Top Bistros in Toronto, Canada

The food was amazing, everything was super fresh and they use local ingredients. I love that they are constantly changing the menu, I am excited to go back and see what they have.
The staff was super kind and helpful, even the people in the tables net to us were friendly(:

The food was good. The beef tartar was amazing, as expected. We love how they roasted the bread with butter; it's crispy and flavourful. The sausage was different than we expected but in a good way. I like how they did the potato; it was soft but crunchy. The portion was okay. Two main dishes were good enough for the two of us for brunch.
The restaurant is small, so you might expect to wait 15-45 minutes.
The only minus point is that our server didn’t seem very friendly and attentive. He made us feel like we did something wrong when we asked for recommendations.

Food was delicious and reasonably priced / good portions. Had the beef tartare, oysters and few brunch items. Service was good and great environment for conversations

I went to Union for dinner tonight with a friend. We shared the Union Salad, the Polenta and the Gnocchi! All three were AMAZING! We sat at the kitchen bar. Watching all the food that came out made me wish I had room to order all the other great dishes that I saw came out while enjoying our dishes. I have include a picture of the sticky cake we ordered for dessert since I was full enough to pause and grab a picture before devouring it. 10/10 I will definitely be back!

An unforgettable evening at this Michelin-starred gem, made even better by the perfect weather and welcoming dog-friendly atmosphere.

Dining outside was a pleasure, but the true highlights were the mouthwatering elk sliders and the exceptional service—a perfect blend of attentiveness and laid-back charm.

Had an amazing dinner. Steak was cooked perfectly and dessert is a must have here! Would highly recommend! Sticky Ginger Cake is a must try. Can’t wait to come back

Chill vibe with various seating options, with the back patio hiding more seats than you'd think. Great food that uses some quality local meat and produce. They kindly offered to seat us between reservations on a busy Friday which was nice.

Visited for a late lunch around 2 PM and ordered from the lunch menu. Here are my thoughts on the dishes I tried:

Steak Tartare ($19 for appetizer size): The dish was subtly flavored, allowing the high quality of the beef juices to shine through. The bread served with it was uniquely textured, reminiscent of French toast, which added a delightful buttery note to the overall taste.

Union Burger ($29): I wouldn’t highly recommend this dish. Overall, it was too greasy, although the patty itself was very juicy. There was a hint of foie gras flavor not mentioned on the menu, which added complexity, but the accompanying salad was overdressed and only added to the greasiness instead of balancing it.

Steak Frites ($36): This was my favorite dish of all. The beef was tender, cooked to a perfect medium as requested, and the fries were crispy and tasty. It was served with their homemade salty egg yolk sauce, which was very appetizing. I was pleasantly surprised that ketchup was provided, a rarity in many restaurants along this street.

The ambiance of the restaurant was very retro, and the service was warm and welcoming. However, it’s worth mentioning that the stairway leading to the restrooms was in poor condition with an unpleasant smell. Seeing that this restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide, I had high expectations and hope for better execution in the future. Perhaps I’ll return to try their dinner menu.

Came here for their famous half off Steak fries Tuesday Special. I was fortunate enough to walk in and I would say the steak and fries are to die for. The pictures don't do it justice. Service was great, even when it was super busy.

Good French food with reasonable price!

The tartar I got was too seasoned and salty but with the budgets, it balanced a little bit. Other than the tartar, everything was tasty. Escargot and steak was my favorite dishes, and the steak wasn’t too fatty but juicy.

I liked it when all the dishes came with green salad which created different combination of flavors.

Dinner was an absolute delight! Totally worth the hype! This place was recommended by a friend and lived up to the expectations. Our server Quinton was fabulous. Spot on recommendations, perfect timing when checking in on us and also ensuring we had enough time to enjoy our appetizers, full meal and dessert. Even with the amount of timing set for each meal, we didn't feel pressured. We even needed a few extra mins at the end to finish the dessert and pay the bill and Quinton had already spoken to the next patrons and professionally managed the situation. Well done.
Now about the food. The star of the show was the cote de boeuf. Wow! Talk about perfectly cooked and seasoned, well marbled and super tender. I will definitely plan to come back. We ordered two of these to share between 3 people. And was completely satisfied and stuffed by the end. We also ordered the French onion soup, which was very nice as it was a cold and windy day. The scallops were recommended and were absolutely delish, well cooked and very flavorful with the perfect amount of citrus. We added on the creamy peppercorn sauce, so worth it and then we upgraded 1 of the salads to a Caesar salad. It was fine, but my focus was definitely on the meat over the greens. The crepe at the end was the perfect shared dessert to finish the meal. It was light and the chocolate was enough to fill my sweet tooth. Even the chocolate covered strawberry tasted fresh as well.
We all really enjoyed this meal and the overall experience too. The venue is beautifully designed and I really like how open the kitchen was without it feeling like we were to close to the action.
Thank you again for such a wonderful meal! We look forward to trying your other amazing dishes!

