Hawker

Name: Hawker
Address: 291 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 2M2
Telephone: (416) 628-1905
Price range: CAN$31 to CAN$50
Rating: 4.7

4.7

152 Reviews

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Tapas / Small Plates

Top tags:

At Hawker, Chef Jeff Merkel spotlights his 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 3-4; 2 hours 30 minutes for parties of 6 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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sept 30, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 11 times today

Experiences are available.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Cuisines
Tapas / Small Plates, Indian, Vegan
Hours of Operation
Wed, Thu 6:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 6:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–3:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm Brunch Sat 11:00 am–3:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–4:00 pm
Phone number
(416) 628-1905
Website
http://www.hawker.to/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Owned/operated by
South Asian
Executive Chef
Jeff Merkel

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

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Experiences

Weekend Vegan Indian Brunch Set Menu
$40.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Introducing our Vegan Indian Brunch Experience. A $40 set menu featuring chole, rosemary smoked baingan bharta, dal with pomegranate, papadam, charred runner beans, biryani, ferments, roti, raita, and our plant-based ras malai ice cream.
Asialicious TO - Celebrating Asian Food Culture
$40.00 per person
Sept 15 - Oct 1, 2023
Join us to celebrate Asian food culture in Toronto. We'll be offering a 4-course $40 promotional menu which includes 3 small plates and a dessert from our Asialicious menu. Taxes + gratuity will be extra.
6-Course Chef's Table Tasting Experience
$70.00 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.

Summer$13.00
papadam, chickpea ferment, cherry tomatoes
Fields$9.00
sunchoke, chickpea ferment, birch syrup
Creek Bed$13.00
squash, spruce, spices & herbs
Autumn$14.00
rapini, turnips, smoked tomato sauce
Colours$14.00
frisee, fermented cashew dressing, berries
Woods$15.00
beets, spruce oil, birch syrup, nuts
Bushfire$15.00
eggplant, rosemary smoke, roti
God's Work$18.00
romano beans, pepper paste, pine nut
Starry Night$15.00
biryani, smoked poblano, lavender
Reap/Sow$14.00
dal, pomegranate, raita, roti
Earth$14.00
oyster mushrooms, smoked corn broth, sesame

Sweet

Starry Night, Pt 2$9.00
ube, pandan, rose
Winter$9.00
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, Tajinaste - 2020, Tenerife, Spain$16.00
vines grown on volcanic soil - notes of smoke, blackberries & pepper
Tombé du Ciel, L'Enclos des Braves - 2019, Gaillac, France$18.00
notes of fresh cherries, forest floor, savoury spices
Bierzo Red, Losada - 2019, Asturias, Spain$76.00
dark, red fruit notes, plum, blackberry and cherry, vanilla spice, cocoa and anise

White

Meldville, Riesling 2021, Beamsville, Ontario$14.00
notes of lemon, lime, plum, honey, and an intoxicating funk
Godello Sobre Lias, Valdesil - 2020, Valdeorras, Spain$17.00
notes of ripe yellow peaches, apricots and fennel
Txakolina Blanc, Bidaia - 2020, País Vasco, Spain$17.00
notes of citrus and crisp red apple; herbs, flowers & minerals
Uivo Curtido Branco, Folias de Baco - Alto Duoro, Portugal$87.00
intense straw yellow colour; notes of tangerine, nectarine, lychee, with gentle floral/herbal notes

Rosé

Meldville Rosé, Pinot Noir, 2021, Beamsville, Ontario$16.00
wild strawberries and raspberries - picnic energy

Cocktails

Resonance$17.00
strawberry, lavender, earl grey, tequila blanco
- Mocktail$12.00
Repentance$17.00
oat, beet, sage, sweet fern, whiskey
- Mocktail$12.00
Atonement$16.00
iced coffee, rose, black cardamom, vodka, grand marnier

Beers

Revivale Lagered Ale$8.00
Lost Craft
Old School Pilsner$8.00
Lost Craft
High Park Rings of Saturn$8.00
Hazy IPA
Black Magic$9.00
Dark Raspberry Sour
Tequila Soda Lime$9.00
Dejado

Drink

Sustenance$6.00
house kombucha; japanese green tea, foraged sweet fern
Deliverance$6.00
hot chaga tea with spruce syrup
Sparkling Water
- Bottle (750ml)$6.00

