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!