Take out was as delicious as in restaurant food and came packaged very nicely. It was also prompt. I cannot wait for the reopening of course but in the meantime I highly recommend giving a shot at their take out :)
This was the best culinary experience I have had in Toronto. Everything we got was fantastic.
Attentive and friendly staff. Great wine list and the waiter was able to recommend us a great bottle after a few questions (be aware though that the markup on the bottles is quite steep in my opinion). We sampled many different menu items and everything was incredibly tasty. The mixed plate of meat and cheese is a great value menu choice. Don't leave without trying the garlic snow pea leaves and the octopus.
Attentive waiters, beautiful atmosphere and delicious foods.
I absolutely adore this place. Definitely the best food I ve had in Toronto. I m obsessed with the foie gras with the blood pudding. You can t go wrong with anyone on the menu. Make sure you make reservations before going. Planning on eating out here here a lot more this new year.
Fantastic people and a cozy atmosphere. The tapas menu concept is interesting for groups and the food is just delicious. Loved it I highly recommend
3.5 stars ... some good dishes but service was slipping very fast throughout the night & flavours weren't as great as other 4 star places.
Maybe I came with too high of an expectation, maybe I ordered wrong (but I would have hoped the server steered us right), or maybe it's one of their off nights. Maybe Bar Isabel isn't my place. I came here incredibly hopeful of a mind blowing meal that rivalled my Buca or Grey Gardens experience as it's rated in the top 15 in Canada 100 best restaurant. That's some serious cred right there but for the price, it was just ok for us.
They do have online reservations but this small, dimly lit, and super loud bar books up super fast.It was comfortable and tables were well spaced. Unfortunately it was so soooo loud. You cannot have a conversation even when yelling.
Service here is quite varied ... looking at other tables, there were 2 very good staff who helped craft the dinners and mentioned the specials. Ours just nodded their head and he never mentioned once the specials or what was good to order when asked. This is where I feel we probably ordered wrong.
We had the garden pickles, ensalada de la casa, scallops, bone marrow, chorizo rojo, and quarter octopus along side some ciders. We didn't order the famed Basque cake because we waited and waited for someone to come by but we were mostly left ignored for nearly 15 minutes with menus on our tables.
Garden Pickles - decent with fair variety of different vegetables but nothing unusual or special about it. Comparing to maple leaf tavern, theirs had an unique spice kick that made it pop. This was just simple. 3.5/5
Ensalada de la casa - one of the better dishes of the night. Several variety of different shaved vegetables lightly and nicely dressed. It had Sprouts, fennel, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and pomegranate. Light and refreshing. Solid choice 4/5
Bone Marrow - I've had bone marrow at a few other places and it's usually a rich wonderful bite with the accompaniments. This was mostly a miss ... this is definitely one of the smaller marrows at a higher price point. It came with 4 pieces of large toasted bread that were possibly cut too big as each bite consisted mostly of dried bread, a smear of lightly flavoured chimichurri, and a few tiny spoonful of marrow. There wasn't enough marrow to even make it to 3 pieces of bread and the chimichurri was very light in flavour compared to the Argentinian ones I've had which help make the meat pop and cut through the juicy fatty flavour. 3/5
Scallops - maybe Toronto has a hard time doing scallops. Thinly sliced scallops are lightly grilled and then placed on an asparagus and leek sauce. The scallops were cooked fairly good. The sear marks were a faded beige and because of how it was thinly sliced, once of the pieces were already crumbling before even attempting to eat it. The leek and asparagus sauce was mild and didn't really add much flavour to the already mild scallops. It reminds me of my Good Son scallops order ... I wish I got something else 3/5
Chorizo rojo - most flavourful dish of the night. Bold and smokey, this is a great chorizo. Loved the spicy heat that it brings. It is a small portion but because of the flavour, it is satisfying. If all dishes were this good, I would have left quite happy. 4/5
Grilled quarter octopus - this is supposedly be one of the best octopus in Toronto if you read Yelp reviews. A quarter octopus is a decent size to share for a smaller group or twosome. It is nicely tender with a softer chew and some good grilled edges. Cooking wise... awesome. Flavour ... it was missing compared to other places I've had. The sauce had some spice (paprika?) but it wasn't enough to give the octopus anything to be memorable. 3.5/5
I was hoping for an amazing dinner but left quite disappointed. Service ended up being forgetful and we left without dessert because it just took too long to be acknowledged. Bar isabel clearly is loved but just didn't provide the flavour or service for me to recommend.
