A WEEKEND FOODIE GUIDE TO TORONTO
Toronto's foodie game is so strong, you may have a hard time picking and choosing where to eat, like I did! The city is filled with great places to dine, but don't forget to stop in for dessert [before and] afterwards. Toronto has some of the most outrageously unique and equally delicious dessert spots for you to get a sugar rush! And if you're a coffee fanatic, Toronto has no shortage of phenomenal third-wave coffee shops! Don't miss my guide on Where to Coffee in Toronto.
Here is a list of not-to-missed spots for the ultimate foodie visiting Toronto.
Bake Shoppe
This dainty little bakery on College Street has the cutest baked goods you ever did see. They put a unique spin on recreating classic childhood favorites, like berry-filled pop-tarts and bourbon s'mores bars. You'll find an assortment of cakes, cupcakes and cookies behind the glass display here. Pink neon letters that spell out 'Baked' add a flirty touch to the interior decor and make for a great backdrop to that Instagram-worthy pastry you can't wait to bite into!
What to Order? Bourbon S'more Bar and Strawberry Pop-Tart
Caffe Demetre
With quite possibly the best dessert menu in the entire country, you'll find a vast variety of options to satisfy your sweet tooth at Caffe Demetre. High quality ingredients make up an indulgent list of handcrafted ice creams, crepes & waffles, cakes and sundaes alongside a fantastic list of milkshakes, teas and coffees. Whatever it is you're craving, you won't leave disappointed.
What to Order? Anything. Everything. Just go.
The Dirty Bird Chicken + Waffles
Chicken and waffles have been a long time favorite of mine. If you like chicken and waffles, then you're going to love The Dirty Bird for their Canadian twist on an original classic. What sets them apart from your usual chicken and waffles joint is the extra touch of maple, adding a hint of sweetness to the otherwise salty dish before it hits your tastebuds.
What to Order? The OBD, The Dirty Bird'ger and The Sweet Nuttins waffle ice cream sandwich
Eva's Original Chimney's
You may recognize Eva's cones from Food Network, BlogTO or all over your Instagram feed. These famous churro cones are just what your sweet tooth ordered. I have been waiting to try their magnificent cones for over a year now, and it was totally worth the wait! A delicious soft serve filled inside a warm and crunchy churro cone, topped with your choice of one of 16 different concoctions.
What to Order? The O.G. (and ask for the chocolate drizzle on top!) or The Ex-Treme Cone
Mildred's Temple Kitchen
Brunch is my jam, and if it's yours too: go to Mildred's. Overflowing with natural light, this place has a fantastic list of breakfast and lunch options. Be prepared for a wait, but you can bet it'll be well worth your time. I ordered the Blueberry Pancakes and they were incredible -- light and fluffy, with dollops of the tastiest whipped cream (so airy and not at all overly sweet!) and topped with a fresh blueberry compote and a drizzle of maple syrup.
What to Order? The Blueberry Pancakes & The Manhandler
Paramount
Known to be the fastest growing Middle Eastern food chain in Canada, Paramount has a tasty selection of grilled meats to fulfill your kebab craving! We got the mixed combo platter, so I got to try a little bit of everything, and everything was amazing.
What to Order? Fattoush salad, Hummus, Falafel, Shish Tawouk skewers and Kafta Skewers
Pho Hung Restaurant
Strolling through the city with the temperatures well below my level of comfort, I was craving something warm and comforting. Pho to the rescue! We found this little gem near Kensington Market in downtown Toronto and the hearty bowl of steak pho I had did not disappoint.
What to Order? Pho Tai (#02 on the Pho/Noodle Soup page of the menu)
Poutini's House of Poutine
My first poutine experience had to be somewhere that had the poutine game down. Gravy on fries never sounded like something I could stomach, but on a cold winter day in Toronto, this hearty snack really hits the spot!
What to Order? Poutini's Traditional Poutine + the spicy mayo dipping sauce
Roselle Desserts
Owned by a pair of Toronto-bred chefs who trained in Paris and worked in Michelin-starred kitchens around Europe and Asia, Roselle's desserts are inspired by season ingredients and their travel experiences. French-inspired pastries and cups of delicious soft serve are waiting for you at Roselle!
What to Order? Their housemade soft serve ice cream with the malt crunch sprinkles!
Rosen's Cinnamon Buns
This bright little bakery is overflowing with natural light and neutral whites. Cute tiled floors accompany the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon buns that you can order individually ($4.00) or in a pack of 6 ($22).
What to Order? The cinnamon buns, of course! But I hear the bread pudding is pretty darn good too.
Sonny's Drive In
Before leaving Toronto, I knew I wanted to try poutine one more time. On the way to the airport, a poutine pit stop was absolutely necessary. I stopped in at Sonny's on a recommendation from a friend to try the poutine off their drive-in style menu and I love how they swapped out the cheese curds for shredded cheese. Yum!
What to Order? Poutine and Chicken Souvlaki
Sweet Jesus
Oh, Sweet Jesus. This place took my tastebuds for a ride, that's for sure. With all the hype around this place, I was expecting to find it overrated. Boy, was I wrong. Their cones are to die for! I had the Cookies Cookies Cookies & Cream and it was basically a cookie party in my mouth. Their soft serve is so delicious and creamy, you'll never want soft serve anywhere else ever again.
What to Order? Any cone on the menu (get the regular size and thank me later) and the Burnt Marshmallow Latte
Tim Horton's
This list wouldn't be complete without the one thing that gets me nostalgic the thought of Canada even crosses my mind. Tim Horton's TimBits and coffee have held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. Rain or shine, my favorite drink is their frozen, blended coffee concoction, also known as the Iced Capp. With plenty of locations around Toronto, you'll have no problem finding one as you make your way around the city!
What to Order? An Iced Capp & A box of TimBits (my personal favorite is chocolate!) big enough to last you the entire flight home!
