The five-day festival of lights celebrated around the world by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs kicks off on October 17 this year.
In addition to religious rituals, Diwali festivities include lighting lanterns and fireworks, shopping for and dressing in new clothes, gift giving and feasting.
Eating sweets or mithai is especially significant and observed as a way to ring in the new year on a sweet note.
Here’s where to stock up on snack foods for the festivities.
India’s Taste
The vast assortment of sweets at this restaurant in Markham includes jalebi, laddoo, besan, milk cake, ghewar, khoya barfi with pista, and more.
Address: 680 Denison Street, Markham
Phone: 905-948-0909
Sweet India
Vibrant coloured chom choms are among the sweet standouts for sale at this Mississauga snack shop.
Address: 7126 Airport Road, Mississauga
Phone: 905-673-0041
MotiMahal
Laddoo (sweet, doughy chickpea balls) are among the many sweets available at this restaurant in Toronto’s Little India.
Address: 1422 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
Phone: 416-461-3111
Shirin Mahal Bakery & Sweets
Barfi, peda (nutty dough balls), kaju katli (cashew and ghee bars), and more are on offer year-round at this Mississauga sweet shop.
Address: 1325 Eglinton Ave E #14, Mississauga
Phone: 905-624-2100
Bindia
Cap off a feast of curries and tandoori specialties at this St. Lawrence Market area restaurant where house favourites include these syrup-soaked milk solids, aka gulab jamun.
Address: 16 Market Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-863-0000
Instagram: @bindiabistro
Samosa & Sweet Factory
Over 70 different types of Indian desserts are available for sale at this Etobicoke sweet shop. Here the selection includes Malai sandwiches, milk cakes, guijia and burfi in a rainbow of flavours from rose and toffee to chocolate and pistachio.
Address: 1850 Albion Rd #6, Etobicoke
Phone: 416-213-1165
Brar Sweets & Restaurant
The assortment of popular Mithai includes an astounding assortment of Bengali desserts at three GTA snack shops.
Address: 199 Advance Blvd, Brampton
Phone: 905-799-1625
Address: 755 Dundas Street West, Mississauga
Phone: 905-848-3933
Address: 2646 Islington Avenue, Etobicoke
Phone: 416-745-4449
A1 Sweets & Restaurant
The impressive selection of sweets on display at this Scarborough eatery includes crispy jalebi, gajar halwa (carrot pudding), and more.
Address: 3300 McNicoll Avenue, Unit-18A, Scarborough
Phone: 416-299-9424
Pukka
Get your kheer fix here. The upmarket Indian restaurant on St. Clair is home to this creamy rice pudding spiced with cardamom and topped with toasted pistachios.
Address: 778 St. Clair West
Phone: 416-342-1906
Instagram: @pukkatoronto
Doaba Sweets & Restaurant
Saffron scented jalebi are among the many ways to indulge your sweet tooth at this Brampton eatery.
Address: 305 Charloais Boulevard, Brampton
Phone: 905-450-1455
Instagram: @doabasweets