May in Toronto means BBQs and beer gardens, markets, food truck rallies, and al fresco festivals. This month’s calendar is burst with eating opportunities not to mention plenty of reasons to do a little day drinking in the sunshine.
These Toronto food events can – and will – fill both your calendars and your tummies.
86’D Monday: Annual Guacamole Smackdown
Kicking off Cinco de Mayo week, Baro, Che Food Truck, La Carnita, Cocina Economica and others compete for the title of best guacamole in Toronto. Attendees including judges Jonny Gray from Altos Tequila and Pete n’ Chris Neal from Neal Brothers will vote for the winner.
When: May 1, 8 pm
Where: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto
Price: Free
Brewers Plate 2017
Tickets are on sale now for this event featuring locally curated food paired with local brews from 10 Toronto chefs and 10 Ontario brewers. Proceeds from this night of Rock and Roll will go to support War Child Canada.
When: May 4, 6 pm to 10 pm
Where: Corus Quay, 25 Dockside Drive, Toronto
Price: From $80
Leslieville Food & Drink Festival
Bringing together 40 restaurants, bars, and breweries from across Leslieville, Riverdale, Danforth Village, and The Beach(es), this eastside centric event offers plenty of opportunities for eating, drinking, dancing, and more.
When: May 6, 3 pm to 11 pm
Where: District 28, 28 Logan Avenue, Toronto
Price: From $20
Sew Hungry
Billed as Canada’s largest curbside food truck festival, this Friday event is a good excuse to play hooky from work and take a day trip to The Hammer. Look forward to over 25 food trucks, a live music stage, kids zone, and beer garden.
When: May 5, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Ottawa Street, Hamilton
Price: Admission is free
Big Brunch Derby Day
Break out the big hats! Derby Day is fast approaching. The Prohibition era-themed event promises an afternoon of bubbles, brunch-themed appetizers and fundraising with special guests and raffle prizes in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto.
When: May 6, noon to 5 pm
Where: CC Lounge & Whisky Bar, 45 Front Street East, Toronto
Price: From $55
Sausage Party: Vegetarian hotdogs!
Laneway Pop-ups/Facebook
Laneway Pop-ups presents this vegetarian Sausage Party and pop-up restaurant at The Steady Cafe and Bar this month. On the menu, Ballpark Dogs loaded with fried onions, ketchup and mustard, Seoul Food Dogs topped with spicy Kimchi and Wasabi Mayo, the Fleetwood Mac and Cheese, a hot dog topped with creamy mac and cheese and parsley crumb, and more!
When: Friday, May 5, 7 pm to 10 pm
Where: The Steady, 1051 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Price: Menu items $5 to $7 each
Veggielicious Pop-Up
Toront celebrates plant-based cuisines at participating restaurants during this prix fixe promotion on from May 5 to 21. Celebrate the launch Veggielicious on Sunday, May 7 at an all day event happening at Artscape Sandbox featuring sweet and savoury vegan goodies, artisanal goods, accessories, apparel, health and beauty products, and featured Veggielicious restaurants.
When: Launch party May 7 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Artscape Sandbox, 301 Adelaide Street West, Toronto
Price: Tickets from $7.50
Food on Film
TIFF kicks off its sixth year of this food-centric film series this May. Pairing culinary cinema and guest speakers food, the 2017 season opens with a screening of American Graffiti followed by a chat with Toronto chef and TV personality, Matty Matheso.
When: May 10, 5 pm
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox
Price: Subscription from $80
Catalan Connection
Chef Andres Salomon captures the essence of Barcelona at this dinner party showcasing Catalonian cuisine complete with Spanish wine pairings. Look forward to a multi-course feast featuring dishes like gazpacho de maiz, flat iron steak, vanilla flan, and more.
When: May 10, 7 pm
Where: Barsa Taberna, 26 Market Street, Toronto
Price: $70 per seat
Spring into Parkdale
The Foodora Night Market pops up at this spring sidewalk festival in Toronto’s west end. The 10,000 square foot outdoor food market promises food vendors, musical entertainment, bike parking, patio seating, and more.