This place is such a hidden gem! In addition to their very friendly and attentive service, as well as their intimate ambience, their food is so homey (think comfort food) but elevated.

We started with the wedge salad (which was absolutely divine) and corn dogs - these were definitely the stars of the show, I would highly recommend! I then tried the beef bourguignon which was okay but the portion was too small for $31.

We ended the night with bananas foster (which was meh), the chocolate terrine (which was a delectable balance of sweet and salty - highly recommend), and a vanilla malt milkshake (like I said, comfort food).

I will definitely be returning and look forward to trying their other menu items :)

Had such a great dinner here for my dads birthday. We had the pleasure of having Quentin as our server and he was spectacular - so friendly & kind. The service here was fast & impressive. For appetizers, we ordered steak tartare (10/10), grilled octopus (10/10) and escargot (8/10). Because we went on a Tuesday, we got two of the cote de Beouf platters (9/10) for the four of us. We were stuffed but had room for a crème brûlée afterwards (8/10). Go check them out!

I’ve been to this restaurant quite a few times, either on dates with my partner or with friends. Always have a good time, and always enjoy it, whether i’m sitting at a table, on the patio (back or front), or at the bar. Wherever you are, you’ll get a good atmosphere. The staff is very nice, and friendly… and so is the owner! In terms of food, most of their dishes are pretty good (haven’t tried everything on their menu yet, but most of it, and the only thing i wouldn’t recommend is their salmon tartare). I really enjoy their onion soup, the steak tartare (definitly try it, their escargots in a cognac cream (absolutely delicious), their steak frite (quite good!), and the lamb is on point. Their chalkboard dishes are usually pretty good too. If you like rosé, strongly recommend you try one of their selected imported wines - Les Oliviers.

3.5/5

Cute cozy french diner with many many fruit flies. Given it’s still cold outside, the fruit flies seem to grow inside. We counted at least 12 fruit flies on the walls. It wasn’t pleasant seeing them and dining.

The best dish was steak tartare. Very fresh meat and not so much seasoning and sauces. So you can really enjoy the fresh meat itself.

French onion soup was interesting but the bread, soup and cheese are all separated. It wasn’t harmonized well.

Salade nicoise was freshing but you can find the fish fishy.

Corn dogs were just corn dogs with jalapeños.

Steak frites platter’s portion was disappointing. It was just a regular sized steak with so much fries. We ordered fries as a side and the side fries’ portion was less than the fries that came with the steak. Green beans were good.

Overall, it’s a fancy diner.

Duck confit was perfection. Skin’s glaze was juicy and crispy. Came with beets and other vegetables. Nice seating

Délicieuse in every way! Le Swan is a classic, chic, elevated French style diner. The food is amazing, service is top notch & the cocktails are delicious. We loved everything & had such a great time there. Our server was friendly, funny & very knowledgeable about the menu. He made excellent suggestions of both drinks & food. Some of our highlights were, well, everything! We are excited to go back to try the items we didn’t get!

Lovely little french restaurant. The Tuesday steak deal is something rare in the city. The steak is cooked perfectly and portion size is well enough for 2 people. Their dessert options are also nice. Staff was helpful and service was quick. Reservations are hard to get on deal nights. absolute gem in the downtown area!

Delicious food & superb service! We've been to Le Swan many times over the years and it's one of our faves. Came in last week for a special dinner (hadn't been in a few years) and they did not disappoint!

For food we had oysters (super stoked that they had them available), fries, mashed potatoes, green beans, tuna melt, meatloaf, and the chocolate terrine for dessert. We had a couple of vesper martinis with the oysters (perfection), glass of wine with the rest of the food, and pastis + other digestifs with dessert.

We really enjoyed all the dishes. Comfort food at its best.

Our server Adam was excellent. Super warm and funny. Had some great drink recommendations. Thanks Adam, you're the best!

Great tunes. They played lots of John Prine songs, which we were super into. Vibes are always cozy with a hint of romance. Perfect for a date night.

came here tonight with my partner and Ryan absolutely made our experience 10/10. The attention to detail during our service made it a very memorable experience as we felt very welcome and taken care of. On top of that, the food was AMAZING. I recommend the Tuna melt for sure. Altogether an amazing date spot that will make your company think you’re a total foodie ;)

Upscale diner chic serving French classics and innovative cocktail selections.