Waiters actually know what they talk about. Good quality food, each time we wanted something the manager showed up to be sure we're served timely. Only point, limited wine propositions, more red wine bottles from Spain and Italy would have been perfect.
Favourite restaurant in Toronto. Still. Well aside from Alo...but a really close 2nd.
Unique and delicious! The staff were friendly and helpful. Fair prices, however the price can add up quickly if you're not mindful of everything you've ordered throughout! A MUST-GO spot in Toronto for Tapas!
Disappointing. We were really excited to come here after hearing so much about it but from the moment we walked in we were unimpressed. No one who worked there seemed like they cared less whether they had customers or not. The food was also a bit of a let down. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, but for the prices they charge I expect to be wowed. I don't mind paying good money for good food, but this just wasn't the case. Everything was kind of bland and underwhelming. The only thing we really enjoyed were the cocktails and the bone marrow.
My friends and I really enjoyed Bar Isabel. The atmosphere, service and food were amazing. Our favorites were the pan con tomate, whole sea bream ceviche and shrimp a la plancha. It felt like we were in Spain! We will definitely be back!
Got the octopus and the grilled beef tongue! The food is extremely salty. The atmosphere is pretty loud. The service is fine.
Amazing chef's menu. The food is really to die for :)
The service is great and decor is very unique. I love that they have an absinthe drip. Their bone marrow is a must try.
Food is well crafted and abience is perfect - my experience was flawless. Bar Isabel is a real treat!
Great food and the service was top notch. One of the few Toronto residents I have been in that actually ensures your water glasses are always full. Servers took time to explain all the food plates we ordered.
Tasty food.
A tad on the expensive side, so a great place for a special evening out.
Lively, vibrant atmosphere, nice food, extensive, excellent wine list
We ordered the sweetbread tuna, charcuterie board and the octopus - all delightful. In hindsight, I would order the charcuterie without the bread to save room for more dishes to try. I loved their concept of ordering one dish at a time to make sure you don't end up over-ordering. Great ambiance.
Always above and beyond with service, exquisite food and drink.
A must see in Toronto. Order the Octopus (comes in a half or full) and try some of their ever changing appetizers. The Basque cake is also to die for!
Good drinks but very small food menu. Nothing really stood out.
Great spot to check out when ever you're in the area. The squid is a must try!!
Amazing dining experience, great for a date night. We enjoyed the foie gras toast (comes with 2), artichoke and eggplant starter (with bread), chips and anchovies, and the beef tongue.
Super cozy tapas bar constantly busy food measures up to the fantastic decor wonderful staff
This is one of the better restaurants in the city, fantastic seafood, jamon, and assorted pintxos. The wine list is good and they take the bar seriously, mixing great cocktails. It is always busy here, even right at opening, so make a reservation.
I am so in love with this resteraunt. The food is amazing, the drinks are good. The staff is personable, friendly and knowledgeable. They have the perfect storm to make an incredible experience. The only negative I have is that it is very loud... but that is because it is amazing and therefore is always packed so I can't really ding them on that.
Solid tapas joint, if a bit hyped. I had the foie gras sobrassada, shishito peppers, razor clams, and octopus dishes. All good and well but nothing to write home about. So as much as I dig the vibes and approach, the value is just not there.
Amazing service everytime. Good atmosphere and the food is delectable.
There is a reason this is consistently rated one of Toronto s best restaurants.
Absolutely delicious food, great atmosphere and nice music. Try it won't be regret.
Love this place....
Great cocktails and food..
Hidden gem, excellent service, food and drinks. The ambience is great.
Loved this restaurant and would definitely return. Great food tapas style, great cocktails - you just have to be ready to pay for it too!
