DESPICABLE SERVICE. BYBLOS DOWNTOWN DOES NOT VALUE CLEANLINESS OR CUSTOMER SERVICE. Short story: we found a LIVE caterpillar in our food. Tyler, the closing manager, threatened that if we didn't pay for the food that we DID NOT consume he would call the police. As racialized women, we felt we had no choice but to pay the bill. Long story: The evening started off great with wine and apps. We had just started the second course when we noticed a caterpillar had crawled out of one of the dishes. We didn't know which dish so we immediately all stopped eating. We quickly caught the attention of a passing server and they removed the caterpillar and escalated the situation to the manager. Tyler was the only manager available to "assist" us. Right off the bat he was unapologetic and tried to offer us a complimentary dessert. We communicated to him that we had lost our appetite and did not wish to continue dining; despite this, a third course was brought to the table. We communicated to Tyler AGAIN that we did not want to continue with our dinner. He removed the dishes and brought the bill. We assumed that Byblos, a well-established restaurant, would not charge us for the dishes we did not consume/had a bug in it. Any other restaurant in Toronto would have removed those items from the bill, at the very least, or would have comped us for the entire meal. However, when the bill arrived, it included half of the second course, which we never consumed, and he stated that he had 'waived' the third course (which came after we communicated that we didn't want to dine there) as an "apology" for our experience (it's not an apology when you remove items from the bill that shouldn't have been on the bill in the first place). He stated that mistakes happen and this was the best he could do. He refused to remove those items and we escalated the matter further. He spoke to the manager (Matt) who was offsite. We waited patiently for 45 minutes (we could have easily walked out but we didn't). When Tyler returned he provided us with the exact same bill and said that we either had to pay the bill or that he would call the 52 division for non-payment. We were all shocked that he threatened to call the police, especially because we were more than happy to pay for what we consumed. What started as an unfortunate mistake turned into a despicable customer experience. A simple apology and waiving of unconsumed food, which was completely at the fault of Byblos, would have de-escalated the situation. Instead, we were subject to unnecessary threats, including being followed and forced out of the restaurant. We will be making a formal complaint to Dinesafe Toronto and will never be dining at Byblos again. read more

I liked the food even though it was like Canadian version of mediterranean cuisine. I ordered crispy couscous, turkish manti and pide. Everything looks really delicious but my manti and pide were just good whereas couscous was great! Such a simple meal but I loved it! Service was good, well informed and happy to help. I spent really nice time there but for the food you get it's way overpriced. read more

My mouth still waters when I think of Byblos! Hands down one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto for both food and experience; I would recommend everyone to try it as many times as you can afford (~$100 for two). Byblos deserves a 5/5 for food, atmosphere, and service - and make sure you have a reservation or you'll be waiting for hours. For two people, we split the Lamb Ribs, Black Truffle Pide (flatbread), Spanish Octopus, and Crispy Hand Rolled Couscous. I loved EVERY dish - the lamb slid right off the bone, every bite was dripping with flavour, the octopus had the right amount of bounce - the taste and presentation were impeccable. I cannot wait to try the rest of their menu! read more

Fortunately a reservation cancelled and we were able to be seated. Those silly people for not showing up for their dinner reservation. This place was really good. We ordered the steak tartare and eggplant wrapped with zucchini blossom as our apps. Both were delicious. The tartare had a little spice to it; but it was served with yogurt to cut the spice (if needed). The eggplant/zucchini blossom fried perfectly. Our entrees of lamb with rice, bronzino and a side of cauliflower with tahini were a hit. We all agreed that the cauliflower (yes, cauliflower) was the hit surprise for all of us. The bronzino was perfectly cooked with a chimichurri sauce and was deboned perfectly. The Tah-Dig (lamb dish) was covered with basmati rice with a "pseudo-sofritto." The service was immaculate, friendly and prompt. The restaurant has a chic vibe but is very laid back. Great meal!! read more

This place has amazing food!! It was recommended to me by a random girl I spoke with on the train from the airport. I'm so glad she told me and that I tried it. Not really knowing what to order, the bartender and other patrons helped me decide. The plates are not large but honestly it is plenty of food. It is very flavorful and filling. There are two floors to the restaurant, upstairs has the bar with full service so no reservation is required. The bar tenders are very friendly and helpful. I tried the Rose something cocktail, the octopus, the friend cauliflower, and the tai ding (spelling ??). All were amazing!! Would've liked a little more of a mingly crowd at the bar but the food & drinks made up for it. The bartender did a nice wine pairing with the meal. You won't be dissatisfied here!! read more

