We moved to Canada from India in 2019 and quickly realised Toronto’s momo scene is unlike anything we had expected. Having grown up eating momos across South Asia, we set out to find the best spots the city has to offer.
Shambhala Kitchen: Soupy Dumplings and More!
For those who love a warm, comforting bowl of dumplings, Shambhala Kitchen is an absolute must-visit. Their menu boasts an impressive selection of the best momos in Toronto, including their signature chilli chicken momo, steamed momo platters, and, of course, the renowned Mok Thuk, a soupy dumpling dish that redefines comfort food. The flavors here are bold, the ingredients fresh, and each bite is an explosion of taste.
As a bonus, share your experience on Instagram with the reel below, tag @waddupcanada and @shambhalakitchen, and you’ll receive a complimentary Waddup Special Momo plate during your next visit!
Why Shambhala Kitchen Stands Out
We have visited Shambhala Kitchen multiple times and the Mok Thuk is the dish we always come back for. It is a soupy momo preparation that is warming and deeply flavoured, and it is genuinely unlike anything else on Toronto’s momo scene. The Queen West location makes it easy to combine with a broader West End food crawl.
The portions are generous and the staff are happy to explain the menu if you are trying momos for the first time. We recommend ordering a mix of steamed and chilli momos alongside the Mok Thuk to get the full picture of what this kitchen does best.
Address: 1406 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1L9
Hours: Confirm current hours directly with the restaurant before visiting.
Admission: Not applicable.
Parking: Street parking available on Queen St W. TTC streetcar accessible.
If you are exploring the Queen West area, check out our roundup of things to do with family in Toronto for more ideas in the neighbourhood.
Karma's Kitchen: Fusion Fun with Hakka Momo Sizzlers
If you’re in the mood for a twist on traditional flavors, Karma’s Kitchen is where you need to be. Specializing in Hakka-style fusion dishes, this restaurant is known for its sizzling momo platters. Their chicken and veggie sizzlers are an absolute delight, offering a tantalizing combination of crispy, flavorful dumplings served with noodles and fresh vegetables. The perfect blend of Hakka flavors and momo goodness, this spot guarantees a unique dining experience.
For those looking to enjoy a mix of textures and spices, Karma’s Kitchen serves some of the best momo in Toronto, making it a must-visit for food lovers.
The sizzler plate arrives dramatically at the table and we found it works well for sharing between two people. The Gerrard Street East location sits in one of Toronto’s most exciting food corridors, so plan time to walk the strip before or after your meal.
Address: 1411 Gerrard St East, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z5
Hours: Confirm current hours directly with the restaurant before visiting.
Admission: Not applicable.
Parking: Street parking available. TTC accessible via Gerrard streetcar.
Gerrard Street East is one of Toronto’s most vibrant food neighbourhoods. See our guide to top Indian restaurants in Toronto and GTA for more nearby dining options.
Garleek Kitchen: Where Tibetan Tradition Meets Juicy Delight
For a more authentic experience, Garleek Kitchen is the hidden gem you don’t want to miss. Known for serving some of the best momos Toronto has to offer, this cozy spot specializes in Tibetan-style dumplings that are juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Whether you prefer chicken, beef, or veggie momos, each bite is packed with mouthwatering goodness.
Established in 2020, Garleek Kitchen has earned a loyal following for its dedication to authenticity. If you’re craving the true taste of traditional Tibetan momos, this place is a must-try.
Garleek is the spot we send friends to when they want to understand what a proper Tibetan momo tastes like before trying the more fusion-forward places. The beef momo in particular is exceptional, and the chutney served alongside has a distinct character you won’t find elsewhere in the city.
Address: 1500 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1A4
Hours: Confirm current hours directly with the restaurant before visiting.
Admission: Not applicable.
Parking: Street parking available. TTC accessible.
Garleek Kitchen sits close to Parkdale, one of Toronto’s most culturally rich neighbourhoods. Browse our guide to Toronto and GTA’s Middle Eastern eateries for more international flavours in the area.
Nam's Hakka: A Momo Platter Extravaganza
Our Visit to Nam’s Hakka
We drove out to the Brampton location specifically for the momo platter and it was worth every minute of the journey. The malai momo is a style we had not encountered anywhere else in the GTA: creamy, lightly spiced, and a complete contrast to the intensely fiery chilli momo on the same plate. It is one of the best individual plates of dumplings we have eaten since arriving in Canada. Nam’s Hakka suits groups well because the platters are generous and the variety means everyone finds something they love. If you are making the trip from Toronto, combine it with a browse of Brampton’s South Asian food strip for a full afternoon of eating. Address: 7920 Hurontario St, Brampton, ON L6Y 0P7 Hours: Confirm current hours directly with the restaurant before visiting. Admission: Not applicable. Parking: Plaza parking available on-site.🏙️ Staying in Brampton?
