Great Canadian Food Tour- St. Lawrence Market + The Distillery
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Toronto, Canada
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Taste your way through one of Toronto’s most popular neighborhoods on a Canadian food tour of St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District. Gain insight into the eclectic area, see a Banksy, and try a variety of dishes that were born and made in Canada. Bring an appetite: food tastings on the itinerary equate to a hearty meal.
- Explore a trendy neighborhood loved by foodies and locals
- Let a guide choose for you: Taste the best on every menu
- Canadian food tasting tour: All tastings are included
- A small group means more attention form your guide
Sample Menu
Starter
Poutine
A Quebec born dish that has taken Canada by storm and the unofficial National Dish of the country.
Starter
Peameal Bacon Sandwich
Born in Toronto and our tasting is from the birthplace of this iconic sandwich.
Starter
Montreal-Style Bagels
Born in Montreal and a National treasure - Honey water boiled bagels!
Starter
Newfoundland Oysters
A must try - and from our most distant Eastern province of Canada, harvested in cold Atlantic waters. Delicious!
Dessert
Butter Tarts
To have raisins or not, that is the question??? Ours will be without raisins, so let the debates begin!
Dessert
Nanaimo Bar
Born in British Columbia, this non-baked 3 layer chocolate square will delight any sweet tooth.
What's Included
- LunchUp to 13 tastings across six stops, more than enough for a generous meal
- Poutine crowned with Montreal smoked meat, plus a classic Canadian drink (Sweetie Pie)
- Wood-oven Hawaiian pizza — the Canadian original, Ontario 1962 (Old Flame Brewery)
- Scotch butter tart, the Canadian dessert debate settled by hand (Tartistry)
- A sea-to-sea seafood tasting — smoked salmon, gravlax, lumpfish caviar, and oyster (Mike's Seafood)
- Nanaimo bar finale, B.C.'s no-bake legend (Eve's Temptations)
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Bottled water
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 11 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada
Meeting Spot: Distillery District Sweetie Pie Bakery 11 Tankhouse Lane
End point
- St. Lawrence MarketToronto, ON M5E 1C3, Canada
The tour ends at the St. Lawrence Market.
Itinerary
1
Distillery District
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
St. Lawrence Market
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Our friends cook their family recipes as they always have, so we can't accommodate gluten, dairy, or nut allergies, and we don't offer a vegan option. Vegetarian and pescatarian versions are available — just tell us when you book.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
My family of three, including my 12-year-old had so much fun and really loved all of the food throughout the tour. William was an engaging and thoughtful tour guide, who gave a heartfelt overview and cultural context throughout the Kensington Market. Particularly noteworthy is that the vendors were aware that the tour group was coming through and had items ready when we arrived. William’s advance communication with them set up really streamlined and efficient tour flow. The portions from all of the vendors on the tour were also very, very generous and everything was delicious. This definitely enhanced my appreciation for the cultural mix of Toronto and will be a highlight of our trip. Highly recommend!
Reviews
4.9
based on 160 reviews
Review summary
Last 12 months
51 reviews
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Travelers praise the tour guides for their extensive knowledge and engaging storytelling about Toronto’s history, food, and culture, noting their friendly and attentive approach. The food and beverage offerings receive consistent commendation for variety, generous portions, and quality, with diverse and vegetarian options enhancing the culinary experience. Overall, the combination of informative guides and well-regarded cuisine makes the tours both educational and enjoyable.
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Traveler reviews summarised by AI
Sort by: Most insightful
Our guide William was excellent! He was very knowledgeable and we learnt many things about Canadian foods and history that we never knew before. We really had a lot of fun. Kudos to William, keep up the excellent job you are doing!
William, our tour guide, was fabulous- a great storyteller with a great voice. We learned a lot about the city and the food of Canada. He was even able to accommodate my vegetarian diet (though if you’re vegan you’d have a difficult time). Definitely come hungry!
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Candace, thank you!
"A great storyteller" is the best compliment you could give William. That's exactly how we see our guides, so it's lovely to hear you felt it too. And you stole my line. Come hungry is right!
