Lying just west of T.O.’s main Chinatown, Kensington Market is one of the city’s oldest,
most multicultural, and true-to-its-roots ‘hoods. Founded in the early 1900s, it was also known
as The Jewish Market, but this shifted mid-
century as the community relocated to more prosperous digs uptown and Kensington
gradually became home to many Portuguese, Caribbean, East Asian, African, South American and Middle Eastern immigrants.

Over the decades, Kensington’s original open-
air market gave rise to the dozens of fruit, vegetable, cheese, fish, spice, and ethnic food shops you’ll smell mixed with clouds of cannabis today. While neither these aromas nor the fear
of roaches ‘n’ rats could keep condos from being built or property prices from rising, Kensington still maintains its lefty politics, large population
of artists, and community feel. Tourists and residents alike pack the chaotic sidewalks and streets, boho cafes, restaurants (downtrodden
to downright trendy), surplus stores, and
colourful vintage clothing shops. The most hip, happening and utterly organic National Historic Site you could hope to visit.