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21 of the Best Delis for the Ultimate Summer Picnic in Toronto
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21 of the Best Delis for the Ultimate Summer Picnic in Toronto
Sunny days call for picnics in the park. Whether you're into an after-work hang with friends or looking for a cute date idea, these Toronto delicatessens and sandwich shops offer everything from takeaway meal kits to the perfect charcuterie spread ingredients.
Deer Park
1446 Yonge St
Zelden's Deli & Desserts
Deli
Old meets new at Zelden's Deli, which has the look and feel of an old-fashioned deli, but with a modern menu boasting soups, salads, and more. All of the deli sandwiches can be ordered to go, as can a selection of mouth-watering sides, like potato salad and homemade onion rings.
Zelden's Deli & Desserts
Deer Park
1446 Yonge St
Old meets new at Zelden's Deli, which has the look and feel of an old-fashioned deli, but with a modern menu boasting soups, salads, and more. All of the deli sandwiches can be ordered to go, as can a selection of mouth-watering sides, like potato salad and homemade onion rings.
Deli
North York
Opened in 1975
Wolfie's Deli
Deli
Since 1975, Wolfie's has been serving up Instagram-worthy sandwiches and sides. Think sky-high pastrami and corned beef, served with a side of creamy potato salad and a sour pickle. All meats can also be purchased by the pound, or half-pound.
Wolfie's Deli
North York
Opened in 1975
Since 1975, Wolfie's has been serving up Instagram-worthy sandwiches and sides. Think sky-high pastrami and corned beef, served with a side of creamy potato salad and a sour pickle. All meats can also be purchased by the pound, or half-pound.
Deli
Junction Triangle
3035 Dundas St W
When The Pig Came Home
Located in the Junction neighbourhood, When The Pig Came Home has been serving high-quality meats since 2012. All of the sandwich meats are created using authentic recipes, and then either cured, seasoned, smoked or roasted in-house fresh daily.
When The Pig Came Home
Junction Triangle
3035 Dundas St W
Located in the Junction neighbourhood, When The Pig Came Home has been serving high-quality meats since 2012. All of the sandwich meats are created using authentic recipes, and then either cured, seasoned, smoked or roasted in-house fresh daily.
Vatra Deli
Did someone say pierogis? While they're not a traditional picnic snack, they're hard to resist at Vatra, a Ukrainian deli based in Etobicoke. Their meat and cheese party platters are great for larger groups. You'll find plenty of kielbasa and other imported deli meats, as well as cheeses and other Ukrainian specialties like cabbage rolls.
Vatra Deli
Did someone say pierogis? While they're not a traditional picnic snack, they're hard to resist at Vatra, a Ukrainian deli based in Etobicoke. Their meat and cheese party platters are great for larger groups. You'll find plenty of kielbasa and other imported deli meats, as well as cheeses and other Ukrainian specialties like cabbage rolls.
North York
46 Milford Ave
Speducci Mercatto
Italian
A butcher shop and pantry shop in the front and a sit-down restaurant and wine bar in the back, Speducci Mercatto is an Italian gem located in North York. The pantry shelves are stocked with imported Italian goodies. You can also shop from their bodega online, and have premium meats, cheeses, and other grocery items delivered straight to your door.
Speducci Mercatto
North York
46 Milford Ave
A butcher shop and pantry shop in the front and a sit-down restaurant and wine bar in the back, Speducci Mercatto is an Italian gem located in North York. The pantry shelves are stocked with imported Italian goodies. You can also shop from their bodega online, and have premium meats, cheeses, and other grocery items delivered straight to your door.
Italian
Scheffler's Deli
Located inside the St. Lawrence Market, Scheffler's Delicatessen & Cheese has been operating inside the market since 1955! Once you're inside, you can't miss it—the display of gourmet cheeses, antipastos and spreads, imported meats from Italy and France, and a plethora of savoury snacks to go are all available.
Scheffler's Deli
Located inside the St. Lawrence Market, Scheffler's Delicatessen & Cheese has been operating inside the market since 1955! Once you're inside, you can't miss it—the display of gourmet cheeses, antipastos and spreads, imported meats from Italy and France, and a plethora of savoury snacks to go are all available.
The Annex
414 Dupont St
Schmaltz Appetizing
Grab-and-go bagels smeared with cream cheese and topped with crunchy pickles, juicy tomatoes, smoked lox and more are the star of the show at this Annex deli. Smoked and cured meats and fish, cream cheese and dips like baba ganoush or garlic labneh, as well as pickled items are also for sale.
Schmaltz Appetizing
The Annex
414 Dupont St
Grab-and-go bagels smeared with cream cheese and topped with crunchy pickles, juicy tomatoes, smoked lox and more are the star of the show at this Annex deli. Smoked and cured meats and fish, cream cheese and dips like baba ganoush or garlic labneh, as well as pickled items are also for sale.
