Jamil's Chaat House

This place might work for people who want an “Instagram version” of desi food, but if you’re looking for real Pakistani taste, this isn’t it. Gentrified to the point of losing its roots. I was excited to try this new spot that’s been getting buzz, but unfortunately, it fell flat — especially for anyone who actually knows Pakistani food. The restaurant seems more focused on trendy aesthetics than true flavor. While the presentation was nice, the food lacked the depth, spice, and soul that real Pakistani cuisine is known for. What really stood out was how bland everything tasted — almost like it was made by people unfamiliar with the actual cooking traditions. Dishes that are normally rich with bold spices tasted watered down and catered to a Western palate. Also the portions are so small it’s ridiculous for the price point. I don’t see how anyone who eats here once would ever come again.

Went to Jamil’s for the first time with three other friends. Three of us are Desi and therefore very well-versed in South Asian cuisine and we were all impressed! Our server was extremely helpful and guided us through the menu and portion sizes for a group. I personally loved the Karahi Chicken Bun and the Dahi Puri the most. The Spicy Tamarind Margaritas recommended by our server were a big hit! The ambience is really nice with dim lighting and classic South Asian film songs playing in the background. It can get a bit loud when it’s busy. I hope they expand the menu because everything was delicious. Would love to come back in the summer

Jamil's on West Queen West is an inspired, contemporary Canadian-Pakistani (sic) restaurant where the food is bold, personal, and deeply satisfying. Chef Eric and her kitchen team deliver dishes that are rooted in tradition yet elevated by thoughtful technique—and in my case, made entirely without cilantro, a rare and thoughtful accommodation that made me feel especially welcomed as a solo diner. I began with the smoked eggplant crudo in dashi broth ($16)—Eric's inventive take on baingan kachumar—a flavour-packed, al dente, and unconventional starter. The Karahi chicken bun ($16) followed, deeply satisfying and well-balanced with its spice and slaw. The sous vide lamb nihari ($25) was rich, comforting, and full of layered flavour—though the portion was small enough to leave me wanting more. A tiny bowl of daikon achaar ($3) added just the right tang and crunch, and the sourdough sesame mustard seed naan ($6) was soft, unique, and clearly made with care. Each dish stood strong on its own, but together they made a vibrant, complementary feast for one. The Ras Malai milk punch cocktail ($21) was creamy, delicate, and intriguing, but could benefit from deeper complexity. A stronger note of cardamom and saffron would elevate it further, and one large ice cube (instead of several smaller ones) would help preserve its flavour throughout the meal. I did find the wines by the glass menu quite limited, and unfortunately, it didn’t include the natural wines I had hoped to pair with my meal. Service by Tulsa was another standout: warm, attentive, and deeply kind. She took my cilantro concerns seriously, gave me a gentle 20-minute heads-up before my seating time ended, and even coordinated with the kitchen to slow down the pacing when my table became crowded with appetizers and cocktail. She really understood the assignment. The only true downside was the tight table spacing. I had to squeeze between two tables and, despite being of average size, accidentally knocked over a lit candle behind me. I only discovered at home that hot wax had splashed onto my Horses skirt, leg, and loafers—a frustrating end to an otherwise lovely evening. (Since tables are very close, I could hear the entire first-date conversation of the couple to my left!) To their credit, Jamil’s responded promptly and professionally to my Instagram message, offering to cover the cost of dry cleaning. That kind of accountability and care is rare—and deeply appreciated. Total bill: $100 for one person. Despite the spacing mishap, I’ll absolutely return. Jamil’s is the kind of world-class Third Culture space that listens, adapts, and makes you feel both nourished and personally excited to be South Asian-Canadian. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars With a bit more space between tables and a slightly more refined cocktail, and natural wines by the glass list, this would be a perfect 5.

Incredible place. Menu is small and focused. My favorite was the Dahi Puri which had a super cool texture and mouthfeel. The spices, the flavor, it was all beautifully presented. The drinks were also fabulous, they have a martini with a more savory tomato and cilantro oil flavor.... UNREAL! Service was lovely as well, didn't catch anyones names but they are on it. Very attentive, knowledgeable and I love how the staff explains and presents each dish to the table. What a special place! :)

It was an incredible experience! The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was top-notch. The highlight of the evening was the unexpected surprise — they treated us to a free dessert for my boyfriend’s birthday. It really made the night special. I’ll definitely be returning, especially since it offers something unique compared to other restaurants.

We ordered the nihari, dahi puri, and mash ke daal. The dahi puri was the highlight — fresh and full of flavor. The mash ke daal and nihari were both decent, but definitely leaned more toward a fusion approach than traditional recipes. The nihari, for instance, had a slight sweetness and the meat cut wasn’t what you’d typically expect. While the portions felt small for the price, nothing we tried tasted bland or poorly made. This is a good spot if you’re looking to explore creative twists on South Asian dishes, but not the place for those craving a truly authentic experience.

A speakeasy type cocktail bar with South Asian inspired dishes and drinks, what a novel and unique concept and done so tastefully. We ordered a variety of things to try as much as possible on the menu, and all was very good, the eggplant and sourdough naan being the standout. The only minor complaint is that it is a tad overpriced for what you get portion wise, especially if you're hoping to get a full meal and have an appetite. Apart from that, the owner was wonderful, and the atmosphere was lovely too.

Come here for the vibe, cocktail and innovative way of getting small sharing plates out in a tiny two burner kitchenette! We arrived about 40 mins earlier for our reservation and the owner was kind enough to adjust things around to seat us. We had the dahi puri, eggplant, papadum with fermented chili paste, chicken karahi burger, lamb nihari and naan. Great flavours with the dahi puri and lamb. Personally very disappointed by the blow torched naan with scooped on melted butter and sprinkled sesame and cilantro - I’ve tasted better store bought frozen naan, but maybe my palate is not evolved enough for this creative take of naan

Jamil's Chaat House located near Queen and Dovercourt serves up Pakistani street eats with a twist. They actually hosted numerous popups around the city in Toronto and even in B.C. and NYC before finally opening their own restaurant here in the city. The menu consists of small plates that are meant to be shared among others (or not). There is also an extensive wine list and cocktails with a Southeast Asian twist. The restaurant space is small and intimate, seating around 25 customers with both bar and table seats available. Washroom is not accessible as it does require one to navigate a set of stairs. I had been following Jamil's Chaat House on Instagram for a while now and was excited to try their food! I stopped by after work at 5pm for a drink and pre-dinner small bites where I sat at the bar. I was surprised that even at 5pm the restaurant was already half full. Staff were super friendly and went through the menu with me, making sure if I had any questions they'd be happy to answer them. I ordered an Alma Sour cocktail, the dahi puri (semolina, potato, chickpea, tamarind, cilantro yogurt), the smoked baingan kachumar (eggplant, tomato, ginger - served chilled), and the gulab jamun (cardamom syrup, rose petals, lime zest). All the dishes and the cocktail packed a punch of flavour and were all delicious! I especially enjoyed the dahi puri and the gulab jamun wasn't too sweet. Staff did recommend the karahi chicken bun but I wasn't sure if it would be too much food for me (will have to try it next time!!). Overall, a great new spot along Queen St. W. serving Pakistani street food that packs a punch of flavour. Cocktails are creative and service was great as well. A casual spot for a pre-dinner snack, dinner with friends, or late night eats (they close at 11pm!).