Cathy MerrittI used to think I loved all types of chicken dishes equally, but that changed when I tried jerk chicken for the first time during my visit to Jamaica. Now, I can confidently say that jerk chicken ranks #1 on my list of favourite chicken dishes!
Oh, how to describe jerk chicken? It’s smoky, savoury, earthy, and fiery hot. Plus, it’s incredibly aromatic as well; even before taking a bite, I’m already drooling!
It’s sad that I have to leave the beautiful Jamaica behind, but thankfully, Toronto has many spots that serve amazing jerk chicken. Here are some of my favourites.
Allwyn’s Bakery
– From: allwynsbakery
Address: 81 Underhill Dr, Donwood Plaza, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16478474698
Allwyn’s Bakery was once a small take-out spot in North York, but over time, it’s grown and now has about seven locations all around the Greater Toronto Area! I still love to visit the North York outlet, though, for nostalgia’s sake.
If you want to enjoy jerk chicken in its full glory, you need to order the jerk chicken plate. But personally, I prefer getting it in its sandwich or roti version. The bread used is soft and fluffy, and the chicken pieces are still tender and oozing with savoury, smoky, and spicy flavours.
| Pro Tip: This place only accepts cash, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to stop by. |
Chris Jerk Caribbean Bistro
– From: aleemchicoeats
Address: 2570 Birchmount Rd, Huntingwood Square, Scarborough
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—11 am to 8 pm
- Friday—11 am to 9 pm
- Saturday—12 pm to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14162975375
If you’re in Scarborough, then one Caribbean spot you need to visit is Chris Jerk Caribbean Bistro. The owner, Chris, was born and raised in Jamaica, so he’s using recipes that have been passed down in his family. Yay for authentic flavours!
I love getting the jerk chicken meal, especially the one with the leg quarter. The spices penetrate deep into the meat, so I can enjoy a smoky and spicy explosion with every bite.
The meal also comes with fluffy basmati rice that’s infused with coconut cream, herbs, and spices, and freshly fried plantains that add a nice sweetness.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning an event, you can book their catering services. |
Rasta Pasta
– From: eatrastapasta
Address: 61 Kensington Ave
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—11 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +16475014505
Kensington Market is a beloved spot for foodies, and one place I’ll always recommend is Rasta Pasta. Admittedly, I love coming here for the innovative pasta dishes, but the jerk chicken, named Jamaican Mi Crazy Chicken, is also noteworthy.
The chicken pieces look super dark, and that’s how you know they’re packed with a lot of flavor. Earthy and savoury notes will be the first to hit your tastebuds, while smoky and spicy will linger in the background until you can’t ignore them anymore.
Feeling overwhelmed with all the flavours? Down them with a generous spoonful of coleslaw and aromatic rice!
| Pro Tip: If you want to book their catering services, fill out this form. |
Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen
– From: chubbysjamaican
Address: 104 Portland St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 pm to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14167928105
Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen has always been one of my favourites because the vibe here is just top-notch—very much like I’m at a tropical resort. It also helps that their jerk chicken is immaculate, so now I have even more reason to come back often.
The jerk chicken is super succulent, and the way it balances the smoky, spicy, and even sweet flavours is perfect. I love to pair my jerk chicken with fried plantains for even more sweetness or jerk fries for more tongue-numbing spice.
| Pro Tips: If you want to dine here with 10 or more people, you need to book ahead of time by filling out this form. You can book this restaurant’s catering services for your special event. |
Jerk King
– From: toronto_restaurant_jerkking
Address: 522 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—11 am to 4 am
- Thursday to Sunday—11 am to 5 am
Contact Number: +16473520300
If you’re looking for a no-frills restaurant serving cheap eats, then Jerk King is for you. To make things better, this restaurant is open until dawn, so if I’m hit with a late-night craving for jerk chicken, I know exactly where to go!
