Tea N Bannock

I was excited to try some native food, and while the menu was limited — mainly the same meats cooked different way all served with bread, the execution and speed was exceptionally poor. Whilst I will not criticize the cuisine itself, there is no reason the stew and meats aren't served hot. The blueberry dumpling felt premade, and seemed half heartedly reheated despite saying made from scratch (hot on the bottom, room temp interior). Food was relatively bland, and the only thing that tasted good was the salmon slider from the sampler platter. Service was slow, which was perplexing, considering the simplicity of the food and how most of these things seemed premade (stew, mashed squash, bannock, jam, corn, vegetable saute). The waitress was nice and she seemed so busy running around front and back of house.

Amazing place, they were busy that day so we had to wait for a while but it was worth it. The food was amazing, their wild blueberry jam is a MUST try I was in heaven. Dipping the bear paws into the blueberry jam was just chefs kiss. We got their sample platter, highly recommend.

When visiting Toronto this summer one of our top restaurant places to go was Tea N Bannock and we were not disappointed. We ordered a wide variety of dishes including 3 Sisters soup, fry bread, a salmon sandwich, a couple of Navajo tacos, some bear paws, and the wild blueberry crumble. All were excellent and we had no complaints from our teenager and pre-teen (who largely only eats chicken). All food came to us fresh and hot and the fry bread was a dream. We have had fry bread all over the U.S. and this was as good as any we've had. An extra thing to love about this restaurant is the small section that includes goods to buy. I bought 3 small bags of loose-leaf tea: Blue raspberry, wild strawberry, and Labrador. I've had all but the Labrador and they have been delicious. Don't miss this spot on your next visit to Toronto!

Phenomenal!! The best burger I've ever had. My friend and I ordered the bison burger and the bison stir fry and then split the two between us. We also had jasmine tea, fry bread and bannock for appetizers. Everything tasted so fresh and not processed at all. Perfectly seasoned and cooked just right. My friend ordered the blueberry crumble for dessert and was blown away by how awesome it was.

It's such a treat to eat here. Service is great (we were in and out in 1 hour for lunch and never felt rushed or slow), the strawberry juice is our favourite drink because it is fresh, cold, and not too sweet, the food is tasty (the bison burger was tender and juicy, on fry bread with added cheese, fried mushrooms and fried onions, absolutely delicious and came with a side of yummy coleslaw). My 5-year-old loved the blanket dog with ketchup. And we all enjoyed the bannock with jam. My daughter kept saying, "I love this place, I can't wait to come back. "

Had the Pickerel Dinner ($21), a little pricey for the portion, but worth the taste! Fish was a little thin, so it was the batter overpowering the flavour, but combined with the dipping sauce, it's phenomenal. The roasted bannock bread is really good, chewy and stuffed on the inside and crispy on the outside. The wild rice and veggie stir-fry is amazing! First time trying wild rice, and the combination of the crunchy fried wild rice, salty mixed veggies, and subtle pumpkin puree is absolutely delicious. (4.5 / 5) Service was quite slow, had to wait ~30 mins.

Super friendly and kind staff. You get complimentary popcorn to start off your meal! Food was so delicious and affordable. The salmon burger and fried bannock is a must try!

Lovely place. I'm no expert on indigenous cuisine, but if this is what it is all the time, sign me up for more! Got the: - Sampler Platter: The bison slider was juicy and not gamey at all. The salmon slider was thick and tasty. Bannock was nicely chewy. Bear claws were perfectly sweet to complement the savoury stuff in the platter. - Salmon Burger: Salmon had a nice smokiness to it wand was a good size. Bread was firm. Veggies were refreshing. - Blueberry Jam: Whoa this was good! Got a couple of jars to bring home since liked it so much. Prices are great for the portions you get. Service and kitchen are quick. Ambiance and vibe are calming. Will definitely be back for more.