Thank you also for the note on dietary needs. We always do our best to look after vegetarian guests, and we appreciate you being honest about vegan options. Anyone with dietary needs is welcome to reach out before booking so we can talk through what's possible.
So glad you joined us.
Jusep
Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
It was fun to try the different foods and get a taste of Canada! Our guide, William was wonderful too!
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Cathy, thank you!
A taste of Canada is exactly what we're going for, so I'm glad that came through. From peameal bacon to butter tarts, there's a lot of history packed into a few bites. William will be thrilled to hear you had a great time with him.
Thanks for joining us, and come hungry next time you're in town.
Jusep
Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
More than enough food to eat and everything was yummy!! William, our tour guide, was great! Hi was informative about the foods and the history of the distillery district and St. Lawrence Market.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Sue, thank you so much!
"More than enough food" is music to my ears. We'd never want anyone leaving hungry. William will be happy to hear this. He puts a lot of heart into telling the stories of St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery, and it's great to know they landed.
Thank you for spending the day with us. Come back anytime, and come hungry.
Jusep
Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
This was a great tour. Really enjoyed the different foods. The distillery was a great area to visit. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and provided lots of information on the area. Highly recommend this Tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Kelland, thank you!
The Distillery is one of my favourite corners of the city. Old stone and brick, a lot of history, and some really good food tucked inside. So happy you got to taste your way through it, and St. Lawrence Market too.
Our Storytellers love sharing the stories behind these places, and I'll make sure yours hears this. Thank you for recommending us.
Next time, come hungry. There's always more to try.
Jusep
Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
This was an awesome food tour! The tour guide William was prompt, informative and knowledgeable about the town & food!
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Hi Melanie,
Thank you so much for joining us! We're delighted you enjoyed the tour. Old Toronto has so many layers, and William loves bringing the food and the history together so each bite comes with a story.
I'll make sure he sees your note. It means a lot to the whole team.
We'd love to welcome you back to explore another corner of the city with us.
Warmly,
Jusep
Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
William was terrific, answered all questions and gave an insight into not only the food but also the local area. Finished full having tried many tastings that without going on this tour just wouldn’t have tried.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Hi Tania,
Thank you for spending the afternoon with us. Finishing full and having tried things you might never have ordered on your own is exactly what we hope for. A lot of Toronto's best flavours are hiding in plain sight, and it's a joy to help guests find them.
William will be thrilled to hear this. He knows these streets and their stories inside out, and he loves a group that asks good questions.
Thanks again for the kind words, and we hope to see you on another tour soon.
Warmly,
Jusep
Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
Plenty of yummy food, and history tidbits from an energetic guide. Enjoyed exploring this part of Toronto.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Hi Aleta,
Thank you for joining us at St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District. The two neighbourhoods together tell a big part of Toronto's story, from the market that's been feeding the city since 1803 to the Victorian distillery that's now one of its most loved corners. We're glad the food and the history both landed for you.
I'll pass your kind words on to your guide. That energy is something we look for in our storytellers, and it's lovely to hear you felt it.
Hope to welcome you back to explore another side of the city with us.
Warmly,
Jusep
Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
William was an excellent guide! We had so much fun learning about the area, the food, the art, and the history. All the food was perfect. It was just the right amount of breaks while walking between tastings. We were left full and excited for all the new things we had learned about Canada and it's contributions to the food world.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hey Clarissa,
Thank you! Leaving full and excited about Canada's place in the food world is exactly what we hope the Great Canadian Food Tour will deliver. William will be thrilled to hear this, since weaving the food together with the art and history is what he loves most. We'd love to welcome you back next time you're in Toronto.
Warmly, Jusep, Chopsticks+Forks
Excellent tour and fantastic tour guide - very knowledgable and personable! Tour was a good length and the food was lovely, a lot of it as well! Highly recommend
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hi Katy,
Thank you! We always say nobody leaves the Great Canadian hungry, and it sounds like we kept that promise. I'll make sure your guide sees your kind words about their knowledge and warmth. We'd love to welcome you back next time you're in Toronto.
