St. Lawrence Market Kitchen (Family Dining)

St. Lawrence Market is not just Toronto's best food market — it is one of the best family dining experiences in the city. Named the world's best food market by National Geographic, this historic market at Front and Jarvis streets has been feeding Torontonians since 1803, and its collection of over 120 independent food vendors offers a culinary education that no single restaurant can match.

The Market Kitchen, located in the lower level of the South Market, is the centrepiece for food-focused families. This state-of-the-art kitchen, equipped by Miele, hosts cooking classes and culinary events where families can learn food preparation skills from professional chefs. Classes cover topics from baking to international cuisines, and family-friendly sessions are available — check the market website for the current schedule.

Beyond the Market Kitchen, the vendor floor is where the real family dining adventure happens. Rather than ordering from a single menu, families build their own meal by visiting different stalls. This approach is perfect for families with picky eaters or adventurous eaters — everyone gets exactly what they want.

The must-try vendors for families include Carousel Bakery, home of Toronto's iconic peameal bacon sandwich. This thick-cut, cornmeal-crusted back bacon on a Kaiser roll has been served from this stall for decades and remains the single most essential food experience in the market. Buster's Sea Cove serves some of the best fish and chips in Toronto — fresh, crispy, and generously portioned.

Yianni's Kitchen offers homestyle Greek food including lemon chicken, souvlaki, and moussaka. St. Urbain Bagel bakes Montreal-style bagels on-site.

For dessert, multiple bakeries offer Portuguese custard tarts, butter tarts, cookies, and pastries.

The market is also an educational experience for children. Walking through the stalls, kids see whole fish on ice at the fishmongers, watch butchers prepare cuts of meat, smell fresh bread baking, and sample cheeses from vendors who have been honing their craft for decades. Many vendors are happy to explain their products to curious children and offer samples to young visitors.

The Saturday Farmers Market, held in the North Building across the street from 5AM to 3PM, adds another dimension with Ontario farmers selling seasonal produce, artisan bakers, maple syrup producers, and specialty food makers.

Practically, the market has seating on the lower level that is less crowded than the main floor. Washrooms are available downstairs. Most vendors accept cards but some smaller stalls are cash-only. The market follows the South Market hours: Tuesday-Friday 9AM-7PM, Saturday 7AM-5PM, Sunday 10AM-5PM, closed Monday.