The Best Indian Restaurants in Toronto
Those of us who enjoy Indian food know that the fare served up in the many Toronto Indian restaurants is some of the best. This reputation extends all the way back to India, where in recent travels I was amazed how many Indians who have never been to Toronto were raving about the food we have here.
Sidelining beer in favour of a wine list and artful presentation, haute Indian cuisine is the current trend, from perennial favourite Indian Rice Factory to the hottest of them all, Amaya the Indian Room, and my current favourite, Indus Junction, all making the list.
It's not all haute all the time, though, as the top ten includes plenty of casual neighbourhood favourites, plus food hailing from the far north to the far south of the sub-continent.
Naturally, any list of the best Indian food will snub somebody's favourite. It's hard to go wrong at Trimurti on Queen West and I'm sure Little India India Bazaar devotees will lament only Lahore Tikka House makes the list, albeit at number one.
In any case, here are the ten best restaurants for Indian food in Toronto, as voted by you.
Top left photo by blogTO flickr pooler Qehven; top right photo by flickr member jslander.
Lahore Tikka House
The colourful decor and crowds help Lahore Tika House stand out in Little India India Bazaar, but the kebabs and Lahori kulfi keep people coming back to this Gerrard street legend. More...
Amaya the Indian Room
New on the scene but wowing diners across the board, as everybody from Indian immigrants to the most casual of Indian food fans pack this restaurant night after night. More...
Indian Rice Factory
Toronto's oldest finer dining Indian restaurant hasn't skipped a beat with the new competition for their classic cuisine paired with excellent wine. More...
Banjara
Banjara wins fans with its no-nonsense approach to Indian favourites like aloo gobi and mutter paneer, in an otherwise non-descript stretch of Bloor, west of Christie Pitts. More...
South Indian Dosa Mahal
The superb and inexpensive dosa, and other South Indian fare, shine bright and keep the crowds coming, in this cozy Bloor Street contribution. More...
Indus Junction
Trade your Kingfisher for a glass of wine while enjoying the superb classic Indian dishes, interpreted with a modern flair and beautifully presented. More...
Shala-mar
Bringing popular Indian comfort food to its Roncesvalles neighbourhood, Shala-mar delights with its pakora, succulent meat and palette-pleasing fare. More...
North of Bombay
One of two Junction entries in the top ten, North of Bombay serves up delish North Indian fare night after night. More...
Curry Twist
The second Junction entry, Curry Twist offers a contemporary take on Moghlai North Indian cuisine. Their butter chicken may be the best in the city. More...
Comments (64)
i'd argue that lahore has the best food but in terms of over all pleasure quotient it's definitely a deserved ranking. and drinking 'thums up' with your food is always a welcome treat.
There's no such area as "Little India" in Toronto. The Gerrard & Coxwell area is officially called "India Bazaar". http://www.gerrardindiabazaar.com/index.php
Cheers
Uhmm I'm totally losing faith in BlogTo. THE best Indian food in Toronto is @ Babur (273 Queen Street West) 416-599-7720 http://www.babur.ca.
@phil: while i'm totally down with Babur as one of the better purveyors of sub-continental chow in our fair burgh, you only have yourself to blame that it didn't make the list. i mean we ASKED YOU for your faves and we only rated what we got...work it out for next year and stop blaming the writers!
Interesting that in the 'top 10' there is only one establishment from Little,...oops, the Gerrard India Bazaar. That might have something to do with the fact that none of them, including the Lahore, seem to understand the concept of 'good service'.
To aahhrrgg: if you want authenticity, as in what many us would have experienced in India, it isn't about "good service". To people from South Asia, which is what Gerrard caters to, it is about good food, quantity and affordability. Smarmy white people like you need to stick to the "haute" Indian food that is now sprouting - nice, pretty plated presentations, with little spice containing ingredients real Indians wouldn't use. Oh yeah, and have a glass of wine with it (Indians don't drink wine with dinner, if ever).
Desi Man
"Shmarmy white people" Give me a fucking break.
"Indians don't drink wine with dinner" None of them? 1.1 BILLION!
http://indianwine.com/cs/default.aspx
http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/
http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/mar/16wine.htm
Wihte-Ass Matt, if you ever care to remove the white sheet that you wear, and actually met some Indian people (Canadian-born or otherwise) you'd learn that about 99.9% NEVER drink wine with their INDIAN food. Many, including myself, do drink wine with other types of food. The offering of wine, along with the haute Indian food industry, is simply a new way to generate huge revenues to a discerning non-Indian market that wants plating, presentation and yes, service, to match the huge amounts they pay for other "haute" foods. Nothing wrong with it but it is completely devoid of authenticity, particularly in ingredients, cost and (especially) quantity.
