Kensington-Chinatown, Toronto

Just to the west of Chinatown sits Kensington Market, Canada's bohemian epicentre. With a history of cosmopolitanism, the area is today bustling with tiny shops, restaurants, pubs, and shops that offer cuisines from around the world. Surprisingly, any food on earth can be purchased in Kensington Market. Festivals frequently take place at Kensington Market, adding to the neighbourhood's bohemian party atmosphere. A tip for Kensington is to take the train, as parking is nonexistent and traffic is chaotic. The outdoor food and apparel market at Kensington Market is located in downtown Toronto. This diverse market is well known for its independent spirit, cheerful boutiques, vibrant murals, endearing locals, and pedestrian-friendly Sunday events. The several businesses in this region provide a range of products, such as bulk spices, nuts, flowers, vintage clothing, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, meats, bread, and sweets. The area is home to a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. The shops in Kensington Market crowd the pavement, creating busy streets that are unique to Toronto. Its eastern, western, southern, and northern boundaries are formed by Spadina Avenue, Bathurst Street, Dundas Street, and College Street.

The livability score for Kensington Market is 71/100, which is considered excellent and a great place to live in. The total crime in the area is 28% less than the national average. Violent crimes in Kensington Market are 25% less than the national average, and property crime in the area is 29% less than the national average. As shown in the following table, the livability score is based on a number of factors, including crime rates, employment, etc. Kensington Market is positioned pretty well in the rankings for its crime rate. The table below provides a brief overview of Kensington Market's crime rate in comparison to the national average, Ontario, and Toronto.

The neighbourhood of Kensington Market, which serves as Toronto's cultural hub, is home to a diverse array of vintage stores, cheese and fish carts, specialty meat and bread shops, cafes, and restaurants that serve cuisine from all over the world. As more immigrants from various cultural backgrounds have moved to Kensington Market, the neighbourhood has grown in popularity as a place to call home, and its population has become more diverse. It remains one of Toronto's most ethnically varied areas, making it a great location to try cuisine from various cultures. The overall household income here is about 37% below the national average. The total unemployment rate is 48% lower than the national average. The table below gives you a basic overview of the median household income and the unemployment rate in Kensington Market. Most people here speak English. On the contrary, the use of the French language is almost negligible.

A melting pot of various cultures and people, Kensington Market houses great schools, restaurants, shopping complexes, and healthcare in Toronto. Some of the best schools in the neighbourhood include:

• Toronto District School Board
• St. Mary Catholic School
• Braemar College
• Orde Street Jr PS
• Toronto District School Board

Some of the best restaurants in the neighbourhood include:

• Seven Lives
• The Burgernator
• Ramen Isshin
• Dumpling House
• Pizzeria Via Mercanti

Some of the best shopping complexes in the neighbourhood include:

• Blue Banana Market
• Kid Icarus
• EXILE
• Courage My Love
• Bungalow

Some of the most prevalent healthcare centres and hospitals in the neighbourhood include:

• Toronto Western Hospital
• HearingLife
• Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
• Royal Care Medical Centre
• Access Alliance

Kensington Market is one of Toronto's best neighbourhoods if you wish to visit vintage shops, find whimsical hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and see some of the quirkiest street art. If you wish to explore this wonderfully varied, bohemian, and pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood unlike anywhere else in the city, here is a guide to a few locations you can go to!

Kensington Market

Kensington Market is a great place to start. You’ll find amazing shops selling vintage apparel, fruit and vegetable stands, cheese shops, spice shops, surplus stores, and bakeries.

Chinatown

Chinatown in Kensington Market has many Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese restaurants, serving anything from modern fusion food to dim sum and pho. Fresh fruits and vegetables, herbal remedies, and souvenirs are all available at the vibrant Asian open-air markets and stores that line Spadina Avenue.

Kensington Brewing Company

The Kensington Brewing Company is a craft beer business that is independently owned and run in Toronto's Kensington Market.

Bellevue Square

Bellevue Square, a little park with a footprint of just under half a hectare, is located in Toronto's Kensington Market neighbourhood. This park has a wading pool, a playground, and a drinking fountain.

Kensington Market is a whimsical neighbourhood, filled with Victorian-style buildings, graffiti walls, cosy cafes, great shopping markets, etc.

Toronto Food Tour of Kensington Market and Chinatown

Tours can be a great way to get to know the area, whether you're new or want to explore it from a different angle. During the tour, you'll learn about the events and people that helped build Kensington Market and what living there is like. Additionally, there is a lot to taste in this area of high foodie density.

