7 Toronto Food and Drink Festivals to Satisfy your Hunger this August
Toronto always has something delicious cooking. You can chase the latest food trend, find a table with a view or simply hit up one of the many events showcasing our globally inspired, totally dynamic food and drink scene. Get ready foodies, August is filled up.
A slew of food and drink festivals are lined up this month to seduce you into “the 6ix” – from Pan-Asian street eats to vegan cuisine to barbecue galore, each offering a one-stop-shop to a massive assortment of eats. And while you explore what tantalizes your taste buds, you’ll also uncover Toronto’s diverse neighbourhoods, each of which has its own colourful personality, unique history and global flavours.
As a starting point, these seven food festivals in August offer a great way to experience Toronto’s unique, multi-cultural side – as well as appease you gastronomical sense of adventure.
Vengandale Food Drink Festival
Toronto Food Truck Festival
Some of the city’s tastiest meals are served on wheels and you can try ‘em all at the Toronto Food Truck Festival in The Beaches neighbourhood. Wear your stretchiest pants and eat all the things: from BeaverTails’ pastries to BBQ carnitas tacos to pulled-pork poutine.
Must Try
There are also plenty of gluten-free, halal, vegetarian and vegan options, as well as cold beer to quench your thirst. Admission is free, as are the local acts and live-eating challenges to keep you entertained.
Must Do
Afterwards, walk off the calories in Woodbine Park – a 28-acre nature park with a cycling trail and boardwalk along the waterfront.
Toronto Food Truck Festival at Woodbine Park
Location: Woodbine Park (Northeast corner of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Coxwell Avenue)
Dates: August 2-5, 2019
Taste of the Danforth
For a big fat Greek festival, don’t miss the legendary Taste of the Danforth. Over three days, an estimated 1.6 million hungry attendees flock to Toronto’s vibrant Greek Town to feast on real-deal Greek grub. For over 25 years, this bash has been a favourite for those craving an authentic taste of Greece, as the Danforth is the largest Greek neighbourhood in North America.
Must Try
Food stations are set up along Danforth Avenue, serving souvlaki, moussaka, grilled lamb and other delicacies, and local restaurants offer $6 tasting menus.
Must Do
Despite its Greek roots, the festival celebrates all aspects of Canada’s multiculturalism, even featuring free, live performances from Bollywood dancers to Indigenous singers to Persian dance groups. There’s also a Kids Fun Zone to keep the youngsters busy.
Taste of the Danforth
Get your grill on at Beer Bourbon and Barbecue – a three-day barbecue bonanza near Exhibition Place. Sip on craft ale and bourbon cocktails while enjoying live country music and line dancing.
Must Try
Gorge on ribs, chicken wings, barbecued corn, sausages, cornbread and other grilled grub.
Must Do
Try your hand at bull riding. A word to the wise, though: ride the mechanical bull before hitting up the tasting bar, which offers more than ten types of bourbons to try.
Courtesy of @beerbourbonbarbecue
Location: The Grounds at Hotel X (115 Princess Blvd)
Dates: August 23-25, 2019
The Waterfront Night Market
Food fans take note: The Waterfront Night Market returns to Toronto for its tenth year and it’s going to be another epic three-day celebration of Pan-Asian street food. The Waterfront BeerCraft Festival is joining the party, too, offering ales made by Canada’s leading craft breweries. Admission is free for the food fest, but you’ll need tickets for the beer bash.
Must try
Feast on tantalizing treats such as ramen, bubble tea, dumplings, Thai milk tea and more.
Must Do
This year, the event is taking over Ontario Place – a fantastic Harbourfront venue with “Instagrammable” views of Lake Ontario – so don’t miss the photo op.
Location: Ontario Place (955 Lake Shore Boulevard West. at Ontario Drive & Lake Shore Boulevard West)
Dates: August 9-11, 2019
Vegandale Food Drink Festival
Herbivores of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your hunger. For the fifth year, the Vegandale Food Drink Festival returns to downtown Toronto, bringing together the best vegan food, drink and goods at the Historic Fort York and Garrison Common – for one day only.
Must Try
Sample from a smorgasbord of plant-based delicacies: from gourmet veggie burgers and fried “chickun” sandwiches to cinnamon sugar vegan donuts and vegan “milkshakes.”
Must Do
Stick around afterwards – a DJ and MC will be hosting games and giveaways on stage all day. Early bird tickets are $10 and kids under 12 years old are free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
Grab your knife and fork and join the seventh annual PanAm Food and Music Festival – a free event at Yonge-Dundas Square that showcases Latin and Pan American cuisine and culture. This shindig is a pretty big deal in the food world: it’s Canada’s only annual festival that celebrates the Western Hemisphere’s diverse gastronomies and cultures.
Must Try
Save your appetite: this renowned fest attracts chefs from as far away as Colombia, Mexico, Hawaii, Uruguay, Peru and others.
Must Do
This year has a special focus on Cuban cuisine, and there are empanada and ceviche competitions so don’t miss your opportunity to cast your vote.
For five years, the Toronto Cider Festival has been rocking the Harbourfront ‘hood with a cider celebration. Since debuting, over 13,000 cider-loving guests have flocked to the festival to learn all about the cider biz and to taste a slew of brews, including a bunch made by Ontario farmers.
Must Try
Hop from booth to booth with your official “TOCiderfest” mug in hand, sampling over 100 different ales: from “Pombucha” (cider and Kombucha) to European-style cider to small-batch, premium craft ciders.
Must Do
Once you’ve had a few, join the line dancing scheduled on Friday night.
Where: Sherbourne Common (61 Dockside Drive, Corner of Queens Quay and Sherbourne Street)
Dates: August 23 – 24, 2019
About the Author
Lisa Jackson is a food and travel writer from Toronto. Her work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, The Independent UK, Saveur, CAA Magazine, Huffington Post Canada, Delta Sky Magazine, West Jet Magazine, iNews UK, Time Out, Fodors, The Food Network Canada, and many others.
See it. Snap it. Share it. In every neighbourhood, around every corner, through every door there's something that begs to be discovered in Toronto.
See it. Snap it. Share it. In every neighbourhood, around every corner, through every door there's something that begs to be discovered in Toronto.