Place is a little too crowded almost all the time due to its immense popularity. Food was about average. Portions are quite small so you'll have to order accordingly. Drinks at the bar are very good and highly recommended
This is merely a millennium place for booze intake...small! Too warm...too small...if you re a drinker...this is a place for you, if you haven t a clue how to cook? This is your place. Why? You won t know the difference!
Went with a friend on a Sunday night. For the two of us, we ordered pan con tomato, quarter grilled octopus, bravas patatas, bone marrow and a piece of cake to share. It was way too much food for us. The grilled octopus and bone marrow tasted really good while the others is just okay. The table next to us had a tasting menu. I would really recommend that if ur new to the restaurant. It's not on the menu but what you do is you give them ur price range and what kind of food you like, then they will come up with a menu for you. This is a good way to try more dishes on the menu.
You definitely get what you pay for. Their wine list is fantastic, and the service was impeccable.
By far this is the best restaurant I tried in Toronto. The food was so good and unbelievable. The place is amazing and the bartender Laurine was the soul of the place. Very professional and smiling all the time. It makes a huge difference when the staff are smiling and welcoming and she made sure we are welcomed. All the staff were great and happy. The chili with lemon and salt was amazing I didn t expect it to be that good. The patatas were yummy and the fish ceviche was super good. The octopus was delicious as well. I loved every dish I had it was all great. I ll come back for sure.
Always excellent food!! Our first time having Gooseneck Barnacles. Bar Isabel is definately one of Toronto's best restaurants.
Been only once to this bar and it was just random how we stumble upon it. It has a nice vibe to it the music isn t loud the lighting are perfect for a romantic date, servers are on point, food is delicious. Make you feel as you are in another part of the world. Feels like the Wild West. They are pretty expensive but it shouldn t stop you from giving it a try, just overall nice place to eat or drink depends on who you go with.
The cocktails still amazing but the food is not as good after they've changed the menu.
One of my favourite spots in the city. It's got an old-world feel that you can't find anywhere else. Simple but delicious eats. Chef Grant Van Gameren can do no wrong.
Just wow. Amazing food. Definitely one of the best I've had in Toronto
I highly recommend the octopus, the croquettes, and the Basque pastry.
Don't come here for a first date. It's way too loud and dark to hold a conversation, especially with someone new.
One of my favourite restaurants of all time. Do NOT leave without enjoying the sweetbreads, cauliflower and basque cake for dessert!
one of the best meals we've ever had. Timing couldn't have been better for our anniversary as well. Great food, service and knowledgeable staff and Sommelier. atmosphere is fantastic also
The real deal staff.... Melanie was awesome ! Went out of her way to tickle my palate.......true passion...shout to Paul the food runner great knowledge buddy!
Mixed experience here... Flavours and dishes were good to great, great wine list ...ambience I guess subjective it's loud at 65% capacity, almost too dark, bit missing in service..looked like they were understaffed that night...give this chef a try but there are better experiences out there.
This is a nice tapas restaurant where it is good to go as a group as you get to try many different dishes. We loved the cerviche and octopus. Definitely a must try.
This place has been on my list for awhile and my only regret is not coming sooner! The food was amazing!! Loved everything! Bread, sardines in olive oil, shishito peppers, turbot steak, octopus, razor clams, patatas and ending off with mini ice cream bars. Yes all this food was for 2 people, plus cocktails and cider. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
The food was okay. What was challenging was the very obvious hovering, and urging us to leave the restaurant by bringing us the bill before we finished our drinks or food.
Amazing food and lovely service. Super nice to bring a date. It is a bit expensive for a place without any entertainment but the food is good
Great food and service. Ordered the beef tongue, octopus, ham, mushrooms and potatoes. Way too much food for two people but delicious. The cocktails were good good. Balanced but complex.
Fantastic Tapas!! Make sure to try the Almond Cake for dessert!!!
Great small plates to share in a cozy space with nice ambiance.
Great food esp if you want to share with small groups.
Sobrassada and foie , soo good. Croquettes hands down the best. Great selection of booze.
