Toronto is a city celebrated for its incredible international food scene, and Indian cuisine is no exception. While much of the Greater Toronto Area’s Indian community is centred in nearby Brampton, Toronto itself is packed with outstanding restaurants serving the bold, vibrant flavours of India. Whether you’re craving classic comfort dishes, quick and flavourful street food, or a more refined dining experience, here are 9 of the best places to get Indian food in Toronto that you absolutely must try.
Table of Contents: The Best Indian Food in Toronto
- The Cottage Cheese – Michelin-approved urban Indian
- Chaska – food truck-style Indian street food
- Sizzler Kabab – late-night Pakistani & Indian grill
- Roti Mahal – home to Toronto’s Butter Chicken Roti
- Kalyug – Tandoori & Hakka cocktail bar
- Adrak Yorkville – elevated Indian cuisine in Yorkville
- Rikki Tikki – modern Indian dining in Kensington
- Leela Indian Food Bar – authentic Indian dishes and cocktails
- Madras Masala – South Indian and gluten-free dosa
The Cottage Cheese
Michelin-approved urban Indian
64 Oxford St | thecottagecheese.ca
Blending refined technique with the warmth and vibrancy of Kensington Market, the Cottage Cheese is one of the few restaurants in Toronto recognized by the Michelin Guide. This Bib Gourmand spot delivers elevated takes on classic Indian dishes crafted by head chef Vikash Chhetri, who combines flavours from all over the world while adding his personal touch. One notable example of this is the Tandoori Fish Roulade, fusing the classic Indian grilled fish filet, rolled and baked in the style of French roulade to make a truly unique dish. For something more delicate, try the Dahi Avocado Kabab, featuring an avocado topped with pesto with a dollop of plum chili chutney.
Local tip: Ask for a window seat and enjoy their sized windows, letting you enjoy the sunlight as you watch the hustle and bustle of Kensington.
Chaska
Food truck-style Indian street food
218 Adelaide St W | chaska.com
Featured on our Must-Do Toronto Food Tour is Chaska, a shop whose name translates to obsession, defining owner Naveen Seth’s obsession with Indian street food. Everything from the colourful trucks to the sounds of their horns to, of course, the food was inspiration for this street food stop. For example, the Pav Bhaji is a popular street eat from Mumbai, with a spicy “bhaji” – a tomato based curry – served with buttery “pav” buns. However the signature dish is the samosa, a staple at Indian restaurants with theirs inspired by Naveen’s grandmother’s family recipe, packing in so much flavour that makes it a samosa like no other.
Local tip: If you’re having trouble deciding what to get, Chaska offers $9 daily deals every day of the week, giving you a reason to try something new without breaking the bank every day for a week.
Sizzler Kabab
Late-night Pakistani & Indian grill
381 Spadina Ave | sizzlerkababtoronto.com
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Sizzler Kabab is a late-night favourite for both Indian and Pakistani comfort food. Our personal favourite is the Palak Gosht, a spinach and lamb curry served with a garlicky naan to scoop up the flavour. For something smaller in size or for something to share, the Tandoori Chicken Wings make for a scrumptious side dish.
Local tip: The kitchen is open all night until 2AM. If you’re looking for a late late night snack, you know exactly where to go.
Roti Mahal
Home to Toronto’s Butter Chicken Roti
Roti Mahal is a beloved takeout stop that is home to one of Toronto’s original dishes: Butter Chicken Roti. This is a delicious fusion dish that combines the rich flavours of Indian butter chicken with the Caribbean-style roti wrap. This street food features tender pieces of chicken cooked in a spiced creamy tomato sauce, all wrapped in a flaky roti. One of the best places to get this is Roti Mahal, a restaurant run by the creator of the dish, inspired by the roti from the West Indies of the Caribbean. He took the form of this popular street food and replaced the stewed meats traditionally served inside the flatbread with his own North Indian curries. If you are vegetarian, however, they have a full menu of vegetarian roti, filled with everything from Mutter Paneer (cottage cheese with peas) to Madras Channa (spiced chickpeas and tomato).
Local tip: The menu is very flexible and customizable. If you want to add anything from spinach to paneer to shrimp to your roti, just ask!