When: May 13, 4 pm to 10 pm
Where: 1325 Queen Street West, Toronto
Price: Entry is free, food vouchers from $5
Ink, Brush & Fork
Ink, Brush & Fork/Universe
Led by Lisa Carrie Goldberg of Action Potential Lab along with Chef Christopher Showalter (Grapefruit Moon, Tramonto, Weldon Park), this event offers the perfect excuse to play with your food at this intersection of art, science, and food. Participants will dissect their own squid then let chef transform the meat into a grilled dish, while also harvesting ink for painting and print-making.
When: May 14, 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: The Depanneur, 1033 College Street, Toronto
Price: $75 to $110
The Chef Cartel
The final battle will see chefs Missy Hui (Fabbrica) compete against freelance chef, Tallis Baker-Voakes. Chefs will have one hour to produce two dishes from two secret ingredients for judging by a guest panel.
When: May 15, 6 pm
Where: Luxe Appliance Studio, 334 King Street East, Toronto
Price: General admission is $20
Rib & Craft Beer Fest
Rib teams from across Canada join craft beer vendors for this all day event centred around BBQ and beer.
When: May 18
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto
Price: Admission is free.
Spring Sessions
Toronto’s Festival of Beer returns to Fort York Garrison Common with Spring Sessions over the May long weekend for a cottage themed weekend full of oysters, poutine, chimney stax, and of course, craft beer.
When: May 20 to 21, noon to 8 pm
Where: Fort York, Toronto
Price: From $30
Waterfront Artisan Market
Kicking off on May 20 and running every Saturday until the first week of October, this open air market will feature a “carefully-curated mix of 75 local, up-and-coming artisans, crafters, chefs, and bakers.”
When: May 20, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West
Price: Admission is free
Farm to Fork
The Toronto non-GMO Coalition and the David Suzuki Foundation present Toronto’s 4th annual GMO-free festival and farmers’ market this May. Look forward to the chance to chat with organic farmers, chefs, business owners, and organizations all while enjoying music, family-friendly activities, and mowing down on Ontario-produced food and drink.
When: May 20, noon to 6 pm
Where: Christie Pits Park, Toronto
Price: Admission is free
Brunch Fest
TasteToronto teams up with Bud Light to serve up Radlers and an all things brunch. Vendors have yet to be announced for this three-day event, but expect an abundance of benedicts and bagels, pancakes and pastries.
When: May 26 to 28, 10 am to 7 pm
Where: 99 Sudbury Street, Toronto
Price: Tickets from $9.95
Gluten Free Garage
This “playground for gluten-free people,” will showcase 60 vendors slinging food and drink tailored towards people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Among the many confirmed vendors, look forward to seeing local favourites like Almond Butterfly, The Basil Box, BGood, Cock-A-Doodle-Do, SteamBox, and more.
When: May 28, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
Price: General admission is $10
Bring on BBQ Season
Kick off BBQ season with a five-course feast from this acclaimed smokehouse on Roncesvalles. Taking place in celebration of Celiac Awareness Month with gluten-free beer sponsor, Daura Damm, the menu features meaty delicacies ranging from duck tacos and wings to saucy brisket, ribs and pulled pork.
When: May 24, 7 pm
Where: Barque Butcher Bar, 287 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto
Price: $60 per seat
Brunching In the Streets of Vietnam
chautoronto/Facebook
Sparkling La Marca Prosecco kicks off this culinary journey from Hanoi to Saigon. Chef Jane Tran of “Chau” recreates favourite breakfast meals including Smoked Chicken Pho, Banh Mi Op La, and Viet Fried Chicken.
When: May 28, 1 pm to 3 pm
Where: Rush Lane & Co., 563 Queen Street West, Toronto
Price: $35
A Night With Norm
Momofuku’s third-floor restaurant hosts this six-course dinner accompanied by pairings from local wine producer Norman Hardie. In addition to watching Shōtō team cook, Norm himself will be present to talk about his wines.
When: May 30 at 6:30 pm
Where: Shōtō, 190 University Avenue, Toronto
Price: $120 per person; add $85 with beverage pairings
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