Alforat Iraqi Street Food (North York)

Verified by N49

The owners are so friendly and staff are always working with a smile and joking around with customers. We ordered a platter to share for people and it was way too much food.

They gave us complimentary lentil soup in a little sweet dessert which is so nice of them.

The quality and flavor of the meat was just right. And i love that they make their bread in house. We will definitely come back to try other items on the menu.

We went there with a bunch of friends. We were new to the cuisine and also first time at their restaurant. The cashier over there initially said as very welcoming but afterwards she had a weird sassy attitude. We asked her many questions to understand what to do order may that caused inconvenience to her. Finally she suggested to go for Samoon tray to which had ( 3 lamb beef and 3 chicken) and it tasted soo good. They have an own kitchen and you know what they are doing. Bakers donot know English so you cannot customize by speaking to them but they were trying to do in the language they were comfortable in with others. After I took few pictures of the kitchen her attitude changed again and she was again hospitable. She also at the end gave us Turkish sweet which she didn’t knew the name . It costed us $54.99 + tax. Overall a good experience and must try.

AMAZING! I drive all the way from Newmarket to Scarborough just to eat here, and it’s 100% worth the trip every single time. Alforat truly brings authentic Iraqi street food to life. The flavors are rich, the portions are generous, and everything tastes like it’s made with care and tradition.

The restaurant itself is clean, welcoming, and has a great atmosphere that makes you feel at home. The staff are friendly and attentive, always making sure you’re taken care of.

If you want real Iraqi food done right, this is the place. I’d happily make the drive again and again. Highly recommend!

There's just so much shawarma competition in the area to claim this is the best, but it's definitely one of the better ones!

The wrap held together well and had a nice crisp to it. The chicken was a tad dry, but it was still very flavorful. I also wish they put a little more garlic in the wrap as I felt I tasted mostly pickles and chicken. The complimentary lentil soup was appreciated! A decent sized wrap and soup for under $12.50 is amazing value.

The lady working the front was also very friendly.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional Iraqi Street Food with Unmatched Hospitality!

My recent visit to Al Forat Iraqi Street Food was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly in their beautiful, clean restaurant. The owner’s generosity was beyond anything I’ve seen—when the register was short on change, he insisted I take $20 back instead of $18, refusing to let me pay extra.

The complimentary hot drink dispenser- tea (a nice touch for customers) and the lentil soup he offered while we waited were just the beginning of their incredible hospitality. The food itself was absolutely delicious- I had the hot, crispy falafels and my kids loved their chicken shawarma wraps. Every bite was fresh, flavorful, and authentic.

What truly sets Al Forat apart is their other than the amazing food is the outstanding customer service. They go above and beyond to make sure every guest leaves happy. If you’re looking for amazing Iraqi street food in North York - this is the place! Highly recommended-we’ll definitely be back!

#IraqiFood #Shawarma #Falafel #BestStreetFood #Hospitality #MustTry #FoodieFavorite #AuthenticFlavors #GenerousService

Very bad management and service. We had to wait 40 mins for our Alforat family platter to arrive. The food is good but the service is not. The cashier said Friday and Saturday are very busy, which I understand and it’s busy for most of the restaurants. They really need to up their game on getting food out faster. Even the pickup folks were getting frustrated on the wait time for the order.

Samoon is hard to eat but very yummy. Very large portion. I will stick to wrap for ease of eating.

Meat is perfect here. Nice soup as a nice add-on.
Sauce is nice. Extra spicy is great.

A few tables here available to eat! Great customer service.

Great Experience visiting this new gem. We ordered a kabob family platter and it came with colour full rice and bread. It looked, smelled and tasted awesome. Thumbs up for the great service and we were also treated with hot lentil soup when we were waiting while our food was getting prepared. Great ambience and service. The wait time to prepare our food was around 20-25 min, which I felt was little more than I had expected. Definitely recommend.

I recently dined at this branch of Al Firat over the weekend, and it turned out to be a great experience. The Samoon Shawarma was the highlight—it was quite big, packed with tender, well-seasoned meat, and the bread was fresh and slightly crispy on the outside. We also tried the Shawarma Plate (Lamb), which was equally delicious. The lamb was juicy, flavorful, and paired well with the sides.

