The guide stops outside a narrow shopfront on Augusta Avenue, hands everyone a warm empanada in a paper napkin, and spends the next four minutes explaining how a Chilean bakery ended up three doors down from a Jamaican patty shop and a Portuguese fishmonger. Nobody’s really listening by the end, because the empanada is very good. That, in miniature, is what the best Toronto food tours do: they turn a street you might have walked down without noticing into a sequence of stories you can eat. The weaker ones walk you past the same places for the same price, and the difference between them isn’t always obvious from the booking page.
This guide covers the operators actually running food tours in Toronto, which neighbourhoods they cover, what you taste, how much they cost, and whether a tour is worth it compared with doing the route yourself. We’ve also included a do-it-yourself version of the two classic routes for travellers who’d rather keep the money. Prices were checked in September 2026 on the operators’ own websites and are in Canadian dollars. Treat them as the right order of magnitude, as operators reprice seasonally and taxes or booking fees are sometimes added at checkout.
Toronto Food Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Neighbourhood | Length | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secret Food Tours: Toronto | St Lawrence Market and Old Town | 3–3.5 hours, 6 stops | From $99.99 | A first-time visitor’s full lunch |
| Secret Food Tours: Express | Kensington Market | 2 hours, 4 stops | $84.99 | A shorter taster |
| Tasty Tours: Kensington Market “Taste the World” | Kensington Market | 11am–1:30pm, daily except Tuesdays | $89; children free | Families |
| Tasty Tours: St Lawrence Market and Must-Do Toronto | St Lawrence Market / downtown | Varies | Check operator | Market-focused visitors |
| Chopsticks + Forks | Kensington Market; St Lawrence Market | Varies | Check operator | Travellers who want the immigrant-history angle |
| Toronto Food Tours Inc. | Kensington Market | 3 hours, 6 stops | Check operator | An afternoon walk |
| Do it yourself | Either | As long as you like | $30–$50 in food | Confident, curious eaters |
Are Food Tours in Toronto Worth It?
Before the operator-by-operator detail, the honest answer to the question most people are really asking.
A food tour is worth it if it’s your first time in Toronto and you only have a day or two, if you want the stories and the history as much as the food, if you’re travelling alone and would like some company for lunch, or if you’re with people who get anxious ordering at a crowded counter. A good guide also takes you to places you would never have picked from the street, which is where the real value lies.
A food tour is not worth it if you’re a confident eater with a free afternoon and a working phone. Both of the classic routes, Kensington Market and St Lawrence Market, are compact and easy to navigate, and the food itself is inexpensive. You can eat very well on either route for $30 to $50, against $85 to $100 a head for a tour, and nobody will make you move on before you’ve finished your coffee.
The middle ground: take a tour on your first day, and use what you learn to explore on your own for the rest of the trip.
The Two Classic Routes
Almost every walking food tour in Toronto runs in one of two neighbourhoods. They’re very different, and the right choice depends on what you want out of the afternoon.
Kensington Market: the world on six blocks
Kensington Market is a tangle of narrow streets west of Spadina Avenue and just north of Chinatown, lined with Victorian row houses turned into shops, cafés, vintage stores and takeaway counters. It began as a Jewish market in the early 1900s, and each wave of immigration since has left its mark: Portuguese, Caribbean, Chinese, Latin American, and more recently a steady stream of young independent businesses. Walking a single block, you pass bakeries, butchers, cheese shops, spice stores, and places selling empanadas, patties, tacos and dumplings.
A Kensington tour is essentially a history lesson in immigration told through snacks. You’ll typically try several small items from different cuisines, standing on the street or perched at a counter, rather than sitting down for a meal. It’s lively, a bit scruffy, and very Toronto. For the neighbourhood itself, see our Kensington Market guide.
St Lawrence Market and Old Town: Toronto’s food hall
St Lawrence Market, on Front Street east of the Financial District, is the historic heart of Toronto’s food scene. The main South Market building is a single enormous hall packed with butchers, fishmongers, bakeries, cheese counters and specialty food stalls, with a lower level of produce, deli counters and more. The operator Secret Food Tours points out that National Geographic has named it among the best food markets in the world.
