Best of Toronto
The Best Roti in Toronto
The best roti in Toronto come from a variety of different origins, and I'm not just referring to Parkdale versus Scarborough. Toronto's best roti offerings include a mix of Trinidadian, East Indian, Guyanese, and Sri Lankan styles, generally varying in moistness and consistency (re: gravy), heat, and general flavour. While chicken, goat, and beef roti are the standard favourites, many places boast expanded rosters that include varieties such as shrimp, duck, and lamb. More, indeed, have grown to offer roti beyond the one easy veggie option. That's right, vegetarian roti-lovers: choice. And for everyone else, more choice still.
Here are the best places to grab a roti in Toronto.
See also:
The best Caribbean restaurants in Toronto
The best jerk chicken in Toronto
The best Jamaican patties in Toronto
Note: A previous version of this list was published on August 25, 2008. Comments below made up until July 6, 2011 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept most of 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.
Gandhi Roti
Gandhi Roti is the name you'll hear most often if you ask anyone for roti suggestions in Toronto (or else, its younger sister Mother India, which is a little further west). There's not nearly enough space in this Queen West roti shop for all of its loyal butter chicken, veggie, lamb, saag paneer and other East-Indian roti followers, but there is plenty food to go around. In my case, one roti is easily enough for two meal. Order "extra spicy" with extreme caution. More »
Bacchus
Bacchus has probably the priciest roti on the list (some varieties can run you $15 or so), but fans of the Guyanese and Barbadian-style roti say it's worth every penny. The Parkdale spot also has lots of veggie options including chickpea, spinach, squash, green beans, and potato, any three of which can be combined for $10 and change. More »
Roti Hut
Scarborough has no shortage of roti options but Roti Hut stands out as one of the best. Rumour has it the simple act of lifting and eating a goat ($9) or chicken ($8) roti may cause repetitive stress injury in one arm, and/or a tendency to make really lame analogies in mirth. Roti Hut also has plenty of veggie fillings including spinach, chickpea, potato and pumpkin. More »
Drupati's
Drupati's has several locations throughout the GTA offering its Trinidadian-style roti. Its roti comes in two different sizes (one for more modest eaters) with Dhalpuri and Paratha shells. Along with typical chicken and potato fillings, Drupati's roti also come in varieties such as shrimp and duck, both of which are priced at $9 (or $7.25, for the smaller size). More »
Mona's Roti
Mona also makes her roti true to Trinidadian form, folding in over 25 years of experience in the business. The simple Scarborough shop makes jerk and curry chicken roti, goat, beef, shrimp, and veggie, all for around $6-$10. You can also put in an order for special roti shells, including whole wheat Dhalpuri and Paratha, as well as potato Puri. More »
Island Foods
Island Foods has three locations throughout the GTA with ample selection of Trinidadian roti varieties. There's beef, eggplant, spinach, chicken, channa, and more, and you can always toss an extra ingredient in for an additional $0.85. Great value as you probably won't pay more than $8 or so, though roti is a little smaller than you might get elsewhere. More »
One Love Vegetarian
Yup, a veggie-only option has cracked the top nine. One Love's chickpea and potato roti really does rival some of those curry chickens out there. Other varieties include spiced pumpkin and textured vegetable protein, available in Paratha, whole wheat, or whole wheat Dahl Puri shells. More »
Caribbean Dutchpot
After a leave from Leslieville and painful hiatus, the Dutchpot has returned to serve its chicken, oxtail, curry beef, and other roti (for around $9 each). Just keep an ear out for reggae music on Broadview south of the Danforth, and you'll surely find your way into Caribbean Dutchpot's new location. More »
Roti Cuisine of India
Roti Cuisine of India has basically every type of roti you could imagine. There are a dozen vegetarian options including Saag Kofta, Dal Pakora, and mixed vegetable curry, plus an additional 10 non-veggie roti choices such as butter chicken, shrimp curry, and lamb Tikka Masala. When and if you finally make up your mind, you'll be paying somewhere between $7 and $14. The style here is East-Indian, similar to Gandhi. More »
Discussion
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Also, best doubles in THE WORLD. Yeah, that's a bold claim, but it's true.
