Amelie CameronThe Jewish community in Toronto is one of the oldest (they’ve been here since the late 1800s) and most populous in the country (around 200,000 people). Because of this, it’s not a surprise that the city has many restaurants offering kosher foods.
Along with my Jewish friends, I explored restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area that have received the kosher stamp of approval from the Kashruth Council of Canada. And I’m amazed by the wide variety of cuisines they offer!
Some dining spots offer traditional Jewish cuisine while others specialize in a kosher version of Japanese and Chinese cuisine. There’s something for everyone, even non-Jewish foodies like me!
If you’re looking for kosher dining spots to try in Toronto, here’s a list of my favorite ones.
Dr. Laffa Restaurant
Address: 3519 Bathurst St, North York
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 9 pm
- Friday—11 am to 2 pm
Contact Number: +16473529000
Dr. Laffa Restaurant was the first kosher restaurant I ever tried, and the fact that it remains one of my favorites after checking out several other dining spots is proof that it’s worth checking out.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the laffa, which is the large, thin flatbread that’s used as a wrap for shawarma. I like the classic shawarma sandwich because it’s simple yet hearty at the same time.
If you want something more filling, I recommend the chicken shish kabab dinner. It uses chicken thigh meat grilled over charcoal and served with up to two sides (my preference is rice and steamed vegetables), so you’ll be full in no time.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant offers catering services. If you’d like to learn more, you can send a message via the contact form on the website. |
Aish Tanoor
Address: 994 Eglinton Ave W
Operating Hours: Sunday to Thursday—11:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16473525535
Aish Tanoor is another great kosher restaurant you can go to if you’re craving Middle Eastern dishes.
If you’re just looking for a light snack, you can’t go wrong with their falafel plate and hummus as the dip. The falafel balls are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and they taste perfectly nutty and herby. Pairing them with hummus enhances that.
For the main entree, I recommend the chicken shawarma plate. This one is absolutely a feast since it’s jam-packed with your preferred meat and two side dishes (I usually choose rice and sauteed vegetables).
| Pro Tip: If you want to have them as a caterer for your event, send a request by filling out this form. |
Prime on Avenue
Address: 1960 Avenue Rd, North York
Operating Hours: Sunday to Thursday—4 to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +16473446099
Calling all steak lovers! Prime on Avenue is the kosher restaurant you should check out in Toronto.
What I like about this restaurant is its upscale interior that makes you feel like you’re going to have a refined dining experience. My friends even tell me that this is one of their go-to date night spots.
The food is noteworthy as well. The bestseller is côte de bœuf (boneless ribeye), which I know is pretty expensive, but it is 24 oz, making it perfect for two or more people. The meat is absolutely succulent and becomes tastier when paired with peppercorn sauce.
If you enjoy dessert like me, be sure to try the salted caramel profiteroles. This treat is cream puff filled with salted caramel Chantilly and glazed with chocolate sauce. It’s so soft and fluffy that it feels like biting into a cloud, and the sweetness level is just right.
| Pro Tips: Oftentimes, this restaurant has a special dish that’s only available for a limited time. Be sure to try it when you can. If you want to host a private event at this restaurant, check this page. At the bottom, there’s a form you can fill out if you want to book the venue. |
Bubby’s New York Diner
Address: 3030 Bathurst St, North York
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Thursday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Friday—9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Contact Number: +14168622435
Bubby’s lets you enjoy the iconic bagels from New York City without having to go on a plane ride! My favorite bagel order is the cream cheese with herbs and garlic. It’s simple, and yet it hits the spot every time.
This spot also offers other kinds of dishes. If I’m coming for dinner, I like getting the Poutine Burger; it never occurred to me that fries and gravy would work as a burger filling, but I’m glad to be proven wrong.
To end my meal, I get a s’mores-flavored cookie that’s massive! Sometimes, I can’t even finish it and have to bring it home with me to eat the next day.
| Pro Tip: If you’re interested, you can book their catering services for your special event. |
Milk ‘N Honey
Address: 3457 Bathurst St, North York
Operating Hours: Sunday to Thursday—11:30 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14167897651
Located in Midtown, Milk ‘N Honey is a kosher restaurant with a cozy yet elegant vibe. According to my friends, this is their go-to spot whenever they’re celebrating a special occasion like a milestone in their professional careers.
I enjoy coming here for breakfast, and my favorite thing to order is the shakshuka. The two poached eggs have perfectly runny yolks (I like breaking them using a piece of bread), and the tomato sauce is rich with a hint of spice.
For dessert, I like to order the affogato, which is frozen yogurt drowned in freshly brewed espresso. I’m not a big coffee fan, but somehow, I can tolerate it if it’s mixed in a dessert.
| Pro Tip: You can book them for catering. |
Umami Sushi
Address: 3459 Bathurst St, North York
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 7 pm
- Friday—9 am to 2:30 pm
Contact Number: +14167823375
If you’re a big fan of Japanese cuisine, especially sushi, then you’ll like Umami Sushi. This kosher sushi establishment has been around since 2001, and to this day, it’s still a popular spot in Midtown.
There’s a great variety of sushi options here. Personally, my favorite is the Alaska one because it tastes fresh (thanks to the avocado and cucumber) and the salmon is tender and buttery.
