St. Lawrence Market
Walk, eat and shop your way around the St. Lawrence Market, Toronto’s charismatic marketplace filled with organic groceries, restaurant stalls and antique dealers.
Home to top bakers, chefs and coffee connoisseurs, this historic brick building features over 100 vendors and was once named the world’s best food market by National Geographic. Fill your plates with Canadian fare from the in-house Market Kitchen or come by on a Saturday to buy your own ingredients at the famous St. Lawrence Farmers’ Market.
As a true community space, the market’s large hall hosts a carousel of food, shopping and social events.
St. Lawrence Market | Destination Ontario
How to get to St. Lawrence Market
Location: 125 The Esplanade, Toronto
By transit: Multiple TTC stops, including Union Station (a 10-minute walk away) are close to the market. Plan your route accordingly.
By car: Find parking near St. Lawrence Market in paid city lots and if you’re visiting on a Saturday, there is a discounted rate on parking for market shoppers.
Know before you go
The best time to go to St. Lawrence Market is on weekdays, when it’s much less crowded. Check the market’s opening hours of the day you plan to visit.
Some vendors in the market only accept cash. If you forget to bring cash, look for the TD Bank machine in front of the North Market or one of several ATMs available throughout both levels of the South Market.
Things to do at St. Lawrence Market
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Sample unique foods
Taste kobassa and sausages at Ukrainian Store Dnister, tapas at Scheffler’s, the world-famous peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery, and fish and chips at Buster’s Sea Cove.
Become a master chef
Foodies and chefs in training can reserve a spot in a cooking class at the Market Kitchen, where you will gain practical skills and hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art kitchen.
Spend the weekend at the market
The North Market transforms into a farmers’ market on Saturdays and an antique market on Sundays. Shop for locally grown organics and find unique treasures.
Discover fresh produce
Explore a diverse variety of local fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and baked goods vendors at the multi-level South Market, open daily except Mondays and holidays.
Immerse yourself in art
Visit the Market Gallery on the second floor of the South Market on The Esplanade and view awe-inspiring work by talented local artists.
Learn the market’s history
Take a walking tour to learn more about the history of the St. Lawrence Market, which was founded in 1803 as one of Toronto’s three public markets that continues to thrive today.
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Interesting facts about St. Lawrence Market
The St. Lawrence Market is a 200-year-old building that has housed thousands of markets over time. The market consists of three buildings: the South Market, the North Market and St. Lawrence Hall.
First established as a public market in 1814, the structures have been rebuilt several times since and have served as a post office and city hall before returning to their original purpose of a community marketplace.
The original north building was the historic site of Toronto’s former city hall and its legacy of providing the city with community space has continued to this day.
Last updated: September 12, 2024