The best meals, snacks and drinks at Union Station’s outdoor food hall

Whether you need to catch a train or not, you can visit Union Station for a first-class culinary journey—including some of the city’s most hyped restaurants—no ticket required. Starting June 25, Union Summer, the transit hub’s alfresco food court and bar, is back. Here, some of the standout vendors and what they’re serving.

Related: Ten of Toronto’s best new patios to sit on this summer

Bovine Express

This miniature version of Union Station’s swanky sushi restaurant and steakhouse, Blue Bovine, is bringing some of its surf-and-turf hits to the street. Think Wagyu burgers, spicy tuna tataki and karaage chicken bites with sriracha mayo.

Cherry Street Bar-B-Que

The smell of open-fire cooking by the folks of Toronto’s Michelin Bib Gourmand–awarded barbecue joint just might convince cottagers and commuters to stay downtown. On the menu: tender brisket, pulled pork, baby back ribs, sticky wings, smoked meat sandwiches and all kinds of sides.

Rick’s Good Eats

Chef and media personality Rick Matharu is bringing Punjabi Canadian fusion dishes to the party. This translates to things like chicken keema smash burgers, tandoori fried veggie bites, butter chicken fries (India’s answer to poutine) and refreshing mango lassis to wash it all down.

Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill

With locations to the east (Scarborough) and the west (Mississauga) of the core, this most excellent Iraqi kitchen is finally bringing its tender kebabs downtown—if only for the summer.

Malibu Bar

Happy hour feels so much better when you can stay put while watching everyone around you go, go, go. The menu at this refreshment station includes all the patio-drink classics: beer, wine, canned coolers, tropical cocktails, frozen concoctions and zero-proof options.

Chocolatta Gelato and Ruru Baked

From June 25 to July 20, Union Summer visitors can cool off with gelato from Chocolatta Gelato. And from August 4 to 10, Ruru Baked is bringing its creamy custard-based scoops in wild flavours like miso butterscotch or matcha shortbread.

Union Summer runs from June 25 until August 10, Sunday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.