Toronto has no shortage of places to eat. Walk a couple of blocks and you’ll pass at least a handful of cafés, takeout joints, and busy little restaurants that all have their own loyal following. But every now and then, you come across a place that feels different. Not just “good food” but kind of different, where you take one bite and instantly start making a mental list of people you need to bring here. No wonder it’s counted among the top restaurants in Toronto.
This is Afghan food made with care. It is the kind of care where the naan arrives still warm, the spices smell like they’ve been toasted just minutes ago, and the meat tastes like it’s been marinating since yesterday.
What’s on the Table at Naan Kabob?
You could start anywhere on the menu, but the appetizers are a good way to settle in. There’s the Lentil Soup, which sounds simple until you taste how the lemon, parsley, and crunchy pita chips pull it all together. The Eggplant Borani is silky and rich, layered with tomato sauce, garlic yogurt, and mint, plus a side of naan that’s soft enough to tear with one hand while you keep talking.
Then there’s the Mantu, those delicate dumplings stuffed with ground beef and onions, dressed with a split pea and beef sauce, and finished with garlic yogurt. Small if you’re pacing yourself, large if you’re just giving in. The Fattoush Salad is bright and crisp, tossed in lemon and olive oil, with a crunch that makes it oddly addictive. And the Bolanee, which is a flatbread filled with potatoes, herbs, and spices, is one of those things you think you’ll share but end up keeping most of for yourself.
Garlic naan? Yes, absolutely. Garlic fries? Even more, yes.
The Comfort Food Section
If there’s one dish that makes you stop talking for a moment, it’s the Qabli Lamb Shank. Slow-cooked until the meat practically falls off the bone, paired with Qabli rice (that’s the basmati topped with sautéed carrots and raisins) and a scoop of chana masala.
The Chicken Qurma Plate is lighter but no less satisfying. Diced chicken in a tomato-based Afghan curry, served with rice, salad, and naan. The Chana Masala Plate keeps it vegetarian, with chickpeas that are soft but still hold their shape, seasoned just enough to keep you going back for more.
For the Grill Lovers
Every Chef’s Special comes with grilled tomatoes, fries, and garlic naan. The Chicken Lover brings together classic chicken, chicken kofta, and tandoori chicken. The Beef Lover has beef tikka, shami kabob, and chaplee Peshawari. And the Veggie Lover lines up grilled paneer, grilled eggplant, tomatoes, and chana stew.
If you’re coming with a group, the platters are the way to go. The NK Mix Platter is essentially a celebration on a plate, featuring rice, grilled tomatoes, salad, naan, fries, and a variety of kabobs. The Kabob Lover Platter leans heavily on beef and chicken kofta, with plenty of naan to scoop it all up.
The Kabobs & Wraps
The kabob plates, paneer, chicken breast, tandoori chicken, chicken kofta, sultani, chopan, beef tikka, chaplee, Waziri, all come with rice, salad, naan, and dips. The wraps are perfect if you’re on the go but still want something fresh and filling.
To Finish
Desserts are worth saving room for. The Firni is smooth and lightly spiced with cardamom. Baklava comes flaky and sweet, with just the right amount of crunch. And if you see Saffron Pistachio Ice Cream on the menu, don’t overthink it, just order it. Drinks range from mango smoothies to doogh (a tangy yogurt drink) to simple soft drinks.
There’s a kids’ menu too, with kabobs, fries, mango smoothies, and apple slices, simple but made with the same care. And for sides? Rice, naan, chana masala, fries, and the kind of spicy fries you’ll keep eating even when they get cold.
Why People Keep Coming Back
There’s no rush to leave here. Maybe it’s the food, maybe it’s the atmosphere, but you end up staying longer than planned. Groups crowd around platters, friends linger over tea, and solo diners take their time, soaking it all in.
This isn’t just a restaurant, it’s part of the city’s fabric. It’s where you bring visiting relatives to show them a piece of Toronto that doesn’t come in a guidebook. And that’s exactly why it’s among the top restaurants in Toronto.
So, next time someone says they’ve “tried everything” in the city? Ask if they’ve been to Naan Kabob. If the answer’s no, you know where to send them. Because once you’ve had their kabobs fresh off the grill with a stack of warm naan, you’ll understand why people talk about this place the way they do. And maybe you’ll start talking about it too.