St. Lawrence Market is the oldest market in Toronto, Canada. Visiting St. Lawrence Market is a must for tourists, especially food lovers and history buffs.
The present South Building with it's impressive facade was built in 1845.
It replaces the market buildings built beginning from 1803 in the same location. So, St. Lawrence Market have over 200 years of history. So, cool.
The market was rebuilt in 1972. Now, the sprawling market has two levels of 120 stalls selling vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, seafood, baked food etc. There are also little coffee shops and food stalls. It's a great place to browse and to eat. The place exudes an old school, rustic charm.
National Geographic ranked St. Lawrence Market number 1 in it's Top 10 list of food markets around the world in 2011 ๐ click. If National Geographic said so, it must have it's merits ๐
There are several fresh meat stalls with slabs of fresh pink meat in display chillers.
We can also get exotic meats like wild boar, kangaroo, crocodile, ostrich etc etc at St. Lawrence Market.
Canadian cut peameal bacon which are lean pork backs rolled and coated with cornmeal.
A signature here is peameal bacon sandwich. The slice of cornmeal coated bacon is grilled to a slight crisp outside while the inside stays juicy and slightly rare. I hope to try this at my next visit ๐
One hundred and one types of cheese.
Sausages and ham at the Ukrainian cured meats stall.
Wide selection of Italian antipasto.
I love olives and there are many kinds to choose from.
Bakeries at St. Lawrence Market.
There are all kinds of freshly baked tarts and pies from these bakers.
Pie heaven.
I love these wood fired freshly baked bagels.
Fresh as well as live seafood like these Nova Scotian lobsters.
There's of course plenty of fresh salmon, tuna, haddock, and my favourite rainbow trout ๐
The vegetable stalls are full of vibrant colours.
I found out that cactus is a common ingredient in Mexican dishes and can be made into salad or salsas. Shall surely give it a try when I have the opportunity.
I have never seen chili peppers so big before. Don't know whether hot or not? ๐
Never knew that even carrots have so many different kinds. I thought they were always orangey in colour.
The fruit stalls sell all kinds of local fruits like various berries as well as imported tropical fruits like pineapples, papaya, bananas, mangoes etc.
Fresh blackberries, all natural technology that will never become obsolete.
Maple syrup - a pure Canadian icon. I was surprised at how heavy these 1 litre cans of maple syrup are.
Lots of casual pit stop options to try comfort food with the locals.
I fell in love with freshly pressed vegetable juice - yummy and healthy ๐ I prefer to drink than to eat that purple beetroot ๐ I am sure to be back at St. Lawrence Market many more times as there are many uniquely Canadian foods here like peameal sandwich and poutine that I like to try and share with you.
For history buffs, there is a small museum on the third level with a collection of memorabilia such as antique maps, archaeological finds and items from the original buildings. These are the busts of the Twelve Apostles that once adorned the old building at the St. Lawrence Market.
๐ When you visit Toronto, do include the St. Lawrence Market in your itinerary. It is historic, there is lots to see, smell, and eat. It has every food ingredient cooking enthusiasts need - a great one-stop market. St. Lawrence Market is centrally located near the financial district, so accessibility is excellent - there is no reason to miss it ๐
St. Lawrence Market
Address: 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON (8 minutes walk from King subway station)
Hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Closed on Sunday and Monday) | Farmer's Market on Saturday starts at 5:00am
Tel: (416) 392-7219
Date: 23 Feb 2017
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