The Best Restaurants in Scarborough, Compared: The City's Most Diverse Food Scene

Ask Torontonians where the city's most exciting eating happens and a growing number will point east to Scarborough. Whether you are craving Southern Thai, Iraqi charcoal grill, intimate omakase or crowd-pleasing Italian, it is all here, and often at better value than downtown. Here is how some of Scarborough's standout restaurants compare, and how to choose the right one for the occasion.

For Southern Thai: Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is beloved by locals and widely regarded as one of the best Thai restaurants in the entire city, specializing in Southern Thai cooking and carrying a MICHELIN recommendation at its Scarborough location. Choose this when you want bold, regional Thai flavours that go well beyond the usual pad thai, in a spot that critics and neighbours agree on.

For Charcoal-Grilled Middle Eastern: Sumaq

Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill earns immediate shout-outs from Scarborough residents and ranks among the best shawarma in the city. It is the pick for a satisfying, flavour-packed and generally affordable meal, ideal when you want something hearty and casual rather than a formal sit-down occasion.

For a Refined Splurge: Shizuku

At the other end of the spectrum, Shizuku is an intimate omakase experience led by Chef Kazuki, with just eight seats at the sushi bar and a curated sake selection with pairing options. This is Scarborough's special-occasion choice, best for a quiet, chef-driven evening where the meal itself is the event. Reserve ahead given the tiny room.

For a Group Night Out: Scaddabush and The Keg

When you are feeding a crowd or want reliable energy, Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar is a local favourite known for fresh mozzarella made in-house daily and a lively, welcoming room. For a classic steakhouse occasion, The Keg Steakhouse + Bar delivers top-tier steaks and an upscale ambiance. Pick Scaddabush for a fun, casual group dinner and The Keg when the night calls for steak and a bit of polish.

For Contemporary Crowd-Pleasing: Milestones

Milestones in Scarborough, with a menu directed by Chef Jeff Dell, blends familiar favourites with more modern flavours alongside craft cocktails and a warm, lively atmosphere. It is the dependable middle ground when your group cannot agree, offering something for everyone without veering into either bargain or blowout territory.

How to Choose

Match the restaurant to the mood. For adventurous regional Thai, go to Koh Lipe; for a hearty, affordable charcoal-grill meal, Sumaq. For an intimate, high-end evening, book Shizuku well in advance. For a lively group dinner, Scaddabush, or The Keg when steak is the point, and Milestones when you want a safe, crowd-pleasing option with modern touches. The through-line is Scarborough's remarkable diversity: in a single neighbourhood you can travel from Southern Thailand to Iraq to Japan, which is exactly why the rest of the city keeps driving east to eat.