Daymi: our name, our promise

Warmth and hospitality turn a house into a home. So, what separates a restaurant from a dining experience? The very same things.

When Torontonians go out to eat, they have thousands of options just beyond their doorstep. We knew our little slice of Parkdale had to be special if we wanted to open a Lebanese restaurant in Toronto, so we built Daymi on a principle we know well: making people feel profoundly welcome, as though they're arriving at a friend or family member's home.

Why Daymi?

The word daymi stems from the Arabic word for "always" or "everlasting," and the expression daymi means “hoping your hospitality and generosity last forever”. It's usually said after a meal to express gratitude for the invitation, and it’s a testament to how deep these currents run in our culture. 

In the kitchen, daymi translates to consistency and care. We cook every dish as though it was being served at a family function. No shortcuts, no cutting corners. Just fresh, high-quality ingredients prepared using traditional Lebanese techniques. Every plate that leaves the kitchen carries the same sincerity and comfort people have come to expect from our chefs — always.

All culture, no compromises

Care also means minding every detail and getting picky about our sourcing. We searched high and low, but we couldn't find any kabsa spice in Canada that comes close to the flavours you can find back home (such is life as a Lebanese restaurant in Toronto). So, for our chicken kabsa dish, we created a house blend using 10 whole spices that we roast and grind ourselves.

The dish is layered step by step: we simmer our own chicken stock for hours, dress the rice with a sauce made from fresh (never canned!) Roma tomatoes, and use a specific Italian tomato paste that we hand-picked for its quality. Even the rice matters to us: we import a very particular variety of Basmati from India because of its aroma and consistency. 

Finally, the chicken is brined for 12 hours with our house kabsa spice, so the flavor runs deep into every bite. It’s a time-intensive process, but that dedication is exactly what “everlasting quality” meant to us when creating our Lebanese cuisine menu.

Home is where the food is

As a city of transplants from near and far, Toronto is home to plenty of people who are seeking this type of familiarity. Having lived abroad herself, Yasmine — one of the friendly faces behind Daymi — wanted to recreate a sense of home for others like her. A space that offers the comforting taste of a home-cooked meal, while being practical enough to grab on a busy day. 

Everlasting quality is also about the relationships we create. With our staff, it means fostering a workplace built on respect and generosity with the same values at the heart of Lebanese hospitality. With our guests, it means creating a space that feels warm and familiar, where you’re not just another customer but someone welcomed into our home. And with the community, it’s about building connections that last, whether that’s through sharing food, hosting cultural events, or simply offering a place where people feel seen and cared for.

Saved you a seat

Whether you visit us at 1376 Queen St W. or enjoy some Lebanese catering at a location of your choice, we hope you feel our dedication to daymi in every bite.