Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen in East York

1613 Bayview Ave, East York, ON M4G 3B5, Canada

★★★★★
(1005 reviews)
Categories: Middle Eastern restaurant Restaurant

About

Relaxed eatery with an open kitchen featuring a wood-burning oven serving Middle Eastern dishes.

Website
darnatoronto.ca
Address
1613 Bayview Ave, East York, ON M4G 3B5, Canada
Plus Code
PJ4F+JV East York, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Monday
4–9 PM
Tuesday
12–9:30 PM
Wednesday
12–9:30 PM
Thursday
12–9:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM–10:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM–10:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM–10:30 PM

Services

Service options
Outdoor seating Kerbside pickup No-contact delivery Delivery On-site services Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Halal food Healthy options Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Catering Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Toilets Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs
Parking
Paid street parking Parking

Photos

Reviews

4.8
★★★★★
1005 reviews

Most Mentioned

mutabal (21) patio (21) bulgur (15) kofta tahini (12) za'atar chicken (10) shish barak (9) beef tenderloin (8) beef dumplings (7) clay pot (6) date pudding (5)
5 stars
869
4 stars
93
3 stars
23
2 stars
7
1 stars
13
★★★★★
November 24, 2024

Had an amazing dinner here with friends tonight! Our meals were fantastic, top notch flavours and freshness. Sam, the chef, came out to say hello and sent out a spectacular free eggplant tower appetizer when he heard it was my birthday, and then later gave us a free dessert as well. Can’t say enough great things about our experience here, we will definitely be back. Thank you!!

★★★★★
November 10, 2024

Beautiful Palestinian dishes that taste as good as they look! Shoutout to the server for the great recommendations. Will most definitely be returning. Make sure to try the grilled lamb skewers, some of the best tasting lamb I’ve ever had!

★★★★★
November 3, 2024

We enjoyed a delightful array of dishes that left a lasting impression, especially the shish barak, warak enab, and fukhara. Overall, this resto provided a fantastic ambiance and delicious food, making for an unforgettable dining experience. We will definitely be returning customers.

★★★★
October 26, 2024

The food is very good. Lots of menu options and authentic Middle Eastern flavours. It was very busy when we went so the service wasn't great. The atmosphere is okay too, very simple. The restaurant is accessible. There is a washroom available which was clean. Parking can be tricky depending on the time of day.

★★★★★
October 25, 2024

We loved our dinner experience at this restaurant. The service was impeccable, great location and food. From the hot pitas to the flavorful hummus and mutabal, crispy calamari, delicious grills and shakshuka and the melt in the mouth Kunafa and date pudding. We will definitely be back soon.

★★★★
October 22, 2024

I give them 4 stars considering the location, food, service, and staff. A special mention to our server, Mahshid, who was exceptional—definitely 5-star service. We ordered a variety of dishes and starters, and while everything was good, I personally found the starters to be better than the main courses.

★★★★★
July 10, 2024

My husband and I visited Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen during our trip to Toronto, and it definitely lived up to its reputation and super high ratings. The ambience was great for a date, or low-key dinner and the staff was friendly and helpful with their recommendations. We ordered the Ontario lamb chop, the Shakshuka and Kunafah for dessert. We were very impressed not only with the flavors of our dishes but also the presentation. Everything was delicious and the lamb chops were the perfect tenderness. We will absolutely be back for more during our next visit to Toronto!

★★★★★
June 19, 2024

We have been to this restaurant many times. It is consistently GREAT. Authentic and tasty Middle Eastern cuisine. Big portions and appropriately priced. Warm and welcoming atmosphere with great service. A must to visit when in Toronto.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 16, 2024

We had a fantastic experience! The food was delicious with every dish cooked to perfection! The kunafah was the perfect sweet ending to an amazing meal! Great atmosphere and excellent service highly recommend!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 14, 2024

The food at Darna was delicious and portions were large. Friendly staff as well.

★★★★★
December 14, 2024

Always great fresh food Friends atmosphere

★★★★★
December 14, 2024

The whole experience was great! Vegetarian options: all the dips and the vegetables Kid-friendliness: Every dish was amazing!!!!

★★★★★
December 14, 2024

Food was delicious! Highly recommend, the staff were very kind and attentive. Will definitely be return!

★★★★★
December 14, 2024

Delish !! Going back for more . Wheelchair accessibility: Well accessible . Food : 5/5 |

★★★★★
December 7, 2024

The food was amazing. Very tasty and big portions. Well come back for sure. The staff was super kind and was on top of everything

★★★★★
December 7, 2024

Love this place. Very authentic food. Great casual vibe. Guaranteed food coma.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 30, 2024

Had a great dinner with friends at Darna on Bayview Saturday. The service was relaxed and they were very accommodating for any special requests or information. The appetizers were amazing, especially the cauliflower in the Arnabeet(sp?) and the halloumi. The smoky goodness of the Mutabal should not be missed. I would definitely go back. Vegetarian options: Excellent range of vegetarian goodness.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 30, 2024

Excellent food and friendliest service!

★★★★★
November 30, 2024

I like the fact tables are spread out. Nice ambience.

★★★★★
November 30, 2024

We enjoyed our lunch at Darna! The fereekeh soup is delicious. The meat was cooked perfectly and it was all presented nicely. Even our picky eaters ate well. We will definitely be back. Kid-friendliness: Our picky kids ate well!

