Toronto's food festival season is in full swing with 17 events happening in June alone.
The season officially kicked off in May with 10 mouthwatering events, including Poutine Fest last weekend. June brings even more themed events including Brunch Fest on June 1, Mac + Cheese Fest on June 7 and Taco Fest on June 14.
READ: The Best Patios In Toronto To Get Your Drink On
June also brings back some beloved neighbourhood food festivals including Taste of Little Italy, Riverside Beats and Eats, and Markham's legendary Taste of Asia.
So, pull out your calendar, put some money on your PRESTO and get your eating pants on, because this delicious month is going to have you eating your way across the city.
Union Summer
When: May 31-Aug. 3Hours: Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m to 6 p.m.Where: Union StationCost: Free!
All summer long, Union Station will be transformed into a foodie paradise. In addition to food and drink vendors, this year’s event will include daily lunchtime and evening musical performances from local artists and cultural organizations.
BurgerMania
When: May 31-June 2Hours: Friday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.Where: Yonge-Dundas SquareCost: Free!
It’s a three-day burger extravaganza! Check out the city’s top burger joints in one bustling location. With so many burger options (including meatless and gluten-free) this food festival is perfect for the whole family.
Brunch Fest
When: June 1-2Hours: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Where: Hotel X - 111 Princes’ Blvd.Cost: Starting at $7.95
The city’s most iconic brunch spots are coming together to serve up different variations of everyone’s favourite meal. Enjoy chicken and waffles, eggs benny, pancakes, mimosas, caesars and so much more.
Riverside Eats and Beats
When: June 1Hours: Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.Where: Queen St. E. from Davies to Empire Ave.Cost: Free!
Explore Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. This annual street festival will include 50+ local eateries and shops serving up meals and deals. At each intersection, attendees will also get to enjoy culinary demos, workshops and live entertainment.
Toronto Eggfest
When: June 1Hours: Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.Where: 7 Jackson Ave., EtobicokeCost: $60
World class chef Ted Reader is hosting this grilled food festival in support of SickKids. Tasters will get a chance to enjoy a wide variety of dishes cooked on 14 Big Green Egg grills. From steaks to sliders to pizza pies and planked butter tarts, there’s so much to sample at this one-of-a-kind event.
Artisan Cheese Night Market
When: June 6Hours: Thursday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.Where: St. Lawrence Market - 125 The EsplanadeCost: $30 - $45
Try and buy some of the best artisan cheeses in Canada. This one-day event is broken up into three three-hour sessions so you can get in and experience everything the market has to offer (including live entertainment and seminars) without feeling rushed or crowded.
The Mac + Cheese Festival
When: June 7-9Hours: TBAWhere: Roundhouse Park - 255 Bremner Blvd.Cost: Free!
The ultimate comfort food festival is back for the fifth year, and this time it's going on tour. On June 7, North America’s largest mac and cheese festival kicks off in Toronto. This year’s event will see teams competing to win up to $5,000 in cash for the most creative concoctions, people’s choice and judge’s choice.
Forks & Barrels
When: June 7-9Hours: Friday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.Where: Ontario Place - 955 Lakeshore Blvd.Cost: Starting at $10
This 19+ festival tour combines good food, great drinks and even better company. Try over 400 varieties of food and drink, participate and activities and contests and get a free souvenir cup with your ticket. Drink samples start at $2 while food samples start at $4, so be sure to bring some extra cash.
Toronto Taste By Second Harvest
When: June 9Hours: Doors open at 6 p.m.Where: Evergreen Brick Works - 550 Bayview Ave.Cost: $260 all-inclusive with $150 tax receipt
Toronto’s legendary culinary extravaganza is back for one spectacular evening of delicious eats in support of Canada’s largest food rescue charity. Enjoy incredible, edible creations from 50 of the city’s top chefs and restaurants. This year’s circus-themed event will also include performances from aerialists, acrobats, fire-eaters and fortune tellers.
Taco Fest
When: June 14-16Hours: Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.Where: Ontario Place West IslandCost: Starting at $9.95
Tacos! Churros! Tequila! Taco fest gives Torontonians a taste of traditional Mexican cuisine and cocktails. Attendees will also enjoy the sights and sounds of authentic mariachi bands, salsa dancers and more activations and demonstrations during this three-day fiesta.
Taste of Little Italy
When: June 14-16Hours: Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.Where: College St., from Bathurst St. to Shaw St.Cost: Free!
One of the city’s most popular street food festivals, Taste of Little Italy shows off the best restaurants on College just in time for Father’s Day and the Fifa World Cup opening weekend.
Wine & Spirit Festival
When: June 14-15Hours: Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.Where: Sugar Beach Park - 11 Dockside Dr.Cost: Starting at $23
This two-day festival gives you a chance to taste some of the best beers, ciders, wines and spirits from around the world. Be sure to bring extra cash for samples. Vouchers cost $2 each, while samples range from one to three vouchers.
Beaches Rib Fest
When: June 14-16Hours: Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.Where: Woodbine Park - 1695 Queen St. E.Cost: Free!
Missed Rib-Fest at Yonge-Dundas square? Visit Woodbine Park for the same delicious experience. Entrance is free, but if you want to skip the lines (of which there will be plenty) consider picking up a line pass card for just $7.99.
Foodalicious Toronto
When: June 15-16Hours: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.Where: Downsview Park - 35 Carl Hall Rd.Cost: $11.09
Enjoy food trucks, carnival games, inflatable castles, stage shows, live music and more at this all-ages summer food festival.
Afro Vegan Fest
When: June 16Hours: Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns - 601 Christie St.Cost: Free!
Try delicious African and Carribean cuisine, live music and more at Toronto’s newest vegan celebration.
The Stop Night Market
When: June 18-19Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.Where: Stackt Market - 28 Bathurst St.Cost: $125
Two nights, 20+ drinks and 65+ chefs, this annual event is an all-you-can-eat feast for the senses. Support The Stop Community Food Centre, enjoy delicious dishes and take in incredible live performances at the city’s new Stackt market.
TD Taste of Asia
When: June 28-30Hours: Friday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Where: Kennedy Rd. & Steeles Ave. E.Cost: Free!
Everyone knows the best Asian food is found in Markham, so it’s only fitting that the city is playing host to the Taste of Asia. This year’s event will fill the streets with delicious eats, multicultural performances and more.
