Updated January 2025, after several weeks of new parental life. We've been lucky enough to eat out quite a bit, with a few new favorites joining the ranks.
In June 2023, we moved from Durham, North Carolina to Toronto. Home of 2.93 million people (5.9M in the GTA), alphanumeric zip codes, "washrooms," Tim Hortons, and dog parks a-plenty. But most importantly for this post: what must be a world record for most micro-worlds held within one metropolitan area.
Little India, Chinatown (actually two Chinatowns), Little Japan, Little Tibet, Little Italy, Little Portugal, Little Malta, Little Jamaica, Greektown, Koreatown. And then the fusion spinoffs — my personal favorite being the jerk chicken on poutine situation on Queen Street. The evidence that God exists.
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A Few Must-Mentions
- Lake Inez (Leslieville) — as of August 2024, our favorite restaurant in Toronto. Secret patio menu, everything on it is outrageous.
- BlessedLove Caribbean Market (Leslieville) — Jerk Chicken Poutine. May be my death-row last meal choice.
- Sunny's Chinese (Kensington Market) — Mapo Tofu, Tiger Salad, Silver Noodles, French Toast dessert. Don't you dare miss that last one.
- Maha's Brunch (Greenwood Park) — Egyptian falafel + the soup. If you don't get the soup you're a bum.
- Karahi Boys (West Queen West) — Goat and Chicken Karahi, giant platter-sized naan. Outstanding.
- MIMI Chinese (Yorkville) — Shrimp Toast was stunning. Very playful and flavorful.
The deeper truth: the best food in Toronto is not at the trendy restaurant your New York friends told you about. It's at the strip mall on a suburban arterial road where a family has been running the same regional cuisine for 20 years. The Scarborough food courts along Sheppard and Kennedy are not to be slept on — honestly some of the best Chinese, South Asian, and Caribbean food in North America.