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    Bar Raval

    4.1 (353 reviews)
    Thu 1:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Fri 1:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Bar Raval Photos

    Business Info

    BAR RAVAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Loud
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Bar Raval

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    Carmen G.

    A cocktail bar with a beautiful interior, has great cocktails, and delicious light bites. No reservations, walk ins only. It's a free for all with seating with it being first come first served with the bar stools. At times you may find yourself standing by your high top table or bar. Some of the snacks we got were packed with flavour and so good! Tomato bread 5/5 - Doesn't sound like much but this was so good and topped with two anchovies. Didn't think a tomatoes on bread could be so good! Stracciatella & boquerones 5/5 - A MUST GET! Creamy, stracciatella on bread, topped with anchovies. The cheese pairs so well with the fresh crispy toasted bread and salty anchovies. I still think about this toast often! Boquerones 4/5 - A croquette that is perfectly fried and delicious. Good but can skip and get another toast on the side. Apple olive oil cake 4/5 - Surprisingly pretty good. It's dense so great for sharing. A bit on the heavy side. Cocktails were great here and comes with many flavours and different options, so there's always something for everyone!

    Margarita
    Gloria G.

    The bar is located down the block from Old School Restaurant. So we decided to stop in for a drink. It is small with amazing woodwork. The ceiling has large carved beams and the bar is made of uniquely shaped wood with bowls carved in to hold various supplies. It reminded me of a small tapas restaurant in Spain because it is one! Sitting at the bar we were able to see the kitchen and the chefs working. The bar tender/ waiter worked inside and another worked the patio area. The orders went out quickly and were made with fresh produce. The margarita was made with fresh fruit and mixtures unlike the ones you get from a ready made bottle. I watched the bartender peel, squeeze, and pour to create the perfect drink. I don't want to give it away , that's why I'm vague. We had just eaten but I wanted to try dome tapas, the mushroom medley was perfect. It was made with three different mushrooms sauted in a wine butter sauce and toasted bread. The mushrooms, sauce and bread were the perfect combination. It was so good that we finished it quickly- thankfully it wasn't too filling. I would loved to have tried a few other items however we had just finished brunch and only had a little room left. This is a Must Go!

    Tapas menu
    Helen S.

    The VIIIIBES. Great space, creatively decorated. Dark, moody, crowded, loud and people are here for a good time! Menu also looked incredible, unfortunately my friends and I came just for a night cap. Will be back again to explore the menu more.

    Whiskey sour and palomito
    Jennifer B.

    Stopped by Bar Raval around 10:30 pm and loved the chic, European-inspired vibe. It really is a very cute and fun decor. Inside was packed, but the two of us were greeted right away and shown to the heated patio--cozy once your drink arrived and those heaters kicked in. The music was mixed (faint allowing us to chat). * Service: Friendly and attentive, though it took a bit longer than expected for our drinks. Once we flagged down our server, they checked in right away with a smile. * Drinks: I ordered a whiskey sour--well balanced, smooth. My husband's palomito was sweeter with a slightly larger pour, also nice. * Atmosphere: Super chic, lively after 10 pm, and the heated patio is a good fallback if it's too crowded inside. There's a connecting door in the back if you can get through the crowd. I'd definitely come back earlier to snag a table inside (and maybe try their tapas!), but even late-night patio service was a good time for a grown and chic vibe for a drink.

    07.06.25 Smoked mackerel in oil, the best yet
    Chris V.

    The bar makes a striking first impression, with rich cherry wood accents adding warmth and elegance to the space. But then your gaze drifts upward--to a ceiling where the paint is visibly peeling, hinting at some wear. It's a cozy spot, housing just six bar stools, and when we visited on a hot day, the wide-open front door welcomed the heat. While the service left much to be desired, the food and drinks more than made up for it.

    Aiko I.