Visited back in May (late review). As the last standing Indigenous restaurant in Toronto , I've been wanting to stop by to try their bannock bread and bison dishes. Upon entry, the place was quite dim. The decor is unique with branches hanging on the ceiling and some tables featuring tree branches as legs. On the walls are pelts, antlers, and other displays showing Native history and culture. The lady informed us that the chef wasn't in today and therefore the wait would be longer than usual. As a result, several dishes we planned to order were also unavailable, including the sampler platter or arctic char. I had the bison burger with a Navajo taco slider, while my partner had a beef burger with bison slider. We also shared the bannock and jam, which came with 3 different types of bannock bread and homemade blueberry jam (not too sweet). I loved the burgers as they came with a fried bannock bun that was fluffy on the inside and extremely savoury. I would come back just for more of the fried bread. The taco was also delicious, served on fried bannock with ground beef, tomato, lettuce, and sour cream. Each slider came with 2 baby bear paws sprinkled with cinnamon sugar - such a treat! I'd love to return and sample the arctic char as well as salmon dishes. The bison stew also sounds wonderful during colder seasons. There is a merchandise counter at the front with honey, jams, and teas, as well as a display with day-old bannock for half off. Several of these would also be perfect for gifts.

Lovely place. I'm no expert on indigenous cuisine, but if this is what it is all the time, sign me up for more! Got the: - Sampler Platter: The bison slider was juicy and not gamey at all. The salmon slider was thick and tasty. Bannock was nicely chewy. Bear claws were perfectly sweet to complement the savoury stuff in the platter. - Salmon Burger: Salmon had a nice smokiness to it wand was a good size. Bread was firm. Veggies were refreshing. - Blueberry Jam: Whoa this was good! Got a couple of jars to bring home since liked it so much. Prices are great for the portions you get. Service and kitchen are quick. Ambiance and vibe are calming. Will definitely be back for more.

Unique nook on Gerrard specializing in indigenous dishes. Being from Brooklyn, we had heard about this but never experienced before last night. My salmon dinner came with coleslaw, a wild rice and veggie combo, and mashed potato. Everything was well cooked and seasoned. Portions are small (low prices reflect this) BUT do not let that deter you. As expected, the bannock--fried, plain, or blueberry--is delicious. As a treat, we had the cinnamon bear paws for dessert which are sinfully yummy.

Service was excellent! Our waitron was attentive to us as well as the other waitstaff members when they would walk by us. We had two Navajo tacos. They were just as they should be or at least the way I remember from a trip out west in the US when I was young. Another member of our party had soup. He liked it so much that he suggested he and his wife go soon. The tables in the window were nice and filled with sunshine. Warming the back on a cold day. They also had nice music playing. The apple pie was amazing, the blueberry cobbler very good (all the blueberry items were tasty), and the dumplings/ donuts with syrup were nice with the coffee. I'm from out of town so I can't say I'd go again. BUT... my cousin will be going again and I recommend it if you want authentic First Nation food.

If you are visiting downtown Toronto, make time for this place. My favorite was the salmon burger, fry bread, Blueberry jam, bison burger, and the bear paws (fry cinnamon sugar fry bread). The staff is super nice and helpful. The food is locally source from small suppliers, so you support the community with every meal. They also have food goods you can buy for later. The restaurant forces on using local ingredients to create simple but hearty, delicious, and healthy food.

What I ordered: 1) Small Navajo Taco ($14 lunch combo from the catering menu): comes with drink, Three sisters soup, Bear paws. We were having an Indigenous Lunch & Learn at my workplace and I ordered some platters for the team from the catering menu. The catering menu has an option for pick up or delivery and I stopped by the restaurant to pick up. Enos was very friendly and knowledgeable in answering my questions about the order and all the food was packed well without spilling for pick up. The catering menu was also very customizable as we can opt out of certain items (ie plastic utensils). My team members really enjoyed the food, as they provided sufficient quantity, and it was definitely filling for a group of 30 people. It was also prepared on time and pick up was very convenient as it was boxed up. People really enjoyed the bear paws, and it's a great item to order for corporate lunches. Many of my team members are looking forward to coming back here individually to try the different menu items. Thank you Enos and team for preparing a great meal.

We had made a reservation and the person confirmed it by phone the evening before. We had travelled far and it turned out that the restaurant wasn't even open. We waited a while but the restaurant looked dark and locked, with no sign of opening soon. Why take our reservation if they weren't even going to be open? We weren't notified of any changes in open hours for that day either. A very disappointing experience.

