Produced by JEP Inc. - A New Way to Build Community Downtown: Taste of Downtown Yonge Expands for Fall

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- What if discovering a neighbourhood could also mean discovering the people, stories and small businesses that make it feel like home?

This is the idea behind Taste of Downtown Yonge, a community food-tour edutain-ment series created by the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA), which has now completed three sold-out seasons enticing locals to love the small businesses in their neighbourhood.

This fall, the program expands with two new experiences designed to get people out of their routines and exploring Downtown Yonge while connecting face-to-face-- a weekday lunch tour for people who work in the area, and a weekend beverage tour.

After a successful preview, Sip & Stroll launches its first beverage edition on Sept 20, running every Sunday through December 20. The 90-minute walking experience explores independent cafés, tea shops, bakeries and beverage businesses.

Launching September 17, the new Downtown Yonge Lunch Tour is a 1-hour experience designed specifically for workers in the area. Participants can step away from their desks, discover new lunch spots and learn some of the stories behind the neighbourhood -- all within their lunch hour.

"Taste of Downtown Yonge is passionate about connecting people to food culture in this neighbourhood and, just as importantly, to each other." - Pauline Larsen, Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer, Downtown Yonge BIA

Presented by the Downtown Yonge BIA and operated by Tour Guys, Toronto's original walking tour company, the program aims to create new reasons for people to explore businesses they might otherwise walk past for an accessible price.

Previous winter, spring and summer tours had participants praising the combination of food, stories and discovery:

"I loved hearing all the stories. As someone new to the city, it was great learning about my new home."

"I learned some new facts about Toronto, even though I have lived here all my life."

Taste of Downtown Yonge Fall Programs at a Glance

Fall Flavours Lunch Tour, $20
Preview: September 17, 2026
When: Thursdays at 11:30 and 1:00pm
Duration: 1 hour
Audience: Downtown Yonge workers
Purpose: Discover new local lunch spots during the workday
Includes: 3-4 lunch spots, all-inclusive

Sip & Stroll, $15
Opening: September 20, 2026
When: Sundays at 1:30pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Includes: 5-6 beverages, all-inclusive

Tickets & information: downtownyonge.com/foodtours

SOURCE JEP Inc.

Media contact: Pauline Larsen 416-597-0255, [email protected]; Press tickets, [email protected]