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Little India Toronto, as the name suggests, is the largest South Asian marketplace in Canada, a commercial ground for the people of Canada and adjoining places.
Also known as Gerrard India Bazaar, this huge marketplace started when a businessman named Gian Naaz formed a theatre screening Bollywood and Pakistani movies in 1972.
The rapid success of the theatre resulted in the opening of various South Indian eateries. Around the 1980s, today’s Little India was firmly established and attracted people from nearby cities like Detroit and Vancouver.
Empty storefronts went on to become today’s one of the best restaurants in Little India Toronto.
The rapid growth of the area’s business eventually resulted in capital investment in the retail and restaurant sectors.
Naaz Theatre was closed in 1985, but this business venue went on to become one of the popular spots for the best restaurants in Little India Toronto or Gerrard India Bazaar, what you say!
Top 11 Best restaurants in Little India Toronto
a) Lahore Tikka House
Opening its gates to customers in 1996, this Pakistani and North Indian cuisine-based food joint is among the best restaurants in Little India Toronto.
With a casual and relaxed ambiance, with a typical North Indian street style décor, this restaurant specializes in its special clay-cooked sizzling Kebabs, Lamb Chops, Beef Ribs, and Biriyani.
The fusion created by Pakistani and Indian cuisine is a debate among people there, and also one can experience a tinge of Afghani cuisine here.
Must try: Lahori Chaat Papri, Daal Gosht, Palak Beef, Nihari, Lahori Kulfi, and Kashmiri Chai.
Address: 1365 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z3, Canada.
b) Colaba Junction
Colaba Junction, as the name suggests, the restaurant is based upon the name of the Colaba district in Mumbai, where descendants of Portuguese and Anglo-Indian people mainly reside, which is also famous for its widespread street food gastronomy.
The restaurant has a fun, friendly, and cozy ambience with dialogues in Hindi, Marathi, English, and other languages scripted across the walls.
It’s a very picturesque food junction with some beautiful décor and obviously, great food. Authentic Pav Bhaji, Chaat, Pani Puri, and Vada Pav are served here.
Mango Lassi is one of their famous dish which just cuts through the sweetness. Colaba Butter Chicken Bowl is a must-try. Paneer Lasagna Curry and Fried Cauliflower Chaat are among the local favourites.
Must try: Aloo Tikki Chaat, Paneer Lasagna, Colaba Butter Chicken Bowl, Spring Rolls, Golgappa.
Address: 801 Bay Street 3 & 4, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y9, Canada.
c) Udupi Palace
South Indian food is tremendously healthy and famous among an unlimited amount of people, and Udupi Palace just takes it to the international level.
Situated in Toronto, this 100% vegetarian restaurant is among the best restaurants in Little India Toronto.
Deriving its name from a city in Southern India, this south indian restaurant with traditional South Indian décor is highly preferred by locals and people visiting from nearby towns and downtown.
Dosa, Uttapam, Idli, and Upma are typically South Indian dishes served, and apart from these, thalis are available too.
Idli Manchurian, Ghee Masala Dosa, Masala Uttapam, Dahi Vadai, and Onion Pakodas are the popular ones. Apart from popular South Indian dishes, one can get Chhole Bhatura and Paneer Makhni here. Gluten-free options are available.
Must try: Idli Manchurian, Masala Dosa, Chhole Bhature, Masala Vadai, Papadam.
Address: 801 Bay Street 3 & 4, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y9.
d) Moti Mahal
This restaurant is the oldest Indian food joint in Toronto established in 1976 just after the formation of Little India. It’s their 44th year of business, and still today, they’ve secured their position and are amongst the favorites of the locals.
Except for Tuesday, they’re open every day for lunch and dinner. Buffet options, along with Indian street fast food and cheap dining options, make them a key player among the best restaurants in Little India Toronto.
