Well, the weather outside is frightful. But the Distillery District Winter Village is back and making Toronto so delightful! Regarded as one of the top Christmas markets in the world, there is so much to do at the Winter Village. There are fun photo ops, meet Santa Claus and his cheerful elves or admire the 55-foot Christmas tree. However, our favourite thing to do at the Winter Village is eat! With almost 40 foodie spots at the Winter Village, deciding which to try first can be hard. But we’ve got you covered. In no particular order, read on for the best food at the Distillery District Winter Village for 2024.
Related: 12 Festive Toronto Restaurants That’ll Transport You To The North Pole
Cluny’s Viral Hot Chocolate
1. Cluny’s Viral Hot Chocolate
Available at Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie, this hot chocolate has been making its rounds on social media recently, and for good reason. Rich hot chocolate is topped with a thick marshmallow rim and then torched to toasted perfection. It is then finished off with a dollop of whipped cream.
This is an exclusive to the Distillery District and is a new item for the Winter Village. After trying it, we understand why it is going so viral. It is rich, indulgent and so unique. There is almost nothing better than walking around the Distillery District with a hot chocolate, which takes the classic drink to another level. But prepare to wait in line for this delicious drink because it is oh-so popular.
You May Also Like: Curl Up With Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate
2. The Yorkie Burrito
Another viral foodie find has made a home in the Distillery District Winter Village. This crazy creation took the UK by storm and has now landed in Canada for the first time. The Yorkie Burrito is a full holiday roast with braised beef pot roast, gravy, roasted potatoes, carrots, peas, cauliflower and horseradish, all wrapped in a giant Yorkshire pudding. Trust us when we say this is unlike anything we’ve ever had. The beef is juicy and flavourful and paired with the creamy horseradish it is amazing. We were skeptical about the giant Yorkshire pudding at first, but it was incredible! It brings the entire dish together so nicely. Our verdict is that the viral Yorkie Burrito deserves the hype and we’re going to be thinking about it for a long time.
3. Sugar and Iced Cookies
It’s no secret that Santa loves his cookies, and we have no doubt that he would love Sugar and Iced’s decorated sugar cookies. These gorgeous cookies are almost too beautiful to eat. However, they are equally delicious so it evens out. Designs include cute penguins, Santa, snowflakes and so much more. We have a feeling that if you leave one of these cookies out for Santa, he may leave you an extra gift or two.
You May Also Like: ‘Tis the Damn Season to Make Taylor Swift-Inspired Chai Sugar Cookies
4. Raclette
Raclette is a staple when it comes to Christmas Markets so it’s no surprise that is a popular choice at the Distillery District Winter Village. Chances are you’ve walked by the Raclette cabin and gotten a whiff of the powerful raclette cheese smell. This dish has Swiss origins and is made of raclette cheese (similar to Swiss cheese) that’s heated and melted before being scraped over top of roasted baby potatoes and topped with cracked black pepper. It’s cheese and potatoes… what’s not to love? It is also served with cornichon pickles, which act as a palette cleanser between bites of cheese and potato. It is super delicious, but prepare to be smelling like a raclette for the next few hours.
5. Fireside Fries
Who doesn’t love french fries? Well, Fireside fries is serving up a variety of french fry-based dishes that will tickle your taste buds and satisfy your craving. From classics like fries with sea salt to Canadian favourites like the French Canadian poutine. But the standout is the kimchi fries. Fries are topped with spicy chili crisp mayo, shredded kimchi and spring onions for a unique and tangy bite. If you’re looking for another poutine fix though, you have to try the Christmas Poutine at Wildly Delicious which was one of our favourites last year.
Related: Melty, Cheesy Kimchi Poutine
6. Naughty or Nice Bar
It’s always nice to warm up with a warm drink. But how about warming up with a drink and a little kick? The Naughty or Nice Bar has a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks guaranteed to warm you up from the inside. Drinks include Mayan Hot Chocolate (a hot chocolate with reposado tequila) and Spiced Egg Nog (egg nog with spiced rum). Our top picks though are the Whiskey Warmer and the Glühwein. The Whiskey Warmer is a spiced apple cider with a shot of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey. If you like apple cider, you will love this classic drink with an extra kick. The Glühwein is a warm red wine with spices, sugar and citrus zest. It is super comforting and reminiscent of classic holiday flavours. You can also get Mrs. Claus’s Sangria which includes the glühwein with brandy.
7. Christmas Dinner Grilled Cheese
Take your classic grilled cheese to the next level with the artisan grilled cheese cabin at the Distillery District Winter Village. Of course, they have the classic with cheddar, but if you’re looking for something super special, you have to try the Christmas dinner grilled cheese. Filled with melted French brie, real shaved turkey and cranberry relish, you will be feeling extra festive with every bite. We also recommend the French onion grilled cheese, which tastes exactly like the famous soup. Super oniony and, of course, cheesy!
8. Whimsical Crispie Bars
You can’t have the holidays without some sweet treats and these crispy rice bars from Whimsical Crispie fit the bill. Not only do they look gorgeous, but they have a range of flavours that will satisfy your sweet tooth. From peanut butter fluffernutter to peppermint twist and even a square made with lucky charms! Don’t worry, there are some holiday-themed bars as well including a Santa bar, a gingerbread bar and a Grinch bar.
You May Also Like: The Gooiest Crispy Rice Squares with Potato Chips and Oreos
9. Chocoberry
Strawberries with melted Belgian chocolate sounds like such a simple concept. But when executed right, it can be legendary! Chocoberry is doing just that at their beautiful food cabin at the Distillery District Winter Village. Fresh strawberries are smothered in rich Belgian milk chocolate, making for a delicious and refreshing bite. This has been a big hit at the Winter Village this year, so we’re naming this a big must-try.
10. Mini Donuts
Donuts are delicious, but there’s something about mini donuts that makes them even better. You can get freshly made warm mini donuts by the dozen this year at the Distillery District Winter Village. They are available with either powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Both are delicious but the cinnamon sugar was amazing, warm and have a bit of that holiday flair.
You May Also Like: Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts