Kensington Market food guide: how to eat your way through it

Kensington Market is not a single market building. It is a small, busy neighbourhood of narrow streets just west of downtown Toronto, packed with independent food shops, bakeries, cafés, grocers and vintage stores. It is one of the most fun places in the city to eat, as long as you go in the right spirit: hungry, curious and willing to share.

Where is Kensington Market?

It sits just west of Spadina Avenue, north of Dundas Street West and south of College Street, right next to Chinatown. The main streets to explore are Augusta Avenue, Kensington Avenue and Baldwin Street. Streetcars along Spadina, Dundas and College all stop nearby.

What food is Kensington Market known for?

Variety. Kensington has been a landing place for immigrant communities for over a century, and its food reflects that. Within a few blocks you can find:

Try	What it is
Jamaican patties	Flaky pastry filled with spiced beef, chicken or vegetables
Tacos	From casual counters, often with handmade tortillas
Empanadas	Baked or fried pastries from Latin American bakeries
Portuguese custard tarts	Crisp pastry with a caramelized custard filling
Cheese and charcuterie	From specialty shops to take away
Bakery treats	From sourdough to sweet buns and cakes
Coffee	Independent cafés on almost every block

The best way to eat in Kensington is a crawl: one small thing from five places, shared between friends.

How do you plan a food crawl in Kensington Market?

1. Go around lunchtime, when most shops are open and food is freshest.
2. Start with something savoury, such as a patty or tacos.
3. Add a bakery stop, for an empanada or a custard tart.
4. Take a coffee break at an independent café.
5. Finish with something sweet, or cross Spadina into Chinatown for bubble tea or a bakery bun.

What are Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market?

In the warmer months, on the last Sunday of the month, the streets of Kensington Market have been closed to cars for Pedestrian Sundays, with music, street performers, art and food vendors. It is lively and crowded, and a great time to visit if you enjoy a street party. Dates are announced each year, so check before you go.

When is the best time to visit Kensington Market?

Weekday afternoons are calm. Saturdays are busy and buzzing. Many small shops open late morning and close in the early evening, so do not plan to arrive at nine in the morning or late at night. Some places close on certain weekdays, so check individual shops if you have one in mind.

Is Kensington Market good for cheap eats?

Yes. Many of the best things here, such as patties, tacos and empanadas, are inexpensive, and you can eat very well on a small budget by sharing. Some smaller shops prefer cash or have card minimums, so carry a little cash.

Is Kensington Market good for vegetarians and vegans?

Very good. Many shops offer vegetarian and vegan options, including vegetable patties, plant-based tacos, falafel and vegan bakeries. Ask about ingredients if you have allergies, as small kitchens often share equipment.

Why is Kensington Market so special?

Kensington has been a home for successive waves of newcomers for more than a century, from Jewish and Portuguese families to Caribbean, Latin American and Asian communities. Each left something behind, which is why a Portuguese bakery, a Jamaican patty shop and a taco counter can sit side by side. The neighbourhood has also resisted big chains, so most shops are still small and independent. That mix is what gives it a character unlike anywhere else in the city.

What is near Kensington Market?

Chinatown is right next door on Spadina, so you can combine both in one afternoon. The Art Gallery of Ontario is a short walk east, and Little Italy on College Street is just to the north.

What should you know before visiting Kensington Market?

• Wear comfortable shoes. The streets are narrow and best explored on foot.
• Do not drive in. Parking is very limited; take transit or walk.
• Respect the neighbourhood. People live here, and many businesses are small, family-run shops.
• Tip at sit-down places, around 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill. At counters, tipping is optional.

Mosey is built around rating specific dishes, and Kensington is where that matters most: the same street has five patty shops, and only one of them is somebody's favourite.

More guides to read next:

• Mississauga and Brampton food guide: Punjabi, Pakistani and Caribbean food in Peel Region
• St. Lawrence Market guide: what to eat and when to go
• Summerlicious and Winterlicious: how Toronto's prix fixe festivals work

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.