Their Butter Chicken is the most talked about among the locals. Probably the busiest hubs in Little India, their vegetarian and non-vegetarian platter is starting at just $7.50, which gives you a choice of bread, two veggie dishes along with salad and rice.
One can order cold drinks with it to wash down all. The Chana Bhatura thali is their best thali option.
Must try: Dahi Bhalla, Kadhi Chawal, Badshai Faluda, Veg Thali/Meat Thali, Chicken Stuffed Naan
Address: 1422 Gerrard St East, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z6, Canada.
e) Gautama
One of the busiest and most popular food joints in the Little India hotspot, Gautama is an Indian buffet restaurant, this restaurant can fulfill your Indian curry craving to the fullest while in Toronto.
The restaurant offers an extensive dynamic menu starting from Appetizers to the lip-smacking main course and desserts.
Mango Chicken, where tender chicken pieces cooked in onion gravy partnered with mangoes and traditional Indian spices, is among the signature restaurant specialties.
Lamb Biryani is also worth mentioning here. Other popular dishes include Shrimp Do Piazza, Lamb tikka Masala, Lamb Madrasi, and Special Gautama’s Chicken Bolcha. Indian street food eaters will like Samosas, Fish, Chicken, and Cheese Pakodas.
Must try: Mango Chicken, Gautama’s Tandoori Platter, Channa Peshawari, Gautama’s Special Korma
Address: 1416 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1A6, Canada.
f) Kathmandu Restaurant
Committed to providing Nepalese and North Indian cuisine, The Kathmandu restaurant offers a bag full of starters, soups main course dining and desserts.
The menu brings you Chuloma Poleko or Tandoori items such as Shikari Kabab, Malai Fish, Reshmi Kabab, etc. The ambience is typical North Eastern Indian, and this restaurant has also optioned for buffet dining.
The buffet hours are 12 pm to 3.30 pm, and on Sunday, there is no buffet. One can perfectly taste dumplings or Momos with delicious soups and chutneys, worth lip-smacking.
This food joint makes its way among the best restaurants in Little India Toronto, with its unique and authentic Nepalese food, which also includes Parathas, Naan, and even Thalis for two or more families.
Shrimp Butterfly is merely unmissable, and is a must-try one.
Must try: Nepali Momos, Kheer, Murgh Nilgiri, and Shrimp fry.
Address: 12 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON M4W 1J5, Canada.
g) Regency Restaurant
Seated in the heart of Gerrard St., Regency offers a budget-friendly buffet, worth lip-smacking Indian food, that brings you back to the streets of India and is considered among the best restaurants in Little India.
Their menu ranges from Appetizers to the choice of bread or rice, Lamb/Goat dishes, and Chicken/Fish/Seafood ones to desserts and beverages.
Their Biryani is to die for, making it one of the best restaurants in Little India Toronto.
Regency is famous for its Tandoori delicacies, and surely it gives an unreal taste back to North India. Seekh Kebabs, Shrimp Tikkas, Malai Tikkas, and Chicken Pudina Tikkas are worth mentioning.
Vegetarian options are available such as Paneer tikkas, Veg Tandoori Platter, etc. Certain service providers like foodora can avail of takeaway and delivery services.
Must try: Mutton Madrasi, Bengan Bharta, Shahi Paneer, Chicken Saag, and Kachumber Salad.
Address: 1423 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z7, Canada.
h) Indian Rasoi
Indian Rasoi, meaning Indian Kitchen, is another trendsetter of Indian foods in the busy bylanes of Little India. Indian Rasoi brings you some of the best authentic dishes of India straight to your plate.
This food joint offers breakfast options such as Aloo Puri, Chhole Puri, Chhole Bhature, Paneer masala, Halwa Puri, and Matar Kulcha to street-side delicacies like Kathi Rolls, Chaat, and Chicken/Goat Burgers to main courses, desserts, and juices.
One can find Ice Gola and Kulfi, two of the most famous street choices. Among the main course choices, Goat curry, Karachi Chicken, and authentic Butter Chicken are worth mentioning.
