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The holidays come with sky-high food expectations — and plenty of stress to match. Between hosting, cooking and coordinating, what should be fun in theory can quickly turn into a pressure cooker in practice.
Ordering in isn't a cop-out; it’s a smart way to prioritize convenience and spend more time with family without sacrificing quality or festivity. It’s also an easy way to support local neighbourhood restaurants that step up during the holidays.
Avoid the limited holiday hours and grocery store chaos, and keep your cool (and your slippers) on instead. DoorDash offers reliable, low-stress delivery options, from comfort food to crowd-pleasing favourites and special-occasion meals — including spots open on Christmas Day.
5 neighbourhood gems available on DoorDash
Parkdale
Ali's West Indian Roti Shop
1446 Queen St. W.
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Discover authentic Caribbean flavours in the heart of winter — no plane ticket required. Ali’s West Indian Roti Shop serves chicken, shrimp and veggies “Bus Up Shut” (a.k.a. wrapped in flaky paratha roti), along with comforting classics like oxtail soup and king fish curry. There are also traditional Trinidadian snacks such as pholourie and aloo pies from this longstanding, family-operated Parkdale staple.
East Chinatown
Dine & Dim [Open on Christmas Day]
633 Gerrard St. E.
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Dim sum usually conjures images of big tables, lazy Susans and communal feasting. But if you’re craving har gow and can’t face changing out of your PJs this holiday, DoorDash has you covered. Alongside traditional dim sum, you can order crowd-pleasers like chow mein, Mongolian crispy beef, and general tso chicken from this East Chinatown favourite. And while Dine & Dim offers karaoke upstairs if you ever venture out, their delicious dim sum is perfect for cozy nights in.
Ossington
Daol Korean Restaurant
1345 Queen St. W.
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Looking for a no-frills, deeply satisfying meal? Daol Korean Restaurant has been holding it down for over a decade, making it a reliable neighbourhood staple for stone-bowl bibimbap, rich soondubu, and other Korean classics. Portions are generous — a welcome surprise in this trendy stretch of the city. Whether you’re feeding a group of friends or ordering a lunch that feels like a warm hug on a cold day, Daol has got the goods.
Leslieville
Leslie's Sandwich Room
969 Queen St. E.
The sandwich trend swept Toronto into a frenzy this year, and one of its tastiest disciples is Leslie's Sandwich Room, a focaccia fever dream from Katherine and Danny McCallum, the duo behind Palmer Coffee in Bloor West Village.
When lunchtime cravings hit, choose from Italian deli-inspired creations like La Morta, stacked with mortadella, fior di latte, pistachio and cilantro pesto, or Actually Tuna, a seafood-forward number featuring sushi-grade tuna tartare and tomato mayonnaise.
Downtown
Hello Nori [Open on Christmas Day]
70 York St.
This B.C. outpost draws lines for its counter-service handrolls, made fresh and designed to be devoured in seconds for the ultimate flavour. But did you know you can also order sushi, bento boxes and platters for delivery on DoorDash? Highlights include truffle lobster, Hokkaido scallop, bluefin tuna and seasonal poke. Don't miss Hello Nori's holiday sets for some extra-festive feasting.
From comforting classics to festive feasts, DoorDash connects you to the heart of your community's culinary scene. This year, trade the holiday hustle for genuine connection and delicious moments, all while supporting your favourite local spots. Happy holidays!
