There are many good markets to choose from in the Big Smoke, but Niagara Street Café (416-703-4222; niagarastreetcafe.com) chef Michael Caballo puts Riverdale Farmers Market in Toronto’s east end at the top of his list. It is outdoor and small and the pretty park setting draws hungry crowds for what has become a seasonal ritual for the community.

“I do have a favourite,” says Caballo. “It’s in my neighbourhood, which is part of the reason but it’s also because of the producers.”

The chef sources local goods for home and work, whether it’s heirloom tomatoes and “really great swiss chard” from Ted Thorpe (Thorpe’s Organic Produce), “perfect carrots, potatoes and onions” from Ben Sosnicki (Sosnicki Organics) or “the best cherry tomatoes, the best turnips and the best French beans” from Dianne Kretschmar of Grenville Farms.

Open May 8 to Oct. 30, every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.