★★★★★
November 23, 2024

We had a great Saturday brunch at Darna, which serves halal food. We ordered a Darna brunch for two. The platter was huge (as you can see in the pic) and delicious, especially the cauliflower omlette, labneh and their falafel which was crunchy and soft (best falafels I have had). The cooking staff did a great job in preparing the food and its presentation was nice too. The service was as incredible as the food. A special shoutout to Dilek who took such great care of us today at Darna. We also received a complimentary dessert which was icing on the cake! Thank you so much everyone at Darna for the amazing food and ambience! Dietary restrictions: Darna serves halal food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

This is the best Lebanese (Mediterranean)cuisine I have had here in Toronto. Period. I am from Montreal so I think I know my Mediterranean food. EVERYTHING was good. The drinks, the food. Just go. You will not be disappointed. I am so happy I live in the area so I can go here more often.

★★★★
November 21, 2024

We were ignored for the first 20 minutes and had to flag a server. Surprisingly different from previous experience Vegetarian options: Delish

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Great affordable Middle Eastern brunch menu. Nice and fast service

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

Went here for a date night and was a great experience from start to finish. The host quickly brought us to our reserved table and after having some time to review the menus we were prompted to order. The wait staff were friendly and the food came quick! The food was amazing, strongly recommend the mixed skewers with potatoes! The wine was delightful too! The staff were very attentive but did not get in the way of our date either! We had a Lavenyash (excuse the spelling) for dessert which was amazing and large enough to share! I minuses one start for atmosphere as only 1bathroom (I gave up queuing) and the staff going either side of our table was annoying. (Almost feel swap 2 seater tables to the wall and have 4 seaters in the middle. Anyways happily go back again!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

My first experience at this restaurant was excellent. I called for pick up and the staff was super friendly. Food was ready on time. Overall, it was delicious and high quality. I will definitely return.

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Excellent staff and the food is so tasty, i highly recommend Darna

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Just had dinner at Darna for the third time, and they never miss. They ve got it all ,beef, lamb, seafood, vegan and everything s made from scratch with serious attention to detail. You can taste the love in every bite. Honestly, this place is a must. Vegetarian options: There vegetarian options are next level

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Ate at Darna twice in a matter of four days! I first dined here with a large group of 12 people, and the team was super accommodating - service was very helpful and friendly, food arrived quickly, and they checked in on us frequently. It was for a special work gathering, so it meant a lot to be able to dine with a large group. The restaurant is accessible with no step access to the door, and a ground floor washroom (wc accessible). I then had to return when back in the area three days later. On both dates, we ordered an array of appetizers (do not miss the fresh bread) and mains included Fukhara, including meat and veggies baked in a clay pot, and the kebab skewers. You get a large amount of food - value here is HIGH. Rice and bulgur on point. Salads, hummus and all the fixings were perfect. A new favourite in the city, for sure.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

A taste of home, and the service was lovely! I highly recommend. The Kebbeh Labaniyeh was especially good!

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

This is one of our all-time favourite restaurants in Toronto. It offers authentic home-style cooked Middle Eastern cuisine. Healthy and flavourful. The service is amazing, very friendly and personalised. The setting is very nice. The dining room is inviting and comfortable, with a nice side-walk patio that can be enjoyed in warmer weather.

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Beef shuka with best pita ever. Terrific service in a lovely little place.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

Have been going to this place for 1+ year, and place has never changed. If you re looking for flavourful dishes, this is the place to try. We always get the beef tenderloin fukhara, a dish cooked in clay pot. Tender beef, veggies soak up the flavourful sauce. We also get the kebab plate, and love the lambbeef , rice, and salad. Highly recommend their homemade bread, really fresh and soft. Their hummus is also something to try. Finally, love the vibe of the place especially in the evening. Their servers are all very friendly and make the place even better.

★★★★
Local Guide
November 21, 2024

Good food but pricey. Also service could be better.

★★★★
November 21, 2024

Excellent food, great location

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Good place to eat in midtown if you are fan of middle eastern food Service is slow a bit but the food is amazing Food

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Great food wonderful service .

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Service was excellent. Pleasant, quick, helpful, not overbearing, etc. Really cant think of anything that would have made this better. Food was also excellent, especially appetizers. Entrees were very good. Atmosphere could use a bit more character (some more similar art on the walls, etc.). Overall great experience and will be back. Parking: Plenty of spots when we were there - may need to walk a bloc or two.

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Epic meal. The restaurant is clean and minimalist modern. Service was great. Food was outstanding! The cauliflower appetizer is my fave in the city. Mixed grill platter was awesome! Thanks again and we will be back! Kid-friendliness: Very warm with our young kiddos!

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

This restaurant is excellent. We all loved our food. It was also relaxing and pretty inside. I would strongly recommend!!!

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Went today for the first time and it was excellent. My chicken was so perfectly cooked and the accompanying fatoush salad was so fresh and flavourful. Our server was very attentive and kind and the music and atmosphere was cozy and welcoming. I will definitely be back!

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Impeccable service! Their new brunch menu is excellent! And it is a great addition to the brunch options on Bayview Ave. The servers were both very friendly and professional; and the chef prepared both dishes with a requested change, which was very nice and helpful.

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Perfect Thank you chef

★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

Food was amazing. Definitely recommend.

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

We loved the food, the hospitality and the ambiance of this place. One of the most unique and innovative palettes for food lovers. We had a group of 10 people and every single one of us could not say enough about how amazing of an experience this was. Thanks so much Darna Team. Your food, place and hospitality is exceptional !!!

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

What an amazing meal we had this evening at Darna. Both the food and service are top shelf. I highly recommend Darna. Check it out!

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

The very best !

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

Love coming here. A regular spot for special occasions. Huge thanks to the team for always providing excellent food and service

★★★★
October 21, 2024

As usual, delicious food. But, on a very busy evening, service was a bit lacking. Note that all servers we had were polite, they were not polished.

★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

The service lady is super nice and helpful. Food is good.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

The best Middle Eastern food I ve ever had outside of the Middle East . Delicious, fresh and huge portions. Service was impeccable and friendly! They even sat us down on a busy Friday without a reservation and made space for us. Everyone was welcoming and friendly. I loved everything about darna and can t wait to visit Canada again so I can go there for another meal! Shoutout to everyone specially Dana! She was awesome.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

authentic Nabulsi cheese

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

Amazing place, everything about it. The food was incredible. The dishes were large portions, reasonably priced and you could tell the dishes were cooked with love. This place is in my top 3 restaurants in Toronto. Highly recommend! Authentic food indeed.

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

great food, wonderful service

★★★★★
October 21, 2024

Ordered food from here for an event and everyone raved about it and took their biz card. Restaurant was also wonderful to work with and very accommodating. Thank you so much Marwan and team! Highly recommend the shish Barak, mixed grill, fried cauliflower (though a bit on the oily side), and eggplant. Vegetarian options: Cauliflower, eggplant and some others I cant recall

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

Great food and amazing service. Thank you Darna!

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

Great spot on Bayview. Delicious food. They remember their customers!

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

More than perfect so yummy so gooood , hummos , mutabal , fakhara , sayadeh Highly recommended Food : 5/5

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

Delicious flavours. Excellent service. The best raspberry lemon lime drink! A most enjoyable Sunday dinner Wheelchair accessibility: Level entrance to the restaurant from the street. A large accessible, main floor washroom is available .. chairs can be moved from the table to accommodate a wheelchair user.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Food is scrumptious here. Definitely come hungry as not only the portions are generous but also the mix of ingredients is pretty rich. Lots of vegetarian options! Service is great, and reservation is a good idea.

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

Unbelievable authentic levantine Lebanese / Palestinian dishes you cannot find anywhere else. Service is fantastic and the patio is in a great location with lots of walking traffic and busy ambiance in the heart of leaside!

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

This is the best Mediterranean food I ve had in my life. So delicious everything. Many vegetarian and vegan options. I wish I live in Toronto so I could try more of the menu, this is definitely worth checking out. Vegetarian options: Each section has several vegetarian options. Of the main dishes there are at least 5-7. All the appetizers are vegetarian if I recall. Also most of it is vegan!

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

Excellent meal and friendly staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Darna is one of my most favorite restaurants in Toronto. The food here is so flavorful, tasty, & fresh. The Manakeesh is exquisite and the Knafeh is heavenly. All the preparation seem to be made to perfection. Darna has a warm welcoming ambience and wonderful service. Do not miss it!

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Great atmosphere, great food! Fabulous selection of different, unique and delicious options. Will come here again -

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

We got the hummus, mutabal, mixed meat grill, and fattoush salad, 10/10 highly recommend!

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

I liked this place a lot. The food is amazing and people are nice.

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

My experience at Darna has always been exceptional! I ve visited this place many times over the year and have always left satisfied. The food is fantastic Ive tried almost every dish, and my favorites are the Calamari, Kufta Tahini, Warak Enab, and Kunafa. It s easily one of the best, if not the best, Middle Eastern food spots in the city. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. My server today, Ihsan, was outstanding and a true pleasure to be around. The overall service is top-notch. From an accessibility standpoint, this place is fully accessible and free of barriers. The washroom is spacious, fully accessible, and conveniently located on the main floor, unlike many other places. I highly recommend Darna if you want to enjoy authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and have a great dining experience. You won t be disappointed!

★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

We came here for dinner and sat on the patio. We got the falafel, shakshuka, and pickled veggies. All of the food was tasty, although, none of it blew me away. My favourite was the falafel. The service was good and the vibe was as you d expect on a patio on a busy street. I am glad we tried this place and we did enjoy our time but I probably wouldn t come again.

★★★★
September 21, 2024

The food was very delicious! My only complaint is I wish we got a bit of a bigger serving for the price, but overall great flavour and really impressed. We did take out and the food was still fresh and ready when we ate it at home. We tried the Mujadara, Beef Shuka, Za atar Chicken & Pistachio Kunafah.

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

I visited Darna for the first time the weekend before. I loved it so much I returned this past weekend. The food does not disappoint. Everything ordered was fresh and delicious (highly recommend the kebab and lamb skewers). The cocktails were refreshing (the G&P is a winner) and the service welcoming throughout. Can t wait to dine there again.

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

Food here is excellent from bottom to top

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

Vegetarian options: OK Food

★★★★★
September 21, 2024

Came here strictly based on the reviews and it absolutely made sense. Fantastic.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Excellent food, service and environment! Thank you Osama!