So kindly fuck off, yourself. You know shit about real Indian food.
Oh yeah, and furthermore Matty, you quote "1.1 BILLION". Again, to ANYONE that has been to India and seen the abject poverty that exists, the very thought that 100% of the population (that would be 100%, shit-for-brains) is drinking wine with their meals (while living in a house made out of shit (literally) and dining by candlelight (not for romantic reasons)) is unintentional Caucasian hilarity to the max!!
I'm kinda shocked my grandmother's kitchen didn't make the cut. Best Indian food this side of the ocean, for sure. =)
Can we please have constructive debate without resorting to racial jabs and name calling? Please?
Common!!
i Love going to Lahore Tikka house..
But you cant tell me a nice cold beer wouldn't go great with that Butter chicken!
OK, I'll try to say it nicer than the other fellow: a cold beer definitely goes with Indian food. But he is correct: wine is never consumed with "proper" Indian food. Not that it can't be (that's up to the diner), it just "isn't".
Wine (both red and white) can be paired amazingly with Indian food. I've worked with a great chef and created a killer paired tasting menu before. You're missing out if you refuse to bend your rigid rules, IMO. :)
Jerrold, point taken. I took more offense to the first guy complaining about "service". I'm not saying it's right but a place like Lahore Tikka House that is located where most of its clientele is South Asian is not going to be losing sleep about service. The service is indeed poor but authentic Indian restaurants (there and here) are about quality, quantity and affordability - South Asians don't care about "service" in their own establishments. If they'r not happy, they'll just yell at the owner or cancel their order (if they haven't paid yet) while the meal is being cooked!!
jerrold, it's not about "rigid rules". I'm sure ketchup tastes great on barbecued pork or duck, but you'll never get anyone in Chinatown to go for it.
This is about culture - South Asians generally drink water with their meals, and perhaps a yogurt based drink afterward (to temper any spices - if they're not having a milk-based dessert). The entrance of wine into everyday Indian dining will NEVER happen for a country so steeped in tradition (and forget wine in Pakistani dining - no alcohol for Muslims!!), that is also heavily regionalized in its cuisine (and where a fair number of people don't partake of alcohol)
@ hammers
I was responding to your wine is never consumed with "proper" Indian food statement, hence my calling it rigid.
I'm not suggesting that you're incorrect in your arguing that most Indians don't drink wine with Indian food. That may very well be true. But the food (yes, even proper Indian food) most certainly is enjoyable with wine (which is an excellent spicy food match).
I am also shocked that Bombay Palace is not present! The samosas are the best I've ever had and the service is impeccable!
We do have a large amount of indian fare in Toronto!
If for some strange reason you find your way to Malton or Rexdale you will find massive amounts of North Indian Fare..
Tandoori Time is one of my fav's......Built in a abandoned KFC!!!!
I love the Indian food I've found in Toronto but every now an dthen get homesick for a sloppy, super tasty, British style Indian meal, does anyone have any idea where I could get one?
If you don't want good service with your meal, then maybe go back to India. In Canada I expect good service of a restaurant whatever the restaurant type is.
I personally like Anjappar in Scarborough - it's pretty authentic since they have branches in India as well, Host (2 locations), Biryani House and a few others I can't remember.
Regarding the authentic or not, who the f**k cares. If it's good food, it doesn't even have to be Indian owned.
There is also a difference between "authentic" and "traditional." With so many regional variations and so many people, there is a lot of "authentic" Indian food, in other words, what Indian people eat. Absolutely, a lot of that is traditional, and even the haute Indian places in Toronto serve traditional fare (but in a more refined way). But here, and in India, the cuisine also includes modern components that reflect Canadian, and world influences. I had tandoori mushrooms Saturday at Nirvana (in Mississauga), and they were phenomenal. All through India, I never saw such a dish. Great use of the tandoor, I say.
I think customer service in India is pretty good thanks to the disciplined work ethic ingrained in the working class. I disagree that Lahore Tikka house is representative of Indian establishments and customer care, it is not true.
Regardless, I've been to Lahore Tikka House a number of times and have not had any issues with the customer care. I find the servers very warm and genuine, without any pretenses. And if you're too lazy to get up and pour your own water, then that's too bad.
@N, thanks for xenophobic rant!! Given that I've never lived in India, I'll pass on your invitation to "go back". I didn't say that I didn't "want" good service. I said "don't expect" great service in a location that caters to primarily South Asians. In a location that caters to non-South Asians, you should excellent service with your 1987 chardonay and tandoori-infused brocoli florets.
