'Tis the season for eating, right? Just kidding, we know the holidays are so much more than that, but also let's not pretend that food and cocktails don't play a big role. Every year we look forward to an influx of treats and smoked meat and if there's one thing we absolutely can't wait to get our paws on, it's latkes.
Raggmunk, draniki, deruny — call 'em what you want, but one thing is for sure, there's no denying that these shallow-fried potato pancakes are delicious. Sure, a homemade latke recipe might be the best, but sometimes we just want the easy way to delicious latkes. Whether you're looking for latkes for your big Hanukkah spread or simply want a snack, we've got a list of Toronto's best. We picked our eight favourite places to get latkes, so you can order takeout and delivery from a different spot for each day of Hanukkah — you're welcome.
From the famous Daiter's that's been open since the 1930s to the modern Sara Restaurant that takes an innovative, fine-dining approach to latkes, we've got you covered for Hanukkah and beyond.
Where to get the best latkes in Toronto for Hanukkah and beyond
United Bakers
506 Lawrence Ave. W.
The OG of Toronto’s Jewish restaurants, UB (or United Bakers, to the uninitiated) has been around since 1912. Since then, they’ve relocated twice, but they’ve been at their current spot at the cornerstone of Lawrence Plaza since the 1980s. Hot, crispy and just the right amount of greasy, the latkes here are well worth the trek up to Lawrence and Bathurst. Choose between mini latkes or the full-sized golden potato pancakes that will fill you up and then some.
Fat Pasha
414 Dupont St.
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Blending Israeli and Sephardic cuisines, Fat Pasha is the go-to Annex spot for creamy hummus, shakshuka and, of course, those classic potato latkes. It just wouldn't be Hanukkah without a half-dozen order latkes with sour cream and apple sauce. And don't skip on their sufganiyot for dessert.
Free Times Café
320 College St.
Blurry nights and live music may be the first things that come to mind when you think of this College Street venue that’s been around for some 40 years. But the bar and restaurant also offers an expansive menu of homecooked Jewish and Middle Eastern comfort food.
Here, one order of latkes comes with six of the tasty morsels and includes applesauce and sour cream for dipping. Their brisket latke slider sees 3 oz of brisket topped with sautéed onions and chipotle mayo sandwiched between two of the golden circles.
Zelden's Deli and Desserts
1446 Yonge St.
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Classic deli favourites meet modern design at this midtown locale where you can stock up on deli meat by the pound or freshly baked knish. Their golden brown potato latkes come with sour cream or apple sauce and are a great addition to any of their signature, stacked deli sandwiches. During the holiday season they're also offering their homemade latkes by the dozen which you can call ahead to pre-order.
Centre Street Deli
1136 Centre St.
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Centre Street Deli has been serving the Thornhill community since 1988. They specialize in hand cut sandwiches with smoked meat falling out the sides and we've heard their beef knish with scratch-made gravy is pretty darn good too.
To slop up all the gravy and brisket drippings, they've got potato latkes by the dozen, or order a dozen vegetable lakes — they basically count as a side salad, but way better.
Daiter’s Kitchen
3543 Bathurst St
Daiter’s has been a family business and a Toronto institution for Jewish food staples since the 1930s, changing locations several times before landing on Bathurst Street north of Lawrence. All of their products are kosher and they have a separate meat kitchen and a dairy room. Order their potato or vegetable latkes by the dozen. While you’re here, try their famous cream cheese — this is how Harry Daiter started the business more than 80 years ago.
Sara Restaurant
98 Portland St.
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Latkes can totally be a full meal and for a fine dining approach to these precious potato, ermm, squash pancakes, look no further than Portland Street's modern, globally-inspired restaurant Sara. Their classic squash latkes are topped with salmon roe, chive cream and maple kombu — which is edible kelp for that little bit of saltiness and sweet from the maple. Sara's latkes are almost too pretty to eat... Almost.
Primrose Bagel Co.
317A Oakwood Ave.
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We didn’t choose the bagel life, the bagel life chose us. What started as a series of pop-ups and backyard parties last year has grown into a “bagel lifestyle brand” with its very own store on St. Clair West. Primrose’s hand-rolled, malt-boiled circles of doughy goodness may be the star, but don't let the nosh go unnoticed. Their latkes with charred scallion crema and crisp apple sauce have also attracted quite the cult following. Pre-order on their website, they go fast.