I have always wanted to try food from the First Nations culture and happily stumbled upon Tea and Bannock and I love how peaceful it is inside and they offer traditional indigenous food with a North American twist. Popular items include fry bread tacos, bannock, elk and bison burgers. Check them out if you are on Gerrard Street East around Little India Featured 1) Three Sisters Soup 2) Fry Bread Taco I kept searching and was really surprised that Toronto has so few options for Indigenous cuisine. Now more than ever we must support our local restaurants. I really enjoyed trying something new and especially enjoyed having fry bread. I included the menu for supporting this restaurant for those interested in ordering. I hope to see more of the First Nations cuisine featured in Toronto's Food scene.

Delicious home cooking! We had a wonderful dinner at this small Indigenous resto this week. The delicious fresh pickerel was corn-battered and served with a gourmet-style wild rice vegetable mixture, yummy mashed potatoes and the best coleslaw I've ever eaten! We also had a great bison Indian taco with tomatoes, coleslaw and a homemade salsa. We topped it off with bannock and maple syrup and ice cream with maple syrup, with another huge raisin bannock to go. Friendly people, homey interior.

Although I really wanted to like this place because it had a rather quaint and unique atmosphere, it just didn't blow me away in any aspect. Upon walking in no one greeted me so I went to the counter and asked if I should order there or at the table - to which the woman in the kitchen said either was fine. After perusing the menu and indicating that I was ready, I was then told to take a seat and someone will be with me shortly. Well, OK? After a while, someone finally came from the kitchen. I really wanted to try the three sisters soup, having heard that it's a classic dish. At first I was informed that they were out and it would take half an hour; but when the food came, it turns out that it was made in time after all. Yay! Unfortunately, the meal was somewhat underwhelming. The taste was certainly different and interesting in a way, but there was nothing exciting about it - in fact, I felt that everything was a bit bland (and I usually eat on the less salty side). The portions were also on the smaller side considering the price. That being said, they do advertise that the ingredients they use are rather specialized, which could account for the discrepancy. On the other hand I did like that the food was fresh and light and not made with an abundance of heavy oils and such. Even though I didn't personally feel that the restaurant was super welcoming or friendly, I do want to mention that I overheard the owners having an animated conversation with another pair of customers, perhaps their regulars? It could be that this place just needs some time to grow on me. :)

I love this place. I don't get here often enough. The food is always fresh, hot and delicious! The staff are lovely and friendly. You must try: Indian Taco - meat or veggie - in a fried bannock with veggies Salmon salad is so delicious and I'm not a huge salmon fan, so yummy!!! Bison burger - sooo yummy! Blueberry dumpling or pie - so yummy! Bear claws - kinda like a sugary donut You can buy to take home: Different bannock breads Popcorn to pop at home - trust me, you can taste the difference Salad dressing Wild rice And so much more. Treat yourself to a lovely Indigenous dining experience.

Absolutely dismal service. Called ahead of time to inform about my arrival for food pick-up. Upon arrival, the food took immensely long to be ready for pick-up. This resulted in me getting a parking ticket. Staff were unbothered and unapologetic despite me informing them about my situation. The food was bland and awful tasting anyway. A total wasted trip; do not recommend!

Portions were nice and filling and it feels good to support local businesses! The prices are fair too. I've been wanting to try this place for a while and I'm glad I did. The owners were clearly there and it seemed like their kids were cooking and serving. They were all very welcoming and gave us recommendations. We ordered the bison burger dinner and the rainbow trout, pickerel, and I think it was atctic char dinner. It came with wild rice, mashed potatoes, and Bannock. We also ordered coleslaw and soup, those were alright, but the fish dinner was very tasty. *tip* get your fish grilled, not fried, it packs more flavour*

I had a fantastic meal with a great atmosphere and genuine service. I had the Elk stew and it was perfectly prepared. My party also had the Three sisters soup and the sampler, everything was divine.

