Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen — Restaurant in Toronto

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a Darna - a delightful Middle Eastern restaurant that beautifully honors its cultural heritage, not only through its vibrant dishes but also through its thoughtful approach to service and menu design. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by an atmosphere that felt warm and inviting, a true reflection of the hospitality that is such a hallmark of Middle Eastern culture. The menu itself was a testament to this, thoughtfully crafted to showcase the rich, diverse flavors of the region. Each dish was presented with a small explanation of its origins, which felt like a tribute to the traditions and stories behind every recipe. It was clear that the restaurant took pride in its cultural roots, making the dining experience feel both personal and educational. The concept of sharing plates is another beautiful touch that truly elevates the experience. The dishes are meant to be enjoyed communally, encouraging a sense of connection and celebration of togetherness. We ordered a variety of dishes, and I loved how each one told its own story through a harmonious blend of spices, textures, and colors. The food was nothing short of delicious—every bite was a testament to the depth of flavor and complexity that comes from using fresh, high-quality ingredients and masterful seasoning. The chef’s use of spices was particularly remarkable—each dish carried an incredible depth of flavor that lingered on the palate, balancing savory, sweet, and tangy notes in perfect harmony. To top off the experience, the chef came to our table to personally greet us. It was a lovely, personal touch that made us feel like honored guests in their restaurant. The chef spoke with passion about the inspiration behind the dishes, which made the meal even more special. In summary, this Middle Eastern restaurant is a true gem. It offers not just a meal, but a journey through culture, flavor, and tradition. The thoughtful design of the menu, the communal aspect of sharing plates, and the chef’s personal touch made this dining experience unforgettable. If you're looking for an authentic, flavorful meal that celebrates Middle Eastern cuisine, this place is...

Love that higher middle eastern cuisine continues to push and advance further into our mainstream western cuisine. Giving Torontoians greater options than the usual Italian and Japanese culprits that dot our city.

Service was a bit tardy and lethargic today (i guess because it's Sunday) to greet and seat us. I get it. Lean staffing keeps overhead down maybe.

We had a schwarma and the brunch for two ($27 and $54) respectively, foot three of us. I'll try and be as factual as possible and laeaving any trace of emotion out.

The schwarma was well plated with sides and a healthy hearty portion of protein (beef). Was the beef tender as much as we'd personally have liked? Not exactly. $27 is a full blown high end entree price most would agree. So there's a certain expectation and probably a little room there for improvement.

Our shared brunch platter had plenty of sides for tasting which was fun and yummy. For example the cauliflower dish was unbelievably delicious and unique (worth a repeat visit just for that). The dips were perhaps a little lacking in quantity. The protein was definitely on the smaller side and for $27pp i would expect a sizeable portion to satisfy a hungry person.

The cardamom coffee was nice. Also ordered was the shackshuka. The yoghurt lemon dessert was to die for. I'd return just for this.

Interior deco was pleasant and clean. Perhaps a little on the sparce and sterile side. Personally id like to have seen more warm colours and textures of Palestine culture. But thats just my personal tastes. I think for many westerners we're looking for authenticity vs assimilation which is not to say this is what they are doing, but that's the vibe. Take it for what it is. Come and enjoy and support this wonderful local place.

Our final bill came to $145 plus tips for five.

Overall i recommend to go try. It's potentially very close to receiving a 5/5 stars with slight...

WOW!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!! I was absolutely and completely blown away by how unbelievably delicious Darna's food is! This truly was the most outstanding and spectacular middle eastern food experience I have had in this entire city. The service was outstanding! We were also offered complimentary falafel and my head nearly exploded because it was absolutely most delicious Falafel I've ever had in my entire life. Perfection. Sublime. I've never had a Falafel so good.

The grill sample of chicken, beef tenderloin and kabob was tender, mouth-watering, grilled to perfection and served with a delightful side salad with fattouch chips, and zatar herbed potatoes that were the greatest potatoes I ever had. It isn't fair how delicious those potatoes were.

The kebbeh labanyeh was was so flavorful and deliciously paired with rice and cooked with pure love. The flavor was outstanding.

Also had the sampler of Hummas, Labneh, Mutabal, & Muhamara........ This quartet of amazingness is the greatest appetizer ever. Each one was so delicious. It shocked my soul.

The owner came to greet us and ask if we enjoyed our meal. We extended our compliments. He was so incredibly kind and friendly and hospitable as was his staff.

For the love of God, please...