
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. It's more rewarding if you 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 or come close to. We'll not stop at all of them. You're free to break from the group and use the map to catch up when you're done.
While the hike is ongoing, organizers might not respond to messages. They will be busy leading the group and ordering food. Also, Meetup.com does not send notifications instantly.
Omakase
For some hikes, we offer omakase. This is an optional program where participants chip in a small amount of money and the organizer will use the pool to buy food for sampling. The food bought, 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 in omakase 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.
No refunds after orders are placed, even if you left early, got lost, or missed samples for whatever reason. Collected 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
If you're on the waitlist on the day of a hike, 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.
Photo policy
Photos are welcome but if you are taking pictures of other humans, please ask their permission if you intend to post or share them, including on Meetup.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- New Old Toronto (6.6 km)11 Adelaide St East, Toronto, ON
After almost 10 years of construction, the north building of St Lawrence Market has finally opened. Come check out the Saturday's Farmers Market and meander around the oldest part of Toronto.
This neighbourhood is packed with historic sights. Toronto was essentially founded here. Many firsts like the first post office, the first bank, the first parliament building, and the first large-scale sporting village. We won't stick around long because the focus is on the bakeries and coffee houses. Old Town doesn't have a lot of standout restaurants but it has lots of places to nibble. St Lawrence Market needs no introduction.
Old Toronto is juxtaposed against the newest downtown neighbourhood, West Don Lands (aka Canary District). Modernist condo buildings and abstract sculptures abound here. Although food options are thin, they are curated well. We can end the hike at a casual Lebanese restaurant or a gastropub.
Highlights
- Adelaide Courtyard (depart 1:30pm)
- Dacasto Gran Pasticceria
- St James Cathedral / Toronto Sculpture Garden
- Berczy Park dog fountain / Gooderham Building
- Meridian Hall / L Tower
- St. Lawrence Market / Farmer's market at North Building (depart 2:15pm)
- St Lawrence Hall
- Bank of Upper Canada / Toronto's First Post Office
- The Chefs' House / Neo Coffee Bar
- Tanenbaum Opera Centre / Berkeley Street Theatre
- Roselle Desserts
- Spaccio
- Little Trinity Anglican Church / Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Museum
- Stone distillery building / Soma (depart 3:30pm)
- Le Beau Boulangerie
- Cube house
- River City / Corktown Common
- Souk Tabule / Region (arrive 4pm)
Neighbourhoods
St Lawrence > Old Toronto > Distillery District > Corktown > West Don LandsMap
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1V71C3Yn-bZHOrPdU3k5BPx9OJpFDsd4&usp=sharingHow it works
Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints.We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. Grab ready-made food, or see the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way.
Not sure what to try? Join our omakase for $5, which gives a tiny sample from different restaurants. Payment on the day of event by cash or e-transfer to globaltorontoeats@gmail.com. No refunds after orders are placed. Details of sampled food will be uploaded after the hike.
Limited cutlery provided. Highly recommended to bring cutlery and containers for omakase and bringing back leftovers.
See our About section for more info.
- Bluffers Park and Cliffcrest (7.2 km)Scarborough Bluffs Lifeguard Station, Toronto, ON
Snow and mud have gone away and we're back on nature trails. We're heading to the Scarborough bluffs while trees have not regained their foliage, so that we can get a good view of the cliffs.
This short hike will cover the most popular parts of the bluffs—the beach, reservoir, and Scarboro Crescent Park. Then, we'll swing by one of the cliffside neighbourhoods, Cliffcrest. It does not have many food options but at least there are murals to gawk at. It's also the start of the motel strip on Kingston Road. This used to be a recreation destination and the main road into Toronto. A few sketchy motels remain between Brimley and Markham Rd.
For those who still have energy after the hike, we'll walk to one of the few Cajun restaurants in the city to enjoy gumbo, shrimp and grits, and more.
Highlights
- Float homes / Scarborough Bluffs Lifeguard Station (depart 3pm)
- Bluffers Park Stormwater Pond / Lookout
- Trailhead at Barkdene Hills and Brimley Rd South (depart 4:13pm)
- St. Augustine's Seminary of Toronto
- Scarboro Crescent Park
- Scarborough Bluffs Refreshment Room / St Theresa's Parish
- In the Way of Progress mural / Blessinglicious
- St Theresa's Parish (depart 5:08pm)
- RH King Academy
- Vindaloo Indian Cuisine / Gus Tacos (arrive 5:30pm)
Neighbourhoods
Cliffside > CliffcrestMap
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1oQCqUIawjdWVWAFvzNtm9OkTMjgbzd0&usp=sharingHow it works
Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? 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.
See our About section for more info.
- Back route to North York Civic Centre (10.5 km)Mel Lastman Square, North York, ON
Most people get in and out of North York Civic Centre via Yonge St, either on the subway or on the road. Well, we're not most people. We're taking the back route out. This trail passes through 3 forests, 2 cemeteries, and 1 reservoir. There's also a war memorial, a Jewish centre, and Toronto's only holocaust museum.
Since it's mostly natural terrain, there isn't a lot of food on this hike. The minimum speed will be faster than usual, at 5.0 km/h. Restaurants are only at the start and end points. For dinner, we can have Vietnamese platters like bun dau mam tom (deep-fried things with a pungent fermented shrimp dip) or fish sauce chicken wings and quail.
Highlights
- Mel Lastman Square by Yonge St (depart 6pm)
- North York Cenotaph
- Elaborate tombs at York Cemetery
- Hinder Property
- Toronto Holocaust Museum / Prosserman Jewish Community Centre (depart 6:55pm)
- West Don Parkland
- Carpark for G. Ross Lord Dam (depart 7:25pm)
- G. Ross Lord Reservoir
- Westminster Cemetery
- Hidden branch of Finch Corridor Recreational Trail
- Raj Mahal Indian Cuisine / Pho Non La (arrive 8:20pm)
Neighbourhoods
Willowdale > Branson > WestminsterMap
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1OtDfwjeuCuaUw3Yz369-TXXSwEDeziA&usp=sharingSome hills at Hinder Property. Narrow unpaved trails.
How it works
Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints.See our About section for more info.