Good Rebel offers vegan versions of meats, fish, sauces, snacks and just about every other food imaginable. The store’s bright, brick-walled interior is remarkably compact considering the range of products you’ll find stacked neatly on its shelves, including items that can be challenging to substitute like eggs and seafood. There are two fridges dedicated to vegan cheeses from brands like Sheese and BooMoo, as well as a freezer packed with vegan variations of typical frozen, ready-made eats like chicken nuggets and beef tips. They also make a daily batch of grab-and-go sandwiches, such as butter chicken or egg and sausage.
Christopher and Sarah Terpstra opened their Italian gourmet shop earlier this year in the former Hopgoods Foodliner space on Roncesvalles. A fantastic selection of pantry goods such as canned tomatoes, olive oil and spices is sourced locally or imported from Italy, while other ingredients, including pickled veggies, are made in-house. The Terpstras are known for their fresh pasta, which is a staple here. They also sell sandwiches served on house-made focaccia, along with prepared dishes such as braised beef tortellini and pork ragu.
The city's Little Iran neighbourhood is fairly new to our culinary map, but already beaming with dozens of specialty food shops that have opened in the last decade. There’s no better introduction to the cuisine and culture of Iran than this store. The grocery section is stacked with a variety of imported goods, with the preserved fruits and nuts section as the highlight. Arzon also doubles as a hot counter for regional Iranian delicacies like sheep's head stew, biryanis, and a dizzying amount of charcoal cooked meats. Plan to visit for groceries and a plate of food.
While Sanko’s storefront is relatively unassuming, the building it occupies dominates the intersection at Queen West and Claremont thanks to the eye-catching mural painted on its side — a collaboration by six artists depicting the experience of being Japanese-Canadian. Open since 1968, Sanko has long been Toronto’s go-to spot for Japanese staples. Pantry goods include basics like dried soba noodles and cooking sake, plus there are huge displays of different soy sauce types and Japanese curry roux ranging from mild to hot. The shop also carries prepared foods like onigiri (rice balls wrapped in nori) and mochi cakes, along with a selection of snacks and candies that’s sure to delight Japanophiles.
Another awesome spot for vegetarians and vegans, YamChops bills itself as a vegetarian butcher shop, offering innovative, plant-based alternatives to typical cuts of meat. At first glance, the shop’s glass display counter looks like a standard butcher shop spread, but you’ll soon realize it's stocked with ground beet burgers, chickpea-based “chick’n” schnitzel and carrot lox rather than deli meats and sausages. You can pick up these meat alternatives to cook at home, or grab prepared meals to eat in or takeout, such as fish-less fish tacos. YamChops also sells an array of meat-free, dairy-free and gluten-free grocery items, including house-made condiments like hickory BBQ sauce and mango tamarind chutney.
With two locations in the downtown core (First Canadian Place, and King West), this third-generation Italian bakery wins critics praise for the family recipes behind its savoury and sweet pastries. Forno Cultura is foremost known for their daily baked breads, which generally get scooped up by midday. Our favourites from grandma's line of sweet pastries include the olive oil and chocolate cake and flavoured biscotti. Forno doubles as a place where you can pick up imported Italian goods — think tomato sauces and high-quality olive oils. The store also produces a line of preserved peppers and vegetables, along with exceptional meats (get the cacciatore).
