1. One Love Vegetarian
854 Bathurst, at London, 416-535-5683, oneloveveg.com
Hard by the Bloor Station’s streetcar loop and just up from Honest Ed’s, Ikeila Wright’s highly unlikely takeaway is not only one of the best vegan restaurants in town, it’s arguably the best Caribbean as well, regardless of the lack of jerk chicken. Shame Health Board regulations won’t allow her to have tables. But who wants to sit when there are hoppin’ Irie combos like mildly curried bean curd and lima beans with avocado and caramelized plantain over basmati rice ‘n’ lentils as well as whole-wheat dhal puri roti stuffed with locally sourced organic veggies, grilled corn and her signature spicy pumpkin soup?
Tuesday to Friday 11 am to 9 pm, Saturday 11 am to 6 pm. Closed Sunday, Monday, holidays. No reservations. Average main $10. Unlicensed. Cash only. Access: one step at door, no washrooms. Rating: NNNNN
2. Le Ti Colibri
291 Augusta, at Oxford, 416-925-2223, leticolibri.com, @leticolibri
You’d never know it from the street but Matthias Laurin and Kristel Procida’s cozy French Caribbean cafe has one of the loveliest backyard patios in the Market. There, under a thatched roof, you’ll chow down on the likes of Guadeloupean shredded salt cod fritters and chopped Martiniquan lettuce salads with cucumber and corn in watermelon vinaigrette. We’re particularly partial to the burger-like bokit sandwiches – the Big Mac of the Lesser Antilles – stuffed with spicy TVP and sided with sweet potato frites.
Tuesday to Sunday noon to 7 pm. Closed Monday, holidays. Average main $10. Unlicensed. Access: five steps at door, washroom in basement. Rating: NNNN
Photo by Michael Watier
3. Caribfusion
Southeast corner King W, at Bay
If success in the resto biz is all about location, Bridgette Pinder’s sidewalk Caribbean food cart at the crossroads of the financial district should have it made. Those who venture beyond the PATH show up religiously for daily specials like boneless curried chicken and shrimp with pumpkin rotis, all dressed with sweet mango salad in Thai lime vinaigrette. Show up Fridays and she might be grilling pineapple slices!
Monday to Friday 11 am to 2 pm-ish weather permitting. Closed Saturday, Sunday, holidays. Average main $8. Unlicensed. Cash only. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNNN
Photo by Steven Davey
4. Caribbean Queen of Patties
1294 Bloor W, at Lansdowne, 416-538-1732
They don’t call Georgina Hamilton the Queen for nothin’. We’ll guess that it’s because this recently relocated west-side storefront bakes Hogtown’s ne plus ultra patty. She’s also no slouch when it comes to insanely addictive almond brittle and JA-style roti overstuffed with boneless chicken curry. Not that hungry? Hamilton does a half roti!
Monday to Saturday 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday 1 to 9 pm. Average main $10. Unlicensed. Cash only. Access: barrier-free, no washrooms. Rating: NNNN
5. Caribbean Dutchpot
751 Broadview, at Danforth, 416-465-7779
Anyone remember this long-gone Leslieville beanery? Dennis and Lorna Jarrett said they’d be back, and here they are – six years later – in a newish storefront just south of the Greek main drag. The joint might be somewhat swankier, but the rotis are still the real deal: oh so delicate dhal puri spilling tender-pink boneless Guyanese-style chicken breast and a mere smidgeon of spuds and chickpeas in a mellow turmeric-tinted gravy flecked with thyme. Dense wedges of boozy rum cake more than make up for the cozy room’s lack of liquor licence.
Sunday to Thursday 11 am to 11 pm, Friday 11 am to 9 pm. Closed Saturday. No reservations. Unlicensed. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNNN
6. Pam’s Caribbean Cuisine
912 Bloor W, at Ossington, 416-533-3588
Pam Singh isn’t kidding when she says her Bloordale hole-in-the-wall specializes in “not so fast takeout.” “Ten minutes, hon” often turns into 45. But it’s worth the wait when the payoff is this spectacular – witness Guyanese-style parathas stuffed with shredded chicken and pulverized potato laced with chilies or incendiary curried goat thick with marrow-rich bones and Scotch bonnet peppers. Still not hot enough? Intensify the heat with three levels of house-made hot sauce.
Monday to Wednesday noon to 9 pm, Thursday to Saturday noon to 9:30 pm. Closed Sunday, some holidays. No reservations. Average main $9. Unlicensed. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNNN
7. Bacchus Roti Shop
1376 Queen W, at Brock, 416-532-8191
There are only two types of roti authorities – those who swear by Ali’s down the block and those who prefer this long-running Parkdale institution. Ignore the Restaurant Makeover decor – banquettes! upside-down lampshade chandeliers! – and focus on the veggie-friendly card. But whatever you do, hold the cheese!
Tuesday to Saturday noon to 9 pm. Closed Sunday, Monday, holidays. No reservations. Average main $9. Licensed. Access: barrier-free. Rating: NNN
8. Albert’s Real Jamaican Foods
542 St. Clair W, at Vaughan, 416-658-9445, albertsrealjamaicanfoods.ca
Tucked away in fancy new digs directly around the corner, Albert Wiggins’s island-style fast food joint has been packing them in since the 80s. Here’s why: amply stuffed dhal puri loaded with pink deboned chicken thigh, chunky potato and a scattering of chickpeas washed down with fresh sugar-cane juice. Don’t forget the oxtail gravy! And where else in town will you find a beef roti?
Sunday to Wednesday 10:30 am to midnight, Thursday 10:30 am to 3 am, Friday and Saturday 10:30 am to 4 am. No reservations. Average main $10. Licensed. Cash only. Access: two short steps at door, washrooms on same floor. Rating: NNN
9. Gandhi
554 Queen W, at Bathurst, 416-504-8155, gandhicuisine.ca
Everybody’s favourite roti isn’t really a roti at all. Call it East Indian curry osmosed through the Caribbean, then wrapped in a paratha made on a pizza press and you’re closer.
Monday to Friday 11:30 am to 10 pm, Saturday noon to 10 pm. Closed Sunday, holidays. No reservations. Average main $11. Unlicensed. Access: barrier-free, no washrooms. Rating: NNN
10. Mr. Jerk
209 Wellesley E, at Bleecker, 416-961-8913, mrjerk.ca
Also: 3050 Don Mills, at Van Horne, 416-491-3593 1166 Morningside, at Sheppard E, 416-724-9239 1347a Lawrence W, at Keele, 416-248-8609 3417 Derry E, at Gateway, 905-673-5627 4431 Hwy 7 East, at Main, 905-940-1375
If it’s subtlety and nuance you’re after, what are you doing in a joint called Mr. Jerk? But if it’s industrial-strength jerked chicken and pork coupled with rice ‘n’ beans ladled with sauce and sided with slaw or wrapped in rotis, you’re in the right place. You won’t want to miss the codfish fritters and the sweet-potato puddin’ either.
Monday to Saturday 11 am to 10 pm, Sunday 1 to 9 pm (Wellesley). No reservations. Average main $9. Unlicensed. Access: barrier-free, no washrooms (Wellesley). Rating: NNN