Should they improve service? Of course. Much like the Markham-based Chinese restaurants, where you once couldn't get served if you weren't fluent in Cantonese, which now flourish with some non-Chinese clientele.
Desi Man, not a xenophobe. Just pointing out that a service is a requirement for eating out in Canada. I might as well make my own curry if I am not getting a service at a restaurant...
I find it also strange that a lot of times Indian restaurant or an Indian cookbook is being dismissed because it is not authentic enough (the author or the owner is most often Indian too). Most often from Indian people and I also find it strange that they complain how this food is catered for white people... Many Indian people I know use premade sauces when making their dishes, yet I make the effort to use mortar and pestle. Now you tell me what's more authentic? Maybe my hand is not authentically Indian, but I think I can make a pretty decent dish - certainly better tasting than whatever sauce you can buy.
To me a restaurant is a restaurant regardless of who is the primary target market. If it sucks, it sucks regardless of how authentic it is. And I don't expect to drink chardonay or eat tandoori-infused brocolli florets, but you had to put it there... why not admit that a good Indian restaurant that can be authentic and serve wide variety of people?
saffron tree is best indian restaurant in toronto.
excellent food.people who like indian food I recomand them to go to this place and try out.it is located at 91 gerrard st west(bay and gerrard st
Desi Man, stop acting uncouth, assuming you are not actually uncouth. Not very Indian of you, is it?
I am Indian and god, I loathe people like you just standing by eager to take offence at absolutely nothing and then needlessly defending the other 1.1 billion of us. We can manage by ourselves thank you very much.
Yuck...
Wow, I can't believe some of these ugly comments.
Your right, Indians don't traditionally drink wine with their food. Sometimes beer - India is quite different now. A lot of people with more money to spend and there has been fusion, evolution in the food. However, yes as a Indian living in Canada, we always had water or lassi.
Also, for the individual trying to use the terminology "curry" - Indians don't actually use the word "curry". There is a Punjabi dish called curry (sounds different) (yellow, soup-like with pakoras made with yogourt). However, we have names for each and every dish - no spice called curry - it's a mixture of spices.
What I really wanted to say is that downtown Indian restaurants just don't do what you can get the suburbs - for example Brar Sweets at Albion has amazing vegetarian food. Mississauga has some great restos too. Let's also not generalize about good/bad service at Indian restaurants.
I can't believe Little India Restaurant didn't make the list! Their service is exceptional and the food is fantastic! Plus you can't beat the value of their lunch buffet.
The best indian restaurant by far in the city is Famous Indian Cuisine at Gerrard and Ashdale. I've been a regular there for about 8 years, and it still leaves me in awe!!!
Obviously, the best indian would be in India Bazaar, not Queen or Bloor. Udupi Palace is also a great restaurant that caters to vegitarians (no meat dishes on the menu).
Had tried Maroli saturdaY With family and friends on 20th sept.aND SHOULD SAY It was just a gem I had always been looking for.very very unique in stles.They have both north indian cuisine and Malabari(south west india) cuisine.They evn have great smoothie selection with real fruits not like regular concentrate smoothies and milk shakes. For about 4 people bill came around 85 including tip .they have fish ,mussels,egg curry,mutton ,thanks to this site for the review.I should say we had amazing time and great service .we will certainly be back to Maroli .www.maroli.ca
The Host is a little on the expensive side, but it's still the best Indian restaurant I've been to in Toronto.
Hi all! Did you try Highpark spicy house restaurant? the foods so tasty, the butter chicken its wonderfull, baigan bhartha, palak paneer, lamb curry, chicken kebabb, veg pakora every thing, naan fabulous. don't miss it, have a try.....
best indian food in the city is Jaipur Grille ---> www.jaipurgrille.com
the most perfect indian lamb chops ever.
been around for a while - surprised blogTO didnt catch them - maybe they didnt do their homework.
As if no one has talked about Siddhartha! I am of Indian descent (if that holds any bearing; I've just seen it mentioned in a lot of posts) and my family and I frequent the Bazaar location. Delicious food, pleasant atmosphere, and a limited selection of wines and beers for those so inclined.
If you want something north of the city you got to get yourself to Karmasutra. From their soup to unbelievably tantalizing curry and stew list, this place with give your taste buds a treat of a life time. If you get a waiter named "Eddy" he will give you the best reccomendations depending on how you feel.