SUPER DELICIOUS!!!! Everything is so fresh! I will even admit their fry bread was better than some family members back home. My husband says it was the best he has ever had. Bannock was amazing too! Yum yum

Great food, friendly service, a relaxed environment makes for a fantastic experience. My first visit to Tea N Bannock was a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect when I first walked into this restaurant. A small, friendly staff keeps things running smoothly. You have to wait a bit to get your food but the wait is rewarded. A just had a couple of side dishes, tea and 2 deserts. Delicious Will definitely be back for more. #tea #greatfood #bearclaws #wildblueberrycobbler #friedbannock #hotdog #threesisterstea

I am working on an aboriginal project in Regent Park and just had to have aboriginal food and this is the place. Aboriginal cooks who treat the kitchen as if it is their own actually means you get scratch cooking. The corn soup with hominy corn, shredded pork, kidney beans and onions is low cooked. You get a flavorful soup that cannot come from a 50oz can. You need the large $4 Bannock is just their traditional bread, and ask for jam and butter or get their wild blueberry bannock. There you get a hearty and fresh lunch for $6 I also had a week later the Buffalo Burger. Its actually Bison with the usual fillings and a side of coleslaw. I loved it and better than the one I had in Winnipeg. I talked to the owner and he does catering so that would be a interesting dinner and would support the local regent park economy. It is a great restaurant story providing First Nations food, providing jobs for local aboriginals and keeping the culture and spirit alive. You will just be impressed on how they spent time and effort to decorate the place.

This restaurant is one of my favourites that I discovered through a friend last year. Went back again a few months ago and loved it just the same. Friendly and humble staff and amazing food. The taste and flavours are so different from anything I've ever had and I loved their blueberry jam so much I bought a jar to bring home!! I had the sample platter for $18 (wild rice, bison slider, bannock, blueberry jam, grilled fish), and deer soup for $6-7 I believe. I was pretty full afterwards and I think the proportions are pretty good. It was such a hearty meal and would be perfect during the cold months!

While riding my bike through a rainy afternoon, I took refuge in this quaint little cafe/bistro. I was drawn in by the teepee, not going to lie, but I'm glad I was. The atmosphere was great, the wait staff incredibly attentive and sweet and the food was exactly what I needed on a rainy summer day. The corn soup was good, the bannok was better but the wild rice salad was by far the best. Looks like I've found my staple in the east end!

Even though they were short staffed when we first arrived, the staff were still attentive and helpful. The food was really good; I got the platter of mixed items and my partner got the elk stew. I would love to go back again and eat some more bannock!

Amazing place! I'm so happy my friend and I got to stop by here! The food and price are so worth it! I ordered the salmon dinner with coleslaw, wild rice, soup and raisin Bannock bread and my friend got the veggie taco and mashed potatoes. We also had hot Labrador tea with everything and just wow... everything was so delicious and filling! The prices are also very fair for it's huge portions and our server was so lovely! We do recommend folks to stop by! We were too full to try their desserts but they look so yummy too!

Having never tried aboriginal food, I don't have a starting point. I'm just a person who loves food prepared well; if you got it, I want it! My partner and I have eaten here twice. I am giving somewhat of a backward review as I'm starting with our second visit. We came back just to eat the salmon sandwich, which has excellent texture and flavour. The salmon has a lovely smokiness without being dry, the bread (fried bannock) has a slight crispiness on the outside while fluffy on the inside (almost like a biscuit), and the mayo, red onion and lettuce are simple but perfect complements. The first time we ate here, we shared the three sisters soup, I had the salmon plate with wild rice salad on the side, while my partner had the sandwich. Although the soup had corn and beans in it, the third sister (squash) was visibly missing, and the broth was a bit watery and lacking flavour. The salmon on my plate was the same as the sandwich, so no complaints there. The wild rice salad was a little on the sweet side for my taste. The service is friendly and the venue is quaint, with traditional products near the cash register and decor that reflects the culture. We would go back to try other menu items (or just for the salmon sandwich!).

