Buddha's Vegetarian Foods is a dietary-friendly spot in Chinatown, Toronto.
Buddha's on Dundas West has run Chinese Buddhist vegetarian since 1985, mock meat and traditional Cantonese vegetable preparations across a 100-item menu.
Must order: The mock beef with broccoli and the General Tao mock chicken.
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. Cash discount under $30. The mock duck the menu standout.
Address: 666 Dundas Street W, Toronto, ON M5T 1H8
Pho Hung on Spadina is a long-standing Vietnamese counter naturally gluten-free across the rice-noodle pho menu, fish-sauce-based broths and rice-paper rolls.
Order: The pho tai gluten-free with a side of fresh spring rolls.
Tip: Ask staff to skip the soy sauce in any custom dish; the standard pho is naturally gluten-free.
Kupfert and Kim is a meatless and wheatless fast-casual chain across Toronto since 2011, every dish naturally gluten-free, plant-based seasonal bowls.
Order: The dragon bowl on quinoa or a turmeric latte.
Tip: Multiple Toronto locations including PATH; the Spadina branch the most-stocked. Verify gluten-free certification with staff on each visit.
Indian Street Food Co on Bayview is Hemant Bhagwani's modern Indian kitchen since 2015, gluten-free options labelled and adjusted per dish on request.
Order: The chana masala or a tandoori chicken with rice in place of naan.
Tip: Closed Mondays. The kitchen's fryer is shared; celiac diners should call ahead for fully isolated gluten-free preparation.
Pho Hung on Spadina is a long-standing Vietnamese counter naturally gluten-free across the rice-noodle pho menu, fish-sauce-based broths and rice-paper rolls.
Order: The pho tai gluten-free with a side of fresh spring rolls.
Tip: Ask staff to skip the soy sauce in any custom dish; the standard pho is naturally gluten-free.
Iqbal Halal Foods in Thorncliffe Park has been Toronto's reference halal grocery and counter since 1993, the country's largest halal store with a hot bar.
Order: The chicken biryani with raita and a samosa from the counter.
Tip: Halal Monitoring Authority certified. The hot food bar runs 12:00-21:00; the grocery store stays open until 23:00.
Lahore Tikka House on Gerrard East is the Little India strip's reference Pakistani halal kitchen since 1996, hand-rolled rotis and tandoor-grilled meats.
Order: A platter of seekh kebab, butter chicken and a fresh naan from the tandoor.
Tip: Halal certified. The patio in summer the city's most colourful outdoor dining strip; bring cash for tips.
Paramount on Yonge is the Toronto-based Lebanese halal chain founded by Mohamad Fakih in 2007, mezze plus shawarma and tagines in the downtown core.
Order: The mixed grill platter with hummus and tabbouleh.
Tip: Halal certified. Multiple Toronto locations; Yonge the downtown flagship.
