Came here for a casual meal to grab a glass of wine and eat some really good local food. Local owned and local run, I sat at the bar, and both of the owners "waited" on me. Order the pepperoni pizza, it's not what you expect...it's made with Jamon Iberico...and it was fabulous. The wine list was excellent...especially if you like Italian wines...I had two interesting dry whites and on Barbera. I will be back. read more

Great Italian spot on Bloor -- feels kind of like an NYC neighbourhood bistro. We always come here before concerts at Koerner Hall. The pizzas are excellent! And for starters, try the spicy calamari (YUM) and the house salad. Nice wines by the glass and friendly service. Bene! read more

Came here with my Mum for a bite to eat after my graduation ceremony and we had a lovely time. The servers were all very sweet and the food was delicious. We ordered the squid ink pasta and the jerk chicken pizza which were both incredibly flavourful and unlike anything I'd eaten before. My Mum also tried her first espresso martini here and she loved it so much, she ordered a second (as did I, hehe). I also really liked the decor, and whomever was connected to the speaker that afternoon had a great playlist going. read more

Fabulous and authentic pizzas and pastas, friendly and welcoming staff and management, and a really family-like operation. Great salads too!! read more

Recommended by a friend and he didn't steer me wrong, this quant little Italian restaurant bar, owned and operated by Giuseppe, hits the spot. I had the octopus antipasto and the Calabrese pizza, both excellent (forgot to take a photo of the pizza). Giuseppe's own mother makes the delicious Tiramisu desert (according to my friend who was there with me) offered by the restaurant. read more

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Wow! Wow! Wow! What an amazing place! Jill was our outstanding server. The food and atmosphere was amazing. Thank- you! read more

Bar Mercurio - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The food is alway top notch here. Fresh ingredients and home made sauces and pasta Always visit when I'm in town, Jackie and joe make me feel like it's home Do try it you won't be disappointed read more

We came here for an after work coffee on Friday afternoon. Conveniently located, BM is right across from St George Station. There is both indoor and outdoor seating here. You go to the bar and order your drink(s). It's all self serve. I didn't get a chance to try them, but I noticed a wide selection of various biscottis on display. There are also a number of pastries in the display case. For a Friday afternoon it was quite crowded, but you could easily have a regular volume conversation here. If I'm in the area and need a coffee, I'll definitely stop by here. Good for: coffee, tea, desserts read more

Bar Mercurio - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Service sublime and food better than good. Really enjoyed our night out at this very low key and comfortable restaurant. Our table was a bit slanted on the patio but it didn't make for any major issues with our meal. Calamari fritti was very nice. Well cooked and lightly fried. Burrata was decent but have had better. Pizza was the star - excellent and unique Napoli style with delicious topping cheese sauce and crust. Big winner. The wine they recommended was wonderful. Expensive meal ($250) but good good stuff. Would absolutely return. read more

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This place is disappointing mainly due to the poor service as the food itself is serviceable. Hmm where to start this spot and sister concerns seem to be a staple of this area for eons. Not having experienced any of these places in their heyday I assume they have started to rest on their laurels and get business sheerly on repute. Reservation was made on opentable and we were seated right next to the door despite (not a pleasant spot to be in on the first snowstorm of the season) requesting a better table we were told nothing can be done owing it be very busy. Probably true but I didn't appreciate the holier than thou approach on this request. Now for the main attraction the pizza itself is OK with an unexpected crust. The plate it was served on is slippery to say the least. The table service again ranges from pleasant to condescending. I think I will take my money elsewhere. 2 Stars read more

Bar Mercurio - Margherita pizza with bufala upgrade - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

What to say about Bar Mercurio.... We came here at the holiday ago for a family dinner, and it was a scene! We were chastised for arriving 10 minutes early and had to stand in the vestibule. The service and the food are old school... and not always in a good way. Its like classic Italian and the regulars are Annex rich people. We saw Margaret Atwood at the bar!!! read more

They specialize in sourdough pizza and bread. Stone ground flours that let the flavor shine. They held 30 seats for us and provided great service all evening. Appetizer tray had unique and tasty offerings. read more

