From savoury street foods to sweet treats, feed your foodie pangs at these Asian-style night markets, bars and restaurants.
Love eating into the wee hours? Then bring your appetite (and your stretchy pants) to Toronto for these cool nighttime festivals and hotspots inspired by Asia, where late-night snacking is an art form.
BACKYARD: Asian Night Market
May 18, 2024
BACKYARD: Asian Night Market is the place to be if you want to take in Chinese lion dances, Philippine Tinikling dance performances, Asian electronica, guest DJs and—of course—epic food and shopping ops.
Over 50 curated Asian-owned businesses are on deck, with authentic and fusion takes on cuisine and beverages, not to mention jewelry, clothing, art and accessories vendors.
Asian Night Market kicks off Stackt’s much-loved summer BACKYARD festival series. This Saturday festival is popular with locals and visitors at the iconic shipping container market.
Also see: Asian-Owned Businesses in Toronto That Should Be On Your Radar
Filipino Night Market
May 31–June 2, 2024; June 21–23, 2024 & June 28–30, 2024
Head east to Scarborough Town Centre to celebrate Philippine kultura (culture), kulinarya (cuisine) and kulintang (music) at Filipino Night Market. Enjoy an immersive experience with live music, dance and visual art. Engage with artisans and artists. But don’t forget the food!
Organized by Pinay Tayo, a community organization supporting Filipina business owners, you can expect vendors like Kanto By TitaFlips, locally loved for its street food menu with iconic eats like sisig fries (think: Philippine poutine with offal, pork belly, chicharon and garlic aioli).
Taste of Asia
June 28–30, 2024
Satisfy your street food cravings at Canada’s largest pan-Asian festival, Taste of Asia. This popular event promises three days and nights of food, family-friendly cultural attractions, and live music and entertainment. (Did we mention the food? There will be 150+ food vendors on hand.)
Grab a bubble tea and follow your nose to find classic night market favourites like barbecued meat skewers and tornado potatoes (deliciously deep-fried, spiral-cut potatoes served on skewers).
Taking place in Markham (a 45-minute drive from downtown Toronto), your visit can be rolled into a stop at the famous Pacific Mall.
22nd TD Festival of South Asia
July 20 & 21, 2024
The family-friendly Festival of South Asia brings a weekend jam-packed with live music and dance performances, not to mention stellar shopping and food. This much-anticipated annual street fest takes place along Eastside’s Gerrard India Bazaar, known more commonly as Little India.
It is easily accessible by streetcar, starts early (for those who can’t wait until sundown) and runs late.
Taste of India
August 3 & 4, 2024
This two-day festival returns downtown for its seventh annual celebration of Indian culture and food. With food vendors, shopping and all-day entertainment (expect live music, dance performances and DJs), Taste of India promises to be a Bhangra-filled blowout at Nathan Phillips Square downtown.
Touted as the largest food festival in North America, the event promises a palate-pleasing 100 types of authentic cuisine.
Toronto Waterfront Night Market
August 9–11, 2024
Eat, drink and Instagram your way through the Toronto Waterfront Night Market, a celebration of Pan-Asian cuisine and culture.
Formerly a 19+ event, the festival’s final evening is now for all ages, so the whole family can enjoy interactive entertainment like karaoke and the Illuminasian Floating Lantern & Music Festival.
With its magical downtown waterfront location, the night market promises twinkling lights and gorgeous views. Located near trendy Liberty Village, at the Stanley Barracks and Hotel X, it’s easily accessible by public transit.
Asialicious Carnival 2024
September 6–8, 2024
Snack on street food snacks, sip boba tea and take in the positive vibes at Asialicious, a celebration of pan-Asian culture. The 2024 lineup promises performances, local celebs and, yes, “weird bites.” The event takes place in east end Scarborough.
Midnight Market
Fusion snacks and shochu- or sake-spiked craft cocktails are on the menu at this night market-inspired bar located on College Street, straddling eclectic Kensington Market and hip Little Italy.
You’ll be snacking all night, from beloved street-food classics like sticky gochujang chicken wings to unique creations like duck egg rigatoni! Decked out in bright lanterns and vintage signs, this cool late-night bar will make you feel like you’re in another part of the world—in Toronto.
