Top 26 food festivals and dining events in Toronto this June

By Jennifer D'Agostino

From craft beer to doughnuts there’s a whole lot for foodies to indulge in this month! There’s food festivals happening all month long, from Taco Fest to the biggest Butter Tart Festival in Ontario. Whether it’s eating amazing food for a good cause, or just sharing delicious eats with a crowd of other foodies, you won’t go hungry! Here are the best bets for food festivals and dining events in Toronto this June. [Photo credit: Taste Toronto by Jeremy Phan from a Second Glance]

Kampai Festival of Sake
The biggest sake festival of its kind in Canada is back and promises even more sake this year! The annual celebration showcases more than 150 sakes and features the best in Japanese cuisine from local chefs. The 2017 festival sees the introduction of an outdoor market which will focus on Japan’s sake culture.

• When: June 1, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
• Admission: $30 to $110
• Where: The Fermenting Cellar
• More Event Info

Adelaide Eats
Formerly named Front Street Foods, this massive food market is one of the most diverse markets in the city. Showcasing the best in Toronto’s restaurants, vendors include Little Fin, Tacos 101, Wahlburgers and Momofuku.

• When: June 1 to July 28, Monday to Wednesday: 11 am to 3 pm, Thursday to Friday: 11 am to 9 pm
• Where: Second floor terrace of Adelaide Place
• More Event Info

Pink Flamingo Backyard Patio
The Addisons Residence is celebrating the official launch of its backyard patio with a Pink Flamingo party! The pink affair, complete with pink punch bowls, pink cocktails and pink ice cream, will be in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This event is 21+ for ladies and 25+ for gentlemen.

• When: June 1, 7 pm
• Where: The Addisons Residence
• More Event Info

Leaside Smokedown
Local food, beer and music are what’s in store at the Leaside Smokedown. Barbecue is on the menu, alongside Amsterdam’s craft brews, plus there will be a silent auction and giveaways. A portion of proceeds will go towards the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

• When: June 1, 6 pm to 12 am
• Admission: $75
• Where: Amsterdam Brewery
• More Event Info

Mac & Cheese Festival
The Mac & Cheese Festival features local chefs’ take on the classic dish and a food competition for Catelli’s People Choice Award. There’ll be cheese tastings, craft breweries, live entertainment and a massive Kids Village.

• When: June 2 to 4, Friday: 7 pm to 11 pm, Saturday: 1 pm to 11 pm, Sunday: 1 pm to 7 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Ontario Place
• More Event Info

Appleseed Cider Festival
The Appleseed Cider Festival is one of the biggest cider festivals in Ontario. Featuring the best in Ontario Craft Cider, there will be tastings, pairings and cider related products. Session one is family friendly, Session two is 19+.

• When: June 3, 3 pm to 11 pm
• Admission: $25 to $30
• Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns
• More Event Info

Food Truck Festival
For the first time Boyd Conservation Area is hosting a Food Truck Festival! Featuring the best in Toronto’s food trucks and fun activities for the whole family, it’s going to be a weekend filled with good eats and fun.

• When: June 3 to 4, 11 am to 7 pm
• Admission: $2.43 to $2.88
• Where: Boyd Conservation Area
• More Event Info

Toronto Taste 2017
In support of Second Harvest, Toronto Taste is a charity dinner with some of the biggest names in the Toronto restaurant scene. This year participating chefs include Mark McEwan, Ella Herrera, Rocco Agostino, Michael Smith and more!

• When: June 4, 6 pm to 11 pm
• Admission: $260
• Where: Lakeside Corus Quay
• More Event Info

BBQ Eats Festival
The inaugural BBQ Eats Festival is promising to be filled with the best barbecue Toronto has to offer. There will be BBQ challenges, tastings and craft brews all weekend long. Participating chefs include Ivana Raca, Sherry Papa, Aleem Syed and more.

• When: June 9 to 11, Friday: 7 pm to 12 am, Saturday: 1 pm to 12 am, Sunday: 1 pm to 7 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Ontario Place
• More Event Info

iYellow Presents: Rose Day 2017
iYellow is celebrating Rose Day with an evening of pink wine! The event, hosted by Wine Angels, will also include light snacks and the best rose Ontario has on offer.

• When: June 9, 6 pm to 8 pm
• Admission: $35
• Where: iYellow Wine Cave
• More Event Info

Butter Tart Festival
Ontario’s biggest Butter Tart festival is back for another season, and there are some tasty butter tarts to be had. Bakers across Ontario will be competing for the title of Best Butter Tart, and attendees get to taste test their efforts, as well enjoy live entertainment and the Butter Tart Trot.

• When: June 10
• Admission: Free
• Where: Downtown Midland
• More Event Info

Grilled Cheese Challenge
The Grilled Cheese Challenge is the ultimate grilled cheese battle in Toronto! Local vendors like Cut the Cheese, No. 7 Mexican Hot Sauce, NTB Lakeshore and The Big Guys will all be battling it out for the title of best grilled cheese in the city. The event also includes live music and entertainment.

• When: June 10, 2 pm to 10 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Islington & Lakeshore Blvd. West
• More Event Info

Foodalicous
The first Foodalicious ever is a weekend festival filled with food and entertainment. Top food trucks like Mustache Burger, Crazy Burrito, Buster Sea Cove will all be there. There will also be carnival games, midway rides, live music, giveaways and more.

• When: June 10 to 11, Saturday: 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday: 11 am to 8 pm
• Admission: $5
• Where: Downsview Park
• More Event Info

Griffin Session Toronto
The 8th annual Griffin Session Toronto kicks off Ontario Craft Beer Week with a day filled with craft beer, food and live music! Participating breweries include Big Rock, Muskoka Brewery, Sawdusk Brewing Co. and more. Liberty Commons and Heirloom will provide the food.

