Toronto has some of Canada's best night markets — the Scarborough Night Market (May–September) is the city's most beloved, with 50+ Asian food vendors in a massive outdoor market running until midnight. The Richmond Night Market-style experience in Scarborough draws families from across the GTA for bubble waffles, hot pot, takoyaki, and more.
Neighbourhood: Scarborough / Various · Address: Scarborough (Brimley/McNicoll area) + various GTA locations · Hours: May – September | Fri–Sun 6pm–midnight · Price Range: $ · Phone: (416) 296-3340 · Editorial status: Not yet verified
The Scarborough Night Market brings together 50+ Asian street food vendors, letting you snack your way across East and Southeast Asia until midnight. It's the best spot in Toronto to find legit bubble waffles, stinky tofu, and late-night energy all summer long.
Unlike other Toronto events, this market goes hard on authentic Asian street eats rarely found elsewhere in the city, with massive lines for dishes like grilled squid and handmade dumplings. Its hours run truly late (midnight!) and the open-air Scarborough location attracts a local crowd rather than just tourists or downtowners.
Toronto's night market scene — the after-dark outdoor markets that have developed primarily in the summer months, with the Night It Up (Asian-themed night market, inspired by the Taiwan night market tradition) as the largest and most consistent annual event — provides a food experience distinct from daytime farmers markets and food festivals. The night market format (portable vendor stalls, food designed for standing and walking, the social density of a crowded outdoor space) suits specific food formats: hand-held foods, bite-sized portions, foods that benefit from the ambient heat of cooking in a shared outdoor space.
The Asian night market tradition (particularly the Taiwanese and Southeast Asian inspirations behind Night It Up and similar events) has introduced Toronto to foods that don't always translate well to the restaurant format: oyster omelets (oysters in a starch-thickened egg batter, fried on a flat griddle), stinky tofu (fermented tofu deep-fried, with the characteristic pungent aroma that is actually the smell of fermentation rather than decay), and smelly peanuts (seasoned roasted peanuts with intense fermented flavour) are night market foods because their immediate, hot-from-the-griddle preparation is part of the experience.
The cash-only reality at many Toronto night markets reflects both the vendor economics (card transaction fees, the time cost of card processing, and the equipment requirements for outdoor payment systems) and the heritage of street market culture where cash is the default. The ATM at the entrance (typically a third-party ATM with a $2-3 fee) is a practical solution that the market organizers provide; bringing $40-60 in cash before arriving is the better approach.
Night market season in Toronto concentrates from late June through August, with specific event dates announced through social media and Toronto food media. Some markets (Night It Up, the Markham Night Market) repeat annually with a fixed format; others emerge as one-time events.
Night It Up is Toronto's largest Asian-themed night market, typically held at Scarborough Town Centre or a large parking area in Scarborough or Markham in July and August. Inspired by Taiwan's Shilin Night Market, it features 100+ vendors serving Asian street food alongside games and entertainment.
Night market essentials: Taiwanese popcorn chicken (small crispy fried chicken pieces with basil, sesame, and chili), bubble tea, takoyaki (octopus balls), Korean corn dogs, oyster omelets, grilled squid, and stinky tofu (the smell is the smell of fermentation — taste it before judging). Go hungry and share across many different stalls.
Budget $40-60 for a thorough night market tasting. Individual portions are $3-10 each; bubble tea is $6-8. Most vendors are cash-only; the market usually has a third-party ATM at the entrance with a $2-3 fee. Bringing cash in advance is better than paying the ATM fee.
Night market season runs June through August. Night It Up dates are announced in May on their social media and website. The Markham Night Market (Asian food focused), the Junction Night Market, and various pop-up night markets also appear through the summer — follow Toronto food media for announcements.
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