Cathy MerrittFor me, Scarborough is the place to be when I want to escape into nature but don’t want to go past the GTA. Here, I can find the Toronto Zoo (the largest zoo in Canada!) and the Scarborough Bluffs (perfect for swimming and paddleboarding).
But lately, I’ve realized that this area is also a foodie paradise. The array of cuisines is diverse—Italian, Indian, Japanese, Malaysian, and more—so there’s something for everyone!
I’ve tried many restaurants in the district after my nature escapades, and so far, these are my favourites.
- Scaddabush Italian Kitchen and Bar Scarborough
- New Mirchi Dhaba
- Sammy’s Family Restaurant
- Loukoumaki x Smashed+
- Scarborough Panagio’s All Day Grill
- Milestones
- The Avenue Restaurant and Lounge
- Honest Restaurant Scarborough
- Francesca Italian Bakery and Delicatessen
- Fursat
- Katsuya
- Cafe le Majestik
- Silver Spoon Scarborough
- Gourmet Malaysia Restaurant
- Jack’s Scarborough
- Honey B Hives Restaurant
- Sahan Restaurant
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen and Bar Scarborough
From: scaddabush
Address: 580 Progress Ave, Scarborough Town Center
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Friday—11:30 am to 11:30 pm
- Saturday—12 pm to 11:30 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14162969697
Scaddabush is an insanely popular restaurant, best known for its vibrant Italian dishes. It’s also a great spot for brunch, which is my favourite time to come here.
Pasta and pizza are their bestsellers here and for good reason. For pasta, I recommend the classic spaghetti and meatballs. It’s bright and zesty, thanks to all the sun-dried tomatoes, and the signature meatball is juicy, springy, and savoury.
For pizza, you can’t go wrong with The Butcher. It’s savoury overload because of all the meat (double-smoked bacon, fennel sausage, and pepperoni), but it also has a lovely mix of tangy and sweet flavours from the tomato sauce and caramelized onions.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant offers catering services. Alternatively, you can host your special event here. |
New Mirchi Dhaba
From: foodieatoj
Address: 4810 Sheppard Ave E, Unit 220
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 3 am
Contact Number: +14162991991
Treat yourself to the iconic street foods of Indian cuisine at New Mirchi Dhaba!
My favourite thing to get here is the egg bhurji, which is essentially scrambled eggs with a strong, spiced and earthy flavour. This dish comes with two stretchy rotis, which I love using to scoop the eggs.
The pani puri is also a must-try. The hollow dough ball is crispy and filled with potatoes and sauces that are bursting with tang.
| Pro Tip: Book their catering services for your event. |
Sammy’s Family Restaurant
From: sammysfamilyrestaurant639
Address: 639 McCowan Rd
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—7 am to 8 pm
- Sunday—7:30 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14164319139
Sammy’s Family Restaurant is an underrated gem in the neighbourhood. This humble spot is oozing with cozy and homely vibes, and the food has a comforting, homemade feel to it.
Their clubhouse sandwich is a hit for me. It’s absolutely massive, with three decks of turkey breast, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, so I feel full instantly. The turkey meat is also juicy and savoury, which pairs well with the mayo’s zesty notes.
| Pro Tip: If you come here super early, you can get access to their special Early Bird Breakfast menu. |
Loukoumaki x Smashed+
From: smashedplusto
Address: 1920 Ellesmere Rd
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday—11 am to 8 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14164313565
Loukoumaki x Smashed+ is an interesting dining spot because it’s actually two restaurants in one!
Smashed+ is the spot to be when you’re craving burgers. The Big Fat Greek is my favourite thing to order because it combines the greasy savouriness of the patty with the zesty tanginess of the tzatziki and lemon sauce.
Meanwhile, Loukoumaki specializes in donuts. I’m currently obsessed with the Smore’s Please flavour. The donut balls are smothered in a milk chocolate sauce and topped with cookie crumbs and marshmallows. They’re so decadent!
| Pro Tip: You can make a combo meal in Smashed+. For an additional fee, you can add fries and drinks to your burger. |
Scarborough Panagio’s All Day Grill
From: panagiosalldaygrill
Address: 1928 McCowan Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +14162932444
Scarborough Panagio’s All Day Grill is another great spot for brunch because the breakfast items here are phenomenal. In particular, I keep dreaming about their Tex-Mex Messy Burrito; it’s absolutely loaded with eggs, green peppers, and cheese!