The hummus, however, was a bit underwhelming. It had a decent texture but lacked the rich, creamy depth I was expecting. On the other hand, the complimentary soup was a pleasant surprise—warm, comforting, and nicely spiced, setting a good tone for the meal.

The restaurant’s ambiance was inviting, with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere that made for an enjoyable dining experience. What stood out most was the staff’s hospitality—they were attentive, friendly, and accommodating with special requests, which added to the overall positive impression.

All in all, it was a satisfying visit, and I’d happily return. 4 out of 5 stars!

I am in love with this place. The food is amazing and the service is superb! Omar Ahmed Waleed - super nice and friendly. This place is such a hidden gem 💎 And the fact that it's an Iraqi restaurant makes me feel so proud even though I'm from South Asia 🇮🇶

This place is legit 10/10 perfect. Food is perfect and they're super friendly and generous. They don't charge extra for things. There is seating inside too. New favourite place. We got the lamb tandoor wrap with pomegranate molasses and a side of falafels with garlic sauce. They gave us free soup and extra turnip. Super friendly people.

I just love their Swarma. Although we ordered rice platter other day and it was not as expected. The quantity of rice was okay but the quantity of meat skewers were not enough! taste was okay though

Gluten-Free Options: Yes - risk of cross contamination
Halal/Kosher: Yes
Vegan Option: Yes
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Nut Free Options: Yes -risk of cross contamination
Dairy Alternatives: No

First Impression: A bright and clean shawarma shop with a welcoming energy.

Order: Lentil soup, lamb and beef plate, lamb and chicken plate, orange soda, black tea.

Favourite/s: Lentil soup, lamb and beef and black tea. They were all of high quality and left me wanting more.

Critiques: The seating next to the door is not the most comfortable during the winter because it’s a very busy restaurant so there are people coming in and out and bring in cold air.

Bonus: The lentil soup and tea are complimentary.

Take Away: This is by far my favourite shawarma in the city. I wish they had more locations!

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No exaggeration one of the best lamb and kebab rolls I’ve had in a while. Chicken shawarma was good but I’ve had better. Multiple flavours of rice provided. Great garlic sauce, couldn’t ask for a better customer service. Highly recommend

Great wrap.
Full flavor and the pita style bread was awesome! Had basic chicken. Very pleased and will go back again for lamb!
First time and service was great, helping us understand what is what.
Thank you!

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I was surprised I didn't immediately consume this before getting home to take a picture, as the smell of the grilled meats permeating through the container was unbelievably enticing. Normally this huge portion might have been enough for two, but you won't want to share this plate of chicken tikka, lamb tikka, and beef kabob that are grilled to juicy perfection with a breath of subtle smokiness that emanates through every bite. While the chicken is marinated with a tangy yogurt sauce, the lamb tikka provides the lamb gaminess that I constantly crave, and the mix of fatty and lean meat in the kabob ensures a crisp exterior and a juicy interior. The grilled tomatoes and onions are super sweet, and compliment the meats like husband and wife as the freshly baked pita bread is the child. The rice is fluffy and serves as a napkin to soak up all the delicious meat juices, and the assortment of pickled vegetables is a nice palate cleanser so no bite is overly fatty. Finally, the hummus and toum sauce add a choice of heterogeneity throughout your meal, so each bite remains exciting and unique.

It takes a lot to impress me and Al Forat did more than that!

Despite being super busy, everything served to us was made with great care and love!

I love the classy complimentary touch of lentil soup being served to you right away, along with unlimited freshly made breads. They have 2 kinds to top it off.

The BBQ platter is a great option with the variety of rice and fries. There were also a multitude of dipping sauce options. Hummus and garlic to die for!

My favorite was the ground beef kebab and the beef shawarma. It was fatty and charred perfectly. It came on a flatbread which soaked up all the fat. Just wow!

The Samoon Bread sandwiches is amazing as well!

Best of all, the prices are extremely reasonable. Highly recommend! They have another location in Scarborough.

Incredible food at an unbeatable price! The portions are generous, the appetizer lentil soup is absolutely divine, and the tea afterward is perfect. I loved it so much that I went back three days in a row after discovering this gem.

