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Gonzo Izakaya is a remarkable new addition to the Japanese food scene in Toronto. Arguably one of the best, despite being relatively new. From the moment you walk in, you'll be immersed in a unique Japanese atmosphere. Even the soap and toilet cleaning products in the washroom are Japanese! The dining room is filled with vintage Japanese manga magazines and fashion magazines. They also have a working vintage NES and a live camcorder connected to a TV where you can take cute photos. The ambiance is impressive, and the food is even better. Gonzo Izakaya specializes in yakitori, sushi, and cocktails. The service is courteous, polite, and prompt. We ordered the flank steak and buta (pork belly) yakitori, karaage, takoyaki, daikon as a palate cleanser, and salmon oshizushi. Every dish tasted incredible. The yakitori is served with flaky salt and togorashi, perfectly cooked at the right temperature, and with a delightful char and smokiness that adds another level of complexity to the yakitori tare. The soy and mirin flavors combine with the natural umami of the meat to create a taste that will leave you wanting more. The karaage was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, everything you could want in a karaage dish. Good takoyaki is hard to come by in Toronto, but this takoyaki was outstanding. The exterior was crispy, and when you put it in your mouth, it collapsed into a fluffy goodness that was a taste sensation. The octopus and bonito flakes, along with the okonomiyaki sauce, came together as one. The daikon was a perfect palate cleanser, more of a braised daikon in a soy sauce dashi. It had a clean taste that refreshed the palate between dishes. Now for the most surprising dish of the night - the salmon oshizushi. While I usually look for a small layer of extra fish in between the rice to create an air pocket, this restaurant didn't need it. They didn't compress the rice like a hydraulic pump, so each grain of rice stood on its own. The rice was more like a regular nigiri rice ball, but in a square shape, melting in your mouth with each piece of sushi. The thinly sliced pickled jalapeno added spiciness, while the torch gave it a delightful char. Overall, Gonzo Izakaya is a perfect 5/5. While I cannot vouch for everything on the menu, the quality of the dishes we ordered was consistent and impressive. I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu items.
Had an absolute blast at this place! The staff was SUPER friendly and enthusiastic. It's quite small, so make a reso. But you can get lucky with walk in. My group of 5 friends and I sat at the bar in front of where they make the food and drinks, and we loved it. The staff were hilarious and even convinced us to do a sale bomb, which was so fun! Food was great, cocktails were great. Loved the atmosphere with anime on the walls. And A+ for playing Howl's Moving Castle on the TV!!! Definitely will be back.
This spot needs more reviews! Izakayas are known as a place for groups to catch up, drink, and eat great shareables and this spot checked all the boxes! We ordered the unagi oshizushi, yakisoba, yakiniku-don, and spicy karaage chicken, paired with a bottle of sake called Tojo no Banshaku which was very smooth drink to share for 3. Highly recommend the yakisoba and you can't drink without karaage. The atmosphere and design inside is the highlight as it was loud, chatty, and a sign of great times for those around us. Lots of local-themed photos and posters inside, tight but cozy and the servers were nice. Need to reserve or else it'll be full / long wait!
I love izakayas so I knew I had to check this place out! We were a party of 4 so we made a reservation beforehand. The place is quite small (but the atmosphere and vibes were ). We sat on their patio which was perfect on a summer night. We ordered a whole bunch of items, being that it was an izakaya, we expected the portions were small and intended for sharing. We ended up getting the torched unagi and torched saba sushi. Our favourite was the unagi!! Though I wish the eel to rice ratio was better. We also got starters to share, including takoyaki, karage, cold tofu and tako wasabi. All were delicious! Our favourite was definitely the karage. In terms of skewers, we got the chicken meatball, wings and chicken thigh. Each was fantastic but the highlight was the chicken meatball. We weren't sure if all this was going to be enough since the portions are small (see photos) but we ended up very satisfied. The only "negative" aspect about our experience was the service. There seemed to be only one server waiting on the entire restaurant so she seemed swamped and food came out very slowly. Other than that, we had a very lovely time.