Ordered the steak tartare to start and the meat was fresh and well-prepared, a nice way to cut the richness of our following dishes. Fondue was a little underwhelming as the cheese curdled quickly off heat and was served with plain white cubed bread. Loved the flavor of the chicken fried steak! More mash on the side would've been a great way to balance the amount of gravy. Would also recommend dipping the steak in the fondue. We finished off with the corn dogs, a huge hit!

Very reasonable price point for Queen St. Coming back to try the steak frites.

I am truly saddened that I have to write a not so friendly review of this Bistro situated in one of my favourite galleries.
When I stepped inside, I was greeted by a beautiful and kind girl who, in sync with my wishes, found a table in a gallery overlooking the Bistro's windows.
When a young, ginger-haired server came, satisfaction dissipated quickly. I asked him to tell me more about the Woolwich Goat Cheese and Herb Quiche from their menu, and he responded, "Well, a Quiche is a Quiche.!" His response rubbed me the wrong way because I am a Croat, and my country is not into Quiche "business." But even if I were a Canadian connoisseur of the Quiche, I still deserve a better response. I did not get up and leave because I didn't want to be brushed in the "emotional" colour like women often are. Instead, I ordered the burger (my least favourite dish) and a beer (Mill St. Organic, 341ml). I first got my beer in a glass (containing certainly less than 341 ml of beer). Ten minutes later, the server brought me my burger in a bun on top of burnt, greasy fries. Ugh.
I put aside the top of the bun and discovered burnt bacon topped with cheese on a charred burger, all topped with watercress and lots of mayonnaise. Double ugh.
I was hungry, and since my burger was not cheap ($23 before tax), I ate parts of it.
I was mid-meal when Mr. Ginger, the server, came and asked, "Are you still eating?" Yet again, I did not respond as I would in my country (not holding back the truth). Instead, I minced a dry yes.
It seemed I was too slow for this server—he wanted me gone. I finished my meal with a stomach tied in a knot from humiliation and suppressed anger. Somehow, this experience stained my joy of visiting AGO today. And this is not easy to do since I have been AGO's faithful visitor and member from day one.

We were there for the Foodways Chef Series, nice presentation and exploration of a young chef with the Keith Herring exhibit. Great idea! I hope the Ago will continue to do this!

We came here for their Tuesday special, 50% off the steak and fries special. The steak was cooked to perfection, fries and salad was amazing as well. The dark chocolate crepe was just the right amount of sweetness. Everything was delightful, definitely would come back again and try their other menu options.

I took my team here on two occasions and they loved the grilled sandwich 🥪 options for lunch. Theres a mix of fresh salads, grilled paninis and wraps to choose from. We grabbed some delicious wraps and sat down to eat. The vibe inside feels like a European café with jazzy elevator music. Highly recommend checking them out for lunch during the weekdays if you're working in Liberty Village and need a fast & healthy lunch spot.

Interesting spot with a nice patio and interior seating . Diverse menu and tasty flavours. Has breakfast also!

I had a lovely experience here to start the new year. My friend and I went for some crepes right as they opened, and the space filled up quickly as it is a small space. The young blonde lady doing all the cooking/serving was super nice, welcoming and friendly. I appreciate her attentive and excellent service even though it was quite busy! The crepes were delicious (La Canadienne and Parisienne, both great choices) and the tea served in good-sized mugs 🙂 Nice, cozy atmosphere. Will definitely visit again. Happy new year!

The food was delicious. My grandma and I had the crab Benedict and the smoked salmon one. The service was great, our waiter Chris was very respectful and charismatic. Definitely coming back!

A lovey restaurant right in the AGO. We enjoyed their prix fixe holiday season menu. Among our group we had steak frites and salmon nicoise, along with starters and dessert. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Our server was friendly and attentive.

Dinner was amazing here, the ambiance is super cozy and not as obnoxious as some places in king west.

Has some very interesting non traditional French fare. The short rib Wellington was unique and delicious. The pastas were all perfectly made and cooked and totally worth getting two for the two of us. Happy hour drinks before 7 were a great value too!

The store had such a pretty, vintage and Parisian-vibe. I loved the aesthetics of it so much, didn’t want to leave. I got the Nutella crepe with banana slices which was yummy and filling! I tried my friend’s Charly with strawberry crepe and preferred it to mine, it was really nice. I’ll definitely revisit soon!!

The place is super cozy and our server, Carrie was absolutely delightful. Definitely coming back for the sweet potato soup <3

Food was ok, service was great, probably wont visit again probably.

