I'm a budget traveller, always been, and always will be. Sometimes I try to be fancy and spend awful lots of money to try something new. I've thrown in some expensive eats but most on the list are the cheap deals in town. I decided to do a food tour in Toronto before leaving the country. The city is so diverse that there's a lot of food to choose from and it's driving me crazy because the list just goes on and on. I usually make sure my drinks don't pass 10 CAD - 15 CAD unless it's a very good alcoholic drink. My meals would be less than 10 CAD or a max of 20 CAD and if I feel like I'm going to die tomorrow then I'll treat myself like a queen for a night. Let’s go!
"This site contains Affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases of a product/service at no added cost to you." ^_^
Travel Tips
- For flights, Skyscanner is excellent for comparing the best airline deals.
- For accommodations, our family trusts Booking.com for reasonable prices.
- Organize your trips easily with a Travel Planner.
- For tried-and-true travel and hiking gear, check out our Amazon Storefront.
Must-Try Foods in Toronto
This food marvel begins in Toronto, a city I'm falling deeper in love with every passing day. My food adventures brought me to different delightful places around the area. Here's a list of some of my favourite spots in the city.
1. Street Cart Hotdogs
- 2 CAD for Hotdog on a bun
- Cash only
The most famous place to go is right beside Nathan Philips Square.
How to go there: Alight at Osgoode station and follow the signs to Nathan Phillips Square.
2. Tacos El Asador
- Mixed pupusa 4 CAD
- Taco's for 3.99 CAD
- Quesadilla for 4.10 CAD
- Cash only
A Salvadorean restaurant located in Koreatown. I first tried the pupusa because that's my husband's favourite treat. They have combo meals starting from 9 CAD - 12 CAD. It comes with drinks too. Not bad! Plus the place looks cool. On my second visit, I ordered tacos and quesadillas and only paid 9 CAD.
How to get here: Alight at Christie Station and walk 3 minutes to your destination.
Address: 689 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1L3
3. Rancho Relaxo
- 2 Quesadilla for 10 CAD
- 3 tacos for 10 CAD
- Burrito Bowl (good for 2 pax) 8 CAD
My friend and I were fully satisfied. The burrito and quesadilla were delicious. Our burrito bathed with the hot sauce made it intensely flavourful.
How to get there: Alight at Bathurst Station and walk 2 minutes to the store. The store looks really cool with colourful doodles all over the front building. I doubt you'll miss this awesome place.
4. Sushi on the Run
- Buy one take one sushi
- 7.99 CAD for two sushi boxes
- The promo starts after 4pm till 8pm, maybe until stocks last.
How to get there: Alight at College Station, and exit to College Park, just outside the exit you'll find the sushi store.
5. Best Poutine Food Truck
- 4 CAD for Regular Poutine
- Cash only
The most famous place to go is right beside Nathan Philips Square. A food truck that sells the best poutine in town, it literally says on their truck. I've never been a fan of poutine but it all changed when I tried it here.
How to go there: Alight at Osgoode station and follow the signs to Nathan Phillips Square.
6. TCJ Restaurant
- 25 CAD per person
- All-you-can-eat Thai, Chinese and Japanese food
Cheapest and most affordable buffet I've tried in the city. I don't know how we got here but I have the address listed down for reference.
Address: 64 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5B 1Y4
7. Brunch at CN Tower
- 120 CAD for two-person
- Book @ Yelp or call for reservations.
I spent a little much here to surprise my husband for our early morning Christmas Eve celebration with my family. The steak was amazing plus the view creates a romantic atmosphere. It's a perfect place to celebrate special moments in life, the three-course meal is something different from my cheap eats downtown.
How to get here:
Alight at Union Station and walk for a few minutes to CN Tower.
Address: 301 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2T6
8. David's Tea
- 1 CAD for drinks every Tuesday
Any locations all over town. A refreshing, healthy drink for less than 2 dollars.
9. O.Noir Dine in the Dark
- Dinner: 90 CAD for two (tax + tip)
- Book @ Yelp or call for reservations.
- We purchased our voucher with GROUPON.
