Blog > Markham Restaurant Guide by Neighbourhood: Where Locals Eat in 2026
Markham's restaurants cluster in a few clear hubs. Main Street Unionville is best for patios and historic charm. The Highway 7 corridor, from Leslie Street to Kennedy Road, is the centre of Markham's Asian dining, anchored by First Markham Place. Pacific Mall in Milliken is known for its food court. Main Street in Old Markham Village offers a walkable small-town strip by the GO station, and Downtown Markham on Enterprise Boulevard suits dinner-and-a-movie nights.
In Markham, where you live often decides where you eat on a Tuesday night. A family in Unionville walks to Main Street. A couple in Downtown Markham pairs dinner with a movie on Enterprise Boulevard. A household in Milliken has some of the best dumplings in Ontario ten minutes away.
Markham is best known for authentic Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean food. Today the city covers far more, from Greek tavernas to Colombian coffee. This guide maps the food scene by neighbourhood, so you can see how dining fits into daily life on each side of the city.
Michael John Lau has helped more than 430 households buy and sell in Markham and York Region. Over 11 years, one question comes up on almost every tour: where do people actually eat around here? This is the answer he gives his clients.
| Neighbourhood / hub | Known for | Best occasion | Walkable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Street Unionville | Patios, pubs, cafes, historic buildings | Date night, weekend brunch | Yes, very |
| Highway 7 & Kennedy | Asian malls, hot pot, noodle houses | Family dinners, groups | By car or transit |
| Milliken (Pacific Mall) | Food court variety, Hong Kong cafes | Casual eating, exploring | Within the mall |
| Old Markham Village | Main Street strip by the GO station | Casual lunch, patios | Yes |
| Downtown Markham | Restaurants on Enterprise Blvd, cinema | Dinner and a movie | Yes |
| Leslie & Highway 7 | Dim sum, Asian-fusion brunch | Weekend dim sum | By car |
Key takeaways
- Main Street Unionville is Markham's most walkable dining street, with a Walk Score of 92 at its core.
- First Markham Place on Highway 7 has 170+ stores, a 24-vendor food court and 23 attached sit-down restaurants.
- Pacific Mall is often described as one of the largest Asian malls outside Asia, and its food court is a destination on its own.
- Highway 7 is Markham's dim sum corridor, best on weekend mornings.
- Restaurants change often, so confirm hours before you go.
Where should you eat in Unionville?
Main Street Unionville is Markham's classic dining street. Heritage buildings hold pubs, cafes and restaurants, many with summer patios. At 156 Main Street Unionville, Walk Score rates the area a Walker's Paradise, with a score of 92. You can park once and spend the afternoon on foot.
Locals know The Unionville Arms as a long-time gathering spot. Ice cream after a walk around Toogood Pond is close to a neighbourhood tradition.
Homes within walking distance of Main Street hold steady demand. See recent numbers on the Unionville home values page.
What is the Highway 7 food corridor?
Drive Highway 7 west from Kennedy Road and you will pass one plaza after another of Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean restaurants. First Markham Place, at 3255 Highway 7, opened in 1998. It has 170+ stores, a food court with 24 vendors and 23 sit-down restaurants attached to the mall.
Inside First Markham Place you will find the flagship of Mabu Generation, a Taiwanese fusion spot known for hot pot and its tall toast towers. The plazas on Kennedy Road between Highway 7 and 16th Avenue add noodle shops, bakeries and Hong Kong style cafes.
Is Pacific Mall worth it for food?
Yes, especially for variety. Pacific Mall at Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue is often described as one of the largest Asian shopping malls in the Western world. Its food court is one of the best examples of Markham's diversity, with dumplings, lamb skewers, onigiri and Hong Kong egg waffles under one roof.
For a quieter sit-down meal nearby, Zen Japanese Restaurant, beside Pacific Mall on Kennedy Road, is a MICHELIN-recommended omakase spot in an unassuming plaza.
Where to eat in Old Markham Village?
