From classic to globally inspired, here’s where to find the tastiest and most unique poutine in Toronto.
A classic Canadian comfort food you can enjoy year-round, poutine is as iconically Canadian as maple syrup and hockey.
While its “inventor” remains a topic of feverish debate, there’s no question that traditional poutine originated at snack bars in rural Quebec in the 1950s.
Traditional poutine is a dish that consists of piping hot French fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and gravy. After its popularity exploded across Canada in the 1990s, creative cooks started putting their own twists on the dish.
These days you can find poutine everywhere from food trucks to fancy restaurants and Toronto—with its international culinary influences—is a great place to find traditional poutine, global poutine and everything in between.
Rev up your appetite and pull on your stretchy pants: here are some top picks for where to eat poutine in Toronto!
Best traditional poutine in Toronto
Sometimes, the best recipe is the simplest one. The classic at Rudy, a local smashed-burger mini-chain, gets our nod thanks to its thick-cut fries, giant squeaky curds and vegetarian gravy that easily passes for its beefier cousin.
With six locations across the city, including the Entertainment District, Little Italy and Etobicoke, you’re never too far to indulge in a classic.
Best global poutine in Toronto
The trendy Ossington Avenue strip is home to Oddseoul snack bar, which serves up a savoury Korean Canadian take on poutine.
Their squash poutine stars tempura squash cubes topped with cheese curds, roasted kimchi, pickled onions and Kewpie mayo in a generous bath of curried chicken gravy. It’s all sprinkled with black sesame and pickled ginger for added flair.
Best unique poutine pairing in Toronto
You’ve heard of fish and chips, but have you heard of fish and poutine? That’s the hook at Sea Witch Fish & Chips on St. Clair West. Chunky cut chips are deep-fried in beef fat and topped with curds and beef gravy, then served alongside perfectly crisp halibut, pickerel, haddock, cod or trout.
Best late-night poutine in Toronto
If it’s called Disco Chicken Poutine, you know it’s going to be a party! The Lakeview has been giving retro diner vibes for over 90 years and has appeared as the backdrop for many movies, too, including The Shape of Water and Hairspray.
A new kitchen team elevated the greasy spoon classics when they took over this Little Portugal mainstay in 2023. Open 24 hours a day, you can pull up, throw a record on the Lakeview’s vintage jukebox and order their fried-chicken-topped poutine until well after last call at the bars.
Best meal-in-a-bowl poutine in Toronto
It’s been over a decade since a pair of intrepid brothers turned a gas station in the cute east-end neighbourhood of Leslieville into a destination for next-level smoked meat sandwiches and epic poutine.
And while Leslieville Pumps General Store and Kitchen has long since moved into new digs in the same neighbourhood, the poutine is as extra as ever.
Arrive hungry to order the Loaded Poutine, which is piled with orange and white curds, a mound of applewood-smoked pulled pork, barbecue sauce and gravy made with smoked beef jus.
Best fancy poutine in Toronto
Pure Spirits in the picturesque, cobblestone-pathed Distillery Historic District takes its poutine game to the next level with its surprising Crab Poutine. Fresh Quebec cheese curds sit on a bed of twice-fried, super crisp fries covered in Dungeness crab meat. It’s all smothered in a thick crab velouté made using the shells.
Best snack bar poutine in Toronto
Nom Nom Nom Poutine is a popular snack stall at Market 707, a shipping container street market located a short walk from Kensington Market and Chinatown.
On offer is a whole menu of (slightly) weird and wonderful poutines. Options include versions topped with hot dog slices, jerk chicken or limited-edition specials like merguez sausage, plus the option to double or even triple up on the cheese curds.
Best food-hall poutine in Toronto
Indulge in a German twist on the Canadian classic at Otto’s Berlin Döner at the Waterworks Food Hall, one of Toronto’s most exciting food halls.
Otto’s extra decadent Halloumi Poutine features crispy fries smothered in fried halloumi cheese, gooey cheese curds and a mushroom-based gravy, all topped with a sprinkle of fragrant parsley and special spices.
Best vegan poutine in Toronto
Toronto’s beloved vegan restaurant chain Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar (multiple locations, including Queen West, The Danforth and Yonge & Eglinton) has always gone big on healthy offerings, but it’s never forgotten that vegetarians like to get their grease on, too.
Get a bit of both worlds with their Green Poutine, a delicious mess of fries, vegan cheese sauce, mushroom gravy and steamed greens topped with scallions and sunflower seeds. Upgrade to sweet potato fries if that’s your jam.
Best gluten-free poutine in Toronto
The French Onion Brisket Poutine at Dave’s Genuine Deli & Barbecue, also located in the Waterworks Food Hall, is a delicious mess of fries, St-Albert’s cheese curds, house-smoked brisket, caramelized onions and homemade gravy. (Ask for the gluten-free gravy option if you have a sensitive stomach.)
