Best Rice and Curry in Toronto 2026

Rice and curry is the heart of Sri Lankan cuisine. This 2026 guide covers where to find the best rice and curry in Toronto — from Scarborough's Sri Lankan spots to South Indian gems.

Rice and Curry: The Heart of South Asian Cuisine in Toronto

Rice and curry — the simple phrase belies the extraordinary complexity of what it represents. In Sri Lankan and South Indian cooking, a proper rice and curry meal involves a central mound of fragrant rice surrounded by multiple curries (meat, fish, vegetable), a sambol or two, dhal, papadum, and pickles. Each element plays a distinct role; each bite is different from the last.

Toronto — and Scarborough specifically — has an exceptional rice and curry scene, driven by the large Sri Lankan and South Indian communities that have made the GTA their home. Blessed Kitchen is a top destination for this style of eating in Scarborough.

What Makes a Great Rice and Curry?

The Rice

The rice should be fragrant and properly cooked — neither mushy nor undercooked. Sri Lankan cuisine uses Samba rice (short-grain, slightly sticky) or red rice for everyday meals, while Basmati may be used for special occasions. Each variety suits the accompanying curries differently.

The Curries

A proper rice and curry spread includes multiple curries — at minimum, a meat or fish curry, a vegetable curry, and dhal (lentils). The balance of flavors matters enormously: spicy and rich against mild and creamy, wet against drier preparations.

The Sambols

The unsung heroes of Sri Lankan rice and curry. A pol sambol (fresh coconut, chilli, lime) or a seeni sambol (caramelized onion relish) adds brightness and contrast to the heavier curries. Masi sambol (dried fish sambol) provides an umami punch.

Blessed Kitchen's Rice and Curry

At Blessed Kitchen, our rice and curry plates represent the Northern Sri Lankan tradition at its finest:

Fragrant Sri Lankan-style rice
Chicken, mutton, or fish curry (100% halal)
Vegetable curry
Dhal
Sambol

Everything is made fresh with whole spices, fresh curry leaves, and homemade curry powder blends.

Where to Find Great Rice and Curry in Toronto

Scarborough (Best Selection)

The Finch/McCowan and Markham Road areas in Scarborough have the highest concentration of authentic Sri Lankan and South Indian rice and curry restaurants. Blessed Kitchen is a standout choice for halal Sri Lankan food in this area.

North York

The Finch Avenue corridor through North York has several South Indian options including Tamil-style rice and curry establishments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rice and curry gluten-free?

In most cases, yes — rice and curry is naturally gluten-free. However, always confirm with the specific restaurant as some preparations may include wheat-based ingredients.

How is Sri Lankan rice and curry different from Indian?

Sri Lankan rice and curry uses distinct curry powder blends (roasted vs raw-ground), different rice varieties (Samba vs Basmati), and typically features more sambols and coconut-based preparations alongside the curries.

Can I order rice and curry for catering?

Yes — Blessed Kitchen's catering service includes rice and curry packages for events of all sizes across the GTA.

Catering with Blessed Kitchen

Blessed Kitchen is a family-run halal Sri Lankan & Indian kitchen in Scarborough, catering across the GTA from $20 per person (20-guest minimum) — biryani, kottu roti, lamprais and more, delivered fresh. Get a catering quote.