Bar Isabel Review

The best Spanish experience I've had in a while, fantastic did paid with great cocktails and wind selection.

A solid 4.5

I have been wanting to try this place for awhile, and finally came here with a friend for her (belated) birthday celebration. I called on a Monday to make a reservation for Wednesday and was surprised that the only times available for 2 people were at 6pm or 10pm! I ended up making a reservation for the bar (full menu available) for 8pm. Once I got there I wasn't surprised. The space is somewhat small, so it would fill up quickly. Sitting at the bar was perfectly fine though.

They have a coat check - which is nice in a small place, especially in the winter with all of the bulky attire. The decor was great, the ambience lively and the music, kind of old timey and fun. While it was somewhat loud due to the compact nature of the place, and the number of people it wasn't so loud that you had to scream at your dinner mate.

In terms of service, I would have to say that this is probably the best staffed restaurant I've been too. Everybody that passes by acknowledges you, says hello or goodnight, asks you if you need anything, fills up your water, brings your food or takes your plates and helps you with your check. You don't have to wait for anything (except your food, which comes out as it's made). The staff were not only friendly but incredibly knowledgeable about the food, the wine and pairings. I was thoroughly impressed.

Now the part you've all be waiting for, the food! While I was generally impressed with the food, there was a bit of room for improvement. We ordered the rib-eye which came out a little cooler than I expected and while I know rib-eyes have marbled fat, there was a massive piece of fat on one of the slices. The cheese plate was delicious (they let you pick the cheeses). The patatas were a good suggestion from our waiter to go with the steak. The sourdough bread and olive oil, simple yet delicious. And the croquettes were tasty, but a bit mushier inside than I expected. The ones I've had in Spain had more jambon chopped up inside. The dessert, I forget what it was called but it was recommended by one of the servers since it has been on the menu since day 1. It's some sort of buttery cake, almost like shortbread with warm sherry cream. It was to die for. I wish I had 10 of them. No wonder it's been on the menu for so long! The only other complaint would be that I wish there were a few more options on the menu (especially if you don't like seafood). That being said, I know it can be hard to have a humongous menu for the kitchen, so perhaps it's a tactical thing.

I would absolutely come back here again and cannot wait until I do.

Dishes: Veal Sweetbreads & Raw Tuna, Sobrasada & Foie Gras, 1/4 Octopus, Grilled Beef Tongue, Chorizo Verde, Patatas Bravas w/ Boquerones and finally a creme fraiche icecream sandwich.

All of the food was on point, really. We started off ordering 4 items and bread, ended up adding the Sobrasada and Potatas after the fact because the food coming out was fantastic. This was enough food for 2 people.

Service was fantastic and friendly from entrance to exit. Had a few beers from Godspeed, great brewery. We sat down to a nearly empty restaurant that quickly filled up. Very dark on the inside and that makes it a little difficult to read the menu at first but our eyes adjusted. Once the restaurant is full it is pretty difficult to have a conversation without yelling but I was enjoying the food too much regardless.

Will be back.

Was there in September. Pros: every single dish was absolutely amazing. WE ordered huge variety of items and loved each of them even though they were so different. Everything was fresh ans tasted like nothing I ever ate before. Cons: You have to make a reservation in advance and are given only 2 hours (if it is for more than 4 people I believe). Overall I am highly satisfied and am giving well deserved 5 stars and looking forward to go there again.

This restaurant is so overhyped it hurts. After having a reservation for over a month, I was disappointed.

Service was average, though our waitress took time to explain certain dishes to us.

The interior takes the term grunge to a new level of ugly. Dinner conversation becomes a screaming match between you and the table of flannel-clad patrons at the table next to you.

To eat:

Sobrassada, Foie Gras & Honey Montadito: It was good. Probably the best thing we had, albeit a little too sweet.

Roasted Bone Marrow: A hot greasy mess.

Patatas Bravas: You can't really screw this one up.

