Aliu IsaYou haven’t really tried deli food until you’ve sampled authentic Jewish deli.
Just think of tender brisket, hand-sliced pastrami, tangy pickles, and of course, a bowl of matzo ball soup that tastes like a warm hug from your bubbie. Unlike normal delis, Jewish ones offer comfort food made with heart (and a whole lot of schmaltz!).
As always, you don’t have to wander the city with mad cravings, trying to find the good stuff—because I already did.
Here are the top Jewish delis in Toronto that’ll slowly but surely make you a convert, one bite at a time.
Pancer’s Original Deli
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Website: https://www.pancersoriginaldeli.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pancersoriginaldeli/
Address: 3856 Bathurst St, North York
Hours: Mon – Sun: 10 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (416) 636-1230
Must-Order: Pastrami on Rye
Pancer’s Original Deli is a family-run spot that has been serving up legendary Jewish deli eats since 1957. Their recipes came straight from Europe, passed down through generations of the Pancer family.
You can’t go here without trying their Pastrami on Rye. Just imagine wrapping your hands around a huge sandwich packed with whisper-thin pastrami (perfectly seasoned the way God intended) between slices of fresh rye bread.
Of course, they don’t stop at pastrami. You can choose other yummy Jewish deli staples like Chopped Liver, Latkes, House-Made Beef Knish, and Cheese Blintzes!
And for vegetarians in the group, they’ve got a solid lineup of non-meat sandwiches. Examples include Tuna or Salmon Salad, Egg Salad, Grilled Cheese, and even plant-based options like Beyond Meat Burger and Black Bean Burger.
Pro Tip:
Hosting a get-together? Pancer’s offers catering platters, where you can mix and match deli meats, cheeses, fresh veggies, and dairy selections to fit your budget.
SumiLicious Smoked Meat & Deli
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Website: https://sumilicious.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sumiliciousdeli
Address: 5631 Steeles Ave E #5, Scarborough
Hours: Wed – Sat: 11 AM – 7 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (647) 347-8899
Must-Order: Smoked Meat Sandwich (Halal)
When it comes to Montreal-style smoked meat, SumiLicious delivers—thanks to owner Fernando, who spent decades at Schwartz’s before opening his shop. No wonder his place scored Michelin’s Bib Gourmand (the only spot in Scarborough to do so!).
My fave is their Smoked Meat Sandwich, which uses halal brisket, marinated in a secret spice blend for days, then smoked for hours. A final steam gives it that super tender texture—add soft rye bread and yellow mustard, and you’ll be crying with joy.
Now, if you’re not afraid of ruining your diet, add their famous poutine! Imagine crispy fries, gooey Quebec cheese curds, and delicious gravy that soaks everything.
What’s even better is that you can stock up on their deli meats—just buy by the pound. They offer sliced smoked meat (hot or cold), whole briskets, turkey breast, and salami.
Pro Tip:
SumiLicious is the perfect place to catch a game with your friends. The spot has cozy booths and bar-style window seats, with plenty of flat screens all around!
Schmaltz Appetizing
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Website: https://schmaltzappetizing.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schmaltzappetizing
Address: 414 Dupont St
Hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 2 PM
Sat – Sun: 9 AM – 4 PM
Contact: (647) 350-4261
Must-Order: The Schmendrick
Schmaltz Appetizing is a bagel shop that also moonlights as a Jewish deli—it’s also one of the best kosher restaurants in Toronto! This spot has earned a cult following due to its delicious deli meats, bagels, smoked fish, and amazing schmears.
I recommend The Schmendrick, which has 140 grams of pastrami, a full sour pickle, and a generous swipe of yellow mustard—all layered in a bagel.
You can also build your own bagel, customizing it with cream cheese and lox, deli salad, butter, and more. Feel free to throw in yummy extras like tomato, cucumber, onions, and capers for around 50 cents each.
Inside, you’ll find cold cases stocked with Jewish staples like chopped liver, egg salad, labneh, hummus, cured, smoked, and pickled fish, and house-made schmears.
Pro Tip:
Pescatarians can also enjoy Schmaltz Appetizing via their Gefiltewich. It offers peppery rounds of gefilte fish with carrot coins, tucked in a buttered, toasted bagel and topped with beetroot horseradish.
Wolfie’s Deli
Media credit: hungry_wongs
Website: https://www.mywolfies.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfiesdeli/
Address: 670 Sheppard Ave W, North York
Hours: Mon, Fri, Sun: 9 AM – 3 PM
Tue – Thurs: 9 AM – 6 PM
Contact: (416) 638-9653
Must-Order: Pastrami Sandwich
Open since 1975, Wolfie’s Deli has been offering locals overstuffed smoked meat sandwiches long before Jewish deli culture became trendy. FYI—their meat comes from Montreal and is served piled high on Styrofoam plates.
