CNE 2025 Serves Up the Wildest Food Trends Yet
The Canadian National Exhibition is back, and once again, Toronto’s biggest summer fair is proving that it’s as much about food as it is about rides and games. Running from August 15 to September 1, the CNE is turning its midway and food building into a playground for some of the most outrageous — and Instagram-ready — dishes you’ll see all year. If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you might recognize a few of these creations, because this year’s lineup feels like a direct feed from your “For You” page.
Visitors are being greeted by a spread that takes viral trends and serves them up with a carnival twist. There’s the Labubu-inspired deep-fried cheese curds from King of Curds, topped with buttercream sauce and pastel macaron crumbles, each order coming with a collectible keychain. Then there’s the Dubai chocolate influence making its way into a pistachio soft serve sundae at Yogen Früz, layered with knafeh, strawberries, and chocolate sauce. Even the drinks have gone bold — Dirty Sodas, a creamy, fizzy, non-alcoholic concoction popularized by influencers, are making their CNE debut.
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Butter is having a major moment this year too. The Butter Burger from Broedie’s Butter Burgers piles garlic-and-lemon compound butter onto a smashed beef (or Beyond Meat) patty with cheese and onions. If that’s not enough indulgence, Los Vietnamita has created a Biscoff Fried Chicken Crunch Ice Cream Sandwich — yes, fried chicken with ice cream, maple chili sauce, and cookie butter. And for those craving something a bit more fusion, Rick’s Good Eats is serving butter chicken birria tacos, complete with a side of rich consommé for dipping.
Of course, the CNE wouldn’t be the CNE without some pure novelty items. Craig’s Cookies is selling a cookie with an entire chicken nugget baked inside. Over at Sam’s Grill, the Maki Sushi Corn Dog is blending Japanese sushi rolls with classic fairground corn dogs, coating a hot dog in nori, sushi rice, and tempura batter, then dressing it with teriyaki sauce, spicy mayo, and wasabi.
The new CEO, Mark Holland — who, fun fact, was Canada’s health minister earlier this year — has described the food as “reflective of what’s out there right now,” pointing out that vendors search the globe for inspiration. Whether you’re here to sample everything or just people-watch and count how many TikTok trends you spot, the CNE’s food scene is delivering a full-on adventure.
So if you’re planning a visit, bring your appetite, your camera, and maybe a friend to split the more daring dishes. Because at the CNE this year, it’s not just about eating — it’s about experiencing the edible side of pop culture in real time.
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