Warmly, Jusep, Chopsticks+Forks
Fantastic experience and time well spent. Guide, William, excellent! He is very knowledgeable, well organized, friendly and professional. Loved hearing the history to area and foods. Obviously has good working relationship with the vendors, who were ready for us when we arrived at each stop. Great locations, great food, large portions, go hungry! Highly recommend and would definitely do again. Terrific way to see/learn the distillery district and St. Lawrence market areas vs fumbling through on our own.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you, Karen! Those relationships with the vendors take years to build, and it's great to hear they showed — that's what lets William get you straight to the good stuff at each stop instead of waiting around. Really glad the tour gave you a real way into those neighbourhoods instead of guessing your way through. Would love to have you back. Bienvenue. Welcome home.
William our guide was such a good storyteller & full of so many interesting facts about Toronto history and the local food we were tasting. It was just me & 1 other person on this tour & I was honestly surprised & grateful that it wasn't cancelled! I loved the Distillery district neighborhood, such a cool vibe there with all the shops, restaurants, vendors and events taking place. The poutine we tasted there was great & so was the pineapple pizza (wasn't expecting to like it) but the quality of the ingredients was really good. I really enjoyed the drink that was paired with the poutine. Oh and the butter tart is delicious, I wish I had bought some to take home with me! We walked from there to St Lawrence Market & William pointed out cool art during the walk so that we could take photos. The market was pretty impressive with so many options to try & we had the infamous peameal sandwich which I took back to the hotel with me & I enjoyed it later. The salmon & caviar were a surprise! Definitely come hungry as there were a lot of samples. I definitely recommend this tour, especially if it's your first time in Toronto as it's a great way to see some cool parts of the city & learn about local Toronto cuisine. Thanks for a fun experience William!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you, Jennifer! William co-created this route specifically to weave the Distillery's history into the walk itself — the art stops along the way are one of his touches. So glad the small group still got the full experience, and that the peameal sandwich made it back to your hotel with you (a very correct choice). Thank you for such a generous, detailed review — this is exactly what we hope first-time visitors take away from Toronto. Bienvenue. Welcome home.
The food tour was amazing! Our guide William was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the local food and culture. Every stop was delicious! I highly recommend this tour and that you come hungry.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you, Tamika — "come hungry" seems to be the running theme this week, and William makes sure people take that advice seriously. Really glad the food and the culture behind it both landed for you. Recommendations like this are how most new guests find us, so thank you for that too.
— Jusep, Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
This was an awesome experience! William is an incredible tour guide and food guide, with a warm personality and a wealth of knowledge. The food choices were delicious and the stories behind them were so interesting. Also, the portions are HUGE! Def come hungry.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you, Robyn — "come hungry" is exactly the right advice, glad the portions lived up to it. William puts as much care into the stories behind the food as the food itself, good to hear that came through. Appreciate you taking the time to write this. Hope to see you again.
— Jusep, Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
William was great - fun and informative! Kept us moving (you’ll be thankful to be burning some calories and you eat your way through!). Thanks for a great experience for my first visit to Canada!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you, jewelsmith — and for choosing us for part of your first visit to Canada. William works hard to keep the group moving without losing the story along the way, glad that came through. Honoured to have been part of your welcome. Hope you're back soon.
— Jusep, Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
This was such an amazing insightful tour. Loved every bite of it! Our tour guide was great and shared such interesting information.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you, Bailey — glad every bite landed. St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery have so many stories packed into a few blocks, happy you got to taste them. We'll pass the kind words along to your guide. Hope to host you again soon.
— Jusep, Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
So much good food! My boys 12 and 9 had a great time. Great way to explore the area. Our guide William was fantastic!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you, Lacy! Nothing makes us happier than hearing the boys had a great time too — William has a real gift for keeping tours fun for all ages while still packing in the good stuff. So glad you all enjoyed exploring St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery with us.
Bienvenue. Welcome home.
