Eat · St. Lawrence Market and Old Town
Carousel Bakery
The peameal bacon sandwich stall inside St. Lawrence Market: go before 11:30 on a Tuesday to Saturday, order at the counter and eat at the tables upstairs.
- Peameal bacon sandwich
- Tuesday to Saturday
- Eat upstairs
- Order: Peameal bacon sandwich
- Counter seating
- Walk-in window: before 11:00
- Queue risk: 11:30–13:30
- Bring cash
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
- Southern Ontario ↗December to March is cold and can be snowy: check road and rail conditions before a day trip.
- Toronto ↗December to March is cold, often below freezing: allow indoor breaks every hour on walks and plan the CN Tower and museums for the coldest days.
- Toronto ↗St. Lawrence Market does not open every day of the week: check the days before you plan a lunch there.
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Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, when you can walk in, what to order
Go now?
Open?
Follows the market days; check before you go
Busy this hour
Estimate by hour below
Easiest walk-in
before 11:00
Reservations
Walk-in, no reservation
Paying
Bring cash
Per person
C$9–16 (≈ US$7–12)2026 estimate · check
Walk-in windows
Tip
Format
A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.
Your first order
- Peameal bacon sandwichThe classic; eat it hot.C$9–14≈ US$7–11
Menus and prices change; the board on the day wins.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
On the ground
How to order, tip and pay, allergies, and booking
How to order
- Join the line at the counter and order the sandwich by name.
Tipping
Sit-down restaurants: about 15–20%, close to US habits.
Allergies and diets
- AskVegetarian · The stall is built around pork; check for other options in the market. · say: “I do not eat meat.”
- NoVegan · No plant-based main; use other market stalls.
- NoHalal · Pork is the main product. · say: “I do not eat pork.”
- AskGluten-free · The bun contains wheat; ask for a plate.
- AskNut allergy · Ask staff about cross-contact.
- AskAllergy · Ask staff; cross-contact is likely at counters. · say: “I have an allergy.”
Paying
Bring cash
- Pay at the till, then take it to the tables upstairs or eat it standing.
- Tipping is optional at a counter; a small tip is fine.
- Cards and cash accepted; small queues at the till.
Booking
- Booking
- Walk-in, no reservation
- Reservations
- Not taken
- Note
- Walk-in counter.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
Map and nearby
Where this place is, how to get there, and what is around it
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Nearby places
Eat nearby
More detail
Everything else we know about this place
How to order here, in full
How to order here
The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.
- 1Join the line at the counter and order the sandwich by name.
No shared language? Point at the dish or a photo of it. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.
What to say
| In English | Say or show | Sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Peameal bacon | Peameal | PEE-meel |
| Hello (also heard in French) | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Thank you | Thanks (eh?) | thanks |
Extras, condiments and what costs extra
- Extras: Cheese or extra bacon adds C$1–3 (≈ US$1–3) — Ask the price before you add.
Paying and tipping
Sit-down restaurants: about 15–20%, close to US habits.
- Pay at the till, then take it to the tables upstairs or eat it standing.
- Tipping is optional at a counter; a small tip is fine.
- Cards and cash accepted; small queues at the till.
- Tipping: 15–20% in restaurants and bars, on the pre-tax bill; C$1–2 (≈ US$1–2) per drink at a bar; round up for taxis.
- Check whether tip or tax is already on the bill; in Ontario, 13% HST is added at the till and tips are separate.
At the table
- Go before 11:30 on a weekday to avoid the weekend queue.Go before 11:30 AM on a weekday to avoid the weekend queue.
- Look for busy counters with a short menu.
Price and paying
- Typical spend
- C$9–16 (≈ US$7–12) per person
Paying, diet and allergies
Paying
Accepted everywhere.
Credit and debit cards, including contactless, are widely accepted.
Not used for food.
Mobile wallets at many counters (check).
Diet and allergies
Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.
- Vegetarianask
The stall is built around pork; check for other options in the market.
Show: I do not eat meat.
