📍 Nathan Phillips Square | May 16–18, 2025 | @halalbitesfestival

As a halal foodie in the GTA, few things excite me more than seeing our community represented not only in the food we eat but in how we come together to celebrate it. The Toronto Halal Bites Festival 2025 was exactly that—a vibrant, three-day celebration where culture, cuisine, and community collided in the heart of downtown.

With over 20,000 attendees expected and dozens of food and artisan vendors participating, this wasn’t just another street fest—it was a showcase of what it means to live halal in a multicultural city like Toronto. I spent all three days eating, observing, and soaking in the energy, and I’m here to take you behind the scenes of this unforgettable experience.

Let’s Talk Food: Flavour, Fusion, and Flame

The second I stepped into Nathan Phillips Square, the scent of grilled meat, cardamom chai, and sizzling spices hit me—and I knew I was in the right place. The live halal food stations were the heartbeat of the festival, offering everything from traditional Middle Eastern dishes to bold fusion takes that redefined halal street food.

Highlights from the Grill:

• Aleppo Kebab brought the heat (literally) with live flames leaping as they grilled their signature Adana Kebab and Shish Taouk sandwiches. For just $10.99, it was generous, juicy, and halal-certified—served by a team proud of their Aleppan heritage.
• Nearby, Chun Sing Trading served up Jumbo BBQ Lamb Skewers and halal-friendly takoyaki. A unique blend of East Asian flair and halal meat sourcing showed just how far halal food has come in terms of diversity.
• Mulham Cuisine: Arab Tradition where the aroma of spiced rice and slow-cooked meats pulled crowds in from across the square. Their signature trays of Chicken Kabse, Freekeh with Meat, and Jordanian Mansaf were more than just meals—they were expressions of Levantine hospitality. Offering a full range of tray sizes (from S to XL), Mulham’s halal food catering were perfect for families and groups looking to share a wholesome feast. The chefs behind the booth served each portion with pride, echoing the Arab tradition of feeding the soul as much as the stomach. Whether you opted for the tender Chicken Mandi or the rich layers of Meat Makloubeh, every bite felt like home—authentic, halal, and incredibly satisfying.
• One of the biggest surprises? Birria tacos—crispy, cheesy, and seared to perfection. Watching the vendor flip tacos on a flat-top grill while wearing traditional Mexican decor overhead was one of those “only in Toronto” moments.
• To cool things down, Chai Peedika offered theatrical karak tea pours and South Asian snacks. Their staff’s enthusiasm was contagious, and their chai? Perfectly creamy and comforting.

Planning a festive food crawl this year? You’ll want to pair it with our guide to Eid al-Adha in Canada 2025.

Art, Culture & Celebration on Stage

Food may have brought us in, but culture kept us there. This wasn’t just a food event—it was a living, breathing tribute to the communities that define Canada’s halal experience. On the main stage, live musicians, percussion troupes, and traditional dabke dancers captivated audiences with their performances.

A camel and crescent art installation near the front became the festival’s selfie hot spot, while a gallery-style exhibit featured Islamic calligraphy, ceramics, and wearable art from Muslim artisans across Ontario.

And let’s not forget the Kids’ Zone. With craft stations, interactive games, and halal cotton candy, it was a hit with families. It was clear that Halal Bites was built with everyone in mind.

At the halfway point of the festival, I had a realization: this event felt like the natural companion to the legendary Mississauga Halal Food Festival, which also returns this Eid weekend. For those of us who crave halal authenticity with an urban twist, these two events are setting the bar in Ontario.

Souks of the Six: Handcrafted & Heartfelt

Beyond the plates and the performances, there was something deeply powerful about seeing handmade crafts, textiles, and jewelry that reflected a shared cultural pride. Palestinian keffiyehs with embroidered borders, handcrafted oud oils, stitched tote bags, and heritage pins were sold by vendors who clearly weren’t just in it for business—they were storytellers.

I personally loved the stall with Palestine-themed accessories, featuring everything from map necklaces to coffee mugs adorned with Arabic typography. These market vendors added a layer of meaning to the festival, showing that halal isn’t just about what we eat—but how we live and express ourselves.

The diversity of goods also included:

• South Asian fashion boutiques
• Somali jewelry
• Turkish ceramic ware
• Locally made halal skincare products

Whether you were shopping for Eid gifts or adding flair to your wardrobe, the vendors made sure your choices aligned with your values.

Want to dive deeper into what “halal” really means beyond food? Check out our explainer on What Is Halal Food?

Final Thoughts: More Than a Festival

Toronto Halal Bites 2025 wasn’t just a weekend festival—it was a declaration. It declared that halal culture is thriving, that our voices matter, and that our cuisines, crafts, and communities deserve center stage.

It gave small vendors a huge platform, showed kids that their culture is celebrated, and offered halal-conscious foodies like me a space to taste, connect, and celebrate everything we love.

As I stood in the middle of the crowd on Saturday night, music playing, families dancing, and smoke rising from grills in every direction, I couldn’t help but feel proud. This is our moment—and the halal food movement in Canada is just getting started.