Yesterday, I tried First Nations food for the first time. I had absolutely no idea a restaurant like this existed in Toronto. We tried the bison burger and the bison stir fry. Both dishes were great, and the complimentary bannock and popcorn added to a very fulfilling meal. In fact, we were quite full after we didn't even finish the bannock! But not only was the food unique and delicious, the owner was also very friendly and the two of us talked about living and working in northern Ontario. There were only a few people coming in and out of the restaurant, and I was a bit surprised as to why. I would definitely encourage others to support this local business. It's quite the Canadian gem!

This is great addition to the neighborhood. Serving authentic first nations recipes and specializing in delicious bannock (a fried flat bread sort of like a savory beaver tail). The fresh soups, like smoked elk or three sisters, are excellent, and the blanket dog (a hot dog wrapped in bannock) is an improved pogo. Habit forming. The atmosphere is friendly and easy going. Its pretty easy to find yourself striking up a conversation with fellow patrons.

Late Friday afternoon lunch. Delicious and unique food. Love the soups, salads and entrées. The strawberry juice and my Indian tea were delicious. Nice touch with the free Indian popcorn while we waited for our meals.

This place has great food and terrific prices. We had the corn soup and tacos. I couldn't shove the tacos in my mouth fast enough. The corn soup was great with big chunks of hominy and a tasty broth. Service was good once the serving staff showed up...apparently they were late so the cook was serving which resulted in a bit of slowness but we weren't there for a fast food experience so it didn't bother us. The decor is pleasant. I will certainly be returning.

Nice experience in there. It's my first time try Indian taco, it's like a chilli with salad on top of a fry bread, fresh and delicious. And the soup is amazing, made of fresh corn, carrot, green bean, onion, pepper and some herbs, it tasted healthy and fresh, I love it....

The food here is really good and the service is decent but good hospitality. Get the Tacos, bear claws and anything with the wild blueberries!

My friend took me here for a late lunch and we sure indulged. I ordered a bison sandwich, we had bannock bread, wild rice salad, she ordered a b sandwich and dessert we had the donuts and bannock bread to take home. Everything came out fresh made to order (don't go if you're in a hurry), they cater, I bought a bottle of their salad dressing, and will certainly go back and support them. We had an hour or so chit-chat with the staff and they were so wonderful . Recommend if you like me have never tasted or had any idea what aboriginal food is. Their menu gives you a lot of information about the tradition of what you are eating and where it comes from. I will return! Bang for buck - absolutely To be updated

Really good native indian food, the best fried bread I have ever had. Nice atmosphere and the chef took great care of his food. Friendly service.....I am very happy to find this restaurant and hope to go back very soon! Highly recommended.

This is an Canadian Indian food restaurant. Food is excellent. Had a Bison stir fry, delicious. Bannock is Indian fried bread the best bread I have ever tasted. Corn soup also amazing. Very friendly staff. Lady there is a sweetheart.

Wanted to really enjoy this place, however it wasn't really great. Food lacked flavour, and quality. Paying high prices for tea, would have like to see the tea leaves. Felt like it was kind of a money grab.

This place is GREAT! My husband and I were visiting Toronto for the first time and we happened upon this little place. We'd never tried First Nations food, so we were excited to give it a go. The service is so warm and friendly, very cozy atmosphere. But let's get down to it: I swear, this place has the best salmon I've ever tasted in my life. Melts in your mouth. Perfectly cooked/seasoned. The wild rice is no joke, either. I mean, we were literally picking up every last grain of it with our fingers lol. My first time trying bannock and it is definitely good comfort food! Seriously, just go. Excellent food that straight up tastes like it was home cooked. You won't regret it!

The food is SO delicious and so affordable. The owner is such a lovely person as well. The bannock is delicious, and the stew is a thumbs up. Always a go-to for me!

Amazing service and fantastic food equals fabulous experience! We had a group of 7 and the staff took great care of us

I had a trout burger and it was big and delicious!! Great value. Nice friendly staff and great service. I highly recommend this restaurant!!

be careful not to miss this place. when I found it by referral and never suspected that little gem. the staff is extremely friendly and the food very good. we tried their special which was Bison roast and the salmon. all was cook perfectly, well arranged and very tasty. I want to go again to try their other dishes. they also have a little white/chalk board for the kids.