This was truly a fun day. Living just outside the city, it was fun getting to be a tourist and eat yummy food. The history lessons paired with the food was great. Learning which food were invented in canada (London Fog, Butter Tart, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Pinapple on Pizza, and Nanimo bars) and tasting some of the locations that excel at making it. Truly a wonderful day with delicious food.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Here's a reply for Nancy_C's review (Great Canadian Food Tour — William's tour, not the Express):
Thank you, Nancy! Locals discovering their own city is exactly the reaction we hope for. So glad William's history lessons — Canada Dry, the Nanaimo bar, the butter tart, and yes, pineapple on pizza — landed as well as the food did.
Bienvenue. Welcome home.
My sister and booked this activity as first time visitors to Toronto and this was an excellent way to learn about the various neighborhoods and the history of the city while sampling great food options. Michael was our host - he was very knowledgable but best of all he had a great sense of humor and was entertaining. He allowed us enough time at the food stops which included sampling - poutine, a London fog, Hawaiian Pizza, Canada Dry, a Butter tart - as well as several other s- but did not dawdle so you were were able to stay totally engages the entire time. I have been on many food tours and this one one of the best.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Candace, so glad "William" brought that mix of humor and history to your first visit to Toronto — that balance is exactly what we look for in a guide. Thank you for such a generous review. Bienvenue. Welcome home.
Great way to experience the foods of Toronto.
William entertained us with great stories about the food and the District.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Susan, thank you — William's been part of our story for years, and watching him bring St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery alive for guests never gets old for me. Bienvenue. Welcome home.
The best way to learn about history of a place is to learn about its food. Having never been to Toronto before, I was charmed by the history and beautiful neighborhoods. William was a fantastic guide who kept us engaged and well fed!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Sandra, thank you — you said it better than I could, food really is the fastest way into a city's history. So glad William got to be your first introduction to Toronto. Bienvenue. Welcome home.
This is a great food tasting adventure. We had 3 food and 2 beverage tastings at The Distillery District. Then walked to St. Lawerence market where we had 3 more food tastings. They were good sizes on the samples. We were not hungry until dinner. Our guide William, was very knowledgeable of the foods and very accommodating to questions and history of the area. Highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you, Renee! So glad the mix of tastings across the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market left you full and happy — and that William's knowledge of the food and history came through. We'll pass along your kind words to him. Thanks for the recommendation!
Don’t eat breakfast before you go on this tour!! So much information, so much food, so much fun!! You won’t regret this one!!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Tom, message received — come hungry, leave happy! "So much information, so much food, so much fun" is exactly the balance we're chasing: history you'll remember and tastings you'll want to repeat. Thank you for the enthusiasm; it's contagious. William will be thrilled to read your kind words. If you're ever back in Toronto, Kensington Market is a whole different feast waiting for you. Bienvenue, and welcome home!
— Jusep & the Chopsticks+Forks team
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.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Anthony, thank you — "time and money well spent" is the exact bar we set, so hearing it back in your words means a lot. Leaving guests full is a point of pride around here: proper portions, no polite little samples. And yes, William can trace a plate back a hundred years without breaking stride — Canadian history goes down easier with peameal in hand. Your recommendation is the best thanks there is. Send your friends; we'll feed them properly.
— Jusep, Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
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!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Amy, this is our favourite kind of ending — guests going back on their own. That's the whole idea: once William hands you the stories, St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District stop being attractions and start being your neighbourhoods. Say hi to the vendors when you return — and when you've eaten your way through those two, Kensington Market is waiting with five continents more.
— Jusep, Founder, Chopsticks+Forks
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.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
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!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
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!
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
Response from Host, Jun 2026
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!
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.
Response from Host, May 2026
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.
Great experience! Jusep was a great host and he informed me about all the origins of each food fusion we had. The walk was fairly easily too, about 2-3 mins from each stop. Thanks again!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Shaun_R, Thank you so much for your review! We’re delighted to hear you had a great experience with Jusep and enjoyed learning the stories behind each food stop. Glad the walk and pace were just right too — hope to welcome you back for another tasty tour soon! 🍴✨
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