Hands-down, their Pastrami Sandwich is my favorite—it’s stacked with tender pastrami with two crunchy cut-up pickles on the side. Even celebrities like Drake have been known to wolf down a Pastrami Sandwich here.
If you’re extra hungry, go for their Wolf-Size sandwich. It’s a massive, double-decker creation with five slices of bread and a mountain of meat in between.
I also appreciate their affordable sandwich trays for just $11.50 per person, as well as fresh veggie and cheese trays.
Pro Tip:
Order your sandwich with Wolfie’s homemade hot mustard—it has the right amount of heat to cut through the meat’s richness. And if you got hooked (like me), you can order it by the jar online or in-store!
Zelden’s Deli and Desserts
Media credit: tastetoronto
Website: http://zeldensdelianddesserts.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeldensdeli/
Address: 1446 Yonge St
Hours: Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 9 PM
Sat – Sun: 9 AM – 9 PM
Contact: (647) 347-3474
Must-Order: Smoked Meat Sandwich
Zelden’s Deli and Desserts focuses on authentic Jewish-style deli fare with recipes passed down from Mama Z, the matriarch of the family.
My personal pick is the Smoked Meat Sandwich—basically, everything you want in a classic deli: perfectly seasoned meat piled high, fresh bread, and mustard on the side. Every sandwich comes with a scoop of coleslaw and a dill pickle wedge.
They’re also known for their brunch offerings like the Deli Breakfast, with three eggs, your choice of deli meat, and a side of home fries or Israeli salad.
If you’re planning a gathering, they have party platters, too. Meat lovers usually order their Deli Meat Platter, an assortment of their best deli meats served with coleslaw, pickles, mustard, and bread for $18.50 per person.
Pro Tip:
If it’s cold out (or even if it’s not), Zelden’s Matzo Ball Soup will warm you right up. It’s the perfect complement to your deli sandwich.
Dave’s Genuine Deli
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Website: https://www.davesgenuine.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davesgenuine.deli/
Address: 1763 Avenue Rd
Hours: Tue – Sun: 11 AM – 8 PM
Contact: (416) 787-3354
Must-Order: Grilled Reuben with Corned Beef
Dave’s Genuine Deli was opened in 2020 by Dave, a Florida Culinary Institute grad with a serious love for Jewish deli tradition.
Go for the Grilled Reuben here—it’s enormous, and you can choose from various meats (I love their corned beef). It’s also layered with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing, so you know you’re in for a treat.
On cold days, do yourself a favor and order Bubbie’s Big Bowl of Chutzpah. It’s packed with matzo balls, chicken kreplach, pulled chicken, egg noodles, veggies, and crunchy bagel chips—yum!
And if you’re planning to treat someone, snag a couple of their customizable gift vouchers. It’s the ultimate gift for the legit foodies in your life.
Pro Tip:
Dave’s Genuine Deli also offers high-end catering platters. For $21.99 per person (minimum of 10), you get deli sandwiches or meat platters that come hot or cold, complete with fresh rye bread, slaw, Marty’s pickles, and a trio of mustards.
Centre Street Deli
Media credit: tastetoronto
Website: https://www.centrestreetdeli.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centrestreetdeli1988/
Address: 1136 Centre St, Thornhill
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 7 AM – 5 PM
Fri – Sun: 7 AM – 7:45 PM
Contact: (905) 731-8037
Must-Order: Old-Fashioned Smoked Meat Sandwich
Since 1988, Centre Street Deli has been feeding locals with Jewish deli goodness. They also hand-cut their meat, which makes a difference in terms of texture.
Anything here is delicious, actually, but if I had to choose, I’d pick their Old-Fashioned Smoked Meat Sandwich. You can’t go wrong with generously stacked pieces of deli meat between soft slices of rye.
Unlike other deli shops, they offer a Kids’ Menu for those under 12, and every meal comes with a soft drink. That’s why this joint is a frequent family hangout spot.
Speaking of which, if you have a family gathering coming up, their Party Sandwiches option is the way to go. You can order a full box (42 pieces) or a half box (22 pieces) of ready-to-serve assorted sandwiches—just give them a day’s notice.
Pro Tip:
Don’t leave without checking Centre Street Deli’s freezer section. You can take home all sorts of Jewish deli faves like knishes, latkes, and even cheese bagelach.
