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Written By
Posted Aug 19, 2021
As with all good things, summer, too, must eventually come to an end. Happily, there's no need to panic... yet. To help you in your quest to spend summer's latter half wisely, we've compiled a summer bucket list of must-have foods sure to improve your each and every day. Some are new; others are classics that continue to charm year after year. All are delicious year-round but reach peak appeal when eaten under sunny blue skies, in the carefree way summer demands.
Summer may be fleeting, but there's still plenty of time to try everything on TasteToronto's summer eats bucket list. Start today, and embrace all the drippy, gooey, creamy, refreshing bites the season has to offer.
Junction Triangle
3 Bartlett Ave
Island Oysters Market & Takeout
Grab a tray of freshly shucked oysters from the takeout window at this market in the Junction Triangle.
Island Oysters Market & Takeout
Junction Triangle
3 Bartlett Ave
Grab a tray of freshly shucked oysters from the takeout window at this market in the Junction Triangle.
Little Italy
567 College St
Iced Kopi from Kiss My Pans
Grab an iced kopi from this new cheese shop in Little Italy. This highly caffeinated beverage originating from Malaysia and Singapore is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up to get you through the dog days of summer.
Iced Kopi from Kiss My Pans
Little Italy
567 College St
Grab an iced kopi from this new cheese shop in Little Italy. This highly caffeinated beverage originating from Malaysia and Singapore is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up to get you through the dog days of summer.
Bloorcourt Village
834 Bloor St W
Sundae's Best Ice Cream at Wasted Youth Bar
Grab a scoop or two from this small-batch ice cream pop-up operating out of Wasted Youth Bar. An ideal treat to grab before heading over to Christie Pits Park.
Sundae's Best Ice Cream at Wasted Youth Bar
Bloorcourt Village
834 Bloor St W
Grab a scoop or two from this small-batch ice cream pop-up operating out of Wasted Youth Bar. An ideal treat to grab before heading over to Christie Pits Park.
Corktown
362 King St E
Peach Parfait from Roselle
Bakery
Roselle releases new flavours of soft serve throughout the summer but relish in peak August peaches with their luscious peach parfait.
Peach Parfait from Roselle
Corktown
362 King St E
Roselle releases new flavours of soft serve throughout the summer but relish in peak August peaches with their luscious peach parfait.
Bakery
Earlscourt
1370 St Clair Ave W
Mercado Negro Ice Cream Cart
Portuguese
Located outside Mercado Negro, find a renovated horse trailer dishing out ice cream flavours like the popular Portuguese custard tart pastel de nata.
Mercado Negro Ice Cream Cart
Earlscourt
1370 St Clair Ave W
Located outside Mercado Negro, find a renovated horse trailer dishing out ice cream flavours like the popular Portuguese custard tart pastel de nata.
Portuguese
East Chinatown
617 Gerrard St E
Ice Cream Sandwiches from Wong's
The ice cream sandwich of summer 2021, Wong's SkyFlake Ice Cream Sandwich -- made with a layer of house-made chocolate brownie, a rotating flavour of ice cream, from Korean banana milk to Strawberry Mochi, and SkyFlake crackers -- is the Insta-famous treat you need to cap off a summer of sweets.
Ice Cream Sandwiches from Wong's
East Chinatown
617 Gerrard St E
The ice cream sandwich of summer 2021, Wong's SkyFlake Ice Cream Sandwich -- made with a layer of house-made chocolate brownie, a rotating flavour of ice cream, from Korean banana milk to Strawberry Mochi, and SkyFlake crackers -- is the Insta-famous treat you need to cap off a summer of sweets.
Etobicoke
630 The Queensway
Tom's Dairy Freeze
This perennial favourite serves up old-fashioned, classic cones and a welcome reason to reminisce about simpler times.
Tom's Dairy Freeze
Etobicoke
630 The Queensway
This perennial favourite serves up old-fashioned, classic cones and a welcome reason to reminisce about simpler times.
Trinity-Bellwoods
77 Ossington Ave
Souvla
Greek
The perfect street food, the souvla at Mamakas' pop-up is made with spit-roasted meat, fluffy, house-made pita, ladolemeno sauce, veggies and tzatziki. With no word on whether Souvla will live to see another summer, the only sensible thing to do is to tuck into one of these hand-held delights before the season is out.
Souvla
Trinity-Bellwoods
77 Ossington Ave
The perfect street food, the souvla at Mamakas' pop-up is made with spit-roasted meat, fluffy, house-made pita, ladolemeno sauce, veggies and tzatziki. With no word on whether Souvla will live to see another summer, the only sensible thing to do is to tuck into one of these hand-held delights before the season is out.
Greek
Port Light
With passion fruit, grenadine, lime and healthy pours of Puerto Rican and overproof rums, Port Light's Skull & Bones cocktail will ease the sting of how you really feel about a second COVID summer, in the most delicious way.
