St. Lawrence Market Toronto: What to Buy, Eat & See (2026)

St. Lawrence Market is one of Toronto's defining food destinations. After a Saturday morning wandering the South Market's vendors, smelling fresh peameal bacon, and watching carts of imported cheese roll past walls of heritage photos, you'd be hard-pressed not to see why.

What to Know Before You Go

• South Market (93 Front St E) — Tuesday–Friday 9am–7pm, Saturday 7am–5pm, Sunday 10am–5pm; closed Monday.
• St. Lawrence Market North — the official schedule currently lists the Saturday Farmers' Market from 5am–3pm.
• Community programming and event dates change, so check the official market calendar before making a special trip.
• Best time: Saturday morning — fresh vendors and the market's fullest atmosphere.

Must-Eat Items

• Peameal bacon sandwich (Carousel Bakery, Level 1) — THE Toronto food. Lineups are worth it. Get it with a fried egg.
• Montreal-style bagels (Uno Mustachio or St. Urbain) — Denser and more flavourful than a New York bagel
• Pasture-raised eggs and Ontario cheeses from the farmer's market — Fresh and local
• Hot sauce and chili pickles from the specialty vendors — Excellent gifting
• Schmaltz Appetizing — Montreal-style smoked fish, nova lox, whitefish, pickled herring

The Lineup Secret The Carousel Bakery peameal bacon lineup wraps around the corner by 9am on Saturdays. Go before 7am or skip to a weekday visit when the wait is under 10 minutes. The sandwich is the same.

The History of St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market has been feeding Toronto since 1803 — making it one of the oldest continuously operating markets in North America. The current South Market building was constructed in 1844 on the site of the original City Hall. The building's distinctive arched windows and cast iron columns have been preserved through multiple restorations, and heritage photos lining the corridors document the market's evolution from a muddy outdoor meat market to the polished institution it is today. The North Market building across the street dates from 1968 and hosts the famous Saturday farmers market.

Beyond the Peameal Sandwich: Hidden Stalls Worth Finding

• Schmaltz Appetizing (Level 1) — Nova lox, whitefish salad, smoked salmon bagels; one of the city's best delis
• Mike's Fish Market (South Market) — Exceptional fresh and smoked fish from Ontario waters
• Olympic Cheese Mart — European-style cheese counter with hundreds of varieties and generous sampling
• Beet Club (North Market, Saturdays) — Outstanding beet kvass and fermented goods from a local producer
• Seed to Sausage (South Market) — Artisan charcuterie and cured meats; excellent for picnic supplies
• Le Petit Dejeuner (Front Street, across from North Market) — Best sit-down brunch near the market

Food & Eats Guide → — See more Toronto food spots