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This is it. The restaurant's atmosphere is hard to beat, the right amount of lighting and decor elevates the gastronomical experience. We ordered the duck kibbeh, lamb shoulder and Mejadra rice. Everything tasted amazing, with an unique harmony of flavours. The hibiscus watermelon sorbet and the white chocolate ice cream were the perfect ending to a delicious meal. I can't stress how fantastic the service is, everyone is friendly and go out of their way to make sure you are enjoying the experience. Last thing: reservations are highly recommended. read more

Best of the best!! Amazing food and ambient. The food is very well done with lots of flavours from the Middle East.. Highly recommend read more

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Loved this restaurant. Great service, decors, food, prefect for date. My husband and I tried Turkish manti dumplings, Crispy Confit Duck, Middle Eastern Fried Chicken, Sujuk pide that were new flavours to me but I enjoyed them all. BUT my highlight of the place was dessert, -Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse with Turkish coffee! That was one of my best dessert I have ever tried. Highly recommended to make a reservation. read more

Vibe/atmosphere: Not stuffy or pretentious. Interior design feels eastern Mediterranean, but in a way that's restrained and sophisticated. It's not a huge space so the chatter can reach pretty high volumes. Service: Prompt, attentive, courteous. Waiter wasn't super high on energy but he did his job well. Onto the food (and drink): -Lamb ribs: Really appealing crunch, good spice level, perfectly tender underneath. -Eggplant kibbeh: That chickpea batter and yogurt sauce, though. One of the highlights of the night. -Organic house labaneh: Very fresh, creamy, with an interesting mix of the tart and sweet (from the honey). Barbari bread is loaded with garlic crumble and is maybe a bit on the stiff side, but still a good starch base for the labaneh. -Mejadra rice: Pretty good, wish there was more yogurt, though. Rice has a nice crunch to it but the flavors were somewhat muted. -Black cod: Really enjoyed the playful presentation of this. Toum and chermoula complement the smoky character of the cod. -Seared cauliflower: I think by the time I got to this I was ready to pop, so maybe that clouded my judgment. To me the flavor was a bit muddled and off-color. -The Aviator: Shared "punch" full of gin. More on the sweet side, but still a refreshing concoction. Bill: I braced for impact and was still a little shook at the total. This is not a place to go if you want to be frugal. That being said, I don't think of any the mark up was way beyond reason. But just bear in mind...it adds up. Overall I quite enjoyed myself at Byblos. It's not a restaurant I'd go to often just due its price point, but for a once-in-a-great-while experience, my expectations were handily met. The food was prepared and presented with a lot of ingenuity and craftsmanship, and I left feeling like I made the right choice to splurge where I did. read more

Byblos - Mejadra rice and black cod. - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Byblos is a stylized and intently themed restaurant drawing inspiration from Eastern Mediterranean regions. The atmosphere has a Manhattan feel to it. I would highly recommend going with a few friends so that you could sample a variety of the dishes. The dishes are meant for sharing - tapas style. While the entire menu is delicious, I would recommend the following dishes which are not to be missed: roasted red beets, duck kibbeh, Spanish octopus, black cod, lamb rack and crispy duck confit rice. The cocktails are also very good. read more

This place is it. It is IT, if you know what I mean. But if you don't, read on and I will tell you why Byblos has rocked my world twice in a month and why I will be back. Firstly, the atmosphere is very cool and there is awesome interior design. Both times I have been seated in the bottom level and been happy. You can watch them prep your food and make your drinks behind the bar. I have tried 4 different cocktails from here and have to say the Gulad was a personal favourite, served in a julip metal cup. So refreshing! The Sultan's Apprentice (I think that was the name) was also delicious and the presentation was awesome: a giant square of ice that fit perfectly in the glass. The food is just amazing. There are so many different layers of flavours. I was so impressed. Here's the good and the okay: ORDER THESE: -Eggplant Kibbeh -Steak Tartare -Citrus Mixed Olives -Guernsey Girl Cheese -Yogurt Baked Fluke -Roasted Brussel Sprouts -Sweet Jeweled Basmati Rice These were good but not as great as above: -Roasted Red Beets -Seared Cauliflower And these I won't be ordering again: -Crispy Hand Rolled Couscous (didn't like the texture, boring) -Dry Aged Ribeye (too dry for my liking, also boring) Dessert - I've had the Turkish Delight tea, Barbary Coast and the mint....the mint is by far the best. And for dessert I've tried the burnt honey ice cream (most delicious) and the apricot which was good but the flavour was very subtle. Delicious experiences both trips - highly recommend. read more

