Where to eat, drink and shop in Scarborough

Written By

Abhigyaan Bararia

over 2 years ago

During a conversation regarding arts, food and culture around Toronto, the name “Scarborough” might not pop up quite as fast as its residents would like. Regardless, that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is teeming with popular destinations such as the Toronto Zoo, Rouge Park and the Scarborough Bluffs. Outside of the places garnering a copious amount of footfall, there also exist quite a few hidden gems when it comes to food, shopping or even just hanging out and grabbing a coffee.

Scarborough, which was named after a town in North Yorkshire, is bordered by Victoria Park Avenue to the west, Steeles to the north, the city of Pickering to the east and Lake Ontario to the south. Being home to some of Toronto’s last farms, the city is greener than any other part of Toronto.

Since the end of the Second World War, Scarborough has been a popular destination for new immigrants in Canada, making it one of the most diverse and multicultural areas in the Greater Toronto Area. The most commonly found ethnic groups include Caribbean, Indian, Sri Lankan, Chinese and African. This kind of diversity lends itself to the type of food, shopping experiences and hangout spots that the city has to offer.

It’s a city built on diversity, vibrancy, acceptance and a shared sense of community. People flock east to get authentic foods from across the world and get in touch with nature in a way that downtown Toronto cannot offer.

Where to eat

Mona's Roti

4810 Sheppard Ave E

Knowing the sheer amount of West Indian folks, especially Trinidadians, that call Scarborough home, it is no surprise to see a roti shop as one of the best places to eat while in the city.

Mona’s Roti first opened business almost four decades ago in San Fernando on the island of Trinidad, becoming one of the most popular destinations not only in the city but nationwide. In 2003, after two decades of dazzling the twin-island nation with its tasty offerings, the family-owned business first opened its doors in Scarborough. In a short period, this roti shop became one of the go-to destinations for Caribbean cuisine in the city.

Since its first days, Mona’s has garnered and assembled quite a loyal client base who have been mesmerized by the curries that the roti shop has to offer, owing to its open-concept kitchen which allows the patrons to witness the theatrics and have their meals cooked just how they desire.

With its affordable prices; lip-smacking offerings like jerk chicken, goat and oxtail rotis; and a never-ending showering of love, Mona’s Roti is a true Scarborough institution.

Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

4020 Finch Ave E

More high-end than the word “clubhouse” alludes to, Fishman Lobster Clubhouse is a Scarborough institution that has been serving consumers heaping — and we mean HEAPING — plates of Chinese seafood.

Seated in a large hall filled with endless rows of tables, the customers are surrounded by large water tanks filled with crabs and lobsters, waiting to be picked by you for a future meal.

While prices might be a little steep, much like the teetering towers of crustaceans on one’s plate, you do get a lot of food in return. From large family dinners for about 10 people that go much beyond $1,000 to scaled-down portions for smaller groups, Fishman Lobster Clubhouse is a great spot to go to with a posse. It’s easier to slay a lobster mountain with a trusty band of compatriots by your side.

If all of that wasn’t enough, Fishman Lobster Clubhouse is also one of Shang-Chi, a.k.a. Simu Liu’s favourite places to eat in Toronto — make of that what you will.

SumiLicious

5631 Steeles Ave E #5

Over 500 kilometres away from Canada’s smoked meat capital Montreal, SumiLicious exhibits that same passion for the delicacy and hopes to spread its gift of tender and smoky meat across the GTA.

The love that goes into preparing every single piece of meat is evident from the first bite itself. With the meat cooked to juicy perfection with just the right amount of char and smokiness, the deli’s signature blend of spices sits on your palate in perfect harmony and provides you with an elevated smoked meat experience that you’re bound to come back for.

Whether you go for a sit-down meal or pop in for a quick takeaway option, the quality of the food never deters. The restaurant is committed to providing customers with only the highest quality deli meat.

SumiLicious offers a large variety of dishes, from deli sandwiches and smoked meat plates to poutine and even meat by the pound. In classic deli fashion, the sides include fries, coleslaw, pickles, olives and even peppers, giving the consumer plenty of options to create their meal.

And don’t worry, given the demographics of Scarborough, all the smoked meat, chicken and steak options are halal as well, so you can devour without having to worry about anything — except maybe your cholesterol.

Oo-Kinza Fish House

325 Bamburgh Cir A103

Located on a corner in Bamburgh Circle Plaza in Scarborough, walking into Oo-Kinza Fish House feels like you’ve been transported to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant on the streets of Japan. Adorned with colourful paintings and serving dishes that complement the decor, this joint serves premium seafood like different sushi, lobster and even the prized uni, or sea urchin. Outside of just a place serving meals, Oo-Kinza also acts as a seafood marketplace where you can buy available fish by weight.

While it might have had humble beginnings as an eight-seater restaurant reminiscent of a Japanese alleyway, it has blossomed into something much larger. Outside of being a go-to spot for seafood, the joint has expanded and has transformed from Oo-Kinza Fish House to Kin Kin O-Ka-Ne. Now a long, vibrant passageway spotted with multiple made-up storefronts akin to the Dotonbori region of Osaka; the facade immediately takes any entrant from the eastern part of Toronto to the west of Japan.