@Shawn: What do you mean by awkward tasting? I find Ghandi's (and Mother India's) rotis to be good value. They generally feed two. :)
Try it you will not be disappointed.
Ali's is a serious omission. Other than that, this list is pretty thorough. I still don't really understand how Ghandi and Mother India even qualify since they are way more East Indian than West. Tim, are you into them because they offer something totally different than the traditional roti?
That's like saying sushi doesn't have to be from Japan, or taco's don't have to be from Mexico.
Sure, in a literal sense, we're not actually getting sushi from Japan, Taco's from Mexico or Roti's from the Caribbean, but those dishes are each culture's culinary hallmarks.
Would you slap potato chips, gravy and shredded asiago and call it Poutine?
So yes, a proper Roti should be of Caribbean descent and should adhere to the tradition's recipe.
PS: here's the litmus test. Take a Ghandi's roti to a Trini grandparent and convince them that it's the best and most authentic roti around. I guarantee they'll slap the spit out of your fosi hole.
Try the original and the best - Ram's Roti - now at 1770 Albion road. I have been going to their different locations since 1968. Their doubles and rotis are fantastic - true Trinidadian!
Try it - you won't regret it.
if i wanted butter chicken or sag paneer, i'd go eat them on gerrard street(i don't eat either but that's beside the point), and if i wanted a roti, i expect it to taste like someone's trinidadian grandmother made it.
i guess if your standard includes 2 locations that don't even fit the category in my humble opinion, then i guess that brings to light the reason why our opinions are so different on ali's.
Bloor and Lansdowne, looks trashy and is. But is also cheap and wonderful.
Not only do they have wonderful roti, their chaat RULES.
makes for an amazing lunch deal if you work in the area
I'm also puzzled as to why Ali's isn't on this list. Their roti is great too.
Note to BlogTO: People of BlogTO you should review the best doubles in GTA :)
Thankfully Vena's is off the list though. Runniest roti I've ever eaten.
VENAS FOR THE WIN!
Roti Lady (Dunn Ave off Queen W.)- Succulent yet dry, novel spicing. Smallish and can be eaten in your hands. $6
Tropical Joe's Gerrard Square Mall food court- LOADED with chicken. Tasty. Insane proportions. Walk it off in Home Depot. $7
-Roti is an Indian dish that has been modified and eaten throughout the Caribbean.
Obviously, Jamaica's indian population is not as large and robust as it is in places like Guyana, Trinidad, and Suriname, making roti less common to be prepared and served in a Jamaican restaurant in say Brooklyn, Brixton, or Brampton -most of these places aren't owned by indo-jamaicans or blacks familiar with indo-caribbean cuisine.
However, having grown up with jamaican-made roti (made by Indo Jamaican cooks) in Detroit as a boy and eating roti in Jamaica multiple times whenever I'm in Kingston, Spanishtown, or my father's area of Old Habour (landing point of original Indo-Jamaicans), I can say that roti has been, is, and will always be eaten in Jamaica.
AS FOR AS ROTI AND CARIBANA, TRINIS OWN THEM OUTRIGHT, EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IS JUST A COPYCAT.
Look up ROLANDS restaurant on Eglington Ave, also in Pickering. Dhalpuri roti and Curry (beef, chicken, potato, etc) is the best. They make A1 Guyanese Chinese food, no matching them..
Trinidadian curry looks really unsavoury, looks like watery poop in consistency.. They make those gadawful doubles oil sponges, conch, etc..
Guyanese eat very well..
Oh yes, the origins of Roti came from the Middle East, eaten since man the advent of man. Even the Mediterranean has their version, PITA.. The Mesepotamians have ancient evidence to prove they were the inventors of curry.... With trade, the recipes traveled around Asia.
Why does Trini curry look like that? I guess Guyanese curry is different??
That place Rolands is Good! Consistent Guyanese Chinee/ Coolie cooking, tasty and wholesome.. Try the Low Mein or the Chow Mein! And of course the Dhalpurii roti w/curry, amazing!
When I use to live king/bathurst went to Ghandi Roti as few times, but was ok...nothing grand, definitely not #1 but then maybe a person from India, let's say, thinks so.
Also as someoneelse said..ali's is not on the list and they were better in my opinion.