Cheese Plate & Beef Carpaccio: Three cheeses selected by the chef, possibly the three most conveniently located closest to the plating station and a carpaccio you might get at a mediocre banquet hall.

1/2 Grilled Octopus: Supposedly the show piece of the restaurant, but nothing special.

Wine selection by the glass is basic. I have happily paid $12-19 per cocktail but unhappily did so at Bar Isabel.

Overall: Wouldn't go back, wouldn't suggest anyone wait a month to spend their money there.

If you are looking for great tapas go to Portland Variety for similar food and price point, better service, better atmosphere and perhaps a conversation over dinner that doesn't consists of "what did you say?!"

Excellent food and service. Really a great experience. It's a tappas restaurant with Spanish cuisine. We went there as a family and it was a pleasure. One of the best restaurants I've been to and for the quality the prices are reasonable enough.

The bone marrow is absolute ambrosia and the oysters were fresh and delicious. Waitstaff is friendly and helpful when it comes to selecting tapas.

Just a great tapas bar, fantastic drinks, food and service. The vibe was great.

Bar Isabel's take out menu (through Tock), is amazing. Easy to follow directions for set menus and let's not forget that the basque cake +sherry cream is available and still as wonderful as ever.

A little bit too stuffy for me personally, but clearly a hot spot for a reason. Amazing food, inventive cocktails, great interior design, and an accommodating staff make this one of Toronto's poshest spots.

Definitely one of the best cocktail and tapas bars in Toronto. Have the octopus - it will change your life!

Chatting is a good choice, the space is a little small

One of the best tapas bar in town. The octopus is great.

Every bite was on point. Beef tongue, bone marrow,ceviche, grape ale. Just amazing treats. Went with a group of six and zero complaints. One of the best meals i've ever ( and I've had a few). #Reidersdigest

Way too loud! Please do more to remind your customers stop yelling the more they drink. It was beyond deafening the last time we were there.

Always great service and outstanding food! Croquettes are to die for!

Cool place. Really enjoyed sitting at the bar here, the staff were friendly. The food was very good except some of the portions were a bit big for tapas like the ceviche.

A cool spot but bring your wallet. The menu is all in Spanish but the wait staff are very helpful so not to worry if you get stuck. We hung out at the bar and got some bread and a meat and cheese plate with some drinks. It was a good experience overall. Check it out.

Wine is excellent so was cod and the eggplant dish. Chorizo was a bit soggy for my taste and potato bravas didn t quite deliver.

The food was amazing, there was a stellar cider & beer selection, and the service was impeccable! Will be back again.

If you are going bar isable for the fist time, you have to try octopus and basque. It is insane

Is there even a better place that bar Isabel in Toronto?

Perfect meal had here on our anniversary highly recommend it

Bar Raval's sister. Excellent tapas, entrees and drinks.

Lovely atmosphere. I was surprised about the broad and open-minded menu with organs and exotic meats. Great cocktails too! It is a little stab to the wallet, but probably worth coming for a special occasion!

Very yummy dishes! Interior was a little red and it was hard to see the food/ each other though.

Amazing tapas with a solid drink menu and great atmosphere. The food is a mix of traditional Spanish dishes with some unique elements in presentation and flavors. It is a bit pricey but if you come prepared for that then you will enjoy it.

Dinner here is great but expensive. I visit weekly to buy bread which I believe to be the best in T.O. Try the sourdough boule. You will not be disappointed.

The food here is amazing and service is always flawless

Cosy place with nice food. Really liked the atmosphere. Decent vine selection.

Service was excellent. The food was delicious. The dinner was well paced and the cocktails were delicious and well balanced. I can not say enough good things about the experience and I'm looking forward to coming back.

Top notch dining experience. Me and a friend ended up doing a tasting menu in which we tried 12 different things and had dessert. This included bone marrow, foie gras, octopus, tuna, squid, and more. We were absolutely stuffed by the end. For dessert, try the basque cake, it is amazing. After all was said and done we paid just over $100 each, which I think is fair considering that we tried literally a dozen different things and had a drink.