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

We were 4 people, we ordered different entres and mains. Each, without exception, was delicious, fresh, perfectly seasoned, and artistically presented. The service was welcoming, attentive, friendly and helpful. Although restaurants serving Middle Eastern food are ubiquitous in Toronto, Darna raises the standard to a level not paralleled by the other Middle Eastern restaurants. We unconditionally recommend Darna!!

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

Very lovely dinner here tonight. It s my second time here and I felt like the food was even better than last time. The chicken skewers were delicious and juicy. Portions are large and the plates included a good ratio of protein, veggies and carbs. And the semolina pudding rose water dessert is to die for! Thanks for everything Darna!

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

Great service, loved the patio. The 3 dips and fattoush salad were delicious

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

I had a fantastic experience at Darna last week. My server, Sierra, was fantastic and a joy to be around. Food was excellent. I recommend trying their hot sauce as well it was bomb. Will be back! Food : 5/5

★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Food was so delicious, very tasty and great presentation, however the wait times were too long. 30 min for an old fashioned? and another 30 min for the dessert? I am sorry but that s ridiculous, i would understand if the place was busy, but i was not!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

This place has absolutely delicious authentic food! This was our first time, but well be coming back for more.

★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Food was delicious and the patio was comfortable. Reason for four stars is because we felt a bit rush when they brought our mutabal dip, jarjeer salad and kufta main one right after the other. Would have preferred the smaller dishes to come out first, especially if theyre meant to be enjoyed chilled, followed by warm mains once we were done. When we brought this up to our server, she mentioned we need to request this, which I felt was unnecessary as its pretty standard when you go to a restaurant so food doesnt get cold or soggy. Would still come back and will keep this in mind for next time.

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen offers an exceptional dining experience with its authentic, flavorful dishes and warm, inviting atmosphere. The menu is a feast of traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, beautifully presented and rich in taste. Service is top-notch, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who make you feel right at home. Whether for a casual meal or a special occasion, Darna delivers on all fronts. I highly recommend it and look forward to returning.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Lovely food. Also for vegetarians. Really want to come back when we are in Toronto again.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Fantastic flavours and a great variety on the menu. I was a bit skeptical of the vegetarian special Rushtayeh with lentils and fettuccine, but how I was proven wrong: it was excellently balanced combination of surprising flavours and indeed made for a great meal! Vegetarian options: A decent few vegetarian options on the menu, though I ll highly recommend the signature vegetarian dish Rushtayeh

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Wonderful food - I highly recommend the chicken livers and the Ontario lamb skewers!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Amazing Palestinian food. Flavours were on point and portions were very generous. Highly recommend getting the Shish Barak and Freikeh Salad

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

We made reservations for a Saturday night. The service was friendly and quick. The atmosphere was nice. The food was delicious.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Excellent Middle Eastern food, very friendly service. A great spot on Bayview for high quality but casual Middle Eastern.

★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

The food was delicious and the service was amazing too. There was a bit of wait for some things but not too long either. Definitely a place I would recommend others to try out. You wont be disappointed!

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

I ve had the pleasure of going to Darna for dinner with my husband on several occasions and always had amazing meals. Recently we had the great pleasure of planning the food for my daughter s engagement party with the owner Marwan. He was patient, kind and professional. He helped me pick the most appropriate food selection for our venue and the guests; his suggestions were excellent! ALL of the food was amazing! The dips, the appetizers, the salads and the main course were absolutely delicious. Our guests are from Iraq and they raved at how delicious and authentic the food was. I would highly recommend Darna for a nice intimate dinner, a group dinner or catering - you ll never be disappointed!

★★★
August 21, 2024

Enjoyed the food but dinner plates were way too small, only about 6 inches so it made eating messy. Music indoors was too loud and made it hard to talk. Kids screaming next to our table but they can t help that but it ruined the meal.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

Had lunch there on a Friday. They have a brunch menu for Fri-Sun lunch (which I didnt take as there were no/not many chicken options). I had chicken Zaatar. Food was good, chicken was moist & flavourful.. but $27 before taxes... So prices are a bit on the high side.

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

Darna is the place you always want to return to. The food is wonderful and the service is pleasant and friendly. They will do everything to make you feel comfortable. See you soon!

★★★★★
August 21, 2024

This place is amazing! Food is fresh and so tasty! Highly recommend this place!

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

I can see why this place has a 4.8 rating. I was craving some hummus and pita, and fresh veggies, and Middle Eastern food is one of my go-to cuisines. The food here is flavourful and fresh, the staff are really friendly, and I can t wait to return to try their falafel - the server said he thinks it s the best in Toronto and that s what he usually eats there. I m sold!

★★
July 21, 2024

The food was crafted ftom fresh ingredient, but it was not tasty, especially the Koofta Tahini.

