The biggest Filipino food fest in Canada is a massive yearly community event showcasing Pinoy food and culture. Taste of Manila takes place every August in North York, home to the largest area of concentration for Filipinos in Canada, attracting more than 350,000 visitors.
Schedule of Events
The events usually run from 10 am to 11 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday. Apart from food, the main star of the festival, there is also live music and performances, kids activities, and fashion shows. Filipino designers present unusual fabrics and introduce them to Toronto.
Food of Manila
Authentic Filipino cuisine is the biggest highlight of the festival, with more than 130 food vendors each year. Taste of Manila offers thousands of attendees a chance to try lumpia, halo-halo, lechon, pancit, and other food delights. As it marks its 11th year, Taste of Manila is expanding its culinary offerings by introducing street foods from various cultures, broadening its palate for visitors to enjoy.
Location and Tickets
The festivities are held at the corners of Wilson Ave. and Bathurst St. in Toronto, Ontario. Admission is free, and street parking is free; paid parking is available. The area is wheelchair accessible, and public transport runs to the location.
History of the Festival
The festival was founded in 2014 and has immediately become the largest festival in the Greater Toronto Area. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a surprise visit to the festival in 2016. A large section of Bathurst Street is known as "Little Manila" and is the epicenter of the Filipino community in Toronto, with many ethnic restaurants and other Filipino businesses nearby.