The most unique and amazing dining experience I have had in Toronto. Blindfolded while eating is not a usual food trip. If you're looking to explore your palette in a different way this is the thing that you're looking for. We got to try how it feels like to have just 4 senses and how our body can cope with it. It's not cheap but as they said you pay for the experience. Well, lucky me all my surprise meals were delectable.
Address: 620 Church St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2G2
10. Noodle King
- 10 CAD for an authentic Chinese meal
We got here accidentally as my friend thought it was a restaurant. The food was amazingly delicious, it reminded me of my travels in Asia.
How to get there: Alight at Oosgode station, and walk to the Sheraton centre it's right in front of Nathan's Philips Square. Then take the escalator down to the food court.
11. Gogi-gui @ Korea Town
- Korean BBQ or Samgyeopsal: 30 CAD - 50 CAD
How to get there: Alight at Finch Station. There's a whole street of Korean restaurants, parlors, and merchandise. Another Korean town is right outside Christie TTC station. Exit and behold all kinds of Korean food, cafes, and shops in the area.
12. Bubbletease
- 7 CAD for a Regular size bubble tea, Less ice, No sugar (optional)
My favourite bubble tea is in Toronto downtown.
13. Little Sheep Mongolian
- 20 percent off for our Groupon voucher
- Paid 40 CAD for two pax
The best hotpot I've ever tried in Toronto. My friend bought a Groupon voucher to get a meal discount.
Address: 2543 Warden Avenue, Scarborough, M1W 2H5
14. W Burger Bar
- 3 CAD tequila shots
Shots are cheap and the food is great. What more can I ask for?!
How to get there: Walking distance from College Station.
Address: 10 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1K2
15. Oxtail Pho - Banh Mi & Vegetarian
Address: 814 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1V3, Canada
16. Sushi Culture
- 7.86 CAD for Lunch combo (12:00 - 3:30pm)
How to get there: Alight at Bathurst Station and walk a few minutes to the restaurant.
Address: 456 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1X8
17. Como En Casa
The fish tacos and enchilada were sooo good here. This is the reason why I love small restaurants they put love on their food.
How to get there: Alight at Wellesley Station and walk a few minutes to the restaurant.
Address: 565 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z2, Canada
18. The Shameful Tiki Room
Try the Yowza level cocktails which have the highest alcohol strength among the drinks: Tiki Puka Puka and Zombie, 13 CAD each.
I love the tropical feel inside the bar, their unique way of serving the beverage, and most especially the selection of drinks with high alcohol levels.
Address: 1378 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1L7
19. Naan and Kabob
Best Afghanistan food I've ever tasted. It's tasty, flavorful and affordable.
How to get here: Walking distance from Bloor-Yonge Station.
Address: 691 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2B2
How to get here: Walking distance from Bloor-Yonge Station.
Address: 691 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2B2
20. Aztec Mexican Cuisine
My favourite Mexican restaurant in Toronto, plus it's a walking distance from High Park Station. The Enchilada Verde is made from heaven here, the best one I've ever tried.
Address: 1986 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6R 2Z3
21. Labothery
I'm a milk tea or bubble tea addict. When a friend of mine invited me to try out this unique bubble tea store I was all smiles and said yes. It's a make-your-own kind of bubble tea to your liking, combining all the weird flavours at your own will.
Address: 717 Bay St Unit D, Toronto, ON M5G 2J9
22. Uncle Tetsu's Cheesecake
- 10 CAD for 1 whole round cheesecake
I'm not a cheesecake lover but I really fell in love with this one. It's fluffy and has just enough sweetness that make you want to have more and eat the whole cake in one go.
Two known branches in Bay Street:
598 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5G 1M5, Canada (Just a step away from Greyhound/Megabus Terminal Entrance)
191 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1C7, Canada (Lesser people around here and you can dine in too)
There's another branch opening soon inside the bus terminal, I bet they're open now.
- Beer tour: 5 CAD (plus tax)
I went on a beer tour and got a free beer! ahahaa. Anyways. They made us try different kinds of beer with levels of strength and flavour. It was a small glass for everyone, no big deal however if you didn't have a full meal and you're not a beer drinker you'll definitely feel the kick after the tour. A great place to learn about malt and the history behind one of the greatest inventions of humankind. Yeah, I love beer! and wine too.