Port Light
With passion fruit, grenadine, lime and healthy pours of Puerto Rican and overproof rums, Port Light's Skull & Bones cocktail will ease the sting of how you really feel about a second COVID summer, in the most delicious way.
West Queen West
181 Dovercourt Rd
Pizzeria Badiali
Energize any summertime activity -- from walks to porch hangs, softball games, and more -- with a slice, or two, from the city's newest neighbourhood pizzeria.
Pizzeria Badiali
West Queen West
181 Dovercourt Rd
Energize any summertime activity -- from walks to porch hangs, softball games, and more -- with a slice, or two, from the city's newest neighbourhood pizzeria.
Entertainment District
18 Duncan St
Green Curry from Pai
Thai
You know it's summer when Pai's green curry is served in an actual coconut. Fragrant and bursting with flavour, this curry has a spicy side that's perfect for sultry summer nights.
Green Curry from Pai
Entertainment District
18 Duncan St
You know it's summer when Pai's green curry is served in an actual coconut. Fragrant and bursting with flavour, this curry has a spicy side that's perfect for sultry summer nights.
Thai
Queen Street West
717 Queen St W
Nugateau Patisserie
Made with coconut mousse, passion fruit and mango jelly, coconut cake and fresh passion fruit confit, Nugateau's newest flavour epitomizes summer holiday, whether you're lounging in the tropics or tanning on your Toronto terrace.
Nugateau Patisserie
Queen Street West
717 Queen St W
Made with coconut mousse, passion fruit and mango jelly, coconut cake and fresh passion fruit confit, Nugateau's newest flavour epitomizes summer holiday, whether you're lounging in the tropics or tanning on your Toronto terrace.
Dundas West
176 Bellwoods Ave
Lambo's Deli & Grocery
Leave the sandwich prep to the pros with an order of properly-stuffed sandwiches from Lambo's. Hearty enough to fuel epic rounds of Spikeball, these are the sandwiches you want by your side the next time you plan hours of park fun.
Lambo's Deli & Grocery
Dundas West
176 Bellwoods Ave
Leave the sandwich prep to the pros with an order of properly-stuffed sandwiches from Lambo's. Hearty enough to fuel epic rounds of Spikeball, these are the sandwiches you want by your side the next time you plan hours of park fun.
Entertainment District
106 John St
Elotes from La Carnita
Mexican
Dull the ache of spending the summer at home with a local dish sure to transport you afar. After a few minutes on the grill, fresh, sweet corn is topped with Mexican crema, queso añejo, ancho and arbol chili powders. Finished with a squirt of lime, this elote is creamy, smokey, bright and comes as close to Mexico City as possible without a plane ticket.
Elotes from La Carnita
Entertainment District
106 John St
Dull the ache of spending the summer at home with a local dish sure to transport you afar. After a few minutes on the grill, fresh, sweet corn is topped with Mexican crema, queso añejo, ancho and arbol chili powders. Finished with a squirt of lime, this elote is creamy, smokey, bright and comes as close to Mexico City as possible without a plane ticket.
Mexican
House Special Cold Noodles from Hey Noodles
If the need for noodles doesn't abate when the heat hits, Hey Noodles' house special cold noodles are the perfect thing.
House Special Cold Noodles from Hey Noodles
If the need for noodles doesn't abate when the heat hits, Hey Noodles' house special cold noodles are the perfect thing.
Parkdale
1330 Queen St W
Guacamole from Grand Electric
Mexican
Move guacamole from the side to the fore, with some of the city's best. Made in house, each order finds ripe avocado brightened with lime, onion and cilantro, and served with freshly-made tortilla chips. Want a side of tacos with your guacamole? That's entirely up to you.
Guacamole from Grand Electric
Parkdale
1330 Queen St W
Move guacamole from the side to the fore, with some of the city's best. Made in house, each order finds ripe avocado brightened with lime, onion and cilantro, and served with freshly-made tortilla chips. Want a side of tacos with your guacamole? That's entirely up to you.
Mexican
GG's Burgers
Bask in summer's waning days the best way possible: with a beach picnic overflowing with comfort food staples, from crisp smash burgers to fried chicken, and more.
GG's Burgers
Bask in summer's waning days the best way possible: with a beach picnic overflowing with comfort food staples, from crisp smash burgers to fried chicken, and more.
Scarborough
4915 Steeles Ave E #8
Yuca Supreme from El Habanero & Churrobar
Go for the churros, stay for the yuca supreme, a dish that finds a bed of freshly-fried yuca topped with pulled pork, grilled onions and signature El Habby sauce. Like poutine on a tropical vacation, this dish is tailor-made for summertime fun.
Yuca Supreme from El Habanero & Churrobar
Scarborough
4915 Steeles Ave E #8
Go for the churros, stay for the yuca supreme, a dish that finds a bed of freshly-fried yuca topped with pulled pork, grilled onions and signature El Habby sauce. Like poutine on a tropical vacation, this dish is tailor-made for summertime fun.