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

Hands down the best middle eastern food you can find in Toronto.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Friendly and fast service and delicious food. Can t wait to come back to this wonderful upscale Palestinian restaurant

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

This was my second time at this restaurant with my family and each time our visit was nothing short of fantastic. Even as a family, we always have a little bit of food left over that we can take home. The baba ghanouj was spectacular as usual and we also enjoyed the beef tenderloin mashawi. The shakshuka was okay, the yolk was a little bit salty but it was easily balanced out by the tomatoes. The chicken fukhara was tasty but also very rich and filling. We were given a couple of dishes on the house which we were very grateful for, such as a plate of pickled vegetables and layalina. The service was excellent and every staff member we came across did an amazing job at making us feel welcome. My daughters often suggest this restaurant whenever we want to eat out, as it is a great halal option in the Leaside area.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Great food and service. We ordered the darna sampler to share and it was flavourful and delicious. They also brought 4 large pieces of bread which we really appreciated. For mains we ordered Fukhara ( Ontario lamb) and Fattet Batenjan and both were amazing. The meat was very tender and the stew was very well-cooked and flavourful. Our server was very attentive and super nice. Overall a great experience and we will be going back. Vegetarian options: Many different options

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

Great Middle Eastern restaurant with a wide variety of choices beyond the cabab and the shawarma

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

It s my second time here and the food has been amazing! I ve tried the tahini kufta which I absolutely became obsessed with and We tried the brunch tray this time was so delicious and more than enough for three people. I highly recommend this place and the service is always very friendly and accommodating.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Great food and service. Recommend the place

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Beautiful ambiance, with very good service. The food was amazing too.

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

I have a visual impairment and the staff here went out of their way to Make my dinner experience top notch!! They even gave me a free desert at the end!! Reasonable prices and great wine selection too!! Thanks so much!! Tanya Callaghan

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

Been here several times and it s one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto. Consistently delicious and excellent service

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

Great service and authentic Palestinian food. The staff are awesome and welcoming. They even offered us a free desert - Knafeh Food : 4/5

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

Great

★★★★★
June 21, 2024

I came to Darna on Saturday for brunch with a girlfriend and it was amazing. Our server was so sweet and it was such a chill vibe. We sat in the window and shared the brunch for two and every single dish on the sharing board was phenomenal. I was stuffed but made sure to keep some space for the Knafeh for dessert. Will definitely be back. Don t sleep on Darna. SO GOOD!!!

★★★★
June 21, 2024

This was the first visit to your restaurant. We appreciated the server s attentiveness and recommendations. The food was fresh and well prepared and generous portions. I would definitely return and would recommend to others.

★★★★
June 21, 2024

Good food good attentive service.

★★★★★
June 21, 2024

A top destination for Mediterranean cuisine in Toronto. Their BBQ (Mashawi) comes highly recommended.

★★★★★
June 21, 2024

Blown away by the food. Definitely worth a visit.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

WOW... This place was INCREDIBLE! I had the Warak Enab and Shish Barak to start... Delicious, absolutely wonderful. The Enab was VERY flavourful and packed a punch of flavour. The Shish Barak was sooooo good. I loved the sauce. Main course I had the Kebbeh Labanyeh. I honestly raved about this dish every bite! My wife had the mixed grill plate which was also fantastic! I wish this place was down in Niagara. I know exactly where to go the next time Im in the area. First and only choice. Service was good, people were friendly, just a spectacular location to eat at !

★★★★★
June 21, 2024

If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would. The food is phenomenal, the server is kind and helpful, and the environment is amazing. I went in today with my baby and the restaurant even had a change table - unfortunately this is not the case everywhere. The owner also offered my son a balloon, but I didn t realize he was just doing something nice and assumed he was trying to sell the balloon (so sorry!) That s how rare this kind of niceness is! Thanks for the great experience :)

★★★★★
June 21, 2024

This place is legit! The food is fantastic. Delicious and authentic. Just like my Teta made it. I m coming back until I ve tasted everything on the menu. The restaurant is located in the lovely neighborhood of Leaside. Eat some food and walk around and enjoy the area of Toronto. Enjoy!

★★★★
June 21, 2024

Food was amazing, our first waiter was not very helpful didn t bring dinner plates after apps were done, when we asked her for some after she served our main meal she took so long to bring them. The food went cold and we had to ask another waiter for help. The other waiter was very helpful

★★★★★
June 21, 2024

We had lunch with friends at the Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen. I and my wife came all the way from Hamilton, ON over an hours drive, while our friends live in North York, which is about 15 minutes from the restaurant. The food was very good and the atmosphere was nice and relaxing. Service was great and the cost very reasonable. I will definitely recommend this restaurant, however I recommend that patrons be warned about the difficulty in getting parking and make suggestions about possible parking locations to save time. Parking: It is recommended to locate paid parking lots to save time.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Not bad at all, the space was a little more brightly lit than I was hoping for; But overall it s a nice place to chill with friends and the food was very rich and tasty Parking: Lots of street parking

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Great service and atmosphere for any occasion. The food was very good, where you can tell the quality of ingredients was on another level. I will be going back for sure.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

My boyfriend and I went here on a Friday night and it was amazing. Our waiter made some great recommendations since we had never been there before. We had the baba ghanouj and the warak enab as appetizers. We also shared the kufta tahini and the mixed grill plate. Great flavours and everything was cooked really well. Highly reccomend the kufta tahini if you like tahini. We finished with this semolina pudding and fresh mint tea. Overall a great experience, food came pretty quickly and everything was good. Would definitely come back!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Its kinda a 4.5 star. But Id err on the side of rounding up. Lovely server. Tastey food.

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

All aspects of our dining experience were wonderful, thanks,

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

I ve been there with my family for the second time, and it was a great experience same as the first time with delicious home-made foods, lovely staff (specifically Abed, who is a really welcoming host), and great atmsphere. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to those who really like to try a different taste of middle eastern cuisine.