The jerk chicken is undoubtedly smoky and savoury, but it has some parts that have been caramelized, so there’s a bit of sweetness as well. The dish comes with rice, peas, and coleslaw, making it a well-rounded meal.
| Pro Tip: It’s hard to find parking here, so I don’t recommend driving. There is paid parking on the street, but the spots get filled up fast, so if you want to drive, try coming here during off-peak hours (in the afternoon). |
Patois
– From: patoistoronto
Address: 794 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—5 pm to 10 pm
- Friday—5 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday—12 pm to 11 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16473508999
Admittedly, Patois isn’t the restaurant to go if you’re looking for authentic Jamaican-style jerk chicken. But if you want one that combines Jamaican and Asian flavours? Then, yes, this is the place for you.
I’m obsessed with the jerk chicken chow mein. I like having my egg noodles crispy because I love that extra texture, but you can also get it soft.
As for the flavours, you can expect umami richness and smoky savoriness. There’s also a hint of earthiness from the shiitake mushrooms.
| Pro Tip: If you’re hosting an event, you can book this restaurant’s catering services. |
Hakka N’ Jerk
– From: hakkanjerk
Address: 296 A Gerrard St E
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14169608000
Hakka N’ Jerk is another restaurant you might want to go to if you’re looking for a new, innovative take on jerk chicken. This spot marries Indo-Chinese and Caribbean cuisines, and for me, the result has been outstanding so far.
Just like Patois, this restaurant offers jerk chicken chow mein, which combines umami flavours with smoky savoriness. I also really like the jerk chicken bowl; the basmati rice is fragrant and fluffy, and I can add garlic and scotch bonnet hot sauce for more garlicky and spicy flavours.
| Pro Tip: If you want to book a group dinner here, you can send your request to [email protected]. |
Stacy’s Island Flavor
– From: archived.by.jen
Address: 3007 Sheppard Ave E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 8 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 8:30 pm
Contact Number: +14377032138
Stacy’s Island Flavor is an unassuming spot on Sheppard Avenue, but don’t let its humble exterior fool you! It’s a gem that serves one of the best jerk chickens in the city.
The jerk chicken perfectly balances savoury, smoky, and earthy flavours, and the meat is juicy. I love that it comes with rice, peas, and coleslaw because I feel full and satisfied afterward.
If you’re in a hurry, you might want to get the jerk chicken sandwich instead. It has the same flavours as the jerk chicken meal, but it’s sweet as well because of the sauce.
| Pro Tip: Book their catering services for your special event. |
Island Spice Flava Inc.
– From: island_spice_flava
Address: 365 Pitfield Rd, Scarborough
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—11 am to 9 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—11 am to 9:30 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14162997363
Island Spice Flava Inc. has been a Scarborough staple for more than 20 years now, and I can see why. This humble spot serves delicious Caribbean dishes without fail!
I love all the dishes they offer, but the jerk chicken is, of course, my favourite. It tastes like your classic jerk chicken: smoky and savoury are the predominant flavours, while spicy and earthy lurk in the background.
I like to get the leg quarter with rice and peas and a garden salad to balance everything out.
| Pro Tips: Take advantage of their all-day jerk chicken special. For a fixed price, you can enjoy jerk chicken with rice or chow mein, a side, and two salads. This restaurant offers catering services for all sorts of events. |
The Real Jerk Restaurant
– From: eatfamous
Address: 842 Gerrard St E
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Thursday and Friday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Saturday—12 pm to 12 am
- Sunday—2 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14164636055
The Real Jerk Restaurant is another Caribbean restaurant that has been around for a long time—since 1984! Now, it has two locations within the city, and my go-to spot is the one on Gerrard Street.
They put the chicken pieces in a traditional jerk marinade for a couple of hours, which is why the savoury and earthy spices penetrate deep into the meat. Then, the chicken is smoked on the grill, and the aroma still lingers even when it’s served.
