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Lunch in Kensington Market
There are few better places to have lunch in the city than Kensington Market. Options seem almost endless and span continents, cultures and price points. And if you factor in bordering College Street or even Chinatown there's also nearby favourites like Ka-Chi, Pho Hung and Asian Legend.
Most of the action these days is on Augusta, but not to be overlooked are some less obvious spots like the off the beaten path newcomer La Tortilleria where corn tortillas (and tacos) are made fresh daily; the uber-chill Hot Box Cafe where you don't need to be a stoner to enjoy a Brain Melt sandwich. Or maybe the lunch counter at European Quality Meat and Sausages where a smoked meat sandwich evokes memories of the market's Jewish past.
Is your favourite place missing? See also: Dinner in Kensington Market
Urban Herbivore
There's no better place in the city for a custom-crafted salad than this vegan paradise. Choose from a variety of can't believe it's tofu, grilled root vegetable, perfectly ripe avocado plus other ingredients that put the selection of Lettuce Eatery to shame. There's also some of the best sandwiches in the city and fresh juice creations. More...
Jumbo Empanadas
If there's an empanada heaven, this might be it. Authentic Chilean street food comes to life in the form of baked (not deep fried) empanadas in beef, chicken and veggie varieties. Don't forget to try the humitas (Chilean tamales) and corn pie. More...
Miss Cora's Kitchen
While this tiny Kensington Avenue spot might be famous for their cupcakes, butter tarts and other sweet baked treats, it's their daily lunch specials which are really winning over the local lunch crowd. Try Miss Cora's pizza or maybe the jerk chicken with lettuce, tomato and mayo sandwich. One warning - the service here is strictly take-out. More...
Big Fat Burrito
One of the best burrito joints in the city, Big Fat Burritos makes 'em big, toasted and loaded with interesting fillings. Try their popular yam burrito and pull up a chair by the window to watch the action on Augusta. More...
Goed Eten
Chef Johan Maes (also of King East's Le Petit Dejeuner fame) creates warm, crispy brown, waffle-iron-pressed sandwiches at this unassuming hot spot on Nassau. Touted as authentic Flemish-Belgian in nature, both sweet and savoury checkerboard-textured delights are served at the often busy take-out counter. More...
Somethin's Fishy Fish & Chips
Right at the corner of Denison and Augusta facing the park, a rather unfortunate choice of name, but some of the tastiest and freshest fried fish to be had in this city served steaming on a pile of Belgian frites. More...
Hibiscus
It might just look like yet another cafe from the outside, but stepping inside Hibiscus reveals its surprisingly chic and secret charms. This is the place in the market to indulge in sweet and savoury crepes, but there's also fresh salad, soups, coffee, soy milk smoothies and other fun drinks. More...
Hot Box Cafe
Located at the back of Kensington's famous Roach O Rama, the Hot Box cafe might look like it's for potheads only, but, hey, if Joanne Kates can dine here than so can anyone. Plush, orange booth seating is some of the funkiest in the 'hood and come summer diners flock to the lively back patio. Sandwiches take on thematic names like the Tuna Blunt Wrap and the Ganja Lovers Grilled Cheese. Smoothie pitchers run 10 bucks. More...
Wanda's Pie in the Sky
Home to ridiculously good looking pies, Wanda's recently located from Yorkville to an expansive space on Augusta. Lunch offerings include sandwiches and soups, but if you're good, why not treat yourself to some cookies or ice cream for dessert? More...
La Tortilleria
La Tortilleria makes fresh corn tortillas daily. Not quite as good as what you'll find in Mexico, but still better than the frozen or preservative-laden imported alternative, the tortillas here are fresh, warm and cheap. For lunch, head here for their meat and veggie tacos (wrapped with the fresh corn tortillas) and homemade Mexican drinks. More...
European Quality Meat and Sausages
From the outside, this might just look like the sort of frenetic butcher one would expect to find in Kensington Market, but fight your way through the crowds lining up for cow feet, oxtail and flank steaks to the deli counter where a cheap and filling lunch can be had in the form of a Montreal smoked meat sandwich ($3.49) or a 6oz all beef Texas burger ($2.29) More...
Ricebar/Wich
Ricebar is undergoing a bit of an identity crisis, but the fresh and inventive food here is definitely worth a look despite whatever sign confusion may persist. Also (now) going by the name Wich, this spot at the north end of Augusta is all about customizing your meal which now features sandwiches, not rice bowls. More...
El Gordo Fine Foods
Don't let the lack of seating or ambiance dissuade you from visiting El Gordo, Kensington's other (but equally impressive) empanada destination. Bypass the more standard beef and chorizo varieties and order up the one of a kind chicken and kimchee empanada ($3.75). More...
Pennylicks Gourmet Cafe
This British-sounding new cafe and lunch spot might have a name that seems decidedly un-Kensington, but that's not keeping hungry stomachs away from their on-so-good panini, gelato, smoothies, espresso, yerba matte chai and asian pear with ginger iced tea. More...
Shai's Cafe
This cozy cafe on Baldwin gives an East-Indian spin to their entire menu in the shape of mini-burrito-like rotis, aloo eggs, all-day Indian breakfast, soups, sandwiches, samosos and smoothies. More...
Patty King
This much-loved take-out spot might be known for its beef, veggie, chicken and callalloo patties, but the best lunch options here might be the ackee and salt fish, curried goat or oxtail meals, all served with rice and peas. More...
Aspetta
Aspetta Caffe bring Italian to Augusta Avenue with a line up of familiar panini, lasagna and pasta salads. There's also home made pastries, espresso, latte, beer, sangria and WiFi. More...
Tibet Cafe
The sole Tibetan restaurant in the market might be short on looks but what it lacks in appearances it more than makes up in flavour. Best are the meal-sized soups, momos and fresh squeezed juices. Also on the menu are fresh smoothies, ice cream floats, milkshakes, pad thai, salads and a few all day breakfast items. More...
Moonbean Cafe
One of the best cafes in Toronto also makes for a decent lunch option, serving omelette sandwiches and grilled veggies on foccaccia, either of which can be washed down with one of their specialty teas or famous cappuccino shakes. More...
Emporio Latino
One of the city's best Latin American groceries during the week, Emporio Latino turns it up a notch on Fridays to Sundays as the back of the store comes alive with the grilling of fresh pupusas, served with a side of slaw for not much more than pocket change. More...
Perola Supermarket
Like Emporio Latino, Perola tranforms into something of a cantina come weekends, but the menu here offers a bit of a spin with Mexican favourites like tacos, chile rellenos, pozole and tostadas. But the best thing to get here are the tamales. Pork or chicken tamales with mole or green salsa, wrapped in banana leaves, are just $2. More...
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You missed my absolute favourite place to eat in the Market... the Back Alley Grill. Awesome food at great prices (particularly at lunch). Everything is cooked on a wood-fired grill. And the owners and super nice/friendly!
Not vegetarian friendly, however. :)