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

If you like middle eastern food you must immediately refrain from going to any other middle eastern restaurant in Toronto. This is the only and best place to eat!! The food is unreal!

★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

I think the food was pretty average. Maybe I had high hopes based on the ratings and others reviews. Dont think the food was bad by any means but definitely not the best or 4.8 worth (as rated today). The pomegrate based cocktail was pretty bad, though

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

The best in this area! Congratulations!

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

The best fish plate (Bahri) Ive ever eaten in the area! Keep it up!!

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

Our dinner at Darna was great. I would highly recommend Darma to anyone looking for Middle Eastern flavours. We will definitely come back!

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

Best middle eastern food I have had in Toronto!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

10/10. Came across this place while we were in the neighbourhood and walked in. Got a mixed grill and chicken skewer. Food was cooked and flavoured to perfection. One of the best meals I have had. Environment is great and staff is friendly and fast!

★★★
May 21, 2024

Its a pretty mid 3.5/5. The restaurant itself is very pretty, and our server was energetic and attentive despite a very busy house. The food was frankly lacking, despite being flavourful. We ordered; - Darna Sampler Trio - Fattoush Salad - Vegetarian Fukhara with bulgur - Fattet Battenjan with rice - Zaatar Chicken The fattoush salad was *drenched* in dressing. Took away from the texture of so many good crunchy elements. The dips on the Sampler Trio were flavourful, but I found the Mutabal too clumpy. It was an odd texture, and makes me think the dish sat at the pass for too long. The veggie fukhara with bulgur was deliciously well seasoned, and perfectly moist. Great dish! The Battenjan was way underseasoned. I know Middle Eastern food is not typically high in salt, but this was noticeably under-salted. The Zaatar chicken was disappointing. Parts of the chicken leg were too chewy and dry, yet other parts were perfectly moist and soft to the bite. The smoked wheat was way over cooked, and there was way too much of it! Just not enough moisture in the dish. I found myself constantly looking for some refuge from the dryness and chewy texture of the smoked wheat. Pretty mid, honestly. I would try the place again, but only for their Fukhara selection.

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

Always great food and service, one of our favorites

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

So good! I will have dreams about the kunafah

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Whether youre indulging in their succulent kebabs, savouring the rich and creamy hummus, or delighting in the fresh and vibrant salads, every item on the menu is a testament to the chefs passion and skill. Darna is an absolute gem in the culinary world! From the moment you step inside, youre greeted by an impeccably clean environment and a warm, welcoming staff that makes you feel right at home. But its the food that truly steals the show. If you havent experienced Darna yet, youre truly missing out on one of the best Middle Eastern dining experiences around!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Fantastic middle eastern food, the portions are perfect I felt full in the best way after and I honestly had a hard time picking because the menu is filled with great options, will definitely come back to try more!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

I recently dined at Darna and had an absolutely fantastic experience. The ambiance was charming and welcoming, setting the perfect tone for the evening. The staff were attentive and friendly, ensuring that every need was met promptly. The highlight, of course, was the food. Every dish was a delightful surprise, bursting with flavors and beautifully presented. From the appetizers to the desserts, each bite was a testament to the chefs skill. Overall, Darna exceeded all my expectations. Its a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a top-notch dining experience. I cant wait to return!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

This was my first visit to Darna. I would love to keep this place to myself but this place deserves to be known as one of Torontos best restaurants! Had mint tea as my drink, I drink alcohol and there is alcohol available just thought the vibes called for mint tea. For the starter me we had the Darna Sampler, the pita was freshly made and hot. The three dips are the perfect introduction to this restaurant. The hummas was our favourite, followed closely by the Labneh. I dont think Im a fair reviewer of the mutabal because Im not the biggest fan of eggplant but this was still excellent and worth trying if you havent liked eggplant in the past. For the mains we enjoyed the Shawarma and Sujuk Shuka. I got one bite of the Shawarma plate and it was excellent but I wont review that because I didnt taste the full dish. I had the Sujuk Shuka and the flavours were perfect. I havent had this dish before but this wont be the last time! The combination of the sausage with the tomatoes, garlic, peppers were sublime. The egg on top, requested medium and done to perfection, was the taste that brought the whole dish together. And dessert....wow! We were offered a complimentary dessert, after we had already ordered the Kunafah. We picked the date walnut pudding. The pudding was too sweet for me but was still delicious. The show stopper was the Kunafah. Made with kataifi dough and perfectly balanced with its sweetness level between the cheese and the rose water....just wow. Darna has an incredible chef and a great staff and this restaurant deserves to be full every night! Im sorry for the lack of photos, I dont have any. It was because the ambiance and the food was so good I didnt want to remove myself from the experience of this wonderful restaurant. Do yourself a favour and make a reservation for Darna. Its worth the visit to Bayview Village for this hidden gem!

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Delicious! Vegetarian options: Delicious! Food : 5/5 |

★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Highlights were the mutabal, labneh and soft falafel. Filling and just so delicious! Halloumi salad and knafeh were decent but not to write home about. Found myself quite happy and full just with mezze options! Will be back to try their veggie mains, there are a few unique ones that stand out (cauliflower shakshuka, veggie stew with zaatar gravy) The staff were very lovely were a joy to speak to. Thank you for accommodating our group of 5 last minute on a saturday night and letting us stay well into closing time!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

One of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the city great food great service fantastic atmosphere!

