Travel the world through food and culture in Toronto

Credit: Destination Toronto

Torontonians take pride in their city’s global flavors, and the world has taken notice. The Michelin Guide arrived in 2022, cementing Toronto’s status as a top culinary destination. Today, ten restaurants hold, Michelin stars, including Sushi Masaki Saito with two. 

Beyond fine dining, the city celebrates its diverse food scene with events like Jerkfest, a celebration of Caribbean flavors, and the newly launched Food Ball by chef Nuit Regular, a gala dedicated to Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine. Toronto is more than a place to eat—it’s where chefs share their culture, creativity, and passion.

Innovative dining and global bites

With over half the city’s population born outside Canada, Toronto is a hotspot for creative fusion. Chef Nick Liu at DaiLo brings French technique to Chinese flavors, with standout dishes like truffle Hainanese chicken and 90-day dry-aged ribeye. For an Asian-Caribbean twist, Craig Wong’s Patois serves pineapple bun burgers, Jamaican oxtail, and jerk chicken chow mein. Stay in the Caribbean at Miss Licklemore’s, known for charcoal-grilled chicken and Dragon Stout short ribs.

In the summer, Asian night markets offer everything from Filipino street food to Korean corn dogs. The World Food Market near Dundas Square features 18 vendors in all-weather kiosks, serving up dishes like halloumi wraps and red velvet crepes—ideal for a mid-shopping refuel.

Funky and eclectic spots

For a modern street-food experience, Market 707 serves Vietnamese banh mi, Japanese rice balls, and inventive poutine from shipping container stalls. Kensington Market is a hub of vintage shops, cheese vendors, and open-air produce stands, with standout eats like Italian-Caribbean Rasta Pasta and Asian vegetarian at King’s Café.

Cultural immersion through food

Toronto’s neighborhoods offer authentic flavors from around the world. In Little India, you can sample North Indian, Punjabi, and Sri Lankan cuisine before browsing colorful textile shops. The city’s main Chinatown on Spadina has everything from Cantonese dim sum at Dim Sum King to Vietnamese pho at Saigon Lotu. During Lunar New Year, special menus, lion dances, and live music bring extra energy to the area. Other great spots include Little Italy, Little Ethiopia, and Little Jamaica, where food and culture come together.

A true Canadian bite

For something uniquely Canadian, try a peameal bacon sandwich at St. Lawrence Market. This Toronto specialty, made from brined and cornmeal-crusted pork loin, is a must-try for bacon lovers. While you’re there, explore the market’s fresh seafood, cheeses, and artisanal bread at one of the city’s most famous food hubs.

From quick stops to high-end shops

Toronto is a city of culinary discovery, whether it’s a hidden ramen shop with the perfect broth or a spice-packed shawarma wrap grabbed on the go. Alongside these gems, its top restaurants are redefining global cuisine, led by chefs making waves in the industry.

For upscale Mexican, Quetzal by chef Steve Molar features a 26-foot-long wood-burning grill and house-ground tortillas, with Canadian ingredients like Newfoundland scallops and Ontario wildflower honey. For Royal Thai-inspired cuisine, chef Nuit Regular’s Kiin delivers Michelin-starred dishes in the heart of the Entertainment District, while her popular PAI  has multiple locations.

Toronto’s food scene is built on both innovation and legacy. Longstanding culinary stars include Matty Matheson (Prime Seafood Palace), Tobey Nemeth and Michael Caballo (Edulis), Patrick Kriss (Alo), Carl Heinrich (Richmond Station), and Jenn Agg (Grey Gardens), each shaping the city’s reputation as a global dining destination. Adding to this roster, aKin, founded by three-Michelin-starred chef Alvin Leung and MasterChef Canada winner Eric Chong, blends bold Asian flavors with modern creativity.

Celebrating culinary culture with festivals

Toronto’s food festivals bring communities together, celebrating flavors from every corner of the world.

August is packed with highlights. Taste of India, the largest Indian festival in North America, takes over City Hall with 100+ vendors, live music, and dazzling performances. Across town, Jerkfest in Etobicoke serves up Caribbean flavors with soca and dancehall beats, making it the biggest jerk festival outside Jamaica.

The Toronto Food Truck Festival in Woodbine Park combines gourmet street food with eating contests, rock climbing, and pet-friendly spaces. Food festivals run year-round, with new additions like Tastes of Home Festival at Evergreen Brick Works, connecting multiple cultures in a family-friendly setting, and VegTO Fest, North America’s largest vegan festival with 150+ plant-based vendors.

From bustling Asian night markets to intimate mom-and-pop shops and Michelin-starred restaurants, Toronto’s food scene is as diverse as its people. Sample world-class jerk chicken one day and top Thai cuisine the next, all in one city that never stops evolving.