Hawker

What is Hawker? Tucked along Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market at 291 Augusta Ave, Hawker redefines plant-based dining through high-technique naturalist cooking. Helmed by executive chef Leah Steduto, the petite 19-seat room evokes an intimate forest retreat finished with wood benches, tactile wall tapestries, and an open-kitchen counter, paired with a leafy 20-seat back patio for summer.

Hawker Menu & What to Order The kitchen builds hyper-seasonal small plates around foraged flora, house ferments, and rich reduction broths. Daytime visits call for the crisp oyster mushroom wings or the savory mung bean crêpe, while dinner shines with the mushroom mole accented with fermented tomato gel and slow-roasted eggplant paired with chaga. The entirely plant-based and predominantly gluten-free menu pairs exceptionally well with natural wines and botanical sodas, but the front-row, six-course chef's counter tasting remains the most cohesive way to experience Steduto's craft.

Know Before You Go With fewer than twenty seats inside, securing an OpenTable reservation is strongly advised for dinner and tasting-counter bookings, while daytime brunch and lunch have better odds for walk-ins. Reaching Augusta Avenue is easiest via the 510 Spadina or 506 Carlton streetcars, as Kensington Market street parking fills quickly. The restaurant operates Wednesday through Sunday with daytime and dinner shifts, staying dark on Mondays and Tuesdays.