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

We visited this place several times at this point and we like going back. The food is very tasty, prices are affordable and the staff is friendly and not in your face. We definitely recommend and will be back.

★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Pretty good experience! The mezze apps are all really really good! The babaganoush actually lives up to the hype. I was worried it wouldn t taste good because it s not mashed up like traditional babaganoush. But it s amazing. The molasses are just so complimentary. Unfortunately the bread we got was really hard - I really wish the restaurant would bake fresh bread. It s not a cheap restaurant to be having hard bread to be honest. That was the downside of the babaganoush. I also had the beef dumplings. The dough is handmade and so fresh. Really good. The warak enab is so traditional! It s hard to find authentic grape leaves but this felt like I was in the Middle East. For the stew, we had the beef stew. It was a 3/5. I didn t love it - but it was tender and tasted decent. I wouldn t get it again though. I had the date pudding for dessert. It s .. interesting but I definitely wouldn t get it again. It s really heavy on dates. I thought it would be more sticky toffee pudding like but it s more like puréed dates. Not really my choice for dessert as it can be pretty heavy at the end of a meal. The mocktails aren t special but refreshing. The service is absolutely lovely though! Everyone is pretty attentive and the atmosphere is quite nice. Definitely a little hidden gem.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

I really loved my experience at Darna, excellent food, generous dishes and above all very delicious and tasty. The staff are friendly and welcoming. A specific thank you to Ihssan for his impeccable service I highly recommend!

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Comments by my 8 year old daughters after eating at Darna today: Sophia I ve never tried any food like this and service was really good. Eliana food was awesome and the atmosphere was very friendly. Thanks for an amazing experience!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

We were amazed and delighted to have had the opportunity to dine here. My partner is Palestinian and was excited to recommend and share in dishes that he had growing up. We ordered a lot so had to do a takeaway box but overall, we enjoyed each and every bite of the dishes. Must try s are Limonada, Salatat Friekeh and Chicken Fukhara!

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

The food here is authentic, fresh, healthy and absolutely delicious! Abed was fantastic and is the cherry on top for this restaurant. I will be coming back again and again!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Food was amazing and our service from Mariam was even better, thank you all!

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Simply the best

★★★★
April 21, 2024

The food was overall good but the service was just okay. It took over 20 minutes to get our drinks (a cocktail and glass of wine) which came after we finished our appetizer. And I wanted my glass of wine with the appetizer.

★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Brunch food quality was really average/low. Also too pricy for such a quality..

★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Good food friendly staff Nice environment Food

★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

We recently visited the restaurant based on the reviews. We were disappointed with the food. The bulgor dish was dry and it seemed like it was not freshly prepared. It was probably something that was cooked earlier and served which made it so dry in taste. The hallumi we ordered was okay, nothing we would order again. Overall the service was great, but disappointed with the food options as well as the food served.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Incredible foods and flavours, and incredible service. Highly recommended!

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Just amazing, seriously the best restaurant in Toronto I ve been to all year. The calamari is incredible

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

Very friendly staff and service. The food was delicious and we had a lovely evening.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Amazing food, great ambiance definitely recommend. Food is made with care and very welcoming place. Loved it

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Warm and friendly service, a variety of middle eastern specialties, great presentation and very reasonable prices.

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Had a wonderful lunch today. Even though we arrived too early, they opened up the lunch menu for us. We had the sujuk, the beef dumplings, beef fukhara and the zaatar chicken. The food is excellent and made with care, with beautiful presentation. But what really stood out to me was the warmth of our server, Beisan. She overheard the kids wanting dessert and generously got us the most delicious layalina (sp?) we were blown away by the whole experience. Can t wait to come back and try the brunch. Leaving with full tummies and hearts, thanks Darna! Kid-friendliness: Brought them crayons, joked around them, got them dessert. Overall, lovely service

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Vegetarian options: Lots of options and very tasty Food

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Darna is one of my favorite spots. Food is superb. Hummus melts in your mouth. Kibdeh... I can never pass on kibdeh. Atmosphere is very informal and relaxing. Totally recommend.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Excellent restaurant with a really lovely staff. The quality of the food is top notch. Id say the cocktails (which were good but not great) are the only thing that stops me from giving the restaurant a full grade, but Id highly recommend this place to anyone regardless.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

We had such a great experience here today, I can t wait to be back. The food was very delicious. I loved the beef so much - it was so tender, I keep thinking about it! We came with 3 children and two strollers and staff were super friendly and accommodating. It means a lot & we really appreciated that. Will be back soon. Thank you!!!

★★★★
March 21, 2024

I was comfortable knowing the server understood that my celiac disease required careful gluten-free accommodation. There were 3 of us there for lunch, and he happily changed to 6 vine leaves from the 5 on the usual appetizer plate so we could share easily.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Best middle eastern food that I had outside of home cooking. A group of friends met for brunch and we had a sampling of many of the dishes, as part of the mezza as well as the entree, they were all fresh, delicious and authentic. The service was impeccable and very attentive. A very great experience. Would definitely make the trek from downtown to Darna.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Mind blowing food. Come prepared to be pampered by the flavours and textures. The desserts are incredible!

