The Best Pakistani Restaurants in Toronto

The best Pakistani restaurants in Toronto draw throngs of diners seeking solace in rich and comforting, complex, fragrant foods. Places inspired by Pakistan’s cherished culinary traditions, these spots excel at a dizzying range of delectable dishes.

Here are the best Pakistani restaurants in Toronto.

This Little India mainstay has been serving halal, vegetarian-friendly Pakistani dishes for decades. Claim a corner of the bustling room, and join in the oohs and aahs of other contented diners digging into kabab dishes and Lahori street food staples, tikka, karahi, biryani and more.

Heaps of Pakistani specialities flesh out the menu at this lively restaurant, with locations in Scarborough, West Queen West and more. Karahis — rich with tender, spiced morsels of chicken, goat or vegetables — are the main draw, but there’s no shortage of other baits.

At this Scarborough catering company and takeout spot, Indian and Pakistani dishes crowd an extended buffet. Choose from wallet-friendly daily specials, or abandon restraint with a selection of curries, biryanis, kababs, sides, desserts and more.

As this Scarborough spot’s name suggests, char from live fire is the not-so-secret ingredient giving its menu its distinct charm. Taste it in beef ribs, seekh kabab or chicken tikka, or branch out with equally-successful staples, like palak paneer, pulao rice and lamb karahi.

Despite stiff competition from its Little India neighbours, this casual spot is commonly packed with diners craving stacked desi burgers, dahi puri, chaat papri and other street-food faves. Attractive pricing means you can sample it all.

At this chic West Queen West destination, languid sips of crisp pét-nats accompany bites of papdi chaat, lamb nihari and other regional gems. Though you’ll want to sample the team’s roster of cocktails and Pakistani-influenced dishes, anyone hankering for butter chicken is advised to look elsewhere.

In North York, Etobicoke and more, families pour over the interminable menu at this casual spot. Decisions made, they welcome golden pakoras, boiling bowls of goat karahi, fragrant curries and a flood of milkshakes, lassis and mojitos to wash it all down.

A steady stream of devotees file into this casual Danforth East hub for warming hunks of beef miskaki, morsels of fish masala, spoonfuls of kheema and other Pakistani and Indian salves. Tandoori platters ease the ordering process.

Inspired by Pakistan’s capital city, this family-run spot draws diners hungry for charcoal-grilled meats, portable paratha rolls, daigi biryani and more. Pop by the restaurant’s two locations — in Scarborough and Etobicoke — for dine-in or to squirrel all of your favourites back home.

Fareen Karim

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