30 Toronto food events worth checking out in September
The seasons change mid month but there’s still lots of summer left in September… we hope.
School’s back in, and sure, winter might be coming, but Toronto food events show no signs of slowing down. Here are all the most delicious dates to mark on your calendar this month.
Downsview Park Ribfest
Downsview Park Rib Fest
Now in its sophomore year, Downsview Park Ribfest returns over Labour Day weekend for four days of BBQ. Six of North Americas top rib teams will compete, plus look forward to live entertainment, a beer and wine garden, kids midway, and rib eating contest.
When: September 1 to 4
Where: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Road, Toronto
Price: Admission is free.
Hot & Spicy Food Festival
Stefano Rodriguez
Hot & Spicy Food Festival celebrates its 20th year spicing up summers in Toronto. The festival will showcase everything from celebrity chefs, a curated food market, and lots of spicy dishes that will get your tastebuds tingling.
Where: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto Ontario
When: September 1 to 4
Price: Admission is free.
Food Evolution
Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts this thought-provoking doc that asks the question, “How will we feed ourselves in the future?” Food Evolution is an insightful examination of the different sides of the argument that makes the case for GMOs while a slate of farmers and scientists weigh in with deGrasse Tyson to make sense of this vital debate.
When: September 1 to 7, showtimes vary.
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Price: $11.50
Richmond Hill Food Truck Festival
The largest park in Richmond Hill plays host to this food truck rally and festival in September. Participating trucks have yet to be announced, but parking, food, drinks and entertainment are all promised.
When: September 2, noon to 8 pm; September 3, noon to 8 pm
Where: Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Rd East, Richmond Hill
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Le Burger Week
Le Burger Week
Nearly 400 restaurants from across Canada will be serving up special burgers for a special price the first week of September. At least 10 restaurants in Toronto are encouraging burger aficionados to sample many burgers as possible over the seven days and vote for their faves.
When: September 1 to 7
Where: Restaurants across Canada
Lechon Festival
Artscape Wychwood Barns/Faceboko
Crispy, golden coal-roasted pig is at the centre of this Filipino Fiesta. On the itinerary; a Kusina Battle Royale, fruit and vegetable carving competition, lechon cooking class, variety show, talent competitions, kids area, and of course, FOOD!
When: September 2 and 3
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
Price: Admission is free
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Brewer’s Backyard Bock to School
Brewer’s Backyard/Facebook
Brewer’s Backyard celebrates Bock to School at the Evergreen Brick Works on Labour Day. Exchange Brewery, Nickelbrook, Indie Alehouse, Cowbell, Black Oak, Shacklands, and Red Thread will be pouring brews accompanied by a tasty food line up from FeasTO, Meltdown Cheesery, Fidel Gastro, Fully Loaded TO and more.
When: September 4, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works
Price: Admission is free.
Veg Food Fest
Veg Food Fest/Facebook
The waterfront festival is an annual meatless meet-up for Toronto vegetarians. This year, look forward to 140 vendors hawking everything from “locally-made cashew ice cream, cookies, cupcakes, artisanal vegan cheeses, pizza, sausages, samosas, salads, and smoothies,” plus 40 hours of music and entertainment programming, panel discussions, and cooking demos.
When: September 8, 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre
Price: Admission is free.
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Taste of the Kingsway
The Kingsway BIA/Facebook
Over 150 exhibitors, demonstrators, and interactive exhibits will take over this stretch of Bloor West for a weekend in September. In addition to international foods, look forward to live entertainment and lots of family fun.
When: September 8 to 10
Where: Bloor Street West from Prince Edward Drive to Montgomery Road
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Global Food Festival
celio/Instagram
Food trucks, musicians, and five outdoor stages are on the bill at this full day, family-friendly event happening in North York this September.
When: September 9, 11 am to 10 pm
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto
El Bogo Frings IOU Warehouse
Smoke Signals BBQ
The pop-up hosted by Instagram personality @chefgrantsoto takes inspiration from recent events. On the menu, food from Smoke Signals Barbecue including Bogo Pogos, pineapple rib fried rice, and a rip on Susur Lee’s signature menu item, a “Soto Slaw.”
When: September 10, noon to 6 pm
Where: 17 Noble Street
Shuk Machane Yehuda Visits Toronto
Alexandre Rotenberg/Shutterstock
Israeli vendors will recreate the vibrant sights, smells, and sounds of Jerusalem’s Shuk Machane Yehuda right here in Toronto for a single day this September. The event hosted by Ezer Mizion aims to bring awareness to the health organization’s Jewish Bone Marrow Donor Registry
When: September 10, 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
Price: From $8
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86’d Salsa Battle
UNYKA/Shuttertock
Che Food Truck, Cocina Economica, Uncle Smoke, Seven Lives, and more will compete for to be crowned best salsa in Toronto at this free-to-attend event.
When: September 11, 8 pm
Where: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto
Price: Free
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Burmese Days
U-Feast/Facebook
When: September 14, 7 pm
Where: Rickshaw Bar, 685 Queen Street West, Toronto
Price: $60
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Toronto Beer Week
Toronto Beer Week/Facebook
Over 100 events are planned in part of this collective series of events showcasing local beers, brewers, and bars.