We enjoyed our Anniversary dinner at Byblos at Duncan St. The place is relatively small with narrow entrance. But the Food brings out all the magic. I had a cocktail named Gulab. Gulab means Red rose. The drink had rose-saffron seeds sprinkled on the cocktail base and was served in a silver-bronze traditional Indian cup. The Rice dishes were the best. The richness of nuts on top of rice bed is something you'll never forget. Lamb cops were great. The place is a fine dining restaurant in downtown Toronto therefore you'll expect high class service, at higher price..... , for smaller portions. Lol Overall it was a nice & cosy place. Great for couples. will definitely go again. read more

A delicious and impressive representation of the Eastern Mediterranean seaboard! So, yes, Byblos has an Ottolenghi-esque Middle Eastern fusion vibe. Although there may soon be a backlash regarding the "Middleterranean" trend and ubiquity in Toronto, it certainly won't be coming from my end. This kind of food is my steez. Food that is simple and extraordinary at the same time. Food that dazzles your senses and simultaneously nurtures and comforts you. I would like to try most things on the menu at Byblos and it is definitely a source of inspiration for my cooking at home. The fig salad with orange blossom honey vinegar + ackawi cheese +kohlrabi +pistachio is one of my favourite salads right now ($14). The simple side dish of roasted brussel sprouts with halloumi+tahini +yogurt ($7) is addictively good. Enough has been said about the generous and interesting rice dishes but I will echo the masses anyway; they are both eye-pleasingly beautiful, as well as pretty tasty! The fluke is a fine fish dish ($27). I must try some more meat dishes (e.g. dry aged ribeye with za'atar butter and smoked eggplant $41). There are too many dishes to mention, but I will add that you should save room for the dreamy dessert menu (plus Turkish coffees and teas). My last points: 1. fantastic service 2. portions are a good size, you won't be disappointed 3. nice but the opposite of stuffy 4. music can be a bit loud at times 5. great open prep area; think trays of figs, a bowl of lime and paprika dusted Marcona almonds and busy chefs working away If you enjoy this food, Byblos is a warm and inviting space that you will likely return to over the years for various occasions. read more

This is my second time coming to Byblos and both visits have been amazing. We tried the turkish manti dumplings, the roasted lamb shoulder for two, the fried chicken and the sweet jeweled rice. Everything was phenomenal, my boyfriend said the lamb was one of the best things he has ever eaten. The ambiance here is wonderful, as well as the tea cocktails that come served in a beautiful tea pot. Our server Rebecca was so attentive and personable, but she also seemed really down to earth and very professional - she is honestly one of the best servers I've had in Toronto. Everyone who brought over our dishes was equally kind and explained every dish to us. I really appreciate all of the little things that the service staff do throughout the meal to ensure that you are comfortable and enjoying yourself. Will definitely be back in the near future! read more

Wowowowow! I really LOVED Byblos. Finding it was a pain in the arse, but it was worth it. Reservations are definitely required, as that is the first question they ask you when you walk in. Yes I did and they brought me upstairs which I think is the more "formal" dining area, while the lower level is the bar. It feels a bit more cramped on the lower level, so I was glad I was put upstairs and by a lovely circular table. I was immediately offered a complimentary beverage and it was YUMMY! Our waitress was so great and recommended dishes that the table enjoyed thoroughly. Highlights were definitely the Truffle rice, Turkish Dumplings, the little juicy quails and surprisingly a Tuna Tartare of sorts with delicious black chips (squid ink I think it was?) The vibe was awesome and I can't wait to come back here again! I would highly recommend this place to take out of town guests as it has the right combo of great food, unique décor, and a jiving vibe which promises for a great evening. read more