    We arrived shortly after 6 pm. Once inside, I felt as if I were in another world. It was before sunset time, but the inside was dark/dim with unique indirect lighting fixtures. The space was small - it was like a hideout cave in the city :) A server greeted us and said "wherever you want" - there are a few high-top tables, window counter areas, and a bar counter area with a limited number of bar stools. Essentially, it is a standing bar. All the bar stools were already taken by earlier visitors. As time passes, many people entered and grab drinks. Some are in groups, some are solo. In spite of the small size of the space and the number of people inside, I did not feel my private space was invaded by others. Maybe because of the way they arrange the lighting? Comfortable. We had Food: (From CONSERVAS -Canned seafood): Razor Clams (From PINTXOS - small snack) :Stracciatella & Boquerones (From TAPAS - appetizers) : Octopus & Sobrassada Drink: - Cocktail specially made for my girlfriend's preference (gin based, fruity, and fizzy) - See You No More - Raval Martini - Left Field 'Greenwood IPA' - Burdock APA (on tap) - Estrella Damm (Spanish Lager) We loved Stracciatella & Boquerones. A layer of milky, slightly sweet, super melty fresh cheese, silky marinated white anchovy, and a thin slice of crispy bread. Enjoyed all these different textures and flavors. The refreshing parsley sauce on top perfected the dish. Wow to the Octopus & Sobrassada. Octopus pieces are hot and crisp outside but tender inside. The pieces of Sobrassada (Spanish cured sausage) transferred their flavor - saltiness, sourness, and spiciness onto other ingredients, and harmonized the taste of the dish. The paprika in Sobrassada rounded the flavor and gave it an appetizing red color. Yum! We had Razor clams for the first time (we were a bit nervous :) - it was chewy and soft, which was a pleasant surprise! Among all the drinks - my girlfriend and I both agreed that "See You No More" was the best.:) Highly recommend. Of course, the prices are higher than other bars. But we were happy about our experiences there!

    Razor Clams & Squid in Ink
    Sel Z.

    Bar Raval is one of the most popular Spanish tapas bars in Toronto, as evidenced by it being constantly packed at any time of day (especially on weekends), and there is always a lineup. We came in the late afternoon / early evening on Saturday, and the wait for a table was about 20 minutes. They don't take reservations and there isn't a formal system for lining up, so you just have to hang around the place while waiting for a table space to open up. Its unique interior design pays homage to the design by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. The interior is very small and has limited seatings. Inside the restaurant, there are small tables for standing and a few stools along the perimeter of the restaurant. They have a small patio in front that is great for the summer months. We sat at the patio and enjoyed the summer weather, very chill vibe, and nice music. One of the things I like most about tapas is the small portions, so you can try a lot of different things. The items in "Conservas" section all come in tins and served with chips. For the rest of the tapas, some come with bread and some don't. The bread served in a lot of the tapas is really good - nicely toasted and crispy on the edges; some are infused with garlic. All the food we tried were excellent. My favourites were the Squid in Ink, Razor Clams, Tomato Bread (finely diced fresh tomatoes on top of toasted bread), Mushrooms & Shrimps Tower, Heirloom Tomatoes & Tonnato, Octopus with Beans, and Shrimp a la Planxa (large Argentinian shrimps with lobster & garlic sauce - very tasty).

    Hot octopus (22$))
    Helen T.

    Their food was amazing, but extremely small in size (tapas size). Our server was super nice as well. I loved all the dishes expect for the 24 months jambon; left like it was nothing special.

    Stracciatella & Boquerones $16.50 for 3
    Janice Y.

    One of the top bars in the city, so you're going to expect a wait. Add yourself to their online waitlist as soon as possible. When we looked online, there wasn't much of a waitlist, but as we were about to go 45-30mins in advance, we added ourselves to the digital waitlist and found ourselves in a long line. Perhaps everyone added themselves to the waitlist around the same time. We had to wait nearly an additional hour once we got there on a weekend evening. Their digital waitlist isn't that accurate at all! The atmosphere is lively, great vibes and dimly lit. We were "seated" in a section with small high round tables with a sprinkle of stools around that section. There are not enough seats for all the tables. We were lucky and took it upon ourselves to grab stools to sit down when another table emptied next to us. Otherwise, expect to stand and enjoy your drinks and bites. The quality of the food and cocktails are next level. It blew us away, well thought out and refined. Not one dish disappointed. The standout has to be the Mushroom Tower. Price point is about $15~ for cocktails and $15-20 per tapa sharable among 2-3. They can also add more single portions so there is never that awkward sharing moment. The cocktails are delicious, and the server will help you pick one that fits your palate.

