The Best Jamaican Patties in Toronto

The best Jamaican patties in Toronto must have all the right elements. The pastry shell must be light and flaky, but with enough substance to keep it all inside. The filling should be tender and moist; well-seasoned but not obtrusively so. And the flavour (though it goes without saying) should be top-notch. Whether inhaled on its own or sandwiched between some fresh, sweet coco bread, really good patties satiate your cravings for pastry and meat (or veggies) all in one. Enough so to go after the forlorn flakes when you're done.

Not on the list below but worth mentioning is Taste of Life. It's the one purveyor that doesn't offer a meat patty. Instead, its patties are wholly vegan and available in varieties such as Lentil, Miso-Tempeh, and Soya Protein. You can find these patties at Whole Foods, The Big Carrot, and other places around Toronto, packaged in biodegradable film and housed in boxes made of recycled materials.

Vegan offerings aside, here is the list of the best Jamaican patties in Toronto.

See also:

The best jerk chicken in Toronto
The best roti in Toronto

Photos by Jesse Milns

Randy's

Randy's has been delivering Patties for the People since 1979, and it seems said people still can't get enough. The take-out shop at Eglinton and Oakwood offers four types of patties--Chicken, Veggie, Ackee & Codfish, and Beef--the latter for which I can certainly attest. Crispy, flaky pastry, juicy seasoned beef, and lots of flavour, all for $1.40 (or $2.50 for Ackee & Cod). More »

Tastee

These patties require a stop in Markham - you'll know you've arrived when you see the murals of cartoon kids eating the flaky snack. Tastee makes its patties hot and fresh, to be enjoyed on the spot or bought frozen and taken home. Tastee's Chicken, Beef, and Veggie patties are all wallet-friendly at $1.10 each. More »

Allan's Pastry Shop

From Markham to Scarborough, Allan's Pastry Shop adds a new variety to the roster (well, this list's roster, anyhow) with its Curry Goat patty. The coco bread sandwich is a favourite here, equally applied to its Veggie, Chicken, Goat, or Beef (spicy or mild) patties. Allan's patties are $1.09 each. More »

Caribbean Queen of Patties

The Queen here goes by the name Georgina and she can be found most days preparing up a fresh batch. The patties at Caribbean Queen are the grab-and-go choice for many commuting via Lansdowne Station, in no small part to their moist, perfectly seasoned fillings. Beef, Chicken, and Veggie patties are $1.50 each. More »

Patty King

While the Queen, as just mentioned, can be found further west, the King reigns here in Kensington market (and at its Scarborough location on Progress Avenue). My favourite is the Spicy Beef, with its great savoury filling and perfectly crisp and tender pastry. Patty King also offers Chicken, Goat, and other varieties, and its sweet coco bread is said to make for a delicious patty sandwich. More »

Tinnel's

Tinnel's has grown from one location to four, offering its signature Jamaican patties at each of its locations throughout the GTA. Tinnel's does Chicken, Veggie, Mild Beef, and Spicy Beef made with Scotch Bonnet peppers, each patty sold for just a dollar and a quarter. More »

Fahmee Bakery

Fahmee Bakery in Scarborough doesn't have much room for loitering, but most customers just want to take their patties (fresh or frozen) home to eat anyway. Fahmee's patties come in Spicy Beef, Mild Beef, Chicken, and Veggie, often served sandwiched between some of their signature coco bread. Patties at Fahmee are $1.42 each. More »

Michidean Limited

Michidean Limited in Markham does mostly wholesale, which means if you're in the mood for a patty, you'll likely end up with 12. Of course, that's not really a bad thing. Michidean's Veggie, Beef, and Chicken patties can be purchased for $9/doz from their store at Birchmount and 14th, or found sold at various places throughout the GTA. More »