"Tell me: What’s this place all about? Hungry? Make your way to Kensington Market, which is not actually a market, but a food-centric neighborhood in downtown Toronto . While the city at large is known for its diverse population, there’s perhaps no better place to witness that multiculturalism in such a concentrated area than here. Whatever type of food you’re in the mood for, from Ethiopian to Vietnamese to Jamaican, there’s probably a restaurant, grocery store, or hole-in-the-wall for it. (Some favorites include Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos for stellar tacos and NU Bügel for Montreal-style bagels with Venezuelan toppings.) Beyond all the food, there are also vintage shops, independent boutiques, and artists’ studios tucked into Victorian-style houses all throughout the neighborhood. What’s it like being there? It’s a little chaotic, a little eclectic, and perhaps a little overstimulating. But the key is to give yourself a few hours to wander around—and to make sure to leave room in your stomach to sample all kinds of food. Is there a guide involved? You can certainly book a guided tour through pretty much any tour operator in the city, but the neighborhood is easily explored on your own. Who comes here? Everyone, and we mean everyone: grandmas picking up ingredients for Sunday dinner, hungry college kids, slightly overwhelmed tourists, vintage treasure hunters, street artists, coffee snobs, bookworms. Truly everyone is welcome here. So then what, or who, do you think it’s best for? Adventurous eaters—this is your spot in Toronto. Make sure you allow plenty of time (and a little bit of budget) to explore Kensington Market in depth." - Stefanie Waldek