When: September 15 to 23
Where: Bars and breweries across Toronto.
Price: Varies.
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Roncesvalles Polish Festival
Roncesvalles Polish Festival Toronto/Facebook
Billed as North America’s largest celebration of Polish culture, the festival enters its twelfth year in 2017, offering a weekend of live entertainment and international music on multiple stages, a polka party under the stars, two sprawling beverage gardens, midway, and festival foods from 40 renowned Roncesvalles-area restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and bistros.
When: September 16 and 17
Where: Roncesvalles Avenue
Price: Admission is free.
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Food Truck Festival Ontario
My Sticky Rice/Facebook
Spend the third weekend in September eating your way through $6 menus at this massive celebration of street eats taking place on Toronto’s waterfront.
When: September 16 and 17
Where: Sherborne Common, 61 Dockside Drive, Toronto
Price: Admission is free.
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Toronto Eats Book Signing Event
Meet-greet-and-eat with Toronto author Amy Rosen as she signs her latest book, chats about the Toronto food scene, and dishes out her signature cinnamon buns.
When: September 16, 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Labour of Love, 223 Carlton Street, Toronto
Price: Free
Toronto Garlic Festival
Toronto Garlic Festival/Facebook
Ontario farmers and local chefs get together to cook with garlic, and visitors can taste delicious garlic-themed dishes paired with Ontario wine and craft beer at this September event. The festival includes live music, film screenings, talks and demos, free garlic shots and the Garlic Breath Contest. YUM.
When: September 17 at 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
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City Cider
City Cider/Facebook
Celebrate apple season in Toronto and spend a day surrounded by live music, delectable eats, freshly pressed cider, and a hard craft cider bar in a heritage orchard at this event hosted by Not Far From The Tree.
When: September 17, noon to 5 pm
Where: Spadina Museum
Price: $10 in advance, $15 at the gate
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The Famous Canadian Beer Run
Famous Canadian Beer Run
On your marks, get set, beer! Toronto’s 5 km Beer Run is back and will take place on September 17. Following the run, participants and spectators can recharge at a Craft Beer & Food Festival complete with live entertainment.
When: September 17, 10:30 am to 6 pm
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Price: From $25
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Brad Long on Butter
Toronto chef and owner of Café Belong, Brad Long celebrates the launch of his new book at this edition of 86’d Mondays at The Drake Hotel. Meet the author and taste buttery canapés from the book.
When: September 18, 8 pm
Where: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto
Price: Free
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Eating Italy: A Delicious Journey Through Italian Cuisine
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema/Facebook
In this six-week course, Dr. Franco Gallippi explores the history and cultural significance of some of Italy’s most famous dishes as examined through Italian cinema and literature.
When: Fridays September 22 to November 3
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Price: $11.50
People’s Pint Small Batch Beer Festival
People’s Pint Brewing Company/Facebook
20+ small batch beers get together for this festival featuring unique brews like Roasted Sweet Potato Belgian Blonde, Salted Caramel Stout, and Lavender and Apricot Saison. Also look forward to beer-friendly foods from the kitchen at 3030.
When: September 23, 3 pm to 8 pm
Where: 3030 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Price: $25
Toronto Taco Takeover
Tacos/Shutterstock
Local chefs fuel this 19+ fiesta promising tacos, tequila, wild DJs. The location and line-up of vendors have yet to be released but look forward to food priced between $2 and $5.
When: September 23, 4 pm to 10 pm
Where: TBA
Price: $10
Butter Tart Taste-Off
Butter tarts/Shutterstock
Road trip alert! The Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Taste-Off will see an entire warehouse-sized building filled with butter tarts this September as competitors vie for the honour of best butter tart flavours in various categories.
When: September 23, 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Peterborough Farmers’ Market, 136 Lansdowne Street, Peterborough, Ontario
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Soupalicious Toronto
Vita Sun/Shutterstock
Sip, slurp and savour at this annual soup-tasting and harvest celebration. Local gardeners, farmers, restaurants, and chefs will create signature soups for this AYCE event ushering in fall.
When: September 24, noon to 3 pm
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
Price: $15 in advance, $22 at the door.
Taste of Sri Lanka
FKavinda/Shutterstock
Celebrate the Sri Lankan chefs and cooks from Toronto restaurants like Ravisoups, Saffron Spice Kitchen, and more at this edition of 86’d Monday at The Drake.
When: September 25, 8 pm
Where: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto
Price: Free
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Along the Indian Coast
U-Feast
This Goan feast hosted by Harsh Chawla and Derek Valleau promises an evening of spicy and savoury dishes paired with wines of Rioja. On the menu, vada, chamuças, chicken cafreal, coconut pumpkin curry and so much more.
When: September 27, 7 pm
Where: Pukka, 778 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto
Price: $70
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Oktoberfest
Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co./Facebook
The beer-fueled festival might be rooted in German tradition but Torontonians are up to celebrate. We’ve rounded up some of the most noteworthy Volks-festivies across Southern Ontario this fall.
When: September and October
Where: Across Ontario
Price: Varies
See also
- You can dine in these incredible caves in Ontario next month (PHOTOS)
- There's a huge Butter Tart Taste-Off near Toronto next month
- 25 photos from Canada's first-ever Big Feastival
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