• When: June 10, 11 am to 9 pm
• Admission: $40 to $100
• Where: Yonge & Dundas Square
• More Event Info

The Stop’s Night Market
A fundraising event, The Stop hosts The Night Market featuring food from Richmond Station, Delica Kitchen, Mata Petisco Bar, Gusto 54 and more. All proceeds go towards the programs offered at The Stop community food centre.

• When: June 13 to 14, 7 pm to 11 pm
• Where: 181 Sterling Road
• Admission: $100
• More Event Info

Taste of Toronto
Taste of Toronto is an annual food market that offers simply the best from Toronto’s food scene. From restaurants to local food artisans it’s the perfect taste of what this city has to offer.

• When: June 15 to 18
• Admission: $8 to  $350
• Where: Fort York
• More Event Info

Taco Fest
The Taco Fest is back this year and is bigger than ever. They promise an eclectic mix of Toronto chefs offering up their take on tacos, guacamole, churros, tequila and more!

• When: June 16 to 18, Friday & Saturday: 11 am to 10 pm, Sunday: 11 am to 7 pm
• Admission: $9.95
• Where: Ontario Place
• More Event Info

Beach BBQ & Brews Festival
For nine years the Beach BBQ & Brews Festival has been the number one Father’s Day destination. The festival showcases the best barbecue in Canada, a new craft beer market, wine and spirits area, life-sized board games and a Kids Zone.

• When: June 16 to 18, Friday: 4 pm to 11 pm, Saturday: 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday: 11 am to 7 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Woodbine Park
• More Event Info

Wine & Spirits Festival
Returning to Sugar Beach this year, the Wine & Spirits Festival celebrates the best in wine and spirits in Toronto. Enjoy wine, spirits, beer, cider, cocktail and more. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to The Music Therapy Trust Fund.

• When: June 16 to 17, Friday: 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturday: 2 pm to 10 pm
• Admission: $25
• Where: Sugar Beach
• More Event Info

SickKids Charity Strawberry Festival
In support of SickKids, the Strawberry Festival sees local restauranteurs, bakeries and vendors create a tasty dish showcasing strawberries. Each treat is priced at $3 from places like Patisserie 27, Queen Marghertia Pizza, Choko Art Chocolates, and Woody’s Burger & Grill.

• When: June 17, 11 am to 3 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Baby Point Gates BIA
• More Event Info

Thrill of the Grill
Thrill of the Grill celebrates local vendors on the Danforth, while raising money for kidney cancer research. Vendors include Allens, The Edmund Burke, Globe Bistro and more. Chef Lynn Crawford and HGTV Canada host Tommy Smythe host the Jack Daniel’s Cocktail contest.

• When: June 17, 12 pm to 4 pm
• Admission: $20
• Where: Danforth BIA
• More Event

GLB Charity BBQ
Back for its 15th year, the GLB Charity BBQ is an annual Father’s Day tradition. The afternoon features live music, a beer garden, face painting, games and all the BBQ you could want! Money raised will be donated to the Franklin Horner Community Centre.

• When: June 17, 12 pm to 5 pm
• Admission: Free
• Where: Great Lakes Brewery
• More Event Info

Top Chef Mexico Dinner
Chef Elia Herrera hosts fellow contestants from season two of Top Chef Mexico for a collaborative dinner at her restaurant. The five-course meal will be paired with Tromba tequila and Dos XX.

• When: June 19, 7 pm to 10 pm
• Admission: $115
• Where: Los Colibris
• More Event Info

Feast On(tario)
Feast On(tario) is a dinner hosted by Chef Jesse Vallins of Maple Leaf Tavern which showcases protein by VG Meats. Prepared and led by Chef Vallins, the dinner offers three types of sausages and roasted chicken.

• When: June 22, 7 pm to 9 pm
• Admission: $70
• Where: Maple Leaf Tavern
• More Event Info

Toronto Craft Beer Festival
The Toronto Craft Beer Festival is taking over Ontario Place this year, with all the best craft breweries this province has on offer. The focus is on independent craft breweries with samples from award-winning beer and ciders for everyone. There will also be loads of activities and live music.

• When: June 23 to 24, Friday: 3:30 pm to 10 pm, Saturday: 1 pm to 10 pm
• Admission: $10 to $55
• Where: Ontario Place
• More Event Info

Doughnut Festival
Toronto Life is showing off the top doughnuts in the city with a Doughnut Festival! Doughnuts from Tori’s Bakeshop, Glory Hole, SanRemo, The Rolling Pin, Von Doughnuts and more will be on display for attendees to sample!

• When: June 25, 12 pm to 4 pm
• Admission: $5 to $30
• Where: Dufferin Mall
• More Event Info

Taste of Little Italy
One of the biggest events of the year Taste of Little Italy is back and promising more food and live entertainment than ever! Taste some of the best Italian eats in the city as restaurants open their doors all weekend long! There will also be live music and activities for all ages!

• When: June 16 to 18, Friday: 6:30 pm -to 1 am, Saturday: 11 am to 1 am, Sunday: 11 am to 10 pm
• Where: Little Italy BIA
• More Event Info

Toronto Rib Fest
The Toronto Rib Fest is celebrate Canada’s 150th this summer with even more BBQ goodness! All your favourites will be there from Billy Bones to Texas Rangers to Uncle Sam’s! There will also be loads of activities for the kids!

• When: June 30 to July 3
• Where: Centennial Park
• More Event Info