In this guide(7 sections)
Toronto's halal food scene is one of the most diverse in North America — and shawarma, burgers, and pizza are three entries in a much longer list. Here's what to explore when you want to go deeper.
Afghan — The chapli kabob
Bamiyan Kabob (Thorncliffe Park) — No. 13
The best thing you can eat in Toronto for under $10 is the chapli kabob at Bamiyan. A flat, spiced patty griddled until the edges are lace-crisp and the fat is rendered — it's a specific technique and Bamiyan executes it properly. The Thorncliffe Park location at 62 Overlea Blvd is the strongest. Fully halal. Open Monday–Saturday until 11 PM.
What to order: Chapli kabob, half chicken dinner, bolani. The mantu (dumplings) if you're with a group.
Pakistani — The karahi
Lahore Tikka House (Little India) — No. 17
The heritage halal Pakistani institution in Toronto — been on Gerrard East for decades. The chicken karahi is the benchmark: tomato-forward, whole spices, clarified butter finish, bone-in chicken. The atmosphere on Gerrard East is part of the experience; it's one of the few halal spots in Toronto where the room earns its place in the visit.
What to order: Chicken karahi, lamb biryani, naan, raita.
Karahi Boys (Scarborough) — No. 81
The late-night Scarborough institution for Pakistani food. Lawrence Ave E, open until midnight weekdays and 1 AM weekends. Over 10,000 Google reviews. The karahi is the reason to go; it's one of the most-reviewed halal Pakistani spots in the GTA.
Mexican — Birria
Comal y Canela (Mount Dennis) — No. 21
Mexican-expat-run, nixtamal masa ground in-house, birria tacos as the centerpiece. This is the closest Toronto has to a proper taqueria in a halal kitchen. The quesabirria is the order. The consommé is worth drinking.
For the full halal Mexican rundown, read The Best Halal Birria Tacos in Toronto →
Halal steakhouse — The full occasion
Jacobs & Co. (Old Toronto) — No. 76
81 Bay St, 4th floor. A fully halal fine-dining steakhouse — the only one in downtown Toronto. Dry-aged beef, proper room, proper prices ($$$$). For the occasion that calls for it.
Blackstone Steakhouse and Grill (Brampton) — No. 39
The GTA's other fully halal steakhouse, at a lower price point. Worth the drive from Mississauga or west Toronto for a proper halal steak dinner.
Halal Korean BBQ
Halal Korean BBQ in the North GTA corridor. The Markham and Richmond Hill area has the highest concentration of halal East Asian food in Canada — Korean, Japanese, and Chinese options are all represented in a way you don't find anywhere else in the country.
Halal Caribbean
Wicked Carib Food & Culture of Trinbago
Halal Trinidadian food in Toronto. Doubles, roti, curry goat. The halal Caribbean scene is concentrated in West Toronto (Rexdale, Jane and Finch) and parts of North York — it's one of the more underrated halal food corridors in the city.
The point
The question "where can I get halal food?" often gets answered with the same four suggestions. The Hit List is built to push past that — to rank the Afghan chapli kabob alongside the smash burger, the halal birria alongside the shawarma, and give every cuisine the same rigorous scoring.
If you've found a halal spot doing something we haven't covered, submit it — we'll visit.
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