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Search Brampton Hotels on Expedia →Indolicious by Hakkalicious Restaurant: Platter Pleasure
If you’re looking for a momo platter that truly hits the spot, Indolicious by Hakkalicious Restaurant delivers an unforgettable experience. Their selection includes tandoori, kurkure, and chilli momos, each crafted to perfection with a delightful crunch and bold seasoning. Whether you prefer something crispy, smoky, or spicy, this restaurant ensures that every dish is a feast for the senses.
Indolicious has gained a reputation for serving some of the best momos in Toronto, making it an ideal stop for food lovers who appreciate high-quality dumplings. Their attention to detail, unique flavors, and generous portions will leave you coming back for more!
The kurkure momo is the standout here: a crispy fried preparation that we find ourselves thinking about long after leaving. It is the kind of snack that works as a starter for a larger meal or as the main event on its own.
Address: 20 Brisdale Dr, Brampton, ON L7A 3G1
Hours: Confirm current hours directly with the restaurant before visiting.
Admission: Not applicable.
Parking: Plaza parking available on-site.
Both Nam’s Hakka and Indolicious are in Brampton, making them easy to combine in a single trip. For more GTA food ideas, see our guide to the top Indian restaurants in Toronto and GTA.
When to Visit Toronto’s Best Momo Spots
Spring (March to May): Spring is a great time to explore Toronto’s momo scene. The weather encourages walking between neighbourhoods, and Queen West and Gerrard Street East are particularly lively. Lineups at popular spots like Shambhala Kitchen tend to be shorter on weekday evenings in spring compared to summer weekends. Summer (June to August): Summer brings Toronto’s food scene to its peak energy. Parkdale and Little Tibet on Queen West are buzzing, and outdoor patios nearby make it easy to extend the evening. We recommend visiting momo restaurants earlier in the evening during summer as popular spots fill up quickly on Friday and Saturday nights. Fall (September to November): Fall is our favourite time to eat momos in Toronto. Cooler evenings make a bowl of Mok Thuk at Shambhala Kitchen feel especially satisfying. The Gerrard Street East corridor has a warm atmosphere in autumn and foot traffic is manageable outside of Thanksgiving weekend. Winter (December to February): Momos are comfort food at their best in winter. A steaming plate of dumplings after a cold commute is one of Toronto’s best experiences. Most of the restaurants on this list are open year round, but always confirm hours during the holiday period as some reduce their days of operation in late December.Best Momos Toronto: Where to Find Them by Neighbourhood
- Queen Street West and Parkdale: This stretch is the heart of Toronto’s momo scene. Shambhala Kitchen at 1406 Queen St W and Garleek Kitchen at 1500 Queen St W sit within walking distance of each other, making a Queen West momo crawl entirely feasible. The area is often called Little Tibet by locals and has the highest concentration of Tibetan and Nepali restaurants in the city.
- Gerrard Street East: Karma’s Kitchen at 1411 Gerrard St East brings fusion Hakka momo energy to one of Toronto’s most vibrant South Asian food corridors. The surrounding streets have a rich selection of Indian, Sri Lankan, and Caribbean food, so it is easy to build a full evening around a visit.
- Brampton (best momos in GTA): Both Nam’s Hakka on Hurontario Street and Indolicious on Brisdale Drive sit in Brampton, giving the GTA suburb a strong claim as the momo platter capital of the region. If you are driving from Toronto, both are conveniently close to each other for a combined visit. Brampton also has strong pockets of halal momo options for visitors seeking halal-certified restaurants.
- Scarborough: Scarborough has a growing momo scene driven by its large South Asian and Tibetan communities. While not represented in this specific list, we recommend checking current community recommendations on Reddit’s r/FoodToronto thread for the most up to date Scarborough picks, as new spots open regularly.
Do You Need to Book in Advance for the Best Momos Toronto?
