Bohemia at its Best

Toronto’s historic Kensington Market—a fashion & foodie delight

In November 2006, the Kensington Market neighborhood was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, finally paying homage to the area’s maze of narrow streets and alleys, lined with brightly-colored Victorian houses selling eclectic wears from all over the world. During the 1920s, predominantly Jewish families would set up stands in front of their homes and sell their goods to one another. The neighborhood continues to embrace the community vibe and has become one of the city’s most diverse areas with a wonderful mix of inhabitants from Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America and Asia.

The array of one-off shops reflects a bohemian sensibility, including vintage stores, art galleries, record stores, cafes, hipster underground speakeasies, and even an anarchist bookstore. Not to mention an array of quirky and delicious restaurants like Bunner’s (one of Toronto’s best vegan and gluten-free bakeshop), Toronto Popcorn Company, Otto’s Berlin Doner, to name a few.

Generally, the Market is open 7 days a week excluding Christmas and New Years. The best time for the best shopping is between the hours of 11:00am and 7:00pm. Many of the grocery and fresh vegetable stores, however, are open earlier than 11:00. Of course bars, restaurants and entertainment remain open well into the evening.

Kensington is located just to the west of downtown Toronto, bordered by Spadina Avenue, Dundas Street, Bathurst Street and College Street.