North York
3856 Bathurst St
Pancer's Original Deli
Deli
For more than 62 years, the Pancer family has been a namesake in the Jewish community for traditional corned beef sandwiches slathered in mustard, served alongside French fries and a sour pickle. The deli is known for its lunch specials, as well as its deli and cheese trays and tasty snacks like latkes served with sour cream.
Pancer's Original Deli
North York
3856 Bathurst St
For more than 62 years, the Pancer family has been a namesake in the Jewish community for traditional corned beef sandwiches slathered in mustard, served alongside French fries and a sour pickle. The deli is known for its lunch specials, as well as its deli and cheese trays and tasty snacks like latkes served with sour cream.
Deli
Mercatino E Vini
Hear us out—pre-packaged picnic baskets and wine to-go? At Mercatino E Vini, you can have both. This restaurant and bottle shop has a few fridges stocked with prepared foods like take-home meats and cheeses, and its bottle shop is home to a selection of wines and other pantry staples.
Mercatino E Vini
Hear us out—pre-packaged picnic baskets and wine to-go? At Mercatino E Vini, you can have both. This restaurant and bottle shop has a few fridges stocked with prepared foods like take-home meats and cheeses, and its bottle shop is home to a selection of wines and other pantry staples.
Midtown
2021 Yonge St
La Salumeria
Kind of a local secret, La Salumeria has been operating out of its Yonge St. location for decades. It's an old-school italian deli in every shape and form, complete with endless imported antipasti and a selection of meat and cheese so broad that the products compete for window space behind the long, glass counter. Shop around for tons of picnic-perfect goodies, or, ask for a hot or cold sandwich made-to-order.
La Salumeria
Midtown
2021 Yonge St
Kind of a local secret, La Salumeria has been operating out of its Yonge St. location for decades. It's an old-school italian deli in every shape and form, complete with endless imported antipasti and a selection of meat and cheese so broad that the products compete for window space behind the long, glass counter. Shop around for tons of picnic-perfect goodies, or, ask for a hot or cold sandwich made-to-order.
Bloor West Village
45 Ripley Ave
Cheese Boutique
Cheese
There's cheese shops, and then there's The Cheese Boutique. Since 1970, this spot has been selling almost every kind of cheese you can imagine, including an incredible selection of imported and local cheeses, be it a creamy French Brie or a sharp, Ontario cheddar. Inside their cheese vault (it's as cool as it sounds), you'll find some of the oldest, most rare cheeses on earth! The Cheese Boutique operates as a classic deli too, with shelves stocked with everything from olive oils and red pepper spreads, to thinly-shaved prosciutto and freshly baked breads.
Cheese Boutique
Bloor West Village
45 Ripley Ave
There's cheese shops, and then there's The Cheese Boutique. Since 1970, this spot has been selling almost every kind of cheese you can imagine, including an incredible selection of imported and local cheeses, be it a creamy French Brie or a sharp, Ontario cheddar. Inside their cheese vault (it's as cool as it sounds), you'll find some of the oldest, most rare cheeses on earth! The Cheese Boutique operates as a classic deli too, with shelves stocked with everything from olive oils and red pepper spreads, to thinly-shaved prosciutto and freshly baked breads.
Cheese
Dundas West
176 Bellwoods Ave
Lambo's Deli
Sandwiches
For those who don't want the stress of packing everything for a DIY picnic, head to Lambo's Deli on Bellwoods Ave. You'll need two hands for their sandwiches, which include classic Italian options like the mortadella, the Caprese, and the Italian trio. Dig into your sandwich in Trinity Bellwoods Park, located a mere few steps away.
Lambo's Deli
Dundas West
176 Bellwoods Ave
For those who don't want the stress of packing everything for a DIY picnic, head to Lambo's Deli on Bellwoods Ave. You'll need two hands for their sandwiches, which include classic Italian options like the mortadella, the Caprese, and the Italian trio. Dig into your sandwich in Trinity Bellwoods Park, located a mere few steps away.
Sandwiches
Little Italy
567 College St
Kiss My Pans
A fusion between a cheese shop and a Singaporean restaurant, Kiss My Pans specializes in supplying the perfect ingredients for your at-home charcuterie board or picnic party. Pick up a cheese box or platter to-go (orders require a month's notice) or stop by the shop and get the team to pick out a few artisanal cheeses and spreads. Kiss My Pans also sells artisanal meats like Bak Kwa, a BBQ jerky from Malaysia, artisanal chocolates and breads, sweets, coffee and more!
Kiss My Pans
Little Italy
567 College St
A fusion between a cheese shop and a Singaporean restaurant, Kiss My Pans specializes in supplying the perfect ingredients for your at-home charcuterie board or picnic party. Pick up a cheese box or platter to-go (orders require a month's notice) or stop by the shop and get the team to pick out a few artisanal cheeses and spreads. Kiss My Pans also sells artisanal meats like Bak Kwa, a BBQ jerky from Malaysia, artisanal chocolates and breads, sweets, coffee and more!
