My top 5 favourite Scarborough eats
You know those go-to local spots you hit up every week for dinner? The ones you can’t get enough of because they’re always so reliably great and they’re exactly what you crave at the end of a long work day? That’s exactly what these top 5 places are for me. People are always asking me where I like to eat the most in Scarborough, and I’m pleased to finally share them with you!
Seven years ago my partner and I packed up and moved from the Western Ontario suburbs we’ve called home most of our lives to Scarborough, a large district located within the City of Toronto’s far east end. Our first priority after actually moving in and unpacking was to start exploring the food scene to find our new favourite spots, and it wasn’t long before weekly outings for some of the best shawarma, pho, roti, and hakka I’ve ever had became routine. We came to rely on these dishes and the warm, friendly people who create and serve them. To eat at these places is to know that you have found something unique. I’ll admit that my first instinct was to hoard this list for myself – who wants their neighbourhood joints becoming so popular you have to stand in line to get in the door on a Tuesday night? But, these foods and the people behind them deserve some serious attention.
More recently the name “Scarborough” has been popping up in food magazines and on the lips of local food seekers and writers who don’t actually live there, even making appearances in the popular North American food magazine, Lucky Peach before its closure. And if you at all familiar with Scarborough's food scene, you'll likely know the name Suresh Doss, Scarborough's ultimate food guru and Print Editor of Foodism TO magazine.
These top 5 may not be everyone’s favourite Scarborough eats, but they’re the ones I just can’t get enough of and I suspect you’ll like them too.
What you’ll find: A small, family-run storefront with a few tables for seating, serving made-to-order middle-eastern food, specializing in – you guessed it – the shawarma!
What to order: Any of the shawarma sandwich options (falafel, chicken or beef), as long as you get it spicy with everything. Trust me – you’ll thank me later. When that creamy garlic sauce mixes with that secret spicy sauce it’s the stuff food dreams are made of. The falafel is my favourite and still the best I’ve ever had with each one formed fresh to order, so it does take a little longer to make, but it’s completely worth the wait.
Why it’s special: Everything about the vibe here says homemade with care, and the pitas they use to swaddle my favourite shawarma in the city are unlike the typical thin, longer ones you see at other shawarma places. They’re smaller, thicker and more compact, but make no mistake, they are stuffed to the brim with tangy, creamy, spicy, briney goodness! I can usually only eat one, though many people seem to order two at a time.
Perfect for: A grab and go lunchtime or weeknight meal, though the line can get crazy, so give yourself extra time, especially on weekends. You can also call ahead to order for pick-up, which I would recommend if you’re order for a large group of people. With two shawarmas for under $10 you can’t go wrong.
What you’ll find: A medium sized, family-run restaurant tucked into a strip mall along bustling Lawrence Avenue East, and serving up hearty, warm bowls of comfort food.
What to order: Why pho of course! I like mine best with brisket and rare beef (the P9), and J always orders the special pho (P1) which comes with a little bit of everything, and I do mean everything, including tripe. For something special, there is an off-menu dish invented by the owner that you won’t find in other pho places and it’s unique and delicious. Just point to the picture posted on the refrigerator next to the counter to order it. For more on that special dish and the history behind the owners of Pho Metro check out this write-up in Lucky Peach by former Globe and Mail food critic, Chris Nuttall Smith called I Love Pho Forever.
Why it’s special: There are a few other equally great pho places in Toronto, but this is the best in Scarborough (I stand by that statement!). The service is excellent and friendly and that tangy, salty, hot broth could turn any rainy day around. Pho fact: Most people don’t actually eat or drink the broth, but I do because it’s amazing, I love broth in general, and I have no shame.
Perfect for: A rainy day, a sunny day, any day.
What you’ll find: Like any place worth eating in Scarborough, The Roti Hut can be found wedged comfortably in a strip mall of eclectic shops with an order counter at the front and a decent amount of tables to sit and eat at, though most people tend to order takeout. This family-run place has stood the test of time since it’s opening in 1982, no doubt due to its consistently delicious Caribbean food, with a particular focus on their roti (as the name would suggest), and the friendly, efficient service.
What to order: I always order the jerk chicken roti with extra gravy and a side of doubles. This dish is definitely hot, so if you don’t like spice, try the standard boneless chicken roti instead. The jerk chicken is a spicy, juicy combination of white and dark meat packed with flavour, rolled up in a fluffy, chewy, layered roti with a silky gravy filling every pocket. The extra gravy might be too saucy for some, but if you know me you know I like my sauce! I find it just adds more juiciness to the chicken and roti, particularly if you’re eating it over the course of a few hours, as I usually do, since it’s massive. The doubles are exactly as greasy and doughy and spicy as they should be. I can’t NOT order them. The boneless goat roti is also a great bet.