    Ham croquetas
    Joshua B.

    We were walking through the neighborhood while on vacation and started to get hungry. We surveyed our options and found this tapas bar. We decided to check it out and we are happy we did. We walked in and we were greeted immediately. It was a beautiful day, so we took a small table outside. Our server came over quickly and took our drink order. I was craving a white wine and he made a great suggestion that worked well for me. We looked over the menu and decided to go with the ham croquetas and sobrassada. Our food came out shortly and it looked great. The flavor of the sobrassada was amazing. It was fatty, spicy, umami, and incredible. It was served with toasted points and a little olive oil. We truly enjoyed it. The jamon croquetas were very indulgent. They were very cheesey and we fell in love with them. Overall, we really enjoyed our meal. The location was amazing, service was great, and the food was on point. We will definitely stop by again if in the area. Highly recommend.

    three glasses of wine on a bar
    Kseniya V.

    Came here for drinks on a Friday night. Staff were lovely and drinks were served quickly. We did end up ordering some bread and cheese which was absurdly overpriced considering it tasted like left over dollar atore bread with 5 PC brand cheese cubes. No olive oil was provided. Most of all, there are no chairs inside the space, leaving us to stand with our drinks and "food". Will not return here, simply because there are plenty of charming and delightful spots in downtown Toronto

    Steve L.

    GREAT FOOD AND SERVICES! GREAT ATMOSPHERE!!! Last 2+ years has been a tough time for many restaurants. I noticed a handful of my favorite restaurants have been closed for business since then or suffered a major drop in quality. I feel so happy that Bar Raval has maintained its usual high standard! Their service is still top notch, and the food is awesome as always! I'll definitely go back often as I did before.

    Old fashioned
    Gayan P.

    Absolutely amazing. Blown away by the food. I don't think there's anything on the menu that isn't amazing. We found the flavours were paired just so perfectly in everything we ordered. The dishes were sometimes seemingly simple, but tasted out of this world. I can't say enough how good everything tasted. Whoever is back there making this stuff is a real genius. There's more to it than food, and everything really was great. The cocktails were crafted masterfully, everything came out at just the right time, our server gave us just the right level of attentiveness. Only thing to be warned of, is that there could be a bit of a wait. Check the waitlist and get yourself on it before you arrive on the Yelp app. Having to wait can be less than ideal, but the hostess was magnificent. She really made us feel welcome and taken care of. The waiting list and notifications all worked out smoothly. We didn't have to wait as long as anticipated.

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    4 months ago

    My husband and I had our first date here and came back on the day he proposed. So for that reason it is my favourite bar in Toronto.

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    2 years ago

    loved the atmosphere. The service was exceptional and the food outstanding. A fun cool place to be.

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    2 years ago

    Love this tapas spot. The food is sooo good and the bar is stunning. Come early to get a seated table otherwise you'll be standing

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    Pura Vida - Pura Vida Restaurant and Cocktail Bar in Toronto

    Pura Vida

    (8 reviews)

    Wychwood

    If you're looking for a cozy, tropical escape without leaving Toronto, this is your spot! Tucked…read moreaway on St. Clair West, this charming Puerto Rican is a gem. The customer service? Impeccable. The staff was genuinely kind and attentive without being overbearing. I felt welcomed from the second I walked through the door. I ordered the Avocado Salmon Toast paired with the beautifully pink and perfectly named Pink Flamingo drink. My friend went for the Sweet Berry Waffle and a classic lemonade. Let me just say--the flavors did not disappoint. The salmon was fresh, creamy avocado was piled high, and the toppings were thoughtfully layered. My only tiny critique (and I say this with love): the toast itself was a little too crispy for my liking. It made the dish a bit tricky to cut into, and the texture leaned dry. Next time, I'll definitely ask for it untoasted or lightly toasted. A softer base would really let those flavors shine without the crunch competing. Now let's talk about that Pink Flamingo--WOW. It was tropical, sweet, and honestly gave me vacation-in-a-glass vibes. I almost ordered a second, but adulting (and budgeting) called me back to reality. That said, it's worth every sip! I snuck a few bites from my friend's Sweet Berry waffles, and yep--I'm getting that next time!! Light, fruity, tasty!! I can't wait to come back and try more from the menu. Who knows, maybe next time I'll get to sample a few more dishes Seriously though--support local and give this place a try. You'll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit.

