St. Lawrence Market

The city of Toronto invites you to visit its hub of activity — St. Lawrence Market. Inside the market, you’ll find 120 local vendors. Most vendors fall under the category of food and include a mix of restaurants, food stalls, food markets, bakeries, wineries, and other shops. You’ll also find jewellery, clothing, and souvenir shops here, as well as charming antique markets! The market is closed Sundays and Mondays, if you do book a tour with us on one of those days you will instead get the opportunity to visit the vibrant Distillery District! The Sunday Antique Market has now moved to Lakeview in Mississauga from its old location in St. Lawrence Market Neighborhood.

What to Know

Tucked away in the charming St. Lawrence neighborhood of downtown Toronto lies a gem of a marketplace, St. Lawrence Market. This bustling hub of activity is comprised of two sites, St. Lawrence Market North and St. Lawrence Market South, located side by side along Front Street East and Jarvis Street. With The Esplanade to the south, St. Lawrence Market South is a hub of activity, while its northern counterpart, St. Lawrence Market North, is bordered by the historic St. Lawrence Hall.

 

Whether you're in the mood to peruse fresh produce, sample gourmet foods, or just soak up the energy of a bustling public market, St. Lawrence Market is a must-visit destination in Toronto.

 

How to Get There

Take a scenic drive from downtown and follow along Dundas Street West, then make a turn onto either King Street or the Esplanade to arrive at either end of the iconic St. Lawrence Market Complex. But the best way to get there is by booking a Buffalo to Toronto Tour which will take care of everything for you for three days — from pick-up to drop-off!

 

The best part? You'll get to see idyllic spots in Niagara Falls and Toronto from the iconic CN Tower, and the staggeringly tall Skylon Tower, to the scenic Journey Behind the Falls, and more!

 

Best Time to Visit

St. Lawrence Market is open to the public year-round from Tuesday to Saturday, so plan your visit accordingly. We recommend you witness the bustling heart of Toronto in nice weather so make sure to check the weather beforehand for an amazing trip! 

 

Highlights

Treat your tastebuds to a tantalizing selection of food items that will surely leave you longing for more! Sample local inventions in the Carousel Bakery — their special Peameal Bacon Sandwiches are to die for! Sample meat & cheese boards at Scheffler's Deli & Cheese! Dig into the sugary baked goods at St. Urbain Bagels from flaky pastry boureka to the best bagel sandwiches you could ever dream of! Shop the freshest produce at the Family Food Market! 

 

Come taste the fanciness of gourmet international foods at Lively Life Fine Foods! Saturday Farmer's Market is a must-visit stop to see St. Lawrence Market in action! Check out an eclectic range of artworks and jewellery at local stalls that showcase the cultural heritage of Toronto! If you're into design, antiques, fashion, and more, the Temporary Market is awaiting your expression of art! Don't forget to stroll down Market Street in the neighbourhood to see a bustling array of commercial buildings and historic landmarks!

 

Features

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the heart of Toronto's rich history at the St. Lawrence Market Complex. Nestled in the bustling center of Old Town Toronto, just a stone's throw from the city's thriving downtown, this collection of three historic buildings has played a central role in the city's social, political, and commercial life for centuries.

 

Discover the vibrant South Market building, where the sounds and scents of a bustling farmers' market fill the air. Browse the stalls of local artisans and specialty food vendors, and savour the flavours of the city's rich culinary heritage. Take a peek inside the Market Gallery, where rotating exhibits showcase the art, culture, and history of Toronto. Or, brush up on your cooking skills with a class at the Market Kitchen.

 

The North Market building is a feast for the senses, with local farmers gathering before dawn every Saturday to sell their freshest produce, meat, and cheese. Marvel at the elegant Great Hall in St. Lawrence Hall, a popular venue for social and business events, and learn about the market's 200-year history with a guided walking tour of Toronto of the complex. Embark on an unforgettable journey through the past and present at the St. Lawrence Market Complex.

 

History:

St. Lawrence Market, located in the heart of Toronto's St. Lawrence neighborhood, is a historic public market that dates back to the early 19th century. It all started with a proclamation in 1803, designating an area near King Street and Jarvis Street, east of Church Street, for a public market. The first permanent structures were built in 1820, later being replaced by the St. Lawrence Market North building in 1831. It also served as one of the four post offices in York until 1834. After being damaged in the Great Fire of Toronto in 1849, a new building took its place in 1851. 

 

In the early 1900s, the market was expanded with the integration of the former city hall into St. Lawrence Market South, which opened in 1902, and a new matching north building in 1904. The north building was replaced again in 1968, and in 2016, it was demolished to make way for a new building. The market square space was previously used as Toronto's city hall from 1834 to 1845, before being renovated for market use, and occupied by the city hall from 1845 to 1899, when it moved to its new location.