Butcher shop

Must try: Empanada Chilena (beef, chicken, chorizo, cheese, and humita) and any chorizo sausage (to take home to cook)

“An empanada is a type of baked or fried turnover consisting of pastry and filling, common in Spanish, other Southern European, Latin American, and Iberian-influenced cultures around the world. The name comes from the Spanish empanar (to bread, i.e., to coat with bread), and translates as ‘breaded’, that is, wrapped or coated in bread. They are made by folding dough over a filling, which may consist of meat, cheese, tomato, corn, or other ingredients, and then cooking the resulting turnover, either by baking or frying” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empanada#Chile)

“Humita (from Quechua humint’a) is a Native South American dish from pre-Hispanic times, a traditional food from the Andes and it can be found in Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Northwest Argentina. It consists of fresh choclo (Peruvian maize) pounded to a paste, wrapped in a fresh corn husk, and slowly steamed or boiled in a pot of water” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humita)

“Chorizo from Spanish;; similar to but distinct from Portuguese chouriço is a type of pork cured meat originating from the Iberian Peninsula” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorizo)

How to portion: One Empanada Chilena can provide 3 to 4 tastings
Address: 218 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L6, Canada
Hours: Friday 11a.m.–9p.m.
Saturday 11a.m.–9p.m.
Sunday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Monday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Tuesday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Wednesday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Thursday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Website: https://segovia-casa-del-chorizo-segovia-foods-segovia.business.site
Instagram: NA

Mexican Restaurant

Must try: Lima soup (Traditional Mayan soup, made with chicken, limes, tortilla chips, onions, and avocado)

“Ancient Maya cuisine was varied and extensive… Plant domestication concentrated upon several core foods, the most important of which was maize… The origins of Mayan cuisine can be established by archaeological evidence, dating as early as 1500 BC and extending through the 16th century AD. With maize as a significant and sustainable food source, the Maya expanded their palate and began to cultivate and incorporate many other foods into their diet. The evolution of Maya food culture allowed for experimentation with new staples and the development of new Maya cuisine. These, in turn, became established in modern food practices of the Mayan peoples and many other peoples of the Americas…. In the 21st century, many foods that come from ancient Maya techniques, such as chocolate, avocado/guacamole, tortillas, and tamales, have spread far beyond the Maya region” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Maya_cuisine)

How to portion: One order can provide 2 to 5 tastings
Address: 214 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L8
Hours: Friday 11a.m.–9p.m.
Saturday 11a.m.–9p.m.
Sunday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Monday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Tuesday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Wednesday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Thursday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Website: NA
Instagram: @kooxhanacanada

Must try: Purple Rain Burger (prime beef patty, grilled pineapple slice, mozzarella cheese, home-made guacamole, sauteed jalapenos, caramelized onions, tomato, lettuce, pickles, Ozzy’s special sauce)

“The hamburger is considered a national dish of the United States. In the United States and Canada, burgers may be classified as two main types: fast food hamburgers and individually prepared burgers made in homes and restaurants. The latter are often prepared with a variety of toppings, including lettuce, tomato, onion, and often sliced pickles (or pickle relish). French fries (or commonly Poutine in Canada) often accompany the burger. Cheese (usually processed cheese slices but often Cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, or blue), either melted directly on the meat patty or crumbled on top, is generally an option” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburger)

Indian restaurant

Must try: Paneer Tikka Masala (Vegetarian. Homemade cheese cubes cooked with bell peppers and onions in tomato sauce)

“Paneer, also known as ponir or Indian cottage cheese, is a fresh acid-set cheese common in the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) made from cow or buffalo milk. It is a non-aged, non-melting soft cheese made by curdling milk with a fruit- or vegetable-derived acid, such as lemon juice. Its acid-set form (curd) before pressing is called chhena” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paneer)

“Masala is a term from the Indian subcontinent for a spice mix. A masala can be either a combination of dried (and usually dry-roasted) spices, or a paste (such as vindaloo masala) made from a mixture of spices and other ingredients—often garlic, ginger, onions, chilli paste and tomato. Masalas are used extensively in Indian cuisine to add spice and flavour, most familiarly to Western cuisine in chicken tikka masala and chicken curry, or in masala chai. Other South Asian cuisines including Bangladeshi, Nepali, Pakistani and Sri Lankan, Southeast Asian cuisine such as Burmese and the Caribbean regularly use spice mixes” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice_mix#Masala)

How to portion: Eight pieces can provide 8 tastings
Address: 209 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L4, Canada
Hours: Saturday11AM–1:30AM
Sunday11AM–1:30AM
Monday11AM–1:30AM
Tuesday11AM–1:30AM
Wednesday11AM–1:30AM
Thursday11AM–1:30AM
Friday11AM–1:30AM
Website: https://rikkitikki.ca/
Instagram: @rikki.tikki.to

Bakery

Must try: Canelé

Available only Thursday – Sunday

“A canelé is a small French pastry flavored with rum and vanilla with a soft and tender custard center and a dark, thick caramelized crust. It takes the shape of a small, striated cylinder up to five centimeters in height with a depression at the top. A specialty of the Bordeaux region of France, today it is widely available in pâtisseries in France and abroad… he canelé is traditionally baked in a small cylindrical fluted mold. Traditionally the molds were brushed with beeswax, but today butter is used. Produced in numerous sizes, they can be consumed for breakfast, for snacks, and as a dessert depending in some measure on size. Canelés can be paired with red wine and many other beverages” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canelé)

How to portion: One Canelés can provide 2 to 3 tastings
Address: 172 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON M5T 1L8
Hours: Saturday 9a.m.–6p.m.
Sunday 10a.m.–6p.m.
Monday 9a.m.–6p.m.
Tuesday 9a.m.–6p.m.
Wednesday 9a.m.–6p.m.
Thursday 9a.m.–6p.m.
Friday 9a.m.–6p.m.
Website: http://blackbirdbakingco.com
Instagram: @bbirdco