I like Papad. any restaurant in toronto which serve papad? i know a website where u can buy papad and other indian food products. http://www.aarkfood.com
Its great to see such wonderful restaurants in toronto. Answering to the above comment, i have bought a few products from http://www.aarfood.com . Its worth it.
why are so many people worked up about how authentic the food is or for that matter how "authentic" they are. Please it sounds trite and pathetic. Whether you are brown white or what the fuck ever get over it and enjoy the food-without or with wine.
Quality: My first Lahore food, though I have visited Karachi, and I am very, very familiar with other south Asian foods (lived and worked in region for many years: Indian, Bangladesh and south East Asia). Great flavours and fantastic food quality overall
Environmentally totally inappropriate
Plates: PLASTIC - polystyrene
Cutlery: plastic, flexible, and easily broke
Drinking cups: polystyrene
Floors dirty
Table wear: serving dishes: good cast iron, on dirty woven mats
Service: customer has to go to the cashier to order and to pay
Yet there are many, many service staff (individually great, but your policies are crazy)
Desperately cold room on evening Sunday Jan 25 - had to keep coats on throughout
Portions: very large quantities delivered, but meat portion is very small
Overall situation great food with grotesquely bad service, appalling table wear, cold and dirty room.
So sad. You do the hard part well (the food) but totally fall down on the place, the presentation, the lack of even basic table wear, the scruffiness and the rotten service concept.
We moved from St. John's NL, where India Gate had the best food- butter chicken- that I have ever had. (I have never been to India, so I am no expert on anything to do with Indian cooking, but to me and my family, theirs was the best.) We have been to all of the Indian places in St. Catharines and Niagara and have found nothing that compares to India Gate. (The cooks were brought in from Northern India- all Indian owners, staff, etc). I just want some nice, rich butter chicken. It's all about the sauce! We are going to Toronto with the kids next weekend, and plan to try to find some good butter chicken- and a really nice rich, spicy chicken madras! PLEASE help! If you make a recommendation, please be sure it is a family friendly place- I do not want to bring a 3 year old (who LOVES Indian food) in to a place where she will disturb the atmosphere that people are paying good money to enjoy.
THANKS!
THE Bombay Palace in SCARBOROUGH HAS GREAT BUFFET SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND U CAN TRY ALL IN THE BUFFET WITHOUT HURTING UR WALLET
Kelly, you gave away my little secret ;=) My husband and I LOVE Little India!! The best lunch buffet in town! You may even see some CityTV personalities there...if you're into that. Me...I'm into the Butter Chicken :P
I love my regular delivery man, Sameer, who always brings me fresh hot and reasonably priced delivery from Little India... totally agree with the above comment as well; although their butter chicken is the sweet variety, it's my favourite and they serve REAL naan!!
Yep. Most server same ol fare. It's like having 250 independent tacobells in a city that somehow chose to stick to a proven menu, same buffet, same promptness in topping up your water, same ganesh at the doorway and same bloody sweetened butter chicken. Haven't you noticed? That's the reason why your favs are all over the board...
however, I'm glad that dosas are catching up.. those crepes rock... Also, for the best butter chicken on earth, trek over to Kwality in brampton. Their Fish tikka is worth every effort. I love their super laid back, random, we don't really give a fuck, but thank you come again service.
Lahore is NOT the best place for Indian food (pakistani variety actually). I can't believe everyone who overlooks the fact that dishes are served on foam plates, cups and plastic cutlery! And yes, the sizzling kabobs will melt your foam plate! The food is drenched in oil, and the place has a ghetto, trashy feel that can only be found in a third world country. Unless that is what you're looking for and looking to get robbed.
Siddarthas just down the street is cleaner, well run buffet, offering a delicious variety of dishes, and for less than Lahore!
anyone know where i can find some unique and tasty indian vegetarian food...anything beside malai koftas and palak paneers
I totally love this place as well~
It's a place I take my friends to eat Indian food.
Haven't meet single person that doesn't love the food there.
Although I find Little India down half a block from Babur offers good lunch buffet for tight wallet.
I am Indian and drink wine with (and indeed without) my dinner. Admittedly, there a only a few wines that complement Indian food but so what? Get a bottle you like and enjoy it. There are no rules. That said, i do prefer a lightly gassed beer - something like Kingfisher works well with Indian food.
Try TAMARIND THE INDIAN KITCHEN (tamarindkitchen.com) at BCE Place (attached to Union station, hockey hall of fame/on path) . Meal at 10$ including Naan and pop with great home style food.
Try out Maroli,at 630 bloor street west.Loved their Butter chicken and shrimp Malabari.checkout www.maroli.ca
try at saffron tree at 91 gerrard st west,toronto,on.they have one section full of vegetarian buffet. you migh get some interesting item here
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