Kensington Market

"Kensington Market 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." - Stefanie Waldek

"Tucked within the belly of Kensington Market in Toronto, this high energy spot aims to celebrate regional Chinese food culture. And with Chinese homestyle dishes pulled straight from Sichuan and Guangdong like charred silver needle noodles and Hong Kong French Toast, it delivers on flavor and then some. Our Husband and Wife beef is my litmus test for any good Sichuan restaurant. It requires a lot of work to prepare properly, so if this dish is great, then you know that everything to follow will be equally tasty. For our version of this dish, we slowly cook beef tripe, tendon and shank in our master stock. We then chill the beef in the stock before slicing it and tossing it with our sichuan chili oil, peanuts and chinese celery. Sunnys Chinese is inspired by high energy dining cultures found throughout China. From Shaokao spots in Chengdu and Xi’An to Dai Pai Dongs in Hong Kong, we looked to regional traditions to create an experience that’s casual and playful. We love showcasing how well Chinese food can pair with an excellent bottle of wine or cocktail. Our approach to the food in both of our restaurants is focused on representation versus creativity. We aim to represent regional Chinese food in a way in which we can be proud. We put a lot of effort into providing our guests with a great value experience. The food we cook is not centered around luxury ingredients, and we often utilize undervalued ingredients like offal and lesser known cuts, which allows us to create great value. It can often be more work to get something like beef tripe to taste great, but the payoff is well worth it." - MICHELIN Guide

"Kensington Market is a designated National Historic Site of Canada. Kensington is characterized by its laid-back, artsy vibe as found in its eclectic shops, vintage clothing shopping, ethnic restaurants, street food, bars, street performers, and street art. Parked at the north end of Augusta Avenue in the neighborhood, you’ll find the famous garden car. This repurposed vehicle has foliage bursting out of its roof, windows, doors, and trunk. Originally a statement of protest against cars and vehicles (and their impact on the environment), it is now considered a piece of public art and a permanent landmark in Kensington. Drop by Wanda’s Pie in the Sky for pies and sweets, Rasta Pasta for Jamaican fare, or head over to Pow Wow Cafe for Indigenous cuisine. Popular spots for a beer include Ronnie’s Local 069 and Handlebar, both dives bars. You can swing by Thirsty and Miserable for a wide, rotating selection of craft beers. If you’d rather play it safe, have a cup of joe at Cafe Pamenar." - MATADOR_NETWORK

"Kensington Market is a designated National Historic Site of Canada. Kensington is characterized by its laid-back, artsy vibe as found in its eclectic shops, vintage clothing shopping, ethnic restaurants, street food, bars, street performers, and street art. Parked at the north end of Augusta Avenue in the neighborhood, you’ll find the famous garden car. This repurposed vehicle has foliage bursting out of its roof, windows, doors, and trunk. Originally a statement of protest against cars and vehicles (and their impact on the environment), it is now considered a piece of public art and a permanent landmark in Kensington. Drop by Wanda’s Pie in the Sky for pies and sweets, Rasta Pasta for Jamaican fare, or head over to Pow Wow Cafe for Indigenous cuisine. Popular spots for a beer include Ronnie’s Local 069 and Handlebar, both dives bars. You can swing by Thirsty and Miserable for a wide, rotating selection of craft beers. If you’d rather play it safe, have a cup of joe at Cafe Pamenar." - MATADOR_NETWORK

"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