Pukka — Restaurant in Toronto

My experience here was a wonderful one... not only did they serve delicious dishes, the service and atmosphere definitely elevates it higher than other Indian restaurants. I would say that this would be the perfect spot for anyone who love Indian food or new to it. Definitely make this a spot for you to try.

The restaurant is a lovely modern atmosphere with lots of exposed brick and sunlight coming in from the large windows up front. The tables are wonderfully well spaced so you get your own personal space and you're not claustrophobic. One thing I appreciated is their gentle touch of Indian accents... it's not in your face with huge pictures of Taj Mahal or elephants. It's the subtle accents of Hindi that gives a hint of the type of cuisine.

One thing that was a standout was the service... just super warm, well informed of all dishes, and just generally fantastic and attentive. They were able to recommend their top dishes to our palate and create a wonderful meal. We ordered the vegetable pakoras, stuffed paneer, butter chicken, pumpkin curry, masala chai, bread basket, and mango lassi.

Vegetable pakoras - this is a bit of a modern twist as it was more like vegetables fries dusted with crispy skin of chickpeas. Usually I see shredded vegetables and made into more lacework patties. Either way, nicely fried up and crispy. But I would say at $9, it is possibly the most expensive set of vegetables fries I've had in a while. I think my fries at other Toronto high end places were only $7. I can see why people comment on how this isnt value. 3.5/5

Stuffed Paneer - Gorgeous presentation, wonderful flavours... if you're carnivorous or vegetarian, I would say this is a must order. A touch of heat adds to the creamy cheese that has a denser texture. The curry underneath is a perfect compliment. 4/5

Butter Chicken - It seemed it had a giant tender chicken breast or 2 medium sized chicken pieces in this dish. The chicken was perfect texture. Definitely a step above your usual fare... wonderfully balanced in terms of spice. It would be a good starter to anyone. I admire the gentle hand for the butter... it wasn't super oily and did not have an pool of butter on top. 4/5

Pumpkin Curry - This stole the show... how does a purely vegan side dish do this? Great spice balance to compliment the soft tender sweet squash. The coconut milk adds to it and tempers the light hit of spice. Just amazing overall 5/5

Bread Basket - you get 3 types... roti and 2 types of naan. At first this seemed expensive but we barely had room to eat all of them so if you have at least 3 people, would recommend to get this. 4/5

Masala Chai and Mango Lassi - The chai was creamy and very flavourful of cardamom. I was expecting a bit more cinnamon or ginger but still a nice drink. The mango lassi was good as well. Nice tartness and not overly sweet. 4/5

Overall, very well executed food with excellent service. Possibly the best overall Indian restaurant experience in...

Hi people, I hope this review helps - my wife and I LOVE Indian food. We go to Indian Restaurants all over the city and beyond. (I know this is not typical Indian food - we were intrigued by that and my friend gave this place rave reviews so we had to go)

We started with the Pumpkin Curry with Naan to share and it was 5/5. Not a typical dish obviously, and it was packed with flavor, rick, but not too rich, just perfect. Touch of warmth, creaminess, and soft pumpkin.

We then had the sweet potato samosas and I would say that it was underwhelming. I found it pretty bland and not too flavorful, and the mint chutney and tamarind that came with it, was so strong in flavor, that once you put that on, all you taste was the sauce. So, I wasn't a big fan.

Then we ordered the Butter Chicken and Vegetable Curry with rice. I was very excited to try their versions of these, but I'm SO SORRY to say that it was just okay, maybe even just barely good, but not great for sure, and overall, we were disappointed.

The chicken pieces were well done, succulent, soft. But what was immediately clear from first few bites is that the ghee was way too heavy handed. The flavor was not too developed, just a buttery, creamy sauce. Was okay, but on the blander side, and I prefer having a touch of that spicy and sweet in my butter chicken. Fine if they don't go that way, but they didn't replace that with anything. Just ended up being less flavorful and more buttery. :( Especially with charging 15-20% more than other spots, I was really hoping to be wowed. (I brought leftovers to my buddy who loves it, and he did say that he did taste the butter more than he remembered, and thought that maybe it was just an off order) :(

And for the vegetable curry, it's funny, the vegetables were nicely done, and the sauce was nice (although we could have used more) but the dish didn't come together. It tasted like someone made a good sauce, and good vegetable and threw them together, but they didn't come together at all. And because there wasn't enough sauce, you end up eating vegetables alone without any sauce. So this dish wasn't a hit for me either.

So, lots of potential there, but just maybe it was a miss for our table, and I was disappointed because I really felt the potential and wanted them to knock it out of the park. I was happy to spend a bit more to get more, but don't feel I did.

Service and ambiance is really great. Staff and everyone was really inviting and nice.

I don't like leaving what I feel is a bit of a negative review! I hope you try it and they knock it out of the park.

Well, from all the 5/5 reviews, we are definitely not the...

Over the last 10 years, I’ve been to Pukka approximately half a dozen times. I am grateful that they have not just survived but are thriving post pandemic! Moreover, it is remarkable for a restaurant to stay this consistent in their food quality and service for over a decade. Not an easily attained achievement in the hospitality business.

On this visit, my fellow diner and I ordered from the Summerlicious menu. I can never resist and pleased to see their signature appetizer: Pukka Chaat (formerly known as String Chaat) on the Summerlicious prix fixe menu. While taking inspiration from traditional Chaat Papri, theirs is an evolved, more exciting and slightly tangy version. The other innovative app. is their Smoked Eggplant tartar. Presented in dip form, surrounded by bite size roti crackers.

For our mains their Butter Chicken which my fellow diner said had real finesse. Perhaps because of a retrained use of ghee. My choice was an equally pleasing Goan Fish Curry. In which the protein was, unlike most restaurant kitchens overdoing it, properly cooked.

With a very tempting quad of desserts, it a challenge for some to choose one. For me there was no debate as I knew that they are gelatos are sourced from Queen Streets’ Death in Venice. Rather than the more traditional vanilla or chocolate, their Raspberry flavour is my much-preferred flavour. As it’s as close to just picked, pure fruit as one can get!

Service is attentive and prompt without being overly familiar and obtrusive. Resulting in an incredibly satisfying and enjoyable dining experience. Which explains the multi star ratings and kudos from several travel and dinning sites on both sides of the 49th. parallel.

As their website states “not your mother’s Indian”. While it may be untraditional, I very much doubt many mothers or fathers can cook at this level. A fine establishment that is perennially consistent and worthy...