Finding the best Indian restaurant in Toronto is like searching for the best-tasting Skittles in a bowl. The quality is so high that it can be hard to define which is better than the others.
However, we’re determined to decide which establishment serves as the ultimate purveyor of Indian cuisine in the city! This guide will select a few favorite must-visit restaurants, looking at a few factors to decide.
Finding the Best Indian Restaurant in Toronto
Any Toronto local will tell you that there’s a vibrant culture of Indian cuisine in the city, emerging from the deep-rooted Indo-Canadian populous that constitutes a large demographic in the GTA. That long history of immigration has created one of the most fantastic South Asian food cultures. Critics and enthusiasts alike say it could even be considered the best in the world.
It’s safe to say we’re spoilt for choice regarding Indian food, with thousands of brilliant restaurants across the Toronto area. But if we crave an immense Indian dining experience, how would we choose the best venue to visit?
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Best Indian Restaurant in Toronto |
Google Rating |
No. of Google Reviews |
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4.4 |
4,131 |
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4.5 |
2,653 |
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4.7 |
2,413 |
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4.4 |
1,771 |
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4.6 |
1,271 |
How Did We Decide on the Best Indian Restaurant in Toronto?
We decided to try to find the best Indian restaurant in Toronto ourselves, visiting many prominent establishments to determine whether they were worthy of the crown. The sublime quality of Indian cuisine in Toronto made this quite a challenge, so we used the following criteria to shortlist the best of the best.
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Overall feedback from customer experiences
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Quality of the food
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Authenticity of dishes
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Tastes and balance of local favorites
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Decently paced and friendly service
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The overall atmosphere of the location
So with those factors in mind, we embarked on an Indian cuisine journey. And while there were dozens of locations that impressed, we managed to narrow down our favorites to a select few that went above and beyond.
Best Indian Restaurant in Toronto: 5 Favorites
Google My Maps Link:
Choosing one place to award the crown as the best Indian restaurant in Toronto isn’t easy, considering the thousands of fantastic places in the city. However, using our criteria, we’ve narrowed down our five favorites and ones we’d consider genuine contenders.
See our choices below.
Tamasha
“Get ready for a Bollywood-style feast”
Let’s start our list of favorites with arguably one of the highest-rated Indian restaurants in Toronto. Tamasha lives up to its reputation for pairing delectable, popular Indian dishes with a Bollywood-style flair, making the location wonderfully over-the-top.
If it’s the diverse tastes and flavors of Indian cuisine that interest you, no visitor can go wrong with Tamasha’s menu. The dishes are delicious, going above and beyond expectations, and the decor contributes to a memorable dining experience.
Pricing: Appetizers start at $13.99
Pros:
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Excellent take on popular Indian dishes
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The decor contributes to the dining atmosphere
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The menu is reasonably priced
Cons:
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Complaints of poor service
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Some feedback shows that female guests are preferred over male
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Not for casual diners
Location: 1835 Yonge St Unit 101, Toronto, ON M4S 1X8
Google Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5 (4,131 reviews)
Tamasha’s complete experience is what most visitors enjoy, from decor to dining and all the lovely cocktails and flavorful dishes in between. The restaurant has a 4.4-star rating with over 4,000 reviews, averaging it as one of the top-tier Indian restaurants in Toronto.
Charminar Indian Cuisine
“Discover the flavors of Southern Indian cooking”
Many Toronto locals know and love Charminar as their go-to community Indian place, with several locations spread throughout the city. Diners enjoy their no-fuss approach to cuisine, serving up Southern Indian specialties perfectly balanced with the right spices and flavors.
If you’re out to indulge in some of the best Indian cuisine Toronto offers, you can’t go wrong with Charminar. The authentic tastes and fast service make this a dining experience you shouldn’t miss if you crave Indian food.
Pricing: Appetizers start at $13.99
Pros:
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South Indian specialties done right
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Fast, attentive service
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Some of the most well-balanced Indian dishes in Toronto
Cons:
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Portion sizes are smaller
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Prices are higher than other Indian restaurants
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Occasional inconsistencies in service
Location: 925 Warden Ave. Unit 2, Scarborough, ON M1L 4C5
Google Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (2,653 reviews)
Charminar has locations all over town, meaning you’ll be close to some great Indian food no matter your place in the GTA. The Scarborough location represents the chain’s quality, getting awarded a 4.5-star average over 2,600 reviews.
