On a stroll down Queen West near Spadina, I popped into a shop that has a somewhat daunting but diverse selection of (over 100) different varieties of delicious loose leaf tea. David's Tea also features local baked goods and a wall full of tea accessories.

Find out more about David's Tea in the grocery section.

During my visit to The Art of Cheese, I realized that this Upper Beaches store is more than just a cheese shop. The friendly community vibe and the entertaining storytelling by owner Bill Miller (plus, of course, the tasty artisan cheeses) make a visit enjoyable and memorable.

Read more about The Art of Cheese in the Grocery section.

At the corner of Church and Maitland (near Wellesley), there is a shop that stocks a variety of artisan cheeses, most of which are Canadian-made. Come to About Cheese for, well, the cheese, but stay for their other offerings like the spruce beer, the rare spices, and the staff's expertise.

Read the profile of About Cheese in the grocery section.

As a fan of culture and food from La Belle Province, I'm a shoe in to be a devoted customer of the Distillery's latest homage to gourmet food. The store, found in the building north of Lileo formerly home to a short-lived spa stocks only products from Quebec. It's called A Taste of Quebec and on a recent visit I eyed a range of fresh cheese, maple syrups, meats, and many other tasty treats.

Check out the write-up and photos of A Taste of Quebec in the grocery section.

Somewhere between Leslieville and the Beaches sits an oasis for chocolate lovers where inside is nothing but fresh, organic and fair-trade truffles. There's even vegan and gluten free varieties.

Find out more about Kakayo Chocolate Company in the grocery section.