I love this place! They have a very pleasant, cozy atmosphere. The staff is great, and above everything, the food is amazing. The meal is well served, portion is large for one person, and the price is fair. I recommend the Chicken parmigiana which is my absolute favorite, it's one of the best in town.

Perfect place if you’re looking for a cozy cafe. I ordered one savoury crepe (La Canadienne) and one sweet crepe (St. Martin) and they were equally delicious. The food came out fast and was devoured just as quickly. Would definitely recommend!

Brunch here isn’t too bad especially with a party of 4 or less. The service was pretty straightforward and food was okay. Not outstanding but alright in a sense that what you order is what you get. You are also supporting a local business when eating here so that’s a plus.

Merci Mon Ami is a small, more intimate dining establishment. They've got tacos, souvlaki, and sandwiches. They are tucked away in the Liberty Market Building so it is a bit hard to find but they have parking right out front. #ContestEntry

We had the best experience here! The atmosphere was awesome! Had such a buzz. Our server Mike was incredible! So cordial and friendly! The portion sizes are huge! The food had such amazing flavour! This is the first time I didn't finish my breakfast (too much food)! We will definitely go back when we're in town again. Thanks!

Great collection of clay and porcelain works. The museum is moderately sized but densely packed - expect to spend a few hours in here if you want to appreciate everything.

Tried it for the first time on a whim and it was delicious. I was a little surprised at how things worked since we saw pictures of an older menu but it was great once we understood to order some meats to share and the order sides. 👌

The appetizer portions were on the smaller side, but it suited the rich and decadent flavors. The duck and steak were both amazing! Only critique would be some of the fries were a little too salty.

Overall 5/5 I'd love to eat here again soon!

Enjoyed coming here tonight! The place has a elevated diner vibe and serves many diner classics with a bit of a French and modern twist. I would say certain items stood out more than others, but I highly recommend the onion rings, steak frites (or even just the fries—if they offer that), and the banana foster. The fries were hands down our favourite part of the entire meal! The portions here are also on the smaller side, but overall it was a good experience!

We were there for a birthday celebration. We had a party of 20. Our server was amazing, she took very good care of us! And everything we ordered were delicious!

The atmosphere is nice for a girls night or a romantic date and service was good but the food wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped. We ordered the foie, oysters, squash fritters (croquettes), rock shrimp aka popcorn shrimp, branzino (tasted like nothing) with sides of spinach and fries. To be honest my favorite dish was the fries which were gigantic and excellent, followed by the foie, which was reminiscent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and could have made great dessert. The St Germain & Prosecco cocktail was too sweet for my liking but I did enjoy the Jalesco cocktail.

They were kind enough to bring a bday dessert since we were celebrating and that was actually good.

Overall, it wasn't a great food experience for me and I wouldn't go back considering the price for not an amazing meal. Not sure if I'd recommend it to a friend either.

On the western end of King St (cross with Bathurst), Lapinou is a warm and inviting restaurant located in a refurbished industrial style building...with original red brick walls and exposed timber beams. The food style is difficult to describe...a modern continental take on French cuisine would be my best effort (see the menu image for reference). Generally the plates are probably best shared so that everyone can enjoy and the portion sizes are of decent amounts.

For our meal we have a wide assortment. To start we had Fresh Bread and Olives (very good), Squash Croquettes (excellent), Branzino Crudo (excellent), Rock Shrimp (very good) and Wagyu Sliders (also very good). For our mains we ordered Wagyu & Frites (very good), Whole Branzino (excellent), Caeser Salad (very good...using endives), Steak & Frites (also very good), , Grilled Swordfish (excellent) supported by the two sides of Fries (interesting take as they are embedded with vinegar) and Spinach (excellent). We were stuffed so only had the Hzaelnut Cremeux and Brown Butter Tart for dessert...both were very good but very sweet!.

Service was excellent, a little casual, and friendly. Special call out to Jarret for making the evening memorable. Well worth a visit. Enjoy!

my favorite museum in toronto so far! the ceramic pieces were very delicate with fine details, accompanied by thoughtful explanations / captions. the hallway / staircase featured an exhibition on queer body, with plants, paintings and ceramics, a great addition to the experience. museums cafe and outdoor patio were also delightful.

Came for a nice evening dinner, great friendly service we got the duck to share it was really good tender and cooked just right best duck i have had in awhile and the sauce was great, we order a side fries with aioli sauce the fries were amazing so crispy and chunky i couldn't stop eating and i wish it was a bigger portion it was so good.
The seat was cozy and just a great dinner experience definitely recommend. Forgot to Mention the butter tart foam ice cream dessert our server recommended and it was fantastic very unique and delicious to eat

Heard about Lapinou for a while now and decided to finally come for brunch.
We had the Spanish Baked Eggs, Pancakes and Spanakopita pie. All were really good. Nothing a miss.
Cocktails were good, service was attentive without being overbearing, which can happen in Toronto.
The restaurant itself was spacious and as a designer, appreciated the details in the decor. A welcoming and beautifully casual space that doesn’t try to hard.

