Indian restaurants

Punjabi Canteen

A 22-seat kitchen run by Eleni & Yassine, serving the dishes their grandmothers argued about on Tuesday nights in Kreuzberg.

665 Earl Armstrong Rd Unit-10, Gloucester, ON K1V 1T4, Canada $20–30
4.4
446 notes from regulars
01 The story, in three paragraphs

Why everyone keeps coming back.

Punjabi Canteen is a vibrant Indian restaurant located in Gloucester, Ontario, that brings the bold and diverse flavors of North Indian and Punjabi cuisine right to your table. Situated at 665 Earl Armstrong Rd, this gem offers an authentic dining experience whether you’re craving a comforting meal in their lively setting or a convenient takeaway option.

With a menu that boasts an exciting array of street food favorites and hearty main dishes, Punjabi Canteen expertly balances traditional recipes with inventive twists. From the crispy, golden Samosas priced at CA$3.99 to the delightfully unique Noodle Burger (CA$8.99) and its equally tasty Paneer variation (CA$9.99), every bite bursts with layered spices and textures. The Chaat Papri (CA$8.99), a refreshing medley of crunchy, tangy, and spicy elements, is clearly a crowd-pleaser, delivering fresh, vibrant flavors right to your palate.

For those seeking a fulfilling meal, the Chole Bhature (CA$13.99) serves as a comforting classic, featuring rich chickpea curry paired with fluffy, fried bread. The menu also includes indulgent options such as Butter Chicken, lovingly crafted and praised for its balanced and creamy flavors, though some guests have hoped for a bit more chicken in their portions—an honest nod to the generous, flavourful experience this restaurant endeavours to provide.

The sweet side of Punjabi cuisine is equally celebrated here. Diners can indulge in traditional Indian desserts like Gulab Jamun, moist and sweet, perfectly rounding out the meal on a delightful note.

Guests have repeatedly highlighted the warm and inviting atmosphere at Punjabi Canteen, describing it as a vibrant space where the friendly staff enhance the experience with attentive, welcoming service. One patron reminisced about the playful and beautifully presented Pani Puri, served in shot glasses filled with mint water — crispy, fresh, and full of zest, it's not just a dish but an experience that engages all the senses.

Their takeaway service has also garnered enthusiastic praise for its reliability and flavor preservation, making Punjabi Canteen a trusted choice for residents in Riverside South and beyond who are eager to explore authentic Indian flavors from the comfort of home.

Whether you’re a longtime admirer of Indian cuisine or a curious newcomer, Punjabi Canteen invites you to dive into a rich tapestry of tastes and aromas that capture the heart of Punjabi hospitality and culinary tradition. Their thoughtfully crafted dishes and welcoming ambiance make each visit memorable and deeply satisfying.

03 Notes from regulars

446 notes — the real pulse of the room.

4.4
Based on 446 verified notes
5 375
4 39
3 11
2 15
1 46
All Chole Bhature Amritsari Kulcha Tandori Chicken Samosas Chaat Papri Lamb Curry Coconut Curry Chicken Samosa Chaat Punjabi Food Chicken Manchurian
Alyson Chambers.
3 month ago
First time ordering takeout from this restaurant and was not disappointed. We ordered Combo B which easily feeds two people. The flavours in every dish were top notch. My only disappointment was the amount of chicken in the Butter Chicken - could be a tad more. Looking forward to ordering again from this gem in Riverside South.
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kAur AmAn.
3 month ago
I’ve tried many dishes at this restaurant before and everything has always been amazing but today was all about the Pani Puri, and it was absolutely perfect The presentation was so unique, with each puri served on a shot glass filled with flavorful mint water. Crispy, fresh, and full of taste it was a fun and delicious experience. The atmosphere is always warm and vibrant, and the staff is super friendly and welcoming . This place never disappoints if you’re craving go in that restaurent their is great Indian flavors with a creative twist
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Resh M.
4 month ago
Food here was great. It exceeded my expectations. The chaat papri had great flavors and tasted freshly made to order. The lamb curry and naan was good but slightly salty. The butter chicken poutine was a good fusion dish but the cheese curds used could have been better. Service was decent and quick. The waitress had to be asked for water which usually if the staff are attentive your water is always filled. Besides that no complaints. The decor was warm and welcoming and the Punjabi music in the background added a nice touch. The table we were seated at wasn't cleaned properly so a bit more attention to cleanliness would go a long way. I would recommend this place for good indian food!
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Humaira M.
5 month ago
We tried their combo C that came with chicken pakora, rice and naan, butter chicken and lamb curry and two gulab jamuns. We chose the medium spice level but was a little disappointed that both curries were not spicy at all. They were flavourful however it would’ve been nice for the curry to have a kick since I enjoy spicy food. The lamb curry was my favourite. The lamb was super tender. The gulab jamuns were piping hot and tasted very good. So good that my partner devoured it before I could grab a picture. The portion size was worth it too and is definitely enough to feed two people and have some leftovers. Overall really enjoyed their food but next time I’d ask them to make my food extra, extra spicy.
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Bobby Strawbridge.
5 month ago
First time ordering and REALLY impressed. Best Indian we have had in Ottawa for many years. Mixed grill and Keema Nan were superb. All three meat dishes were tasty. They kindly did a Saag Aloo type dish (something from menu but less Paneer) which was absolutely fantastic; add it as a dish! Great job, thank you
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T JDK.
5 month ago
Absolutely incredible food in a small and homey restaurant. Service was quick and polite, food came out in a good amount of time. I ordered the Lamb Korma in medium sauce — lamb was SO tender, sauce was delicious and the perfect amount of spice. The naan was clearly homemade as well. 10/10 will absolutely come back!
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Alberto Tempo.
6 month ago
Favorite Indian food in Ottawa, my new go-to spot! Tried it as take-out first and really enjoyed it. Brought family and friends to dine in and the experience was great too :) Highly recommend their combo plates, especially with their chicken pakoras and butter chicken - very tasty
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Akshay Busa.
6 month ago
Amazing taste and food quality. The ambience is also unique and really good. Starting with samosa chaat - superb. Perfect balance between sweet and sour. Then onto malai chaap- well cooked deeped into reach creamy malai sauce. For main course we had chhole kulcha. The kulchas are well stuffed and the pickle was yummy. Finally we ordered semi gravy paneer sabji. It was flavourful and delicious. The service is really good. Staff is polite and a hidden gem of punjabi food in ottawa.
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04 When to visit & how to find us

Hours & the door on Bergmannstraße.

Opening hours
Monday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Tuesday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Friday (today) 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Finding the door

665 Earl Armstrong Rd Unit-10, Gloucester, ON K1V 1T4, Canada

05 What makes this place friendly

The details you usually have to call and ask.

Service options
  • No-contact delivery
  • Delivery
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
Popular for
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Hard liquor
  • Healthy options
  • Late-night food
  • Quick bite
  • Salad bar
  • Vegan options
  • Vegetarian options
  • Wine
Dining options
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Counter service
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Amenities
  • Restroom
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cozy
Crowd
  • Family-friendly
  • Groups
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Tourists
  • Transgender safespace
Planning
  • Accepts reservations
Payments
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
Children
  • Good for kids
  • Kids' menu
Parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Parking
Pets
  • Dogs allowed
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