Evergreen Brick Works, Wychwood Barns, Nathan Phillips Square, and the neighbourhood markets — the best Toronto farmers markets, when to go, and what to buy.
Toronto's farmers markets run from May through November and peak in August — when Ontario produces everything from peaches and corn to heirloom tomatoes and chanterelle mushrooms simultaneously. The quality gap between a farmers market and a supermarket is enormous in August. Here's where to go.
The Brick Works Farmers Market in the Don Valley is Toronto's best. Every Wednesday 3–7pm and Saturday 8am–1pm, surrounded by the heritage brick buildings of the old Don Valley Brick Works. The vendor quality is consistently high — serious farmers, excellent cheese producers, Ontario honey, and prepared food vendors. The Saturday market has a community feel that the Wednesday evening market lacks — do Saturday if you can only do one.
Every Thursday 3–7pm in Dufferin Grove Park, year-round. One of the most community-oriented markets in the city — the park has a wood-fired community oven that bakers use, and the market has a long-standing relationship with the neighbourhood. Excellent produce, good prepared food, and a genuinely local crowd.
The North Market across from the main St. Lawrence Market hall operates as a farmers market on Saturday mornings. It's smaller than Brick Works but more central — excellent for combining with a visit to the main market for the famous peameal bacon sandwich.
In the Artscape Wychwood Barns in St. Clair West, this market has an arts-forward community around it and consistently good produce and artisan vendors. The indoor/outdoor format means it runs in all weather.
August is the peak of Ontario's growing season. The things genuinely worth buying at a farmers market over a grocery store in August: Ontario peaches (the Niagara peaches in August are extraordinary), local corn, heirloom tomatoes, chanterelle and other foraged mushrooms, Ontario strawberries (later than you'd think), fresh herbs, and Ontario honey.
The peach window Ontario peaches peak the last two weeks of August. The Niagara region produces peaches that are so good they make grocery store peaches seem like a different fruit. Buy them by the basket, eat them within 3 days, and do not refrigerate them.
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The Evergreen Brick Works Farmers' Market is the best in Toronto — open Wednesdays 3–7pm and Saturdays 8am–1pm in the heritage brick buildings of the Don Valley Brick Works, surrounded by ravine trails. Vendor quality is consistently high with serious farmers, Ontario honey producers, artisan cheese, and excellent prepared food stalls. The Saturday morning market has the best atmosphere and widest vendor selection. Admission is free.
Most Toronto farmers markets run from May through November, peaking in August and September when Ontario produces the greatest variety. The Dufferin Grove market runs year-round (Thursdays 3–7pm). Evergreen Brick Works runs year-round with reduced winter hours. The St. Lawrence Market North Saturday farmers market runs year-round. Smaller neighbourhood markets like Trinity Bellwoods typically run May through October only.
In August, the items most worth buying at a Toronto market over a grocery store are: Ontario peaches (Niagara peaches in August are extraordinary), heirloom tomatoes, fresh corn, chanterelle and other wild mushrooms, and local honey. September adds Ontario apples and pears, wild leeks, and winter squash. Artisan bread, Ontario cheese, and small-producer wine are available year-round. Ask vendors directly where they farm — the conversation is part of the market experience.
Yes — entry to the Evergreen Brick Works Farmers' Market is completely free. The surrounding Evergreen Brick Works park is also free, with hiking trails in the Don Valley ravine, a café in the heritage building, and environmental education facilities. Weekend parking is available on-site (small fee). The site is accessible by TTC bus from Broadview subway station. Market hours: Wednesday 3–7pm, Saturday 8am–1pm.
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