Toronto is a town that sometimes pours its energy into the Next Big Thing or flash-in-the-pan new Toronto restaurant opening. Not every trend has stuck (charcoal ice cream, anyone?), but across 50 issues of foodism, we've had the good fortune to taste, sip and luxuriate in some downright deliciousness.
It may not have a Protected Designation of Origin, but enjoying a can of Jelly King on the first Bellwoods Brewery patio of the season certainly feels like it deserves a blue plaque.
To celebrate 50 issues and 10 years of foodism in Toronto, we've compiled (in no particular order) the ultimate, quintessential guide to the bites, beverages and food-fuelled icons that every Torontonian worth their Presto pass should experience.
The foodism team has put in the work, racking up years of, ahem, hard-earned research to road test Toronto's best dishes, drinks and edible escapades. Every one of our 50 selections has personally passed our lips and passed the vibe check — many times over in several cases.
So go forth and start ticking them off — whether you’re a seasoned regular or just getting started. And don't be disheartened if you didn't ace the test — there’s a whole summer ahead to make up for missed bites.
Think you're a true Toronto foodie? Scroll down to the bottom to take the quiz and find out.
The ultimate Toronto foodie bucket list
1. Soju-soaked Korean BBQ at Korean Grill House Spadina
One of the great joys of living in the most multicultural city in the world is experiencing different dining styles, like bonding over Korean barbecue. Korean Grill House remains our favourite, where grilling meats and seafood over an open flame while sipping soju with friends has become a true Toronto staple.
2. A DIY food tour in Kensington Market
Take yourself on a self-guided tour of Toronto’s most eccentric neighbourhood — shrimp tacos at Placos Tacos, jerk chicken at Kensington Jerk & Pasta and a swift saison at Burdock Brewery are a great place to start.
3. Pastéis de nata from Nova Era
Crisp, flaky, scorched on top and delightfully gooey, these Portuguese tarts rival anything you’d find in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto. A true comfort food classic, they’re best enjoyed fresh from the oven — and at Nova Era, they often sell out by the afternoon, so arriving early is a good idea.
4. Devour a smash burger from Rudy
We can’t remember a time when Rudy wasn’t part of our lives — when that crispy patty, tucked into its unmistakable yellow Martin’s Potato Roll with tomato, lettuce and a healthy dollop of Rudy sauce, wasn’t just a few taps away. Double it up with a Rude Dude and make it “tattooed” — Rudy-speak for adding bacon.
5. Fresh pasta from Famiglia Baldassarre
The best pasta we’ve ever eaten wasn’t in Bologna or Rome, but on an industrial strip in Toronto’s west end. Famiglia Baldassarre began as a basement pasta operation before becoming one of the city’s most coveted lunch spots. If you can’t snag one of the nine seats, grab the ravioli or tagliatelle to-go and eat it curbside from a tupperware container.
6. Jelly King Dry Hopped Fruited Sour Ale
Few things feel more Toronto than this dry-hopped sour from Bellwoods Brewery. In the park, on a balcony or on their patio on the first 20 C day — there’s no wrong way to do it. Try it in a frozen slushie on their Ossington patio and grab a few cans from the retail store before you leave.
7. Build the perfect cheeseboard at Cheese Boutique
Cheese Boutique is one of the city’s great food dynasties, so a visit feels less like grocery shopping and more like exploring a museum (with better samples). Led by maître fromager Afrim Pristine, the 50-year-old Etobicoke institution stocks more than 500 global cheeses, aged meats, oils and specialty imports. You might go in for olives and leave with cannoli, but that’s part of the magic.
8. Malfade ai fungi at Gusto 101
This Instagram-famous pasta is a B-list celebrity in Toronto that draws crowds to Gusto’s two locations. Loaded with truffle cream, the comforting plate is piled with long, thick noodles and three kinds of mushrooms. It’s so good, we bet it could convert even the toughest of mushroom skeptics.
9. The Stuffed Patty Move at Allwyn’s
Allwyn’s has been serving its famous jerk chicken for more than 30 years, but regulars know that the best way to order it is stuffed into coco bread. Their signature sandwich piles smoky jerk chicken, creamy coleslaw and a whole patty from Scarborough institution Fahmee Bakery into one messy and truly iconic bite.
10. Line up for a smorgasbord of pizza slices at Pizzeria Badiali
Sure, you could pre-order a pie from Pizzeria Badiali’s original location on Dovercourt, but where’s the fun in that? For a truly Toronto experience, grab some pals and join the lineup snaking down Argyle Street. When you finally make it inside the promised land, order a pizza’s worth of slices — burrata, cacio e pepe, pepperoni — and snaffle them in Trinity Bellwoods Park.