Canbe Foods

1760 Ellesmere Rd

The hub for South Indian and Sri Lankan food in Scarborough, Canbe Foods has been serving the people of the GTA since its inception in 1994. A takeout-only joint, it features a large assortment of dishes from the southern part of the Indian subcontinent and even features one of Toronto’s best samosas.

This no-frills spot can always be found with a line during lunchtime — a testament to its taste and price. Even with inflation raising the prices for most things, a few dollars can still go a very long way at Canbe Foods, ensuring a hearty meal or a successful frozen food haul without breaking the bank. People might come for affordable prices, but they stay for the taste.

From kottu roti to chilli chicken and from spinach and cheese samosas to mutton rolls, the list of Canbe’s offerings stretches far and wide. It also has one of the best South Asian frozen food sections, with the freezers teeming with bags upon bags of different samosas, onion rolls and more. Featured on the far wall are shelves stocked high with sweet and savoury snacks, just waiting to be devoured.

While Canbe Foods is housed in some humble digs, it lets the food do the talking. And with a lineup to be found on most days, it’s clear that the people are listening to whatever the food has to say.

Chris Jerk

2570 Birchmount Rd

Another nod to Scarborough’s Caribbean influence, Chris Jerk is a modestly-styled over-the-counter kind of establishment that has been selling comfort food like curried goat and jerk chicken to its faithful for years. While the existence of shawarma might throw some people off and make them question the place’s authenticity, fret not, for all your doubts will vanquish upon the first bite of the beautifully spicy and smoky meat.

This family-owned restaurant has done a lot for Jamaican cuisine in Scarborough, helping put it on the map by bringing the tropical heat of jerk seasoning and scotch bonnet pepper to the people in the GTA.

Shawarmas are probably in the top 5 most popular dishes eaten in Scarborough, so Chris Jerk would’ve been remiss not to cash in on that opportunity. But the restaurant did it in their own fashion — by creating a jerk chicken shawarma.

The offerings are endless at the joint. From jerk chicken and pork; to fish and shrimp for the pescatarians; to curried goat and oxtail and a heap of sides and vegetarian options as well, the restaurant is well-equipped to serve most kinds of people that might come through. And before you ask, yes, there is also poutine. We’re in Canada, after all.

Lamanna’s Bakery

6758 Kingston Rd

A place where saying “sure, I’ll grab a slice” can have potentially monumental consequences, Lamanna’s Bakery is a true culinary destination for the uninitiated and the veteran alike. Home of Toronto’s Big Slice since 2004, Lamanna’s draws inspiration from generations of authentic family recipes stretching from Monteleone di Puglia to ancestral vineyards in Sicily and puts its own contemporary spin to it.

The result? Some darn good Italian fare.

From traditional pizzas like the classic Pepperoni and Margherita to gourmet offerings like the Milano (bechamel, mozzarella, ham and honey) and La Pera (Bosc pear, goat cheese, speck, sauteed onions, thyme and balsamic on a white base), there is something for everyone at Lamanna’s.

If savoury pizzas are not the vibe on a particular day, you’re in luck, for the bakery also offers a slew of dessert pizzas, dubbed “pizza cake” in its big slice size. Some of the decadent offerings include the sought-after Cannoli Big Slice (Nutella topped with a mix of ricotta, chocolate and pistachio-filled cannolis) and the Custard Tart Big Slice (Dulce de Leche topped with custard tarts and whipped cream).

So the next time you have a celebration, become the life of the party by showing up with a pizza cake big slice!

Outside of the iconic big slices, Lamanna’s also has a treasure chest full of delicious menu items like Italian cutlets, lasagna, desserts, gelato and espresso made with a house blend of beans.

It’s easy to see why Lamanna’s Bakery is a culinary institution in Scarborough. And with pizza slices big enough to keep you warm in the winter, it’s fairly straightforward to see why it’s an iconic destination for any traveller going east as well.

Where to drink

Queen Victoria’s Pub

2240 Midland Ave

While Scarborough as a city does not have too many local watering holes, there do exist a few that provide the starving suburbanites with a taste of the pub culture they yearn for. One such offering is the Queen Victoria's Pub.

As the name suggests, it's a British tavern that aims to provide its Scarborough regulars with a comfortable spot to congregate, eat, drink and have a jolly good outing. Adorned in a moody combination of dark wood and red velvet, the bar serves tasty pub fare, cold beers and also has TV screens set up for watching sports — making it the perfect spot for your FIFA World Cup watch party.

The menu consists of traditional North American bar fare like nachos, chicken wings and fried calamari, but also nods toward its British roots with a steak and kidney pie, shepherd's pie and even butter chicken — because what is more British than Indian food?

Even though drink prices are skyrocketing all around downtown Toronto, Quen Victoria's Pub's offerings are much more affordable, with a pint of domestic beer costing a little under $7 and one-ounce servings of liquor not exceeding $7.10, making it a great spot to hang out for long periods without regretting it — financially, that is.

