Toronto City Guide: Around Toronto’s Best Grocery Stores

I have a huge passion when it comes to browsing aisles and lanes at bodegas, specialty food stores and gourmet grocers. Continuing my latest IG guide on Toronto’s best grocery stores, I am sharing more details on my favourites and attaching a shopping list for each spot.

Summerhill Market

I discovered the market by foot when I first moved to Midtown Toronto.

Growing up, my father would take us into the city and browse the aisles of imported grocers when the kids embarked on our school field trips or when they hosted guests over for dinners. The market’s Mount Pleasant location carries on this precious memory whenever I stop by.

I am a massive fan of the market, from prepared foods to house-made sauces. Ask and I can name you all my favourites.

For a taste of the market’s clasic, choose between the prime rib or turkey dinner.

For lunch, their Chili has appeared several times on my weekly menu. It can be easily paired with a side of bread or steamed vegetables and tie you over until the evening meal.

The market prizes on being innovative with their approach to seasonal menu and they also carry a wide variety of snacks and beverages that are otherwise difficult to acquire outside of US.

Categories Highlight: Prepared Foods, Bakery, Deli, Beverages

Add To Cart: Summerhill’s Own 3″ Strawberry Shortcake

Neighbourhood: Rosedale

Address: 446 Summerhill Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4W 2E4

Website: https://www.summerhillmarket.com/

Pristine’s Fine Foods

Pristine houses the largest selection of imported Turkish and Italian goods. It’s a stretch from the city but browsing the aisles is a sensory experience itself.

Immediately entering the store, you are flooded by shelves of cured and canned ingredients from salami calabrese to jars of porcini sauce.

For dry goods, stock up on Rummo’s pasta and grab a bottle of extra virgin olive oil before checking out (they a wide selection to choose from).

For Turkish flavours, reward yourself with some sesame crusted Simits.

Categories Highlight: Turkish & Italian Pantry Goods

Add To Cart: Rummo Mezzi Rigatoni No.51 Gluten Free Pasta 

Neighbourhood: Etobicoke

Address: 339 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, Ontario M8Y 1Z2

Website: https://www.pristinefinefoods.com/erhillmarket.com/

Farm Boy

A couple of years ago, I lived and worked in Ottawa for a short period of time and I’ve been envious of the residents since.

For some breakfast novelty, try their Cruffies, a hybrid of a muffin and a croissant.

When it comes to adding proteins to my meals, I also find their meats and seafood reasonably priced.

Categories Highlight: Seafood, Spices & Sauces

Add To Cart: Farm Boy Waffle Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches (Aisle Never Enough)

Neighbourhood: Yonge & Eglinton

Address: 2149 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M4S 0C5

Website: https://www.farmboy.ca/

The Butcher’s Son

I never knew about this Midtown gem until Epicurious persuaded me to make my own collagen-dense bone broth. I’ll link the recipe here.

The store offers great cuts and locally raised meats for all of your stewing & grilling needs.

For soups and stews, ask the butcher to cut the marrow into cylinders.

For a roasted spread, ask for a split straight down the bone.

Categories Highlight: Meat

Add To Cart: Beef Bone Marrow & Make Epicurious Bone Broth

Neighbourhood: Yonge & Eglinton

Address: 2055 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M4S 2A2

Website: https://thebutchersson.ca/

Cumbrae’s

Cumbrae brings the country to the city. In fact, they have a farm of their own.

Their attention to detail is impressive, from the store interior to the quality of meats they provide.

It’s a truly unique meat shop, bringing shoppers a perfect balance of rusticity and urban sophistication, from Cumbrae to table.

Categories Highlight: Meat, Frozen Stock

Add To Cart: Cumbrae’s Own Chicken Burger

Neighbourhood: Leaside

Address: 1589 Bayview. Ave, Toronto, Ontario M4G 3B7

Website: https://cumbraes.com/

Shop Coco Market

Toronto’s wellness scene thrives on its fast-paced lifestyle and Coco Market provides a fun place to discover new health and wellness products.

For after-meeting-recharge, consider the Chili Lime Mango from Village Juicery. The pack was always a crowd-pleaser when I bought them into meetings.

For some flavour kicks, the Healthy Heat Hot Sauce by Ripe Nutrition has been my secret ingredient whenever I make dumplings. I create my own sauce by mixing parts of the hot sauce, honey, soy sauce and fresh green onions.

While in the neighborhood, stop by Nut Bar (a superfood snack cafe) and Impact Kitchen (a paleo & gluten-free kitchen).

Categories Highlight: Snacks, Pantry

Add To Cart: Berry Whip City Seltzer

Neighbourhood: Rosedale

Address: 1064 Yonge St.Toronto, Ontario M4W 2L4

Website: https://shopcoco.ca