    Very good first time experience with Costa Rican food…read more We went with the recommendations and the only thing I wish I had tried was the ceviche but that's for next time. Must try is the Costa Rican coffee served in a traditional manner. Next must try is their empanadas! Housemade and the dough is phenomenal. Filling we tried was beef.

    LIBRARY BAR - Close, But No Cigar

    LIBRARY BAR

    (160 reviews)

    $$$

    Financial District, Downtown Core

    I would go back again in a heartbeat. This was one of the best meals and experiences of the year…read more The shaved prime rib steak with the dipping au jus plus French onion soup as an appetizer... this was phenomenal. Every aspect from the sauce to the baguette to the meat was so tasty. I also recommend getting the garlic aoli for the fries. The drinks were very well done and unique in flavor as well, in particular I tried to the midnight show which was like a raspberry espresso martini. It was fantastic. The ambiance of the place is spectacular as well with a cool, library naturally, vibe. The servers were also great and helped accommodate my date who is gluten free, and her baguette replacement was the best that she'd ever had of a gluten free option. All in all top tier experience start to finish.

    This cocktail bar inside Fairmont Royal York Hotel has a nice classy ambiance. It feels like…read morestepping into a movie set, with the iconic clock tower. They decorate the lobby, bar area, and the whole main floor with Christmas decorations during the holiday season, including the giant Christmas tree in the lobby (complete with its own lighting ceremony and live music performance). Good selection of drinks and great customer service. Fun facts: The Royal York Hotel opened in 1929. It hosted royalty, heads of state, and golden-age Hollywood legends like Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock when they were in town filming or staying upstairs in the hotel. Stepping inside is like time-traveling back decades, with velvet seating, brass accents, and dark, moody lighting. As soon as you walk into the Library Bar, the real centerpiece that grabs your attention is the massive oil portrait above the fireplace. That dignified gentleman watching you sip your drink is George Locke, the very first chief librarian of the Toronto Public Library. I love that a librarian is the patron saint of this bar! The drinks here aren't just cocktails; they're chapters in a story. The current menu, titled "Ink & Alchemy," is actually inspired by Michael Ondaatje's famous novel In the Skin of a Lion. Created by their award-winning mixologist James Grant, the menu is a tribute to the people who built this city: the immigrants, bridge-builders, thieves, and dreamers. You aren't just sipping a martini; you're drinking a liquid homage to Toronto's history.

    After Seven - The green house

    After Seven

    (65 reviews)

    Downtown Core

    There is a particular pleasure in discovering a bar that requires you to earn your entrance. After…read moreSeven conceals itself behind an ice cream counter, its existence betrayed only by those who know to ask -- a conceit that could easily feel gimmicky but instead lands with genuine charm, setting the tone for what follows with quiet confidence. The room is small, intentional, and lovely: intimate seating, a sculptural emerald bar, and an atmosphere drawn from the Japanese cocktail tradition. The aesthetic is precise without being cold, and the candle-warm lighting encourages exactly the kind of unhurried conversation that a well-made cocktail deserves. But the bartenders are the true heart of the place. On the evening of my visit, the two behind the bar moved with a remarkable synchrony -- finishing each other's thoughts, trading warmth and wit in equal measure, drawing guests effortlessly into the orbit of their easy rapport. It is the kind of hospitality that cannot be trained into existence; it is either present or it isn't, and here it is very much present. The cocktail menu is East Asian in its inspiration and genuinely inventive in its execution.

    such a hidden gem and speakeasy in toronto!! we went on a late weekday so we did not have to fill a…read morereservation, and instead was able to get seated right away at the bar area as we walked in. this place seems to specialize in asian flavoring, so drinks may taste umami on top of the sweetness and alcoholic taste of the drinks. i appreciate the art and tedious mixture of the drinks we had! this place was dimly lit and served the perfect vibe for me and my partner to chat, enjoy our beverages, and take cute pictures.

    Bar Raval - spanish - Updated May 2026

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