🕒 19 min read 

Leave your shopping ‘til the last minute? It appears everyone has this year. Because, what day is it again? How is it 4 o’clock already? Did I do anything today?

Whether you’re gifting others or simply looking for something enticing or elevated to add to your own pantry, Toronto eateries and shops have got you this holiday.

Note: This list of delectable fare and stylish items ($2.25-$100, taxes + gratuities not included) is by no means a blueprint, simply a jumping-off point to inspire you and showcase the immense talent and ingenuity this city has to offer. 

So shop and support local businesses, not only during the holidays, but from now on. Order takeout and delivery whenever possible. Supplement your groceries with outstanding resto fare. Stock your bar/fridge with exceptional selections from neighbourhood bottle shops, near and far. Stock up on gift cards and merch for friends, fam, colleagues, hairdresser/mail carrier/dog walker/teacher, etc. These small actions can make all the difference to keeping businesses open into the new year.

*Please contact businesses directly for hours of operation and availability.

While the name for 416 Snack Bar’s jar of Korean Fried Chicken Sauce ($9) Is wildly specific, its applications are not. Hot tip: Add checking their half priced vino deal of the day to your to-do list.

Mojitos are often overlooked and under appreciated, but they’re an absolute delight when done right. Mambo Lounge is famous for their Mojito ($20 for two). And rightly so. Owner Andres Gonzales combines Cuban rum, sugar, lime juice, and so much muddled mint you’ll wonder if it’s too much (it’s not), creating a zippy refresher you’ll want again and again. And again. p.s. Since you’re probably going to go harder on these than you think, you should eat something. Ordering the Cuban Sandwich ($15) or Bistec a la Plancha - Grilled AAA NY strip loin with yucca fries (can be part of Dinner for Two - $70 includes two mains, and bottle of house red or white) is a good idea.

One of the best ways to elevate your home cooking is to incorporate bold flavour boosters. The problem is, after all the shopping and prep, you don’t always have the time or energy to make the seasonings as well. Instead of relying on the same ol’ grocery store items, delve into housemade condiments and delicacies at the Gourmet Shop by Salt Wine Bar. I mean, how much better would your sandwich be right now with their Chimichurri Aioli ($5) right now? A burger topped with a dollop of Sherry Caramelized Onions ($5) and Adobo BBQ Sauce ($5)? Your pantry’s changed now. And that’s a good thing.

A tote is a very personal item. It says a lot about you – your style, preferences, sometimes even your political beliefs. So it’s important to pick out a good one. Grape Witches’ Tote ($20) is a work of art. Literally. Toronto-based artist Negin Shamshiri’s still life is the perfect accessory for your countless trips to the butcher, baker, and wine shop.  

Eat well, do good this season. Beloved Pho Rùa Vàng Golden Turtle Restaurant on Ossington created a fresh spicy lemongrass sa te chili sauce, Satay Love (Share The Love) Sauce ($7) with Ripe Nutrition. All proceeds will go to Food Bank of Canada, to help aid the growing hunger this holiday season.

There’s nothing you can’t do with a quartet of Alma’s house made  sauces. The Holiday Edition ($50) lineup of umami bombs includes a jar Original Chili Crisp, Hoisin Sauce, Ginger Scallion Sauce, and Miso Mustard, eliminating any chance of mediocre meals from now on.

PSA: Proceeds from Sugo’s Special Edition Garfield T-Shirt ($40) goes to the Marinara Boys. It would be great if they sold out.

The offerings at Prairie Boy Bread are vast and far ranging. At the heart of it all is their heady 100 per cent Organic Sourdough Bread. But there’s also coffee, pastries from scratch, a whack of grocery and pantry items, bread books, and sourdough bread classes. How do you choose? Start with an armful of luscious loaves ($7.50-$8) and housemade Tourtiere ($25, meat or veg), Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ($12.50) and Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls ($13.50) and go from there.

Victoria Park and Kingston Rd. won the lottery with the arrival of Mark’s Pizza this summer. See for yourself with their Pizza Kits. The pizza-party-in-a-box comes in six can’t-mess-it-up varieties – Marinara ($17.99); Cheese ($19.99); Pepperoni ($23.99); Pepperoni and Mushrooms ($25.99) Pepperoni, Jalapeño and Hot Honey ($25.99); Pepperoni, Basil and Hot Honey ($25.99).

Skip the holiday standard and dazzle the crowd with a family size tray of freshly baked Kunafa Nabulsi Kishna ($35/1 kg) from enticing choices big and small at Kunufa’s. Feeding the squad or fam? . Consider lifting this your daily workout. At a little over one kilo, Kunafa's famous dessert, available soft or crispy, boasts real Nabulsi cheese, authentic kishna dough, sweet syrup drizzle, and pistachios. Includes an extra side of syrup. If you’ve got an extra large crew, there’s also a 3 kilo version ($89). 

If you’ve ever perused any Yotam Ottolenghi books or articles, you’ll come to understand the need for sesame paste in your life. Parallel Brothers’ Sesame Butter ($4.99), available in Pure, Beet, and Smoky, is the one. And since it’s so pretty on its own, no gift wrap required.

