Why we like it.
Kensington Market is a vibrant neighbourhood with a storied history. In the mid 1800’s Jewish settlers were not allowed to participate in the city’s markets, so they set up shop in their front yards and traded with each other. Since then this compact area has welcomed waves of newcomers to Toronto, each leaving their own stamp on the area’s shopping and dining options. This area is home to artists, bohemians, dive bars and lots of income property opportunities.
| Avg House Price | # of Sales | Yr/Yr Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houses | $1,215,144 | 14 | 4% |
| Condo | $668,123 | 18 | 1% |
Best Eats.
There are lots of great restaurants in this area, or grab some take-out and head over to Bellevue Square Park and enjoy the circus that is people watching in Kensington Market.
Sanagan’s Meat Locker
Don’t be fooled by the butcher case, they also make the best sandwiches and fries in the area!
El Trompo
A staple of the market, El Trompo has been serving authentic Mexican Tacos since 2003. Always tasty, always busy!
Pizzeria Via Mercanti
Their motto is: “It’s simple, like the old days, and with the best ingredients”, what else can we say? Fantastic pizza, great prices and warm Italian service make this a perfect neighbourhood joint.
Urban Herbivore
For all the vegans in the crowd, this eatery is dedicated to delicious, sustainable fare that is as good for you as it is the planet.
Wanda’s Pie in the Sky
Wanda’s is known as THE go-to for all things pastry-related. Take a few friends so you don’t feel guilty ordering multiple pieces of pie!
Caffeine Fix.
No need for a mid-day slump, every block has a great coffee shop waiting to be discovered.
Jimmy’s Coffee
Mini chain Jimmy’s has a gorgeous hidden patio, delicious coffee, and amazing nibbles. Oh yeah, and a wall full of Jimmy’s!
Moonbeam Coffee Company
Coffee snobs are known to travel from far and wide for Moonbeam’s custom blends and laid-back atmosphere.
Fika Cafe
New to the Market, Fika is Swedish for “let’s take a coffee break”. Beyond just coffee, they also host events, yoga and artist works.
Drink Here.
Cold Tea
“Cold Tea” has long been a Chinatown code for an after-last-call beer, and this back-alley bar keeps the underground feeling alive with rotating DJs, pop-up food stalls and a glamorous dive bar feeling.
Grocery.
The whole place is a grocery store!! True to the name, Kensington Market is full of fruit stands, fish-mongers, bakers, cheese shops, health food shops and will soon have it’s own micro-brewery!
Sanagan’s Meat Locker
Top quality local, organic meat with a focus on educating the customer and providing the best value possible.
Hooked
100% sustainably sourced seafood, along with local preserves and the best smoked fish in the city.
Blackbird Baking Co.
This recent addition to the Market has caught the attention of some of the city’s top chefs, along with the hungry crowds that clear out the shop on a daily basis.
Shopping.
Kensington is full of vintage shops, quirky spots and funky pop-ups.
Courage My Love
The grand-daddy of vintage in the market, you can find top-hats, tuxedo shirts and miles and miles of beads.
Tom’s Place
Suits, suits and more suits. Stock your closet with the great deals that can be found in this Market institution.
Good Egg
All things kitchen, from Le Creuset to Cookbooks! Also a great place to find that obscure foodie magazine or chef’s cookbook.
Kid Icarus
Stocked with handcrafted stationary supplies, this store also has a print shop and creates to die for paper goods.
Culture.
Steeped in history, there are so many interesting nooks and crannies to explore in the market. Galleries, music venues and street performances make for a lively few blocks.
Ronnie’s
In Kensington, patio-time counts as a cultural event! Ronnie’s is the place to see and be seen, but good luck finding a seat on a sunny afternoon.
Pedestrian Sundays
Streets are closed to traffic on the last Sunday of the month, turning Pedestrian Sundays into a hopping street party!
Well Being.
Hit up nearby Chinatown for traditional medicines, practice being zen in the park, or visit one of the many studios to keep active.
Bellvue Square
Take a seat next to the legendary Al Waxman, and watch the circus as it passes by.
Krudar Muay Thai
Keep fit and learn to kick butt in one tough workout!
Schools.
Elementary Schools
Rating N/A – Kensington Community School
Secondary Schools
Rating 7.6 – Harbord Collegiate Institute