Jeez. It's a bit on the pricier side, but worth every penny (that we should probably be saving at this moment...). The restaurant is quite big with two floors of seating. The ambiance is kind of mysterious and dim lighted like you're going into a fortune tellers tent. The seats are really comfy and even though the restaurant gets packed, you can still properly hear the other person across the table without playing broken telephone. From our server, Joel's, recommendations, me and my friend got the following: CRISPY EGGPLANT 12: amazing starter. It's deep fried eggplant pieces but not oily one bit. Has a bit of tomato paste and I believe sour cream and is just fantastic! TUNA CEVICHE 19: THE CHIPS. It's such a perfect mix of tuna, avocado, cream and chips that you can't believe something can taste this good. WHOLE BONELESS BRANZINO 42: Melts in your mouth pretty much and my favourite is its wrapped in softened vine leafs that bring out the taste of the fish itself. Definitely recommended YOGURT MOUSSE 11: I'm not much of a desserts person but this IS THE dessert to end any men. It's very light and sweet but doesn't linger on your teeth afterwards (or so it feels) . It's got like sweet angel hair candy floss top up which looks just divine and tastes even better. The service a was phenomenal. You were definitely looked after and your water we almost always stay full. Joel was such a pleasure to have and so well spoken! Our cocktails were taking a while to be made so he ended up giving us a vodka soda on the house which was so thoughtful!! You keep doing you Joel! Overall I would love to come here again and try everything else on the menu like it's my life duty to. read more

Amazing food. Waitress was very friendly and helpful in recommending options and portions. Favourite appetizer is the lamb ribs. Well cooked with multilayer flavours. The crispy duck confit rice is the BEST main course from all of us. Main courses we also had slow cooked lamb shoulders and short ribs. I personally prefer the lamb shoulders because I cannot resist the garlic sauce and pomegranate. The wrapping food experience is also very interesting and adding more fun to the food. My friends like the BEEF short ribs better (yes it is beef, no mentioned on the menu). We only tried the hazelnut chocolate cake for dessert. But there were LOTS of other interesting options we would love to try. For sure will go back and strongly recommending to others read more

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I left it very last-minute in reserving a table for a birthday celebration. It was very difficult to find a spot to accommodate a party of 6 at the more popular restaurants in town. Fortunately, a table for 6 at Byblos came up. I've only heard good things about this restaurant so I thought this would be a great opportunity to try it out. First of all, the interior design was on point - modern with a rustic charm. The service was good. It got a bit loud at times making conversations a little more difficult, but again, it was a full house on a Friday night. The food exceeded my expectations. I personally really like Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food, and Byblos did not disappoint. We started off with the Sabzi Qatayef (braised oxtail) and the house labneh dip. Both were small but tasty, just wished the portions were bigger. Then we had the black truffle pide, which was also small but absolutely delicious. For mains we had the Middle Eastern Fried Chicken, BC mussels, black cod, Roasted Lamb Shoulder for Two, Spanish octopus, triple-fried fries, Crispy Confit Duck rice, and Sweet Jeweled rice. Everything tasted great, but what got me the most was the sweet jeweled rice. It definitely stood out from the rest of the dishes, and is highly recommended for anyone who is visiting for the first time. We had the Pavlova, pistachio ice cream/popsicle and the chocolate mousse for dessert. The chocolate mousse was absolutely delicious! It was definitely on the pricey end for the amount of food served. We ordered almost half the menu to feed a group of 6. The bill was definitely not cheap. I would recommend this place for those who are looking for a place to celebrate a special event. Would I come on a normal weekday dinner, probably not. But would I come for a birthday celebration, a definite yes. This dining experience was definitely a positive one, and it is likely that we will return for another meal in the near future. read more

Everything was delicious. Great menu set up to try many things. Everything was shareable and full of flavor. Server was knowledgeable and made great recommendations. Turkish wine was delicious. read more

Great ambiance and delicious food. The flavours are unique and tasteful. Great place to host a get together with drinks and exotic foods.

LOVE BYBLOS!!! This is the best restaurant I've been to in Toronto and if I could give it 6 stars I would. Highly recommend!! Everything we ate was amazing. We had the beets (mmMmMm!! seriously so good), fig salad, crispy couscous, delicious fluke fish baked in this amazing yogurt sauce, and the watermelon salad. It was sooOoOo tasty. The people I was with had the pulled lamb and loved it as well. For dessert the burnt honey ice cream and turkish coffee were divine. Also the cocktails were spectacular. Everything was amazing!! Just go! read more

Great food. The fattoush is a must try. Was hoping for a little more lebanese food than a mix of various middle eastern. But the chef did a good job with creativity and all around taste. Nice ambiance and decor. A little pricey considering my mom cooks this stuff for free. But worth one visit. read more