Hector Vasquez
11. Late-night dim sum from Rol San
You know it was a good night out when it ends staring down your friends across a lazy Susan at Rol San. Dim sum is available all day, so you can order cha siu bao, shumai and har gow at 2 a.m. on weekends. Hey, if it was good enough for Serge Ibaka after a big playoff win, it’s good enough for us.
12. Shop for natural wine at Grape Witches
We’ve been fans of Grape Witches since they were a wine education duo. Now, they have two bottle shops specializing in natural, organic and biodynamic wines from around the world, complete with easy-to-understand tasting notes and staff who’ll help you find your ideal funkiness level. Bonus: both locations have tasting rooms and patios for sipping before you buy.
Justin Ming Yong
13. Green Split pea soup from United Bakers
For over 100 years, United Bakers Dairy Restaurant has served classic Jewish comfort food, including its iconic green split pea soup. Grab a litre to-go or stay for latkes in the old-school dining room.
14. Street meat before a Blue Jays Game
Skip the long lines and stadium prices and grab a glizzy from one of the many street vendors circling the Rogers Centre (sorry, the Skydome). Pile your sausage high with banana peppers, crispy onions, sauerkraut and whatever else catches your eye. Is it even a proper street dog if there isn't a chance the relish is partially rainwater?
15. Shop for Zing Sacha-ish at Good Egg
We love anything that can transform sad dinners into tangy, umami bombs — but this pantry staple has the extra bonus of being made by one of Toronto’s own. Food expert Pay Chen created Sacha-ish in collaboration with Zing, a savoury condiment packed with miso and chilli that’s perfect for adding to sauces or dipping dumplings in.
16. Wild Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Chef and owner Donna Dooher doesn’t just make brunch — she practically invented it in Toronto. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen’s famous pancake stack is fluffier than a cumulus cloud and slathered in the holy trinity of whipped cream, blueberry compote and maple syrup sourced from a family farm in Lanark County. After one bite, you’ll understand why people willingly wait in line.
Carmen Cheung
17. House-made seasonal doughnuts from White Lily Diner
You don’t even have to be a doughnut person to love these bites of heaven. White Lily Diner’s baker turns out two to three flavours daily, so you never quite know what you’re getting — but whether it’s maple dip, coconut cream or poached rhubarb, every doughy delight is made with seasonal ingredients. That’s more than you can say for Tim Hortons.
18. Chef Nuit’s Pad Thai from PAI
Chef Nuit’s Pad Thai somehow manages to feel both deeply authentic and quintessentially Toronto at the same time. At this point, it’s hard to find a Toronto food comment section asking for restaurant recommendations without someone aggressively responding “PAI.” Her red-flame stir-fried noodles, coated in a glossy tamarind-palm sugar sauce with crunchy peanuts and fresh lime, hit that perfect sweet/smoky/tangy balance. One bite turns into 12, and suddenly you’re guarding the last forkful like a trash panda clutching a slice of pizza.
Carmen Cheung
19. Beer Flight on the patio at Amsterdam Brewhouse
Snagging a spot on this expansive lakefront patio is a Toronto summer rite of passage. For those in a vacation state of mind, The “Everything” Flight removes the need for decision-making with a 12-sample spread of the tap list, meant to be shared by two. It’s the waterfront destination to watch boats glide by or the perfect pre-game stop before catching a Jays game.
20. Hot Honey from Rosewood Estates Winery
We love Rosewood’s wine, but don’t sleep on their spicy honey, made on-site at the Beamsville winery. Keeping Rosewood’s Hot Honey in your kitchen is a boss move, whether you drizzle it over fried eggs, chicken wings or — our personal favourite — homemade pizza.
21. Fat Pasha's Famous Whole Roasted Cauliflower
The Whole Roasted Cauliflower has become a full-on Toronto tourist attraction — the kind of dish people insist you order before you’ve even looked at the menu. Layered with fiery skhug, silky tahini, salty halloumi and bursts of pomegranate, it turns humble cauliflower into something outrageously indulgent. Honestly, there are enough pine nuts on this thing to make the Trinity Bellwoods white squirrel willingly stand in one of Toronto’s famous 45-minute
lineups.
Carmen Cheung
22. Sort-of-secret Champagne tour at COC
Spoiler alert: Abandon the surprise element, all ye who read on. Coffee Oysters Champagne isn’t just a collection of three of our favourite things — it’s also home to a speakeasy modelled after a 1920s hotel. Just ask for a tour of the champagne cellar...
23. Saturday Matinee at the Communist's Daughter
A Saturday matinee at The Communist’s Daughter is among Toronto’s most iconic experiences. Cozy up with strangers as Michael Louis Johnson plays trumpet behind the bar and the Red Rhythm players squeeze into the window, while the vodka toast ceremony feels as close to communion as you can get without stepping into a church.