A St Lawrence tour is more orderly than a Kensington one, and it usually spills out into the surrounding Old Town streets and sometimes on towards the Distillery District. The food is more classic Canadian and European: peameal bacon, cheese, smoked fish, mustard, butter tarts. It’s the better choice if you want a sense of Toronto’s older history and a more substantial lunch. Our St Lawrence Market guide covers the stalls, hours and layout in detail.
| Kensington Market | St Lawrence Market | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Bohemian, a bit chaotic, very multicultural | Historic, busy, classic food hall |
| Food | Street snacks from around the world | Canadian and European staples, cheese, cured meats |
| Weather | Mostly outdoors | Mostly indoors |
| Best on | A dry afternoon | A rainy or cold day; Saturday for maximum buzz |
| Watch out for | Summer weekend crowds on the narrow sidewalks | The whole market is closed on Mondays |
The Operators, One by One
Secret Food Tours: Toronto
Secret Food Tours is an international company that runs food tours in dozens of cities, and its Toronto operation offers two tours. The main one, simply called Secret Food Tours: Toronto, is a three- to three-and-a-half-hour walk through St Lawrence Market and Old Town with six stops. It’s priced from $99.99 per adult, with groups capped at 12 people. The company focuses on Old Town’s classic dishes, and the St Lawrence Market stop is the centrepiece.
The second is the Express Food Tour, a two-hour walk through Kensington Market with four stops, at $84.99 per adult. Groups on the Express tour can be larger, up to 20.
Our take. The main tour is the better value of the two: an extra hour and a half and two more stops for $15 more, in a smaller group. The Express tour makes sense if you’re squeezing it into a busy day, but at $84.99 for four tastings in a neighbourhood that’s easy to explore on your own, the value case is thinner. As a big multi-city brand, Secret Food Tours is consistent and well-organised; if you want a quirkier, more personal guide, a local independent may suit you better.
Tasty Tours Toronto
Tasty Tours Toronto is a local operator that markets its Kensington Market walk as Toronto’s first food tour. That tour, “Taste the World”, runs daily except Tuesdays from 11am to 1:30pm and costs $89 per person. Notably, children go free, which makes it one of the better options for families.
Tasty Tours also runs a St Lawrence Market food tour, a Must-Do Toronto tour through downtown, private tours and chocolate tastings. Prices for those vary, so check the operator’s website for current details.
Our take. For a family, the free child policy on the Kensington tour changes the maths completely: two adults and two kids for $178 is a genuinely good deal for a guided lunch. The 11am start is well-timed, too, as you finish just as the market gets crowded.
Chopsticks + Forks
Chopsticks + Forks runs an international food tour through Kensington Market and a Great Canadian Food Tour at St Lawrence Market. The name reflects the angle: a strong focus on the immigrant communities that shaped Toronto’s food. For current rates, look at the operator’s website or a booking platform.
Our take. The two-neighbourhood choice makes it easy to pick the route that suits you, and the Great Canadian Food Tour is a sensible option if you specifically want to try Canadian classics rather than a global tasting menu.
Toronto Food Tours Inc.
Toronto Food Tours Inc. runs a three-hour afternoon walking tour of Kensington Market with six stops, taking in Caribbean, Mexican, Portuguese and Canadian food. Again, check the current price directly.
Our take. An afternoon slot is useful if you’re sightseeing in the morning, and six stops over three hours is a relaxed pace that leaves time to look around the market between tastings.
A note on the booking platforms
You’ll find most of these tours, and plenty of others, on Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor. Prices on booking platforms can differ from the operator’s own website, sometimes higher and occasionally lower during a promotion. It’s always worth comparing before you book, and booking direct can make changes and cancellations simpler.
What You’ll Taste
Every operator changes its stops depending on the day, the season and which vendors are open, so no tour guarantees a specific dish. But certain Toronto foods show up again and again, and they’re worth knowing about whether or not you take a tour.
- Peameal bacon sandwich. Toronto’s signature sandwich: brined pork loin rolled in cornmeal, fried, and piled on a bun. The most famous version comes from Carousel Bakery at St Lawrence Market. It’s simple and filling, and you should add mustard.
- Butter tarts. A small pastry shell filled with butter, sugar and egg, sometimes with raisins or pecans. It’s a proper Canadian argument whether raisins belong.
- Jamaican patties. Flaky pastry with a spiced beef, chicken or vegetable filling. A patty in coco bread is a Toronto staple.
- Empanadas. Kensington has several places selling Latin American empanadas, with Chilean and Argentinian styles among them.
- Portuguese custard tarts (pastéis de nata). A legacy of the Portuguese community in Kensington and Little Portugal.
- Canadian cheese. Particularly Quebec and Ontario cheeses, which feature heavily on St Lawrence tours.
- Montreal-style bagels. St Urbain Bagel in St Lawrence Market bakes them in the Montreal style — smaller, denser and sweeter than New York bagels.
- Tacos. Kensington has some of the best casual tacos in the city.
Dietary restrictions. Most operators can accommodate vegetarians if you tell them when booking. Vegan, gluten-free and serious allergy needs are harder on a tour built around market counters, so contact the operator before you book rather than after.
A Do-It-Yourself Food Tour
If you’d rather go it alone, here are the two routes as self-guided walks. Opening days vary and small businesses do close or move, so check a place is still trading before you set off.
DIY St Lawrence Market (about 2 hours, $30–$45)
- Carousel Bakery, upper level of the South Market: a peameal bacon sandwich. Share it if you plan to eat anything else.
- St Urbain Bagel: a warm sesame bagel to eat on the way round.
- A cheese counter: several on the main floor will cut you a small piece of something Canadian to try.
- Buster’s Sea Cove: fish and chips or a lobster roll, if you still have room.
- The lower level: browse the specialty stalls for maple products, mustards and something to take home.
- A butter tart from one of the bakery counters to finish.
Remember: St Lawrence Market is closed on Mondays and busiest on Saturday mornings. Tuesday to Friday late morning is the calmest time to visit.
DIY Kensington Market and Chinatown (about 2.5 hours, $30–$50)
- Start on Spadina Avenue in Chinatown: dumplings from a long-running spot like Mother’s Dumplings, or an egg tart from a Hong Kong-style bakery.
- Walk west on Baldwin Street into Kensington: pick up a coffee from one of the independent cafés.
- Augusta Avenue: an empanada from one of the Latin American bakeries.
- Kensington Avenue: tacos from one of the casual taquerias.
- A Jamaican patty from one of the Caribbean takeaways.
- Finish with a pastry from a Portuguese bakery, or a scoop of ice cream in summer.
If you’re in town on the last Sunday of the month in summer, Kensington’s Pedestrian Sundays close the streets to cars and fill them with food stalls and music. It’s busy but a lot of fun. For more ideas, see our Chinatown guide, Toronto street food guide and cheap eats in Toronto.
Food Tours Through the Year
The season makes more difference to a Toronto food tour than most booking pages let on.
- Summer (June to August). The best time for Kensington: patios are open, fruit stands spill onto the sidewalk, and Pedestrian Sundays turn the market into a street party. It’s also peak tour season, so book ahead, and bring water and a hat for the stretches in full sun.
- Autumn (September to November). Arguably the sweet spot. Ontario produce is at its peak, the crowds thin after Labour Day, and a mild October afternoon is perfect walking weather. Early September also brings TIFF visitors, so weekend slots can still fill.
- Winter (December to March). St Lawrence Market comes into its own, because almost everything is indoors and the market is at its busiest before Christmas. Kensington tours still run but involve a lot of standing on cold sidewalks. Dress properly or pick the indoor option.
- Spring (April and May). Changeable weather and quieter streets. Some operators run a reduced schedule, so check dates before you plan around a specific tour.
Whatever the season, a weekday tour is almost always a calmer experience than a Saturday one. Vendors have more time to talk, and you won’t be queuing behind the whole city for a sandwich.
Tips for Booking a Toronto Food Tour
- Arrive hungry, but not starving. Most tours add up to a full lunch, but the first stop may be 20 minutes in. Skip breakfast only if you’ve had coffee.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be on your feet for two to three and a half hours, often on uneven sidewalks.
- Check the weather. Kensington tours are mostly outdoors and run in the rain. In winter, St Lawrence is the more comfortable option.
- Tip your guide. Tipping isn’t compulsory on tours, but it’s customary in Canada if you enjoyed it. Around 10–20% of the ticket price is typical. Our Toronto tipping guide explains the norms.