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

So good! Thank you for the amazing meal and service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Parking: Street parking in front of the restaurant and around the corner on Fleming Crescent, which is free after 6pm. Food

★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Had a delicious dinner last night with some girlfriends at Darna. Food was top notch, so fresh and flavourful. But the service is not up to par. We were seated and waited well over 20 minutes to get a drink and had to repeatedly flag down someone to ask a question (which comically I did and said we needed some help with the menu only to have the server turn and walk away!) or to place our orders. Again we had to flag someone down to ask for the bill. Shame because it s a happening place with such good food.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Nice little spot for authentic middle eastern food. The service was absolutely fantastic and the food was tasty!

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Love the food here, and the staff & service are friendly, warm and competent. I ordered food for catering a home event and Darna really delivered on flavour, presentation, and portions. Ordered the labneh, hummus, moutabbal, foule, warak enab, and mixed grill and everything was delicious. Looking forward to returning for in-person dining in future.

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

My experience at Darna Restaurant was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we stepped in, the warm ambiance and friendly atmosphere made us feel right at home. The food surpassed all expectations it was truly amazing. I ordered the kufta with tahini, and every bite was perfect. The flavors were rich and authentic, and the dish was executed flawlessly. My wife opted for the beef tenderloin, and it was incredibly juicy and tender, cooked to perfection. What truly stood out, however, was the impeccable service. The staff at Darna went above and beyond to ensure that we had a memorable dining experience. They were attentive, knowledgeable, and made us feel welcomed throughout our meal. Overall, dining at Darna was a delight, and we cannot wait to come back for more. The combination of delicious food, excellent service, and inviting atmosphere truly made us feel like we were among family. Thank you to the team at Darna for an unforgettable evening. We will definitely be returning soon.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Absolutely loved my experience at Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen! The dishes were top-notch, served generously, and bursting with flavor. The staff was incredibly friendly and the ambience added to the overall enjoyment of the meal. Highly recommend!

★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Great middle eastern food! We really loved the fried halloumi appetizer

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Excellent and authentic. The staff was amazing and professional and the food as good as my mama s with a masterful flair by the chef. This is 100% my all time favorite restaurant moving forward. Vegetarian options: Amazing mutabal.

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Food was excellent! Great price for the amount of food you get -- we had to take it home! The market sour is probably the best cocktail on the menu. Would definitely go back. Vegetarian options: The fattet batenjan was delicious! Many other vegetarian options

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Lovely experience. The food was so good especially the zaatar chicken, lamb fukhara, and layalina. The dips and salad were fresh! The service was excellent.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 21, 2024

Amazing new brunch spot! Delicious Mimosas and fabulous food !!!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Consistently amazing. I ve been 5 times now and can really say this is the new gem in the neighborhood. The best thing about this restaurant is the menu. There are traditional, unique and new dishes from Middle Eastern cuisine that you don t find at other restaurants. My favorite items on the menu are: mixed dip platter, mixed grill (shoutout to their chicken kebab), the beef fukhara, bamyeh sawani. Make sure to get their hot sauce too - soooo good. Really friendly service too. Anytime we ask for a change to the accompanying sides, they never charge extra or say no. The restaurant deserves a lot of praise for that. Will keep coming back and giving my support! Food and service is outstanding.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Today I had an amazingly delicious brunch at this restaurant! Apparently they just started offering a brunch menu yesterday. Me and my wife ordered brunch for two platter and were blown away by every single dish we got! The amount of food we got was huge and in my opinion very reasonably priced. I literally wanted to lick the plates clean because of how good they were. We already had the opportunity to taste their lunch and dinner menus before (which were also amazing!) and now well be going here for brunch a lot more often. 10 out of 10, definitely recommend this place!

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

Food was amazing. Great service with very friendly staff. Vegetarian options: Delicious dips Food : 5/5 |

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

Vegetarian options: All the options with a leaf beside the name of a dish are vegetarian. Food

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

Service was not as attentive as in previous times at Darna Parking: Neighborhood parking quite easy Food : 5/5 |

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

Always delicious! Such nice service! Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Great food! Amazing service.

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

Food was delicious!! Will go back for sure..everyone friendly as well

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

Went with my wife on valentines night and had such a beautiful evening. The food was excellent, had the sawanis of fatta and kufta as main courses, and the pudding was a fantastic dessert. The staff were so friendly and the service was on point! Will definitely visit again.

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

Food was fantastic. It was very busy due to Valentine s Day, so many tables were close together. So it was a bit noisy. They were very nice and gave us a table for 4 for more room for my disability. Service was good. Had to wait quite a while for the bill. Vegetarian options: Many dishes were vegetarian or vegan. It would have been good if they were marked on the menu as such.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

By far the best Mediterranean authentic Palestinian restaurant. You can tell the owners care and it shows in the level of service. My wife and I have decided to make it our spot. Food : 5/5

★★★★
February 21, 2024

Welcoming atmosphere, kind and well trained servers, and of course, the food is delicious. Gives you that nostalgic feeling when biting into the authentic taste of the Levant.

★★★★★
February 21, 2024

Darna is the real deal! These folks are nice people, gracious, attentive and their food is fantastic!! You will not be disappointed!!

★★★
February 21, 2024

standard middle-eastern fare. nothing special. try Mirage across the street for better food.