Toronto: Kensington Market & Chinatown Walking Food Tour

Summary

Toronto’s bohemian lanes, street art and Chinatown flavors

You’ll walk Toronto’s Kensington Market & Chinatown with a local guide who knows everyone on these streets. Sip coffee at an indie café, taste snacks you’ve never heard of before, wander alleys bursting with street art, and hear stories that make these neighborhoods come alive. Expect laughter, unexpected flavors, and maybe even a new favorite spot you’ll want to return to long after the tour ends.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way our guide, Maya, greeted an old friend outside a bakery on Augusta Avenue — just this quick hug and a few words in Spanish that made the whole group feel like we’d landed somewhere real. We’d barely started the walking tour of Kensington Market and Chinatown but already it felt less like sightseeing and more like being shown around by someone who actually lives here. The air smelled faintly of roasted coffee and something sweet — maybe those Portuguese custard tarts I saw in the window.

Kensington Market is a jumble of colors and textures; every shop has its own music spilling out onto the sidewalk. Maya told us how this place used to be mostly Jewish families, then waves of immigrants from everywhere. She pointed out a mural — huge blue fish swimming across brick — and said the owner commissioned it to keep taggers away. We stopped for tea at a tiny café where the chairs didn’t match (in a good way), and she explained how big chains aren’t welcome here. It’s true, you don’t see a single Starbucks sign. I tried some kind of Trinidadian snack at one stall — spicy, soft inside, fried outside — honestly, I have no idea what it was called but I still think about it.

Chinatown is only a few blocks away but feels like another city entirely. So many signs in Mandarin and Cantonese, people haggling over lychees or bok choy, scooters weaving through traffic with that little beep-beep sound. Maya told us about her favorite dim sum spot (she wouldn’t give up all her secrets though) and shared how Toronto’s Chinatown grew after families were pushed out of downtown decades ago. Li laughed when I tried to say “thank you” in Mandarin — probably butchered it — but she handed me an egg tart anyway.

I liked that nothing felt rushed; we wandered down hidden laneways where graffiti covered every inch of wall, even the dumpsters looked kind of cool. There was this moment when we just stood there quietly looking at one mural while a busker played guitar nearby — not for us, just because he wanted to fill the air with music. That’s what stuck with me most: feeling part of something bigger than just a tour group ticking off sights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kensington Market and Chinatown

• Have coffee or tea in Kensington Market
• Learn Kensington Market's immigrant history
• Visit local food vendor in Kensington
• See graffiti murals and vintage shops
• Walk to Chinatown next to Kensington
• Hear stories and history of Chinatown
• Get restaurant recommendations in Chinatown

Top questions

How long is the Kensington Market & Chinatown walking tour?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours from start to finish.

Are food samples included on this Toronto walking tour?

Yes, you’ll get to try snacks from local vendors or market stalls during the tour.

Is this Toronto day trip suitable for children?

Yes, children under 6 can join free—just let them know if you’re bringing kids.

Do I need to bring cash for purchases on the tour?

Food tastings are included but bring cash if you want to shop or buy extras along the way.

Does the tour include pickup or transportation?

No hotel pickup; public transportation options are nearby for easy access.

What should I wear for this walking food tour?

Wear comfortable shoes as there’s quite a bit of walking involved.

Will I see street art during this Toronto neighborhood tour?

Yes, you’ll explore laneways filled with vibrant graffiti murals in Kensington Market.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through both Kensington Market and Chinatown in Toronto with plenty of stops—like sipping coffee or tea at an indie café and sampling snacks from street vendors or market stalls—plus time exploring colorful laneways packed with street art before finishing up close to public transit options downtown.