A short walk from Union Station and the Downtown core, the South Building of the St. Lawrence Market takes up a whole block on the south side of Front Street by Lower Jarvis Street. Locals and tourists alike browse and buy crafts and specialty foods, but along with the stalls of fresh bread, fish, meat and veggies for you to take home are also many small restaurants ready to fuel your visit. If you've never eaten inside the St. Lawrence Market, check out some of the best food vendors the market has to offer.
Churrasco St. Lawrence
Marilyn Campbell
Upper level - 416-862-2867
Located just inside the north doors beside the Paddington Pump, Churrasco's specialty is the Portuguese-style chicken from which it takes its name. It's tender and juicy and you can tell them how spicy you'd like it or get barbecue chicken instead. Have your chicken as a dinner with sides such as Parisian potatoes and rice, or grab a chicken sandwich. If you're looking for something to take home, you can order a whole chicken as well. The dessert selection is small but delicious - it was the custard tarts that drew me to Churrasco's in the first place! A good amount of food for not a lot of money and great service round out the Churrasco experience.
Located just inside the north doors beside the Paddington Pump, Churrasco's specialty is the Portuguese-style chicken from which it takes its name. It's tender and juicy and you can tell them how spicy you'd like it or get barbecue chicken instead. Have your chicken as a dinner with sides such as Parisian potatoes and rice, or grab a chicken sandwich. If you're looking for something to take home, you can order a whole chicken as well. The dessert selection is small but delicious - it was the custard tarts that drew me to Churrasco's in the first place! A good amount of food for not a lot of money and great service round out the Churrasco experience.
Buster's Sea Cove
Marilyn Campbell
Main level - 416-369-9048
The beauty of Buster's Sea Cove is the variety. Of course you can get the standard fish and chips, but you can also grab a crab salad sandwich, grilled sardines or octopus, shrimp in a rosé herb and garlic sauce... or a basket of clam strips and fries (pictured left). If you're not into fish but are having lunch with someone who is, Buster's can also set you up with a salad, a burger or ribs. Prices vary depending on what you're after, but the service is always friendly. A small counter and several tables nearby allow you to eat right at Buster's and enjoy the lively decor while you dine.
The beauty of Buster's Sea Cove is the variety. Of course you can get the standard fish and chips, but you can also grab a crab salad sandwich, grilled sardines or octopus, shrimp in a rosé herb and garlic sauce... or a basket of clam strips and fries (pictured left). If you're not into fish but are having lunch with someone who is, Buster's can also set you up with a salad, a burger or ribs. Prices vary depending on what you're after, but the service is always friendly. A small counter and several tables nearby allow you to eat right at Buster's and enjoy the lively decor while you dine.
Carousel Bakery
Marilyn Campbell
Main level, 416-363-4247
The Carousel Bakery prominently advertises their "World Famous" peameal-style bacon sandwich with a very large sign - which is appropriate, as it is a very large sandwich. Just as they advertise, the sandwich is a simple but delicious stack of peameal on a soft, easy to squish-and-grip bun. If you prefer, there are other sandwiches such as the zesty chicken parmigiana, but I've never strayed from the peameal myself.
The Carousel Bakery prominently advertises their "World Famous" peameal-style bacon sandwich with a very large sign - which is appropriate, as it is a very large sandwich. Just as they advertise, the sandwich is a simple but delicious stack of peameal on a soft, easy to squish-and-grip bun. If you prefer, there are other sandwiches such as the zesty chicken parmigiana, but I've never strayed from the peameal myself.
Mustachio's
Marilyn Campbell
Lower level - 416-367-8325
Another contender in the massive sandwich category is Mustachio's. I'm actually not a fan of veal - which is Mustachio's specialty - but even the eggplant sandwich is good for two meals. Other sandwiches include meatball, chicken, or steak with cheese. Piled high and topped with tomato sauce, onions, lettuce and peppers, Mustachio's sandwiches need a a big appetite and a handful of napkins.
Another contender in the massive sandwich category is Mustachio's. I'm actually not a fan of veal - which is Mustachio's specialty - but even the eggplant sandwich is good for two meals. Other sandwiches include meatball, chicken, or steak with cheese. Piled high and topped with tomato sauce, onions, lettuce and peppers, Mustachio's sandwiches need a a big appetite and a handful of napkins.
European Delight
Marilyn Campbell
Lower level - 416-365-9010
Mostly a take-out deli specializing in homemade Ukrainian foods, European Delight will also heat things up for you on the spot, such as perogies, cabbage rolls and lasagna. Like so many market vendors, European Delight is a family-run business and when you stop by you feel like a guest they're eager to feed. Since you buy individual items, European Delight is also perfect for when you just want a little something. Latke, anyone?
Mostly a take-out deli specializing in homemade Ukrainian foods, European Delight will also heat things up for you on the spot, such as perogies, cabbage rolls and lasagna. Like so many market vendors, European Delight is a family-run business and when you stop by you feel like a guest they're eager to feed. Since you buy individual items, European Delight is also perfect for when you just want a little something. Latke, anyone?
St. Lawrence Pizza and Ice Cream
Main level - 416-368-3479St. Lawrence Pizza is another spot that's great for getting food to take home and warm up but also offers plenty of on-site eating options from their counter. See what pizza slices are available in the display case, or grab fresh pasta and sauce. And of course for dessert or just for a stand-alone treat there's the ice cream that makes up the second half of their name, plus frozen yogurt and milkshakes.
Crepe It Up
Marilyn Campbell
Lower level - 416-913-1737
Really, what's a market meal without dessert? It's obvious from the name what Crepe It Up's specialty is, and they do it well. They'll make your crepe as you watch, pouring the batter on their round grills for just a few moments before they slather on the toppings of your choice. Plenty of fruit is available to choose from to keep things healthy - or just stick with smooth chocolate and a generous sprinkling of icing sugar.
Really, what's a market meal without dessert? It's obvious from the name what Crepe It Up's specialty is, and they do it well. They'll make your crepe as you watch, pouring the batter on their round grills for just a few moments before they slather on the toppings of your choice. Plenty of fruit is available to choose from to keep things healthy - or just stick with smooth chocolate and a generous sprinkling of icing sugar.
Future Bakery
Marilyn Campbell
Main level - 416-366-7259
Of course Future Bakery's staple is take-home breads and other baked goods, but the variety of tarts, cookies and other single-serving desserts make it another great spot to finish off a market meal. Or just have the whole thing at Future, starting with one of their sandwiches.
Of course Future Bakery's staple is take-home breads and other baked goods, but the variety of tarts, cookies and other single-serving desserts make it another great spot to finish off a market meal. Or just have the whole thing at Future, starting with one of their sandwiches.
About the St. Lawrence Market
Marilyn Campbell
- All of the above restaurants are in the South building. Across Front Street the North Building hosts a Farmer's Market on Saturdays and an Antique Market on Sundays.
- Some food vendors have small counters with a few stools, but mostly you'll need to find a spot at the communal tables - or head outside!
- The St. Lawrence Market sits on a slope, so if you enter from the North end (Front Street) you'll be on the main level but the parking lots on the South end (The Esplanade) line up with the Lower Level.
- Restaurants keep similar hours to the market (Closed Sundays & Mondays; open Tuesday-Thursday 8am-6pm; Friday 8am-7pm; Saturday 5am-5pm) but many start cleaning up an hour or so early on quiet days.
- Learn more at stlawrencemarket.com
