Chinatown Toronto is a melting pot of Asian cultures, with communities from China and Taiwan, Vietnam, Pakistan and India all having an influence. Come to the neighbourhood to visit teahouses and shop for medicinal herbs, browse the clothes stores and enjoy free cultural events. Centred on Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West, this is the largest of several Chinatowns in Toronto.
Join the crowds on Spadina Avenue that come to shop for the latest in fabric, leather and fur fashion. Local designers spill onto the sidewalk, where they set up racks of clothes and stands selling artisanal jewellery. Keep your eye out for a one-of-a-kind bargain. To find more shopping, enter Dragon City Mall, which is home to fashion shops, book and music stores.
Chinatown Toronto offers a wide variety of authentic Asian cuisine. You’ll find markets with exotic fruits and vegetables, herbal shops offering all kinds of tea, steaming noodle houses and restaurants with grilled meats hanging from the windows. Be sure to sample traditional Asian dishes, such as Peking duck and dim sum.
Some restaurants stay open all night, so you can also come here after a night of partying. At night, lanterns decorated with dragons light up the neighbourhood’s sidewalks and Chinese music blares from the shops and restaurants. For a bit of fun, look for the neon lights of a karaoke bar and live out your dream of being a pop star.
Don’t miss the free cultural events that take place in the neighbourhood. Watch musical performances and parades of dancing dragons during the Chinese New Year celebrations in winter. Enjoy more music and dance shows while exploring food and handicraft stalls at Toronto Chinatown Festival in August. Find all event details on the neighbourhood’s official website.
Chinatown Toronto is a 20-minute walk west of downtown Toronto. Streetcars and buses stop at various points along Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West. The most convenient parking garage is at the Dragon City Mall. Combine your visit with a trip to Kensington Market or Little Italy Toronto, which are both just a short walk away.