Amazing food experience! Finally a place with a chef who knows how to make traditional, exceptional. A must to try! The inside is clean, upscale, but not at all stuffy. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable not only of the food he was serving, but also with the wine list. His suggested pairing of wine with my main was perfect. Prices are spot on for this level in the downtown core. Cannot wait to try the new menu. Must try appetizers “stratcciatella” “grilled calamari”

*review for Gardiner Museum pottery classes*

We were so excited to try pottery classes at the Gardiner as it's really hard to get spots in their drop-in classes. Due to the process, there were a few more costs than just the class fee. You have to attend at least two classes, and after each class, each piece has to be glazed. In total for two people, it cost us $108. This process is described on their website, so we should've read that in more detail.

Our first class was a bit different from expectations. We selected the hand-building option, while another side of the class was learning how to use the wheel. The instructor that day seemed very focused on the wheel students, and gave the rest of us next to no instruction. Nevertheless, it was a fun experience to get familiar with the clay, and the Gardiner is well equipped with everything you need to make pottery. When you're done your class, you can also take a gander at the museum's exhibits.

At our second class where we were painting our pieces, we realized just what we missed out on in our first class. The instructor this time outlined various tools that you could use to roll out a pattern on your pottery, the different molds available that you could use to shape your clay, and was overall more detailed in her instruction for both the hand-building and wheel students. We were already at the painting step so we couldn't go back and refine our pieces, but I wish we had gotten all of this information in the first class. I guess it's a bit of a lottery on the instructor you get.

Unfortunately, when we went to pick up our pieces (now on our third visit), the staff were unable to find our pottery. After some searching in different cabinets, the front desk staff said that it's possible there was some delay in firing our pieces, so the Gardiner would contact us when our pieces were found. After several weeks of radio silence, I emailed the museum again. It was confirmed shortly after that our works were lost. The initial offer we received was a refund of 2 firing fees (aka $10). We were shocked by this suggestion, and after some back-and-forth, only managed to get $54 refunded (half of our total expenses). Though we did still get a valuable experience from the classes, I would think that a museum would empathize with losing one's works. We would've really loved to take home our pieces. Now, we would have to spend another $108 if we wanted to have a tangible output. We don't live super close to the museum, so that won't be worth it for us.

I hope that others are able to have a more positive experience.

Lovely French restaurant, but be warned that it can get expensive. The food tasted great, and the overall atmosphere and decor is very pleasant. We had the scallops, French onion soup, steak, and duck. Everything was excellent.

The service was superb. In true French fashion, the staff didn't say anything when we stayed behind for a long time after finishing our meal, and they kept refilling our water.

Definitely check this place out.

Went for dinner for our first night in Toronto and we were not disappointed.

We had a goats cheese salad. It's done differently to what you'd get in France, but was really really good. The vinaigrette was somehow really light and tasty.

We had the steak and chicken main courses, which were also very good, followed by an amazing Tarte Tatin for desert.

You can get some wine by 0.5 l , which is really great for 2 people.

We were recommended a red wine which we loved.

Been wanting to visit the Gardiner Museum because it is right opposite the ROM. Finally visited today, and I was not disappointed. The museum specializes in clay and ceramic works . It has beautiful displays from all over the world both contemporary and ancient. If you want a quiet place to look at art without being overwhelmed then this is the place to visit. Was so lucky to even meet one of the local Canadian artists Silvana Michetti. She took time to explain to me how she makes her pieces. Her art is exquisite! Tickets are $15 for adults but admission is free on Wednesday afternoons from 4pm. And presto card holders get 20% off.
Pro-tip: You can get in for free if you have a reservation at the Clay Restaurant but note that the restaurant is only open from 11am-3pm.

Part of Michelin’s recommendations for Toronto, Lapinou offers a ‘globally-inspired’ French cuisine, and it’s a great experience.

First, the space is cozy and elegant, whether on the 2 side alley patio or the interior. The wait staff are very kind and helpful with the menu. The cocktails are great and can’t complain with a happy hour til 8pm.

The food here is really something special, usually a twist on a French favourite. I enjoyed the French onion tart, which is play on the ‘skin’ of the French onion soup. The duck is amazing, tho recommend an accompanying side as it’s just duck breast. The baby gem salad is fresh and delicious, though a small portion. Overall, everything had a well balanced flavour, kudos!

