Jun 11, 2025

Blue Banana Market Toronto

Unique Toronto souvenirs

""Blue Banana Market" Toronto is one of my favourite spots in the city- small fruit, cheese and seafood vendors co-exist with organic juice shops..."

Okay, so you’re in Toronto and you want to bring a gift back home. What do you buy? A Mountie hat? A stuffed moose? A jug of maple syrup? How cliché- you’re better than that. Skip the overpriced souvenir shops along Spadina Road and head straight to Kensington Market to visit Blue Banana Market.

Kensington Market is one of my favourite spots in the city- small fruit, cheese and seafood vendors co-exist with organic juice shops and little restaurants. It’s eclectic, a little bit hippie, and always lively. Blue Banana Market is one of the largest stores in Kensington, and it’s devoted to selling unique gifts from various artisans and craftsmen, many of which are locally based. The store is separated into little stalls, each with its own flavour. Leather goods, pottery, jewelry, candy, lewd greeting cards… it’s all here. You are bound to find something here for anyone on your list. There is a wide range of prices here, so there’s no doubt you can leave here with something unique, no matter the budget. You could spend an hour in there browsing.

I recommend spending a leisurely afternoon in Kensington, grabbing some food to go, and dropping into the Blue Banana. You’ll be so glad you didn’t buy your mother a Maple Leaf-emblazoned beaver.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

About this spot

250 Augusta Avenue

Various:

C$

no-price

4165946600

Find your way with 145 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Toronto guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Toronto

Arcadia Earth

An inspiring, immersive experience

Throughout the experience, you’ll visit several different rooms, each with its own focus on threats to our precious planet, such as electronic waste.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Arts Market

Great selection of artisanal gifts

From beautiful jewelry to handmade or vintage home decor, amazing artwork, and candles scented with classic Canadian smells, it’s a gift-givers heaven!

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

A Different Booklist

A bookstore for better

A couple of great finds I’ve gotten from this store are Braiding Sweetgrass, my favourite book of all time and The Intersectional Environmentalist...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

The Latest Scoop

Treasure trove for trend seekers

Each visit to The Latest Scoop is a like a little treasure hunt, with regularly updated inventory to keep up with the latest trends.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Karma Co-op

A co-op for the conscious consumer

Somewhat tucked away in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, this sweet shop welcomes you with a selection of locally made baked goods you can take to-go.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Ecotique

Great for eco-friendly goods and gifts

I’ve bought a bunch here, from seed bombs to sustainable swaps like planet-friendly nail polish, and a pair of mittens made from old sweaters!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Pretty Clean Shop

A sustainable & stunning shop

There is so much to see in this stunning space, and they have such a wide selection, you could spend hours inside and still not see it all!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Coal Miner's Daughter

Canadian clothing and more

Their guiding principles are rooted in the slow fashion movement of quality over quantity, meaning sustainably and ethically produced pieces!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Brodawka & Friends

Sweet store for grabbing gifts

I’ve bought plenty here from a beautiful, sustainably-made beach towel to a gorgeous gold-dipped necklace - both were gifts for myself!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Cassandra

Della Mora

Jul 10, 2025

Broadview Espresso

Comfy coffee corner

"Broadview Espresso" in Toronto makes cappuccino just the way I like it -- almost scalding hot! I love sitting at the patio in the wooden seats...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Jeffrey

Wood

Jun 28, 2025

Maids' Cottage Butter Tarts

Taste of Ontario

"Maids' Cottage Butter Tarts" in Toronto makes some of the best butter tarts you can find in the city, and there's nothing more Ontario than eating them!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Jeffrey

Wood

Jun 28, 2025

Toronto Reference Library

Literally awesome!

"Toronto Reference Library" is Canada's largest reference library & a must-stop on any downtown tour, with plenty of exciting cultural secrets to discover.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Jeffrey

Wood

Jun 28, 2025

Heading to Toronto?

145 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

145 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Shopping

Our team loves Toronto

Get to know our other Spotters from Toronto

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7300
Filters