A la carte orders tend to only have a few pieces, so if you want more than that, go for the combo options. The Chef Selection is the best choice because it has all the bestsellers in one big plate. It’s better if you have a friend to share it with.
| Pro Tips: Do you like poke bowls? You can build your very own here. Umami Sushi is more than happy to offer its catering services for your event. If you have some questions to ask, fill out this form. |
The Chicken Nest
Address: 3038 Bathurst St, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 10:45 pm
- Sunday—1 to 10:45 pm
Contact Number: +14167876378
I always like to joke that The Chicken Nest is a restaurant made for me simply because I love all things chicken. If you’re like me, then you should check this dining spot out.
My go-to order is the fried chicken special because it has four legs, four thighs, eight wings, and eight fingers—that’s my version of heaven! Of course, this dish is meant for sharing, but frankly, I’m confident I can eat all of these chicken pieces on my own.
If you don’t like chicken, don’t worry because there are non-chicken options. I really like the honey-glazed salmon (it tastes sweet and buttery) and the sweet and sour crispy beef.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant offers catering services for all kinds of events. If you want to book them, fill out this form. |
Marron Bistro
Address: 948 Eglinton Ave W
Operating Hours: Sunday to Thursday—5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14167840128
If you want a kosher restaurant with a fine dining vibe, look no further than Marron Bistro located in Toronto’s Forest Hill neighborhood.
I recommend the seared half-chicken, which is served with a creamy, savory shiitake sauce and silky smooth potato fondant. If you can afford to splurge, you might want to get the 15-oz chef’s steak cut and just have the meat melt on your tongue.
For your drinks, the restaurant offers some of the finest global wines from Chile, California, Argentina, and Italy. There are also cocktails if you prefer something sweet. My favorite is Fall Sangria, which tastes fruity and sweet, thanks to the berries.
| Pro Tips: If you want a more intimate dining experience with your loved ones, you should book a private function at this restaurant. If you’re planning a party, book their catering services for a memorable experience. |
Wok and Bowl
Address: 3023 Bathurst St, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14164355678
Whenever I’m craving Chinese cuisine, Wok and Bowl is where I tend to go these days. This restaurant has such a chill vibe, and the dishes are delicious—the perfect setup for me.
I like starting my meals here with egg rolls (they’re so crispy and overflowing with the filling). For the main course, my favorite is the General Tso’s chicken—crispy and coated with an addictive sweet and kind of spicy sauce.
There are also noodle dishes available here. The best, in my opinion, is the Shanghai fried noodle dish because it’s just bursting with umami flavors. It also has a slight hint of sweetness that I like.
| Pro Tip: If you’re interested in booking their catering services, you can send them a request via email (at [email protected]). |
Amazing Donuts
Address: 3499 Bathurst St, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—7:30 am to 4 pm
- Friday—7 am to 1 pm
- Sunday—8 am to 1 pm
Contact Number: +14163987546
For people who love anything sweet, I have a kosher recommendation just for you: Amazing Donuts in Midtown!
As the name suggests, donuts are the highlights of this spot. There’s a good variety of flavor options, and I like to get multiple flavors every time I come here. So far, my favorites are caramel, Boston Creme, and cookie crumb because they’re so decadent.
Aside from donuts, they also serve muffins, cupcakes, and cookies. If I’m not in the mood for donuts, I tend to get muffins because they look so adorable and fluffy. I recommend the blueberry muffin because it’s tart and sweet at the same time.
The best part about Amazing Donuts is that their products are allergy-free (they don’t use nuts, dairy, and sesame seeds)!
| Pro Tip: Try coming here as soon as it opens so that you can get your pastries fresh from the oven! |
Cafe Sheli
Address: 7700 Bathurst St, Thornhill
Distance from TO: Around 30 minutes
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—9 am to 7:30 pm
- Sunday—9:30 am to 7:30 pm
Contact Number: +19057620640
Technically, Cafe Sheli isn’t located in Toronto, but it is in Thornhill, a suburban district just a short drive away from the city. So, if you don’t mind driving outside Toronto for a bit, you should check this restaurant out.
The menu here is pretty extensive, and I’m a big fan of their breakfast selection. The Cafe Sheli Breakfast is my favorite because it’s loaded with so much stuff (two eggs, a bagel, fries, and more), so I feel stuffed in no time.
If I’m stopping by for lunch or dinner, I tend to go for the salmon bowl. It has fried rice, vegetables, and a piece of salmon that melts in my mouth every time I take a bite—such a filling and delicious meal.
| Pro Tip: Check this page if you want to see what their catering menu looks like. If you want to book their services, there’s a form you can fill out at the bottom of the page. |
Golden Chopsticks
Address: 441 Clark Ave W, Thornhill
Distance from TO: Around 35 minutes
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11:30 am to 8 pm
- Friday—11 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +19057602789
Golden Chopsticks is another Thornhill restaurant that I can’t help but recommend to you. This is the perfect spot to go if you’re craving Chinese dishes.
There are so many options on the menu that you might feel overwhelmed. I like getting the Szechuan chicken because it has that kick of heat that I enjoy; then I pair that dish with fried rice (my go-to is the Hong Kong-style one because it’s sweet and savory).
When the weather is cold outside, warm yourself with the wonton egg drop soup. It’s such a simple yet hearty soup, and slurping it feels like getting a warm hug.
| Pro Tip: If you’re coming here for lunch, take advantage of the lunch specials. These specials come with a meat dish, rice (fried or steamed), an appetizer, and a dessert. All for an affordable price! |
