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Bar Isabel, Toronto, ON
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Bar Isabel

CAN$51 and over
Spanish

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2 people
19:00
Booked 62 times today
  • 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

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • 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
  • Phone number
    (416) 532-2222
  • Website
    http://barisabel.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    We do not offer catering.
  • Private party facilities
    We do not have an event space.
  • Location
    797 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C7
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Area
    Little Italy / College St.
  • Cross Street
    Ossington or Shaw
  • Parking details
    Parking is extremely limited at the moment due to the CafeTO patios.
  • Public transit
    Ossington Bus, College Streetcar.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options

Featured in

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 2,082 people are saying

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 offers an exceptional dining experience with "amazing food," notably the "best octopus in the city." The tasting menu is highly recommended for its variety and quality. Guests praise the "great service" and "cozy, welcoming vibe." While prices are on the higher side, the culinary mastery and ambiance make it a "must-visit" spot.

2,082 Reviews

  1. Alex

    Toronto4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Some of the best food I’ve had in the city in a while. Every fish was delicious, the octopus did not disappoint and the ceviche was another standout. Can’t recommend enough

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  2. monica

    Toronto1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Food and service delicious. Courses came out too quickly though. My only suggestion would be to check the desired pace of the guests.

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  3. Stephanie

    Toronto1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 18 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Adrian was amazing. Made my experience extra memorable

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  4. alexanderpushkin

    Toronto4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 18 March 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Servers were all discrete, helpful and attentive. Great food. Get the croquetas!

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  5. Christina

    Toronto1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 16 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    An amazing restaurant that is worth every penny! The food is absolutely fantastic—each dish was sooo good! We tried Half Octopus, Pan con Tomate add Boquerones, Shishito Pepper, Patatas Bravas, Pork Secreto w/Chorizo Spice. The ambience is warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot for a great dining experience. On top of that, the staff was incredibly friendly, adding to the overall charm. Highly recommend!

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  6. sue VIP

    Toronto11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 15 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We came for my sons birthday, it was a great experience, we decided to go with the tasting menu, which was a great choice, food was so delicious. Unreal experience. Thank you to Bar isabel for a beautiful experience.

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  7. OpenTable Diner VIP

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 15 March 2025

    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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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 14 March 2025

    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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  9. Christine

    Toronto4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 14 March 2025

    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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  10. Janet VIP

    Toronto8 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 11 March 2025

    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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FAQs

Bar Isabel is rated 4.8 stars by 2082 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 62 times today
Google Map for Bar Isabel

797 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C7

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross Street
    Ossington or Shaw
  • Area
    Little Italy / College St.
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    CAN$51 and over
  • Cuisines
    Spanish, Basque, Catalan
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Parking is extremely limited at the moment due to the CafeTO patios.
  • Public transit
    Ossington Bus, College Streetcar.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options

Featured in

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