The Best Butcher Shops in Toronto

I love fish...any chance we can get a list out for it, or too much of a niche market? I heard of a Greek who sells good fish for great prices in Kensington, some buzz about one in St. Lawrence, in addition to the best fish for Japanese food found in 'Little Tokyo'. I would love a fish list!

There are few things finer in this world than meat.

For those north of the city, try Totera Fine Foods on 2414 Major Mac (Ph: (905) 879-8325) and talk to Mike. He has amazing lamb chops and he can even age steaks for you... I've ordered some steaks last October and had them aged until December and they were like butter! As Sean said, there are few things finer in this world than good quality meat.

@Misha: I like the fish at Snappers Fish Market at 263 Durie Street, jsut north of bloor in bloor west village.

How times have changed, time was this list would have consisted of "Royal Beef" and the one at St. Lawrence that used to be owned by the current owner of Whitehouse. Now Royal doesn't even make the list?

European Meats in Etobicoke is much better than the Kensington shop. Shame that Brandt's in Mississauga didn't make the cut. It's an awesome store for those who love meat.

I'm a little saddened to see that Kensington Meats (63 Kensington Ave) didn't make this list! Granted, it's smaller than most of the shops listed here, but it has good prices and fabulous service. They have more than they show in the window, just ask inside or call (416-596-7911) and ask. If they don't have it, odds are they can order it.

They also don't markup their prices simply because something sounds gourmet. E.G., I wanted to make osso bucco a while back and needed veal shank. I called Healther Butcher and Cumbraes both and was told it would cost over $12/lb! I understand it's organic but really, that's a huge markup, especially when Cumbraes wasn't even fresh!

Kensingtons ordered it for me and I think I paid something like $3-4/lb, I forget exactly.

i shop at vince gasparros (on bloor between shaw and ossington) and have never been disappointed. it's not organic, but they source all their meat from local farmers and i think there's like three generations of gasparros working there. highly recommended if you live in the area.

I like Karl's Butcher in Roncesvalles.

The fact that you don't have Gasporo's on this list, pretty much invalidates it.

For those of you that feel that your favourites aren't on the list:

Be sure to nominate them next year! :)

Only those receiving nominations make it into our annual Best of Independent Toronto survey.

mmmmmmmm.... Karl's on Roncesvalles.

For westenders - Butcher by Nature - runnymede/annette. Organic, clean and friendly. Meat includes all sorts of beef, burgers + their branded flat chicken & selections of frozen sausages made on site. Also game meats and poultry. Lunch items - green apple chicken curry, israeli couscous and their wraps are amazing. Holiday meats and poultry a specialty.

For those who want to check it out!

A brand new Butcher shop at 1160 Queen St. East just opened called Meating on Queen, selling high quality naturally raised meat without the infalted prices! an assorted variety of fresh fish, homemade salads, desserts, lunch specials you name it they got it...and of course who can forget there famous Steak on a Bun! so go on and check them out you won't regret it. Open 7 days a week.