None of the restaurants on this list require advance reservations. Every spot operates on a walk-in basis, which makes a spontaneous momo evening entirely straightforward. That said, popular spots like Shambhala Kitchen on Queen West can see waits of 20 to 30 minutes on weekend evenings during summer and fall. Arriving before 6pm or after 8pm on weekends typically avoids the longest queues. Momo restaurants in Toronto are generally very affordable and accessible. Most platters and bowls fall in the range of $12 to $20 per person, making a momo outing one of the better value dining experiences the city offers. There are no cover charges, ticketed entry requirements, or minimum spends at any of the restaurants we have listed. If you are visiting with a large group, calling ahead is courteous even without a formal reservation system. Most of these restaurants are small and intimate spaces, and a heads-up helps them prepare. For the Brampton locations, parking is plentiful and free at both plaza sites, which makes them easier to visit by car for families travelling from across the GTA.Tips for Visiting Toronto Momo Spots with Kids
Momos are one of the most kid-friendly foods Toronto has to offer. They are bite-sized, easy to eat with hands, and the mild steamed varieties are almost universally liked by children who are new to South Asian food. We have taken children to several of these restaurants and found the experience smooth and stress-free. When visiting with toddlers, steamed momos are the safest starting point. The chilli and tandoori preparations can be quite spicy, so it is worth asking the kitchen about heat levels before ordering for young children. Shambhala Kitchen’s steamed platter and Garleek Kitchen’s traditional beef and veggie momos are good options for a mixed adult and child table. Both restaurants are casual and relaxed in atmosphere, meaning there is no pressure around noise or pace. If you are making a full day trip of it and want to extend the visit into an overnight stay, the Queen West and downtown Toronto areas have a wide range of family-friendly accommodation options. For more GTA family day-trip ideas, see our guide to things to do with family in Toronto.Your Toronto Adventure Starts Here
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🔍 Find My Toronto Hotel NowFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between momos and dumplings?
Momos are a specific type of dumpling that originate from the Tibetan and Nepali culinary tradition. They are typically made with a thin wheat dough wrapper and filled with meat or vegetables, then steamed, fried, or served in broth. While momos are technically dumplings, the term dumplings in Toronto more often refers to Chinese-style preparations such as XLB, gyoza, or dim sum. The spice blends and chutney accompaniments are what most distinctively set momos apart.
Are momos healthy to eat?
Steamed momos are a relatively light and nutritious option, particularly compared to deep-fried preparations. They are typically low in saturated fat and provide a good balance of protein and carbohydrates. The vegetable and chicken varieties are lighter still. Fried and kurkure momos are more indulgent, as with most deep-fried foods. For a health-conscious choice, ordering the steamed variety with the dipping chutney on the side is a good approach.
Are momos Chinese or Nepali?
Momos are most closely associated with Tibetan and Nepali culture, though they have origins that connect to Chinese dumpling traditions through trade and migration across the Himalayas. In Toronto, the majority of momo restaurants are run by Tibetan, Nepali, and North Indian communities. The style and seasoning varies by background: Tibetan momos tend to be simpler and more delicate, while Indian-influenced versions often use bolder spices and include fusion preparations like tandoori and malai momos.
Which type of momo is best?
The answer depends entirely on personal preference. Steamed momos are the most traditional and let the filling flavour come through cleanly. Fried momos have a satisfying crisp exterior and are a good introduction for those new to the food. Chilli momos are pan-tossed in a spiced sauce and suit those who enjoy heat and bold flavours. Jhol momos, served in a warm broth-based sauce, are increasingly available in Toronto and are particularly good in colder months. Our personal favourite is the soup-style Mok Thuk at Shambhala Kitchen.
Where can I find the best momos near me in Toronto?
If you are in the west end of Toronto, Queen Street West between Roncesvalles and Dufferin is your best starting point. Shambhala Kitchen and Garleek Kitchen are both on this stretch. For Gerrard Street East, Karma’s Kitchen is the standout. GTA visitors in Brampton will find Nam’s Hakka and Indolicious by Hakkalicious both worth the drive. For Scarborough and Etobicoke options, the r/FoodToronto community on Reddit maintains active and current recommendations.
Start Your Momo Adventure in Toronto
Over the years, Toronto’s top momo spots have elevated the dumpling scene, offering a diverse selection that caters to every taste. Whether you’re in the mood for something traditional or an exciting fusion dish, the city has no shortage of options.
So, what are you waiting for? Embark on your own momo adventure and experience the rich flavors that these fantastic spots have to offer. Whether you choose Shambhala Kitchen, Karma’s Kitchen, Garleek Kitchen, Nam’s Hakka, or Indolicious, you’re guaranteed to indulge in some of the best momos Toronto has to offer. We keep updating our list of the best momos toronto as new spots open, so bookmark this page and check back before your next visit.
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Recommendations
- If you’re exploring diverse flavors in the city, don’t miss our guide on the top Indian restaurants in Toronto and GTA.
- For a taste of the Middle East, explore our curated list of Toronto and GTA’s Middle Eastern eateries.
- Looking for more GTA family day trips? See our guide to things to do with family in Toronto.
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