Relax at a Nearby Cafe

Why not treat yourself to a delightful cup of coffee or even a scone? You might need extra energy to take in as much of Kensington Market as possible. Moonbean is a preferred spot of refuge for many. Locally owned coffee shops and roastery with a large blackboard menu, loose-leaf teas adorning the walls, and a warm, art-filled area in the back bring the vitality of the streets inside.

Explore the Streets Flooded with Creativity

The streets of Kensington Market are a never-ending source of inspiration and photo spots thanks to the music, street performances, and art. It's difficult to locate a wall with no paint because there are so many artists in the area. Kensington has been reclaimed by artists. The two well-known murals are the picture collage on Kensington Avenue of St. Andrew and the mural at Augusta and Oxford, influenced by Alphonse Mucha. A miniature city park/community art piece called Yvonne Bambrick's Garden Car parked there has been growing there every summer since 2007.

Look Around for Locally Made Products

Kensington Market's stores sell goods made by a variety of people, reflecting the diverse demographics of the neighbourhood. The best examples of creativity may be found at a few delightful shops selling handcrafted and regionally produced items, including artwork, accessories, home decor, and more. Kid Icarus is a great shop that combines a cute, chic screen printing studio with a gift shop. They concentrate on paper goods like cards and stationery, but you may also get soap, pins, and other handcrafted items. Everything in the store is handcrafted by Canadian craftsmen, and they are adorable.

Popular locations near Kensington Market involve the following:

• Art Gallery of Ontario is located nearby
• The Graffiti Alley is situated at a short distance from Kensington Market
• Trinity Bellwoods Park is just a short drive away

Farmers can sell their goods to customers directly at a farmers' market, typically from the back of their trucks. Many markets sell fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, and dairy products. Some of the best farmers’ markets in Kensington Market are mentioned below:

Metro Hall Farmers Market

Every Thursday from the end of May to the middle of October, the Metro Hall Farmers' Market showcases the freshest produce Ontario has to offer. From apples to zucchinis and everything in between, including flowers, cheese, honey, and more, you will find the best of Ontario grows here.

St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market has been operating in Toronto's Old Town since the 19th century, attracting food-lovers of all stripes. Recognised in 2012 by National Geographic as the world's best food market, St. Lawrence Market boasts three buildings full of diverse stalls, fresh eats, antiques, and culinary classes.

Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market

Evergreen's Saturday Farmers Market is open all year, allowing people in Toronto to purchase fresh, locally-sourced produce. The market takes place outdoors from May to November, and from November to April, it is moved indoors to ensure a safe shopping experience.

Because of its proximity to Chinatown, Kensington has a significant Chinese population. Chinese people make up 47.5% of the population in Kensington, compared to 10% of all Toronto residents. In Kensington Market, 39% of the population is Caucasian, 3% is Latino, 0.5% is Arab, 3% is black, and 7% is from other regions of Asia. The population statistics for the Kensington Market neighbourhood are given below.

Kensington Market is a fun place for all the cool kids. Although there are restaurants and amusement centres, the atmosphere draws people here. It is a hipster neighbourhood populated by creative people. It's a spot to unwind, let your imagination run wild, and eat delicious meals.

Visit Famous Cafes

Kensington Market is a great spot to go café hopping and taste some fresh brews and yummy pastries with your kids. Fika Café is the perfect place for a unique coffee experience with its aesthetic book wall, and Wanda's Pie in the Sky offers some delicious treats. Little Pebbles has got you covered if you're craving French-inspired Japanese desserts.

Explore Vibrant Street Art

Exploring the vibrant street art of Kensington Market with your kids is an experience not to be missed. In this tiny neighbourhood, every corner has been absolutely stunning with colourful graffiti, murals, and even the homes in the area are painted in bright and cheerful colours! Take a walk to admire all of Toronto's Instagram-worthy art in such a small, yet unforgettable place.

Visit Jurassic Quest

You and your kids will be amazed at the realistic and giant life-size dinosaurs featured at Jurassic Quest, like the 60-foot long Spinosaurus and the 80-foot-long Apatosaurus. Plus, your kids can interact with baby dinosaurs, like Tyson the T. rex and Trixie the Triceratops, and their trainers for a one-of-a-kind experience.

The Kensington Market neighbourhood’s cost of living is 125, which is 25% higher than the national average and 12% higher than the Toronto average.

The Kensington housing market is the most competitive. Houses in Kensington typically receive eight proposals on average and sell within 15 days. In Kensington, the median sale price of a home last month was $1.4 million, a 6.9% decrease from the previous year. Kensington's typical sale price per square foot is $852, a decrease of 8.4% from the previous year.