Why it’s special: There are a lot of roti places around Toronto, but this place for me offers up the unbeatable combination of a roti with a good balance of flavour and texture that is always consistent and isn’t too greasy, combined with great service. The doubles on the other hand are definitely greasy, but no more than they’re supposed to be. I’m not complaining and neither will you.
Perfect for: A totally satisfying takeout lunch if you work in the area or for dinner when you just don’t feel like cooking and need something filling and a bit indulgent.
What you’ll find: A small, stand-alone store specializing in takeout and catering that you would almost miss driving along Ellesmere Road if you weren’t looking for it. They’ve been serving South Indian foods for over 20 years with locations in Ajax and, of course, Scarborough.
What to order: The short eats – to be specific – the mutton rolls and veggie samosas with tamarind dipping sauce. “Short Eats” is a term that refers to pastries often eaten on the go and stuffed with meat or vegetables. I will gladly trundle my car through the wide, mud-filled potholes in the parking lot and line up all the way to the back of the store just to get my hands on those spicy, meaty mutton rolls and crispy, spicy samosa pockets packed with veggies. Sometimes I’ll pick up a curry or two and some rice to make it a complete meal and I always make sure to pick up a container of the tamarind sauce out of the fridge across from the cashier. You don’t need it, but it really makes the samosa flavours pop, and as we’ve already established, I like my sauce! They do run out of a lot of their dishes throughout the day, especially on weekends, so go early.
Why it’s special: I’ve eaten a lot of samosas over the years (and I mean A LOT), and many different types of mutton dishes, but these two items are just the right amount of crunch, meatiness and greasiness (in a good way). If you’re not familiar with mutton, it refers to an adult sheep, as opposed to a younger lamb, but don’t shy away from trying it for fear of a gamey taste. The flavour is complex and nicely balanced with the breading and spices.
Perfect for: Potlucks or weekend snacks. I’ve brought these short eats to many a pot-luck to rave reviews, even from people who had previously never heard of mutton or short eats. Believe it or not, there are people like that out there.
What you’ll find: A modern, mid-size restaurant with a bustling takeout counter in a modernized strip mall off of Ellesmere Road. You can’t talk about the Scarborough food scene without mentioning Hakka food. Hakka cuisine refers to a combination of Indian and Chinese cuisines and there is no shortage of this eclectic cuisine in Scarborough. The subject of the best hakka food in Scarborough is hotly debated, and I’ve participated in said debates, however this is my favourite go-to place.
What to order: Spicy garlic paneer, House special hakka noodles (pictured above), dry chilli chicken, Bombay prawns. They give you white rice, so you don’t need to order it. I love paneer and garlic (who doesn’t?) and this dish is a real flavour punch. Perfect over fluffy, white rice. The hakka noodles are so packed flavour and texture. I could (and have) eat them for days! They include shrimp, chicken, beef and vegetables. The Bombay prawns are lightly breaded for crunch and have a spicy kick. The dry chili chicken I similar to this dish elsewhere, and they do it decently here too.
Why it’s special: Hakka legend offers friendly, attentive service and the food is always consistently satisfying. They do a great job of highlighting an iconic fusion cuisine and when you order takeout they never skimp on the sides of sauces and chillies, like some places do – they know who they are. I only wish they delivered!
Perfect for: In our house, Hakka Legend is one of our go-to places for late-in-the-week takeout and feeds us for lunch and dinner for a couple of satisfying days.
There are plenty more culinary gems in Scarborough worth visiting. So, the next time you think about heading to Scarborough for the day to take selfies at the Bluffs (hopefully without needing to be rescued via chopper), consider expanding your adventures to stop for lunch.
Some other notable mentions include: Chris Jerk (for the jerk shawarma poutine), One2Snacks (for the laksa), Allen’s pastries (for the Jamaican patties), Jim Chai Kee (for the wonton chai noodle soup), St. Andrew’s Fish and Chips (goes without saying), Charchoal Kebab House (for the handmade noodles and kebabs), Francesca’s Bakery (for the Italian pastries), the Hopper Hut (for the hoppers of course!), Babu’s (for takeout Sri Lankan food), Nilgiris (for South Indian eats), Lazees (for chicken on the rocks), Cliffside Hearth (for their bread), and too many more to name. I'm still discovering unique finds around this part of the city every day and would love to know some of your favourites!