I would like to add Mona's has the one of the best polouri I've ever had. They're light, addictive, and her tamarind dip is slightly peppery = perfection.
Miss the place so much, been 4 years since I was in Toronto.
100 Bond St (2 min NE of Eaton Centre)
Best Roti in Toronto
Charley's or is it Charlies? on Hurontario south of Eglinton is delicious and massive with the best black pudding to boot! Haven't found a place in the east end yet that even comes close to these three except for a roti shop in an Ajax strip mall but can't remember the name but Scarlet Ibis will do when Maylin cooks.
Some of these shops mentioned in here wouldn't last a day in Port of Spain or Georgetown.
I am a Guyanese living in TO these past 39 years, and have been following this discussion with great interest.
For those NOT from the Caribbean, let me clear up a few common misconceptions about roti. Roti is the name of the shell… not the package of shell plus filling. But for the purpose of this discussion, I will use the term ‘roti shell’ for the outer wrap, ‘curry filling’ for the filling and ‘roti wrap’ for the complete package. When you are debating the best ‘roti’ here, you need to take two things into consideration: the shell itself and the curry filling. Both contribute to the excellence of the flavour of the ‘roti wrap’. Yet I don’t see anyone discussing the roti shell itself. There are establishments that have very flavourful fillings, but a tasteless roti shell, and vice versa. Surely the ‘best roti’, as you call it, has to be judged on both elements of the roti wrap.
Countries in the Caribbean got their roti (shell) and curries from India when Indians came to the Caribbean as indentured labourers many years ago. Over the centuries, displaced from its Indian origin, the roti shell has evolved in the Caribbean into a flavour and texture entirely different from its Indian predecessor. The same can be said for the curries, as different spices are used in the Caribbean that give their curries a distinct ‘Caribbean’ flavour.
And that is the other issue I want to address. Curry wrapped in roti shell is, as far as I know, a Caribbean thing (I hesitate to say ‘invention’). The establishments like Gandhi and Mother India that have borrowed (ripped off?) the ‘roti wrap’ idea are not only using the Indian-style roti shell foreign to the Caribbean palate but also Indian-spiced curries and fillings. We need to remember that they have adapted a typically Caribbean dish to appeal to those who like Indian food, or those who think they are getting a twist on Caribbean food. All it is is Indian food presented in a Caribbean manner. Indian curry and Indian roti are a far cry from Caribbean food. So to compare, in the same forum, Gandhi’s and its ilk with ANY Caribbean establishment is like comparing apples to oranges. They are not, and should not be, considered the same genre of food, and therefore do not belong in this discussion. Start a new discussion for “best Indian adaptation of the Caribbean roti wrap for those who like Indian food”. I’m sure Gandhi will fare well in such a forum. Those from the Caribbean who like Gandhi’s or Mother India’s roti wrap certainly don’t confuse it for Caribbean food, nor would even think of comparing it, despite what these establishments call it.
Regarding the best roti establishment… here is the rule of thumb I use. If I go into a Chinese restaurant and don’t see Chinese patrons, or an Indian restaurant and don’t see Indian patrons, I get the hell out of there so fast, my nose bleeds. Who knows authentic food better than those who grew up cooking and eating it ‘back home’? So, without meaning to disrespect anyone, I would listen more to the opinions of those who are clearly of Caribbean background on the issue of ‘best roti’. If a Japanese recommends the best sushi place, I’ll certainly try it. If a fellow Guyanese does, I would take it with a pinch of salt.
Breaking that down further, jerk is a Jamaican specialty. Why would I want to buy jerk chicken from a Guyanese or Trini or Bajan establishment? Same argument for doubles, which is a Trini specialty. I have never yet bought doubles from a Guyanese establishment that I have enjoyed after having tasted the authentic thing while visiting Trinidad. Guyanese tend to make the baras (the fried flat breads that sandwich the chick peas) too thick, the way we like to eat them back home. But the trick of good doubles lies in the delicately thin baras that the Trinis make so that they don’t overpower the flavour of the channa (chick peas) filling. And now for roti and curry. In my opinion after trying all types, my sincere advice is this: go to a Trini or Guyanese establishment for the best roti and curry. This is a staple diet for us and therefore many Guyanese and Trini establishments tend to make it like mom and grandma did – with authentic Caribbean spices, textures and flavours.