Our bill was astronomical, but the food was not. I'm actually quite disappointed. We were told that "share portions" were quite big, but it was actually minuscule. The pictures of the dumplings are quite deceiving. The flavor was alright, but not amazing enough to justify the price and wait. We ordered the fish main; it was way too charred. The artichoke yogurt was literally 1 dollop of yogurt with fried artichoke. The rice dish was mediocre. The chocolate mousse and the fried dessert were both unimpressive. read more

As a middle-easterner I am almost offended at the way this restaurant has ruined so many authentic eastern dishes by substituting the most irrelevant ingredients. How dare you sir? Save yourself the time and money and get some authentic food that can be found all over Toronto. read more

We had a great meal at Byblos. It was my partner's birthday and I chose this restaurant for him because of it's unpretentious and casual vibe and Byblos' reputation for remarkable food and a different experience overall. We began with a ginger negroni (they have negroni on tap). Then moved on to a bottle of cava. The atmosphere was a bit loud and hipster downstairs for me, but the warm decor made up for it. We began with the labneh which was topped with a beautiful helping of peppery Lebanese Olive oil. We really enjoyed the smooth texture and cooling sensation of this fresh yogurt dip. The Lamb ribs were very good, but we missed out on the buttermilk sauce on the first two as the ribs were stacked and the sauce, being white, was hard to see at the bottom of the bowl. The ribs were tender and spicy, but we both agreed that the buttermilk sauce really improved the overall likability of this dish. The baked fluke was not a favourite of my partner. He found it a little under seasoned. I liked the delicate flavour of the fish and the flavours they used, but it would have benefited from a little more seasoning. Crispy Calamari was very nice. Garlicky and fried to perfection. However, I might have liked to see this served as a smaller dish as opposed to a larger main. The jewelled rice was surprisingly fragrant, delicious and sweet with whispers of orange blossom, carrot, pomegranate, edible flowers and almonds. Probably the best rice dish I've ever had. However, I wished that the rice arrived with our mains as I felt weird eating rice by itself. Our server was wonderful. He was happy to make recommendations and didn't miss beat with anything. I didn't mention my partner's birthday in the reservation as I think it's tacky to request birthday singing at a restaurant and make it your server's responsibility to wish your guest well. When my partner shied away from dessert I reminded him that it was his birthday and the waiter overheard. When our desert arrived it was festooned with a candle and they had written 'happy birthday' on the plate. This was low key and very nice of him. To sum things up, I found the service to be glowing, the food quite good (but strange coursing of a few items) but I wouldn't go so far as to gush that the flavours were incredible or mind blowing. It was very good at best with a few underwhelming dishes. But the experience was a good one. I might come back, but I think i'd rather sit upstairs next time. My partner enjoyed the casual feel of downstairs, but I found it a bit too loud and the tables were really close together. read more

Lately its been hard for me to get excited about a meal, but I was really excited to go to Byblos and try out something different. I would recommend it for a special occasion or pre theatre dinner date. It was a little hard to find, but after entering thru the billowing black curtain, its as if you're in your own private dining world. Its two floors and set up more loungey than a formal dining area. I liked the atmosphere, but my biggest complaint is that the tables were low compared to normal seating height. By the end of the night our backs were a little sore. Music is loud in here. Its more clubby than atmospheric. I would love to bring my parents or in laws here, but they would complain its too loud despite the yummy food. Maybe thats not the clientle they are going for. The Food. We got a bunch of small plates to share between the 2 of us. We started with the CRISPY EGGPLANT. It was deep fried eggplant sticks on tahini aioli. Really flavourful and more than just an eggplant tempura.Was my hubby's favourite dish. Next was the DUCK KIBBEH. I found it a little dry, and I couldnt discern the duck flavour from it. Still good, but not amazing. My favourite was the LAMB RIBS, fall off the bone lamb ribs with a nut crust and molasses that made it crispy. We also got the ACHURLI which is like a turkish pizza. I've had a large version of this before, but this was still good with a brioche crust and quail egg on top. It was good, but small. As a side dish, had crispy couscous on top of collard greens and halloumi cheese. It was really simple, but it was good. TURKISH MANTI DUMPLINGS from the entree side, as our last dish. It was different and interesting, eggplant stuffed on top of yogurt and molasses. It has a sweet and spicy taste which I really liked. We were so full after this, but still had room for dessert, which they have a lot of options. I couldnt decide between the Brik Pastry Cigars, or the Chocolate Mousse, so we got both (but could have done just one). Brik Pastry Cigars comes with 3. Phyllo pastry filled with Honey cream and figs, and topped with figs. It was good and better than my chocolate mousse, which was basically a cake topped with phyllo bits and shaved chocolate. it was decadent and chocolately but I like the Brik Pastry as something different. Really enjoyed the meal and service here. and would come back to try other dishes one day! read more