The service is great, the food is creative and exquisite. Definitely one of the best in Toronto.

Got the tasting menu with 3 other friends. A few of the dishes were quite tasty. Others not all, or just middling. Very disappointed, considering the price. The venue is dark and very loud. Even when the server was delivering the dish at our table, could only make out half of what they were trying to tell us about the dish, due to how noisy the place was.

This past Wed. Nov. 2, four friends and I had the most epic dinner. Although this wasn't my first time, it was for a few of my friends and we enjoyed three Ribeye steaks, two bone marrows and a whole octopus. Everything was on point. Thank-you!

Food was delicious and the waiters were very knowledgeable about the food they serve and how it's prepared, which was impressive and helped us make our selections. My only negative comment is about the prices. Prices range which is good, but for the most part they're quite steep. Heads up that the Jambon Serano tastes exactly like store bought basic prosciutto, except it costs $20. The bone marrow and octopus were to die for, as well as the fois gras.

Delicious food and attentive and professional wait staff.

Cozy, comfortable, romantic. Food is delicious, service was top notch

Service and food are amazing, always worth the wait.

Incredible food and exceptional service. Notable stand-outs were the foie gras, the ceviche, and the octopus. It was my girlfriends birthday and they brought out a complementary basque cake which shouldn't be missed.

Fantastic tapas and a great wine list. Reservations are recommended.

Absolutely amazing experience. Our server was so nice and knowledgeable, recommended the tasting menu which is ~60-80 dollars per person which I didn't know about but took the decision right out of our hands. I loved the Basque Cake dessert so much, plus the mussels, bone marrow, and mushrooms. The house bread is delicious and soft as well. They have an extensive drink menu and can offer reasonable recommendations at most price levels.

We came here for our anniversary and was surprised at the end of our meal with some dessert wine - such a nice touch. We also wanted to know the names of our dishes in case we forget, and our server brought a handwritten list to us at the end of the dinner upon our request. Some very minor drawbacks are that the dishes came out a bit too fast at the beginning and the dark lighting resulting in some less than perfect photos but I'd forget all of that for the food and impeccable attention to detail for service. Never had to wave someone down for water or to clear our table. Their menu is great and I'm happy to come back to try more!

Hands down the best tapas restaurant I ve been to in Toronto. The ambiance is cozy, although it gets very busy on Friday nights. We started with oysters, which were clean and fresh. For apps we got shishito peppers (average) and the sobresada with Foie (perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and savoury). Then we shared half a grilled octopus which had an amazing texture, the wagyu chuck tail, and the Morcilla and foie, which paired perfectly with the pear. For dessert we both the basque cake with sherry cream - the cake was the perfect texture and the cream was delicious and not too sweet! Honestly delightful, and a great place to come treat yourself!

Amazing food and atmosphere. Staff recommendations were amazing. We had the beef steak Spanish potatoes and a salad. Overall they created an amazing night for my friends and I

This place continues to shine. The atmosphere is dialed. Service is friendly and attentive. Most importantly, the food and drink is wonderful. The range of flavors is excellent and lets you craft the meal for the evening. Great range of beers, wines and cocktails. Highly recommended.

I forgot to take photos because the food was so good. Best rasor clams I've ever had

Pros: Great food, phenomenal service, great atmosphere, very cool drinks.
Cons: Set some money aside, red lighting in the back of the restaurant can be a little much if you're sensitive.

Fiancee: "My favourite restaurant in Toronto."

Great vibe at this College & Ossington restaurant. Mike is always willing to mix up something new for you behind the bar and there are few places in the city that will serve you a full octopus. They sell fresh baked bread on the weekends but sell out quick. Make it a point to buy some if you are in the neighbourhood. Few are better

food was delicious , service was amazing, decent staff i would definitely recommend this place

Great cocktails and our bartender had an encyclopedic knowledge of cocktail origins on and off menu - would recommend getting the dealer s choice ($15 - good deal!). Food was basic - interesting ingredients prepared simply with salt and pepper.