Lobster Roll from COAST by MDP
We don't live by an ocean, but that's no reason to live without one of summer's greatest blessings -- the lobster roll -- in your life. At COAST, each lobster roll is filled with PEI lobster, COAST aioli and seasoning, then flecked with chives for added oomph. Eat one or many, and embrace summer the way they do in the Maritimes.
Lobster Roll from COAST by MDP
We don't live by an ocean, but that's no reason to live without one of summer's greatest blessings -- the lobster roll -- in your life. At COAST, each lobster roll is filled with PEI lobster, COAST aioli and seasoning, then flecked with chives for added oomph. Eat one or many, and embrace summer the way they do in the Maritimes.
Chungchun Rice Dog
Outrageous enough to replace some of your cherished CNE eats, Chungchun Rice Hot Dogs' offerings are portable tube steak pleasure on a stick. Akin to a corn dog, these puppies are available in a range of finishes, from basic crispy rice batter to squid ink.
Chungchun Rice Dog
Outrageous enough to replace some of your cherished CNE eats, Chungchun Rice Hot Dogs' offerings are portable tube steak pleasure on a stick. Akin to a corn dog, these puppies are available in a range of finishes, from basic crispy rice batter to squid ink.
Kensington Market
244 Augusta Ave
S'mores Cake from Bunner's
Vegan
Bring the campfire to you with Bunner's S'mores Cake. A chocolate cake layered with chocolate ganache, topped with marshmallow and homemade graham crackers, this vegan, nut-free, dairy-free confection packs all the nostalgic appeal of summers past into one gorgeous dessert.
S'mores Cake from Bunner's
Kensington Market
244 Augusta Ave
Bring the campfire to you with Bunner's S'mores Cake. A chocolate cake layered with chocolate ganache, topped with marshmallow and homemade graham crackers, this vegan, nut-free, dairy-free confection packs all the nostalgic appeal of summers past into one gorgeous dessert.
Vegan
Queen Street West
147 Spadina Avenue
Birria Balam
Of all the seasons, summer is the best time to play with your food and dribble sauce down your sunscreen-coated arms. Do what you must -- wear a tank, roll up your sleeves, lean forward -- so you can dip your quesabirria tacos into deeply savoury, richly meaty consommé with abandon.
Birria Balam
Queen Street West
147 Spadina Avenue
Of all the seasons, summer is the best time to play with your food and dribble sauce down your sunscreen-coated arms. Do what you must -- wear a tank, roll up your sleeves, lean forward -- so you can dip your quesabirria tacos into deeply savoury, richly meaty consommé with abandon.
Port Lands
275 Cherry St
Cherry Street Bar-B-Que
Barbecue
If summer inspires cravings for Southern-style barbecue, get your hands on some stunning bbq specimens at Cherry Street Bar-B-Que. From assorted wings to ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and more, Cherry Street Bar-B-Que's menu delivers a Southern spin on some of summer's most iconic staples.
Cherry Street Bar-B-Que
Port Lands
275 Cherry St
If summer inspires cravings for Southern-style barbecue, get your hands on some stunning bbq specimens at Cherry Street Bar-B-Que. From assorted wings to ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and more, Cherry Street Bar-B-Que's menu delivers a Southern spin on some of summer's most iconic staples.
Barbecue
Bloorcourt Village
796 Bloor St W
Banjara Bloor
Indian
When temps rise, embrace the heat with traditional Indian dishes from Banjara. From fiery vindaloos to unctuous butter chicken, Banjara's dishes are the perfect accompaniment to a lassi or a juice from their sugar cane cart on summer's hottest days.
Banjara Bloor
Bloorcourt Village
796 Bloor St W
When temps rise, embrace the heat with traditional Indian dishes from Banjara. From fiery vindaloos to unctuous butter chicken, Banjara's dishes are the perfect accompaniment to a lassi or a juice from their sugar cane cart on summer's hottest days.
Indian
Trinity Bellwoods
93A Ossington Ave
Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery
Dessert
Summer isn't complete without a visit, or a few, to Bang Bang. Customize your treat from a list of unique ice cream flavours and equally fun delivery vessels, and you'll soon see why this is a seasonal fave.
Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery
Trinity Bellwoods
93A Ossington Ave
Summer isn't complete without a visit, or a few, to Bang Bang. Customize your treat from a list of unique ice cream flavours and equally fun delivery vessels, and you'll soon see why this is a seasonal fave.
Dessert
Alexandra Park
163 Spadina Ave 1st Floor
Lemon Meringue Pie from Aloette
French
With its graham-cracker crust and torched meringue topping, the city's favourite rendition of classic lemon meringue pie is as puckery, bright, and light as a ray of summer sunshine.
Lemon Meringue Pie from Aloette
Alexandra Park
163 Spadina Ave 1st Floor
With its graham-cracker crust and torched meringue topping, the city's favourite rendition of classic lemon meringue pie is as puckery, bright, and light as a ray of summer sunshine.
French