Downtown
15 Elm St
Elm Street Italian Deli
Italian
If you've ever had the craving for a submarine sandwich, chances are, you've been to Elm St. Deli. This Italian sandwich spot has 12 subs on the menu, all of which can be ordered as a half or as a full. You can also add a few sides, like mixed olives or a mixed bean salad to complete the order.
Elm Street Italian Deli
Downtown
15 Elm St
If you've ever had the craving for a submarine sandwich, chances are, you've been to Elm St. Deli. This Italian sandwich spot has 12 subs on the menu, all of which can be ordered as a half or as a full. You can also add a few sides, like mixed olives or a mixed bean salad to complete the order.
Italian
Yorkville
Manulife Centre
Eataly Toronto
Italian
Home to several restaurants in its three-storey building, Eataly's market has everything for your spring picnic, from olives to sun-dried tomatoes, meats and cheeses, freshly-baked focaccia and more. Browse from their ready-to-eat selection in the fridge, or order what you'd like fresh from the deli counter.
Eataly Toronto
Yorkville
Manulife Centre
Home to several restaurants in its three-storey building, Eataly's market has everything for your spring picnic, from olives to sun-dried tomatoes, meats and cheeses, freshly-baked focaccia and more. Browse from their ready-to-eat selection in the fridge, or order what you'd like fresh from the deli counter.
Italian
Dnister Ukrainian Store
For all things Ukrainian, visit this spot, which sells 100 different kinds of high quality meat products, including deli meats and sausages. Many of the meat products are created without preservatives from old, family recipes. Other Ukrainian eats, like pierogis, sauerkraut and jams can all be purchased here, as can a selection of beverages and sweet treats.
Dnister Ukrainian Store
For all things Ukrainian, visit this spot, which sells 100 different kinds of high quality meat products, including deli meats and sausages. Many of the meat products are created without preservatives from old, family recipes. Other Ukrainian eats, like pierogis, sauerkraut and jams can all be purchased here, as can a selection of beverages and sweet treats.
Dave’s Genuine Deli
A from-scratch kitchen, Dave's Genuine Deli is best known for its signature smoked meat, corned beef, roast beef brisket and smoked turkey breast, all of which can be loaded onto a hot or cold sandwich to-go. Cool sides, like Dave's oil and vinegar coleslaw or the Greek salad, make great additions to any lunch plans.
Dave’s Genuine Deli
A from-scratch kitchen, Dave's Genuine Deli is best known for its signature smoked meat, corned beef, roast beef brisket and smoked turkey breast, all of which can be loaded onto a hot or cold sandwich to-go. Cool sides, like Dave's oil and vinegar coleslaw or the Greek salad, make great additions to any lunch plans.
Chicago Bakery and Deli
With its pantry shelves stocked to the ceiling with imported European products, Chicago Bakery & Deli is where you'll find your fix of Polish sausages, smoked meats, and plenty of freshly-baked cakes and buns. In need of a spread? From tangy mustard to crunchy Wolski dill pickles, you'll find it here.
Chicago Bakery and Deli
With its pantry shelves stocked to the ceiling with imported European products, Chicago Bakery & Deli is where you'll find your fix of Polish sausages, smoked meats, and plenty of freshly-baked cakes and buns. In need of a spread? From tangy mustard to crunchy Wolski dill pickles, you'll find it here.
Brockton Village Bakery
You might remember this Little Portugal gem as Brazil Bakery. Though yummy treats like pasteis de nata and freshly-baked breads are all the rage here, Brockton Village Bakery has a wide selection of meats and cheeses, and shoppers can create their own sandwiches to go using any of the options behind the glass counter.
Brockton Village Bakery
You might remember this Little Portugal gem as Brazil Bakery. Though yummy treats like pasteis de nata and freshly-baked breads are all the rage here, Brockton Village Bakery has a wide selection of meats and cheeses, and shoppers can create their own sandwiches to go using any of the options behind the glass counter.
Benna’s Bakery and Deli
A staple on Roncesvalles Ave., Benna's is a family-run Polish bakery and deli that's been around for decades. Expect to find plenty of European smoked meats and fish, as well as a generous selection of Polish baked goods to load up your picnic basket with. Benna's also has a hot table for those looking to grab a heartier option.
Benna’s Bakery and Deli
A staple on Roncesvalles Ave., Benna's is a family-run Polish bakery and deli that's been around for decades. Expect to find plenty of European smoked meats and fish, as well as a generous selection of Polish baked goods to load up your picnic basket with. Benna's also has a hot table for those looking to grab a heartier option.
Aunty Em's Deli and Coffee
Found inside Sausage Party, Aunty Em's is a 100% vegan deli, bakery and coffee shop. Swing by for a selection of plant-based meats and cheeses, or opt for one of their takeaway sandwiches.
Aunty Em's Deli and Coffee
Found inside Sausage Party, Aunty Em's is a 100% vegan deli, bakery and coffee shop. Swing by for a selection of plant-based meats and cheeses, or opt for one of their takeaway sandwiches.