Restaurants from all over the city obtain their choicest cuts from this boutique butcher shop. Either locations on West Queen West or Bayview Ave. are readily stocked with meats from small Ontario farms breeding animals in humane environments, including Cumbrae’s own farms in Haldimand County.

Kensington Market’s most popular butcher is a veritable meat emporium selling all kinds of cuts, hence the long weekend lines. Meats are from a range of ethically-raised animals, plus they have a slew of specialty items like house-made duck liver mousse and confit. Find their second location on Gerrard St. East.

As the name implies, it’s all about curated meats sourced from humanely-raised animals, sans hormones or antibiotics. The original Healthy Butcher by Queen and Bathurst offers the full spectrum of meat and fish while the bigger location at Yonge and Eg carries it all, with more organic produce and dairy.

This Etobicoke shop has been around since 2016 but the Monte family has been butchering for far longer than that, with a legacy that starts decades ago in Calabria, Italy. A robust produce section accompanies a huge selection of meat ranging from veal to free range chicken that’s GMO- and antibiotic-free.

It may be small but this multi-generational Bloorcourt shop makes a big impact with their remarkably knowledgeable staff who will give you pointers every time. You can always bank on exceptional meat quality sourced from local farms. Given the prices (and some phenomenal sausages) you can expect this place to get busy.

This Yonge and Lawrence store prides itself on mostly retailing meats raised on family farms within 100 miles. Buy by the pound from a selection that’s entirely free of pesticides or go for their handy Butcher Bundles with varying combinations of meat like steak, salmon filets, homemade sausages and beef burgers.

The Ossington strip’s butcher-meets-bistro and wine shop is a quaint spot for meats butchered the old school way, by handsaw. It’s the spot for rib eye, NY strip, pork chops and, of course, côte de beouf. You’ll end up staying for charcuterie, cheese, and maybe some oysters. 

Aside from making a mean burger and massive porchetta sandwiches, this Yonge and Davisville butcher shop has made a name for itself with top shelf steaks and game like elk and duck. A stellar selection of prepared foods helps too. 

Fill your fridge, freezer and pantry with a single visit to Parliament Street. This store’s been around since 1971 and continues to carry quality cuts from naturally raised animals decades on. The homemade sausages and hand-smoked organic salmon are just a few standouts.