24. Lambo’s sammie at Trinity Bellwoods
Lambo's Deli changed the game when it launched in 2020, and even the recent sandwich craze has done little to topple this lunchtime legend from its throne. These sandwiches are packed tighter than a rush-hour subway car, so sharing is strongly encouraged. New flavours come and go, but the Italian Trio — layered with cured meat, mozzarella and Calabrian chili sauce — is forever in our hearts. As a takeaway-only spot, the natural place to savour your deli sub is beneath the trees in Trinity Bellwoods Park.
25. Apple Fritter for the road from San Remo Bakery
Leaving the city without one of these is a rookie mistake. This pillowy, crunchy, glaze-drenched legend is basically a Toronto rite of passage. Coupled with a smooth latte, it’s the ultimate fuel for any trek, sticky fingers and all. We never hit the 401 without one.
26. Bread from Blackbird Baking Co.
The artisanal baguettes from Blackbird Baking Co. are so crusty they will shred the roof of your mouth — but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
27. Korean fried chicken at 416 Snack Bar
Squeezing into a communal table or grabbing a stool at the bar inside the grungy 416 Snack Bar and munching on Korean fried chicken with nothing but toothpicks for cutlery is an iconic Toronto experience. The chicken is sweet, spicy and savoury all at once, but there’s a whole menu of delicious snacks as globally inspired as the city itself. There’s no cocktail menu, so the bartenders will whip up whatever your heart desires.
Jeffrey Chan
28. A pre-dinner party run to Sanagan’s Meat Locker
Dinner party dilemmas begin and end at Sanagan’s Meat Locker. Its Kensington Market flagship is the perfect place to sniff out your next great meal, from dry-aged beef to house-made terrines and pâtés. Pro move: Grab a sausage roll to go — flaky, beefy perfection best eaten on the walk home.
29. A cup of Pilot’s Heritage Blend
In a city overflowing with great coffee, Pilot Coffee Roasters still feels quintessentially Toronto. Since helping lead the city’s third-wave coffee movement in 2009, the roaster has championed thoughtful sourcing and brewing. Whether you’re ordering from one of its minimalist cafés or brewing Heritage Blend beans at home, you’re guaranteed a silky-smooth cup. Plus, it’s hard not to root for a fellow Toronto icon with a yellow logo...
30. Party Favour wine from Paradise Grapevine
A queer-friendly, inclusive space for wine lovers, Paradise Grapevine has become a Toronto favourite for its fresh, juicy Niagara wines. The Party Favour series is especially popular, though we wouldn’t blame you for staying on the patio with a flight instead of taking bottles home.
31. Tomato Bread at Bar Raval
At Bar Raval, Grant van Gameren wisely keeps classic Spanish tomato bread simple: grated tomato, olive oil and garlic on crusty bread. Eaten standing beneath the bar’s Gaudí-inspired woodwork alongside shishito peppers and croquettes, it feels transportively European.
32. Birdbath Martini at Library Bar
There is a classic martini, and then there is the Birdbath Martini, poured at your table, from a great height with the finesse of 50 years of practice. It’s made using your choice of QUILL vodka or gin — a high-proof spirit made exclusively for Fairmont Royal York’s Library Bar — and a house vermouth blend, garnished with olives and pickled onions, and ideally served by longtime bartender, and legend, René.
33. The Station Burger at Richmond Station
Chef Carl Heinrich has been doing incredible things at farm-to-table spot Richmond Station since opening in 2012. For us, the truest expression is the Station Burger: a rich blend of short rib and chuck topped with aged cheddar and sweet beet chutney, all tucked into a milk bun sturdy enough for the job. By the time your eyes roll back to the front of your head, you may be out for the afternoon — but the food coma is a price worth paying.
34. Bone marrow luge at Bar Isabel
There are plenty of famous plates at this lively Spanish tapas spot, from the grilled octopus to the irresistible basque cake served with hot sherry cream, but the roast veal bone marrow is our top pick for a Toronto icon. Once you and your date scoop out all the savoury, gooey goodness, you’re gently encouraged to use the hollowed-out bone as a luge, preferably for a whisky shot. All of the deliciously fatty flavour makes it go down smooth.
35. Afternoon tea at Windsor Arms Hotel
If you’re feeling fancy, head here for the city’s most storied tea service. Between the plush velvet seats and the heavy clotted cream, it’s a high-society ritual that makes you feel like royalty every time. Pinkies up!
36. Blondies pizza at sunset in Riverdale Park
A skyline view that impresses on the first or 50th sunset pairs beautifully with Blondies. Their red- and alfredo-based pies are the definition of hillside picnic perfection.
37. Plant-based brie at Stefano’s Diner
We’re eternally obsessed with Stefano’s Diner’s gooey cut of vegan cheese, complete with a rind and seasonal jam. Scooping generous portions onto oiled crostini is our happy place.
