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The Best Grocery Stores in Toronto

Rosa Kumar

almost 2 years ago

The best grocery stores in Toronto make grocery shopping feel like not just an errand but a fun outing that can expose you to so many new ingredients and gastronomical experiences you can create in your own kitchens.

The following guide is not finite, but it's a carefully selected collection of some of Toronto's best grocery stores and shops that are the destination and not just another check mark off your to-do list.

"Big Box"

893 Queen St E

Rowe Farms - Leslieville

Rowe Farms is an Ontario-born chain that sells simple, locally grown, sustainably raised and minimally processed foods. Their meat is sold without antibiotics or growth hormones, and the animals are treated with dignity. Their other foods are GMO-free, organic and have minimal use of preservatives. On a separate note, I don't know where Rowe Farms sources their asparagus from; all I know is that it's some of the best asparagus I ever had, and if you're going to Rowe Farms during asparagus season, buy three bunches.

Our picks: asparagus, Rowe Farm eggs and Organic Meadow butter.

42 Hanna Ave

Organic Garage

With a slogan like "we only sell the good $#!A%," you know that they really only sell the best "$#!A%" out there! You already know that their food is 100% organic and 1000% tasty, and the shop's roots, inspired by his polish grandparents' 1931 Toronto grocery store, are still reflected in the ethos of Organic Garage today.

Our picks: gingerbread doughnuts, plant-based butter and gluten-free tortilla chips.

COLLEGE & BAY

Farm Boy

It's like an art gallery for fruits and vegetables, I have never had ONE bad avocado from Farm Boy, and that is because of their commitment to beautiful, healthy produce. There are 40+ Farm Boy locations around Ontario with their roots in Cornwall (however, the Lakeshore one does have the swinging monkey). Along with their truly magical fruits and veg, they carry butcher quality meats, artisanal cheese, pantry staples and hot meals.

Our picks: smoked gouda, strawberry rhubarb crisp and organic coconut flour.

87 Avenue Rd

Whole Foods

Whole Foods, where we shop when we want to feel like that healthy person that wakes up at 6 a.m. to go on a run and then drinks a green smoothie, but don't want to compromise on taste... and our abilities to scarf down a slice of pizza from their hot food counter in the car. Whole Foods might be a global chain owned by Amazon, but that doesn't make shopping their enchanting aisles any less fun; it truly is a one-stop-shop for good quality, organic groceries.

Our picks: pizza slices, Tate's chocolate chip cookies, Good Soap and fresh flowers.

57 Yorkville Ave

Pusateri's Fine Foods - Yorkville

Walking through the Toronto-born Pusateri's is a little like walking into the Saks Fifth Avenue of grocery stores; you probably won't do your entire shop there unless you're Elon Musk, but buying a few of their items and sticking them in your pantry definitely feels like you've accomplished something. Pusateri's has 5 locations in Toronto, and all of them have a large selection of fine foods, hot meals, bakery counters and specialty pop-ups that make you wish you were Elon so you could buy everything in the store.

Our picks: black truffle hot sauce, Pusateri's potato salad and pistachio halva.

Boutique

446 Summerhill Ave

Summerhill Market

Although Summerhill is now a chain, it's still very much a Toronto-based boutique grocery store line, with their original 1954 Summerhill location still thriving. Their other locations are in the Sherwood, Annex and Forest Hill neighbourhoods. Summerhill is still very much family-run, and Brad and Christy, the grandchildren of Frank McMullen, are at the helm of the Summerhill ship.

Our picks: Summerhill San Marzano tomatoes, scallion & chive cream cheese and tarragon aioli.

2388 Yonge St

Stock T.C.

A marriage between the Toronto-famous Terroni and Cumbrae brands, Stock T.C. (stock literally stands for stock, be it chicken, veg or beef), has taken up some gorgeous heritage real estate on Yonge and Broadview. Stock T.C. carries the best of both shops, Terroni pizzas and Cumbrae burgers, all finally available at one pretty stop.

Our picks: fresh trofie pasta, agnolotti 3-ingredient kit and boneless ribeye.

1103 Yonge St

Harvest Wagon

Harvest Wagon is a family-owned boutique grocery shop that is over 40 years old! Their food sourcing is wildly good, and they have groceries that aren't easily found anywhere else in the city. They specialize in gorgeous produce and are conscious of seasonal ingredients.

Our picks: rhubarb apple spritz, manchego cheese and fresh, exotic fruit (they purchase at 3 a.m. every morning when in season).

200 Christie St

Fiesta Farms

Fiesta Farms combines the large product selection of a big-box grocery store with the consciousness of being an independent retailer; their products are thoughtful, support local economies, serve the diverse ethnic community of our city and celebrate organic and ethical groceries. They have the largest selection of Panettone during the holidays, and in the summer, they also have a massive garden center; it doesn't matter the season; it's always a fiesta at Fiesta Farms!

Our picks: Daily Dumplings, Stush Patties, fixed fuels, Noco burgers and organic meats.

11 Tank House Lane

Wildly Delicious

Sitting tucked away in the distinct red-bricked buildings of the Distillery District is Wildly Delicious Fine Foods; they sell gorgeous groceries, hot meals, really cool pantry staples, as well as cute kitchen items and home decor. Wildly Delicious has been selling for over 25 years and have multiple Specialty Food Association's (sofi™) Awards under their belt. Many of their outstanding products are under their own brand, and feel as if you're buying old-world, homemade, high-quality goods.

Our picks: ghost chili jelly, pompom trivets or any bread dipper.

