Hawker

Name: Hawker
Address: 291 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 2M2
Telephone: (416) 628-1905
Price range: CAN$31 to CAN$50
Rating: 4.8

4.8

263 Reviews

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Pan-Asian

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 21, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Booked 5 times today

Experiences are available.

Vegan-friendly
Vegetarian-friendly
Charming

At Hawker, Chef's Jeff Merkel and Leah Steduto spotlight their naturalistic worldview with beautifully composed plant-based small plates, cocktails, and a thoughtfully curated list of vegan wines.

Located in Kensington Market, the cozy dining space features an earthy, palette of dark wood and moss. A picturesque, romantic back patio is naturally decorated with ivy. A front patio lets you enjoy the lively sights and sounds of the market.

All reservations have a 15 minute grace period. Please call us if you are arriving later than 15 minutes. Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 45 minutes for parties of 1-2; 2 hours for parties of 3-6; 2 hours 30 minutes for parties of 7 or more. If arriving late, we may not be able to extend your seating time if there are reservations scheduled after your allotted timeframe.

Please note, an 18% gratuity is automatically added to the bill for groups of 6 or more.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Pan-Asian, Tapas / Small Plates, Vegan
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(416) 628-1905
Website
http://www.hawker.to/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Jeff Merkel
Catering
Enjoy Hawker's naturalist cuisine for various events, from casual to formal gatherings. Our catering services adapt to different settings, ensuring a memorable meal at any venue. With a customizable menu, we accommodate your event's needs, providing a fitting and delightful dining experience.
Private party facilities
Host your private event in our cozy dining room and savour our artful vegan creations with your guests. Our intimate setting can comfortably accommodate up to 18 guests across our intimate dining room. Cherish an exclusive dining experience amidst an earthy decor and inviting setting.

Location
291 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2M2
Neighbourhood
Chinatown / Kensington Market
Cross Street
College and Augusta Avenue
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wine

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Experiences

New Year's 6-Course Tasting Experience
$80.00 per person
Prepaid
Dec 31, 2024 only
Celebrate the New Year with a thoughtfully crafted plant-based 6-course tasting menu, accompanied by a complimentary glass of cava. Each seating is 2 hours, with the final seating at 8 PM. Space is limited—reserve your table today. Reservation times are strict, with a 15-minute grace period. Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Chef's Table Tasting Experience
$85.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Join and watch us prepare a Chef's choice six-course tasting menu for you, inspired by our à la carte menu. Each course will be served and explained to you by our Chef while seated at the bar style counter overlooking our open kitchen. The fine print: Your seating is for 2 hours. We will hold the table for 15 minutes before your reservation is released. Give us a call if you're running late! Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will result in a $25 per person charge being applied to the credit card used at the time of booking. The tasting menu is offered at $70 per guest and does not include beverages, gratuity, and tax.
6-Course Tasting Menu
$75.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Explore tantalizing flavours chosen from our à la carte menu with our 6-course Tasting Menu. Handcrafted dishes, warm service, and intimate setting. Book now for a memorable dining journey. The fine print: Your seating is for 1 hour and 45 minutes. We will hold the table for 15 minutes before your reservation is released. Give us a call if you're running late! Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will result in a $25 per person charge being applied to the credit card used at the time of booking. The tasting menu is offered at $70 per guest and does not include beverages, gratuity, and tax.

Offers

50% off Wine Bottles, Cocktails & Mocktails
Multiple dates available
Wed - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday enjoy half price bottles from our vegan wine selection, cocktails, and mocktails with your small plates or tasting menu experiences.
Hawker Wala: $10 Gourmet Sandwiches, & Street Eats
Multiple dates available
Tue - Fri - 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Our weekly lunch popup Hawker Wala is serving up the ultimate lunch experience—$10 hearty & gourmet sourdough sandwiches in 7 knockout varieties, including the must-try Wala Banh Mi! Choose from 7 different sandwich flavors to satisfy your cravings. Hungry for more? Dive into our crispy Oyster or Lion's Mane mushroom wings with sauces that slap, or grab a bowl of our fragrant, flavourful biryani. Open Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 3pm, you can walk in, self-seat, take out, or order on Uber Eats, Ritual or DoorDash - no reservations, just big flavours and unbeatable prices!

Summer$14.00
papadam, chickpea ferment, cherry tomatoes
Autumn$14.00
shishito peppers, smoked tomato sauce, spruce
Earth$15.50
oyster mushrooms, smoked corn broth, sesame
Spring$16.00
dosas, fava beans, mango, avocado
God's Work$18.00
romano beans, pepper paste, pine nut
Starry Night$15.50
biryani, smoked poblano, lavender
Dawn$14.00
yucca, herbs, radish reduction
Solstice$15.00
parsnip, cedar, tomato jam, sweet chestnuts
Sunrise$17.00
cedar roasted grapes, fermented cashew, crispy brussels sprout leaves, flatbread
Sunset$14.50
butternut squash, mushroom broth, spices
Flora$13.00
red cress salad, fermented blackberry and birch syrup dressing, plums
Bushfire$15.00
eggplant, rosemary smoke, roti

Sweet

Nature Cake$10.00
breadfruit, sweet fern, coconut cream
Winter$11.00
ice cream, thyme, hazelnut
Ice Cream$7.00
our weekly churn