This eatery provides Gluten-free, Lactose-free, and Vegan dining options.
Must try: Goat Curry, Goat Biryani, Masala Pappadum, Chicken Kathi Kabab Roll.
Address: 1437 Gerrard St East, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z7, Canada.
i) The Famous Indian Cuisine
In the race of the best restaurants in Little India Toronto, The Famous Indian Cuisine stands out because of its excellent and attentive service and value-for-money buffet, where one can get Naan out of the oven, available free for guests.
The menu offers diverse choices of appetizers, main course vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to the choice of bread and rice, and desserts. Tandoori Butter Chicken and Matar Paneer are among the local favorites.
Foodies from nearby cities like Brampton and Surrey are attracted to the taste this restaurant adheres to. According to locals, this restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Little India Toronto, which makes the best Punjabi-style Masala Chai in the whole Gerrard community.
An intimate dining experience with wooden tables provides authenticity to this fantastic Indian food joint.
Must try: Onion Bhaji, Butter Chicken, Beef Curry, Homemade Samosa.
Address: 1410 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z4, Canada.
j) Bombay Chowpatty
Someday if you’re craving the street side Bhel Puri and Papdi Chaat of Mumbai and suddenly realize you’re in Toronto, don’t worry, we got you covered.
Bombay Chowpatty, as the name suggests, is a typical Mumbai fast food joint in the heart of the Gerrard community. It also shares the name of the famous Chowpatty beach, the home of Marathi street foods.
This fast-food joint provides street-style Papdi Chat, Samosa Chaat, Dahi Puri, Bhel Puri, Vada Pav, Burgers, and Pani Puri, that too 100% vegetarian. The Mango Falooda is enough to give your sweet craving a little shake.
The ambience is informal, with almost every Bollywood star on their wall, this fast food joint is one of the best restaurants in Little India Toronto for street lip-smacking dishes.
It has established a strong pillar for Mumbai street foods for Canadian people. Prices are reasonable and are reminiscent of the real-world food experience of Mumbai.
Must try: Pav Bhaji, Golgappa, Sev Puri, Sweet Paan.
Address: 1386 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z2, Canada.
k) Chandni Chowk Restaurant
Satisfy your Old Delhi street food cravings while in Toronto, Chandni Chowk Restaurant in mid-Gerrard street serves Halal foods and is house to North Indian authentic foods, and they also deal with Pakistani cuisine.
From sizzling barbeques to Tandoori delicacies to Nihari, a Pakistani meat preparation one can find here.
This place is a pit stop for many people from nearby cities and people from Toronto itself, as this restaurant satisfies North Indian non-veg cravings for die-hard foodies and is considered among the best restaurants in Little India Toronto.
Delicacies like Haleem, Mutton/Lamb/Chicken dishes, Boti Kebabs, and all, the Foot Long Kebab Naan is the most famous among foodies.
As the North Indian tradition has Lassi at the end of their meals, they’ve three Lassi types to choose from, namely Mango Lassi, Sweet, and Salted Lassi. Soda Pop is worth trying. Vegetarian options are available, less compared to those of non-veg.
Must try: Foot-Long Kebab Naan, Fish masaladar, Bihari Kebab, Boti Kebab, Lamb Biryani.
Address: 1426 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z6, Canada.
Let’s admit it! Nothing can satisfy Indian food cravings while you’re not home. Nothing can match the level of excitement and joy of icing down Butter Chicken with Naan or having Vada Pav with your best friend.
So while you’re cornered in Toronto for work or a trip, worry not, we’ve got your hunger pangs covered. Here is the list of the best restaurants in Little India Toronto.
Conclusion
Despite being small, Toronto’s Little India is home to one of the largest markets for products from South Asia on the continent. In Little India in Toronto, we examined the top eleven eateries through this article.
Hope you are a foodie and will have fun exploring all these places.
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Last Updated on by Priyanshi Sharma
