Inner Circle — Review by Davidsbeenhere
Toronto, Canada — Caribbean, Guyanese
Inner Circle is a Guyanese restaurant in Toronto's Scarborough that specializes in Caribbean cuisine including doubles, jerk chicken, oxtail, and various stews. Their award-winning doubles won a competition against other well-known Caribbean restaurants, featuring fluffy fried bara, chickpea curry, and perfectly balanced toppings with tamarind and pepper sauce.
What was great: Award-winning doubles with fluffy, light fried bara, perfectly balanced tamarind sauce, ideal amount of pepper sauce, excellent chana (chickpeas) with great spice blend, shadow benny adds intense cilantro flavor. The restaurant beat out other popular spots like Monas and ACR in a doubles competition.
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The standout item at Inner Circle is undoubtedly their doubles, which won an official competition against other celebrated spots including Monas and ACR. The dish consists of two fluffy, light fried bara (flatbread) filled with seasoned chickpeas, topped with tamarind chutney, shadow benny (cilantro), and customizable pepper sauce. The reviewer chose the flooded option, meaning an extra generous amount of spicy pepper sauce that literally pools on top of the dish. The bara itself is described as real light and fluffy, pulling apart easily with each bite. The chana filling contains turmeric, curry powder, garam masala, and garlic, creating complex, layered flavors. The tamarind chutney provides a nice sweet and tangy component that balances the heat perfectly. Beyond doubles, Inner Circle also offers stew chicken, chili chicken, jerk chicken, oxtail, and approximately fifty different dishes total.
The Experience
Inner Circle operates as a family-run establishment that has been open for just over three years. The owner Chris shares that the restaurant represents a second chance for the family after they previously operated a similar dining establishment in Scarborough that closed following a shooting incident. The atmosphere reflects a genuine Caribbean dining experience, with the owners deeply invested in serving their community. The staff demonstrates expertise in explaining the cultural significance and proper technique for eating dishes like doubles, including the traditional two-bite method and how to cup the bread to use as a mop for the sauces underneath.
Value & Pricing
While specific prices are not mentioned in the transcript, the value appears excellent given that their doubles won a competition and the portions appear generous, especially with the flooded pepper sauce option.
Notable Moments
That is the best I've ever had in my life.This was the reviewer's reaction to the award-winning doubles. Another memorable moment involved the instructor teaching the proper eating technique: grabbing the bara like a brush to mop up all the toppings and sauces underneath. The reviewer also exclaimed,
This is literally teleporting me back to Trinidad,highlighting how authentically the dish transported them to the Caribbean. The owner proudly noted that they beat out the Trinidadians in a doubles competition, showing the level of authenticity and quality achieved.
The Verdict
Inner Circle is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking authentic Caribbean cuisine in Toronto, particularly for doubles enthusiasts. The family-run operation, combined with award-winning execution and genuine passion for their craft, makes this restaurant a standout. Best for those seeking authentic Caribbean flavors and cultural connection through food, whether you're a longtime lover of doubles or experiencing them for the first time.