Biryaniwalla Downtown — Restaurant in Toronto

Cooking a biryani is an art and there are extremely few places who get it right.

A good Biryani speaks to your soul and transcends you to heaven. Unfortunately, lots of places in Toronto who make promises of serving biryani teleport you to hell.

My friends and family are lifelong fans of biryani. Of all the places Biryaniwalla is highly recommended and I have usually had it at get-togethers.

This time though I decided to visit the place and order a take out personally.

Located a few meters away from Bathurst station , the restaurant stands amongst other Asian eataries.

Upon entering, we were greeted warmly by Ankita at the reception. We asked her for recommendations and she patiently explained us the options and advised 2 biryanis based on our spice tolerance and preferences.

Taking her advice, we ordered:

Chicken Kaju Ghee Roast Bucket with double Masala for $43 ($39.99 for Biryani and Double masala pay $2.99 extra).

Palnadu Chicken Biryani ( $18.99)

Ambience wise, the place is pretty chill with neatly lined tables for family and the huge Biryaniwalla Logo adorning the big wall. There was also a spin the wheel game, which you can play if you place a google review.

While we waited for our order, the shop was quite busy with mobile food delivery orders.

After about 10 minutes, we got our order , paid around $70 with taxes and took it home.

Chicken Kaju Ghee Roast Bucket:

This is possibly their bestselling biryani. And I have to confess, I have tried it before and I absolutely love it. It is a delicious biryani , with nice moist chicken pieces, cashews and which is not too overpowering with spices.

The quantity for bucket was huge and can easily satisfy 3-4 people.

Chicken Palnadu Biryani:

Compared to Kaju Ghee Roast, this one is more tangy and a bit on the spicier side. It is a slight Achari taste and it was surprisingly delicious.

Also, you get Salan (spicy-tangy gravy) and Raita (yoghurt mixture) with the order, and they go quite well with the biryani.

However, i somehow still felt the biryanis lack that authentic taste of biryani that you get in India and Pakistan. Real authentic biryanis have the inherent smoky flavor which comes from coal which is used to cook biryani and to give Biryani the dum ( pots are sealed and cooked over slow heat with coal - at bottom and at top.) Also missed that Birista that usually accompany Biryani layers.

That being said, these are quite good biryanis.

To foodies: Possibly the best biryani place is Toronto, that gets it as close to the authentic taste. The biryanis are delicious and they have lot of other options including seafood biryanis. The quantities are huge and you and your friends will love it.

To Management: Great biryanis. Great service by Ankita. Would love if you guys can sprinkle some birista ( fried onions) at the top layer or provide it on the side. Also it would be great if you can provide some incentive for customers who order directly from store. I knew you once had 10%.off , which when I asked was told it's still on but you need the offer card. I was a bit let down by that because at the end, it's just a formality. Also spin the wheel if you place a google review is a cheap tactic to get reviews. Just do it as a fun activity guys. Creates goodwill. As a brand strategist , I always recommend customer experience over a few dollars

Overall this is a great place for biryanis. I definitely recommend it.

Rating: 8.6/10

Signing off, Rahul V.S aka...

Biryaniwalla stands out as a must-visit spot for biryani lovers in Toronto. After visiting this restaurant 4-5 times, I can confidently say that it offers some of the most authentic biryanis in the city. Here’s a detailed breakdown of my experience:

Ambiance: 7/10

The ambiance is decent, with a comfortable and clean setting for a casual dining experience. While it’s functional and welcoming, there’s some room for improvement in terms of décor and overall vibe to make it more appealing.

Taste: 8/10

The variety of biryanis offered here is impressive, and the flavors truly stand out. I tried the Green Chili Paneer Biryani, Palnadu Paneer Biryani, Konaseema Biryani, Ghee Roast Paneer Biryani, and Masala Chop Biryani—each had its unique taste and spice blend, staying true to its roots.

Among appetizers, the Lemon Pepper Paneer was a highlight and an absolute must-try. My friends were also impressed with the parathas, which were perfectly made.

From the main course, dishes like Paneer Butter Masala and Kadai Paneer were rich and flavorful, complementing the biryanis wonderfully.

For desserts, I tried the Gulab Jamun and Gajar Ka Halwa. While they were good, they didn’t quite reach the “wow” factor I was expecting.

Service: 8/10

The service here is good. The staff is friendly, attentive, and quick, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. Their efficiency, especially during busy times, deserves special mention.

Value for Money: 8/10

Biryaniwalla’s pricing is quite reasonable, particularly their take-out combo offers, which provide great value. It’s a solid option for anyone looking to enjoy authentic biryani without burning a hole in their pocket.

Overall Experience

Biryaniwalla offers authentic flavors and a wide variety of options, especially for vegetarians like me. The standout dishes like Green Chili Paneer Biryani and Lemon Pepper Paneer make it worth multiple visits. While the desserts and ambiance could be slightly better, the taste, service, and value make this a strong contender for one of the best biryani places in Toronto.

Final Rating: 7.5/10 I’d highly recommend Biryaniwalla for casual dining with friends and family or even for take-out. It’s a place that consistently delivers on flavor and...

I recently dined at The Biryani Walla in downtown Toronto, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The moment you walk in, you're greeted with a warm and inviting ambiance that sets the tone for the meal.

I started with the Lemon Pepper Gobi and Andhra Chicken Fry, both of which were packed with flavor. The Lemon Pepper Gobi was crispy and had the perfect balance of spice and tang, making it a delightful vegetarian starter. The Andhra Chicken Fry, on the other hand, had a fantastic spicy kick that was well-balanced by its juicy, tender chicken.

For the main course, I tried the Kadhai Chicken and Paneer Butter Masala, along with Chicken Biryani and Rumali Roti. The Kadhai Chicken was rich in flavor, with perfectly cooked chicken pieces that absorbed the aromatic spices beautifully. The Paneer Butter Masala was creamy and comforting, with soft paneer cubes that melted in the mouth. The Chicken Biryani was the star of the meal, fragrant and flavorful with tender chicken pieces, and the Rumali Roti was the perfect accompaniment, soft and fresh.

To complement the meal, I had a Mango Lassi, which was refreshing and not overly sweet, making it a great palate cleanser between bites.

Finally, the desserts were a delightful way to end the meal. The Gulab Jamun was warm and syrupy, just the way I like it. The Gajar ka Halwa was rich and had the perfect amount of sweetness, and the Mango Rasmalai was simply divine, with a creamy texture and a refreshing mango flavor.

Overall, The Biryani Walla exceeded my expectations in every way. The food was delicious, the service was attentive, and the ambiance was just right for a cozy meal in the heart of downtown Toronto. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an authentic and flavorful...