Pretty good food given it was takeout during COVID lockdown. Ordered their grass fed steak and seafood pasta. Loved both of them and know these experience would be enhanced with dine in service. Each dish comes with bread and they cater to your custom prefrences. First time having paccheri pasta and it was delish. Steak was tasty even though it cooked to rare from blue on way home which is understandable. Definitely will be back for their beef ribs. Parking is great south of the restaurant kn the side street on the UofT campus. read more

Small, but intimate. Food was flavored beautifully. Seated at bar and service was spot on. Highly recommend the warm olive appetizer with house bread sprinkled with freshly grated Parmesan. Perfect way to begin dinner. read more

Super authentic and very friendly. The food is high quality and absolutely delish. Wine is also excellent. read more

Bar Mercurio - Zucchini flower pizza ! Wow like I'm back in Italy!!! - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Went here with my group for a lunch. Good pastas, those were all delicious. However the pizzas were all ridiculously salty so that was a bummer for everyone who ordered them. Around 15-25$ a dish from what I remember so quite expensive for a lunch for grad students but at least I got the nice pasta dish! read more

Fantastic small restaurant with great Italian food and very cool ambience. Highly recommend.

Poor service. Sat for an hour waiting for owner/server to take our order despite being one of the first to arrive at 5:30 and despite asking (politely) the busser twice to ask our server to take our order. finally left after an hour. Inattentive, indifferent, and condescending owner who holds his customers in contempt. read more

This place was a 50-foot walk from our hotel, so we figure, why not?! I felt under stressed in a t-shirt and sweats as I gazed around the restaurant at all the dressy people, but the host definitely made me feel comfortable as I was not underdressed. The restaurant is small, but awesome. It was like a "class hole-in-the-wall". Lol. I ordered the 12oz filet mignon with gnocci Gorgonzola. VERY good. The service was also impeccable. Everyone was working together so seamlessly. I really enjoyed myself there and would highly recommend this place if you're in the area. read more

Bar Mercurio - Italian Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

So, the food is pretty good. The service and prices are just not consistent with what you want your experience to be. It's fine to charge $21 for calamari (which is really good) but not if you're asking people to come up and order it and then include an automatic gratuity. Servers do come around once you're seated, but it's just a bit presumptuous and confusing - is it casual, do you want to be fine dining? I don't get it. read more

I came here accidentally on my birthday when a friend had made reservations at their sister restaurant. I had a lovely time and the service was amazing. Our server (also the owner) was friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful towards my friend and I, considering we both have gluten sensitivities and are mainly pescatarian. I had the most wonderful wine (maybe too much, but hey it was my birthday!!!). I Villa Bella Valpolicella ripasso. My friend and I split the grilled Calamari and I had the gorgonzola pizza with the gluten free crust. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. It was a treat to have my birthday lunch there. read more

Food is good, but a bit over priced. The atmosphere is intimate and quaint and a great romantic place near the annex, but without going to Yorkville. I went there with my mom on a Friday night for a late dinner. No reservation was required. however, since it was so late, the bread we got, clearly was a little stale. We got the grilled octopus with chickpeas and pancetta. It was yummy but for $19, it's an indulgence. My mom got the Capon with frites. Capon is a type of male chicken. I hate chicken breast, but this half chicken was amazing. Soft and tender and juicy, and crispy on the outside. Served with frites, it's $29. I had the Fettucine with truffle and mushrooms and parmesean. I found that it wasn't cheesy enough, and it was good, but a bit salty. For $20+ however, it was good portions that make you full up, I even took some home. The servers here are really friendly. And we heard them telling the chef the feedback that the brussel sprouts were undercooked. Wines are available by the glass, and they have an extensive list including Prosseco. They are a bit pricy at at least $9 a glass. Total bill with appetizer, 2 glasses of Prosseco and 2 mains was $91. Too much for a casual dinner. Although good food, I can suggest a better Italian restaurant to go to. read more

