Poppadum

What is Poppadum? Perched on Yonge Street just north of Bloor, Poppadum is a counter-service powerhouse founded by Red Seal chef Shreyas Nawkar, who transformed his lockdown pop-up into a dedicated temple for authentic regional Indian street fare. The bright, minimalist space operates with quick-casual efficiency, offering sleek booth and high-top counter seating geared toward swift dine-in bites and heavy takeout volume.

Poppadum Menu & What to Order Everything revolves around scratch-baked Maharashtrian ladi pav, which makes the OG Vada Pav—a crisp-fried spiced potato fritter slathered in pungent garlic-peanut podi and tangy mint-tamarind chutneys—an essential order. Beyond the buns, the kitchen turns out exceptional Misal Pav steeped in fiery sprouted moth-bean curry, crisp Sev Batata Puri, and a smokey Chicken Tikka Sandwich layered on Pullman bread with mint aioli. Pair the heat with a chilled glass of roasted green-mango Aam Panna or a freshly steeped Masala Chai, and save room for the clever Gulab Jamun Tiramisu.

Know Before You Go Poppadum operates exclusively on walk-ins and takeout with no reservations required. Expect a brief queue during weekday lunch and prime weekend dinner rushes, though turnaround is fast. The shop sits a two-minute walk from Bloor-Yonge and Rosedale subway stations, making public transit far easier than finding street parking on Yonge.