I'm so impressed with the food! I went there for dinner. Relax environment and very friendly service. Their corn soup is very tasty! And the bread tastes so great that I still remember the taste the next day!! The bison burger is amazing! Definitely a hidden gem in Leslieville! Their opening hours is short (I think until 9pm) and no alcohol but it definitely worth to try. So much better than a lot of higher end restaurant on Queen st

Wow, the best salmon I've ever had! A great bbq flavour. Now that I've had the catering I'll be dropping into the restaurant for sure!

Lovely spot with attentive and friendly staff and management. I'm not sure how authentic "Indian tacos" are, but I always enjoy myself here.

A lovely place has great feel, delicious First Nation food, nice aboriginal music in the background. Reasonablie prices and servings.

Great little restaurant with food I have not been exposed enough to! My friend and I stopped in for dinner this evening and had a very nice experience. The service was pleasant and the food was well prepared. We shared an appetizer platter, then I had the elk roast and my friend had the meat taco. We finished with blueberry dumplings and a raisin pie. Very tasty - thanks for a nice meal!

It's a quaint and casual eating establishment. The food is good and they do a good job of educating people about the culture and sourcing sustainable wild food. The service could be better. Every one was friendly and helpful but needed more training and/or help. I overheard one of the employees mention that they just started providing table service instead of requiring people to order at the counter. I ended up still ordering at the counter because our server, who probably had other responsibilities, didn't come to my table regularly enough. As a result, I also had to ask for water and ended up with two glasses instead of just getting a refill. Over all I do recommend it for the food and experience.

I loved the decor and the food was great. The bannock was not as dry or hard as scones and is worth trying. The trout burger was really good and would recommend having as your main.

The laid back, peaceful atmosphere of Tea n' Bannock is a respite from the bustle of the city. We always feel more relaxed after spending time there. The menu is small and simple but mighty with authentic first nations recipes made to order. We keep coming back for the salmon on frybread, native teas and soups but its also lovely to pop in for fresh baked bannock and take it with us on the run (delicious and addictive). Very informal and relaxed with free Wifi and inexpensive coffee. They are also community minded: opening up the space for community events, writer's workshops, church groups, etc.

I really enjoy this spot! Great staff and the food is pure comfort. The price is right too. I recommend the strawberry juice, and the corn soup.

This place is terrible. We came in around 6:30 on a Wednesday night. We ordered the bison burger, salmon burger, bannock taco and a pickerel dish between the four of us. The server kept forgetting the settings and our orders. He gave us popcorn as an appy that he grabbed with his hands from the big bowl in the kitchen. The bison burger patty was not cooked through being quite red. Ground meat needs to be cooked through! Obviously the patty was frozen and was just seared. The salmon was dry. The taco was covered with a tepid, ill-tasting sauce that I suspect was from a can. The pickerel was pan-fried and was as dry as the salmon. Mashed potatoes for the pickerel were cold. The coleslaw was sloppy and very watery. My wife got the wrong tea drink. To top it off were given the wrong bill. There was only one other group there besides us. I cannot recommend this restaurant at all.

We had dinner here, 3/29/16, our first night visiting Toronto. My daughter had her first ever bison burger and really enjoyed it, especially the fry-bannock roll. I had an elk-venison steak on fry bannock and the Three Sisters soup (corn, squash, green & wax beans in a broth with fresh herbs and carrots). Both our entrees came with a mayo-based coleslaw. I also sampled the Labrador tea. The soup was definitely the best thing we ordered and I wish I'd had a bowl instead of a cup. The elk was surprisingly tender and very flavorful. Portions were so large that we didn't get dessert. My daughter was a bit disappointed to find out after she'd ordered that the fresh strawberry juice was unavailable after all. The restaurant is decorated with various First Nations historical items, images, and a large (handpainted) outline map on one wall. There was a soothing flute and drum CD playing. Service was slow, but we were given a nice bowl of freshly popped corn to nibble while we waited. Everything is cooked from scratch so it was worth the wait.

Good food... great prices...informal, relaxed environment, friendly service... what's not to like? It's even got free wi-fi. Definitely recommended.