AMAZING!!! Sat barside and had great service from our server/bartender Lynn. Feast fit for a king!

Incredible food at a reasonable price. Beautiful atmosphere. We had a loveliest time here for a birthday.

Amazing food, great environment to take out clients or just socialize. Would highly recommend octopus, ceviche, snow pea leafs and bass cake.

Pricey but well worth it! Go as a group for the best experience, since most stuff is to share.

Had a fun, delicious time but I left feeling a bit underwhelmed. People rave about this place so my expectations were very high going in. It was great but not sure it'd be my first recommendation if someone was looking for a high-end dinner out.

Had a great night out here. Wonderful food, cocktails, and a very old port :)

This was my first time trying this restaurant and let me tell you I ll be definitely be going back soon. The service was great the waiter was very attentive and checked on us a lot. The wine selection was great we had a little bit of everything during our meal. Now to discuss the food. We had salted peppers, bread with tomato sauce on it amazing!! We had chorizo, ceviche, pork joule (amazing), octopus(excellent), Fois Graz on toast was delicious and a charcuterie board. We finished it off with this amazing desert covered in a delicious sauce was a great way to end the meal. This is a must try for any foody.

Giving it 3 just because of the hype surrounding this place. It was good, but not extraordinary. Perhaps I caught it on an off night, but the highlight for me was the wine, followed by the food. If it wasn't for the $350 bill (for my date and I) I would give this place another shot. I've experienced better in the city, you just have to get off the beaten path a little bit.

Would have been a 5 star except the first wine they offered and introduced to me... and I really liked... they didn't tell me they had only 1 glass of it. So, I had to switch to something else. ALSO, the grilled octopus was so well done (actually scortched hard underneath). They were good at replacing it but should never have served it. Their Sobrassada with Foie Gras may have been the most amazing thing that has ever passed over my tongue... if I could have figured a way to eat it upside I would have... having those angels dancing directly on my tongue would have been even more remarkable... I ordered a second order of it!

Food wasn't that great. Good staff and good atmosphere though.

the crispy pork belly is out of this world. Crispy, juicy with the right amount of very tasty fat and mixed with some poatatoes makes it an excellent combination. I will keep coming back for that.

If there's one thing you must do in life, it's eat the Basque cake here. You're welcome.

Loved it. Loud energetic vibe but service and food is on point. Cocktails could use a bit of refinement.

This is my favorite place in Toronto so far. There's really no bad dishes. I've tried pretty much everything on the menu over time, food and drink. Just great food and and overall atmosphere. Just make sure you book especially on weekends.

A great selection of wine and beer. Not too many cocktails, but the ones they had were very good. Food was good, but with a caveat; the dishes with less preparation needed were better.

More on the food, we got the house bread which was amazing and served with a really delicious olive oil. It would have been better if the bread was warmed.
The bone marrow, which was served with a chimichurri. It was a really interesting combination and worked very well.
The mixed plate which came with two types of cheese and cured meats. All very tasty.
The ceviche was good, but didn t taste like your typical ceviche. The avocado was the dominant flavour.
The tuna with sweet bread was ok, but the acidity was overpowering.
Razor clams were really good and the sauce was amazing.
Pork jowl was also a bit high on the acidity and the seasoning a bit too strong. But it was cooked very nicely. I do wish they pulled back on the seasoning a lot so more of the jowl came through.
Lastly the octopus was well executed, very good texture, not too chewy and not too tender. Sauce was ok, I felt like it didn t add too much to the dish however.

Bar Isabel is my favorite restaurant in the city! I would give them 10 if I could. We ordered our New Year s Eve dinner from them on tock, and everything was perfect! It couldn t have been better. Their service is outstanding, and they even made modifications for my allergies. If you are thinking of ordering from them, definitely do it!!