The Black Dog Pub

87 Island Rd

Another classic British establishment, the Black Dog Pub located in the Rouge area, boasts of an all-inviting presence, with its tagline being "You are a stranger here but once!"

The cozy interiors of the establishment complement the vibe beautifully. With dark and moody interiors, quaint overhead lighting, comfortable leather benches and even multiple fireplaces, the setting immediately puts any newcomer at ease and makes them feel welcome as if they were always meant to end up at this place.

Keeping up with the trends, the pub also serves brunch on the weekends, offering large breakfast platters — as is the norm in England — to nurse you back to life after a night of heavy drinking. Outside of the weekend, the food menu has a great mix of traditional and modern dishes. Some offerings include a whiskey and Irish cheddar burger, a Thai chicken wrap, a Korean barbecue brisket sandwich and even a plant-based burger.

And, of course, it wouldn't be a British pub without dishes like fish and chips, cottage pie, bangers and mash and a roast beef Yorkshire pudding.

As for drinks, the bar offers a variety of domestic and international brews, including its house specialty, the "Dog," which comes in three variants: Dog, Dog Lite and Dog Red.

So while Scarborough might not be lush with bars, there are a few stalwarts on which the locals rely for their daily tipple. With the level that the establishments operate on, it's safe to say that the people of Scarborough are left satisfied with what the city has to offer.

Where to grab a coffee

The Birchcliff

1680 Kingston Rd

A rustic coffee shop located near the Scarborough Bluffs, The Birchcliff is another propagator of the third-wave coffee movement, which focuses on the highest quality ingredients.

With quaint and industrial interiors spotted with colourful accents, this neighbourhood favourite serves a variety of products, from specialty coffees like their raspberry mocha and maple vanilla latte to delicious baked goods like cookies, scones, cakes and freshly baked bread.

The onset of winter time and the holiday season means limited-time-only offerings. The coffee shop’s seasonal menu includes offerings like apple cider, hearty soups and specials like its gingerbread white hot chocolate and gingerbread scone.

With all of its baked goods and eats in high demand, it would do you well to not wait around and visit the joint as early as you can — for food items are bound to be sold out mighty fast.

Creek Coffee & Co

370 Old Kingston Rd

Serving the people in the quaint neighbourhood of Highland Creek, this cafe is only a few minutes away from the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus. Having to cater to a large demographic of clientele, the joint does a really good job of mixing the old with the new.

Exuding a calm and cozy vibe with lots of seating options, earth tones and even a rotating library, this space caters to a lot of students on the hunt for a cute cafe to sit down and study with a cup of freshly brewed local coffee in their hand.

Wanting to support the local community in which it resides, Creek Coffee also has a collection of local goodies and handmade products for sale, adding to its lore of community building and caring for its neighbours.

Although Creek Coffee celebrated only its first anniversary in June, with the way things are going, we expect it to be a household name in no time — if it already isn’t.

Where to shop

Ghadir Meat

1848 Lawrence Ave E

Operating in a dual capacity, Ghadir Meat and Restaurant is a haven for Middle Eastern food like shawarma, barbecue, falafel and manakeesh. On the other side, it also exists as a meat and fish market, selling fresh and high-quality products that are cut and prepared right in front of the customer’s eyes.

Established in 1992, this institution has been a destination for 30 years for people wanting to get the finest groceries and specialty items as well as ready-to-eat Lebanese favourites.

Ghadir is known for its mouthwatering shawarmas and falafel sandwiches, as well as hummus, garlic sauce and pita. Catering to a large party? Consumers can even buy shawarma by weight or indulge in the many family-sized barbecue platters that the restaurant has to offer. Be it a variety of skewers, kebabs or whole roasted chicken; there is something for everyone to enjoy.

In true Scarborough fashion, Ghadir Meat and Restaurant caters to an international community and has become a haven and comfort spot for immigrants looking for an authentic taste of home.

Diana's Seafood

2101 Lawrence Ave E

Founded in 1986 by husband and wife Diana and Nino Cicirello, Diana’s Seafood initially began as a wholesale vendor, distributing fresh fish and other seafood products to a large grocery chain. With time and the growth of its reputation, the store became a premier distributor and opened its first retail store in 1998, slowly becoming THE place to buy seafood in Toronto.

In another example of its growth, Diana’s entered into a joint venture with Eataly Toronto in 2019 — opening a second outpost in the Italian marketplace’s first store in Canada.

With history and testimonials behind it, it is no doubt that Diana’s is the premier destination for people seeking the highest quality of fresh fish and other seafood products — it even boasts of having the largest oyster selection in the city.

With an experienced staff to help you pick out the best products for you and even a recipes section on its website for the days you don’t feel particularly creative, Diana’s Seafood does not falter in its customer service either.

If you ever sit down at any of Toronto’s top restaurants and order seafood, there is a large chance that it was sourced from Diana’s. For your personal shopping, make sure to head on over to its retail store in Scarborough, which has been serving people for nearly a quarter of a century.

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