What 152 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

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

152 Reviews

AH
AdrianH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Probably the best meal we’ve ever had, at least in recent memory, certainly the best vegan meal. We dined inside, and the lighting, noise level, everything was soft and romantic and gorgeous. Surprisingly peaceful for being on such a busy street, and for having an open/visible kitchen! Would love to come back with a larger group so we could try everything on the menu, but from the half or so of it we had, they’re absolutely working with magic here. Enormously recommend and we’ll be taking all of our out of town visitors here for sure.
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F
Faye
Toronto
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall4food4service3ambience4
The food was delicious, portions were small. The employees in the kitchen and their commentary decreases the ambiance of the restaurant as it is an open concept kitchen- we can hear you and it isn't that difficult to word your statements in a non-abrasive manner. We went for Asialicious so for the price point it was worth it, unsure if we would still think so if it was the regular menu. The waitstaff were great and very friendly.
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CE
CanadErik
Toronto
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Elegant, flavourful dishes - it doesn’t matter if you’re vegan: you’ve got to try what their kitchen makes. The biryani (“Starry Night”) and romano beans (“God’s Work”) were show-stopping. I especially appreciate the creative use of naturalistic products: spruce, birch, ferns, etc Delicious! Can’t wait to come back!
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LS
LindseyS
Toronto
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Cozy and delicious. Beautiful ambience, not to spicy but extremely flavourful and surprisingly filling. A night I want to repeat soon!
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M
Mark
Baltimore
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife and I had the pleasure of experiencing the first ever Sunday night chef’s table service. Everything about our dinner was excellent. The dynamic duo of chef and sous chef delivered us what we consider to be the best gluten free plant based dinner we have ever had. The food was approachable, affordable, and absolutely delicious. Kudos to everyone at Hawker!
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M
Mikayla
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wow wow wow! The Hawker brunch tasting menu was such an amazing treat. Such an elevated dining experience with profound Indian flavors. We also loved sitting on the garden patio-it was so peaceful and inviting. The only thing that wasn't my favorite was the roti. It was about too sweet and oily for the dishes that it was served with. I feel as though something lighter would suit the dishes better. That being said-I will still definitely be back to try more.
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FW
FrankW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Exquisitely presented, delicious small plates of vegan food, prepared to order and served promptly. Staff and chefs were friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Non-vegan members of my party were surprised at how tasty vegan food can be. Would vote 6 stars if possible.
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E
Erin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great spot if you like vegan food! We had a large group and they were super accommodating and the food was great to share.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Ottawa
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of my favorite vegan restaurants in the world!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Toronto
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
We tried the vegan brunch menu and the food was absolutely phenomenal. The value for the amount of food served was outstanding as well. As someone who doesn’t eat vegan food often, this place is a 10/10
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RJ
RitaJ
Toronto
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
The only issue was that the place next door was playing music incredibly loud, not sure what can be done about that.
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AC
ACanadianGuy
Toronto
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always excellent and inventive food in a relaxed environment
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Hawker immediately became our favourite restaurant in Toronto. The food and service were outstanding. Given the quality, it’s also great value. We can’t wait to visit again!
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K
Kenjamin
Toronto
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Talented chefs. Very flavourful dishes. Dishes bring surprises. Counter top experience was great as you can see your dishes being created. We really enjoyed it and totally recommend the chef tasting menu!
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B
Bruce
Toronto
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Creative and beautifully presented array of small plates, unique tastes, friendly and attentive service, highly recommended
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c
christinaf
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food and vibes, the service staff were very friendly and knowledgable. All around, a really amazing time
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AS
AudreylynS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Incredible food and the chef that was serving us was knowledgeable and super friendly! Can't wait to go back.
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EA
ErikArana
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Pretty wicked. Love the food. Love the staff. Love the whole places vibe and energy, was able to chill and talk for around 3 hours after my meal with my date and the staff was very kind and respectful. Especially when letting us know that there were other coming in and we Had to wrap it. Very good experience 15 out of 10
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P
Parc502
Toronto
21 reviews
vip
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on August 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The innovative menu, fantastic ingredients and friendly service will bring us back again! Thank you for a lovely evening.
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KH
KatiaH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Such a wonderful dining experience. The food is incredible and all the staff here make it such a lovely restaurant.
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NM
NancyM
Toronto
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2023
overall3food2service3ambience3
It was ok small plates we just that small but happen to have a fully vegan restaurant
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LE
LEOS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food prepared beautifully. Excellent service. Made our anniversary special.
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A
Audrey
Toronto
