Hike to Eat

4.6•1651 ratings

Toronto, ON, CA

6,400 members · Public group

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. We encourage you to 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. We'll not stop at all of them. If we stop, it won't be more than 5 to 10 minutes. You're free to break from the group and use the map to catch up when you're done. The only time we can sit down to eat is after the hike.

While the hike is ongoing, organizers might not respond to messages. They will be busy leading the group and ordering food. Also, Meetup notifications can be delayed by a few hours!

Omakase
For some hikes, we offer omakase. This is an optional program where participants chip in some money and the organizer will use the collected funds to buy food for sampling. What food to buy, 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 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. Latecomers are not eligible to sign up if we've already ordered food.

No refunds after orders are placed, even if you left early, got lost, or missed samples for whatever reason. The 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 and attendance policy
If you're on the waitlist for hikes, 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.

We enforce attendance for hikes with a long waitlist. Organizers will check who did not show up for such hikes. It's selfish to deprive others of the chance to join. It's also inconsiderate to change RSVP at the last minute, because those moved from the waitlist may not have time to react. Of course, there can be legitimate reasons but repeated no-shows will be banned. The event description will mention if we are enforcing attendance.

Pets policy
Pets are welcome but they may not be allowed into some buildings and businesses.

For certain hikes, there may be narrow and steep trails which may not be suitable for your pet. Only you will understand your pet's capabilities. Check the route in advance.

Finally, respect those who may be uncomfortable or allergic to animals by keeping them at a distance, unless they're ok with it.

Photo policy
Photos are welcome but if you're taking pictures of other humans, please ask their permission if you intend to post them anywhere.

No smoking and vaping
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all hikes. If you must smoke, do it during stops and stay at least 10 metres away from other participants.

All the trails we've done

Featured event

Queen West ice cream trail + blind tasting (6 km)

Sat, Feb 7 · 2:00 PM EST

Ruru Baked, 659 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON, CA

Attendance policy is enforced for this hike because it's a popular one. See below for details.

Embrace Canadian winter by having ice cream! Deep winter is the best time for it. There are no line-ups and ice cream doesn't melt. And in Toronto, it's not so cold that ice cream becomes super-frozen.

West Queen West has the highest concentration of ice cream joints in the city, so that's where our hike will be. We'll see street art in hip neighbourhoods and pass by attractions such as a chocolate factory and Dufferin Mall (!).

At the middle and end of the hike, there is an optional tasting of signature ice cream flavours from various shops en route. For those who want something savoury, The Village by the Grange is a popular student hangout for cheap eats. The best of the lot is Manpuku, offering a large range of Japanese dishes.

Highlights

Ruru Baked (depart 2pm; come earlier if you want to get something)
Dufferin Mall
Cadbury factory
Honey's Ice Cream / Death in Venice (depart 2:42pm)
Bang Bang Ice Cream
Outside Trinity Community Centre (depart 3:25pm)
Nadège
Sanko Trading Co.
Holy Shakes / Aux Merveilleux de Fred
Mizzica Gelateria / Kome Yogurt
OCAD (arrive 4:15pm)
Manpuku Modern Japanese Eatery

Neighbourhoods
Bloordale Village > Dufferin Grove > Brockton Village > Trinity-Bellwoods > West Queen West > Fashion District

Map
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1vii5YcymZ70QH0JX4kxzIoyIHUsj_tU&usp=sharing

How it works
Hike starts punctually. Late or can't join at the beginning? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints.

We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. See the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way.

Two rounds of ice cream blind tasting. Outside Trinity Community Centre and outside OCAD. You can do the hike for free and skip the tasting.

Will contain dairy. We will try but cannot guarantee that we can accommodate other dietary restrictions.
Blind tasting means that you won't know which store or what flavour the ice cream is until the end.
Rate the ice cream and guess their main ingredients online
Tasting portions: at least 1 teaspoon of each flavour.
$10. Covers both rounds of tasting. Includes at least 6 ice creameries and surprise desserts.
Payment by cash or e-transfer to globaltorontoeats@gmail.com
Sign up for the tasting when we reach Death In Venice. If you're joining us after, e-transfer before 2:42pm to guarantee food.

Cutlery and containers are not provided. Please bring your own for sharing and bringing back leftovers.

See our About section for more info.

Attendance policy
Please check in with an organizer when you attend. 24 hours before the hike, we'll check who is on the confirmed list. Those that don't show up will be flagged. Repeat offenders may be banned. Please change your RSVP if you can no longer attend.

If you made it off the waitlist less than 24 hours before the event, you won't be considered a no-show.