With origins from Japan, Italy, India and beyond, the variety of meals available within downtown Whitby is truly impressive.
For most of us, travelling outside of the country is out of the question for at least the next little while. One of the things I miss most about international travel is experiencing delicious and authentic food made by locals. Luckily, Downtown Whitby is home to dozens of different restaurants, many of which offer flavours from around the world. With origins from Japan, Italy, India and beyond, the variety of meals available within downtown Whitby is quite impressive.
Pick up a new dish or order some delivery and support a local restaurant that you may not have tried before; it’s all part of the experience. After all, even as we “shelter in place,” we can continue to travel through our taste buds by experimenting with meals and flavours from around the world.
If you are looking for a nice Italian lunch, you have to try Antonio’s Italian Deli on Byron Street. They have pre-made dishes that you can take home to reheat, but they also serve up various options, including sandwiches, soups, salads, and dishes like lasagna and pasta. Did you know they make fresh pasta too? Antonio’s Italian Deli even has a selection of grocery items, including crackers, fresh deli meats and cheeses to make your own charcuterie board!
For Middle Eastern food, try ordering from Alborj Restaurant on Brock Street. If you are from the area, you may have already heard about how fantastic their falafels are, but I’ll bet you’ll love their hummus and garlic dip too. They also make delicious shawarma plates, salads and a variety of meat kebabs. Alborj offers lamb, beef, chicken, fish and veggie options.
When you are craving Indian, Balti Indian is the go-to! Chef Rajan and Chef Gopal bring authentic and traditional Indian food to the neighbourhood with nearly 20 years of experience. For me, I love starting my meal with pakoras or a samosa as an appetizer. For my main, I always order chicken tikka masala with garlic naan! All of their traditional Indian breads are cooked to order in the clay oven tandoor. Other popular items at Balti Indian include butter chicken and tandoori chicken.
If you are looking for authentic ramen, you need to check out J7 Ramen on Brock Street. J7 Ramen is an authentic Japanese noodle bar! They make their signature soup base by simmering quality pork and chicken bones for over 16 hours and then hand-select the fish and fresh vegetables added to each order. Never been before? Not to worry! Ordering is easy; you just pick your flavour, noodle and any other toppings that you would like.
Nice Bistro on Brock Street is a lovely place to try for classic French dishes with a Mediterranean flair. In business for almost 30 years, this family-owned and operated business takes pride in using only the highest quality ingredients. The atmosphere they have created makes you feel like you have been transported to a little bistro in France. Enjoy bistro classics like onion soup gratinée with swiss and croutons, alongside escargots in white wine with garlic butter. For a bigger meal, treat yourself to a classic French beef stew served with vegetables and potato, or try the savoury lamb merguez sausage and chicken served on couscous.
For tasty Greek food located in the heart of Whitby, try Nick’s Grill. Nick’s offers marinated chicken, pork and many more delicious items, including gyro, greek salad, rice, greek potatoes and pita bread. Nick’s Grill has been in town since 2009 and cuts their vegetables fresh each day. Try something new and add feta fries or feta poutine to your order—it’s delicious!
Craving sushi? Always! Oishi Maki brings Asian cuisine to Brock Street with aesthetically pleasing, delicious and unique meals, including bento boxes, sushi, teriyaki dishes, fried rice, dumplings and all sorts of tempura. Don’t forget to save room for dessert. Oishi Maki serves up delicious treats like green tea ice cream and fried banana.
At Thai Delicious on Dundas Street, their Thai chef uses the best ingredients to prepare authentic Thai cuisine. Prepare your taste buds for an incredible experience and enjoy the experience of trying something new. From satay to spring rolls and curries to noodles, there is undoubtedly something for everyone. My two favourite dishes are the chicken pad thai and green curry with chicken.
Clearly, there are loads of different culinary options nearby! We are so fortunate that Downtown Whitby has such a great mix of food options, including Thai, Japanese, Italian, Greek, Indian and Middle Eastern. And hey, it is fun to step outside of your comfort zone and switch things up from time to time! Try a new restaurant or a new dish while supporting local and let your taste buds explore new flavours from across the globe. Experience the talent and knowledge that these local restaurants and their staff bring to our community. Next time you are hungry, consider exploring Downtown Whitby.
NOTE: At the time of publishing, Durham Region is in the RED-CONTROL zone of the COVID-19 Response framework with extensive measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. Residents are encouraged to stay at home with exception of essential trips, wash hands frequently, wear a mask and physically distance from others.
We continue to publish these stories to encourage you to explore these businesses and communities safely and through social media. When possible, please order for safe curbside pick-up if offered, and prepare to explore these areas once they are able to safely reopen.