Sure, a picture might be worth a thousand words, but an illustration is worth a hundred photos. While we love double-tapping the glossy food shots that pop up on our Instagram feeds, they can never quite capture the same level of nostalgia or adoration that a painter or illustrator can infuse into their work.
That’s especially true for the talented artists who celebrate Toronto’s food scene by sketching iconic storefronts or illustrating famous dishes that you can practically smell right off the page. Whether they’re drawn, painted or printed, these aren’t just images of food — they’re custom recipes crafted through the artist’s eyes, and we can’t wait to take a bite.
Not only do these works showcase the city’s most delicious dishes, but they’re also an essential part of our vibrant food culture. You might have spotted some of their pieces at your favourite restaurants — in some cases, the artwork has become just as iconic as the spots themselves. Here, we’ve rounded up five artists cooking up mouth-watering creations that put Toronto’s buzzing food scene front and centre.
Tanya Mu
Watercolour artist and the creative force behind Tonton Art, Tanya Mu draws inspiration from her Sichuan heritage in her work. Mu combines Toronto’s most popular dishes in a scrumptious collage feast. She’s worked with brands like Uniqlo to honour beloved spots like Sanremo Bakery, and Perfect Chinese restaurant.
Henry Hao
Henry Hao’s most notable work is his Toronto Impressions Series, which comprises larger-than-life, colourful takes on life and locations in the city. The sketched lines and watercolours make the Toronto settings feel like they’ve been plucked from a storybook. Hao won the 2023 Toronto Mayor’s Purchase Award, and had his art permanently acquired by the City of Toronto.
Jordan Di Lella
With an eye for detail, Jordan Di Lella draws local landmarks, streetscapes and familiar storefronts — like Galaxy T&T, Patty King, Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu and the Revue Cinema — that define Toronto’s most iconic locations. Di Lella also offers commissioned, personalized pieces that immortalize special moments.
Visit Jordan Di Lella's Etsy shop
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Kelsea Chatburn
Kelsea Chatburn, a self-taught artist, transitioned from government policy-making to full-time art practice in 2022. Chatburn’s food paintings look good enough to eat, though we’d recommend visiting the restaurants for the real deal. Her work has been exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Gladstone House, the One of a Kind Show and the Artist Project in Toronto.
Visit Kelsea Chatburn's fine art website
Visit Kelsea Chatburn's print shop
Follow Kelsea Chatburn on Instagram