A box of big, fat, chewy cookies by Craig’s Cookies ($21/6, $35/12) are guaranteed to brighten someone’s day. Bonus: Canada-wide shipping is now available.

Handmade ornaments ($7/Flat, $10 ball) by The Skyline Restaurant are a great addition to any tree, sconce, fireplace or door handle. Complete your shopping list with their cute Handmade Hoodies, Toddler Tees, and Onsies.

Civil Liberties’ Miracle Bar is the required ‘home edition’ this year. Sigh. So Super Blasé ($24/6), a funky collab with Paradise Grapevine, feels about right. And that Eagle Rare 10 Year  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey ($75) peeping through the screen is practically a bargain, right? Asking for a friend.

Whether you’re shopping for a sports fan, serious foodie, art lover, or simply looking to spruce up your own abode, the bold prints at Lamesa are a fab – and affordable - addition to any space.

If you’re celebrating the season with oysters, as one does, leave it to the pros with Rodney’s Oyster House Shucked ($36/12, $70/24) and Unshucked ($28/12, $54/24) varieties. And while you’re capable when it comes to the lemons, adding Rodney’s  Freshly Grated Horseradish ($2.25) and Shallot Vinaigrette ($6.25) is the smart move. 

Are dips and spreads giving you life right now? Saving you from the never-ending meal prep that you have to ensure now that you’re homebound for who knows how long for? Same. Bar Neon’s pantry includes decadent Chicken Liver Mousse ($7) made with an ambrosial blend of brandy, butter, cream, and egg. Oomph. Not into meat? No prob. Vegan Muhammara ($8) entices the senses with red peppers, walnut, and pomegranate. And their new outpost Bread & Wine does pizza. Just sayin’.

Empanadas and Arepas ($3.50-$9.75) from Ave Maria Latin Cafe in Koreatown are a must. And don’t leave without the beyond Homemade Tres Leche Cake finished with homemade chantilly cream ($6.50). And do you need Alfajores de Maizena ($3.50)? Survey says yes. (Buy twice as many as you need. Somehow they just disappear.) And be sure to browse their one-stop shop featuring products from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela.

The term house wine” used to denote an affordable yet uninspired selection. That’s all changed. Case in point: 'Paradise' Merlot-Cabernet '18 ($20) by one of the best arrivals of 2020, Osteria Rialto, in partnership with Niagara’s Tawse Winery.

Despite not going anywhere, too tired to make dinner tonight? Imagine how your hard-working bestie feels. Present them with Imanishi Japanese Kitchen’s Imanishi Beef ($16/2 servings). The superlative dinner for two - beef/chicken stock curry with beef is vacuum packed, eradicating any time pressure while simultaneously solving the mealtime dilemma. One of the best gifts you can give someone? Time. Another? This dish.

If you read my At The Pass, weekly interviews with top chefs across the GTA, you’ll notice the majority are fans of The Little Jerry. *adds to list.* So it’s no surprise Jerry's Fermented Tomato Butter ($7.50) will be your new standout staple.  

Since we’re all shopping in lockdown now, it’s likely you’ll receive an array of items from the drugstore, grocery store and maybe even a gas station. Do better for your friends and fam with Sakai Bar’s impressive selection of sakes ($45-$190). Not-so-subtle hint: They wouldn’t be mad at a Hot Pot for Two (Sukiyaki or Shabu Shabu, $80 ea.) either. 

Making a great ranch dressing takes skill. Skip the miss and fuss and get Donna’s Ranchy Ranch Sauce ($2/2 oz, $12/12 oz) . Just heed this advice: It shouldn’t be relegated to just salads. Dip stuff in it, slather it on sandwiches, daub it on meat and veg. This secret ingredient is part of the buzzy spot’s trifecta Sauce Trio ($30), alongside heavy hitters Spicy Pete's Hot Sauce and Leafy Salad Vinaigrette. 

Suds from the city’s newest brewery Red Tape Brewery are a great idea, especially the 3 Month Subscription  ($60/mix pack of 4) covering January to March 2021. You’re going to neeeeed it. 

Contra’s cozy Hoodie ($60) with double layer fleece hood will keep you simultaneously fly and toasty. Pro tip: Shop other top Toronto haunts at Off Menu – you purchase supports local restaurants and they shop worldwide, so shopping’s finally DONE! 

Sweet Trolley Bakery (3056 Dundas St. W.) in The Junction is old school all the way (no website, signs in-store are handwritten, new insta, who dis?). That’s just part of what makes it such a charming standout. Helen Andrews and her family make everything – savoury and sweet - from scratch without additives, preservatives or nuts. So do yourself a favour and grab some of the best pies, cakes (Buche de Noel $20), spanakopita ($14/whole. Also available: half and piece) and cinnamon rolls (Party Pack $20) you’ve ever had at the most affordable prices from one of the hardest working fams in the biz. It will be one of the best discoveries you make this year.

