10 hidden-gem restaurants around Sheppard Avenue East in Toronto

Scarborough's Sheppard Avenue East will be getting a major subway expansion in a few years, which means Toronto and GTA residents will have an easier time accessing all the benefits of this area's continued transformation.

If you haven't ventured to Sheppard East Village (SEV), northeast of downtown between Midland and Markham, there are over 500 businesses to explore — including community and personal services, banks, auto services, dentists, accountants, and, of course, incredible restaurants you won't find anywhere else in the city.

With over 50 food destinations offering everything from Japanese to Caribbean, Sheppard East Village is full of favourites. To give you a taste of what you're missing, here are just a few food spots to check out on your next food adventure.

Matsuda Japanese Grill House

With a sleek and modern vibe setting the mood, Matsuda offers a traditional Japanese BBQ experience to sizzle your taste buds. Cook an array of pork belly, short ribs, kalbi and more to perfection along with bountiful side dishes for a well-rounded menu.

There's also an option to unlock their sushi menu for a truly indulgent all-you-can-eat experience. Don’t skip on the cocktails, especially the Strawberry Punch — a flawless balance of strawberry and white rum.

Remely's Filipino Restaurant

An authentic Filipino restaurant that's not to be missed, Remely's is a staple in the Sheppard Avenue East area for a good, and tasty, reason.

Some menu favourites are the tender and tangy Tagalog Beef Steak, cooked with lemon and soy sauce for a perfectly tender piece of meat, and the Chicken Afritada, a comforting stew including tomatoes, carrots, parsnips, peas, and hot dog slices.

Finish off dinner with a sweet Halo Halo, a purple yam ice cream served with cooked beans and fruit in syrup, evaporated milk, and caramel flan.

Gourmet Malaysia

If you haven't had authentic Malaysian food, SEV's Gourmet Malaysia is considered by many to be one of the best in Toronto.

Their extensive menu has something for the adventurous and discerning, with a go-to satay. To get the most out of this cuisine, fill your plate with items you can't get anywhere else, like Hainanese Chicken on Rice, or even the Ikan Bakar (which is a Banana Leaf Grilled Stingray).

On your way out, stop by their snacks shop, stocked with specialty items that would rival any shop in the GTA.

Katsuya

Sticking with Japanese, tonkatsu is a style of fried cutlet (either pork or chicken) served over rice and curry  — and Katsuya is the place to explore this super popular dish.

The Katsuya Original, which is pork loin meat served with melted cheese and curry sauce over rice, is a great place to start if you’re unfamiliar. But, if you're feeling adventurous, the Terri Mayo Katsu is an extra cheesy, takoyaki-inspired dish that'll keep you coming back for seconds.

Markham Station Restaurant

A retro diner that's been a mainstay of the neighbourhood for decades, Markham Station is the place to be, regardless of time.

Open 24 hours a day, it's best known for all-day breakfasts and Greek fare — like the souvlaki dinner, served with seasoned rice, roast potatoes, a Greek salad, and a cup of tzatziki.

All coffee, tea, and fountain drinks are bottomless, but what's a visit to a classic diner without a rich milkshake made with real ice cream?

Perfect Chinese Restaurant

Another 24-hour spot to grab some delicious Chinese food, Perfect Chinese Restaurant lives up to its name by providing comforting favourites with high-quality ingredients.

Whether you’re looking for some late-night dim sum or one of their decadent dinner combos, you can’t go wrong ordering just about anything on the menu. It’s also a great option to host an event, with several different styles of private rooms that offer karaoke, an Automatic Mahjong Machine, and more.

Mona's Roti

You won't find Caribbean roti much better than Mona's, which consistently ranks as the best roti place in Toronto — making it a must-visit.

The family-run shop might not have a ton of space, but their roti is packed with flavour straight from Trinidad. The Dahlpuri (with crumbly split peas) and paratha (plain) roti are made by hand here, and stuffed with options like jerk chicken, curry chicken, and curry goat.

Pick up Caribbean snacks like doubles and potato balls, also made fresh daily, with daily specials like oxtail, curry duck, and chicken pelau. Come check it out and meet Mona in person!

Hyderabad Palace

Serving up fresh, home-style Indian cooking, Hyderabad Palace honours Hyderabadi cuisine by offering great quality for an even better price.

Some things to keep an eye on this menu include the Khatti Daal, Mutton Haleem, and Chicken 65 (chicken pakoras tossed in a curd gravy). You can also grab a party tray of some of your favourite curries, rice dishes, or desserts.

Babu Catering & Takeout

A popular take-out spot for authentic Sri Lankan food, Babu's has been operating in the area for over 30 years. Try some Lamprais, a.k.a. lumprice, served in a banana leaf with an assortment of curries, meat, seafood, and veggies.

There's also both Indian and Sri Lankan dosa, which is a fluffy, more pancake-like dosa, served with chutneys and sambar stew.

Silver Spoon Takeout

Tucked away in a strip plaza, Silver Spoon might be unassuming from the outside, but the shop offers fresh-made curries, kebabs, and other Indian fare that’ll titillate the taste buds without breaking the bank.

The Biryani dishes are piled high, and the Basmati rice is soaked with slow-cooked chicken, mutton, or veal for extra flavour. Their signature Lollipop Chicken is often duplicated, never replicated, with a refined blend of spices and deep-fried to perfection. The kebabs are seared over an open flame, and each curry is made fresh daily. Soak it all up with some delicious tandoori, garlic, or butter naan.

Served by five major TTC bus lines and the Agincourt GO station, and only blocks from the 401, there's a world of flavour to explore at Sheppard East Village.