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Bar Isabel, Toronto, ON
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Bar Isabel

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Visa Dining Collection

CAN$51 and over
Spanish
797 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C7

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2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 81 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Lively
  • Good for special occasions
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
  • Neighborhood
    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
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wine

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 2,120 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
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bar Isabel is a vibrant tapas spot that captures the essence of Spain with "amazing food, service, and atmosphere." The "octopus" is a standout dish, and the tasting menu is highly recommended for a "fantastic" variety of flavors. Despite being "noisy," the lively ambiance adds to the charm, making it perfect for special occasions.

2,120 Reviews

  1. AMIN

    Toronto4 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Bar Isabel has a cozy, intimate vibe — but be warned, the second you step in, it’s loud. Everyone’s talking and laughing so loudly that for a moment, we actually thought about leaving. But we said screw it, let’s give it a shot. We ordered two cocktails (both solid), a glass of wine my wife loved, and started with the bone marrow — which was excellent. We followed that with their steak, which I personally thought was okay, but my wife really enjoyed it. For dessert, we got something with a complicated name (can’t remember it) but it was actually really good. Service was great — friendly and attentive. The total came out to about $170 for two mains, three drinks, and one dessert. A 20% service fee was automatically included, which felt odd for a Toronto restaurant. I’m all for tipping for good service, but it shouldn’t be forced — earn it through experience, not by default. Overall, I’d give it a 6.5 or 7 out of 10. It’s worth trying once, especially if you’re curious (like we were) after seeing George Motz post about it. But honestly, there are better spots in the area.

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  2. David

    Toronto4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a treat to have dinner at the bar! Thank You

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  3. Luis VIP

    Montreal2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food, ambiance, and service were all top-notch. Now, let's talk about the food: The shishito peppers were perfectly portioned with spot-on seasoning and a delightful citrus note. The queso mostarda was an absolute standout, with a delicious balance that wasn't too heavy. The sea bream ceviche was incredibly fresh and flavorful, and the patatas bravas added a nice touch. A special thank you to the staff for making our anniversary celebration extra special with a beautifully arranged table and a thoughtful treat. Overall, great value for the quality and experience!

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  4. Justine VIP

    Toronto17 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 7, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Love the food! An iconic restaurant in the city. Loved all the different plates and flavours. A bit noisy, but it’s all part of the vibe. Service is great.

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  5. David VIP

    Toronto11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One our favourites, outstanding as always! Thank you team!

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  6. Jackie VIP

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    INCREDIBLE meal and wonderful atmosphere even on a Sunday night.

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  7. Isabelle

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Very good tapas! It worth covering the distance from downtown. Moderate prices from a Canadian point of view, more expensive by European standard. The sommelier knows very well his job and his wine menu (incl. the years of the bottles !!!). Good service.

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  8. Justas VIP

    Toronto95 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always fantastic! Great service and wine selection is superb

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  9. Taylor VIP

    Toronto3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My favourite spot in the city! Must try the tomato toast & mushrooms - I always make sure to bring my friends here if they haven’t been yet :)

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  10. Romy

    Toronto1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Great service. Knowledgeable sommelier. Interesting dishes. Nice atmosphere. Noisy.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bar Isabel is rated 4.8 stars by 2120 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Toronto / Ontario
  4. Toronto
  5. Little Italy / College St.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 81 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
  • Neighborhood
    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
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wine

Featured in

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