The key to a great egg nog? Someone with expertise making it. The Comrade’s Housemade Egg Nog ($14/17oz, $32/ 40oz) made fresh in small batches, is the perfect addition to your celebrations. Available in limited quantities until the new year.

A box of chocolates can be a lame gift. Not these beauts. For true wow factor, get yourself Brigadeiros (various prices) – Brazilian chocolate truffles made with condensed milk – made by true craftspeople, including Chocollata Brigadeiros, Mary's Brigadeiro: Handcrafted Chocolates, and Padaria Toronto.

Mail order barbecue used to be something you’d only see in the back of an American food or financial magazine. Scarborough’s new Art of BBQ has brought the exciting concept to the 6ix. Choose from a drool-inducing array of cooked meat and poultry that merely requires warming up. Warning: Items including Smoked Sliced Lamb Chops ($40/2 lbs), Smoked Sliced Beef Brisket ($60/2 lbs), and Smoked Diced Pork Butt ($40/2 lbs) may cause excessive drooling. And the Smoked Cornish Hen Stuffed With Beef Sausage and 30 Secret Herb Mix ($30/1 lb) and Smoked Partridge Stuffed With Beef Sausage + Secret Herb Mix ($50/1.5 lbs) keep the festive feels going well after the 25th.

A cocktail subscription is EXACTLY what this season calls for. Because all this is going to go on for awhile. Thus, we’re going to need a drink. Right after that, another one. Cry Baby Gallery’s Only Fans Cocktail Subscription Service ($100/4 cocktails -2 servings ea) is a month’s worth of carefully curated drinks that show up on your doorstep every Friday, and your new BFF. 

Oysters Rockefeller are such a celebratory food, so if not now, when? Oyster Boy’s Kit ($25/6, $48/12) brimming with freshly shucked oysters, sautéed spinach and fennel, parmesan and lemon panko, requires only a little assembly and to be finished in the oven. Same goes for the Oysters Kilpatrick Kit ($25/6, $48/12) where freshly shucked oysters get topped with crispy bacon, balsamic horseradish, and butter, finished with a sprinkling of fresh herbs. Just add bubbles. See below.

While shopping bottles at one of the city’s best sources for wine and especially champagne, Grand Cru Deli & Sips Toronto Wine Store by top sommelier Heather McDougall, stock your basket with P-A Soulière Selection ‘Cuvée Roger’ Maple Syrup ($38), sure to impress everyone from serious foodies to steely in-laws.

The goods and provisions at Leslieville’s stunning KASPACE Cafe are worth the trip alone. Also of note, owner Kevin Allwood’s next-level Allwood Market featuring Unisex Graphic Tees ($85) made of bamboo organic cotton and emblazoned with positive words and striking images. What a way to start the new year.

Eastbound Brewery’s Beer Cheese Queso ($5) might be more of a gift for yourself. ‘Nuff said.

Since we’re going to be living with masks for a while longer, get something stylish while supporting a local business. Godspeed Brewery’s Custom-Made Fabric Masks ($13) of their flagship beers Yuzu, Ochame, Otsukaresama, or Svetly-style are on point.

A lot of bars and restaurants are doing cocktail kits these days, but not like Favorites Thai BBQ. Their Thai Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit ($18 - 2 x 4oz cocktails containing 3oz bourbon) is a take on the classic, imbued with palm sugar, clove, cardamom, star anise, and cinnamon, ideal for the holiday season.  

It seems everyone’s into coffee these days. Whether you’re into French press or a stickler for pour over, no doubt you stick with what you know when it comes to beans. Try something new and spectacular with Bag of Congo Coffee ($18.99) from Regent Park’s new arrival Congo Coffee & Toronto Beignets. Pro tip: And a Beignets Box ($24/20) because you cannot have just one. Trust. 

One of the best additions to your pantry is Diamond Crystal Salt ($9.99) preferred by renowned chefs across the globe. Decidedly different than Morton’s, it really brings out flavours and adds a fresh brininess to dishes  It’s hard to come by, so Mira Mira Sandwich + Ice Cream Bar is not only one of the few places in the city to have it - nab yourself one of their stellar Honey Kimchi Chicken ($9 sandwich/$13 combo) or limited time holiday special Hot Turkey Sandwich while you’re at it. Win-win.

Bread and Butter in Mount Pleasant Village has an assortment of housemade Christmas goodies that may or may not make it under the tree this year (no judgment). Psst. Their regular lineup of cakes, squares, tarts and other desserts ($1.65-$5.50) are splendid as well.

You can’t go wrong with a cookbook. Better yet, one by a Toronto chef. This year’s arrivals includes outstanding tomes by Michael Hunter and Jody Shapiro (Antler Kitchen + Bar), Matty Matheson (Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club, Maker Pizza), Nuit Regular (Kiin, PAI Northern Thai Kitchen, Sabai Sabai, Sukthothai), and Peter Sanagan (Sanagan’s Meat Locker).  

Note: Items, ingredients, prices, hours of operation, and availability all subject to change.

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