Great restaurant for French cuisine. Wasn't very busy at all on a weeknight. They have pretty good pasta and steak, and have many options for mussels. The atmosphere & decor almost remind me of an 1800s escape room.

What an awesome find! We enjoyed our lunch here. Service was great; Peter was very helpful and attentive. The kids enjoyed their yummy meals. You can tell that the kitchen staff take pride in the food quality and presentation. We will be back.

Beautiful hidden gem. Stunning exterior and even cozier on the inside. Very clean with beautiful lighting and lots to see without it being overwhelming like the ROM or AGO. Staff were absolutely wonderful and very helpful for my first visit. Can’t wait to come back!

I ordered a hot chocolate. It was sooo nice, not too sweet but you can feel the rich chocolate flavor
Also the mood is very nice, cafe mainly consists of white and gold color, which makes here look gorgeous
I had a good time here with such a tasty hot chocolate:)

The food here is expensive but it is AMAZING. The souvlaki pita is incredible. I also had the burger one week, and it may have been the best burger in the city. Even the salad and fries are done well. Highly recommend this place

Walk by this all the time to go to the ROM and didn't even know it existed until yesterday. It was a great experience to learn about all the pottery and clay and all the history. Good for a visit. I was reading all the banners and descriptions finding myself lost in history. I even learned something new about bone China. Will definitely return to do some pottery, that looks fun too! Yes and bring your presto card.

An Uncut Gem
It's a small bistro restaurant not far from AGO. Nothing posh or fancy, but extremely nice and friendly service and great food with more than reasonable prices.
Home-Made Pork and Chicken Liver Pâté with Gherkins was good, but another appetizer - Sautéed Escargots with Portobello mushroom in Cognac & Basil cream sauce - is simply fantastic! It's much better than standard butter & garlic recipe for escargots, that I cannot compare to any other even much more expensive restaurants in GTA.
With steamed mussels we made a mistake - we selected "Marinière" white wine sauce. The dinner size is 2 lbs of mussels, but the sauce was far from perfect. Top Sirloin steak was done perfectly medium rare as we ordered it. I mentioned that I don't eat fries and got fresh salad instead.
Crème Brûlée was above average, but Cinnamon Ice Cream was fabulous and it was a great addition to crème brulee. Americano was bold. And the service was absolutely amazing.
If you want to have a delicious feast for a very budget price, Midi Bistro is just for you!

Good food at the cozy cute restaurant. Good atmosphere, friendly and great service!! Chose Summerisious menu. It was delicious. Perfect size

This place never disappoints. It's a wonderful place to dine and drink. The atmosphere is comfortable and the food looks like it was put a lot of effort into.

Great little sandwich spot in liberty village. Used to work above them and would have lunch several times a week here. The people that work here are amazingly friendly and their food is delicious!

A mediocre French bistro, very quiet especially on a Saturday evening, escargot was tasty and creamy, frites were very crispy and served hot, but the lamb shank was a reheat with part of the meat totally over-cooked and dry. Prix fixe menu was very extensive, good selection of sauces for the mussels in the regular menu.

My friend and I were really looking forward to trying this place out after seeing the good reviews and cute interior. The food was decent, but what really set this place apart was the awful service. I'd give it 0 stars if I could.

After the server seated us, he just left us be and we had to ask him for water and for menus about 10 minutes in. While we got the water, he never ended up giving us any menus and we had to pull it up on our phones to order. This would've been fine if it was contactless menus but they were given to other tables without them having to ask for them.

After taking the time to think about what to order, we waited for the server to come by, except he never did. We then had to ask if we could order while he was behind the counter and it took at least another 5 minutes before he slowly made his way over to our table, which was situated just in front of the counter where he was. I would've even been fine if he took our orders with the counter between us, rather than just nodding and then not coming over. When he did, he just stood there waiting for us to let him know what we wanted. I ordered the tuna melt while my friend ordered the Caroline crepe.

Right off the bat I was told that there wasn't any sesame seed bagels and they only had poppy seed. No big deal, not my preference but it wasn't a make or break kind of deal so I switched it on over. A few minutes later I heard another employee mention they were out of ice cream. Our server then came back and flatly relayed that verbatim before asking if my friend would like whipped cream instead. Not even a simple, "sorry we ran out of ice cream", he simply just said "we don't have any ice cream. Does whipped cream work" with the flattest tone I've ever heard.

When the food was ready, the server just plopped it down onto the table and walked away. I was absolutely astounded by the complete lack of care given. Even a simple, "enjoy" would've sufficed. Not impressed at all.

