Dosa Mahal - 9 Roncesvalles — Restaurant in Toronto

The Wyck Recommendation: South Indian Dosa Mahal Rating: 4.3/5 “Guru Lukshmi Gave Me Trust Issues. Dosa Mahal Gave Me Dinner.”

Intro Scene At Guru Lukshmi, I once waited 90 minutes for a dosa and a side of attitude. The room was loud, the air was thick, and the sambhar arrived colder than my server’s stare. By the time I got my food, I wasn’t even hungry I was just spiritually defeated.

Enter Dosa Mahal on Roncy. No reservation drama. No cult-following chaos. No need to spiritually prepare yourself for sambhar splashback. Just good food, warm service, and the kind of calm that shouldn’t be this rare in a city full of “famous” places.

What Was Ordered

Classic Masala Dosa Combo ($12.99 weekday deal) → Crisp to the edge, spiced just right, and came with legit sambhar, two chutneys, and a chai that made me close my eyes mid-sip.

Tamarind Dosa → Sweet heat with attitude. Unexpectedly good.

Vada dunked in sambhar → Crunchy, cozy, exactly what you want on a grey Toronto day.

Masala Chai → The real deal. Not sugary nonsense—actual balance and warmth.

I’m not vegetarian. I’m not even a dosa guy. But this place? Converted me.

Service Commentary Let’s be honest: Guru Lukshmi has mastered the art of making you feel like a mildly annoying inconvenience. Dosa Mahal? Total opposite. The guy behind the counter actually smiled. Checked in. Offered more chutney without making it feel like a request for the moon. No line, no side-eye, no stress. Just human decency and a hot plate.

Vibe Check Multi-cultural crowd. Solo diners, couples, even white folks walking in like they weren’t tricked into anything. Calm energy. Actual music. No one shouting out table numbers like they're calling bingo. You could sit, breathe, and just be.

The Space Itself Clean, tiled, charming. Not fake aesthetic—real thought. There’s a red-glass hand light in the washroom. You’ll know when you see it. It’s either cursed or divine, but it works.

About the Neighborhood Roncesvalles is the kind of street where people smile at dogs, not scream at parking spots. You’re a walk from coffee shops, bookstores, and emotional recovery if needed. Dosa Mahal fits right in—lowkey but legit.

Hits & Misses

✓ $12.99 combo is better than most $30 meals ✓ Tamarind dosa = must-try sleeper hit ✓ Chai that heals ✓ No line, no stress, no weird fluorescent energy ✓ Staff who don’t make you question your life ✗ Small space—don’t come with your volleyball team ✗ Not big on dessert—but do you even need it?

Final Verdict Guru Lukshmi has name recognition. Dosa Mahal has soul. One makes you wait like it’s a pilgrimage. The other just feeds you with warmth and intention. You decide which feels more like a dinner out.

Perfect For

Dosa skeptics, meat lovers, and sambhar snobs alike

Anyone who’s waited too long for food and now has...

EDIT:

Lowering the score to a 1. For anyone curious why, feel free to read the owners response to a customer. Its all out in the public domain, and perhaps I am missing something.

To the owner:

pt 1: Spice level was never a problem. Ask any chef, who would put that much Thai chillies in a dosa?

Pt2: It was because my mom said to let it be, I wanted to return the full item.

pt3: 'After you completely finished your lunch': How this relevant? I paid for my food, I'll do whatever I want with it. I just took this picture, chillies were wrapped up in tissue to be polite. Thats how I was taught to conduct myself, but clearly class is something your establishment doesn't understand. Hence the review.

pt4: You dismiss us and then ask us to give you a multiple chances? Respect is a two way street ma'am. And this is a customer telling you this. I bet you wont give the same treatment to others. If you feel my review is unfair thats fine, this is in public domain, its for people to decide.

pt4: 'months later': Again, how is this relevant? It's just information I feel would be beneficial to the public, because I do not want people to have the perception of south Indian food as you guys do, particularly since your location a lot of people try it for the first time. Authentic you guys are not, so do not pretend otherwise.

pt5: I was, if you read my other reviews I am more than willing to give an establishment another chance to improve and change, given its tangible and there is mutual respect and understanding. But with your comment, I am past it so I am not coming back.

I love a good dosa. This is a pale imitation in my book, which is fine. However, the service was outright messed up, and customers deciding to get a dosa need to be aware.

Party of two went in on a fairly empty restaurant for lunch service, (we were the only ones there at the time). Since my mother enjoys dosa's with a bit of kick, we were curious to know what the baseline spice level is. The server was unable to explain, and just said 'it is what it is, its 'normal' spice'. We requested, if additional heat could be added. Standard request for any south Indian place, they generally give more dry chutney on the side or scale the heat level accordingly. This gaff decided to stuff the dosa with Thai green chillies. Which we get, is spicy but it was literally a pyramid of chillies layered inside the dosa. It could legitimately get people unwell. I don't know what the chef was thinking or what the server relayed, but this is common sense. If it was a sick prank, jokes on them anyway.

Attaching the image for reference. My mum was nice enough to not return and just eat whatever was left after scraping the insides but this needs to be called out to the management and customers deciding to...

Food - Finger Licking Good When it comes to flavors that dance on your palate, this place is a revelation. We dove into an array of dishes that were nothing short of delicious. The Spicy Wood Apple Dosa was a first for me, and what a discovery! It's a delightful clash of sweet and spicy, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of adventure in their meals. The Idli with Ghee and Podi was comforting, with the ghee enhancing the flavor profile, and the Podi adding that necessary kick. Medu Vada was crispy on the outside, soft inside - just how we like it. To round off the meal, the Filter Coffee was a classic, though I'd recommend serving it in the traditional steel cup and glass for that authentic touch. And let's not forget the Gulab Jamun - sweet, syrupy, and just the right end to our feast.

Ambience - A Soothing Vintage Experience Stepping into this restaurant felt like walking into a vintage haveli. The decor, with its inverted glass jar lamps, mirrors, and tiles, transports you to another era. It's a soothing, aesthetic experience that complements the authenticity of the cuisine. The atmosphere here isn't just about eating; it's about experiencing the culture through its ambiance.

Staff - Courteous and Knowledgeable The staff were the epitome of hospitality. They were courteous, attentive, and eager to explain the nuances of each dish on the menu. This kind of service made us feel right at home, enhancing our dining experience. Overall, if you're in Canada and craving some authentic Indian flavors with a twist, this place should be on your list. The combination of delectable food, a charming vintage vibe, and impeccable service makes it a must-visit for any food lover. Remember, if you're a fan of sweet and spicy, don't miss out on the...