Growing up north of Toronto has plenty of pros and cons. Being a positive person I like to focus on the pros. If you enjoy Italian food then Vaughan can be paradise. There’s nothing better than fresh baked bread, Italian cheeses, cured meat, and dry aged steaks. Last weekend a friend from the city accompanied me on a tour of the best bakeries and butchers north of the Toronto. Have time on a Saturday morning? Check out these places!

Totera Fine Foods
• For imported cheeses and great selection of fine meats this shop is top of the line. Sip on an espresso and discuss fine Peccorino with the purveyors of this establishment and they’ll lead you in the right direction.

St. Philip’s Bakery
• There are a couple of locations that you can find this bakery. The cakes and pastries are fantastic and you can also get some great bread and pizza.

Emily’s Bakery
• This bakery has gained quite a bit of notoriety for its pepper bread and olive bread. The pepper bread is infused with little bits of crushed red pepper and will keep you coming back.

Grande Cheese
• This store, as you can tell from the name, focuses on cheese. Most cheeses are made in house and as fresh as you can get. They also specialize in Italian imports such as pastas, canned goods and preserves. There are a few locations around the GTA.

Cosenza Bakery
• The bread here is always fresh out of the oven. Stop by if you need any pannini for sandwiches – they can’t be beat.

Only Pasta Inc.
• They cut the fresh pasta right in front of you and you can choose from a variety of types including: whole wheat, spelt, spinach and squid ink.

Vicentina Meats
• For barbeques and parties this place is great. They make an incredible porchetta (link) and their spidieni are perfect for the grill. They also have a killer hot table.

Aida’s Bakery
• If you’re looking for some pizza, a sandwich or pastries Aida’s is a perfect destination. It gets busy around lunchtime.

Nino D’Aversa
• They’ve got a wood-burning oven that makes a fantastic pizza. You can get fresh Italian bread and lunchmeats that are higher quality than anything you can get at the grocery store. This place is a cornerstone in Woodbridge and now has many other locations around the GTA.

Eddystone Meats
• I saved the best for last. This store has the finest meats in the city. They supply meat to many of the boutique grocery stores in Toronto and the GTA. You can skip the middleman and get your choice cuts of meat directly from the source. Also, their cheese selection is unmatched. They also import many fine groceries from Italy that are difficult to find at other grocery stores. They also have a hot table, fresh fish on Fridays and give you an espresso while you browse the store.

Enjoy!