Pretty good chicken souvlaki with a tasty quinoa salad on the side. Lovely patio. Though it took a really long time to order considering it was 1pm on a Wednesday... Also overpriced for the portion.

I loved everything about this museum, came across a tiktok about the Wednesday clay classes. Thankfully we found a spot for it! Had so much fun with my friend. Spent at least 2 hours. If you’re a fan of porcelain and miniatures this place is definitely for you! Our teacher was also very helpful and it was our first time making these.

We wanted to pick a nice place for our anniversary....great food but not really pricy. We wanted a friendly and pleasant atmosphere.this is what we found at Cherie Bistro!
Food was excellent, service was a perfect mix of attention and giving us privacy. We had the Sunday Roast Beef and found the portions to be generous and the taste was a delight. The smaller Yorkshire puddings were great for getting several tastes together on your fork.
We saved a little room for desert and it was worth it because the homemade bread pudding and crème brûlée were perfectly plated with fresh fruit.
a perfect evening!

Unique and interesting museum right across the ROM! It’s not as big but it features a wide selection of pottery, ceramics, and sculpture from different regions of the world. I really enjoyed the Housewarming exhibit. Definitely worth the visit!

Their prix fix menu is a great deal! Food was fresh and made with local ingredients. The chicken liver pate was generous and their pork belly was cooked to perfection. Service was fast and friendly.

Prefix dinner - simple tasty menu. Love the chicken pate with roasted grapes.

Winterlicious 2023 is back for another season and Midi Bistro is one of those places you can count on to have a great meal anytime.

Dinner costs $45 now but is still a good deal and your money well spent mainly because of their superb food, service and ambience.

Went out with two of my friends and so we get to try different dishes:

Appetizers:
Sautéed Escargots with Portobello Mushroom - this is a rich and delectable appetizer. It's cooked in cognac and basil cream sauce and you can soak up the creamy goodness with the complimentary bread they provided you. And let me tell you they tasted silky and divine!

Pate de Campagne with Toast & Gherkins - the pate is more on the coarse and rustic type and portion is generous. Comes with a side salad and baguette.

Spicy Crab Cakes - crab cakes are really tasty and spicy. The touch of heat adds a flavourful twist to the classic crab cake. But I wish they would have given more instead of only 2 crab cakes. This is my fave out of all the 3 apps and 10/10 would order this again.

Main Dish:
Braised Lamb Shank - find it a tad dry and a bit overcooked, this is my least fave dish. There's also a pronounced gamey flavour with the lamb shanks.

8 oz Striploin Steak - perfectly cooked juicy steak paired well with the mushroom brandy sauce.

Seafood Risotto - packed with different types of seafood, they give you a huge portion of this dish and it's so flavourful in every bite.

Dessert:
Creme Brûlée - crisp shell that shattered under your spoon exposing rich and smooth layer of custard beneath with just a hint of vanilla, this is a joy to eat.

Strawberry Cheesecake - this is the star of the show. Silky smooth and creamy classic cheesecake with delightful strawberry topping tastes as amazing as it looks.

Overall we had a great dining experience and special mention to our server, Sindhu who's very nice and friendly. And even though the place was packed, she
still manages to maintain a calm composure, smiling and welcoming people in the restaurant. Truly worthy of a praise!

We came here for an office lunch and I would highly recommend it!

The bistro has delicious food (must try their soup) and the service was perfect. Not too formal and not too casual, but friendly and prompt.

Space is a bit loud as the kitchen is open to the dining room.

Nice cozy and clean french style cafe here in Yorkville Ave in Toronto.
Delicious Chocolate Almond Croissant, Omelettes and Latte.
We enjoyed our choice and selection.
The only note I can give is that I understand it is a small owned family cafe and when they get busy they will be delayed in their services, so you need to be patient sometimes.

WOW JUST WOW! One of the most delicious chicken souvlaki sandwiches I have ever had. Fresh ingredients with the perfect recipes and the staff is most welcoming.

Amazing food, even more amazing service. The bagel was especially nice. They accommodated our many requests and substitutions without hesitation. The only issue is that they don't have too many tables so expect a wait if you want to dine in.

Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for some food during your trip to AGO. Lots of healthy, earthy, well-crafted dishes, which are appropriately visually pleasing, given their art museum context. The museum closes at 5pm and the restaurant shortly after at 530pm, so it's more of a late lunch / early dinner spot. In addition to a small but well-curated food menu, they also have cocktails, wine, and dessert.

Pictures are of the salmon and the green goddess bowl (vegetarian).