Main Street Markham feels like a small town. Restaurants and cafes line the street north of Highway 7, with patios in summer and Markham GO Station right on the strip. Around Highway 7 and Main Street, Walk Score rates the area Very Walkable, with a score of 89.
A short drive east on Highway 7, Ithaca serves traditional Greek taverna dishes, a good option when a group wants something different.
For buyers who want to walk to dinner without paying Unionville prices, Old Markham Village is worth a close look. Start with buying a home in Markham Village.
Is Downtown Markham good for restaurants?
Downtown Markham, around Enterprise Boulevard and Water Walk Drive, is the most urban dining area in the city. Restaurants sit at the base of condo towers, steps from Cineplex Cinemas Markham and VIP and a short walk to Flato Markham Theatre.
It is a strong fit for condo owners who want dinner, a show and a walk home. Browse buildings in the Markham condo guide.
Where is the best dim sum in Markham?
The west end of Highway 7, near Leslie Street, is a favourite for weekend dim sum. Yang's Chinese Cuisine on Leslie Street is a long-time pick for families. Arrive before 10:30 a.m. on weekends or expect a wait.
For brunch with a twist, Glass Kitchen at 505 Highway 7 serves an Asian-fusion menu next to classic breakfast dishes, led by chef Keith Pears.
On the Markham side of Thornhill, the Yonge Street strip near Steeles adds a mix of casual restaurants within walking distance of many homes.
Is there more than Asian food in Markham?
Yes. Markham's food scene now reaches well beyond its Asian roots. The Toston, run by a husband-and-wife team from Colombia, serves food and coffee from their hometowns. You will also find Indian, Greek, Caribbean and Latin American kitchens spread across the city, plus summer food festivals that draw crowds from across the GTA.
How does dining access affect where people buy in Markham?
Restaurants are a daily-life feature, not a luxury. Buyers who want to walk to dinner usually narrow their search to Unionville, Old Markham Village or Downtown Markham. Buyers who drive to eat have more freedom, and often trade walkability for a larger lot.
A useful test: count how many times a week you eat out, then time the drive or walk from each home on your list. For a full picture of each area, see the Markham neighbourhood guide and our guide to the most walkable Markham neighbourhoods.
This guide is independent. No restaurant paid to be included. Restaurants open, move and close, so please confirm details before you visit.
Frequently asked questions
What is Markham known for food-wise?
Markham is best known for authentic Asian food, especially Cantonese, Szechuan, Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean cooking. Highway 7, First Markham Place and Pacific Mall are the main hubs.
What is the most walkable restaurant area in Markham?
Main Street Unionville. The core of Main Street has a Walk Score of 92, and its pubs, cafes and patios are all within a few minutes on foot. Old Markham Village's Main Street is a close second.
Where can I find dim sum in Markham?
Highway 7 is Markham's dim sum corridor, with many options between Leslie Street and Kennedy Road. Go early on weekends, ideally before 10:30 a.m.
Are there MICHELIN-recognized restaurants in Markham?
Yes. Zen Japanese Restaurant, beside Pacific Mall on Kennedy Road, has been recommended by the MICHELIN Guide for its omakase.
Where should I go for a date night in Markham?
Main Street Unionville is the classic choice for a walk and dinner. Downtown Markham works well for dinner and a movie or a show at Flato Markham Theatre.
Which Markham neighbourhoods are close to the most restaurants?
Unionville, Village Green and Cachet sit closest to Main Street Unionville and the Highway 7 corridor. Milliken is near Pacific Mall, and Old Markham Village has its own Main Street strip.
Talk to a Markham REALTOR® who knows these streets
Trying to decide which side of Markham fits your lifestyle? Michael John Lau can walk you through the neighbourhoods, the food and the numbers before you choose.
Call (416) 700-0286Free home evaluationKeep reading
Sources
- Destination Ontario: Places to eat in Markham
- Foodism: A food lover's visit to Markham
- Wikipedia: First Markham Place
- Walk Score: 156 Main Street Unionville
Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of October 7, 2026 and may change. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.