How is Nota Bene restaurant rated?

Name: Nota Bene
Address: 180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5V 3X3
Telephone: (416) 977-6400
Price range: CAN$31 to CAN$50
Rating: 4.2

Nota Bene

4.2

2417 Reviews

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

Nota Bene restaurant is a sophisticated dining establishment created and run by famed Toronto Chef, David Lee. Opened in August 2008, the restaurant has garnered much critical acclaim and has been featured on countless “best of” lists including Toronto Life, En Route Magazine, Maclean's and most recently, Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Continental, Canadian
Hours of operation
Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm Dinner: Monday - Saturday: 5:00pm - Close Bar: Weekdays: 11:30am - Close; Saturday: 5:00pm - Close
Phone number
(416) 977-6400
Website
http://www.notabenerestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
David Lee
Private party facilities
- Available for lunch, dinner + reception events- Accommodates up to 36 seated guests or 60 for a standing reception- Seasonally-inspired group menu options available- Sommelier to assist with wine selection
Private party contact
Mel Payne: (416) 977-6400

Location
180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3X3
Neighborhood
Queen West
Cross street
University
Parking details
Nota Bene offers a conveniently located public parking lot on St. Patrick Street, one street west of the restaurant.
Public transit
Subway: Osgoode Station<br />Street Car: Queen West Street Car
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,417 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4.3Food
4.3Service
4.1Ambience
3.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Sort by