Loved every dish. Great service. Phenomenal wines. Relaxing ambiance.
despite all the hype, still not overrated. tasting menu is a dream!
Delicious sharing plates and the coziest atmosphere. Had the nicest cocktails here.
My friend and I ordered a bottle of white wine, we were told by the sever that it wasn t sweet but when we tasted the wine it was very sweet so we asked politely if we could switch it to something more dry. He was extremely rude about it and walked away from us while we were apologizing for the inconvenience. He never came to check on us once and dismissed us the entire evening (I m a server so I understand that they can be busy) but he walked by us and turned his head purposely. The food was good but not the best ever. I really enjoyed the octopus though. We realized at the end of the meal that the reason our server ignored us was because they include autograt in the meal so if you want good service I wouldn t suggest this place.
Great place but Raval has better food personally. Same owner though
Always a great experience. Top notch wine options, delicious food, and excellent service. If you are new to eating food, tell them to recommend items and eat until you re satisfied. Nothing not absolutely delicious. Date lighting in effect. But loud.
Wonderful food although I found the octopus to be a little dry. I can't say enough about the service though. Not only was our server very knowledgeable about every aspect of the menu and the wine list, when the two gentlemen beside us the bar decided it would be perfectly appropriate to set up their phone and start watching the hockey game they very quickly got a table from somewhere and set out up for us so we wouldn't have to endure the blinding light of their phone.
A friend lost a bet and in turn needed to buy me dinner.
Not knowing the popularity of this location I thought it was a little odd that the first reservation was only available at 8:30 pm.
Pressing our luck we arrive to Little Italy around 7:15 and politely ask if we can be accommodated and they found a nice, cozy spot at the bar for us.
Sitting at the bar a very nice bloke from northern England looked after us by the name of George. He was thoroughly knowledgeable with regards to the food and spirits offerings and set me up with one of their unique IPA s.
We started with bread, olives and the cured meat plate. All were delightful and even the olive oil that accompanied the bread was outstanding.
Because my friend is not a fan of obvious eggs George graciously split the Adobo Pork and Quail Egg dish and brought me one piece of mouthwatering joy. This is a must have when visiting :).
By this point George was making the ordering decisions and we next received Jamon Croquetas followed by Snow Pea Leaves, Peas and Jamon. This two dishes were exceptional and I was thankful George ended with a lighter dish.
This is truly a great spot, with a good vibe and really nice people!
Cozy bar with Spanish eats.... Great tasting food and the menu reflects a good sense of humour. Can be a bit on the loud side.
Always an amazing time. We had the octopus and the Basque cake amongst other dishes and have absolutely no regrets.
I enjoyed the tapas. This is a great place for a nice escape from usual dining routine. Service and Decor are excellent.
The food is excellent, but the portions are VERY small for the price tag. Also I'm not a huge fan of the red lightning, so one star lost for ambiance and prices, but the food is absolutely delicious.
Gastronomic experience. Group of 6 did a tasting menu and thoroughly enjoyed the progression and the selections made by the restaurant. Fresh quality products. Grilled octopus I could eat every day.
Very noisy so not the place for a quiet dinner.
It's not what it used to be when it first opened years ago. Service and food quality have declined significantly. For what you're paying you get pretty uninteresting plates.
You're more likely to be disappointed by the plates than not. We had a wide range of dishes from cured meats and cheese to fish and vegetables plus dessert. Everything besides the bone marrow and Basque cake were underwhelming. Service was inattentive and slow too. Many far more interesting and exciting restaurants in Toronto.
Along with the delish lemon sauce on gently charred octopus, lovely charc + cheeses, those amazing mushrooms playing under celeriac... DELIGHTED by the correctly chill temp of vino rosso!! Gratefully.
Best Old Fashioned I've ever had... & it's my go to drink.
Food was all great - can't think of any single dish I enjoyed the most though so just try a variety
Exceptional food, perfect atmosphere attentive staff.
I like this place a lot, the food, atmosphere. BTW if you are cocktail person, try this place. it always give me surprise
barisabel.com