Week of Jul 30 - Aug 5

A busy mid-summer week with plenty to eat, sip, and join in on.

July 30, 2026

Tofu burger from Avo Organic Kitchen

Welcome back to The Insider and this week is a busy one heading into August, with a good mix of meals, socials, advocacy, and an opening to note on the restaurant side.

There’s something for people who want to eat out, meet other vegans, or get involved in the community, so readers have plenty to choose from in the next few days.

I am also very excited to introduce Avo Organic Kitchen, the newest fully vegan spot to open in the city. After a stretch of closures, it feels great to announce a new vegan restaurant that gives people another place to go, especially in a part of town where there aren’t many others.

This Week:

📅 Thursday, July 30, 2026
🕒 3:45 p.m.; 5 p.m.; 6:15 p.m.
📍 Dufferin Grove Organic Farmer’s Market, 875 Dufferin St
🎟️ $25

A seated harvest lunch at Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market featuring Chef Olivia Cupido and a seasonal menu built around whatever is freshest at the market that day. The event focuses on communal dining and local produce, and while only the 5:00 p.m. ticket was available when posted, other seating times were listed as waitlist only.

📅 Friday, July 31, 2026
🕒 6:00–9:00 p.m.
📍 Dosa Mahal, 9 Roncesvalles Ave
🎟️ Free

A monthly vegan social for meeting new people in a low-key setting; you do not need to be vegan to attend, and the event is dry. This edition is at Dosa Mahal and leans into a summer theme, with vegan South Indian food and drinks available for purchase, plus a relaxed, community-focused format.

📅 Saturday, August 1, 2026
🕒 2:00–4:30 p.m.
📍 The Lab, 108 Dundas St W
🎟️ $70

A guided painting workshop paired with a vegan tasting experience from 5 Principles Cuisines. The ticket includes one drink, five courses of vegan small plates, and all painting supplies, and the event is set up as a casual afternoon for people who want something creative and food-focused.

📅 Saturday, August 1, 2026
🕒 9:45 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 12:15 p.m.
📍 The Junction Farmers’ Market, Baird Park, 275 Keele St
🎟️ $25

A communal harvest lunch at the Junction Farmers’ Market featuring Chef Matheus Brasileiro of Sau Bake, the vegan Brazilian bakery known for vegan cooking and baked goods. The meal is built around that morning’s market produce, and 3 seating time slots available.

📅 Sunday, August 2, 2026
🕒 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. EDT
📍 Trinity Bellwoods Park entrance, 790 Queen St W

This volunteer-led animal advocacy event is part of We The Free’s annual Solidarity Day, with Toronto focused on the 3-Minute Movie Challenge. Participants share a short film about animal agriculture with the public and offer a free vegan treat, aiming to start conversations about veganism and animal rights.


(Event details are accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time of publishing. Events are intended to be vegan, but details may change, please confirm directly with the organizer if you have specific concerns.)

Product of the Week

Each week, I share a vegan product I personally use or trust. Some links are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely stand behind.

⭐ Spotlight: Farm Girl Rainbow Hoops is a colourful, gluten-free cereal that’s made with plant-based ingredients and no added sugar.

It gets its bright colours from natural sources like spirulina, turmeric, beet, and black carrot, and it also delivers a solid boost of protein and fibre, making it a fun option for a quick breakfast or snack.

My friend brought these to my attention and they are so good!

Worth Noting:

New Vegan Restaurant

Avo Organic Kitchen has opened as the newest 100% vegan restaurant in Toronto, which is great to see after so many recent closures. The restaurant focuses on organic, plant-based comfort food, with a menu that includes breakfast items, bowls, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and coffee with vegan milk options. It’s run by a team centred around a family-style approach, and the menu leans approachable rather than fussy. I visited and found it a bit farther than I expected, but it’s still a nice option for anyone in the northern part of the city.

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On The Horizon:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

  • The Vegan Night Market

    📅 Thursday, August 13, 2026
    🕒 6:00–9:30 p.m.
    📍 Balmy Beach, 6 Glen Manor Dr
    🎟️ Free

    A waterfront evening market with plant-based food, restaurant pop-ups, artisan makers, and local vendors selling items like snacks, wellness products, vintage clothing, and skincare. It also includes live music, giveaways, community activities, and a complimentary sunset yoga and sound bath, and it’s family- and pet-friendly. Let’s hope the weather cooperates this time!

  • VegTO’s Sunset Social with Better Brie

    📅 Friday, August 21, 2026
    🕒 6:30–8:30 p.m.
    📍 The Big Carrot Danforth Community Market, 348 Danforth Ave
    🎟️ $25

    VegTO’s rooftop Sunset Social returns with Better Brie, the plant-based cheese brand founded by Jen Wojtaszek. Guests can expect a guided tasting flight, a chance to hear the founder’s story, and time to mingle on the Big Carrot rooftop with a drink included in the ticket.

Do you have a business or event that you think should be listed? Email us at [email protected] to submit a request.