Great Canadian Food Tour- St. Lawrence Market + The Distillery
Description
Toronto’s only public food tour dedicated to what Canada actually tastes like — the honest, beloved dishes born and perfected right here. In 2.5 hours, expert guides from Canada’s #1 food experience (TripAdvisor 2023) lead a gentle 1-mile walk through two historic neighbourhoods: the bustling St. Lawrence Market and the cobblestoned Distillery District. You’ll taste iconic Canadian classics — poutine, peameal bacon sandwiches, Montreal-style bagels, butter tarts, Nanaimo bars — plus a few beloved surprises even locals often discover for the first time. Why guests choose us: Named Canada’s #1 Food Experience on TripAdvisor (2023) Featured in Condé Nast Traveler and National Geographic Travel for our storytelling Locally owned and operated with genuine Torontonian warmth and care Come hungry. Leave full, with stories you’ll want to take home.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Step into Toronto’s most magical neighbourhood — a beautifully preserved Victorian-era industrial village with cobblestone streets, red-brick buildings, and a charming pedestrian-only atmosphere. Once a bustling whiskey distillery in the 1800s, it’s now one of the city’s most beloved destinations, filled with independent shops, art galleries, cafés, and restaurants. Wander through the historic lanes and soak in the unique blend of old-world charm and modern creativity. It’s the perfect place to slow down, explore, and discover hidden gems around every corner — especially magical during the holidays when the entire district transforms into a winter wonderland. A true Toronto treasure, and one of the highlights of our Great Canadian Food Tour.
One of Toronto’s most iconic and beloved landmarks, St. Lawrence Market has been feeding the city since 1803. Voted one of the world’s best food markets, it’s a vibrant, historic destination filled with over 120 vendors offering everything from fresh produce and artisanal cheeses to specialty meats, baked goods, and global flavours. Home of the legendary peameal bacon sandwich and a Saturday farmers’ market that draws locals and visitors alike, the market pulses with energy, stories, and incredible food. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect cheese, sampling international delicacies, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, St. Lawrence Market is a true Toronto experience — and a delicious highlight of our Great Canadian Food Tour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We DO NOT offer Vegan, or Gluten-Free options.
Reviews(116)
William was an awesome tour guide and was very informative about the Canadian history and various foods. The food was excellent and very good portions. Definitely recommend this tour, time and money well spent.
There is so much good food! And we enjoyed learning about the history of the city from our guide, William! Both areas visited were very interesting. We’ll definitely visit them again!
William was a great guide. Food was good, and especially enjoyed him giving the history of the districts visited.
We had so much delicious new foods on this tour we skipped dinner. Our guide William was a delightful guide and storyteller and very attentive to our dietary needs. Travelers should know there is a 20 minute walk between the Distillery District and the St. Lawrence Market.
Joseph, skipping dinner is the highest star rating we know — thank you! William will be pleased his stories landed and that your dietary needs were handled with care; that attentiveness is a point of pride with him. And thanks for the practical note on the walk between the Distillery and St. Lawrence: we like to think of it as the appetite reset between courses, but it's a fair heads-up for fellow travellers. Come hungry again soon!
I had a wonderful experience on the food tour of St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery Historic District. It was a fantastic way to discover Toronto’s history, culture, and amazing food. A special thank you to our tour guide, William, who made the experience truly memorable. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the stories behind the places we visited and the foods we tasted. His enthusiasm and attention to detail made the tour enjoyable from start to finish. The food selections were delicious, and I appreciated learning about the history and traditions connected to each stop. William created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making everyone feel engaged and comfortable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to explore Toronto through its food, history, and hidden gems. Thank you, William, for such a wonderful experience!
Thank you so much for the glowing review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the Distillery + St. Lawrence Market tour and that William made your experience so memorable — we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words. It’s wonderful to hear the food, stories, and atmosphere hit the mark. We’d love to welcome you back anytime to explore more of Toronto’s culinary and cultural gems. Safe travels and thanks again for recommending us!
Very good! We loved the explanation and the experience. William was patient during the tour, at our pace, and very kind.
hank you so much for your kind words! 🌟 ¡Muchas gracias por esta hermosa reseña! Nos alegra muchísimo saber que disfrutaron la experiencia en el Great Canadian Food Tour (Distillery District + St. Lawrence Market). William se pone muy contento cuando escucha que logró llevar el tour a su ritmo, con paciencia y amabilidad. Para nosotros es muy importante que cada persona se sienta cómoda y realmente conectada con la historia y los sabores de Toronto. ¡Esperamos tener el placer de recibirlos nuevamente en otra de nuestras experiencias! Si regresan a la ciudad, avísennos — siempre hay nuevos tours y recomendaciones especiales para amigos como ustedes. ¡Abrazos y hasta pronto!
It was a great tour! I wasn’t expecting anything this nice. Willian was an excellent guide and his acting career made his delivery of information very entertaining! The food was plentiful and was more than enough for a heavy lunch
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear that the tour exceeded your expectations. The Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market are two of Toronto's most iconic neighborhoods, and we're glad you enjoyed exploring them with William. William has a unique talent for bringing the stories, history, and culture of the city to life, and his background in acting certainly adds an entertaining dimension to the experience. We're delighted that his enthusiasm helped make the tour both informative and enjoyable. It's also great to hear that you found the food plentiful and satisfying—we always aim to provide a generous tasting experience that feels like a true culinary journey. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another Toronto food adventure in the future!
My son and I did the Distillery/St. Lawrence Market tour with William. The food along the tour was delicious and really filled us up! We also got an excellent sample of Canadian cuisine. We started in the Distillery where we had two savory bites, a “savory” cocktail (virgin), and a delectable sweet treat. William told us about the history of the Distillery and how it developed into the area it is today. He was super knowledgeable. Then, we walked through the Esplanade, which on this beautiful Toronto day, was quite lovely. This walk lead us to the St. Lawrence Market where we sampled 3 more items: a sandwich, seafood, and a second sweet treat. Was it $80 worth of food? No, it was not, but it gave us a great sampling of Canadian culture with a personable guide, and it WAS filling. We even brought some back to the hotel because we couldn’t eat it all. To me, it was well worth it. ENJOY!!!
Thank you for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review! We're delighted that you and your son enjoyed exploring both the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market with William. It's wonderful to hear that the food was delicious, filling, and provided a great introduction to Canadian cuisine and culture. We're especially pleased that William's knowledge of Toronto's history and neighborhoods helped bring the experience to life. Thank you as well for highlighting the value of the tour as more than just a food experience—our goal is to combine great food, local history, and meaningful cultural insights into one memorable outing. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you both back for another Toronto food adventure in the future!
Great way to see old Toronto. Interesting Distillery district and St Lawrence Market tour. William was a great guide, a lot of walking but totally worth it.
So glad to hear you enjoyed your taste of Canada and and glad William led you well for all the sights and eats. Till next time... stay hungry. Till next time... stay hungry.
We had so much fun on this tour! William was an amazing wealth of knowledge and really made it an interesting journey for me and my son. We enjoyed the visual experience and the food samples were memorable. Thank you for making us aware of this experience. Highly recommend.
Glad that both you and your son enjoyed the sights and tastes of Kensington with William. Appreciate the kind shout out! Till next time... stay hungry.