38. Maya Hot Chocolate from Soma
It’s hard to believe Soma Chocolatemaker once operated as a tiny micro-batch producer out of a cocoa lab. Today, its Distillery District factory — housed inside a former whisky-aging tankhouse — feels like the grown-up version of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Between the ethically sourced cacao, quirky flavour pairings, and award-winning bars like the Old School Milk Bar and Buttered Rum, there’s plenty to love, but the gingery, spice-layered Maya Hot Chocolate is the ultimate order.
39. The first soft serve of the summer at Tom’s Dairy Freeze
As iconic as the cherry blossoms, the first visit to Tom’s Dairy Freeze is a spring classic for a reason. Every year, nostalgia-seekers head to The Queensway for classic soft serve and dipped cones, and old-school drive-in charm straight out of the 1960s. Lines can be intimidating, but nothing about this time capsule is meant to be rushed.
40. Date night drinks at Cocktail Bar
It could be the “I love you still” graffiti outside the unassuming white brick building on Dundas Street or the homey interior that feels like a friend’s kitchen — either way, Cocktail Bar radiates romance and charm. From legendary Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg, the spot serves fantastic rotating cocktails, simple snacks and perfect ambience. If you’re a true Torontonian, there’s a good chance you’ll fall hard for Cocktail Bar.
41. Wedge Salad from Aloette
The Aloette Wedge Salad isn’t just a side — it’s the whole damn meal. That creamy chive dressing and salty-sweet puffed wild rice? Pure obsession. If you can’t snag a seat at the restaurant to try it in-person, grab it from Aloette Go. Surprisingly, it travels like a dream.
Carmen Cheung
42. Momos at Loga's Corner
Loga’s Corner in Parkdale is such a Toronto institution that even homegrown chef- turned-TV-star Matty Matheson once lived above it. Order the momos — steamed or fried — and garnish with a healthy dollop of their signature (and extremely orange) hot sauce.
43. Zombie at Cry Baby Gallery
If you only have time for one Toronto cocktail, this iconic zombie is a must. We are big fans of the way the house sorrel and rum blend refines this classic cocktail into something super crushable.
Rick O'Brien
44. Nachos at Sneaky Dees
No visit to this College Street dive bar is complete without an order of its gargantuan nachos. Sneaky Dee’s lives by the philosophy that no tortilla chip should go untouched, layering every bite with cheese, pulled pork, jalapeños and a pile of other toppings. There’s nary a dry chip in sight — nor a spare inch of table left un-graffitied. Order The Destroyer, a late-night poutine-nacho mashup created with local hardcore band Cancer Bats.
45. 100 Layer Lasagna at La Palma
Yes, it really does have 100 layers. Sure, the other pastas and pizzas on the menu are good, but we head to La Palma over and over again just for the lasagna. Beef and pork bolognese is layered with béchamel, parmesan and mozzarella cheese between thin sheets of fresh pasta. It’s one of the most iconic, most beloved dishes in Toronto, and it’s worth every ounce of hype.
Hector Vasquez
46. Rare beef pho at Pho Tien Thanh
A steaming bowl of rare beef pho from Pho Tien Thanh has healed us in body, heart and spirit on many occasions. Loaded with tender beef, herbs and vegetables, the deeply comforting noodle soup has become a Toronto classic at the family-run, Michelin-recommended spot.
47. Veal sandwich from Uno Mustachio
Skip the famous sandwich — the veal sammie from Uno Mustachio is the one to order at St. Lawrence Market. Bonus points for a swipe of Kozlik’s Mustard and a copy of foodism (available at the market).
48. Cocktails on the back patio at Bar Pompette
Accolades for Bar Pompette have been pouring in over the last few years, putting this Toronto bar on the global map. It still feels humble, though, with its quaint French bistro interior and its charming, tree-lined back patio. Order the Nitro Colada, a creamy, clarified cocktail with a hint of sweetness, or their house martini, Cornichon, on a summer evening under the string lights and a canopy of branches, and you’ll see why it’s one of the best bars in the world.
49. Modernist cocktail at BarChef
BarChef put Toronto’s cocktail scene on the map over a decade ago when master mixologist Frankie Solarik began tweezing garnishes and creating cocktail dioramas with the detail of fine dining. The Modernist Series is where the team pushes its creativity furthest, with multi-sensory, textured components and dramatic presentations worthy of Chef’s Table. Still, classics like the Toasted Old Fashioned — given the full Solarik treatment — are a fine way to spend an evening at this moody, iconic bar.
50. Sunset bevvies on the Aperol Lawn at the RBC Amphitheatre
There is no place where the sunset and music collide quite like the Aperol Lawn. Whether you’re dancing on the grass with the gang or belting out classic rock with your parents, these are the moments that create core memories. Rain or shine, pairing a spritz with that golden hour glow is the ultimate way to enjoy a summer night.
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