Best of Toronto
The Best Indian Restaurants in Toronto
The best Indian restaurants in Toronto are not ranked based on ambiance. Copper Chimney, for example, the number six spot on this list, indeed looks like it was plucked from another decade. And then there's Lahore Tikka House sitting at a venerable number two, which still uses plates and forks you can throw away at the end of your meal. Unless, I've totally got it wrong and it's this irreverent charm that makes them so appealing, these Indian restaurants offer something else to earn themselves such high esteem.
And that, of course, comes down to their food. The list of best Indian restaurants in Toronto is not specific to northern or southern cuisine, yet each spot in the ranking is known for authentic flavours, unique combinations, and interesting takes on traditional fare. So keep your eyes on your dish, and not the decor.
Here is the list of the best Indian restaurants in Toronto.
See also:
The best Indian buffet in Toronto
The best butter chicken in Toronto
The best dosa in Toronto
The best samosa in Toronto
The best roti in Toronto
Note: This list was previously published in April 2008. Comments made up until December 19th, 2011 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept the archived comments here because we believe they (mostly) add value to this topic. If you don't want to have to wade through all of them, simply hit the "sort by newest first" link at the top of the thread.
Banjara
Just west of Christie Pits on Bloor, Banjara has the total Indian food package. Great flavours, huge portions, prompt service, and great prices. Fair warning to those who like to shop around for a place to eat. The aroma when you walk in the door will make it impossible to leave. Fantastic garlic naan, but then again, most everything at Banjara can be called fantastic. More »
Lahore Tikka House
A Little India fixture that could technically be called Pakistani, now with a (relatively) new dining room. Lahore serves up some delicious kebabs, butter chicken, muttar paneer, and more, much of which is doused in a righteous layer of ghee. Though, I'm sure that's what makes it taste so good. Beware those of environmental mind. Lahore uses disposable plates and cutlery. More »
Amaya The Indian Room
There's obviously something to Amaya's take on North Indian cuisine, since express versions of the restaurant keep cropping up around the city. With its newest spot in the Eaton Centre's Urban Eatery and one set to open soon on Ossington, Amaya serves some delicious curries (my personal favourite) and creative plates with seafood. Worth checking out is the The Bread Bar on Yonge which is the more casual cousin to the original (and pricier) location on Bayview. More »
Curry Twist
The Junction surprisingly over-indexes in Indian cuisine, but Curry Twist stands out from the pack. Its popularity probably has as much to do with its great service as its authentic curries. Well, maybe that's not entirely true, but the Junction restaurant can be counted on for incredibly friendly, fast, service. The menu reflects Northern Indian cuisine and includes dishes such as goan fish curry, aloo gobhi, and haandi chicken. More »
Little India
The name has confused first time patrons for more than 15 years (it's always best to tell a never-been when you're referring to the restaurant, not the area), but the food is simply outstanding. The buffet lunch special is a favourite option for a filling Queen West lunch, though the butter chicken and tandoori chicken is undoubtedly the restaurant's specialty. More »
Copper Chimney
Near Avenue and Wilson, Copper Chimney debunks the myth that quality Indian food in Toronto proper must be found south of St. Clair. Prices are reasonable for the North York area and the menu offers lots of variety, especially for those who are partial to to the tandoor. Copper Chimney's garlic vegetable ball appetizer is among its more notable options. More »
Maroli
Found in Koreatown, Maroli (which is also the name for a Gujarat town) specializes in dishes from the Malabar region and state of Kerala. Nevermind the orange walls. Here you'll want to pay attention to the signature dishes which include fish vattichathu, Malabar chicken, and beef syrian. Maroli also hosts an annual Malabar food festival. More »
Hopper Hut
Some of the best hoppers in Toronto can be found at this Sri Lankan restaurant in Scarborough. Be prepared for serious seasoning and heat in Hopper Hut's curries, lampries, and more, all of which are dolled out in very generous portions. Kottu roti from Hopper Hut is an area late-night favourite. More »
Discussion
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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.
Jaipur Grille
The Host
Nirvana- in Mississauga
The food is excellent and authentic, the service is 9/10, and the decor is lovely, clean. and modern. Highly affordable and highly recommended!!
This place is Pakistani, its can't 'technically be called Pakistani'. Lahore is a city IN Pakistan, and the food and ownders and Pakistani.
I would add Anjappar Chettiand to this list, they have locations in Brampton and Scarborough and even ones overseas. Really top notch South Indian food (avoid their North Indian menu options, not that its bad, but you'd want to save room for what they're really good at).
Lahore Tikki House is just incredible though, no arguments there.
Most of the remaining places as well as most places suggested in the comments are, in my opinion, nothing special, though I'm sure they're personal favourites of some.
I am surprised that Hopper Hut was put on here. If you're only going to pick one Sri Lankan restaurant I think Sri Lankans or those that know the cuisine would easily choose Babu Catering as the best spot in the city.
Finally, surprised that Mother India/Gandhi didn't appear. It's massively popular (see Yelp for example) and offers something a little different that the majority of places on the list.
@Ruby: Mela doesn't exist anymore according to the link you posted.
Also, Earth, a restaurant on Yonge Street north of Cummer is worth checking out: http://www.earthindian.com/index.aspx
Other commentators--please advise where you go for Indian when you are on Gerrard. I generally find myself overwhelmed by choice and underwhelmed by bad buffets. I'm curious to hear what people recommend.
However, this city lost it's all time best when Natarj closed it's doors. That place's flavours were out of control.
How is it possible that you haven't included Babur-- for two lists now!! Have you not gone there? Some kind of BlogTO response--PLEASE!
indian rice factory
the host
dhaba
all 3 of these places surpass #1 for me... and trust me, i love banjara!
As for Gerrard street, if one wants south indian food, its udupi palace, north indian + pakistani its lahore tikka who also has the best kulfi on the street, the best buffet in t.o is little india on queen west, for Bangladeshi food one must venture to swiss and anondo on danforth between main and vp; finally one should never ever miss out on the kebabs from Mekkah outside donlands station on danforth.
As for my two cents...I would not set foot in Banjara after my last experience, and the Lahore Tikka House' food is far too greasy and over oiled for my arteries (although probably the most authentic place on the list).
My favorite hang out, albeit ' greasy spoon' atmosphere is Simba Grill on Donlands and O'Connor. They serve a mean barbeque, great tikka and beef and amazing curries.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/10/135317/restaurant/East-York/Simba-Grill-Toronto
I believe indiapalacequeen.ca is their website though right now i can see the website down. Anyway, lots of indian restaurants are there and most of the names came up here are really really good.
http://www.indiapalacequeen.ca