering. Just contact them via phone ahead of time. |
Scheffler’s Delicatessen
From: schefflersdeli
Location: Upper Level, #7
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
Scheffler’s Delicatessen is one of my favourites because I love their olives and fresh-made pesto sauce. I also really love that they offer delicious finger foods that you can snack on while shopping around in the market.
I’m obsessed with their charcuterie board, in particular. The meats, cheeses, and other accoutrements are of high quality, and I love mix-and-matching everything. The savoury meat and the salty (or tangy in some cases) cheese are just a match made in heaven.
| Pro Tip: If there’s a specific product that you want to get but isn’t available at the deli, you can let the shop know by sending an email to [email protected], and they’ll try to procure that item for you. |
Uno Mustachio
From: unomustachio
Location: Lower Level, #B34
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163678325
Italian cuisine is one of my favourites, so I was thrilled to find Uno Mustachio inside the market.
Of course, the pasta dishes are my favourite thing to get there, and my go-to recommendation is Nonna’s meatball pasta. The spaghetti noodles (or penne if you prefer) are perfectly al dente, and the sauce has a nice acidic zing.
The meatballs are just as wonderful. They’re almost bouncy and also absorb the sauce well, so every bite is just an explosion of tangy, savoury goodness.
| Pro Tip: Book their catering services for your event. Just send them an email to [email protected]. |
St. Urbain Bagels
From: sturbainbagel
Location: Upper Level, #11
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163648305
I used to think that bagels were boring, but St. Urbain Bagels convinced me that I was wrong. Their bagels look perfectly golden on the outside, and on the inside, they’re dense and satisfyingly chewy.
I can’t resist their blueberry bagels; the blueberry chunks add a nice fruity surprise with every bite. This bagel tastes even better when paired with the shop’s very own strawberry whipped cream cheese. This spread makes everything taste even sweeter and fruitier, and I can’t say no to that!
| Pro Tip:This shop accepts cash and debit. |
Carousel Bakery
From: carouselbakerycafe
Location: Upper Level
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163634247
Operating since the 1970s, Carousel Bakery is a gem. This bakery is best known for its original recipe called the peameal bacon sandwich. It has been featured on TV in the UK, the US, and other countries, as well as in various food magazines!
Of course, I’m a big fan of this amazing sandwich, and I think it’s worth the hype. The peameal bacon is super thick and fatty, and it’s fried in a way that gives it a bit of a char.
I usually choose honey mustard to go into my sandwich because that one adds a sharpness that cuts through all the savoury and fatty flavours. The other option is maple mustard, which does the same thing, but it definitely tastes a lot sweeter.
| Pro Tips: Keep in mind that you can only pay cash here. Since this is a popular spot, expect a long queue no matter the time of day. Don’t worry, because the line moves fast. |
Crepe It Up
From: crepeitup
Location: Lower Level, #B7A
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14169131737
I love crepes; they’re such simple treats, but they’re incredibly versatile—I can have them either savoury or sweet. Thankfully, St. Lawrence Market has Crepe It Up, so I can satisfy my crepe cravings once they hit me.
My favourite thing to get here is the strawberry and Nutella crepe. I know it’s such a basic choice, but there’s a reason it’s a popular crepe flavour, okay! The rich, chocolate-y, and nutty flavour from the Nutella pairs really well with the sweet and tangy strawberries.
If you prefer something more savoury, I recommend the Eggs Benedict crepe. The eggs have a nice runny yolk that makes everything taste richer, while the hollandaise sauce is creamy, lemony, and buttery. It’s a great treat to start the day!
| Pro Tip: Please take note that this place only accepts cash. |
St. Lawrence Pizza and Pasta
From: stlawrencepasta
Location: Upper Level, #36
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163683479
I love pizza and pasta, so it comes as no surprise that St. Lawrence Pizza and Pasta is one of my most visited stalls in this market.
I love to try different flavours here, but my go-to order is the pesto and mushroom pizza. I just can’t resist the combination of nutty pesto sauce and earthy mushroom slices!
For pasta lovers, the carbonara is a must-try. It’s the classic rendition—rich, creamy, buttery, and peppery—but it hits the spot every time!
| Pro Tips: This stall sells their original homemade sauces. I recommend buying a jar (or two) that you can use when cooking pasta at home. This stall accepts cash and debit. |
Paddington’s Pump
From: paddingtonspumpto
Location: Upper Level, #45
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—8 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163686955
Paddington’s Pump is the only full-service, sit-down restaurant in the market, so if you’re absolutely starving, this is the place to be.
The sandwiches and the burgers are the best dishes to order here. Personally, I love the Big Hog Burger; served with a fried egg, bacon, and cheese, this burger is absolutely hearty and filling.
This restaurant also sells some alcoholic beverages, like beers and wines. You can even order a fun cocktail like a mimosa or a Long Island iced tea if you’re coming here for brunch.
| Pro Tip:Book their catering services for your event. |
Everyday Gourmet Coffee Roasters
From: egcoffee
Location: Lower Level, #B14
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163637662
If you just need a quick pick-me-up to awaken your senses, go to Everyday Gourmet Coffee Roasters! This coffee shop boasts a great variety of roasts and coffee beans.
I’m not much of a coffee fan, but I really like the Northern Lights coffee. It’s a dark roasted blend, with distinct notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and toasted nuts.
| Pro Tip:You can buy bags of coffee beans or tea here. If you purchase in bulk, you can even score a discount! |
Quik Sushi
From: quiksushi
Location: Lower Level, #B27
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Tuesday—11:30 am to 7:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14166030016
Normally, I’m very skeptical about sushi spots in markets, but Quik Sushi has won me over with their delicious offerings, which is why I always find myself coming back there.
I like getting the dynamite roll there; the shrimp tempura is crispy and slightly sweet, and the avocado adds a subtle nutty contrast. The dragon roll is also great, and it’s much more buttery, thanks to the salmon.
Sushi isn’t the only thing available there. You can also find classic Korean treats like bulgogi and bibimbap. Because of this, I always leave full when I go there.
| Pro Tip:If you’re interested in booking them for catering, send a request to [email protected]. |
Carnicero’s Prime Meats and Fine Foods
From: titaeats
Location: Upper Level, #26
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16474789609
Technically, Carnicero’s is a butcher shop where I splurge on fancy steak cuts, but it also doubles as a deli where I can get savoury and filling sandwiches!
Their smoked meat sandwich keeps haunting my dreams. The person behind the counter is generous with the filling, which is why my sandwich is often nearly bursting!
The smoked meat is also delicious; the savoury and smoky notes are distinct. The meat tastes super rich on its own, so I recommend adding a bit of mustard to your sandwich to cut through the richness.
| Pro Tip:If you can’t make it to the market, you can order from their website. If your order exceeds C$120, you can score free delivery! |
bomba at the St. Lawrence Market
From: bombagelato
Location: Lower Level
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—9 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16473489894
If you’re visiting in the summer, then bomba is a must-visit because this stall sells amazing gelato. (Or you can get gelato in the dead of winter; I won’t judge.)
This shop changes their flavours every week, so I try my best to stop by weekly. So far, I really love the chocolate gelato. The rich chocolate flavour is intense, but thankfully, it isn’t too sweet, so I don’t get sick of it just after a few licks and bites.
| Pro Tip:If you want them to cater during your event, send them a request via email ([email protected]). |
