Five Things to Eat in Toronto This Summer

Danish smørrebrød at the Drake Commissary: The Drake recently opened a massive new location in the Junction. In addition to the Commissary’s catering kitchen, the slick new space features a restaurant, bar, takeout counter, and store spread over 8,000 square feet. Stop in for lunch and nosh on a selection of Danish smørrebrød: open-faced sandwiches served on their freshly baked stone-milled rye. Pickled herring and salt cod is a classic, but chef Jonas Grupiljonas’s curried chicken salad with grapes and sprouted lentils is the one to try this summer.

Bunwich at Rosen’s Buns: Ever since food writer-turned-baker Amy Rosen opened Rosen’s Buns last fall, the Little Italy shop has had a steady line of cinnamon-bun lovers out the door. To celebrate the start of summer, she’s added ice cream to the mix and until the weather cools, the Bunwich is on offer. A gooey cinnamon bun is sliced horizontally to hold a large slab of Chapman’s vanilla ice cream. It may be extra indulgent, but it’s one of our favourite ways to beat the heat this summer.

Soft serve and sundaes from Tsujiri: Satisfy your matcha craving with a trip to Tsujiri, the popular Japanese chain of matcha cafés and bakeries open in downtown Toronto. The tiny shop churns out dozens of matcha-infused treats including matcha drinks, pastries, and cheesecake. During summer months, expect long lines outside Tsujiri for its irresistibly green matcha soft serve. Enjoy it swirled high onto a waffle cone, or combined with flavoured mochi, roasted brown rice, and cherry blossom cookies in a sundae.

BBQ Plate from Electric Mud BBQ: Give your grill a break and head to Parkdale’s Electric Mud BBQ for a cold one and Southern-inspired favourites like fried chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, and mac ‘n’ cheese. The BBQ Plate gets you a sample of all the best stuff straight from the smoker. Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, slabs of beef brisket, smoked chicken wings, and mounds of pulled pork sit next to potato salad, coleslaw, pickles, and white bread. Grab a seat on the patio and prepare to lick your fingers.

Paletas from Seven Lives Paleteria: Cool down with a frozen treat from Mexico at Seven Lives Paleteria in eclectic Kensignton Market. The colourful shop offers a variety of popsicles made from fresh ingredients like watermelon, kiwi-lime, and strawberries and cream, as well as sweeter, creamier flavours including dulce de leche. If you prefer to scoop your cool treat from a cup, the Dole Whip flat—inspired by Disneyland’s famous pineapple and whipped cream concoction—is made from dairy-free pineapple soft serve and fresh pineapple juice. Topped with a maraschino cherry and cocktail umbrella, it’s just as tasty as it is Insta-worthy.

Find our roundup of the five best things to eat in Vancouver, here.

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