Cafe (Middle Eastern influenced)

Must try: Mazafati Omelette (sauteed dates, spinach, onion, eggs)

“Mazafati is a cultivar of the palm date. It is a dark, soft, fleshy and sweet date of medium size, about 2.5–4.5 cm (1–2 in) with a relatively high moisture content of between 32-35%, varying with the time of harvest and the location of the grove… The date is suited for fresh consumption, i.e., not dried… This variety is the most common variety of fresh dates for snacking and table eating. It is a valuable source of nutritional elements for daily consumption as a fruit. It is rich in fiber content and vital elements… Mazafati Date fruit has various nutrients, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc. and vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, etc. Moreover, they are low in fat and high in fiber and protein content, which makes them healthy snacks” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazafati)

How to portion: One omelette can provide 2 to 5 tastings
Address: 293 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2M2, Canada
Hours: Saturday 9:30AM–6PM
Sunday 9:30AM–6PM
Monday 9:30AM–6PM
Tuesday 9:30AM–6PM
Wednesday 9:30AM–6PM
Thursday 9:30AM–6PM
Friday 9:30AM–6PM
Website: https://thearch.ca/
Instagram: @the.arch.cafe

Takoyaki restaurant

Must try: Takoyaki

“Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger (beni shoga), and green onion (negi). The balls are brushed with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise, and then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito (katsuobushi)… Takoyaki was first popularized in Osaka, where a street vendor named Tomekichi Endo is credited with its invention in 1935… Takoyaki is associated with yatai street food stalls, and there are many well-established takoyaki specialty restaurants, particularly in the Kansai region” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takoyaki)

How to portion: A small order can provide 5 tastings, a large order can provide 10 tastings
Address: 160 Baldwin St #5, Toronto, ON M5T 3K7, Canada
Hours: Saturday 11AM–6:30PM
Sunday 11AM–6PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 11AM–6PM
Thursday 11AM–6PM
Friday 11AM–6:30PM
Website: NA
Instagram: @takoyaki6ix

Jamaican restaurant

Must try: Ackee & Salted Cod Dumpling

“Jamaican cuisine includes a mixture of cooking techniques, flavours and spices influenced by Amerindian, African, Irish, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Indian, Chinese and Middle Eastern people who have inhabited the island. It is also influenced by the crops introduced into the island from tropical Southeast Asia, many of which are now grown locally. A wide variety of seafood, tropical fruits and meats are available… Some Jamaican dishes are variations on cuisines brought to the island from elsewhere. These are often modified to incorporate local produce and spices. Others are novel or fusion and have developed locally. Popular Jamaican dishes include curry goat, fried dumplings, ackee and saltfish. Jamaican patties along with various pastries, breads and beverages are also popular” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_cuisine)

How to portion: One croissant can provide 2-4 tastings
Address: 61 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2K1, Canada
Hours: Saturday 11AM–7PM
Sunday 11AM–6PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday 11AM–7PM
Wednesday 11AM–7PM
Thursday 11AM–7PM
Friday 11AM–7PM.
Website: http://eatrastapasta.ca/
Instagram: @eatrastapasta

Asian restaurant

Must try: Pan-fried Vegan momo

“Momo are bite-size dumplings made with a spoonful of stuffing wrapped in dough. Momo are usually steamed, though they are sometimes fried or steam-fried. Meat or vegetables fillings becomes succulent as it produces an intensively flavored broth sealed inside the wrappers. Momo is an important dish for Tibetans and Nepalese, both in everyday cooking and for festivals. Variants of the dish developed later in Nepal after which it became popular among Asians… Traditionally, momo is prepared with ground/minced meat, potatoes, and leek filling. Nowadays, the fillings have become more elaborate and Momo is prepared with virtually any combination of ground meat, vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, paneer cheese, soft chhurpi (local hard cheese) and vegetable and meat combinations” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momo_(food))

How to portion: One order can provide up to 8 tastings
Address: 51 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2J8, Canada
Hours: Saturday 12–11PM
Sunday 12–10PM
Monday 12–10PM
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 12–10PM
Thursday 12–10PM
Friday 12–11PM
Website: NA
Instagram: @tibetcafeandbar

Taco restaurant

Must try: Baja fish taco (battered and fried fish, cabbage, baja sauce, pico de gallo)

“A taco is a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a small hand-sized corn or wheat tortilla topped with a filling. The tortilla is then folded around the filling and eaten by hand. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, pork, chicken, seafood, beans, vegetables, and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety. They are often garnished with various condiments, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, and vegetables, such as lettuce, onion, tomatoes, and chiles. Tacos are a common form of antojitos, or Mexican street food, which have spread around the world…  Tacos de pescado (“fish tacos”) originated in Baja California in Mexico, where they consist of grilled or fried fish, lettuce or cabbage, pico de gallo, and a sour cream or citrus/mayonnaise sauce, all placed on top of a corn or flour tortilla. In the United States, they were first popularized by the Rubio’s fast-food chain, and remain most popular in California, Colorado, and Washington. In California, they are often found at street vendors, and a regional variation is to serve them with cabbage and coleslaw dressing on top” (wikipedia.org/wiki/Taco)

How to portion:
Address: 72 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2K2, Canada
Hours: Saturday 12–7PM
Sunday 12–7PM
Monday 12–7PM
Tuesday 12–7PM
Wednesday 12–7PM
Thursday 12–7PM
Friday 12–7PM
Website: https://sevenlivesto.ca/
Instagram: @sevenlivesto