The Best Kebabs in Toronto

The best kebabs in Toronto tell you if they've been prepared correctly. The juiciness lets you know if it's a prime piece of meat, the flavour tells you how long it has spent marinating, and the little bit of smokiness says someone knows how to work a grill. I've found that good kebabs can come from anywhere--a Lebanese restaurant, Iranian takeout spot, whatever--though its origin is said to trace back to Persia.

Perhaps that's why this list is populated with many of Toronto's Iranian kebabs, or maybe that's just because we all love us some Barg now and then. Here is the list of the best kebabs in Toronto.

See also:

The best hummus in Toronto
The best falafel in Toronto
The best shawarma in Toronto

Top photos by Jesse Milns

Bamiyan Kabob

Bamiyan Kabob, according to owner Abdul Rahim, is the only Afghan Halal kebab restaurant in the GTA. Er, the only five Afghan Halal kebab restaurants, that is. Its lamb, beef, and chicken is marinated for 24 hours and served still sizzling along with salad and naan. And for those looking for a little extra tenderness (who isn't?) Bamiyan offers filet mignon kebab dinners for $10.99. More »

Tabule

If you hit up Tabule on a Saturday night, you'll likely score some belly dancing along with your juicy marinated kebabs. While I haven't had that pleasure, I have experienced Tabule's Tawuk chicken kebabs, which certainly live up to their fantastic reputation. The midtown restaurant also offers beef, lamb, and Kefta kebabs, which land in the $13 to $18 range, along with veggie kebabs of onions, peppers and zucchini. More »

Shomal

Shomal (or North) restaurant may charge a little more for its authentic Iranian kebabs, but you can usually count on your dinner doubling as leftover lunch the next day. The strip mall restaurant serves chicken, lamb, beef, and veggie kebabs, including its North Special of tenderloin veal and chicken ($25.99) and Kabab Torsh of sirloin veal with pomegranate paste and walnuts ($16.99). More »

Taftan Kebab

Did you know that Taftan Kebab is "low calorie"?! Or so says the gigantic sign outside its North York location. The Persian/Iranian restaurant serves all sorts of kebabs, including chicken (breast or leg), beef, Barg, and even quail, or so says its menu, though the woman at the counter did not give convincing confirmation. More »

Sheherzade

Sheherzade, like its sister restaurant, the Pomegranate, specializes in Persian food, but the focus here is less home style and more open-air bazaar. And while College and Bathurst isn't exactly bazaar-reminiscent (maybe so if you venture a little southeast), the dishes are true-to-form are and certified Halal. Kebabs include beef and chicken Kabob Bakhtiari ($14.95) and beef Kabob Barg ($16.95). More »

Armenian Kitchen

Armenian Kitchen is a Middle Eastern restaurant that's been on Victoria Park for over 20 years. It offers a variety of grilled kebabs including chicken, beef, and lamb, but if the pork shish kebab is any indication, this restaurant isn't to be considered Kosher or Halal. Kebabs are averagely priced and hover around $12. More »

Banu

Banu uses organic meat for its Iranian kebabs, which partly explains the slightly higher price tag you'll find on its Queen West menu. Banu offers Koobideh kebabs of ground angus sirloin ($19), as well as juicy lamb and chicken (and yes, lamb testicles too), offered alongside many specialty drinks and freshly pressed juices. More »

Kabab Grill

Kabab Grill does Lebanese-Mediterranean-style kebabs in chicken or beef. Plates are around $10 to $12, with the option of paying $2 less for one fewer skewer if just a little nosh is what you're after. Each plate comes with pita, rice, salad, garlic sauce and hummus. More »