- Book a few days ahead in summer and on weekends. Group sizes are small and popular slots fill.
- Check what’s included. Drinks, especially alcohol, are often extra. Ask before you go.
- Mind the day of the week. Some tours don’t run on certain days, and St Lawrence Market is closed on Mondays.
Other Food Experiences in Toronto
A walking food tour isn’t the only way to eat your way through the city.
- Brewery tours. Toronto has a thriving craft beer scene, and several breweries offer tours and tastings. See our craft breweries guide.
- Wine country. Niagara-on-the-Lake is about 90 minutes away, and the wine tours are a full day out. Our Niagara-on-the-Lake wine tour guide covers the options.
- Winterlicious and Summerlicious. Twice a year, many of Toronto’s best restaurants offer set-price menus. It’s the city’s best food deal. See the Winterlicious and Summerlicious guide.
- Food markets. Beyond St Lawrence and Kensington, the city has several farmers’ markets and food halls. Our Toronto food markets guide lists them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a food tour in Toronto cost?
Most walking food tours in Toronto cost between about $85 and $100 per adult. Secret Food Tours charges from $99.99 for its three-hour St Lawrence Market tour and $84.99 for its two-hour Kensington Express tour, and Tasty Tours charges $89 for its Kensington tour, with children free.
What is the best food tour in Toronto?
It depends on what you want. For a first-time visitor who wants a substantial lunch and Toronto history, a St Lawrence Market and Old Town tour is the best choice. For a family, Tasty Tours’ Kensington tour stands out because children go free. For a lively multicultural experience, choose any of the Kensington Market tours.
Is Kensington Market or St Lawrence Market better for a food tour?
Kensington is better for variety and multicultural street food, and it’s mostly outdoors. St Lawrence is better for classic Canadian food, bad weather and a more structured experience. If you only do one, choose based on the weather and the kind of food you prefer.
How long do Toronto food tours last?
Between about two and three and a half hours. Express tours run around two hours with four stops, while full tours run three hours or more with six stops.
Are Toronto food tours suitable for children?
Yes, especially Kensington tours, which are short on walking distance and long on snacks. Tasty Tours lets children join its Kensington tour for free. Check age policies for other operators.
Can food tours accommodate dietary restrictions?
Most operators can manage vegetarian diets with notice. Vegan, gluten-free and serious allergies are harder, so contact the operator before booking.
Do I need to tip on a food tour in Toronto?
It’s not required, but tipping your guide 10–20% of the ticket price is customary if you enjoyed the tour.
Can I do a food tour of Toronto by myself?
Yes. Both St Lawrence Market and Kensington Market are compact and easy to explore on your own, and you can eat very well on either route for $30–$50. Use the DIY routes above as a starting point.
If a Kensington tour leaves you wanting more of Chinatown, dim sum is the natural next meal. The halls along Spadina are a five-minute walk from the market, and a 9:45am table at one of them beats any tasting stop for value. Our best dim sum in Toronto guide covers where to go and what to order.
If the Little India tour appeals, it helps to know the street before you go. The Gerrard India Bazaar has changed a great deal as Toronto’s South Asian community has spread out to Brampton, Mississauga and Scarborough, and some of its most famous restaurants are no longer trading. Our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Toronto covers the bazaar, the Michelin-recognised kitchens and the Indian-Chinese Hakka restaurants that most visitors never find.
Related Toronto Guides
- Best Tours in Toronto — every kind of guided tour in the city.
- Toronto Food Guide — what and where to eat.
- Toronto’s Multicultural Food — the neighbourhoods behind the menu.
- Kensington Market Guide — the neighbourhood beyond the food.
- St Lawrence Market Guide — stalls, hours and layout.
- Distillery District — a short walk east of St Lawrence Market.
Photo Credits
Augusta Avenue, Kensington Market, in spring: Augusta Avenue Kensington Toronto by Dan Zen from Dundas, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Augusta Avenue at Nassau Street in the rain: Augusta Avenue at Nassau Street in Kensington Market, September 2 2026 (01) by Dillan Payne, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Inside St Lawrence Market: Lunch at St. Lawrence Market (54586671242) by Daniel from Glasgow, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
A peameal bacon sandwich: Peameal bacon sandwich by Leventio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
