Kensington Market, Toronto guide

A walk through Kensington Market is a journey through history. British and Irish immigrants arrived in the mid-19th century, leaving their mark through Victorian bay-and-gable houses. Jewish settlers came in the early 20th century, operating market stalls out of their homes. This paved the way for the neighbourhood to become the eclectic marketplace it’s known as today.

You’ll find some of the city’s most fascinating murals in Kensington Market’s alleyways and heritage buildings. Head out early to snap photos of its edgy street art before the crowds arrive. The interactive map created by StreetARToronto is a great way to plan your self-guided tour. Look out for the famous Garden Car — an old car covered in murals with a miniature garden growing out of it.

Kensington Market is best experienced through its street food. Grab Chilean empanadas, Jamaican beef patties wrapped in golden pastry and Baja-style fish tacos. Join locals queueing around the block at NU Bügel, an iconic local bakery famed for its Montreal-style bagels. From Scandi-inspired cafes to local coffee roasters, there are plenty of great places to go for a brew too.

On sunny days, pack a picnic and head to Bellevue Square Park, a popular green space with a playground and paddling pool. For indoor fun, play board games at Snakes & Lattes in neighbouring Little Italy, which offers half-price entry for kids. If you’re visiting in summer, check out the monthly Kensington Market Pedestrian Sundays, when live performances, food vendors and musicians fill the neighbourhood.

On the last Sunday of each month between May and October, Kensington Market hosts Toronto’s largest monthly street festival. Pedestrian Sunday closes the roads to traffic and fills the streets with live music and food vendors. In December, the Winter Solstice Festival lights up the shortest day of the year with fire breathers, handmade lanterns, giant puppets and circus performances.

With no chain stores in sight, Kensington Market is the perfect place to hunt down one-of-a-kind treasures. Browse the vintage and retro clothing in the neighbourhood’s countless indie boutiques and you’ll quickly understand why everyone’s so well-dressed here. Pick up souvenirs at funky gift emporiums, or bring home rare ingredients from gourmet grocery shops.

Whether you want low-key or upscale nightlife, there are plenty of cool spots in Kensington Market. Sip local brews and watch the world go by at rustic patio bars, sample world-renowned wines at chic wine cellars, or try Oaxacan-inspired cocktails at mezcal joints. Looking for live music? Join the hipsters at Handlebar, a bicycle-themed pub with local craft brews, classic cocktails and regular live performances.

Kensington Market offers almost every cuisine imaginable, from Swedish desserts to Jamaican-Italian fusion. It’s also home to some of the city’s best taquerias — hop between them to sample tacos filled with pickled cactus, Baja fish and ‘birria’ (stewed beef) as you go. If you’re after a sit-down meal, the best restaurants in Kensington Market include award-winning pizzerias, pan-Asian vegetarian cafes and buzzy Chinese restaurants.

For insight into the mishmash of cultures that make up Kensington Market, take a guided tour of the neighbourhood. Many are food-orientated, so you can get a history lesson while tasting the area’s culinary hits. Kensington Market is also a hub for artists, with many small galleries to browse. Check out Orbital Arts Gallery and Whippersnapper Gallery for unique works created by local and international artists.