Kalyug
Tandoori & Hakka cocktail bar
Hakka is a fusion of Indian-Chinese cuisine, created by Chinese communities that migrated across South Asia. Kalyug is a standout stop to enjoy this cuisine with a wide spread of options. Kalyug Style Fried Momos are crispy dumplings available in both chicken and veggie, with your choice of spicy sauce poured overtop. Alternatively, the Szechuan Paneer or Sweet and Sour Gobi combine Chinese flavours with Indian proteins for a uniquely delicious dish.
Local tip: Breakfast is served until 3:30PM, relatively late for Toronto so you have somewhere to get a classic breakfast even if you’re having a very late brunch.
Adrak Yorkville
Elevated Indian cuisine in Yorkville
138 Avenue Rd | adrakyorkville.ca
Adrak Yorkville brings a luxurious, modern interpretation of Indian cuisine to one of Toronto’s most upscale neighbourhoods. The space is regal, with a culinary approach that blends traditional Indian flavours with more contemporary techniques. The Thal platters are the perfect way to share a plethora of dishes, featuring prawn tandoori, lamb seekh (skewers) and more. If you want something more personal, the Rani Kachori is one of the most popular options, giving a large stuffed puri filled generously with onion, potato, chickpeas, yoghurt, and chutney.
Local tip: Adrak is a very popular destination, it’s strongly recommended you make a reservation before visiting.
Rikki Tikki
Modern Indian dining in Kensington
209 Augusta Ave | rikkitikki.ca
Located just across Bellevue Square Park in Kensington, Rikki Tikki is a modern Indian restaurant headed by Chef Ricky. The menu features a number of classic Indian curries, such as the Saag Paneer, a spinach curry with thick cubes of homemade cottage cheese. While there are also chicken and lamb curries, a special mention goes to the Lobster Butter Curry, a uniquely Canadian dish you can only find here.
Local tip: Come with friends and order a variety of curries to share. Don’t forget to order extra bread for dipping in all the different types of curries.
Leela Indian Food Bar
Authentic Indian dishes and cocktails
1386 Gerrard St E | gerrard.leelaindianfoodbar.ca
Located in Little India on Gerrard St, Leela is the perfect blend of elegant dining and cocktail bar. Their menu has a variety of chaats (a class of creamy appetizers with sweet and spicy chutneys), such as the Aloo Tikki Chaat, which features crispy potato patties topped with tamarind and mint chutneys and yoghurt. As for a main, they have a Biryani menu with every topping you could ask for, from chicken to goat to a mix of house veggies.
Local tip: The cocktail bar aspect of Leela is one of the main draws to the restaurant. The Bollywood Gimlet is the signature drink on the menu, but if you ask they can give you a shot for your mango lassi.
Madras Masala
South Indian and gluten-free dosa
Add later: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=%2Fmadras_masala_toronto%2F&source=omni_redirect796 Bloor St W | madrasmasalatoronto.com
Madras Masala is a shop that was born from the desire to have great tasting vegan and gluten-free dishes based on fresh masala and herb mixtures, just as they would be found in the kitchens of South India. The signature of Madras Masala is their gluten-free dosa. Dosa are savoury rice-based crepes traditionally served as breakfast, and their dedicated Dosa Corner serves these filled with pretty much everything you could ask for. Masala Dosa with potato & onion, Mysore Dosa with cheese and chutney, or options with cream of wheat, spinach, chili, the options are endless.
Local tip: Madras Masala is closed for 2 hours daily, from 3 to 5PM. However, unlike most places that close to switch from lunch to dinner service, their full menu is available for both opening periods, so there’s no worries if you want a hearty biryani for breakfast or a crispy dosa for dinner.
Book a Food Tour to taste the best of Toronto
Want to experience more culinary delights in Toronto? Join Tasty Tours’ Toronto food tours to sample the best foods Toronto has to offer. Our Must-Do Toronto Food Tour features Chaska as a standout Indian eatery. Additionally, our Kensington Market Food Tour brings you to the neighbourhood that’s home to The Cottage Cheese and Rikki Tikki, giving you an option to pre-explore the neighbourhood before your dinner reservation!
