Amelie CameronIf you look hard enough, you’ll see that Toronto is one of the best cities to shop in. We have a feeling that you won’t have a hard time looking though, as the capital is home to tons of bustling markets that offer just about everything.
Whether it be clothes, artisan products or vintage finds, you’re bound to find something that you either need or will pique your interest. To help you on your next hunt or shopping spree, here’s our roundup of the best markets in Toronto!
St. Lawrence Market
Website: http://www.stlawrencemarket.com
Address: 955 Toronto, ON M5E 1C3, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-392-7219
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday: Closed
St. Lawrence Market is one of the most iconic and oldest fresh markets or attractions in Toronto. It’s been around since the early 1800s and still stands as one of the go-to places to buy local goods like artisan pastries, bottles of wine, locally-made cheese, etc.
You won’t experience a dull moment in this market, as there are over 100 vendors to go through. These vendors will have something interesting to offer so be sure to take your time checking out each one!
Who knows? Maybe your next great find lies in one of the stalls found here!
| Pro tip: Be sure to regularly check their website to see all the upcoming events! They’ll sometimes hold specific seminars or events focusing on products like coffee, tea and other dishes. |
Kensington Market
Website: http://www.kensington-market.ca/
Address: 955 Toronto, ON M5E 1C3, Canada
Kensington Market is more of a neighbourhood than your traditional indoor market, and that’s exactly what we love about it! Strolling through this neighbourhood won’t only give you a taste of the different products that Torontonians churn out, but you’ll also get a glimpse of their culture!
This neighbourhood is lined with cafes, restaurants, boutique stores, and humble stalls and almost each one of them is helmed by friendly locals.
Also, just a fun fact: Kensington Market has been around since the early 1900s. It’s not surprising that it’s still one of the most visited markets in Toronto today, as it offers a variety of meat, vegetables, fruits and other fresh produce.
| Pro tip: If you’re looking to take cool and stunning photos for your IG feed, we recommend heading to the top of Kensington Market Parking Garage. From there, you’ll be getting the best seats in the house when it comes to observing Downtown Toronto up close. Make sure to visit this neighbourhood as early as possible if you’re planning on buying fresh produce, as they’re quick to run out! |
Downsview Park Merchant Market
Website: http://www.dpmarket.com
Address: 40 Carl Hall Rd, North York, ON M3K 2C1, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-638-2525
Operating hours: Weekends: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Downsview Park Merchant Market is one of the best options if you’re looking to score the best deals on antiques. This is because it features various stalls that sell these old but valuable items and each stall is helmed by vendors who are legit experts on what they’re selling.
This kind of expertise creates a memorable bargaining and overall educational experience you simply can’t find in other flea markets!
The antiques barely scratch the surface of what this flea market has to offer, however, as it features over 500 vendors—how crazy is that? In total, you’d have to explore over 10,000 square metres to see every item being sold in this bustling market.
| Pro tip: If exploring the 10,000+ square metres of the flea market left you feeling hungry, you don’t have to leave the building to get some food! There’s a huge food court inside that serves dishes from various cuisines like Jamaica, Mexico, Columbia and more. |
Gerrard India Bazaar
Website: https://gerrardindiabazaar.com
Address: 1426 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z6, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-465-8513
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Gerrard India Bazaar is the definition of “good things come in small packages”. It’s not as big as other neighbourhood markets, but it does a spectacular job of immersing you in the culture of South Asia through its products, dishes and vendors.
This vibrant and lively neighbourhood can be found on Toronto’s east end, and it’s where people go to buy authentic products from Sri Lanka, India, etc. Whether it be fabrics, local delicacies, clothes and more, you’ll find just about everything from their culture being sold here!
Aside from shopping, you can also treat yourself to a relaxing time at one of the neighbourhood’s salons, cafes and bakeries! Meanwhile, if you want to be immersed in their art scene, you can visit a handful of galleries as well.
| Pro tip: If you want to treat yourself to delicious authentic Indian cuisine, we recommend checking out MotiMahal Restaurant. This restaurant offers affordable but high-quality delicacies like matar paneer, pani puri, chaat papri and more. |
Farmers Market at Evergreen Brick Works
Website: https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-work/activities/saturday-farmers-market/
Address: 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-596-7670
Operating hours: Saturday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
If you want to get the freshest produce in Toronto, we recommend waiting for the Saturday Farmer’s Market at Evergreen Brick Works. It’s only open on Saturdays, but it’s almost always jam-packed—and for several good reasons!
