CNE 2026 Food Guide: The Wildest Foods We Tried + Prices
The CNE 2026 food lineup is here, and Toronto’s favourite end-of-summer tradition has once again delivered some seriously wild creations.
From Deep-Fried Brie Oreos and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Mozzarella Sticks to Lobster on a Stick and a KD Booster Juice smoothie, this year’s Canadian National Exhibition food lineup is packed with combinations that sound questionable on paper but some of them are surprisingly good.
We tried some of the most talked-about CNE 2026 foods to find out what’s actually worth your money. And because CNE food prices can add up quickly, we’ve included the prices we paid so you can decide where to spend — and where to save.
Heading to Exhibition Place?
Here are some of the best and wildest CNE 2026 foods we tried, including our favourites, surprises and a few we probably wouldn’t order again.
1. Cinnamon Toast Crunch Mozzarella Stick — $7.99
Our verdict: Our favourite.
Of everything we tried at the CNE this year, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Mozzarella Stick was easily one of the biggest standouts.
It combines gooey mozzarella with a crunchy Cinnamon Toast Crunch coating, giving you sweet, salty, cheesy and crispy all at once.
It sounds strange, but it works so well.
At $7.99, it’s also one of the more affordable viral foods we tried this year — which makes it even easier to recommend.
Price: $7.99
Would we get it again? Absolutely.
2. Lobster on a Stick — $23.90
Yes, the CNE put lobster on a stick.
And honestly? We couldn’t complain.
The lobster was fresh and juicy, and while $23.90 makes this one of the pricier items on our list, it tasted much better than we expected from something being served on a stick at a fair.
This is one of those foods that gets your attention because of the novelty but actually delivers when you eat it.
Price: $23.90
Would we get it again? Yes.
3. Deep-Fried Brie Oreos — 4 for $20
Deep-fried Oreos are nothing new at the CNE.
Deep-fried Oreos with Brie cheese, however, are a different story.
The combination gives you sweetness from the Oreo followed by the creamy, salty Brie, and the sweet-and-savoury contrast surprisingly worked for us.
At four for $20, they’re also easy to split if you’re trying several foods throughout the day.
Price: $20 for 4
Would we get it again? Yes especially to share.
4. S’mores Pizza — $13.99
Pizza Pizza took pizza in a completely different direction this year with its S’mores Pizza.
This was another one we weren’t entirely sure about before trying it, but it ended up being one of our favourites.
It’s sweet, gooey and indulgent — exactly what you want from a CNE dessert.
Sometimes the weirdest fair foods are all gimmick. This wasn’t one of them.
Price: $13.99
Would we get it again? Definitely.
5. Foot-Long Butter Chicken Taquito — $14.95
If you’re looking for something more substantial than another deep-fried dessert, the Foot-Long Butter Chicken Taquito is worth putting on your list.
It was crispy, flavourful and well-seasoned, and we were genuinely impressed.
The foot-long size makes it another good option for sharing although we wouldn’t blame you for keeping it to yourself.
Price: $14.95
Would we get it again? Yes.
6. Root Beer Candied Bacon Cheeseburger — $18.35
Root beer. Candied bacon. Cheeseburger.
There’s a lot happening here.
But once again, sweet and savoury somehow worked.
The Root Beer Candied Bacon Cheeseburger is definitely one of the more over-the-top CNE 2026 food creations, but the sweetness paired surprisingly well with the savoury burger and bacon.
Price: $18.35
Would we get it again? Surprisingly, yes.
7. Szechuan Sizzle Ice Cream — $11
Don’t let the ice cream fool you.
She is spicy.
The Szechuan Sizzle combines a cold vanilla base with chilli oil and crispy peanuts for a mix of creamy, crunchy, sweet and spicy.
It’s one of the more interesting combinations we tried, but whether you’ll love it depends heavily on your spice tolerance.
If you love chilli oil on everything, go for it.
If you don’t handle spice well? There are plenty of other desserts waiting for you.
Price: $11
Would we get it again? Only if we’re feeling brave.
8. Dirty Soda — $5.75
Dirty sodas have been everywhere lately, so naturally they made their way into the CNE food lineup.
What made this version particularly fun was the presentation. The little soda pops burst in your mouth, which made trying them feel almost like a mini food experiment.
At $5.75, it’s also one of the least expensive things on our list.
Price: $5.75
Would we get it again? Yes, especially for the experience.
9. Pickle Pierogies — 6 for $11
It’s not the CNE without at least one pickle creation.
This year, we tried Pickle Pierogies, served with two different dipping sauces.
They’re salty, tangy and definitely made for pickle lovers.
One warning: the spicy dipping sauce is actually spicy. We were not prepared.