- Veganno
No plant-based main; use other market stalls.
- Halalno
Pork is the main product.
Show: I do not eat pork.
- Gluten-freeask
The bun contains wheat; ask for a plate.
- Nut allergyask
Ask staff about cross-contact.
- Allergyask
Ask staff; cross-contact is likely at counters.
Show: I have an allergy.
What is in the dishes
- Peameal bacon sandwichpork
- Peameal bacon on a platepork
- Pastry or butter tartdairy · wheat
Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.
Who it suits, booking and the kitchen
Who it suits, booking, closures
- How to book
- No bookings; walk up to the counter.
- How far ahead
- Not needed
- No-show / cancel fee
- Not applicable
- Dress code
- None.
| When | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday and Monday | check before you go | The South Market is normally closed; the stall follows it. |
| Public holidays | check before you go | Reduced hours or closed. |
Show the kitchen
Tap a need to get a large screen you can hold up to staff. The wording is the guide’s; a helper who reads the language should confirm it if your allergy is serious.
Hour by hour, with queue times
Quietest listed hour: 09:00 (light).
- 09:00lightlittle or no waitBest window
- 10:00busya short wait is possible
- 11:00heavyexpect a line
- 12:00packedexpect a long linePeak lunch line
- 13:00packedexpect a long line
- 14:00heavyexpect a line
- 15:00busya short wait is possible
- 16:00lightlittle or no wait
Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday; weekends and holidays run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.
Comfort, facts and cons
Hygiene and comfort
- Seating
- Counter seats
- Kids
- kids' menu: no · stroller: poor · Order and eat standing; go early with children
- Access
- step-free: yes · Level main hall; lift to the upper level (check)
Hygiene
- Standards follow Ontario food rules; the stall is busy so food turns over fast.
- Hand-wash points are limited; bring wipes.
Facts
- Reservations
- Not taken — Walk-in counter.
- Capabilities
- food · seated_rest
- Getting there
- St. Lawrence Market South Market, main level (check) · ~15 min walk
Cons
- Queues at weekends and lunch.
- Closed when the market is closed (Sunday and Monday).
Dish glossary
| On the menu | What it is | Order it how |
|---|---|---|
| Peameal bacon | Back bacon rolled in cornmeal; a Toronto sandwich staple. | Ask for "a peameal sandwich". |
| Butter tart | A small pastry with a sweet filling. | Buy one at a bakery counter. |
| Bun | A soft bread roll. | Ask for it lightly toasted. |
Price check
- locals pay
- A sandwich costs C$9–14 (≈ US$7–11); the same price for everyone.
- tourist price
- No tourist premium at the stall; the extra cost is at sit-down restaurants near the market.
- rule
- Tipping is optional at a counter; a small tip is fine.
| Extra on the table | Typical charge | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Extras | Cheese or extra bacon adds C$1–3 (≈ US$1–3) | Ask the price before you add. |
Deep dive
Questions, alternatives, and where our facts come from
Questions and answers
Questions and answers
Is the sandwich worth the queue?
Yes if the queue is under 15 minutes; go before 11:30.Yes if the queue is under 15 minutes; go before 11:30 AM.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
What is a peameal bacon sandwich?
A sandwich of sliced back bacon rolled in cornmeal and grilled, on a bun. It is a Toronto classic.
When is Carousel Bakery open?
Normally when the market is open, Tuesday to Saturday; check the official market page.
How much does it cost?
About C$9–14 (≈ US$7–11) for a sandwich (2026 estimate).
Is there seating?
Standing room at the stall and tables upstairs.
If it is closed or full
All places to eat in Toronto, with filters →
Used as a seated rest node in Toronto in 4 days.
Sources
- secondaryWikivoyage — Toronto (eat)
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Source: Price per person
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
Prices are 2026 estimates from the menu or the price line on file. Check on the day.
Source: Opening hours
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
Source: Best time
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
The easiest walk-in window or the quietest hour in this guide. Crowd levels are desk estimates, not counts.