St. Lawrence Market

Peameal back bacon on a bun, artisanal sausages, maple infused smoked salmon, sheepmilk camembert, milk-fed veal... these are just a few of the delicious delights offered by the merchants at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market. Located close to downtown Toronto at Front and Jarvis Streets, this popular marketplace is a must-see destination for everyone from the most casual foodies to serious gourmands.

Named one of the 25 best markets in the world by Food and Wine Magazine, St. Lawrence Market boasts dozens of merchants with spectacular offerings of quality meats, cheese, seafood, dairy products, deli meats, produce, baked goods and other delicacies such as pates, dips and gourmet coffees and teas.

The Market Buildings

The St. Lawrence Market is comprised of three buildings: the North Market, the South Market and St. Lawrence Hall. This historic market complex underwent many changes and renovations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, including being rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1849.

The North/Farmers’ Market

Built in 1803, the North/Farmers’ Market was the city’s first permanent market. Since the early 19th century, farmers have been selling their fresh local produce at this site. The weekly Saturday Farmers' Market is now a time-honoured tradition in Toronto and the largest market in the city. Locals in the know arrive when the market opens on Saturdays at 5am to snap up the best selection of fruits and vegetables. Colourful displays of flowers and plants are also available at the Farmers’ Market outdoor stalls, as well as many more vendors selling fruits, vegetables and even Christmas trees in the winter season. There are also several stalls set up offering clothing, handmade jewellery and artwork.

On Sundays, the North Market hosts a bustling antique market with over 80 dealers displaying their wares. The Antique Market Shoppe on the west side of the North Market is open during the weekdays. The building houses 10,000 square feet of event space than can be rented during the week for social events, conferences or exhibitions.

The South Market

The South St. Lawrence Market was the location of Toronto’s first City Hall from 1845 to 1899. Since 1901, it has been the premier place to shop for the freshest and widest variety of food items. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, the South Market now houses over 50 specialty merchants who sell the highest quality meat, cheese, fish, produce, desserts and baked goods. The South Market is also home to several tasty eateries where hungry shoppers can grab a bite.

Highlights in the South St Lawrence Market include Carousel Bakery, a market fixture for over 30 years that is renowned for its must-try peameal back bacon on a bun. Cheese merchants such as Alex Farm Products and Olympic Cheese Mart carry dozens of rare and artisan cheese as well as gourmet pestos and olive oils. Some of the best meat purveyors in the city can be found in the South Market such as White House Meats, which boasts a massive selection of game meats including venison, elk, wild boar and kangaroo, and game birds such as squab, partridge, goose and Guinea fowl. A favourite stop for chefs and celebrities is Caviar Direct, which offers fine caviar in a range of prices as well as imported European truffle oils and Canadian specialities such as Arctic Caviar and pickled fiddleheads.

The food merchants are located on both the upper and lower levels of the South Market. A cooking school is located on the West Mezzanine. The Market Gallery, a free City of Toronto cultural exhibit, is situated on the second floor in the original council chamber of Toronto’s first City Hall. Free wireless access is available throughout the South St. Lawrence Market.

St. Lawrence Hall

St. Lawrence Hall was built after the 1849 fire and was once the hub of the city, serving as a public hall and performance venue for meetings, events and concerts. Restored in 1967 to celebrate Canada’s centennial, it is often used as a setting for film and television productions and is a popular venue for weddings and business functions. Biagio Ristorante is located on the ground floor of St. Lawrence Hall, which also houses Canada’s baroque theatre company Opera Atelier and Heritage Toronto.

St. Lawrence Market

The market is accessible by car or public transit from Union or King Street subway stations. Several parking lots and meters are located nearby for those travelling to the market by car.

For more information and hours of operation, call or visit their website.

Location: 92 Front Street East (at Market Street), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Phone: (416) 392-7120
Email: market@stlawrencemarket.com

Click here to visit St. Lawrence Market official website