Casual Eats in Toronto: Five Scarborough Kitchens on Three Roads

Good food does not need a reservation, a tablecloth or a long evening. Some of the most satisfying casual meals in the city are in Scarborough, and this guide follows three of its roads: Kingston Road, Lawrence Avenue East and Steeles Avenue East.

Why is Scarborough such a good place for a casual meal?

CBC says Scarborough has welcomed people from all over the globe, leading to a wide range of different cuisines. That is the heart of it: a kitchen on one road might be Egyptian, the next Thai, the one after Lebanese or Hakka.

Scarborough also now has its own food-and-arts project. CBC describes Destination Scarborough as a newly launched project, with a YouTube series and its own website, that aims to boost Scarborough’s food and arts scene. CBC reports that visitors can use a map on the project’s website to build their own Scarborough adventure. It says the project was created in collaboration with Scarborough Arts, a local community organization. The project’s own site says it is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. CBC’s Locals Welcome series, which explores lesser known food places across Canada, gave Scarborough an episode titled Homecoming.

How do we handle price in a cheap eats guide?

We do not publish prices, because menus change and the number on the restaurant’s own page is the one to trust. What we can do is sort by format. Every place here is a casual kitchen where you can order, eat and move on. Each pick links to an official page or ordering link, so you can check today’s menu before you go. For wider dining ideas, start with our best restaurants in Toronto pillar.

What can you eat along Kingston Road?

Kingston Road is the easiest place to start, with two very different kitchens.

1

Aragoz

ScarboroughOfficial site Share

CBC describes Aragoz as an Egyptian restaurant near Kingston Road and Markham Avenue. Its site calls it an Egyptian Kitchen and lists 3456 Kingston Road for pick up and delivery. A Scarborough stop that rewards curiosity.

2

Sisaket Thai Kitchen

ScarboroughOfficial site Share

Sisaket’s site describes Authentic Thai & Isaan Cuisine and lists a Kingston Road location at 1466 Kingston Road in Scarborough. Its site says to find it on Kingston Road in Scarborough and now on O’Connor Drive in East York. It invites you to drop by for dine-in, call ahead for pickup, or order delivery through your favourite app. CBC says the restaurant, near Kingston Road and Warden Avenue, opened during the pandemic, has been a frequent stop on Eat More Scarborough’s food tours and is listed on Destination Scarborough’s map. Share a few dishes, ask about the Isaan specialties and let the table pass things around.

What about Lawrence Avenue East?

Lawrence Avenue East puts a Lebanese kitchen and a Hakka kitchen on the same road, which makes for a good two-stop afternoon.

3

Ghadir Meat & Restaurant

ScarboroughOfficial site Share

Ghadir describes Lebanese and Middle Eastern food including shawarma and manakeesh, with dine-in, takeout or online ordering. It is at 1848 Lawrence Ave E in Scarborough. CBC’s Locals Welcome Scarborough episode features the restaurant and its kabsa, spiced rice with meat.

4

Wong's Asian Cuisine

ScarboroughOfficial site Share

Wong’s calls itself an Indian Hakka Chinese restaurant at 2173 Lawrence Ave E in Scarborough. It says it combines the flavours of Chinese dishes with Indian spices. CBC’s Locals Welcome Scarborough episode features Wong’s and its Kolkata-style Hakka cuisine, including chilli chicken. Order a few things to share and compare.

And Steeles Avenue East?

The last stop on this tour is a smoked meat deli.

5

SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli

ScarboroughOfficial site Share

SumiLicious’s site calls its food authentic smoked meat and says takeout is the name of its game, with plenty of seating inside for anyone who wants to sit in. The site gives its address as 5631 Steeles Avenue East, Unit 5, Scarborough. A good stop when you want something hearty and simple.

How do you plan a Scarborough food day?

Pick one road and make an afternoon of it. Kingston Road holds Aragoz and Sisaket, two stops that could not be more different. Lawrence Avenue East gives you Ghadir and Wong’s on the same road. Steeles Avenue East is its own trip, so treat SumiLicious as a lunch destination rather than a quick add-on.

Go with a friend so you can share, and order two or three dishes instead of one big plate. Ask the person at the counter what the kitchen is known for. If you are travelling by transit, check the route before you leave and keep your day loose, because the best Scarborough meals often happen between the planned stops.

What makes a good casual meal?

A casual meal works best when the format does the heavy lifting. A platter you can take home suits a family evening. A wrap or a sandwich fits a lunch break. A shared table of curries suits friends who like to compare notes. None of these formats needs a dress code or a plan, which is exactly why we like them.

Ready for something to linger over? Try our brunch guide or our guide to dinner before a show.

A last word on etiquette: small kitchens can be busy at midday, so be kind, be patient and tip the people who feed you well. A smile at the counter goes a long way, and so does asking what to order if it is your first visit.

Send this to the friend you would bring for a quick, happy lunch.