Another rule of thumb. The best roti shells are those that are made for you as you wait. Some establishments either have them made earlier and stacked up in a pile, or worse, don’t make them at all but heat up pre-made shells cooked elsewhere. Avoid the latter like the plague! Roti shells should be made for you as you wait, and they should be soft and pliable (not thick like Gandhi), and should be flavourful not a mouthful of tasteless flour like Gandhi. You see, for Gandhi, the shell is just a vehicle for their fillings. For the Caribbean roti, the shell is an integral part of the wrap. Some roti shells will contain a lot of ground split peas, but most Caribbean rotis will at least contain some. This is the yellowy spiced powdery stuff that is cooked inside the roti shell. And this is what gives the Caribbean roti its unique flavour that Gandhi and its ilk can never hope to match.
Regarding curry, let me make the distinction here between spicy ‘hot’ and spicy ‘flavourful’. For an alarming amount of people, the misconception is that spicy only means hot. Wrong! Spices are flavourful seasonings that enhance the taste of food. When food is spicy ‘hot’, it is usually because some form of pepper has been added, not because of the spices. Curry is a spicy ‘flavourful’ dish. It can sometimes be a spicy ‘hot’ dish depending on personal preference. Curry needs to be spicy ‘flavourful’. Caribbean curry is spicy ‘flavourful’ not salty ‘flavourful’ like Gandhi and most Indian restaurants. Expect it to be spicy. For those who expect bland curry in a Caribbean establishment, understand that you are not getting authentic Caribbean flavours. Bland curry from Caribbean establishments is quite frankly a sell-out and I recommend avoiding them like the plague. Look around when you go in. Are there any West Indians dining there? Do you know why London, England is the best place in the world to buy authentic Indo-pakistani food outside of the Indian sub-continent? Because the British not only understand that authentic curry needs to be spicy, but also appreciate and frequent the establishments that provide it. So any discussion about the taste of the Caribbean curry wrapped in the Caribbean roti shell has to take spicy ‘flavourful’ into consideration. Again, those from the Caribbean are the best judges of this and you should listen more carefully to what they have to say on the matter as they have a ‘back home yardstick’ to measure against.
That said, here are my picks for ‘best roti’. This is only my humble opinion after much research but it is by no means an exhaustive list as it is still a work in progress. For best roti shell, in no particular order, Island Foods (Don Mills Rd.), Caribbean Roti Palace (next to Honest Ed’s) and Roti Palace (Jane/Finch Mall). The roti shell is always made as you wait and the flavour is consistently good. For most flavourful curry, in no particular order, Island Foods – goat (Don Mills Rd.), Caribbean Roti Palace – chicken (next to Honest Ed’s), Tropical Joe’s – goat (Woodside Mall). For best overall roti wrap, it’s Island Foods and Caribbean Roti Palace for me. I guess you can see that both the shell and the filling have to impress me for me to call it the best. I’ve eaten at Ali’s, Bacchus, Pam’s and other establishments mentioned in this discussion, but I was not impressed with the overall package. Pam’s chicken roti in particular was far too salty. Just my opinion of course. Before Coconut Grove changed ownership a few years ago, it was my favourite downtown roti haunt. I was known to plan my film festival movie times and locations around lunch at Coconut Grove. Now I notice someone posting that Rockwell Café has the best roti, and my heart started racing. Why? Because it was Steve Rockwell’s daughter who owned Coconut Grove, and 100 Bond St belongs to Steve Rockwell. I never knew Rockwwell Café existed until now, but I will certainly try it to see if my Coconut Grove owner is running it. And people, if she is, check it out… you will certainly not be disappointed by the excellent traditional Guyanese roti and curry.
For authentic doubles, ACR (Scarborough) and Drupaties (Mississauga, Scarborough) have no competiton. For doubles, hunt out the Trini establishments and avoid the Guyanese ones. For portion size, Tropical Joe’s is king. No contest. Go very hungry or you’ll have to take home the rest. Island Foods tends to be stingy with their meat, but as mentioned, their roti wraps are delicious.
I have no recommendations for jerk or vegetarian as I rarely eat either so I will bow to the opinions of those more knowledgeable than myself.