For starters, it’s the premier market when it comes to the freshest produce since the stalls here are helmed by the farmers themselves! Plus, you can also encounter some sweet deals since there’s no middleman and you’re directly purchasing from the supplier.
If you’re not planning on buying anything, being here is still a must-try experience thanks to its healthy culture. Aside from flat-out selling you some products, these farmers will also educate you about things that are worth raising awareness for like sustainability and healthy eating.
| Pro tip: While you’re here, we recommend walking towards the Governor’s Bridge Lookout to see one of the most spectacular views of Toronto from afar. This view combines a nice patch of greenery with the concrete jungle of Downton. Be sure to get there as early as possible to avoid missing out on some high-quality fresh produce. |
Arts Market
Website: https://www.artsmarket.ca
Address: 790 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4, Canada
Contact details: +1 647-657-2787
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Compared to other markets on this list, Arts Market is like a baby, being founded fairly recently in 2011. However, this doesn’t make it any less special, as it’s more of a unique hub/community that follows a mantra of “by artists for artists” than a market.
This being said, it’s here where you’ll find the best products for creating art or what’s already been created through different art forms. Some of the items you can find being sold here include antiques, t-shirts, paintings and more
The best part about buying your art needs here is that you’ll get to support the local art scene! This is because this market doesn’t take any percentage of commission meaning that every single cent goes toward the artist—pretty amazing, right?
| Pro tip: If you find this location too out of the way for your trip, don’t worry! This store also has branches on Dundas Street and Danforth Avenue—both of which are still in Toronto! |
Dufferin Grove Organic Farmer’s Market
Website: https://www.dufferingrovemarket.ca
Address: 875 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON M6H 3K8, Canada
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours: Every Thursday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Dufferin Grove Organic Farmer’s Market is another great option if you’re looking to score sweet deals on some fresh leafy greens in Toronto.
Aside from that, it’s also an overall great destination if you want to purchase fresh goods for the week, as it also features meats, fruits, fish, baking goods, etc. We say for the week because this market is only open on Thursdays, so better to stock up on everything you need!
If you have a knack for baking, we have a feeling that you’ll have a blast browsing the stores here as well! Aside from fresh baking ingredients, some of the stores here offer ready-to-cook baking kits—pretty neat!
| Pro tip: Be sure to explore Dufferin Grove Park while you’re here! Better yet, we recommend packing your favourite snacks and a big blanket so that you can set up a lovely picnic. |
Distillery Christmas Market
Website: https://www.dufferingrovemarket.ca
Address: 55 Mill St, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-364-1177
Operating hours (Winter season only):
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Distillery Christmas Market is one of the most awaited seasonal markets in Toronto. Come winter season, this distillery transforms into a brightly-lit open market where people can shop for gifts for their loved ones or just feel the holiday spirit.
The stores here come in the form of these cute cabins and the products they offer range from artisan goods to delicious dishes and more!
Shopping here is an experience in itself, as the holiday season exudes an overall joyous vibe that will make anyone fall in love. If you want to feel the holiday spirit even further, you can buy a nice warm cup of cocoa while walking through the snow-covered market!
| Pro tip: As much as possible, we recommend scheduling your visit at around mid-November to December to make sure that you’re right on time for the opening of this seasonal market. Be sure to snap a photo while you’re here to add some Christmas vibes to your social media feed! |
Parkdale Flea Market
Website: https://theparkdalehall.ca/new/tag/flea-market/
Address: 1605 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1A9
Contact details: +1 (647) 368-7285
Operating hours Daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Parkdale Flea Market is a nice spot to visit in Toronto if you’re not looking for anything particular and just want to enjoy a nice shopping experience. The items sold here range from antiques to arts and crafts to unique collectibles and anything in between.
What’s more enjoyable about this market is that sometimes, there will be a live band that plays groovy music while the guests are busy browsing the shelves.
| Pro tip: Make sure to check their website prior to your visit to see what kinds of products will be sold on that specific day. If you want to go shopping but don’t want to leave your pets at home, you’ll be pleased to know that your furry friends are welcome inside this flea market! |
