Kensington Market

Kensington Market is a compact, multicultural neighbourhood west of Spadina Avenue in downtown Toronto, centred on Augusta Avenue and Baldwin Street. It is not a single market hall but a grid of small streets lined with Victorian houses converted to shops, and it has been a gathering point for successive immigrant communities, including Jewish, Portuguese, Caribbean, Latin American and Asian residents. The goods sold are what set it apart from generic shopping: vintage clothing stores, cheesemongers, spice and dried-fruit sellers, Latin American groceries, bakeries, record shops and independent cafes. Vendors are mostly small independent owners, and authentic local and secondhand goods far outnumber tourist souvenirs, although a few stores sell Toronto-themed gifts. Prices in shops are generally fixed, though vintage dealers may occasionally be open to a modest discount when buying several items. Most businesses accept cards, but some small stalls and produce vendors favour cash. Ontario's 13 percent HST applies to most non-grocery purchases, and Canada has no general tourist tax refund for goods. The district is walkable in an hour or two, and the main corners worth finding are Augusta Avenue for groceries and vintage, Baldwin Street for restaurants and cafes, and Kensington Avenue for second-hand clothing. Street art covers many walls and is part of the draw. The atmosphere is informal, loud and creative, and crowds peak on summer weekends. On Pedestrian Sundays, held on the last Sunday of the month in warmer months, streets are closed to cars and fill with music, street food and performers. Eating options are abundant, from tacos and empanadas to Jamaican patties, Vietnamese sandwiches and coffee, with snacks typically costing a few Canadian dollars. Vintage items usually fall between CAD $15 and $80. Visitors should confirm shop hours individually, as many independent stores open around 11am and close by 7pm.