POPpadum — Restaurant in Toronto

I recently had the absolute pleasure of visiting Poppadum — a Mumbai-style street food restaurant in Toronto, owned and passionately run by three of my closest friends, Sourabh, Shreyas & Slesha . As someone who grew up in Maharashtra, this experience was incredibly personal and nostalgic for me — and I can confidently say, they’ve truly captured the soul of home.

From the moment I stepped in, it felt like a slice of Mumbai had been transported right into the heart of Toronto. I tried a few iconic dishes that are extremely close to where I come from — misal pav, vada pav, and kachchi dabeli — and I was honestly blown away. Each bite was packed with flavor, heat, texture, and balance that instantly took me back to the streets and stalls I grew up around.

The misal pav had that perfect punch — spicy, soulful, and layered, just the way it should be. The vada pav was as authentic as it gets — crunchy, spicy, with that nostalgic chutney combo that hits all the right notes. And the kachchi dabeli — which holds such a special place in our street food culture — was done so well, with the sweet-spicy balance, crunch, and masala that truly stood out.

To top it off, I had the mango panha, a drink that screams summer in Maharashtra. It was refreshing, tangy, and perfectly seasonal — and just tasting it in Toronto made me smile. It’s rare to see such thoughtful additions on a menu that respect the rhythm of the seasons and the region.

What makes Poppadum so special is not just the food, but the honest effort to preserve the authenticity of Mumbai’s street food culture — and do it justice in a completely different part of the world. Sourabh, Shreyas & Slesha have done an incredible job balancing tradition with execution, staying true to our roots while offering a fresh, vibrant experience to locals here.

If you’ve ever had a craving for the real taste of Maharashtra, or want to experience the energy and flavors of Mumbai street food — Poppadum is a must-visit. You’ll walk out full, nostalgic, and...

Small shop that packs a punch of flavours!

We tried the restaurant's recommendations which were chicken Tikka sandwich with Masala fries as a combo and ragda Pattice. We added the gulab jamun tiramisu and samosa puff on top of that. The staff happily gave us both sauces for the samosa puff as we couldn't decide which to take.

And I have to say, this was the best Indian food I've had in a very very long time. It has a modern twist and the flavours are just right and very palatable. We loved everything we ordered, which is quite rare.

The samosa puff was not dry as we initially feared! It was moist and had an amazing bake! If we had to choose, we'd pick the mint chutney as it is spicy and savoury relative to tamarind. But we enjoyed dipping it in both.

The masala fries were crispy on the outside with fluffy inside, completely coated in delicious spices!

The tiramisu cream was light yet rich in flavour, particularly the saffron. It will definitely fix your sweet tooth craving, since the gulab jamun is quite sweet.

Definitely will be back to try other dishes and for their cheesecake slice!

Limited seating. Very...

I recently had the pleasure of hiring Shreyas from POPpadum to cater for my party, and I must say, the experience was absolutely delightful. The food provided was simply outstanding, leaving everyone's taste buds craving for more. The vada pav was a true highlight, with its perfectly spiced potato filling and the soft, flavorful bun with three different condiments and sauces. The chettinad mushroom puff and chicken puff had a flaky crust that encased a mouthwatering combination of savory mushrooms and tender chicken, respectively. The kebab rolls were a hit among my guests, with their succulent, well-marinated meat kebabs and soft bread covering it. The panner pocket was a vegetarian delight, with its spicy paneer filling. Each dish was prepared with precision, ensuring a burst of flavors with every bite. The quality of the ingredients and the attention to detail were evident in every dish. I highly recommend POPpadum for any catering needs, takeaway or dine in, as they truly know how to create an unforgettable fusion Indian...