The mixture of cuisines from all over the world makes Toronto’s Kensington Market an incredible place for street food and casual restaurants.
The migration history of Kensington Market
The story begins in the distinctively bay-and-gable Victorian houses on Kensington Avenue. “They were built in the late 19th century for English and Scottish immigrants,” says Jason Kucherawy, owner of the Toronto Urban Adventures. “So they had sitting rooms or parlours.”
The Jewish migrants that arrived later, however, could see no use for the parlours in the homes they’d worked hard to afford. They turned them into shops, and moved kitchens upstairs, living apartment-style above their small businesses.
Then, after World War II, there was an influx from Italy and Portugal. Toronto wasn’t as welcoming then as it is now, but the Jewish landlords didn’t care where people were from as long as they paid the rent. Kensington Market became the logical initial settlement point for several more waves of migrants after that.
Global cuisine in Kensington Market
“Wherever the hotspot in the world was, the people fleeing it came here,” says Jason.
The name is misleading – there is no market. But Kensington Market is full of small shops, cafés and restaurants, many of which combine cultures in rather unexpected ways. On Kensington Avenue, a case in point is Rasta Pasta, which has a Jamaican-style oil drum barbecue at the front but serves up Jamaican-Italian crossovers such as jerk pork panini.
Elsewhere, there are the likes of Caribbean Syrian Connection, where a West Indian juice bar sits at the front of Akram’s Shoppe selling authentic Middle Eastern foods.
Kensington Avenue vs Augusta Avenue
If Kensington Avenue is old school Kensington Market – slightly scuzzier and occasionally overdosing on the tie-dye Tibetan dresses – Augusta Avenue is the way it is heading. It’s more restaurants than shops, more artisan baking than existence-scraping. But it’s still independent – chains attempting to encroach quickly get snarled out of affordable and unashamedly global Kensington Market.
“This,” says Jason with very good reason, “is the neighbourhood where I come to eat.”
Things to do near Kensington Market, Toronto
- Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario. Around 0.4 miles away, this major museum showcases Canadian, Indigenous and international art inside a landmark Frank Gehry–designed building.
- Explore the Royal Ontario Museum. Approximately 0.9 miles from Kensington Market, this large museum covers natural history and world cultures, with rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
- Take a CN Tower observation deck visit. About 1.5 miles away, Toronto’s tallest landmark offers panoramic views over the city and Lake Ontario.
- Discover Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Located beside the CN Tower, this indoor aquarium features underwater tunnels, sharks and colourful marine exhibits.
- Visit Casa Loma. Roughly 2.2 miles from Kensington Market, this historic hilltop mansion offers self-guided tours through grand rooms, gardens and underground tunnels.
Kensington Market FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Kensington Market? | Kensington Market is a lively neighbourhood in downtown Toronto known for its independent shops, global food stalls, vintage stores and colourful street art. |
| Where is Kensington Market located? | Kensington Market is located west of Chinatown in downtown Toronto, bordered roughly by Spadina Avenue, College Street, Dundas Street West and Bathurst Street. |
| How long should I spend in Kensington Market? | Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours browsing shops and food stalls, although it can easily be combined with nearby museums for a half-day outing. |
| Is Kensington Market good for tourists? | Yes. Kensington Market is popular with visitors for its alternative atmosphere, international cuisine and close proximity to major downtown attractions. |
| Is Kensington Market walkable? | Yes. The area is compact and pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to explore on foot from nearby attractions such as Chinatown or the Art Gallery of Ontario. |
More Ontario travel
Other Ontario travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Toronto neighbourhood guides: West Queen West.
- How to get cheaper tickets for the Art Gallery of Ontario.
- How to get cheaper tickets for the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
- The way to get cheaper tickets for Casa Loma in Toronto.
- What you see on a helicopter tour over Toronto.
- A first-time visitor’s guide to Niagara Falls, Canada.
