As we sit back and wait for the summer heat to finally arrive, it might be nice to plan a few day trips involving sweet, savoury and refreshing treats. As per usual, this year’s lineup of food and drink events doesn’t disappoint — there’s something for everyone. To get you started on a tour of Toronto’s finest food and drinks, check out our list below.
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Toronto’s Festival of Beer
When: July 26 – 28
This one’s a given. What better way to enjoy a few drinks under the sun than by checking out Toronto’s Festival of Beer? Indulge in some hoppy beer, sweet music and tasty food! This festival has it all, and it’s a great place to meet up with your friends. It’s been running for over two decades, so it’s definitely a guaranteed good time.
Brunch Fest
When: June 1 – 2
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Name a meal better than brunch, I dare you. Bringing together chefs from all over the city, this festival is sure to be the most iconic brunch that you and your pals will EVER experience. There will be so much to choose from, but who says you have to choose? Grab a taste of the classic chicken and waffles, eggs benny and try something brand new at this all day festival!
Summerlicious
When: July 5 – 21
Summerlicious will be returning in 2019 for its 15th year running. This wholesome food event provides Torontonians with over two weeks of delicious prix fixe lunch and dinner menus offered by 200 of Toronto’s favourite restaurants. Go out and try somewhere you’ve always wanted to, or even just go to your favourite spot and check out the features they have on for the event!
Toronto Food Truck Festival
When: Aug 2 – 5
Dip your fingers into the greasiest, most delicious afternoon meals at this year’s Toronto Food Truck Festival. Every food that you could possibly be craving will be available at this festival in more ways than you can imagine. Hosted at Woodbine Park, the Toronto Food Truck Festival is completely free to attend and provides the perfect opportunity for an afternoon under the sun.
Grace JerkFest
When: Aug 9 – 11
Enjoy the best of Caribbean cuisine at this year’s JerkFest. This annual, non-profit event originally began to continue Caribana’s celebrations into the rest of the summer. Held over in Etobicoke’s Centennial Park, there are 3 days of amazing food from more than 10 different vendors! Music and dancing accompanied by great food? Sounds like a solid summer weekend.
Vegandale
When: Aug 10
Enjoy the best of vegan food at this year’s Vegandale Festival. This festival brings restauranters from all over North America to explore the immense possibilities of vegan food. Whether you’re a vegan or just looking to try new things, this event’s got dairy-free ice cream and a variety of meatless options. Pair it with a cold one and you’ve got yourself a great afternoon.
Pizza Fest
When: July 19 – 21
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Oh pizza, we love thou. The pizza around the city has really been blowing up in the last few years, so of course there needs to be a festival for it! With a bunch of pizza joints and Italian restaurants, you can expect this festival to be packed with delicious food and a super rad time. There will be tons of summer games and music while you eat your personal pizza, so make sure not to miss this pie-loving fest.
Taste of the Danforth
When: Aug 9 – 11
Every year the Danforth transforms into a hub of food, music, and culture at Toronto’s Taste of the Danforth. For 3 days, there will be SO much food all down the streets for you to grab and explore the culture while you’re at it. Dive into traditional Greek delicacies, dance in the streets, and meet new people at this iconic Toronto event.
Good ol’ fashioned ice cream
When: anytime
While the city is buzzing with various festivals throughout the summer, there are also some grassroots options for those who need something more short-term. When it comes to ice cream, there are unlimited options; try some gelato in Little Italy, or scope out an ice cream truck at Trinity Bellwoods. And if you’re looking to spice it up a bit, Bang Bang ice cream has you covered for ice cream sammies and Ed’s Real Scoop for BOMB cones.
Taco Fest
When: June 14 – 16
That’s right, Toronto has its own festival dedicated to tacos! This is a foolproof option (who doesn’t appreciate a good taco?) delivered by Toronto’s top chefs. Live music playing, the sun shining, good company, and the food makes the day legitimately perfect. You just need to grab some tequila and a churro and the day is all set.
Toronto Ribfest
When: June 28 – July 1
Celebrate the Canada Day long-weekend at this year’s Ribfest in Etobicoke. Centennial Park is going to be the place to be this summer with all of the amazing food events! This festival is always jam-packed with food trucks that have every deep-fried food you could want, and there are even carnival rides for the kid in everyone! It’s always a good time, and this year’s event has a lineup of rock, country, blues, jazz and more for a handful of musical entertainment.
The Stop’s Night Market
When: June 18 – 19
The Stop’s Night Market is an all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink event dedicated to raising funds for The Stop Community Food Centre, a nonprofit organization that has contributed to Toronto’s community in numerous ways for over 35 years. This event is inspired by night markets from around the world and features more than 65 chefs a night so be sure to check it out!
Sip on some Sangria
When: anytime
When in doubt, find a patio and have some sangria. Whether it be white or red wine, this is an ideal way to cool off when the summer heat finally creeps into the city, and luckily Toronto has a ton of options — Barsa Taberna, Bistro 422, Green Room, and Sneaky Dee’s to name a few.
Night it Up!
When: July 12 – 14
Night It Up! Is a festival dedicated to showcasing the best of Asian street foods. The event is modelled after night markets across Asia, including Taiwan and Hong Kong, and is filled with local talent. The best part is that the festival benefits youth in the community to better development and keep the community connected! Check it out for a weekend of delicious food and excellent entertainment.
Sweetery
When: Aug 10 – 11
Picky eaters rejoice! You can’t go wrong with dessert. Toronto’s Sweetery is a food festival dedicated to sweets, including ice cream, cookies, cupcakes, churros, doughnuts, and anything else you can dream up. This year’s event will take place at David Pecaut Square on King West.