Classy, nicely decorated, great food with fabulous gluten free options. Very polite service. I think it's a really good place for a date. It's on the expensive side, but well worth it. read more

Awful. Awful. Awful. My boyfriend and I walked in and we were greeted by the host. It was early (about 5pm) and it was empty. We were told we would have to be out soon as there was reservations coming in, but he said we should still have time. So right off the bat, we felt rushed, and he was pretty rude. We sat down, and the waiter came over to take our drink orders. He was friendly enough, and we told him we just wanted to start with water while we looked at the menu. Next thing you know, we were brought a bottle of water. We ultimately decided that we weren't going to eat here because they made us feel rushed. We were there for maybe 5 minutes total, and had to pay $8 for a bottle of water we didn't even get to drink. Or order. read more

For the sum of $200 we got 3 glasses of wine, a small margherita pizza, half a squash, a bit of rice and some cold calamaria and terrible service. read more

The pricier cousin of l'espresso, this place is a dine in place. Kind of looks like an italian estate inside as it is designed with marble and statues. I'm fairly impressed with the quality at this place but the service i received was just so uninspired I don't think I could do it again. I hate snoot from my server, and I truly think I received that here. poor poor innattentive service. NOT something I'd come back for and I would certainly not PAY a pretty penny to be treated this poorly. read more

Great food doesn't make up for the lack of service. We seemed to have disappeared after ordering. Mains took forever, no one checked in on us, couldn't get anyone's attention to order a 2nd cocktail or more wine during dinner. read more

Decided to come here as it was close to where we were staying and based on the positive reviews. Was not disappointed as the food tasted wonderful even if a bit under seasoned. I just wish our server had come around to refill waters and ask how the meal was even once before cashing out our pricey meal. I don't mind paying for a great meal provided the service is outstanding...but other then the initial greet and taking of our order our server was almost non existent till time came for the bill. I did not like feeling like a sardine, this place is pretty packed tight with tables, as other reviewers have mentioned. If I were the owner I'd take out a few to allow for more space and maybe require reservations to stagger meals during busy times. Heaven forbid trying to squeeze your way around without bumping into other diners this is no way to create good feel vibes. Place has great pizzas and plenty of wines by the glass although I wish the prices on them were not so high. I'd of had more then one had that been the case. I hope the owner or someone associated with this place reads the reviews and seriously takes notice. This place could really shine if just a few simple changes are made. read more

There's something literally dark about this place... LITERALLY. I get it that it's trying to achieve a cozy atmosphere but I was seated by the corner fearing for my friend's life... checking fish bones in dim lighting. The place is small and intimate but not exactly cozy. Their tilapia was delicious and BIG. Tried the pizza too and it was deliciously topped with fresh pears - our server requested for the pear to be added. The servers know how to work their customers (those who tip well). A three course meal may cost you as low as $ 50 which I think it's cheap for this type of place. Me and my friend's bill was $ 200 but we ordered plenty. My first experience was not good - my seat was lame. But if I'm going to judge this place just for food... I would have given it four star. read more

I stumbled across this Italian restaurant on the way back to my hotel and decided to give it a try. Luckily the food exceeded my expectations, everything was so darn tasty and fresh!! I found out that the owner is a real Italian and so were the waiter and the manager. The service was great and all the food the waiter recommended me were spot on! Sono tutti buonissimi! Even the simple insalata caprese was amazing, the mozzarella was sooo soft and delicious, it was the best!!! And their pasta is all homemade and perfectly cooked!! I loved their orecchiette, one of the best orecchiette I've had! I must warn people that this place is not cheap..... it's rather pricey and I must admit I felt it was a bit overpriced.....but I'd probably go back!!! Yes it was that good..... I'll give them 5 stars next time if they prove to be excellent again. read more

What kind of restaurant doesn't have a high chair? Also, food was horrible and over priced. Look at any picture of their flat, burnt, crunchy pizzas and tell me it looks appetizing. Will not return. read more

Pretty good wine and food, but overpriced. Comparing to real italian restaurants in Italy - nothing to compare, because Mercurio is typical "american style". Might be ok to drink a wine and talk, but that's it. read more

