Where to eat cheap without sacrificing quality

Best-value neighbourhoods Chinatown and Kensington Market in Toronto have some of the cheapest and most varied options in the city — from street food to family-run restaurants. Look for weekday "lunch specials": many restaurants drop prices noticeably from 11am to 3pm, before the dinner rush. Real discounted food: Too Good To Go An app available in Toronto where restaurants, cafés, and even grocery stores sell their leftover food as "surprise bags" for a fraction of the original price — usually $5–$10 for a bag worth two or three times that. You don't get to pick exactly what's inside, but it's a real way to eat well on a budget, and it cuts down on food waste. Groceries: how to spend less - Use flyer apps like Flipp to compare prices across stores before you go. - Buy store-brand products (No Name, President's Choice, etc.) — same product, noticeably lower price than name brands. - Weekend farmers markets are a good option for fresh fruit and vegetables at better prices than the supermarket. Tipping culture If you're eating out, keep in mind that a 15–20% tip is expected at sit-down restaurants in Canada — factor it into your budget when deciding whether "eating out" is actually cheap.