Every year, the food at the Canadian National Exhibition gets wilder and wilder. This year is no exception! Here are 10 must-try treats that belong on your CNE 2026 food bucket list.
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is an iconic event on everyone’s Toronto summer to-do list. With its fairgrounds, midway and spectacularly tasty and flashy showing of carnival foods, it’s seen by many as summer’s unofficial closeout. (But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of patio season left.)
This year’s CNE (August 21–September 7) promises the usual plethora of fun, with midway rides and games, live concerts at the Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell (with Jojo, Shaggy and Zeds Dead) and NXNE Stage, plus Classic Championship Wrestling, SuperDogs, the Gaming Garage, casino and, of course, the over-the-top Toronto fair food.
You’ll find the CNE’s cornucopia of food spread across the fair, with the highest concentration located in booths within the iconic Food Building. The Midway also boasts an array of food stands and licensed bars. Also returning this year is the Food Truck Frenzy and Craft Beerfest, a must-visit for foodies and craft beer hounds alike.
Here’s everything you need to try at this year’s CNE, from outrageous and wild eats to returning fan favourites!
1. Sweet & Savoury Sensation: Pickle Cheesecake Pop
So crazy that it works! Mr. Pickle has turned its attention to the sweet side, offering something truly tasty and unexpected.
This dill-icious slice of New York cheesecake is dipped in white chocolate and then rolled in a scrumptious pickle-potato chip crumble. With its dynamic combination of textures and tastes, this viral sensation is a must-try that defies expectations.
Where to find it: Mr. Pickle, Outdoor Concession
2. Footlong of Flavour: Footlong Butter Chicken Taquito
Everything’s bigger at the CNE, and that’s certainly true for the Footlong Butter Chicken Taquito!
This crispy shell holds a vat of succulent butter chicken and basmati rice, topped with pickled jalapeño for an extra-spicy, photo-worthy presentation and served with butter chicken aioli on the side. It’s a feat of engineering and a feast for the taste buds!
Where to find it: Rick’s Good Eats, Food Truck Frenzy
3. Waffled Up Jerk Dogs: Cotton Candy Waffleicious
What’s a CNE without some cotton candy? And hot dogs? Well, it’s time to get some carnival eats that can do both.
At Jerk Dogs, they’ve taken their classic jerk chicken hot dog and run wild. This version is a crispy, waffle-battered jerk chicken hot dog covered in mango mustard, pineapple relish, honey jerk BBQ sauce and CNE Sweet Heat sauce, then topped with cotton candy.
Where to find it: Jerk Dogs, Food Truck Frenzy
4. Surf on a Stick: Lobster on a Stick
High-class seafood that’s never been easier to eat with one hand. Does it get batter than that? (Get it? Battered?)
What stands out about this tempura-fried Canadian lobster tail is how perfectly it’s cooked: succulent and piping hot. It’s served on a stick with Old Bay seasoning, a wedge of lemon and a creamy dill sauce that perfectly complements it. So, just about everything stands out.
Where to find it: Lobster on a Stick, Food Building
5. Taco ’Bout Flavour: Korean Fried Chicken Ramen Taco
Welcome to a dish with layers upon layers of flavour, texture and fun.
Imagine a spicy, crispy and juicy piece of Korean fried chicken dipped in CNE Sweet Heat hot sauce, packed with crunchy fresh slaw and punchy kimchi, dressed with cotton candy aioli and served on a taco shell made from bouncy yet crispy Buldak instant noodles—a beloved viral noodle hit all on its own. Now that’s a delicious mouthful in more ways than one.
Where to find it: Los Vietnamita Taqueria, Food Truck Frenzy
6. True Blue: Blue Taki Chicken Tenders
If you love Takis, you’ve met your match at the CNE.
These homemade chicken tenders are brushed in hot honey, rolled in a crumble of Blue Heat Takis and served with the dip of your choice. Not only will they provide a great dose of crunch and spice, but you may also walk away with a blue tongue to show off.
Where to find it: Lucky Chicken, Food Building
7. To Infinity and Beyond: Space Rocks
This dessert will have you literally blowing smoke in the happiest, sweetest kind of way.
Inspired by the CNE’s Space Experience, these Oreo Nerd Clusters and ice cream sandwich bites are nitrogen-infused, creating a wild photo opportunity as they’re made live in front of you with liquid nitrogen. Pop them to the back of your teeth as you bite in and watch smoke billow out of your mouth as you indulge!
Where to find it: Yeti Puff Nitro Snacks, Heritage Court, Enercare Centre
8. On a Cloud: Sweet Heat Cloud Fries
These cheesy fries will have you feeling like you’re floating on a cloud.
With fresh-cut fries, bacon crumble and a maple drizzle, it almost can’t get better—until it does. Bacon Nation tops it all off with its highly anticipated cloud of aerated cheese, which wiggles and jiggles without making your fries soggy as you move around the CNE.
Where to find it: Bacon Nation, Food Building
9. Cone of Dreams: Carnival Cone
We can’t forget the cone category, and Beach Hill Smokehouse has you covered.
This deep-fried mac and cheese ball is served in a waffle cone, covered in cheese sauce and hiding delectable sweet potato chunks inside the cone itself. It’s vegetarian and super indulgent, but you can also try some of Beach Hill’s award-winning Toronto BBQ meats while you’re at its food truck.
Where to find it: Beach Hill Smokehouse, Bandshell Park
10. Everything Nice and Spiced: Szechuan Sizzle Spice Cream
Fun-flavoured ice cream has become a mainstay at the CNE, and this year the tradition continues with Caf-Eh TO.
From the makers of the wasabi ice cream of CNE years past comes Szechuan Sizzle Spice Cream. With heat in the Szechuan peppercorn ice cream itself and in the drizzle of chili oil and chili crunch with peanuts on top, this dessert will heat you up as it cools you down.
Where to find it: Caf-Eh TO, Food Building
More Fun Food Events at the CNE
Food Truck Frenzy and Craft Beerfest
Serving up some of 2026’s wildest fair foods, the CNE’s annual Food Truck Frenzy and Craft Beerfest is happening for most of the fair (August 22–September 7, 2026). Stroll along Princes’ Boulevard and take your pick from more than 20 food trucks and craft breweries lining the street with tasty treats and cold brews.
Location: On Princes’ Boulevard, just inside the historic Princes’ Gates
Drip: CNE Coffee Shop
Drip CNE Coffee Shop is a brand-new addition to this year’s CNE lineup and a one-stop shop for your caffeine fix (August 21–September 7) as you make your way through the vast festival grounds. Grab a coffee and pick up a festival souvenir at the official CNE Merch Store.
Location: Music Building, Pod 1
CNE Food Hall of Fame Awards
In honour of the 70th anniversary of the CNE, the CNE Food Hall of Fame Awards are returning on September 2! Don’t miss the opportunity to watch the crowning of new winners as they are cemented in the CNE’s history for their creativity, innovation, popularity and, of course, great tastes.
A handful of vendors will be selected and immortalized on branded pennants hanging from the rafters of the iconic Food Building, just as they were when the Raptors won the championship in 2019.
Location: Food Building
Grab your friends and family and join in on all the fun at the CNE from August 21 to September 7, 2026!
