
What we’re about
Explore food and trails in the diverse neighbourhoods of the Greater Toronto Area.
Foodie hikes are at a moderate pace of 4 to 6 km/h. They are neither walking tours nor strenuous workouts. It's more rewarding if you research the route beforehand because we won't give much commentary. You should be prepared for unpaved trails, hills, and any weather. Dangerous weather like lightning and low visibility will cancel hikes.
Typically, hikes end at a restaurant. But we'll also pick up takeout and groceries along the way.
Timed hikes
Hikes run like trains. We depart on time and hit scheduled stops. If late or lost, you can refer to the map to find us at these timed checkpoints. You can join or leave at any point according to your schedule and level of fitness.
If you're going below 4 km/h or the minimum stated speed, you might be left behind because we have to keep a schedule. This ensures
- we arrive at food places before they close or get too busy
- we show up on time for restaurant reservations
- others that join in the middle won't wait long at scheduled checkpoints
- we end on time and respect those who need to leave punctually
The list of places on the route are those that we'll pass by or come close to. We'll not stop at all of them. You're free to break from the group and use the map to catch up when you're done.
While the hike is ongoing, organizers might not respond to messages. They will be busy leading the group and ordering food. Also, Meetup.com does not send notifications instantly.
Omakase
For some hikes, we offer omakase. This is an optional program where participants chip in a small amount of money and the organizer will use the pool to buy food for sampling. The food bought, and where and when to share, is entirely up to the organizer. Omakase literally means "I leave it to you".
At some point in the hike, usually during the first leg, the organizer will ask who's interested in omakase and collect money. Payment by cash or e-transfer. Please mention dietary restrictions before signing up. We may not be able to accommodate and will advise if you should join.
No refunds after orders are placed, even if you left early, got lost, or missed samples for whatever reason. Collected money would have been already spent on food. We do not make a profit. Leftover funds go to Meetup.com fees.
Situations where we will give a full or partial refund:
- the organizer didn't honour your dietary restrictions and you mentioned it before signing up
- you didn't get your fair share of food because there was not enough to go around
Limited cutlery provided. Bring your own cutlery and containers to save the environment.
Featured businesses do not compensate us. We recommend them because we think they are good or interesting.
Waitlist
If you're on the waitlist on the day of a hike, you can show up and hope that there's space. It's usually OK because of no-shows at free events.
However, if the event is over capacity, the priority is: those on the confirmed list, then the waitlist according to order of sign up. The rest will be asked to leave. We will strictly enforce the number of participants because of safety concerns.
For restaurant events, only those on the confirmed list can attend.
Photo policy
Photos are welcome but if you are taking pictures of other humans, please ask their permission if you intend to post or share them, including on Meetup.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Lawrence of Arabia 2.0 (8.1 km)Rock’N Deli, North York, ON
The section of Lawrence Ave East in Wexford is packed with Lebanese, Syrian, and other Middle Eastern businesses. It's the shawarma and grilled meat central of Toronto.
This hike also takes in the lesser-known East Don Trail and other notable food places. Check out a huge Lebanese bakery, seafood wholesaler, and a Balkan deli. There's also one of Toronto's top baklava shops and the odd Vietnamese and Somali restaurant.
There will be more time allocated than usual for browsing, since there are lots of interesting foods.
Highlights
- Supernova Clock Tower at Shops at Don Mills (depart 12:30pm)
- Mantra
- Milne House
- Rainbow Tunnel at East Don Trail
- Mak European Deli (depart 1:30pm)
- Ghadir Meat / Shawarma Empire / Nasib's / Patna Kabab House
- Arz Fine Foods (depart 2:30pm)
- Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill / Aleppo Kebab
- Habibi Q / Kaaketna Lebanese/ Sahan Restaurant
- Pho Metro
- Crown Pastries / Lebanese Bakery
- Diana's Seafood Delight
- Coffee In
- McGregor Park Community Centre (arrive 3:30pm)
Neighbourhoods
Don Mills > Parkwoods > Wexford > McGregor ParkMap
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=18u6bStFTJ9J8XX0YPIzwA2e1bbat4Lk&usp=sharingHow it works
Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints.Aside from shawarma, we'll browse many food places but won't linger long. See the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way.
Limited cutlery and no plates provided. Highly recommended to bring your own cutlery and containers for bringing back leftovers.
See our About section for more info.
- Milliken Chinatown's food plazas through the ages (Jane's Walk, 3.2km)Asia Foodmart, Toronto, ON
About once a year, we do a walking tour. No need to RSVP. Just show up on the day of the walk.
Milliken was one of the centres of Chinese immigration in the 1990s and emerged as the fourth Chinatown in the GTA. As the demographics of the neighbourhood changed, so has the character of its commercial areas. Nowhere is this more evident than along Midland Avenue, between McNicoll and Finch Avenues. A mishmash of plazas, built in different decades, dot the area.
