Toronto Kensington Market & Chinatown Walking Tour
Discover Toronto beyond the landmarks on a small-group walk through vibrant Kensington Market and Chinatown, with local food, street art, hidden gems, and stories from...
What to order at Mother's Dumplings
- Must order
- The pan-fried pork and chive dumplings and a green onion pancake.
- Signature dishes
- Pork and chive dumplings, Green onion pancake
- Editor tip
- Walk-in only; frozen dumpling fridge by the door for takeaway. Cash and card accepted, but cash moves the line faster.
Signature dishes: Pork and chive dumplings, Green onion pancake
Must order: The pan-fried pork and chive dumplings and a green onion pancake.
Tip: Walk-in only; frozen dumpling fridge by the door for takeaway. Cash and card accepted, but cash moves the line faster.
Food experiences in Chinatown
Toronto: 2-Hour Kensington Market Chinatown Walking Tour
Discover Chinatown and Kensington Market on a public or private 2-hour walking tour. Admire street art, learn about local culture, and explore more specialty food stop...
Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour
Kensington Market is a must-see on any Toronto bucket list. Travel the world in one afternoon as we taste a variety of multicultural delicacies in this crazy, colourfu...
Location
Address: 421 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2G6
Also in chinatown
Rol San ★ 4.3
Rol San on Spadina has run Cantonese dim sum since 1994, founded by Paul and Paulie Li, reopened at 388 Spadina in 2024 after redevelopment.
Signature: Dim sum, BBQ pork rice
Order: The har gow, siu mai and BBQ pork buns from the order-sheet menu.
Tip: No carts; tick boxes on the paper menu. Late-night kitchen until 02:00 weeknights and 05:00 weekends serves the city's late-shift staff.
Lai Wah Heen ★ 4.5
Lai Wah Heen reopened on the second floor of the DoubleTree Hilton in July 2025 after a two-year hiatus, chefs Heyden Sin and Huang Zhenqing.
Signature: Refined dim sum tasting, Cartless dim sum
Order: The dim sum tasting; the kitchen still presses every dumpling to order.
Tip: Reservation-only since the 2025 reopen. The NYT once called it the best dim sum in North America under founder Canson Tsang.
Pho Hung ★ 4.3
Pho Hung on Spadina is the Chinatown Vietnamese counter the Nguyen family opened in 1985, with a 30-year broth recipe and the famous fried chicken wings.
Signature: Pho tai, Bun bo Hue, Fried chicken wings
Order: The pho tai with brisket, plus a half order of fried chicken wings on the side.
Tip: Cash discount under $20. Three locations in Toronto; Spadina is the original and busiest.
More casual dining in Toronto
Rol San ★ 4.3
Rol San on Spadina has run Cantonese dim sum since 1994, founded by Paul and Paulie Li, reopened at 388 Spadina in 2024 after redevelopment.
Signature: Dim sum, BBQ pork rice
Order: The har gow, siu mai and BBQ pork buns from the order-sheet menu.
Tip: No carts; tick boxes on the paper menu. Late-night kitchen until 02:00 weeknights and 05:00 weekends serves the city's late-shift staff.
Pearl Harbourfront ★ 4.3
Pearl Harbourfront on Queens Quay runs Cantonese dim sum overlooking Lake Ontario from the Queen's Quay Terminal, the city's waterfront dim sum room.
Signature: Dim sum, Peking duck
Order: The shrimp dumplings, BBQ pork buns and a half Peking duck.
Tip: Lunch dim sum runs 11:00-16:00; the window tables fill first. Tower views and the wharf below justify the slight premium over Spadina.
Lai Wah Heen ★ 4.5
Lai Wah Heen reopened on the second floor of the DoubleTree Hilton in July 2025 after a two-year hiatus, chefs Heyden Sin and Huang Zhenqing.
Signature: Refined dim sum tasting, Cartless dim sum
Order: The dim sum tasting; the kitchen still presses every dumpling to order.
Tip: Reservation-only since the 2025 reopen. The NYT once called it the best dim sum in North America under founder Canson Tsang.
Pho Hung ★ 4.3
Pho Hung on Spadina is the Chinatown Vietnamese counter the Nguyen family opened in 1985, with a 30-year broth recipe and the famous fried chicken wings.
Signature: Pho tai, Bun bo Hue, Fried chicken wings
Order: The pho tai with brisket, plus a half order of fried chicken wings on the side.
Tip: Cash discount under $20. Three locations in Toronto; Spadina is the original and busiest.
Pizzeria Libretto ★ 4.3
Pizzeria Libretto on the Danforth is the AVPN-certified Neapolitan pie chain since 2009, the Margherita with San Marzano DOP and fior di latte.
Signature: Margherita pizza, Verace Pizza Napoletana certified pies
Order: The Margherita pie or the Funghi with mushrooms and pecorino.
Tip: Walk-ins easier weeknights. Sister University, Yonge and Etobicoke locations carry the same pizza; the Ossington original is now Bar Libretto, late-night pivot.
Pizzeria Libretto University ★ 4.2
Pizzeria Libretto University on University Avenue is the downtown business-lunch branch of the AVPN-certified Neapolitan chain, vegan and gluten-free pizzas.
Signature: Margherita, Vegan and gluten-free pies
Order: The Margherita or the Diavola with hot calabrese salami.
Tip: Lunch the easier walk-in. The downtown crowd thins after 14:00.