Every single dish we tried was perfect! Also great services - they gave us awesome recommendation cuz they really know their menu! read more

Byblos - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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I came here for a surprise bday dinner with my husband and it was delicious. The plates are beautiful and the ambiance is trendy. Loved the middle eastern vibe as well. read more

Came here for my birthday celebration dinner, arrange by my partner and it was just me and him. Food was great and service was attentive. When it came to picking a dinner place before the Beyonce concert, Byblos came to mind after Figo and Pai could not be booked via open table. So happens today. I needed to bump up the reservation by one person, just one person, so I phoned the reservation hotline. "Maria" or whoever was manning the reservation line was so crass. After I explained our situation, she was un-sympathetic and was "i can assign you to our 8:45 sitting and that's it". Explained to her that timing was inflexible due to the concert and she goes "i can't do anything". Trying to understand how Byblos does their reservation sitting, after Maria mentioned that tables haven't been assigned yet, at this point I was curious...if tables haven't been assigned how can you not accommodate an additional person? And so Maria spills... apparently Byblos has pre-assigned our group of 5 to a table of 4. Weird, right? Why would a restaurant, consciously squeeze a group into a smaller table, that is one less the original size of the reservation? That doesn't leave space for any flexibility. I was trying to get Maria to re-consider our situation. But I guess she thought she has the power to call the shots upholding her "i am the reservation goddess" attitude. At this point I have given up on the reservation goddess and Byblos. Yes Byblos is ONE OF the nicer restaurants in Toronto, with emphasis on the being "one of many". If Byblos does not take care of this customer facing side of the business or the way they manage their sitting sitting arrangements , large foodie groups like mine would be happy to bring our $$$ elsewhere. In this day and age where the longevity of a restaurant rests not only on the food by the whole dining experience, Byblos has room to improve. read more

Well well well, Byblos, I finally made it to you after all the raving reviews and the endless rejections I received when trying to make a reservation only to walk away semi disappointed. Came here before the glorious Phantom of the Opera and I'll start by saying our server was adorable; super friendly but why is it that when it comes to tapas they always tell you to order like 3638373 dishes when it's 2 people? We ordered 3...and couldn't even finish them. In 2016, I must work on my fatty skills vs my foodie skills apparently.... We started with the steak tartare which was definitely my fav out of everything - had a really nice spice to it. Next up was the roasted red beets which was my friend's fav and then we had the dumplings that EVERYONE posts....you automatically assume because everyone posts pictures of these that they're going to taste outrageous. I'm here to clarify; they did not. I can't be certain what that taste was but it wasn't worth the 25 minute wait it takes to prepare them. Oh, on another positive note - cab sauv - yum! read more

This place is incredible. Probably had one of the best meals of my life here. Decor is nice, servers are knowledgeable and there's a lovely ambiance about this place. This is a place where you want to share so you can try everything. I came with my boyfriend for date night. We tried out the baby gem salad, Persian kale rice, beef kabob, fried chicken and Brussels sprouts. It was a perfect amount of food for the two of us. Everything was DELICIOUS and cooked to perfection. I actually can't choose which dish I liked the best! I cannot wait to go back. read more

I grew up on Turkish food so I was looking forward to coming here. I was resistant at my first bite because it is not traditional but more of a fusion between middle eastern and new-age/weird contemporary. But the chef really pulls it off with the simplicity of the ingredients yet it's high quality. We had Kebobs , basterma pide, pilaf, and lamb shoulder. Very tasty, unique and despite the small dishes very filling. Finished with hazelnut mousse and Turkish coffee. I could never take my older relatives here, because they would deem it blasphemous, but the experience did not disappoint. read more

Byblos - Hazelnut mousse was heavenly! - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Outstanding, loved every dish. Had the roasted beets, steak tartare, fig salad, black truffle bread, chargrilled cornish hen & roasted brussel sprouts and everything was experience. Upscale Middle East flavours married with modern and European and American flavours. The ingredients were the highest quality. Atmosphere was also impressive as the restaurant's interior design made for great vibe upstairs and downstairs had different vibe more laid back but also very nice. Ordered wine by the glass and it was very good. So I would say this is a truly a 5 star review and perhaps my new favourite restaurant in Toronto. read more