I recently visited Al Forat Iraqi Shawarma and was blown away not only by the food but by the incredible hospitality. The staff here go above and beyond to ensure every customer feels welcomed and valued. One of the standout gestures is the complimentary Iraqi tea and lentil soup offered to all guests—it’s the perfect way to start your meal and truly embodies the warm and generous spirit of Iraqi culture. Special thanks to Omar, Waleed, Balleem, Khaled, and Mohamed, who made our visit exceptional with their friendly and attentive service.

Ambiance and Service:

The atmosphere at Al Forat is cozy and inviting, with a genuine sense of community. The kindness and attentiveness of the staff made our dining experience even more memorable. It’s rare to find places where the service is as outstanding as the food, but Al Forat achieves just that. Omar, Waleed, Balleem, Khaled, and Mohamed were always available to answer questions and make recommendations, enhancing our overall dining experience.

Menu Highlights:

The menu is packed with authentic options that showcase the best of Iraqi street food. We sampled a variety of dishes, including:
• Samoon Sandwiches: Freshly baked and stuffed with delicious fillings, providing the perfect mix of texture and flavor.
• Shawarma and Shawarma Meals: We ordered both a shawarma and a shawarma meal, and both exceeded our expectations with their rich, well-balanced flavors and tender meat.

Taste and Quality:

Every dish we tried was fantastic. The shawarma was packed with flavor, and the Samoon bread added an authentic touch that set it apart from other places. The free lentil soup was light yet full of flavor, complementing the main dishes perfectly. The complimentary Iraqi tea was a delightful addition, leaving us feeling even more appreciated as customers. The food was prepared to perfection, and the portion sizes were generous.

Final Thoughts:

Al Forat Iraqi Shawarma is a hidden gem that brings more than just food to the table—it delivers an experience. The kind and attentive service from Omar, Waleed, Balleem, Khaled, and Mohamed, paired with delicious, authentic dishes, makes it a must-visit for anyone craving Middle Eastern cuisine. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for great food, excellent service, and genuine hospitality. I look forward to returning to try more from their extensive menu!

This Iraqi spot was awesome! The staff was friendly, service was quick, and the place was really clean. You could tell they put care into everything, especially the shawarma; the beef was tender and had this amazing spice to it. But the spicy falafel was the star. Don’t skip it! Great place if you’re craving something authentic.

Had the best falafel ever! Garlic sauce is top class.

I chose Naan bread for the falafel wrap. I absolutely loved it as they grilled it perfectly and ingredients were very well distributed! Their fries(with powdered seasoning) are so good and have got a nice crunch.

Nice flavors, portion size was very good and the place was kept clean.

The staff members I met(Khaled, Fatima, Ramadan), were very polite, friendly and smiling.

I've been to both locations. My honest opinion: the Mississauga one is fancier but overall, although North York one is smaller, it is much better.

Super clean store, fresh tasty food and superb customer service!

I had the chicken shawarma Iraqi style. The chicken was moist and tasty, toppings were fresh and crunchy and bread…as Homer says arghhhhhhh. The bread is next to none! It took me back to when I first had it in Iraq.

Overall, a five out of five on everything. This restaurant is underrated and had it been in a busy area, it would’ve become a hotspot.

Alforat Iraqi Street Food in North York is a great spot for anyone craving authentic Middle Eastern flavors with an Iraqi twist. This cozy, welcoming eatery on Victoria Park Ave has built a reputation for its fresh, flavorful dishes and vibrant atmosphere since opening in 2021.

The shawarma here is a standout, with generous portions of spiced, tender meat, often served in freshly baked tandoor or samoon bread. The chicken shawarma comes with a mix of classic flavors like garlic and pomegranate sauces, adding a nice tangy balance. Their falafel, served in wraps or samoon sandwiches, is equally popular, offering a crunchy yet juicy experience that pairs perfectly with amba, a tangy mango sauce unique to Iraqi cuisine.

For those interested in variety, Alforat offers several other dishes, such as the Alforat BBQ Mix, which includes a mix of skewered meats with grilled vegetables, rice, and tandoor bread. You can also enjoy hearty traditional stews like fasolia, made from kidney beans and tomato broth, or lighter options like tabbouleh and baba ganoush as appetizers.