We went for someone's birthday. We got sat at the very back of the restaurant behind the pizza oven, very warm place to sit. But was good for the cold night. Biggest problem I had with the food is the lack of seasoning. I could tell they were a lil short handed in the kitchen but the need to check the seasoning on everything that goes out of the kitchen. The pasta was very good and cooked perfect. Sometimes less is more. Everything was well thought out in flavour department. Just the amount of each ingredient on each dish needs to be liked at. I had the insalata with crab, avocado, and quinoa. I finished the salad but still had 1/2 cup of crispy quinoa still left on the plate. I felt like I ate the much! The desserts didn't seem all that impressive, so we decide to skip them. This place could be outstanding with a little more attention details. read more

We went there a few weeks back. They have a gluten-free menu with mouth-watering titles and descriptions. Unfortunately, the food itself doesn't quite live up to expectations. The gluten-free pizza crust was amazing (and I'm from New York, so I know my pizza)... but the sauce was extremely lackluster. The ragu was delightful. It melted in the mouth... but about a third of the rigatoni it came with was distinctly undercooked. If this was a $15pp meal, I'd probably give them the benefit of the doubt, but as-is we will not be coming back. read more

I am very surprised to see this place only having 3 stars. The place is always packed. The service is some of the best in the city. The waiter Alberto is one of the best servers I have ever encountered. Food is always amazing and the menu is constantly changing. Very cute and comfortable interior. Highly recommend checking this out and not being swayed by any negative reviews. read more

Very average....for the price. Calamari appetizer was good, flavourful and spicy. Kale and brussel sprout salad was absolutely ordinary. Fungi pizza and utterly bland. Won't go back....the arctic blast of air every time the door opened, the price, the blah food. read more

We really enjoyed our latte and macchiato in this pleasant restaurant. Good pastres in the morning. Ate outside in a lovely spot shielded from the street. Highly recommended. read more

Really really good restaurant. I had the arugula salad with crispy quinoa dungeneous crab salad and roasted lamb ribs. The salad was one of the best I have ever had, goat cheese, beets, mandarin oranges, arugula, crab with a avocado lime dressing. DELICIOUS! They served us bread that was baked with onions and green onions in it with a hummus dip. My friend had a red snapper fish, cooked to perfection with corn salsa. We had just the right amount of food for the both of us! Really tasty and will definitely go back for that SALAD! read more

Love this place! It is totally wheelchair accessible which is great for everyone - no high stepping as an obstable. Lots of very attentive servers, they made a fuss of us. Loved the attention. Food was fine. The only complaint was that there were no umbrellas in their outside seating area. Other than that - a first class, respectful place to enjoy. read more

We spent $800 for a group of 9. We ordered every appetizer and several bottles of their shiraz. We all mixed it up with our entrees, most going for their acclaimed pizza. I on the other hand went for their "special" which was gnocchi with Gorgonzola cheese and some other kind of goodness...... The place found us getting wait staff asses in our back or our chairs knocked constantly. Our waiter made us aware of the fact that he just "had to finish up with another table" then we're all his. Ummmmm we rarely saw him and in a pricey place like this with my buddy who was willing to just spend anything on his company's dime you wouldn't expect horrible wait staff to disappear for 30mins at a time or longer. We found ourselves wondering where he was OFTEN. What happened to us being his main concern? Obviously, that never happened. Horrible service. We got there at 7pm and left at 9:30 which isn't a very long time by any means, but we literally waited about an hour or more for our entrees to come and than if you didn't have the pizza your portion was the size of an appetizer, which - ok, I get it, it's about presentation and quality - would be ok, but I could actually count on one hand how many gnocchi I had in my plate and it was $20??? That's just ridiculous I don't care how pretentious you want to be, make it an f'ing solid plate of pasta! I'll never go back here unless he wants to drop his own dime here again. Unless you're walking around with too much money in your pocket or trying to impress that special someone you won't see after 2 dates because she was just dating your restaurant choices and as soon as you choose something else she becomes busy - I wouldn't go back. read more