Top 5 Canadian foods and where to get them in Toronto
Published April 9, 2025 at 1:16 pm
There’s been a surge in Canadian pride recently, and one of the best ways to express that is by grabbing some of Canada’s most popular foods from local businesses. From recipes that originated here to delicious dishes incorporating influences from other cultures, Canadian identity can be represented through food in a wide range of ways.
Here are some of the most Canadian foods and where to get them in Toronto.
This is one of the first foods that comes to mind when people think “Canada.” It may be more strongly associated with Quebec rather than the province of Ontario, but you can still get a bang-up poutine right here in Toronto. The reigning poutine champ in Toronto operates out of one tiny stall called Nom Nom Nom located in a shipping container market.
Other great places to get poutine in Toronto include Rosie’s, Burgers n’ Fries Forever, Fancy Franks and Beerbistro.
While they may originally hail from the Caribbean, Jamaican patties have become such a beloved food in Canada that they’re one of Toronto’s unofficial “official” foods and we even have a whole day celebrating them. Spicy beef is one of the most popular varieties, but you can also get these golden flaky pastries stuffed with an array of fillings.
Caribbean Queen is the place to go to feel like true patty royalty, serving huge patties made fresh. Head to JunePlum for a more gourmet take on the treat. Fahmee Bakery, Golden Patty and Crumbs are other great options for one of Toronto’s signature snacks.
It’s said that sticky, ooey gooey butter tarts actually originated in Ontario, with the first recipe for the baked good appearing in a Barrie cookbook. No matter how they came to be, they’re now a Canadian staple.
Find these sugary sensations at Ba Noi, Gerrard St. Bakery or coffee shop Larry’s Place.
Quebec may be known for poutine, but Montreal is equally known for bagels. While Toronto may be far away from the bagel shops of Montreal, there are still some great places in the city where you can get Montreal-style bagels.
Bagels on Fire stays true to the style of classic wood-fired Montreal bagels, and The Bagel House also makes Montreal-style wood-fired bagels that are a little larger in size.
One brand that’s become synonymous with Canada is Tim Hortons, and while we love a good double double and Timbit, there are also lots of great artisanal doughnut shops in Toronto making this classic Canadian sweet treat.
To find more old school doughnuts along the lines of Tim Hortons, try Better Days. For vegan doughnuts, check out Bloomer’s, and for the tastiest gourmet doughnuts, opt for Dipped. If you prefer your doughnuts more Timbit-sized, head to Sugar Daddy or Cops for mini doughnuts.
