Tochal ☆ Downtown — Restaurant in Toronto

Okay, Toronto friends, listen up! I had one of those delightful "wait, WHAT?!" moments the other day. Cruising through my neighbourhood, minding my own business, when BAM! My eyes locked onto a sign that made my inner foodie squeal: Tochal Toronto! A Persian pomegranate shop? Downtown?! My usual pomegranate pilgrimage takes me all the way up to North York or Richmond Hill, so this was like finding a hidden treasure chest overflowing with ruby-red goodness. Naturally, my curiosity (and my slight pomegranate obsession) got the better of me. I popped inside, and, it was like stepping into a pomegranate paradise. Seriously, folks, everything was pomegranate. We're talking vibrant, freshly squeezed juice that looked like liquid jewels, chewy and satisfying fruit leathers, rich and tangy pomegranate sauce, that made my tastebuds tingle just looking at them, and even versatile pomegranate pastes that I'm already dreaming up culinary uses for. It was a glorious, crimson explosion! I had the pleasure of meeting who I'm pretty sure was the owner, Babak. You could feel his passion for pomegranates radiating off him! We had a lovely little chat, and he generously offered me a sample of their pure pomegranate juice. Oh. My. Goodness. It was the perfect balance of tart and refreshing – you could just taste the freshness. It was the real deal! Of course, one visit wasn't enough to fully explore this pomegranate wonderland. So, like any good (and slightly obsessed) foodie, I made a return trip. This time, I dove headfirst into their specialty drinks. The "Visionizer" and "Hotline Bling" – seriously, who comes up with such fun names? – were both incredibly delicious and unique. But the real stars for me were the traditional Persian treats: the delicate and refreshing faloodeh and the fragrant saffron ice cream. Each bite was a little slice of heaven! Honestly, who can resist a snack that not only tastes amazing but is actually good for you? Speaking of good for you, did you know that pomegranates are little antioxidant superheroes? They pack a bigger punch than even green tea and red wine! So, you can totally indulge in Tochal's offerings guilt-free. It's basically a delicious health boost in every sip and bite! Overall, Tochal Toronto is an absolute gem. It's a unique and exciting addition to the downtown food scene. The service was fantastic – a big thank you to Ashwin for his friendly help and to the owner, Babak, for his dedication and for bringing this fantastic concept to our neighbourhood. You can tell they genuinely care about their products and their customers. And as if all that wasn't enough, they have a super cool "fan wall" where you can leave your own little mark! If you're looking for a burst of flavour, a healthy and delicious treat, or just a taste of something truly special, you absolutely HAVE to check out Tochal Toronto. Trust me, your tastebuds (and your body!) will thank you! Go get your pomegranate fix – you won't regret it! Get your jacket, keys and especially your wallet and go before...

I have to update my review so you better buckle up, because Tochal Toronto isn't just a store, it's a full-blown pomegranate intervention, round two! I ventured in, again, seeking a simple box of pomegranate seeds, thinking, "In and out, easy peasy." HA! Fifty-five minutes later, I emerged, blinking in the daylight, smelling faintly of ruby-red deliciousness, and armed with enough pomegranate products to start my own mini-orchard. Forget Loblaw's! Forget Sobeys! Tochal is where you go when you want to dive headfirst into a pomegranate paradise. Owner Bab? A legend! A pomegranate prophet? Nah, let's upgrade that to the Pom Prince! He's like a sweet, fruit-obsessed wizard, conjuring up pomegranate juice, pomegranate fruit roll-ups (which are basically chewy, tangy happiness), pomegranate paste (which I'm now putting on everything that I can eat), and even... soon-to-be-available vegan pomegranate sorbet?! I mean, come on! That's just showing off! It's like he's trying to turn Toronto into Pomegranate-ville, and honestly? I'm here for it. My kitchen now looks like a pomegranate exploded, and I'm not even mad. The prices are so good, I felt like I was stealing, and the quality? Forget about it! My tastebuds are doing a happy dance. If you're looking for a quick grocery run, steer clear. If you're looking for an adventure in flavours , a hilarious encounter with a pomegranate enthusiast (the Pom Prince, remember!), and a shopping experience that will leave you grinning for days, head to Tochal Toronto. Just be prepared to leave with more pomegranate than you ever thought possible. And trust me, you won't regret it. I'm already planning my next...

Looming large in the heart of Toronto's Little Portugal, Tochal (توچال) provides the pure pomegranate experience.

Hiking along Dundas West on a hot summer day, the imposing appearance of Tochal's House of Pomegranates was as unexpected as it was welcome.

Once inside, the shop glowed, reflecting the radiant red colour of this magnificent fruit.

In addition to the refreshing assortment of fresh juices and ice creams, Tochal offered a wide range of Iranian Sour Snacks, including: Damson Plum, Tiktok Lavashak, 7 Sour Fruits, and Pomegranate paste.

On my first visit, I enjoyed a cool cup of pomegranate juice. However, on my second visit, the owner Babek convinced me to try the pomegranate ice cream (no sugar added) and generously added a complimentary portion of pomegranate jelly.

Stepping out into the night, finding a quiet spot along Dundas West, the pomegranate ice cream and jelly (simultaneously tart and sweet) made my tastebuds dance with delight. How could I not rejoice in partaking of this fruit...