Enjoy walking the bustling streets of metropolitan Toronto to explore the shopping districts, climb CN Tower, and to watch a Blue Jays baseball game at the Skydome. Wander through the urban jungle of steel skyscrapers to sample delicious ethnic food before strolling over to Eaton Centre for a shopping excursion under the glass skylight. After spending some downtime soaking up the sun along the Lake Ontario waterfront, venture over to bohemian Kensington Market to get bargains on vintage clothing, artwork, and fresh produce. Please check out the following guide to Kensington Market to enhance your visit to Canada’s largest city.
Things to do/Highlights
Shopping
Enjoy some retail therapy as you search for bargains at numerous boutiques for vintage clothing, accessories, and locally made beauty products. Spend time sampling products from local vendors before heading over to pick up some of the locally grown fresh produce at numerous stands and shops.
Street art
Wander through the streets admiring the creative murals on the historical red brick-walled buildings. Take photos of cars overflowing with flowers and decorated in graffiti which can be found throughout the historic streets surrounding the marketplace.
Food tour
Join a food tour to get a taste of this bustling area’s hottest food destinations. Walk through Kensington Market on an organized group tour and get a sampling of the area’s history through its food. You can also do a food crawl on your own by choosing from among the many food establishments here.
What to eat
Since Toronto is a cultural melting pot, the culinary scene is reflective of the diversity found throughout the city. Indulge in street truck delights, fine dining specialties, and casual restaurant fare to experience the best in international and domestic cuisine.
- Eat Rasta Pasta Jamaican Take-Out (Jamaican)
- El Trompo Taco Bar & Cactus Grill (Mexican)
- Millie Creperie (French/Japanese fusion)
- Fresco's Fish & Chips (Canadian)
Eat Rasta Pasta Jamaican Take-Out
Indulge in Jamaican favourites including jerk chicken or ackee and codfish in exotic spices accompanied by rice and veggies. Enjoy every mouthful of scampi linguine’s succulent shrimp served in a coconut and cream curry sauce or jerk lasagne made with jerk chicken.
El Trompo Taco Bar & Cactus Grill
Get your Mexican food fix by indulging in sizzling steak or beer battered fish tacos. Sip on a refreshing lime margarita while enjoying a basket of fresh chips and salsa in the vibrant cantina. Make sure not to leave without loading up on flavourful enchiladas, huevos rancheros, and creamy flan for dessert.
Things to buy
While wandering through the historic red brick buildings found throughout Kensington Market, take time to do a little shopping. Purchase everything from handmade soaps, Chinese lanterns, original artwork, and vintage clothing during a visit to Toronto’s bustling market place.
Vintage clothing
Scour the racks and shelves for specials on designer vintage fashions. Pick up one-of-a-kind handbags, clothing, and accessories featured at numerous boutiques found in charming Kensington Market.
Original artwork
Visit the stands and shops to admire original artwork created by Toronto’s own resident artisans. Choose from a variety of innovative products including vibrant pottery, glass work, home decor, and colourful canvases.
Fresh produce
Scour the stands of fresh produce from local growers to get some of the most flavourful fruits around especially during the summer months. Select quality, organic vegetables to help in making healthy choices for the dinner table.
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Traveler tips
Here are some tips to make your visit to the charming marketplace a breeze.
Parking
Two Green P parking structures serve the market area, however, parking is extremely limited. Since the market is super busy on the weekends with tourists and locals, it is best to either walk or take public transit to avoid wasting valuable time circling for a parking spot.
Business hours
The most suitable time to visit the market for the best shopping is between 11am to 7pm daily excluding holidays when schedules are reflected to showcase an increase in operations. To obtain the freshest produce, visit the grocery stores and fresh vegetable stores prior to 11am. Those wishing to check out the dining and entertainment areas can rest assured that operating hours extend well into the evening so they won’t miss out on anything by arriving later to the area.
Toronto Tour Guide
Robert G
How to get there
Choose from transportation such as buses, streetcars, taxis, etc. to discover famous landmarks including Kensington Market and more. Enjoy comfortable and inexpensive travel throughout the city of Toronto while commuting for business or pleasure.
Public transit
Commute throughout Toronto by means of bus to explore Toronto’s popular sights and attractions. To discover more of Toronto try taking the bus to commute inexpensively to your chosen destination.
Streetcar
Hop aboard one of the four colourful streetcars to ride the rails to attractions including historic Kensington Market. Enjoy taking the cable cars throughout the year, especially during the winter months when the roads are snowy and the weather is below freezing and windy.
Driving
Rent a car while visiting Toronto from rental company locations scattered throughout the city. Travelling by car allows for the most comfortable option, freedom, and to do things on your own schedule rather than on transit’s time.
Kensington Market information
Kensington Market
Address: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Official website: Kensington Market
Tourism board website: See Toronto Now
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
Toronto: 2-Hour Kensington Market Chinatown Walking Tour
Duration: 2.0 hour
History
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