Leela Indian Food Bar
“Perfect Indian meal and atmosphere”
Leela Indian Food Bar is part of another series of well-established Indian restaurants in the city. It has consistently high praise that comes with it. Being rooted in the city means you understand excellent Indian cuisine and local demands, and Leela perfectly syncs those two elements.
You’ll find some of the best butter chicken, tikka dishes, and other curries at Leela Indian Food Bar. A loyal customer base frequently returns because of the gorgeous food presentation, well-defined flavors, and general enjoyment of the venue’s atmosphere.
Pricing: Street food starts at $3.75
Pros:
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Well-prepared food with exceptional presentation
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Customer service highlighted as a positive
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A charming atmosphere in the restaurant
Cons:
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It gets swamped during weekends and holidays
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Dishes more catered to local tastes than authentic
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Not every item on the menu is always available
Location: 1386 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z2
Google Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5 (2,413 reviews)
Experiences from guests dining at Leela Indian Food Bar are almost exclusively positive, as seen in the over 2,400 reviews from their Gerrard St location. The venue continues to enjoy a 4.7-star average, one of the highest numbers with that much feedback in Toronto.
Butter Chicken Factory
“Butter Chicken done right”
If you desire butter chicken, how could you go wrong in a place called the Butter Chicken Factory? But does it live up to the expectations in its name? Absolutely! There are three signature styles of the dish, all that must be tried to be believed.
Even outside its namesake, Butter Chicken Factory offers a complete range of classic Indian dishes that are bound to impress. Let’s not forget, their lunch buffet is a popular choice among locals, giving great value for money for the food you get.
Pricing: Starters start at $7.99
Pros:
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The place to go for butter chicken!
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The lunch buffet offers excellent value.
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Customers praise the authentic flavors of many dishes.
Cons:
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Slower service
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The quality of the takeout doesn’t match dine-in
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Some instances of confusion with orders
Location: 560 Parliament St, Toronto, ON M4X 1P8
Google Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5 (1,771 reviews)
The Butter Chicken Factory remains a Toronto institution for its namesake dish. It also pulls in guests because of its relaxed dining environment. The venue has a 4.4-star average with nearly 1,800 reviews highlighting that it’s a must-visit for a divine butter chicken dish.
Feast of Dilli
“Cozy place to enjoy authentic Indian dishes”
We’ll cap off our contenders’ list for the best Indian restaurant in Toronto, one of the homiest places to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine. The venue is small and cozy, but what it lacks in space, Feast of Dilli makes up for in absolutely mammoth flavors in dishes.
Guests often compliment how the meals are packed with flavor, presented beautifully, and paired with some of the most friendly services. Feast of Dilli also has a decent range of vegetarian options, accommodating even those with dietary requirements.
Pricing: Appetizers start at $5.99
Pros:
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A cozy Indian delight in Toronto
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Excellent quality food
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The service is welcoming to guests
Cons:
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Some inconsistencies in specific dishes
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The small size means it can be challenging to get a table
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Long waits for delivery
Location: 378 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke, ON M8W 3T7
Google Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5 (1,271 reviews)
Feast of Dilli is the place to go if you prefer to avoid the chains and experience an independent Indian restaurant in Toronto. It’s one of the most idyllic spots if coziness and authenticity are your vibes, scoring a 4.6-star average review across 1,260 reviews.
So now you have your bingo card for the best Indian restaurant in Toronto. Are you ready to visit them all to choose the ultimate winner?
Get Your South Asian Cuisine Fix at the Best Indian Restaurant in Toronto
These five venues are our contenders for the best Indian restaurant in Toronto, offering curries, biriyanis, and other dishes that exceed expectations. However, with Toronto’s rich Indian history, there are so many places that we need to try. Still, for now, we’ll consider these the best!
So if you crave an excellent Indian meal, we recommend visiting these places and deciding what wins as the best Indian restaurant in Toronto!