On a recent visit to the AGO, we decided to try Brunch at their Bistro. Wow! Truly a hidden gem in the city. The staff and ambiance were superior and the food was delicious. Fresh, quality ingredients and paired with the best coffee in Toronto, from Pilot Roasters. Highly Recommend!!! Had the yogurt parfait and pancake stack and both were heavenly decadent. They don't skimp on the berries and again I stress, fresh ingredients!!!

One of the nicest spots for food in Toronto. Friendliest service and the tastiest menu items. We take in the latest highlights in the gallery then we're steps away from the dining room and a super meal. Highly recommended.

Authentic french cuisine. Very nice and food quality. The restaurant is having a three course menu for $39 or $45. Lots of selection to choose from. Big portion especially the appetizer grilled calamari. And the dessert is very special and good. We all enjoyed the food and the excellent service. We will definitely go back and try other food items on the $45 menu. Not sure when this set menu will end though.

The cocktails here are always tasty and well balanced so I’d definitely recommend getting one here. The food portions are quite small, however the flavours were great. Would recommend trying the tuna melt! The vibe and decor is cute, a spot I’d visit again.

I have been going to Merci Mon Ami for lunch for years and my work use them for catering when we have office events/visitors. I have to say their food has never been disappointing... always using fresh local ingredients and simply delicious! Their daily specials are amazing too - Wamburger Wednesday (see image) might be my favourite. Oh wait... and Souvlaki Thursday!

November 2023: Went for the 20 dollar lunch special. Several choices available. I went for the turkey soup with the lamb as a main course. Both were excellent.

June 2022: Veal marsala with Lemon sauce?!? Tasted sour instead of creamy with mushrooms. Originally thought the veal was funky. Chicken marsala perhaps but sorry, this one isn't to my taste.

April 2022: Wednesday special of a Shiraz, Angus burger and an updated version of the bread pudding that has been seriously improved over the original. The double Tanqueray martini which was expertly made didn't hurt either.

November 2021: A morning of shopping in the cold and I was ready for a hot lunch. Starting with a double Tanqueray I opt for the Seafood Linguini. It does not disappoint. Filled with shrimps, mussels, squid and scallops. The accompanying garlic toast helped sop up the lite & tasty tomato broth.

August/2019: First of all thank you for replying to my review and offer of a complimentary main course. I politely decline in order to retain my integrity as a reviewer. It’s all in good fun of course. I’m just not in the habit of accepting freebies unless it’s my birthday and NOBODY knows when that is :)

Lunch time and I order a Caesar salad and Caesar drink to start things off. The salad is fresh, tasty and well presented. A squirt of lemon adds to the final touch. As good as the drink is, it comes with a plastic straw and no garnish. Given it’s a Canadian classic, I would have preferred a celery stalk or the often included pickled bean.
I choose the seafood linguine as a main course. One of the daily specials offered. A beautiful light meal void of heavy sauce/broth that are so often served. The medley of seafood works well and the pasta is perfect. This one is a winner.

***
First time for lunch at this new restaurant which I am told is still in soft opening mode. Ok, fair warning but they have been open for some two months now. The Waiter is clean and friendly without being overbearing. Perfect.

I order a glass of red wine to start things off. It arrives with several bits and pieces of what I am told is cork. Cork or not, floaters are unwelcome and quickly dealt with. Next will be the Steak Frites…steak with fries…requested medium rare. Although a fine piece of tender meat, the steak is well pass the rare part and comes medium to medium plus. The fries are crispy and flavourful but I feel the whole dish far surpasses anyone’s daily limit of salt. Two glasses of water quickly follow.

A variety of desserts are available and I choose the Bread Pudding along with a herbal mint tea. Beautifully served with fruit, it nevertheless comes to battle the salt by way of sugar. This thing is SWEET!

The minor food issues are nothing more than required tweaks and quite frankly, I’m looking forward to other meals such as the chicken and waffles. Pizza is listed on the menu as “coming soon.” They also serve Brunch.

The restaurant is clean and well appointed. Easily accessible from Church Street with outside tables to the north and east sides. Windows all around.

PS: Calling your business by a French name (like Cafe California) would have required more than a peripheral Google search. The proper spelling is “Chérie,” like Café. I know, the sign would have cost more but then you wouldn’t have people like me pointing it out to you :) I truly hope you get over the food bumps. Along with the service, Cafe California had a reputation for being hit and miss in that respect.

Best of luck. Church Street needs you.

Service was very good. Totally accomodated my no dairy requirement. Seating at communal tables very limited. Cold roast beef that came straight out of a package on a hard banquette with fries or salad was a disappointment. Special was hamburger with fries or salad. Had to pass on the hamburger as there was cheese inside the burger mix.