Matha Roti

What is Matha Roti? Perched along Harbord Street just south of the Annex, Matha Roti is a compact, unpretentious storefront founded by veteran chef John Arockiaraj, who named the business in tribute to his mother's homestyle recipes. The pint-sized space seats barely a dozen diners across simple tables and counter stools, framed by colourful artwork and a service pass peering directly into the scratch kitchen. While it thrives heavily as a takeout destination for University of Toronto students and local residents, grabbing a stool inside means eating freshly griddled, steaming rotis within seconds of plating.

Matha Roti Menu & What to Order The kitchen specializes in colossal East Indian rotis, slow-simmered curries, and fragrant biryanis seasoned with a proprietary house-ground garam masala. The undisputed champion is the Hakka Chilli Roti—a bold Indo-Chinese fusion combining rice wine vinegar, soy, and fiery chillies with tender lamb or chicken—alongside a distinctive Butter Chicken Roti brightened by crisp fresh bell peppers. Plant-based diners have ample options, including rich Saag Paneer, earthy Eggplant and Potato, and the delicate Asparagus Malai Kofta dumplings. Pair your order with a chilled Mango Lassi, which provides essential cooling relief against the intense spice profiles.

Know Before You Go Matha Roti operates strictly on a walk-in basis with no table reservations, making takeout or delivery the best option if you arrive during the height of the evening dinner rush. Street parking on Harbord is scarce, but the shop sits just a short walk south from Spadina or Bathurst subway stations. Take the spice levels seriously: Matha Roti's medium heat is potent enough to rival the extra-spicy tier at most Toronto curry houses, so spice-sensitive diners should comfortably stick to mild.