Price: $11 for 6
Would we get it again? If you’re a pickle person, yes.
10. KD Booster Juice — Snack Size $6.69–$10.39 (Regular Size)
This might win the award for the CNE creation that made us ask, Who thought of this?
The KD Booster Juice smoothie combines mango and pineapple with KD cheese powder.
We went into it with an open mind.
Unfortunately, this one wasn’t our favourite.
The tropical flavours are refreshing, but adding KD powder creates a combination that we personally don’t need to experience twice.
Still, if your entire reason for visiting the CNE is to try something completely ridiculous, this certainly qualifies.
Price: $6.69 snack size / $10.39 regular
Would we get it again? Once was enough.
11. Sushi Push Pop — $8 Each or 3 for $20
The Sushi Push Pop gets major points for presentation.
It’s sushi served in a push-pop-style container, making it fun to eat while walking around the CNE.
But once you get past the packaging?
It’s basically sushi.
We liked the concept, but with so many genuinely unusual foods competing for your money, this isn’t one we’d consider essential.
Price: $8 each or 3 for $20
Would we get it again? Probably not.
12. Sweet Corn & Wasabi Lemonade — $7.50
This combination sounds questionable.
Somehow, it was actually good.
The Sweet Corn & Wasabi Lemonade was refreshing with a little kick from the wasabi. It’s unusual without feeling like you’re forcing yourself to drink something strange purely for the CNE experience.
Price: $7.50
Would we get it again? Surprisingly, yes.
What Are the Best CNE 2026 Foods?
After trying our way through this year’s lineup, there are a few we’d prioritize if you’re only visiting the CNE once.
Our favourite: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Mozzarella Stick — $7.99
Best splurge: Lobster on a Stick — $23.90
Best sweet-and-savoury: Deep-Fried Brie Oreos — 4 for $20
Best dessert: S’mores Pizza — $13.99
Best filling option: Foot-Long Butter Chicken Taquito — $14.95
Best budget pick: Dirty Soda — $5.75
Most adventurous: Szechuan Sizzle Ice Cream — $11
The one we’d skip: KD Booster Juice — $6.69–$10.39
The biggest surprise? Some of the strangest combinations were genuinely among the best things we ate.
More CNE 2026 Food Prices
Still planning your food budget? Here are a few more CNE 2026 food prices from our visit:
- Dot Cakes: $8.60
- Deep-Fried S’Moreo: $15
- Cheese Cloud Fries: $14.99
- Avocado Fresca Pizza: $8 per slice
- Mini Pierogies: $16
- Cheesecake on a Stick: $16–$18
- Fried Falafel: $22
- Carnival Cone: $13
- Nacho Cheese Mochi Donut: $6
- Crème Brûlée Toast: $12
Prices are based on our visit and may be subject to change.
CNE 2026 Food FAQ
What are the best foods at the CNE 2026?
Our favourite CNE 2026 food was the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Mozzarella Stick, followed by the Lobster on a Stick, S’mores Pizza, Deep-Fried Brie Oreos and Foot-Long Butter Chicken Taquito.
How much does food cost at the CNE 2026?
Based on the foods we tried, prices varied significantly. Smaller items started around $5.75–$8, while larger and more elaborate dishes ranged from roughly $13 to $24. Lobster on a Stick was one of the most expensive foods we tried at $23.90.
What is the craziest food at the CNE 2026?
There are plenty of contenders, but a KD Booster Juice smoothie made with mango, pineapple and KD powder is certainly up there. Other unusual CNE 2026 foods include Deep-Fried Brie Oreos, Szechuan Sizzle Ice Cream and a Root Beer Candied Bacon Cheeseburger.
Is CNE food worth the price?
It depends on what you order. We found some of the less expensive items, particularly the $7.99 Cinnamon Toast Crunch Mozzarella Stick, were among our favourites. If you’re visiting with friends, splitting some of the larger dishes is a good way to try more without spending as much.
Final Thoughts: What Should You Eat at the CNE 2026?
The CNE 2026 food lineup is exactly what you’d expect from Toronto’s biggest end-of-summer fair: weird, excessive and occasionally way better than it has any right to be.
If we had to narrow it down, we’d spend our money on the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Mozzarella Stick, Lobster on a Stick, S’mores Pizza, Deep-Fried Brie Oreos and Foot-Long Butter Chicken Taquito.
And that’s really the trick to eating at the CNE: you don’t need to try everything.
Pick the creations that genuinely sound good to you, split a few with friends and save room for the classics.
The Canadian National Exhibition runs August 21 to September 7, 2026 at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
For more information about tickets, hours, attractions and food vendors, visit the official CNE website.