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  5. Little Italy / College St.
Bar Isabel, Toronto, ON
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Bar Isabel

CAN$51 and over
Spanish

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2 people
21:00
Booked 44 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Charming
Enjoy an intimate dining experience at Bar Isabel - a cozy restaurant nestled between Toronto's little Italy and little Portugal, where creative Spanish-inspired small plate dishes are served alongside cocktails and an extensive Iberian focused wine list. The restaurant's elegant interior boasts an intriguing blend of soft lighting, curved walls and a beautiful mosaic tile floor.
Managed under the guidance of Maitre d' and Partner Alessandro Pietropaolo, Bar Isabel's menu includes a diverse mix of pintxos, conservas, seafood and meat dishes. Diners rave about the grilled octopus, the bone marrow and the ceviche. For dessert, the Basque cake and sherry cream is a must-try. Bar Isabel is open 5-11pm Sunday through Friday, and 12-11pm Saturday. Accolades include listings in the Michelin Guide, Canada's top 100, and 2013 awarded the best new restaurant in Canada by Enroute Magazine. Bar Isabel accepts reservations for parties of up to 8 guests.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Grant van Gameren

  • Award icon
    MICHELIN Plate2022

From the OpenTable editors: A decade into its run, Bar Isabel continues to be a sought-after table thanks to its intimate tavern ambiance and spot-on tapas. Easy-to-share snacks, an excellent drinks program emphasizing Spanish wine and sherry, and buzzy vibes encourage diners to linger and order round after round of Spanish hits.

Additional information

  • Location
    797 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C7
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Phone number
    (416) 532-2222
  • Price
    CAN$51 and over
  • Cuisines
    Spanish, Basque, Catalan
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Parking is extremely limited at the moment due to the CafeTO patios.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 2,074 people are saying

Bar Isabel reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bar Isabel in Toronto offers an enchanting dining experience with its "authentic culinary trip to Spain." Guests rave about the "incredible food and drinks," "exceptional service," and "fun, friendly vibe." The tasting menu is a highlight, showcasing a variety of tapas. It's a "must-visit" for special occasions.

2,074 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner VIP

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best dining experience we have had in a long time. We sat at the bar and the bartender was exceptional! The vibrancy and service makes you feel transported but with all the comforts.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was tremendous, food was excellent. Staff were attentive and engaging without hovering. Sommelier very knowledgeable and made tremendous, unexpected, suggestion that paired perfectly. Looking forward to returning and introducing Bar Isabel to friends.

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  3. Christine

    Toronto4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Highly recommend the tasting menu! It was a great way to try a lot of different dishes. Everything was delicious, but some of our favourites: a salad with tri-coloured beets and brussel sprouts, bone marrow, grilled octopus, croquette, pork, and the Basque cake with sherry cream sauce! Our reservation was for 5 PM so it was a little bit quieter when we got there, which we liked. Our food came out really quickly and the serving staff were super attentive and friendly. The place filled up quickly after 6 PM and it was much louder, but still a fun and energetic vibe. Would definitely come back and bring our friends.

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  4. Janet VIP

    Toronto8 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Wonderful decor and ambience. The host at the door is lovely. Service was good at first but became frosty at the end — not sure what we did (if anything). Food is good, Spanish tapas that are tasty but not worth the price or Michelin imo. Shrimp was too salty. Pan con tomato was good. Shishito peppers weren’t cooked enough. Steak was decent. Drinks were good. Overall a decent dining experience depending what you’re looking for. It’s pretentious Toronto upscale hipster vibes.

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  5. Asda VIP

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    One of my very few all-time favourites! Never disappointed coming back.

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  6. Alena

    Toronto4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing everything as always! Bread is to die for, Sobrasada & Foie Gras literary melts in your mouth, best octopus in the city for sure! We always order beef tongue, never disappoints 🫰🏼 Ceviche was delicious but heavy on cucumbers hence why lacking in seafood flavour. This place never disappoints! ❤️

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  7. IanF

    Manitoba9 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved the premise and atmosphere. A few misses with some dishes. Tomato toast was charred. Shishito peppers and shrimp could have been better The vermouth options were great as was the house vermouth cocktail. Prefer the simpler tinto de verrano we had in Spain to this cocktail version.

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  8. Sage

    Mexico City3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Great bumpin busy bar vibe with classy food would go again

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 8 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great dinner tonight, thanks for the great time and we'll be back soon

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  10. Vitaly

    Toronto2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 8 March 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Food is just incredible!!! Drinks are always amazing. the place is small but ambitious, although we had a table full of loud Karens next to us which ruined our romantic vibe… I wish they were asked to keep it down, although afraid the restaurant doesn’t have enough managers to deal with 5 of them at the same time - bad luck for us(

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FAQs

Bar Isabel is rated 4.8 stars by 2074 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
21:00
Booked 44 times today
Google Map for Bar Isabel

797 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C7

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Phone number
    (416) 532-2222
  • Price
    CAN$51 and over
  • Cuisines
    Spanish, Basque, Catalan
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Parking is extremely limited at the moment due to the CafeTO patios.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa

Featured in

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