Local Food & Dishes
A sampling of some of the foods that Toronto is known for.
Poutine
Poutine is a beloved Canadian dish, originating in Quebec, consisting of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy. It’s a simple but satisfying combination that has become a national icon, enjoyed throughout Canada and beyond.
Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich
Montreal’s answer to pastrami features cured and smoked brisket that’s thinly sliced and piled high on rye bread and slathered with yellow mustard
Jamaican Patty
Toronto Jamaican patties are a popular baked pastry in Toronto, often referred to as “Toronto’s favorite snack”. They are a savory, hand-held pastry filled with a variety of meat or vegetable fillings, and are a staple of the city’s food scene, particularly in Caribbean and West Indian restaurants.
Butter Chicken Roti
Toronto is widely credited with creating the popular dish, butter chicken roti, a fusion of East Indian butter chicken with West Indian roti. This dish is said to have been invented in Toronto by an Indian-Canadian restaurateur who combined his familiar East Indian flavors with the West Indian roti. The dish has become a Torontonian staple, and it’s a dish that reflects the city’s diverse culinary scene.
Halifax Donair
A Halifax Donair is a popular dish from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and it is essentially a pita bread wrap filled with shaved, seasoned beef, tomatoes, onions, and a sweet, tangy donair sauce. It’s a unique blend of flavors and is considered a staple in Halifax cuisine.
Though not a true “Halifax Donair,” I instead recommend the Berlin-style Döner (a close cousin).
Peameal Bacon Sandwich
Undeniably no-frills at its core, consisting of simply a hefty pile of peameal bacon (which, I might add, is a Toronto invention,) on a fluffy bun, there can be no arguing that the staple is, still, absolutely magical.
Sushi Pizza
A unique Canadian dish, a fusion of sushi and pizza, that originated in Toronto. It typically features a fried rice patty as the base, topped with ingredients like salmon, avocado, and a spicy mayo sauce. The dish is known for its crispy, yet chewy texture and the combination of Japanese and Italian flavors.
The Caesar (alcoholic drink)
The Caesar cocktail is a Canadian national drink that is essentially a variation of the Bloody Mary. It typically includes vodka, Clamato juice (a tomato and clam juice blend), Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a rim of celery salt. It’s often garnished with a celery stalk and a lime wedge.
Butter Tarts
Butter tarts are a classic Canadian pastry consisting of a flaky crust filled with a sweet, gooey mixture of butter, sugar, eggs, and syrup. They are often enjoyed as a dessert or snack, and raisins, nuts, or other add-ins are commonly included.
Nanaimo Bars
Nanaimo bars are a no-bake Canadian dessert made of three layers: a graham cracker and coconut base, a custard-flavored middle layer, and a chocolate ganache top. They are popular in Canada, particularly in British Columbia, where they originated.
The Beaver Tail
A Beaver Tail pastry is a flat, oblong fried dough pastry that resembles a beaver’s tail. It’s a popular Canadian treat, often served with a variety of sweet or savory toppings. Most flavours of BeaverTails are topped with sweet condiments and confections, such as whipped cream, banana slices, crumbled Oreos, cinnamon sugar, and chocolate hazelnut.
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