From the Hong Kong plazas of the 1990s to the Mainland Chinese strip malls of the 2020s, what's remained constant is the obsession with food. There's the largest Asian supermarket in the GTA selling luxury fruits ($288 watermelons, anyone?). A sprawling strip mall with more than 10 bubble tea shops. Seafood wholesalers. Plazas for late night dining. Meals under $8. And over 200 dining establishments representing nearly all regions of China.
The walk starts at the newest plaza and ends at one of the oldest one. Along the way, we'll learn a bit about the history of the area but mostly it'll be about food. Some of the best restaurants in Toronto are found here, and we'll point out notable ones. There will be time to browse bakeries and markets. Participants are encouraged to share their own experiences.
The walk ends around dinner time. It's a perfect opportunity to try any of the restaurants you find interesting along the route. Please bring cash because many places do not accept card payments.
Come earlier to check out the supermarket at the start, because we'll not be going inside.
This walk
- is not a hike
- does not return to the start point
- is 3.5 km/h with multiple stops
- starts punctually
- is suitable for all ages
- is not fully wheelchair accessible
- has indoor segments
- welcomes pets but businesses may not
- does not receive any benefits from the featured businesses
Map
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1VwSqeIpkADWFVws92wXYI9JeWyCC49Q&usp=sharing - The Ossington Strip: Toronto's gastronomic hub (Jane's Walk, 2.2km)Ossington Ave and Foxley Place, Toronto, ON
About once a year, we do a walking tour. No need to RSVP. Just show up on the day of the walk.
The short stretch of Ossington Avenue between Dundas and Queen Streets has grown to be Toronto's hot spot for restaurants. The surrounding neighbourhood competes with Montreal's Mile End for the title of Canada's gastronomic centre. It's packed with everything from bakeries to classy restaurants to dive bars. It's hard to get a bad meal there.
However, it wasn't always like this. Just 15 years ago, this was a sleepy area. This walk will cover the recent history of this strip as well as notable food establishments. There will be time to grab some food along the way. You can eat, walk, and admire street art in the neighbourhood.
The food commentary is going to be opinionated. Participants are encouraged to share their own experiences. Which restaurants would you recommend and why?
The walk ends around lunch time. It's a perfect opportunity to try any of the restaurants you find interesting along the route.
This walk
- is not a hike
- is 3.5 km/h with multiple stops
- starts punctually
- is suitable for all ages
- is wheelchair accessible
- welcomes pets but businesses may not
- does not receive any benefits from the featured businesses
Map
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1qYupH3orSMxLwhRo7LwIe_9lGkILW50&usp=sharing - New Old Toronto (6.6 km)11 Adelaide St East, Toronto, ON
After almost 10 years of construction, the north building of St Lawrence Market has finally opened. Come check out the Saturday's Farmers Market and meander around the oldest part of Toronto.
This neighbourhood is packed with historic sights. Toronto was essentially founded here. Many firsts like the first post office, the first bank, the first parliament building, and the first large-scale sporting village. We won't stick around long because the focus is on the bakeries and coffee houses. Old Town doesn't have a lot of standout restaurants but it has lots of places to nibble. St Lawrence Market needs no introduction.
Old Toronto is juxtaposed against the newest downtown neighbourhood, West Don Lands (aka Canary District). Modernist condo buildings and abstract sculptures abound here. Although food options are thin, they are curated well. We can end the hike at a casual Lebanese restaurant or a gastropub.
Highlights
- Adelaide Courtyard (depart 1:30pm)
- Dacasto Gran Pasticceria
- St James Cathedral / Toronto Sculpture Garden
- Berczy Park dog fountain / Gooderham Building
- Meridian Hall / L Tower
- St. Lawrence Market / Farmer's market at North Building (depart 2:15pm)
- St Lawrence Hall
- Bank of Upper Canada / Toronto's First Post Office
- The Chefs' House / Neo Coffee Bar
- Tanenbaum Opera Centre / Berkeley Street Theatre
- Roselle Desserts
- Spaccio
- Little Trinity Anglican Church / Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Museum
- Stone distillery building / Soma (depart 3:30pm)
- Le Beau Boulangerie
- Cube house
- River City / Corktown Common
- Souk Tabule / Region (arrive 4pm)
Neighbourhoods
St Lawrence > Old Toronto > Distillery District > Corktown > West Don LandsMap
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1V71C3Yn-bZHOrPdU3k5BPx9OJpFDsd4&usp=sharingHow it works
Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints.We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. Grab ready-made food, or see the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way.
Not sure what to try? Join our omakase for $5, which gives a tiny sample from different restaurants. Payment on the day of event by cash or e-transfer to globaltorontoeats@gmail.com. No refunds after orders are placed. Details of sampled food will be uploaded after the hike.
Limited cutlery provided. Highly recommended to bring cutlery and containers for omakase and bringing back leftovers.
See our About section for more info.