Why I love Toronto, Canada's multicultural city that offers it all

Learn all about what makes the cuisine of this Canadian city so special from local chef David Schwartz. From multicultural dining (including not one, but two Chinatowns), to buzzy craft beer and cocktail cultures, there is plenty for foodies to enjoy.

Want to learn more about regional cuisine around the world? Check out our guides to the cuisines of Trentino in Italy, Istria in Croatia, Oaxaca in Mexico or Cork in Ireland. For more Canadian inspiration, check out our local chef's guide to the cuisine of Vancouver.

10 things I love about Toronto

Multicultural dining

The most important aspect of Toronto’s food scene is the wealth of culinary influences, thanks to the city’s multicultural population from a long history of mass immigration. Spanning charcoal-grilled Turkish kebabs to juicy jerk chicken and regional Chinese cuisine, the Canadian city really has it all.

Chinatown(s)

Toronto boasts not one but two Chinatowns. The most famous is near the popular Kensington Market in downtown Toronto, where you will find a bustling hub with small independently run Chinese restaurants and supermarkets. The other is East Chinatown in the city’s east end, while there’s also a Koreatown in Seaton Village, a neighbourhood of Toronto.

Jamaican patties

Kensington Market itself has two Jamaican patty spots: Golden Patty for a more classic, old-school variety, while hole-in-the-wall Crumbs offers more contemporary twists. Traditionally the famous peameal bacon sandwiches from St Lawrence Market would be classed as Toronto’s classic dish but their popularity has now been overtaken by the patties and reflects the city’s multicultural present.

Suburban eats

Tourists don’t tend to head into the suburbs of Scarborough and Mississauga but this is where you’ll find many migrant communities living, and thus where you can try the best representations of these cuisines. You can’t fully understand Toronto’s food without visiting these places but the transport system doesn’t make it easily accessible without a car. Even some locals might not make the visit but with culinary delights such as handmade pide and fresh kebabs hot off the grill it’s more than worth it.

Kensington Market

A lively, colourful street market stretching several streets in downtown Toronto and a popular place for casual eats, it’s also somewhat contentious. Some locals believe it doesn’t get the attention it deserves from the government, while others feel it only serves a tourist population. Full of character and one of the biggest tourist attractions, by-laws have been created which prevent big chains from setting up shop there.

Quality ingredients

Toronto’s fine dining scene has vastly improved in the past 10 years with restaurants now focusing their attention on quality products and ingredients. Provenance is also an important aspect of this: Linny’s was founded on showcasing Canadian produce, while Sunnys and Mimi work with local farmers to source local ingredients. Guests are becoming increasingly receptive to learning about this, as well as the preservation of the analogue experience and doing everything by hand.

Waterworks

This historic space has recently been turned into an indoor food hall that represents the huge diversity of cuisines in the city. With independent vendors offering the likes of Vietnamese to Jamaican it’s a relaxed spot to sample the city’s culinary offering along with a locally brewed craft beer.

Craft beer

The craft beer scene is buzzing with the likes of Burdock Brewery in Kensington Market as well as downtown Toronto where it also has its own music hall. It pours real love and care into its creations, which include an innovative hybrid beer that uses discarded grape skins from a winery in Niagara.

Cocktail culture

The city’s bar scene is constantly improving and maturing with a wealth of speakeasys and award-winning bars spread across the city. French-inspired Bar Pompette appears on the world’s best bar lists year after year.

Less is more

Restaurants on the higher end are starting to become more specific with their offering. Because Toronto has such a global influence, historically you would see restaurants offering a fusion of everything. However now we are seeing a move towards clarity and focus, with pared-down menus that may look simple but taste incredible. With better access to higher quality produce, chefs can let the ingredients speak for themselves.