All of the spice, none of the pork!
Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world with restaurants from everywhere in the world. With just around half a million Muslims in the GTA, there are Halal restaurants of every imaginable variety. Furthermore, many popular brands are certified Halal, allowing Muslim families to dig in and enjoy.
Just to let you guys know, I am not a Muslim but I know a fair amount of Islam and its various tenants. I know that there are different degrees of observance, with some accepting “automated-slaughter” and others maintaining orthodoxy (slaughter by hand). Civil and religious laws mandate transparency, allowing the consumer to know exactly how food is sourced. If you have any specific questions about certification, reach out to the restaurant directly.
The Best Halal Restaurants
All of the restaurants have been vetted for quality, either in person or vicariously through other reviewers. People are surprised about the sheer quality, which vastly outnumbers the amount of kosher restaurants in Toronto. This makes sense considering the difference in population, with under 200k living in Toronto and the surrounding suburbs. While there has been some tension over the Israel/Palestine conflict, the relations are generally peaceful and calm. There are different Israeli restaurants in Toronto, many of whom serve the same food as the Halal variety. Furthermore, some foods are dually certified, making it easier for Jewish and Muslim patrons to enjoy a tasty meat.
Peace Through Food
The first restaurant is my favourite, hands down. The owner trained in Montreal, working at the famous Schwartz’s deli on Main Street. After manning the brisket for a couple decades, the proprietor decided to move down the 401 and open shop in Scarborough. He has a huge assortment of different deli items, of which I assume are delicious. As a smoked meat connoisseur I can tell the real stuff from the packaged imitation. The process is as much an art as a science, requiring generations to perfect the perfect recipe and finishing. Please note that Shwartz’s is not Kosher, meaning that it is not certified or under the control of an Jewish food authority. With that being said, Kosher-style does not include pork nor does it include the mixture of meat and milk. Despite being Catholic himself, he has opened up this Canadian classic to the world, including Muslim diners.
5631 Steeles Ave E #5, Scarborough, ON M1V 5P6
3452 Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1M 1R5
This halal eatery serves traditional Indian & Pakistani curries, rice dishes & BBQ fare.
77 Wynford Dr, North York, ON M3C 1K1 This elegant Aga Khan Museum eatery boasts global fare inspired by the Middle East, Turkey & India.
55 Lebovic Ave C101, Scarborough, ON M1L 4V9
Afzal “Affy” Bhatti, head chef and founder of Affy’s Premium Grill is a trained chef with over 30 years of experience in fine dining. Originally from Chicago, Affy opened the first location of Affy’s Premium Grill in Pickering, Ontario in July 2008.
1090 Don Mills Rd., Toronto, ON M3C 3R6
Our mission is in our name: We stand for paramount quality, paramount freshness, paramount service, and a paramount dining experience. Paramount Fine Foods is all about bringing the love of Lebanon to the rest of the world. We want to change perceptions about Middle Eastern culture and cuisine. We flew in renowned international chefs to share the most authentic Middle Eastern recipes.
130 Queens Plate Dr #1,2, Etobicoke, ON M9W 0B4
Many of our dishes have been crafted with the purpose of sharing traditional Somali cooking with those who are not yet familiar, while satisfying and inspiring nostalgia in those who are. Other dishes showcase the strong influence that various cultures and ethnicities have had on Somalia throughout its history.
1848 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1R 2Y4 Established in 1991 to serve and help community with their needs. Ghadir Meat and Fish Restaurants offer a variety of menu items including Shawarma and fresh fish platters.
3443 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4N 2N1
A La Turk is a new restaurant in the popular and growing Yonge and Lawrence area of the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario. Our goal would be to provide a comfortable and inviting atmospher to our guests. Specializing in high quality Turkish food. Turkish pizzas, salads, kebabs, fresh bread, Turkish desserts and various other menu items. We will provide customers with home-style Turkish food made with fresh, vibrant ingredients, using delicious, traditional flavour profiles reminiscent of the finest traditional Turkish cuisine.
2683 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1P 2S2
When while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among. the tall grass by the trickling stream.
As you can see, Halal comes in a huge variety of styles and formats. If you are ever unsure of whether something is Halal (or not), kindly check with the owner. Furthermore, you can also check with the Islamic food council who can direct you better. Just to remind you, somethings are clearly labeled and other things are not.
The Very Best Of Toronto 