Toronto's Taste Of The Middle East Is Back & You Can Indulge In Drool-Worthy Authentic Food

Did someone say shawarma?

A meat sandwich and fries on a plate. Right: A beef sandwich with sauce.

Hawaoshi from Masrawy Kitchen. Right: Iraqi shawarma from Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill

Writer

The Taste of the Middle East is back for another year, and this year's three-day event is filled with so much food, music, and art that it'll transport you to a warmer place.

You can expect to experience the Taste of the Middle East twice this year, with the first event taking place in March and the other in July.

The first cultural and food festival is in Mississauga from March 1 to 3, 2024, each day representing a different country's cultures and traditions. Meanwhile, the event on July 5 to 7, 2024, will take place in downtown Toronto.

On day one, travel to the land of the pharaohs with an Egyptian-filled day that will highlight the country's rich heritage.

You can expect to eat Egyptian foods, dance to hip-shaking beats and appreciate art from the country. The Egypt-themed day will take place on March 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00. p.m. and is presented by the famous Masrawy Kitchen.

Next up, the Taste of the Middle East will be highlighting Palestine. On March 2, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., expect to immerse yourself in the Palestinian culture that's filled with music, arts and drool-worthy foods.

"We Love Palestine - Today, we pay a heartfelt tribute to the enduring spirit and rich traditions of the Palestinian people," Taste of the Middle East said in an Instagram post.

In light of the hardships and war taking place in the Middle East, the festival wants to celebrate "the beauty and resilience of Palestine."

Finally, on March 3, the event will be delving into the "depth and diversity of Iraqi culture." You'll be able to discover "the rich tapestry of Iraqi music, art, culture, and spirit."

You'll be able to try shawarma from Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill, which local foodies have said is the best wrap in the city.

The three-day festival will take you to the Middle East without having to spend a penny on flights, but you will have to buy a ticket to the event, and that starts from $6.32.

The event is taking place at the Mississauga Convention Centre at 75 Derry Rd. W., in Mississauga.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

  • Writer

    Mira Nabulsi (she/her) was a Writer for Narcity Media with over five years of journalism experience. Before joining the team, she worked at Xtalks and Discovery Channel. Mira graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) with a Master of Journalism and completed her undergraduate degree from York University. But, now she loves to eat and taste all the different cuisines and culinary experiences the world has to offer.

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