8 cuisines you haven't tried and where to try them in Toronto

Can't afford a flight? Call an Uber, baby.

Probably the most notable feature of Toronto’s food scene is its diverse nature. Sure, most cities around the world—London, New York, Tokyo, etc.—serve a wide range of cuisines, but Toronto’s sprawling abundance of regional specialties and minority food cultures really is a beautiful, under-appreciated benefit of living and working here.

Variety is what we value when searching for our next great meal. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous for your next bite in Toronto, you should try and reap the benefits of living in one of the most diverse cities in the world by trying food from all corners of the globe.

Here are a handful of (possibly) new cuisines you have yet to try, and where you should go to try them.

Pakistani — Lahore Premium Kabab House

There are tons of Pakistani spots in and around Toronto, but this is the one chefs swear by. This is the year we stop grouping South Asian cuisines together—Pakistani food offers bold, bright and smoky flavour that is worth burning your tongue off.

Credit: @halalstreet

Cambodian — Cambodian Noodle King (Newmarket)

This one is a little bit of a distance from the city, but worth the trip up for the sake of trying authentic Khmer cuisine. While Cambodian food often overlaps other Southeast Asian countries in ingredients—mainly Thai and Vietnamese—there are plenty of distinct Cambodian dishes that feature flavours and textures you won’t find anywhere in Toronto.

Credit: @cambodiannoodleking

Ethiopian — Selam Restaurant & Lounge

We can’t get enough injera platters these days. Known for going heavy on the spices and bursting with earthy flavour, Ethiopian should be on top of your must-try cuisines.

Credit: @selamtoronto

Tibetan — Garleek Kitchen

We love Loga’s Corner as much as the next person, don’t get me wrong! We’re there constantly, but Tibetan food goes far beyond momos. Try Garleek Kitchen for a range of wok-fried dishes, hand ripped noodles and… okay you should always have some momos.

Credit: @cheatdayto

Austrian/Viennese — Biesl

This pop-up kitchen inside True History Brewing is a newer spot that highlights some comforting dishes from Vienna. There are other pure, hole-in-the-wall Austrian spots around Toronto, but Beisl is inside a vibrant neighbourhood brewery, so naturally, it’s a great fit for newcomers to the cuisine.

Georgian — Tiflisi

My western ignorance hindered me from understanding that Georgia is a country and not just a American state. While it may share some similarities with neighbouring regions, Georgian food is rich in variety enough, making it worth exploring.

Credit: @hungry_wongs

Croatian/Dalmatian — Joso’s

This iconic Yorkville landmark is well known for it’s quirky interiors and being featured on Drake’s most iconic album cover. But when you wave past the distracting clout cloud of Joso’s, you’ll find a stunning menu of Dalmatian-inspired dishes, like whole grilled fish and squid ink pasta.

Credit: @jososrestaurant

Nicaraguan — La Bella Managua

The cuisine across Latin America overlap greatly in ingredients and cooking techniques. Nicaraguan cuisine features a lot of fresh, vibrant dishes you expect to see from central America, like ceviches, paired alongside hefty portions of grilled meat with rice and beans. This restaurant will change your life.

Credit: @paothebao