Your Chinatown, Toronto Guide: Diverse, Dynamic & Iconically Toronto

Established in 1878, downtown Chinatown is one of Toronto’s oldest and most dynamic neighbourhoods. You’ll find bustling markets that spill out onto the street, multilingual storefronts and a plethora of Asian cuisines.

Readily accessible by public transit, Chinatown radiates for several blocks in each direction from its nexus of Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West. It’s one of multiple Toronto Chinatowns, and arguably its most famous.

You’ll find affordable treasures along the Spadina Avenue shopping strip, some of the best Chinese restaurants in Toronto, plus vendors, street art and even the odd busker.

The best way to explore is on foot. Whether you’re a foodie, a photographer, a tea lover or a shopper, you can’t go wrong in this historic but constantly evolving enclave.

Top things to do in Chinatown Toronto

Guided walking tours of Chinatown are the way to go for your first visit. Steeped in history and cultural landmarks, Chinatown, Toronto has many stories worth learning. Don’t miss the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto’s free tour (donation recommended), which explores the area’s rich  Indigenous history.

You’ll also want to hit the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). The AGO’s collection spans 100 AD to today, and includes work by Indigenous artists, Canada’s Group of Seven and perennial favourites like Van Gogh, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama. The AGO is also home to Canada’s largest collection of African art, and the most works by British sculptor Henry Moore in the world. Interactive experiences draw arts lovers of all ages to this cultural hotspot.

Chinatown maintains its high-energy vibe into the night. Catch a show at Grossman’s Tavern (one of Toronto’s longest-running live music venues) or the El Mocambo, a legendary venue that has hosted the Rolling Stones, Blondie and U2. Or belt out your fave tunes with friends at 8090 KTV, a slick karaoke lounge with private rooms, cocktails and Asian snacks.

Where to eat & drink in Toronto’s Chinatown

With more than 200 dishes on the menu, King’s Noodle is a favourite among noodle lovers and a fantastic choice if you’re hankering for BBQ duck or roast pork, both of which you can enjoy with a pile of rice and greens. (It’s casual, so you won’t look out of place if you wisely opt to wear stretchy pants.)

Similarly, Dim Sum King Toronto is always ready to fill your belly with generous portions of authentic Cantonese delicacies. With beef so tender and juicy that it melts in your mouth and steamed dumplings that burst with flavour, each bite will leave you wanting more.

For a special night out, try R&D, a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-earning hotspot for contemporary Asian fusion. Chef Eric Chong won MasterChef Canada’s first season and then opened this hip eatery, which local foodies say serves Toronto’s best Peking duck.

For drinks, head to Big Trouble. With its neon dragons and colourful paper lanterns, its got a playful vibe, plus a fun menu with house-made baijiu (peach and Calpico, anyone?), Asian-inspired cocktails like sake mules, plus shareable small plates like cheeseburger dumplings and Tiger Beer popcorn chicken.

Support local: Spadina Avenue shopping

Food is central to the Chinatown experience, as is foodie shopping. Tap Phong Trading is a one-stop kitchen shop where you can get lost amongst shelves filled to the brim with kitchenware and gadgets that’ll level up your cooking expertise.

Record shop Sonic Boom is the place to replenish your vinyl collection with new releases, collectors’ editions and limited-edition albums. You’ll also find plenty of rock tees, turntables and books worth browsing.

Uncle Otis carries tailored and street-smart menswear. The brands skew Japanese and European, but you’ll also find local labels like Bather, known for its Made in Canada camp shirts and swim trunks.

Chinatown Toronto must-try experiences

Toronto’s downtown Chinatown is worth a visit any time of year, but two standout annual events worth extra attention take place in late winter and summer.

Lunar New Year celebrations kick off the New Year with lion dances, kung fu performances and calligraphy displays. In summer, the Toronto Chinatown Festival brings lion and dragon dances, multicultural performances and an international food fair to the streets of Chinatown.

Getting to Chinatown, Toronto

• Chinatown is readily accessible on foot and by bike.

• TTC public transit: take 505 Dundas streetcar to Spadina Avenue. Or take the Line 1: Yonge-University subway to Spadina station, then take the 510 Spadina streetcar southbound to Dundas Street West.

• Car parking is available in garages and metered spots.