Pantry

Yaga Hot Sauce
roasted carrots, spruce tips, scotch bonnet
- Bottle (236ml)$10.00
Chickpea Ferment
our in-house chickpea cheese
- 126g$9.00

Wine

Red

Tradicional Tinto$16.00
vines grown on volcanic soil - notes of smoke, blackberries & pepper
Le Rouge 2020$18.00
aromas and flavours of small berries - with floral, spicy, peppery notes
Bierzo Red$76.00
dark, red fruit notes, plum, blackberry and cherry, vanilla spice, cocoa and anise

White

Meldville, Riesling$14.00
notes of lemon, lime, plum, honey, and an intoxicating funk
Txakolina Blanc$17.00
notes of citrus and crisp red apple; herbs, flowers & minerals
Island Café$13.00
a fresh, unoaked and mineral driven wine with juicy acidity

Rosé & Sparkling

Meldville Rosé, Pinot Noir$16.00
wild strawberries and raspberries - picnic energy
Dominio de Tharsys Brut Nature Cava$14.00
bone-dry, persistent bubbles, apple, pear, toasted notes

Cocktails

Resonance$17.00
strawberry, lavender, earl grey, tequila blanco
Resonance Mocktail$12.00
strawberry, lavender, earl grey
Botany$17.00
coconut water, Vietnamese mint, cucumber, tequila blanco
Botany Mocktail$12.00
coconut water, Vietnamese mint, cucumber
Epiphany$17.00
pear, chamomile tea, gin
Epiphany Mocktail$12.00
pear, chamomile tea
Dusk$17.00
old fashioned with smoked cardamom, curry leaves, 2.0oz
Spruce Negroni$17.00
cedar & spruce infused whiskey, campari, sweet vermouth, 3oz
Mimosa$12.00
cava with a choice of guava or grapefruit juice

Beers

Revivale Lagered Ale$8.00
Lost Craft
Old School Pilsner$8.00
Lost Craft
Ghost$8.00
Hazy IPA
Black Magic$9.00
Dark Raspberry Sour
Tequila Soda Lime$8.00
Dejado

Drink

Chai$6.00
house-made unsweetened chai with oat milk, served hot or cold
Hibiscus Tea$3.00
iced hibiscus tea sweetened with thyme syrup
Sustenance$6.00
house kombucha; japanese green tea, foraged sweet fern
Deliverance$6.00
hot chaga tea with spruce syrup
Boylang Sugar Cane Sodas$5.00
ginger ale or black cherry soda
Sparkling Water$6.00
750ml

What 263 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Toronto / Ontario
Healthy
Toronto / Ontario
Vegetarian-friendly
Toronto
Healthy
Toronto
Vegetarian-friendly

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Hawker is a vibrant culinary gem celebrated for its innovative, plant-based dishes that delight both vegan and non-vegan diners. Guests rave about the "creative and flavourful" menu and "phenomenal" food, complemented by attentive service and a charming ambience. It's perfect for date nights or special gatherings. Highly recommended!

263 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Berlin
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Great place for dinner with friends! Tasting menu was excellent
Is this helpful?
T
Tobias
Toronto
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic melding of flavours. Dishes were exactly as ordered, and came to the table quickly. One of the best meals we've had in months!
Is this helpful?
C
Cindy
Toronto
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is the second time I have enjoyed a dinner at this restaurant. The food was delicious, the server went above and beyond.
Is this helpful?
H
Harmeet
Toronto
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Incredible food and experience. Will always recommend this place!
Is this helpful?
B
Benoit
VIP
Toronto
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 24, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was tastier than it was beautiful, and the food was beautiful
Is this helpful?
N
Nicole
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food is phenomenal. A must eat! I had the weekend brunch menu and it was perfectly curated.
Is this helpful?
A
Adrian
Toronto
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is the place I take all my vegan and non-vegan friends and family when they visit the city. The tasting menu with wine pairing is an awesome price for the quality and thoughtfulness of everything Hawker offers, I’ve never had someone not say it was at least in the top 5 best meals they’d ever had! The cocktails are also wonderful across the board
1 person found this helpful
H
Himanshu
Montreal
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I had a wonderful time at Hawker! The food was quite tasty, simple but flavourful and I loved the play on sounds Asian food they did. Although not really south Asian food (especially with spice level and the spices combinations) it was still super enjoyable.
1 person found this helpful
J
Janu
Toronto
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We tried the tasting menu for my husband's birthday and loved every bite, flavor, and presentation. Lion's mane mushroom dish was fantastic! Our servers were courteous and friendly, and both the cocktails and mocktails were delicious. It was a wonderful evening that exceeded our expectations. Highly recommended!
1 person found this helpful
L
Lisa
Toronto
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
I’m almost apologetic as I wrote this as all other reviews seem to be glowing. We ate at Hawker last night and were disappointed. We had high expectations based on the Google reviews and the score (4.8/5) but the food didn’t quite measure up. The oyster mushroom dish was very good but then our next two dishes weren’t great. For $100 including tip we got three small plates and a glass of wine each. Pricey and not filling. Everything works well on paper but didn’t quite deliver on the taste and flavour we were expecting. Wont return sadly. Really wanted to like it!!!
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FAQs

Hawker is rated 4.8 stars by 263 OpenTable diners.

Hawker does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.