CR
CameronR
Toronto
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Reviewed on October 27, 2019
overall5foodserviceambience
⚠️IT was excellent; but, I thought it closed last year.❓😥
TC
TerryC
Toronto
1 review
4.0
1 review
Reviewed on October 20, 2019
overall4foodserviceambience
an excellent choice for this areas fine dining experience
TH
THE19THOLE
Toronto
334 reviews
vip
5.0
334 reviews
Reviewed on October 10, 2019
overall5foodserviceambience
Authentic food, great service and beautiful decor in an open concept setting. Very chic and modern.
AB
ArlyB
Toronto
37 reviews
vip
4.0
37 reviews
Reviewed on September 27, 2019
overall4foodserviceambience
Good food. See & be seen people watching type of place. a little pricey & pretentious.
DC
DianaC
Toronto
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Reviewed on July 11, 2019
overall5foodserviceambience
This was one of the best meals that I have ever tried. Nota Bene is one of those hidden gems that I highly recommend. We were a table of 7 and every meal was delicious.
PB
PennyB
Toronto
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Reviewed on June 18, 2019
overall4foodserviceambience
Pricey but really good. Atmosphere is more formal. Perfect for a family or business occasion
BH
BiggHussDogg
Toronto
3 reviews
vip
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2018
overall2food3service3ambience5
Food was finished before the wine ever arrived. 200$ is a lot to spend on a bottle of wine, a salad and two pastas.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Toronto
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 23, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
excellent food,service and location
A
Aurora
Toronto
35 reviews
vip
4.0
35 reviews
Dined on December 21, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
Pre-theatre dining. This was amazing value, good service and great food. We arrived late and assumed we would only have time for an appetizer. Our waiter was fantastic and accommodating. We were quickly provided water and a summary of the 3 courses which could be served in our timeframe. Wonderful! Highly recommend.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 19, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
The staff are just SOOOOOO good looking!
LD
LornaD
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on December 17, 2018
overall3food2service5ambience1
the restaurant was too noisy to carry on a normal conversation
OT
OpenTable Diner
Toronto
1 review
vip
1.0
1 review
Dined on December 14, 2018
overall1food3service1ambience3
One of the ladies had a severe gluten allergy. After carefully going through the menu over with our server we opted to select a few things we could all share, including two mains. When the mains arrived we were told they weren’t gluten free and we were stunned. We mentioned that we would’ve only ordered one of the mains and got a gluten free dish as well if that was the case. No apology was provided but instead they just took away one of the dishes. After speaking to the manager he said the dish was in fact gluten free. We were appalled. No further apology was given just the bill, as is.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Toronto
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 13, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
I am very sad to hear it’s closing - I will miss it
A
Anonymous
Toronto
31 reviews
vip
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on December 6, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sad to hear Nota Bene will be closing at year's end. The 36oz ribsteak is definitely worth going for one last time. Delicious!
L
Lobsterliscious
Naples
46 reviews
vip
5.0
46 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a wonderful experience all around.
A
Arestaurantreview
Toronto
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service was incredible as always, servers make great recommendations~
M
Mickey
Toronto
89 reviews
vip
4.0
89 reviews
Dined on November 24, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience5
Nota Bene has consistently been one of our favorite restaurants in Toronto sine it opened a decade ago, and we are all sorry to see it close - and yes, we know it’s rebranding into a plant-based restaurant. The service is amazingly polished, and they even have my wife’s favorite drink recipe on file. It’s obvious that many people love this restaurant because it was packed with what seemed to be regulars who are trying to get in a last meal before it closes. They’ve even nostalgically brought back some of their old favorites on the menu.
GC
GCor
Toronto
36 reviews
5.0
36 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good location for dinner before the theatre. More than able to meet our timeline. We've been here before and as the evening goes on the restaurant gets quite noisy, but at 5:00 it was perfectly tranquil!
BR
BradR
Toronto
35 reviews
vip
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Shame it is rumoured to be closing; well worth the visit!
S
Stevie
Toronto
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 15, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
We enjoy going there before the ballet. It's nicer than eating at the hotel. We had a great table location, very cozy and quiet. We ordered good wine and the lobster salad which is always good. We had lots of time to enjoy our meal, then we shared the dessert of sticky pudding ;really delicious. Then a good cappuccino and we're already for the ballet.
J
Jamjar
Toronto
55 reviews
vip
5.0
55 reviews
Dined on October 26, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was my first time for lunch at Nota Bene. Been several times for dinner. I have a food allergy & I spoke with Dan Hyam, the Chef de Cuisine, about designing a safe menu which we did. I had a double order of French Fries in olive oil, which Dan makes for me every time i go there. I also had a great salad, bringing my own dressing. As usual, I felt safe & honoured and enjoyed a delicious meal. The service was impeccable, attentive and couldn't have been better. Thank you all once again. Judith
DB
DeniseB
Toronto
6 reviews
vip
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 17, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
Opera and friends bday
OT
OpenTable Diner
Toronto
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Staff were fantastic.
CB
CaryB
Toronto
20 reviews
vip
4.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 13, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience4
Overall always enjoyable. Good value for pre-theatre meal. Service is timely and we appreciate this. Comfortable and good overall ambiance make it a popular place.
M
Mach
Toronto
13 reviews
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on October 6, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience5
This was a perfect restaurant to introduce world-traveller visitors to one of Toronto's fine restaurants. Service was excellent and menu was varied and all dishes were delicious and appreciated. The wine list was excellent. One of the guests was in a wheelchair, and staff were excellent in bringing him to our table. My only problem was with the front desk support. I had asked that my credit card be used to pay for a set amount of the bill, before my guests arrived. The receptionist indicated she would inform the waiter - this was not done and it was very embarrassing when the bill came. Also, my coat was hung up, and when it came time to leave, there was no one to get it for me. Being under 5' I could not reach it and finally got it down. Two unpleasant experiences that coloured my experience.
RM
RickM
New York Area
12 reviews
4.0
12 reviews
Dined on October 5, 2018
overall4food3service4ambience4
Food is good, and the Gin and Tonic menu from the bar is amongst the best in the city. However this place is starting to show its age in relation to value. There are similarly priced restaurants in the city with superior food selections and restaurants with similar food priced considerably lower. Its simply a value equation. Over priced relative to what it is by about 20%. Service is always exceptional though.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Toronto
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 5, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
Great food and service. Pity they are apparently turning into a Planta offshoot. Get there while they still serve meat and fish.
T
Tamara
Toronto
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on September 28, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Right off, service was excellent. Very sweet waitstaff who really gets people. He recommended fabulous dishes, despite our many dietary restrictions. Hamachi Ceviche? Magic! Cavetelli Pugliesi? Yes, please! Burrata Puglliese? Oh yum. Night out with a friend was perfect...now I think I am due for a date night with my man...perfect excuse to go back.
HM
HughM
New York Area
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on September 28, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always an enjoyable outing. I highly recommend for all occasions.
J
Jamjar
Toronto
55 reviews
vip
5.0
55 reviews
Dined on September 26, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
This restaurant is always outstanding but the most important compliment I can give is the incredible attention to detail of Chef de Cuisine Dan Hyam. I have a fatal food allergy. Dan & I talk before I visit to plan a safe and delicious menu. He even makes special food for me as a treat as the last 2 visits have been for my birthday and he was so accommodating. Alex our server is also top of his game. Knows in advance what I'm eating, repeats it so there's no misunderstanding, and serves with flair. I love to eat here. I love the safety I feel. Thank you to all for such a wonderful meal and environment. Judith
B
Brucen
Vancouver
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 13, 2018
overall4food5service5ambience3
Amazingly delicious dishes, creatively made. A lil on the pricey side though.
C
Col12
Toronto
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 12, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great food , exciting menu and excellent service make this a great choice had local sourced seafood and some amazing pasta
OT
OpenTable Diner
Miami
3 reviews
vip
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience4
Food was honestly so good. For sure the best ribeye in toronto! I was really pleasantly surprised. We had a huge feast, crispy duck salad, rabbit pappardelle and ribeye- everything was perfect!!
P
Peterm
New York Area
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2018
overall5food4service5ambience5
It’s a beautiful modern restaurant. Elegant plating and a nice spin on some really neat ingredients. The crispy duck salad my possibly be one of the best put together dishes I’ve had in a long time. It’s definitely worth a try if dining In Toronto
P
Peterm
New York Area
23 reviews
vip
4.0
23 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience5
Stylish, modern restaurant with a fresh take on locally sourced ingredients. If the crispy duck salad is in the menu it’s a must order. One of the best dishes I’ve eaten all year. Another is Crispy pig cheek, need I say more. Worth a try.
SK
SusanK
Toronto
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service was amazing and so was the food. Most important is that noise level was normal and not noisy
M
Mickey
Toronto
89 reviews
vip
5.0
89 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Nota Bene has consistently been one of our favorite restaurants anywhere. The service is impeccable. The food is beautifully presented and incredibly tasty, and the cocktails are truly creative. We had the August Tasting menu along with the recommended wine pairings. Loved every course!
w
winofoodie
Toronto
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on August 14, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
I’m gonna miss this place. Always great food and service.
F
Forever
Toronto
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 4, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Was amazing!
SL
SamL
Toronto
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 3, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic August tasting menu, and exceptional service! Would recommend to anyone for a special occasion

FAQs

Nota Bene is rated 4.2 stars by 2417 OpenTable diners.