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 22, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
This is one of our favourite places to come on a special occasion. We brought our best friend here for her birthday, it was a wonderful experience. The food was very thoughtfully created and delicious. We will 100% be back.
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KM
KMH1
Yorkshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Top good, top place, top service - great.
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j
jdl2
Toronto
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on July 20, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Lovely place with interesting flavour combinations. Faves were the Starry Night and Starry Night 2. Love when dal makes a splash at the table. Service was fantastic.
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a
avotoast
Toronto
13 reviews
vip
3.0
13 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience5
The food is absolutely delicious. However, they are the smallest portion sizes you've ever seen in your life, even for small plates. 3-5 plates were recommended per person, which gets very expensive and even 5 plates probably wouldn't have been filling. I know high-end dining is more about flavour and artistry, but you also don't want to leave a restaurant just as hungry as you came. There was also an issue with the credit card machine at the end of my meal where their machine didn't register my payment as complete. I had to log onto online banking to prove I'd paid. They didn't offer me anything for this inconvenience. They also took a screenshot of my credit card statement, took it to the back of the house, and never re-approached my table to let me know if the issue had been resolved. A kind of disappointing experience overall. However, I'll reiterate that the food's flavour was absolutely delicious.
HawkerResponded on July 18, 2023
Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience. We do understand that our dining style may not meet everyone's preferences in terms of portion sizes and we will ensure there's more clarity about that for our guests as well as advising which dishes are more filling than others. The price point reflects the ingredients, culinary knowledge of the kitchen staff and the overall dining experience we aim to provide in the small space we have. Please check your private messages regarding the card issue!
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a
alex
Toronto
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on July 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
one of the most special places in the city, a must visit
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JT
JohannaT
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My daughter & myself had the good fortune of sitting by the Chef’s. We loved the interaction with the staff. We had the tasting menu which was fun. Will be back to check out the back patio area next time and try the dishes we missed! The head Chef the night we went was amazing! She explained every thing and was very kind. Thank you! Johanna & Pandora
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NH
NikkiH
Toronto
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on July 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food. Great service. Amazing flavours. Would definitely come again.
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ML
MeghanL
Toronto
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Best vegan food I’ve ever had and one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. Highly recommend for vegans and meat eaters.
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W
Wenniah
Minneapolis
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Superb experience, would come back again anytime.
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C
Candice
Toronto
12 reviews
4.0
12 reviews
Dined on June 11, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
The food here was great. Service was great. I thought that there was a lot of creativity in their menu. There were some portions I wish were a little bigger which is why I didn’t give it a perfect score. However, taste was absolutely incredible and would go back.
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JC
JoelC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The fixed brunch menu Indian-inspired food was both visually impressive and delicious, and the service was understated and attentive. A really fantastic deal for the generous amount of food provided
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Toronto
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Such an amazing dinner and overall experience. Our server was so kind and helpful - he gave us wonderful recommendations. Small restaurant and great atmosphere, amazing food & drinks. Would highly recommend!!!
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TO
TOMF
Toronto
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Tremendous food and service!!! Would highly recommend !
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Toronto
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food, and wonderful service ! We were seated in the back patio which was very sweet, shaded from harsh sun but still well lit. The courses were amazing, spaced out very well and the cocktails were unique and very good. I really loved the roti, and the dessert was perfect. Beautiful experience !
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EK
ErinK
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful food that tastes even better than it looks! So creative and made with love. Very kind and knowledgeable server too. Highly recommend.
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A
Audrey
Toronto
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of the best dining experiences I have ever had. The food is created with so much thought and care. The flavours are very unique and delicious. I will definitely be back!
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VL
VivienneL
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was so delicious I can’t even begin to explain! Highly recommend for an upscale naturalist cuisine experience. The cocktails are to die for!
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AH
AlistairH
Greater Boston
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall1food5service1ambience5
We had a problem at the restaurant and the staff made no effort to help. We had booked to sit at the counter but they changed our reservation and made no effort to apologise / accommodate us / reflect the change in our bill. The food was really good but the lack of service was really disappointing.
HawkerResponded on May 25, 2023
Thank you for sharing your experience at our restaurant. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the food, but we're concerned about the issues you mentioned regarding the service. We will be getting in touch with you soon to discuss the situation and see if there was any misunderstanding. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we'd appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns. Looking forward to connecting with you shortly.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Contactless payment available

FAQs

Hawker is rated 4.7 stars by 152 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.