Island Eats returns to Toronto with a flavour-filled Caribbean vibe

By Kojo

The Island Eats Food & Travel Festival is back for its second edition, transforming Mel Lastman Square into a Caribbean paradise on June 14 and 15. This free, two-day event promises a tropical escape without leaving the city, offering a sizzling mix of island cuisine, music, and culture.

Presented by Palo Seco Innovations Group, Island Eats is more than just a food festival, it’s a full-on Caribbean experience. Expect the Square to be pulsing with soca, calypso, and steelpan rhythms as Moko Jumbies on towering stilts weave through crowds, delighting festivalgoers young and old.

“The energy, the flavour, the soul of the Caribbean, we’re bringing all of it right here to Toronto,” says Petronilla Marchan, Festival Manager. “It’s a celebration of our roots, and an open invitation for everyone to share in the joy.”

Of course, the spotlight is on the food. A curated lineup of vendors will serve up dishes that showcase the bold and soulful spirit of Caribbean cooking. Look out for Drupati’s with its famous doubles and roti, Papa Joe’s currant rolls, the ever-popular Corn Soup King, and Catered Delights, living up to its name with island favourites. Pair your meal with a fruity mocktail or sip something special at the “Breeze and Brews” bar.

But the flavour isn’t limited to what’s on your plate.

Festival-goers with a taste for travel can connect with representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad & Tobago, all offering tips and inspiration for your next island getaway.

Island Eats is presented in support of the Caribbean Scholarship Foundation (CSF), which empowers Caribbean youth through education, mentorship, and the arts. Major sponsors include LiUNA 183, Grace Foods Canada, and Carib Brewery.

Whether you’re Caribbean-born or simply Caribbean-curious, this is your chance to soak up the rhythm, revel in the culture, and sample some of the finest island eats Toronto has to offer.

Mark your calendars—June 14 and 15. The islands are calling, and Mel Lastman Square is answering.

#IslandEatsToronto #CaribbeanFestival #TorontoEats #SummerInToronto #BlackOwnedEvents #TorontoFoodie #CaribbeanCulture #MelLastmanSquare #FreeTorontoEvents