This dish can taste too rich, so I like to order a side of rice or roti shell to temper the flavours a bit.
| Pro Tip: Every Thursday night (from 9:30 pm), there’s a Jamaican-style karaoke. Feel free to join! |
Scotty Bons Caribbean Grill
– From: scottybonsgrill
Address: 789 Warden Ave., 789 Business Center, Scarborough
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—11 am to 10 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—11 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14167527222
I used to think Scotty Bons Caribbean Grill was just another typical take-out spot—that was until I decided to try it out on a whim. And now, I’m hooked, especially by their in-house jerk chicken!
The jerk chicken bowl is loaded with all the good stuff, and I feel full and satisfied in no time. The chicken is wonderfully smoky and savoury with a hint of spice, and I love to pair it with their creamy lime sauce for the extra kick of tanginess.
I also recommend topping the dish with pineapple corn and mango tamarind chutney. The sweetness and sourness from these two toppings help brighten the dish even further, in my opinion.
| Pro Tip: This place offers catering services. |
T Dot Jerk
– From: tdotjerk
Address: 26 Roncesvalles Ave
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—11:30 am to 8 pm
- Saturday—12 pm to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14165345375
My friends can’t stop raving about T Dot Jerk, so I finally checked it out. And holy moly, I can’t believe it took me this long!
Their jerk chicken meal is absolutely massive; I’m pretty sure it can sustain me for one day, even if it’s the only thing I eat. I also love the flavours. The chicken itself is smoky and spicy, and the oxtail gravy adds savoury notes that elevate the dish.
| Pro Tip: If you just need a little snack, try the stuffed jerk chicken patty. You can easily consume it in just a few bites, but the same flavours are there. |
Pat’s Jamaican Jerk
– From: patsjamaicanjerk
Address: 1030 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 8 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +14163461582
Pat’s Jamaican Jerk is a hidden gem I discovered in Toronto’s West End, and I need more people to know about it! I love everything I’ve tried here so far, but of course, my ultimate favourite is the jerk chicken.
Their chicken is perfectly seasoned; even though I can taste smoky, savoury, and spicy flavours all at once, I don’t feel overwhelmed. I like that the dish is served with shredded vegetables and rice because now, it’s filling and nutritious as well.
| Pro Tips: This restaurant has a combo deal that lets you enjoy two types of chicken (BB!, jerk, or curry) for a discounted price.They also offer catering. |
The Jerk Box
– From: thejerkbox.inc
Address: 1682 Jane St, York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—6 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—6 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14167925375
The Jerk Box doesn’t seem a lot from the outside, but don’t overlook it because of that. The food served here is aromatic and delicious, and the jerk chicken is their star seller.
I love to get the large portion size for the jerk chicken because I’m just obsessed with it. The chicken pieces pack a strong smoky and savory punch, and they’re also super juicy.
The dish also comes with coleslaw, which I appreciate because it cleanses my palate after a few bites of the flavorful jerk chicken.
| Pro Tip: Please take note that this restaurant only accepts cash. |
Caribbean Queen Jerk
– From: caribbeanqueenjerk
Address: 2079 Lawrence Ave W, York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—6 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +16473467997
With multiple locations throughout Toronto, Caribbean Queen Jerk is far from an underrated spot. I’ve always been obsessed with their roti, but my current obsession is their jerk chicken.
Since this restaurant opens so early, I can have jerk chicken for breakfast. And what a great way to start the day! The chicken’s bright flavours, especially its spicy heat, are enough to wake me up.
| Pro Tip: Take advantage of their lunch special, which lets you enjoy jerk chicken with sides, rice, and a small drink for a set price. This special is only available from 11 am to 4 pm. |
Simone’s Caribbean Restaurant
– From: simonescaribrestaurant
Address: 596 Danforth Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—11 am to 10 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14167925252
The vibe at Simone’s Caribbean Restaurant is just as vibrant as their food, and that’s why I love to come here. Their jerk chicken, in particular, is spectacular; I can taste the pepper, allspice, and fresh herbs with every bite!
While the jerk chicken is delicious, eating it on its own can be too much, so I order a side of rice and green salad to balance it out. Sometimes, I also get their fried plantains because I love the addition of sweetness to my jerk chicken.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning to host an event, book their catering services. |