Cheese Shops

891 Queen St E

Leslieville Cheese Market

If you squint, it's almost like you're in the 1890s looking for a nice wheel of cheese to impress your dinner guests on a Friday afternoon, but nope, it's just the ultra boutique Leslieville Cheese Market! They have local Ontario cheese and old European classics, so if that weird recipe you found online requires a very specific type of cheese, you bet you can find it at Leslieville Cheese Market.

Our picks: cheese club (an actual club you can join that sends you monthly cheese).

473 Parliament St

The Epicure Shop

The family-owned Cabbagetown Epicure Shop is where I go when I have people I want to impress with a powerful charcuterie board. They also carry specialty bread, sandwiches, meats, coffee and desserts, and you can usually win something from their many Instagram giveaways!

Our picks: gouda, chili jam, kalamata olives, hot honey and spicy soppressata.

45 Ripley Ave

Cheese Boutique

A cheese shop that has had four generations of cheesemongers run their store is definitely a place to visit when in need of a great selection of fine cheeses. Cheese Boutique also sells housewares, charcuterie boards and a hoard of other great options.

Our picks: cave-aged Gruyere, plant-based brie and house pomegranate vinegar.

567 College St

Kiss My Pans

A "cheese lovers happy place" -- Kiss My Pans is a POC-owned cheese shop and café that marries food and beauty to create a sensory experience for your taste buds and your eyes. Their platters are a work of art and include Canadian and internally sourced goods. You can also get a coffee and a cheese subscription while you're shopping in-store.

Our picks: luxe brie wheels with honeycomb and butter roasted coffee.

International

6125 Yonge St

Khorak

Born in 1989, Khorak Supermarket calls itself Canada's #1 Persian supermarket, and once you step foot inside, you'll probably agree with them. Although they are primarily a Persian grocer, they sell a host of other Middle Eastern goods and are a hub for the expat community to get difficult to find groceries.

Our picks: baklava, pickled chili mangoes and traditional tea kettles.

T&T

This Canadian supermarket chain is a hub for finding Asian products. From their in-store brand, wide array of fresh fruit and vegetables, hot table and more -- a trip to T&T is guaranteed to produce something delicious.

Our picks: frozen BBQ pork buns, Japanese fruit, crab and shrimp chips.

877 Queen St W

The Spice Trader

Walking into the Spice Trader is like stepping foot into a bookstore, except you're flipping through beautiful jars of spices instead of books. Although they actually have a very large book selection there as well. The shop blends their herbs and spices in small batches, so they are consistently fresh; whatever rare spice you can't find anywhere else will probably be found here.

Our picks: aleppo pepper, asafoetida, chai masala and stuffed olives.

5 Bastion St

Navs Grocery

Although not a large store, Navs grocery has tightly stacked rows of Indian goods neatly available for purchase. They don't just have foods and spices and sauces, but they get Diwali decorations, incense and even sell homemade biriyani at the counter. Navs dad is often working behind the counter, and he has the sweetest smile for every customer (and always helps when you expect to just come for a container of red chilies but then have avocados and Maggi noodles falling out of your arms).

Our picks: Nanak paneer, Maggi noodles, Parle-G biscuits and Dunya haldi (turmeric) powder.

190 Augusta Ave

House of Spice

This is not your grandma's spice rack; Carlos House of Spice in Kensington Market is just as fun as its community. They have a great assortment of spices and some of the peppers they sell won't be found anywhere else in the city, and you'll probably need a gallon of milk to eat them!

Our picks: hot pepper utopia, ghost peppers and voodoo curse hot sauce.

338 Yonge St

H Mart

H Mart is so great that Michelle Zauner wrote a memoir that often talks about the feelings being in H Mart evoked for a first-generation Korean-American. H Mart is a North American chain, but the Toronto location is vital to the thriving Korean community of the GTA.

Our picks: kimchi, roasted seaweed snacks and packaged Banchan (small Korean side dishes).

730 Queen St W

Sanko Trading

The Instagrammable Sanko is the best place in Toronto for Japanese goods; operating since 1968, Sanko is stocked with the essentials for Japanese cuisine and a staple to the Japanese expat community. Their staff is knowledgeable and helpful and will walk you through your questions with great recommendations.

Our picks: homemade onigiri, Japanese pottery and melon Pocky!

Italian

325 Roncesvalles Ave

Alimentari Toronto

A staple in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood, Alimentari serves some of the city's best fresh pasta, butcher meats and seasonal sauces. They also have a wine club if you want to pair your groceries with something a little more fun.

Our picks: arancini, focaccia and house fresh pasta.

22 Sackville St

Spaccio

Another notch on the Terroni belt, Spaccio is not just a restaurant but has a large pantry and fresh food offering as well. Their groceries are consistent with the high-quality staples we are used to at Terroni/Sud Forno, and as always, their dinner kits are there to save you from having to eat microwaved leftovers.

Our picks: Terroni brand olive oil, chocolate bombolini and rigatoni all'Amatriciana kit.

Manulife Centre

Eataly Toronto

Perhaps no other grocery store opening in the city was met with so much fanfare on the opening day, but Eataly does justice to its other locations around the world and is definitely a place to spend an entire night. Walking through the doors of Eataly is like entering Narnia through the wardrobe, except the magical world is full of beautiful Italian groceries and wine and food counters that make you want to book a ticket to Tuscany immediately. Eataly Toronto is also a market, restaurant and culinary school.

Our picks: Meyer lemons, mushroom pizza kit, housemade mozzarella and striped cotton tea towels.