St. Lawrence Market

Toronto's historic downtown food market — dozens of vendors under one roof for cheese, meat, produce, and the famous peameal bacon sandwich. Absolutely send you here; it's a genuine institution and easy to reach. Caveat: closed Mondays, and the South Market's best energy is weekday mornings and Saturdays.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What days is St. Lawrence Market open?

The South Market (the main building) is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays. Hours run roughly 9am-7pm on weekdays, 7am-5pm Saturday, and 10am-5pm Sunday, so don't plan a Monday visit.

Can I get a full meal or just snacks?

Both — plenty of vendors do proper hot meals and sandwiches you can eat at communal seating, alongside the grocery stalls. Come hungry and you can absolutely make lunch of it.

Is it worth it for tourists or just locals?

Both — it's genuinely used by locals for groceries while also being a rewarding stop for visitors. That mix is exactly what keeps it feeling real rather than staged.

How crowded does it get?

Saturday mornings are the busiest by far, with both the South and North markets going. For a calmer browse, come on a weekday morning right after opening.

Is it cash only?

Most vendors take cards now, but a few smaller stalls — including some sandwich counters — are cash-preferred or cash-only. Bring some cash to be safe and to speed up busy lines.

How do I get there?

It's central downtown — take the 504 King streetcar to Jarvis, or walk about ten minutes from King subway station. Easy from anywhere in the core.

What should I eat there?

The peameal bacon sandwich (Carousel Bakery is the famous one) is the signature bite. Beyond that, graze the cheese mongers, mustards, seafood, and prepared-food stalls — it's a place to snack widely.

When is the farmers' market?

The North Market hosts the farmers' market on Saturdays, starting very early (vendors set up around 5am). From spring through December, Sundays in the North Market bring the Antique Market instead.

Nearby in Ask Toronto

• Carousel Bakery (Peameal Bacon Sandwich)Restaurant0 km · 0 min walk
• SukhothaiRestaurant0.25 km · 3 min walk
• Hockey Hall of FameMuseum0.5 km · 6 min walk
• Redpath Sugar MuseumMuseum0.65 km · 8 min walk
• Canoe Restaurant & BarRestaurant0.76 km · 9 min walk