Dom’s World is another favourite of mine because it combines sweet and savoury flavours on one plate. You’re served with a chocolate pancake, two eggs, three sausages, bacon strips, and fries; this may seem like an odd combination, but they taste great together!
| Pro Tip: You can make your own omelette here. Just pick your favourite ingredients from the list, and the chefs here will whip up an omelette using these ingredients. |
Milestones
From: milestonesrestaurants
Address: 300 Borough Dr, Unit 1001, Scarborough Town Center
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 11 pm
- Friday—11 am to 12 am
- Saturday—10 am to 12 am
- Sunday—10 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14162900464
Milestones is one of my family’s go-to restaurants whenever we’re celebrating, well, a milestone, so I’m happy to see that they have a location in Scarborough.
I always get the black cod here. It’s cooked in a charred chilli lime butter, so it tastes spicy and tangy, with a hint of smokiness. The dish also comes with a quinoa and rice pilaf, smothered in a spicy and peppery tomato sauce and roasted earthy mushrooms.
The whole dish is truly a delight to my taste buds!
| Pro Tip: Give a friend or family member a gift card from this restaurant. |
The Avenue Restaurant and Lounge
From: victoreats.to
Address: #4, 1085 Bellamy Rd N
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +16473505463
The Avenue Restaurant and Lounge caught my attention when a friend described their food to me as “if Chinese and Caribbean cuisines got married and had a baby.” I knew right then that I had to try their food ASAP.
My favourite thing to order is the jerk chicken lo mein noodles. The combination of flavours on this one is just perfection: the noodles themselves are slightly sweet and savoury, while the jerk chicken adds spicy and earthy flavours to the dish.
| Pro Tip: You can host a special event here. Or if you already have a venue, you can book their catering services instead. |
Honest Restaurant Scarborough
From: gluttony_person
Address: 308 Painted Post Dr
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—12 pm to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +16473509151
Honey Restaurant Scarborough may seem like an unassuming spot from the outside, but don’t let that fool you because this place actually serves delicious Indian dishes.
The bhajipav is my personal favourite; the vegetables are wonderfully spiced, and the potato mash is thick and creamy. Everything tastes earthy and savoury, and it tastes even better with the soft buttered bread. It’s such a hearty and comforting meal!
| Pro Tip: To wash everything down, you should get the classic mango lassi. It’s so sweet and tangy—not to mention, super refreshing! |
Francesca Italian Bakery and Delicatessen
From: francescabakery
Address: 2 Invergordon Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—7 am to 4 pm
- Sunday—7 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +14162991174
Okay, I know Francesca Italian Bakery and Delicatessen isn’t exactly a sit-down restaurant, but it’s still worth checking out!
I’m obsessed with their zeppole, which is a traditional Italian pastry that’s associated with spring and Easter. This treat is pretty light, but the inside is a sweet filling that’s both thick and creamy.
Sometimes, it’s topped with black cherries, and those add a nice sour contrast to the mostly sweet flavour profile.
| Pro Tip: They offer catering services for special events. |
Fursat
From: fursat_ca
Address: 4365 Sheppard Ave E, Unit #1
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +19057981884
Fursat is a cafe, kitchen, and bar all rolled into one. For that reason, it’s a great place to be for any occasion—be it a casual dining with friends or a romantic night out with a partner.
The mutton keema is an absolute delight. This dish is so aromatic that I’m already drooling the moment I catch a whiff of it. It’s also a flavour bomb; savoury and earthy are the main flavours, but there are also some hints of sweetness.
Be sure to get a side of rice to cut through all the richness, though!
| Pro Tip: Planning an event? You can book this restaurant for catering. |
Katsuya
From: katsuya_canada
Address: 4447 Sheppard Ave E, Brimley Place
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11:30 am to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14162934449
Katsuya is a pretty well-known restaurant, and I can see why: their katsu dishes are simply top-notch. The katsu itself is so crispy that the crunch is loud, and their sauces have interesting flavours.
I quite like the Honeycomb Katsu because it combines sweet and savoury flavours well.
If I’m in the mood to indulge, I’ll sometimes get the brick cheese katsu. The melty cheese pull is so addictive, and the salty flavours complement the pork’s inherent richness.
| Pro Tip: Please let your server know if you or anyone in your group has a food allergy. That way, the kitchen can provide ingredient substitutions for your dish. |
Cafe le Majestik
From: micheatsmuch
Address: 2900 Markham Rd, Unit A45, Majestic City
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Monday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14162988886
It always excites me when I discover a restaurant that specializes in Hong Kong cuisine. So, it’s not a surprise that Cafe le Majestik has become one of my faves in Scarborough.