Wow. Just. Wow. If you want to try something truly distinctive in downtown Toronto, you've got to come here. The cocktail menu isn't posted on their website, so make sure you check it out and try something before your meal. This is a great date spot or late-night dinner destination. Also - I never thought I'd get excited about rice, but the "Sweet Jewelled" rice with carrot, saffron, barberries and almonds is superb and I don't think I'll ever look at rice quite the same way from now on. That said, there wasn't anything I tried that I didn't like here. Everything is fresh, fragrant, and spiced to perfection. read more

If you're in Toronto for a short, or long, time, this HAS to be on your dining list. This is where I take all my foodie, hard-to-please friends. Always get a glowing review and promises to return with more friends after :) The seating area upstairs has a loungey feel with low couch-like seating and tables arranged to make it easier to share. The downstairs area is smaller and just seemed a bit more crowdy and less intimate. The menu is designed to be shared and plates are listed in order of smallest to largest portion size. Cheese Acharuli: quail egg nestled in brioche, seasoned with za'atar. Great to share. Unique flavor. I didn't know what to expect the quail egg to taste like, and all I can say is it tasted GRREAT. Couldn't even tell it was egg. The bread was soft and flavorful - not your average slice.  Lamb ribs: Absolutely gorgeous. Crispy on the outside, dotted with sesame seeds, and tender on the inside. It's technically listed in the apps section. You get 4 pieces per serving, which can be a little dissatisfying if you're sharing with more than person (they're THAT yummy). Our party of 3 ordered it with apps, went through an entire meal including steak, then ordered ANOTHER plate of the ribs as dessert. Turkish manti dumplings: great portion size, great flavour that I can't quite put a finger on. The dumplings swim in a yogurt-based sauce which is packed with flavor. I didnt mind that you can't really taste the eggplant. I'm a meat-lover and never opt for a vegetarian main, but have ordered this repeatedly cuz the flavor is SO robust. Chargrilled Cornish Hen: I'd recommend this for a party of 4 or more, just because the serving size is large so it limits how many other things you can try. You get 4 (I think) pieces in some kind of a pot, with fried leek. I found this to be one of the more standard-tasting dishes on the menu, not that it's mediocre; just doesn't pack as much flavor as the afore-mentioned dishes. Goes great with a side of the Mejadra Basmati Rice (order separately, also large serving). read more

My boyfriend is Turkish and he was hesitant to try this place, concerned it was too much fusion of some of his favorite flavors. He was glad I dragged him here. We had Tah-Dig, fried chicken and black truffle rice. And manhattans and old fashioneds oh my. Everything was great. The black truffle rice is one of the best things I've eaten. Absolutely amazing flavors. read more

Not bad for a modern middle eastern restaurant. A bit overrated in my opinion because as a middle eastern, I was expecting an authentic taste but I guess they are aiming for modern and fusion dishes. Cozy place and perfect for a date. I may give it another chance to try different options. read more

My girlfriend and I have been to Byblos 4 times this past year. Its safe to say that this is our favorite restaurant in Toronto. I'm the type of person who would normally choose Japanese, Chinese, or Korean food over any other cuisine. However Byblos is always an exception. The food is consistently delicious. The atmosphere is comfortable. The service is exceptional. Byblos ranks up there with all our favorite fine dining restaurants in New York and at only a fraction of the price. Definitely go here. Recommendations: - Shakshouka - Crispy Eggplant These two are on our always-order list. read more

Came here with another couple when we all did a weekend trip to Toronto. It was great! It is a shared plate style restaurant so we ordered a lot. We got the Organic House Labneh, Eggplant Kibbeh, Slow Braised Ontario Lamb Shoulder, Mejadra Rice, and Seared Cauliflower. Everything was delicious! My favorite was the Mejadra Rice. Ever since we've returned, I've been trying to duplicate it unsuccessfully. I thought the interior was beautiful and unique. My friend said "it's like the inside of a genie bottle" The service was excellent as well. I definitely would recommend Byblos and would come back. read more

Truly amazing food in a modern environment. A thoroughly enjoyable meal every time. I highly recommend the Organic House Lebneh with Barbari Bread, Tah Dig, and Roasted Brussel Sprouts. read more

Byblos - Mediterranean Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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