How to get there: Alight at Dundas West station, more than 10 10-minute walk to the brewery.
Address: 128 Sterling Rd, Toronto, ON M6R 2B7
I've never been a matcha kind of person but I wanted to try something new, and they said it's healthy too. Check out the Matcha Haven in Downtown Toronto.
How to get here: Nearby Dundas Station.
Address: 147 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1C5
25. Beer and Cider
There are tons of bars and restaurants that offer great-tasting beer and cider in Toronto. Be free and don't forget to leave your car at home for goodness sake.
Address: All over Toronto.
26. Gourmet Schnitzel House
I had a lovely dinner here with my husband. They serve wine and if you ordered a bottle of wine then forgot you can't bring it home with you, then you have to jug it all to yourself - lucky me I wasn't the designated driver. It's a small restaurant run by a sweet couple with delicious schnitzel meals. I didn't know what schnitzel meant when I got here, silly me, it's actually a piece of meat, covered with breadcrumbs, a dash of the secret recipe, and fried to perfection. Viola! it's like Crispy chicken...I mean what a schnitzel.
Address: 2286 Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1N 1T6
27. La Rocca's Irish Cream Cheesecake
I'm not a fan of cheesecake but this cake took my heart away too. I tried this for the first time at my friend's birthday party and till now I can still savour its delicious taste in my memory. And all this time I really thought there was alcohol on it because it just tastes soo damn good.
28. Golden Patty
- 1.50 CAD - 2 CAD for 1 patty
- 10 CAD for 1 dozen
Best tasting patty I've ever tried in Toronto. An awesome Jamaican pastry filled with meat and spices and baked inside a flaky shell.
How to get there: Nearby Chinatown. It's among the first line of stores you see when you enter Kensington Market.
Address: 187 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON M5T 1L8
29. Ice Cream on Wheels
The park where there's food traffic, like in parks, and events and I often see them close nearby Nathan Philips Square.
30. Jollibee @ Seafood City
After a long wait for the Filipino community, the most famous and loved fast-food chain in the Philippines finally opened its doors in Mississauga and Scarborough.
I grew up having Jollibee on birthdays, after church, even when I'm sick, or just any normal given day. Jollibee tastes like Home. A little piece of home that fills each Pinoy and Pinay's heart with happiness. When we got the chance to check out their store I was an excited kid bouncing up and down its doors.
I'm a C3 lover, a meal that consists of spaghetti and one-piece chickenjoy then upgrade drink to pineapple juice. For dessert, I'll have french fries that I'm going to dip individually in a chocolate sundae. To go, I'll get a box of peach-mango pies for my midnight snack.
Address: 800 Boyer Blvd, Mississauga, ON L5V 2Y1
Another branch: 15 William Kitchen Rd, Scarborough, ON M1P 5B7
Bonus Tip
- Address: Your crib or friend's place
The cheapest way of having a good time and not caring about time and space and tips is to stay at home. The only place where you can do whatever you want, get as loud as you want and combine all the goods your friends have at their place.
My favourite patio or camping essentials would be a bottle of wine, the oh-so-good Havarti cheese, and Polish sausage. Add in some fruits, chips, and a great conversation, and then there you have a perfect day in the comfort of your home.
Fun Notes: My Hubby's Ultimate Ramen Recipe
- Address: Dining Table @ Home in Toronto
Nothing can compare to my husband's ramen, prepared with so much love and pride - lucky me! Dining out gets boring sometimes, cooking at home means some good old alone time with yourself or bonding time with family and friends. Make it a habit to gather your loved ones at the table sometimes, this creates stronger family ties and a wonderful friendship.
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Explore More Road Trips from Toronto:
- What To Do in Toronto
- What To Do in Niagara Falls
- Road Trip to Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal and Old Quebec
- Amazing Waters of Tobermory
- Montreal for Two Days
- Honeymoon in Hamilton
- Memorable Getaway to Ottawa
- What To Do in London
- Hiking Rouge National Park
Do you want more adventure?
If you still have one more day to spare why not go around and Explore the vibrant city of Toronto, Canada.
Where am I going next?
My next adventure is to Los Angeles, California and I have here a survival guide on how to go around the city.
Related articles you may find interesting:
No comments
Post a Comment