The BBQ pork with stir-fried egg and pork lard with rice is my go-to order because it’s hearty and filling. Plus, it’s quite delicious. The BBQ pork has a slight sweetness that I like, and the runny yolk from the eggs makes everything taste extra rich.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant has special combo offers. If you order at least two dishes, you can get a discounted price, plus complimentary rice and soup. |
Silver Spoon Scarborough
From: silverspoongta
Address: 4800 Sheppard Ave E, Unit 124-126, Sheppard Mall
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 10 pm
- Friday—11 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14162932689
Looking for a halal restaurant in Scarborough? I recommend Silver Spoon!
This spot specializes in Pakistani cuisine. I’m a big fan of their veal qorma because the meat is so tender it’s basically falling apart (thanks to it being slow-cooked for hours. Plus, the sauce is tangy and bursting with earthy and spicy flavours.
This dish can be quite rich and overwhelming, so I like to pair it with a fluffy piece of naan. It’s also satisfying to use the naan to pick up the pieces of veal.
| Pro Tips: Book their catering services for your special event. They also have special packages for weddings. |
Gourmet Malaysia Restaurant
From: gourmetmalaysiato
Address: 4466 Sheppard Ave E #101
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Monday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16477641188
It’s not every day you can find a restaurant serving Malaysian cuisine in the GTA, so when I found Gourmet Malaysia Restaurant in Scarborough, I was over the moon.
You have to get the classic nasi lemak. It’s rice cooked in coconut milk, so it’s fragrant on top of being fluffy and slightly sweet. It’s also served with curry chicken that’s earthy and spicy. Sometimes, I add a dollop of sambal to the plate for a stronger kick of spice.
| Pro Tip: They offer catering for special events. |
Jack’s Scarborough
From: jacks_scarborough
Address: 580 Progress Ave, Scarborough Town Center
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14162960965
Jack’s is such a lively place. The music always invites me to show off my moves on the dance floor, and the menu is full of comfort meals that get rid of my stress in just a few bites.
I love the handhelds here, especially the mushroom truffle cheeseburger. It has two Angus beef patties paired with black truffle cheese, roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions, and sundried tomatoes, so every bite is indulgent. Rich, beefy, and earthy—ugh, now I’m drooling!
| Pro Tips: On Monday and Tuesday, you can enjoy a 50% discount on all wine bottles. You can enjoy discounts on select beers during Happy Hour every day. |
Honey B Hives Restaurant
From: foodiebros_to
Address: 2816 Markham Rd
Operating Hours:
- Monday—7 am to 3:30 pm, 6:30 pm to 3 am
- Tuesday—7 am to 3:30 pm
- Wednesday and Thursday—7 am to 3:30 pm, 6:30 pm to 3 am
- Friday—7 am to 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 5 am
- Saturday—7 am to 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 5 am
- Sunday—7 am to 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 3 am
Contact Number: +14162926499
If you’re looking for a late-night food spot, then you’ll love Honey B Hives Restaurant because it’s open until dawn and the menu is full of classic, hearty dishes.
Their chicken waffle is my guilty pleasure. The combination of juicy and savoury chicken and the mellow sweetness of the waffles is undefeated.
Sometimes, I even treat myself to a steak and egg dish because it tastes extra delicious when I eat it at 2 am or so. The steak is pretty succulent and savoury, and I love using the fries to break the yolks and eating them together.
| Pro Tip: All of the dishes here contain traces of nuts, peanuts, and/or other allergen products, so please inform your waiter if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions. |
Sahan Restaurant
From: sahan_resto
Address: 2010 Lawrence Ave E, Colony Plaza
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday—11 am to 10 pm
- Wednesday and Thursday—10 am to 10 pm
- Friday to Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14167597242
In search of an African restaurant in Scarborough? Then I have the perfect recommendation for you: Sahan Restaurant. This one, in particular, serves dishes from East African cuisines (especially Somali).
Their awlal, or goat ribs, is my favourite so far, which is actually a surprise because I normally don’t like goat. But this dish is just juicy and soft, and the meat tastes savoury with a nice hint of smokiness from the char.
I love that the dish also comes with a soup that refreshes my palate and warms my soul.
| Pro Tip: Their dishes come with rice, but you can opt to replace it with pasta instead. |
