It's hard to find definitively Palestinian restaurants in Toronto. While the news headlines and protests are (importantly) upfront and unavoidable, Palestinian cuisine and culture flies under the radar here. Dining at a Palestinian restaurant in Toronto may be a quieter show of support, but it's still a much-needed one. In a city that thrives on embracing other cultures, Palestine's should be learned about and understood.
The arrival of Louf, a Palestinian restaurant in Toronto, offers the opportunity for just that. Unlike some other Palestinian restaurants that may have been censored by reservation platforms or chosen self-censorship out of safety, Louf is unapologetically shouting about Palestinian food and culture.
Louf Palestinian restaurant, Toronto: The vibe
Tucked at the foot of Casa Loma, Louf is an intimate celebration of Palestine and an acknowledgement of its existence and its people. A beautiful, rounded wood door (nostalgic of my childhood growing up near Toronto's Forest Hill neighbourhood) ushers guests into the converted two-story house. The dining room upstairs is the smaller of the two, but large floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the residential neighbourhood add to the modern space. Burnt orange banquettes and tiles, and a small vase of tulips on every table add to the homey, comfortable atmosphere.
Palestinian art, loaned to the restaurant and curated by co-owner Nicole Mankinen, decorates the walls. There are photographs and paintings — some with QR codes indicating they're for sale. As I stare at the red brushstrokes of an abstract work, I'm told that the artist's home was recently destroyed and everything was lost.
Throughout the night, the music morphs from enchanting melodies and ballads to pop songs, and everything in between. All of the songs are by Palestinian artists, including some now residing in Toronto, and span a number of different genres.
Louf Palestinian restaurant, Toronto: What's on the menu
Admittedly, I've never dined at a Palestinian restaurant before, and while I recognize some of the dishes from other Levantine cuisines, the menu is mostly foreign to me. If you're in the same boat, don't let that stop you — the exploration into delicious new flavours is worth it.
Chef and co-owner Fadi Kattan honed his culinary chops in France before opening a restaurant in Bethlehem, and travelled across Palestine cooking traditional dishes alongside grandmothers for a documentary series. His latest endeavour, Louf combines the different aspects of Kattan's background for a menu that features more traditional dishes along with experimental takes on the classics.
Kattan plays with the flavours of musakhan, a hearty roast chicken dish served hot, creating dajaj pate, a cold chicken liver pate with onion sumac jam. Scooping up everything into one bite, it's an irresistible combination of savoury, sweet and tangy that still maintains a certain heartiness. Made in a more traditional style, the shorabet addass, a warming red-lentil soup is so packed with flavour that I have to change my long-held opinion about lentils being bland.
We dip taboun, a chewy, stone-baked Palestinian flatbread into creamy labaneh that's given a boost with micro sorrel and sumac. The khoubz bil zaatar is a fluffier bread filled with herbs and spices that we slather in a delicious olive oil that's imported from Gaza.
The kibbeh nayyeh is a Palestinian tartar made with flavourful aged beef and spices. It's given more texture and substance with the addition of bulger, a nutty tasting wheat product similar to couscous.
On the larger side, bukjet freekeh bil khodra comes as a crunchy phyllo pastry shell overflowing with a sweet and savoury filling. Usually, this dish is made with meat, but at Louf it's vegetarian, filled with root vegetables, raisins, dried apricots and almonds.
I love mouhallabieh, and Louf's iteration of the sweet milk pudding is extra special with rose orange syrup and candied orange slices. The Jaffa orange is incredibly symbolic for Palestine and its national identity. It feels almost sacred, enjoying this indulgent dessert after being told about the orange groves being uprooted in Palestine.
We also have to try the hilbeh for dessert. It's a thick, almost scone-like cake with spices and sweet maple syrup — it's also what brought about the inception of Louf restaurant in Toronto. Like many chefs, Kattan had been sharing his cooking on Instagram as a way to connect with community during the pandemic. Nicole Mankinen was looking to make hilbeh for her Palestinian family, so she reached out to Kattan for the cake recipe, and the ensuing conversation led to Kattan and Mankinen opening Louf at the end of 2024.
Everything at Louf Palestinian restaurant seems to have a story behind it — one of connection, community and resilience.
Louf Palestinian restaurant, Toronto: The drinks
The flavours of the hilbeh cake are translated into an eponymous cocktail. Layers of herbal notes are balanced with a slight sweetness, giving it an almost medicinal quality that's really interesting to sip and savour. Made with arak, an anise-flavoured spirit that's usually enjoyed on its own, the ruz bil yansoun is a smooth, silky serve slightly reminiscent of liquorice.
The wine list is dominated by local bottles, with France represented as well, but we choose the two pours from Galilee. Available by the glass or bottle, they're beautiful expressions of cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. At the time of my visit, the winemaker's latest harvest is in jeopardy, though — they were shot at the last time they went out into the fields. Sitting in the comfort of this cozy restaurant, the glass in my hand feels like a small miracle.
Mankinen calls it an "act of resistance." The fact that this Palestinian restaurant exists, serving Palestinian food and wine, playing Palestinian music — it's all an act of resistance and resilience. It's very powerful for Palestinian people to come into the restaurant and experience this acknowledgement of Palestine and its existence, Mankinen tells me. They come in and say, "We need this."
Regardless of background, dining at Louf Palestinian restaurant in Toronto is a moving experience. It takes diners beyond the distressing headlines to see and experience Palestinian culture and taste the country's unique and delicious cuisine. Whether you're looking to learn, try new flavours or just discover a cozy new restaurant in Toronto for dates and friends, you absolutely must add Louf to your list.
Dinner and drinks for two: around $140 before tax and tip.