I would rate it 3.5. The food was ok, the pressed sushi the fish kept falling off and the rice was breaking apart easily. The presentation could be better, and the whole Place felt a little Divey. My favourite was the steak skewers, cooked to perfection! Staff was very nice and attentive and the drinks were very creative! Refreshing!
This izakaya has such chill night time bar vibes with the neon signs and blue lights! We got the okonomiyaki (daily special so was $9.99), modern yaki, meat platter, and kaarage. It was my first time having a Hiroshima style okonomiyaki. It comes with noodles on top which was interesting and made it extra filling, but I found it really hard to eat all the layers at once (compared to the usual okonomiyaki). The meat platter was good too and a great addition to our carb heavy okonomiyakis. I bit into something really hard at one point but it might have been cartilage or something. Kaarage was not as crispy as I liked unfortunately. I enjoyed my meal here though and the atmosphere was *chefs kiss*. This would be a great place to bring friends to catch up with over food and drinks! (I did have a stomach ache that night though, not 100% sure if it was related to this meal though or if something was just incompatible with my stomach. Friend did not have any problems.)
A friend and I stumbled upon gonzo izakaya after a show, and i'm glad we did. The inside is quite the vibe, cool and low key. I like that it's an open kitchen so you can see your food being prepared. These are all small plates and shareable, so we ordered the torched salmon sushi, the chicken negima, umeboshi onigri, and the yaki soba. We were so hungry that I had no time to take pictures, but the food was really good - I will say the negima portions are very small so you will have to order a few pieces. Everything else though was decently portioned for the two of us. The servers were also great at answering our questions. Definitely recommend trying and I will definitely be back to try more of the menu!
Nice izakaya to kick back, relax, and have a no fuss drink. Also loved the two donburi bowls ordered and you get a free karage. Karage was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, just how it should be. Both donburi bowls were excellent. I thought the okonomiyaki could use some improvement. Service was attentive and on point.
In search of a quick protein boost, I came upon Gonzo at the corner of College and Dovercourt. It's a small shop, but the space is well put to use. It feels trendy, well-conceived and the staff was friendly and efficient. Not especially starved, I just got an order of the Salmon Sashimi. It was served with sliced marinated onions on top, which cut the fatty fish with a dash of brine which made each bite surprisingly refreshing. That, and the fish itself was high quality, served at the perfect temperature, and cut the perfect width so that the salmon didn't feel heavy in the mouth in the way some salmon sashimi can. They have a really lovely back patio which is well shaded without feeling claustrophobic. Would definitely come back to try more!
The restaurant itself is rather small but they've got a heated patio in the back area and were pet friendly. The servers were so thoughtful and brought out little water bowls for our pups. Good variety of drinks and shareables, everything arrived in a timely manner and were all so very tasty. The only thing we weren't crazy about was the tako wasabi- the wasabi flavour was overpowering and the dish only came with a single nori cracker- if we knew this earlier we would've saved the nori crackers ordered separately to pair with the tako wasabi. Otherwise, great experience overall in terms of service, quality, and efficiency.
Great music, good food, and super nice staff. My husband and I reserved a spot for dinner on Thursday around 6:30. The atmosphere was chill and the staff were extremely nice and helpful and worked together fantastically. The food was delicious. I really recommend the Agedashi Tofu, Yakitori set (try the cherry tomatoes too), and my husband's favorite was the Butadon (pork bowl). Really recommend this place if you want to chill, hang out with some friends over drinks and good food.
This was a cute spot with delicious food items. They bring new and creative twists to their menu items for an izakaya experience that is truly unique. The crispy cabbage is a must try. The only feedback I have is to have more attentive customer service.
11 days ago
This place is a gem. Authentic as it gets for an izakaya. The atmosphere is immaculate and the yakitori tastes just like the ones I've had in Japan. The staff was friendly and the whole place feels very welcoming. It was packed at 10:00pm on a Friday. I flew in from the US just for a weekend, but if I was in Toronto I would go here often. Well worth the trip, well worth the wait! read more
I was craving izakaya, so came downtown with a bunch of friends. We made reservations couple weeks ahead of time and I was glad we did. The restaurant opened at 5pm but it was already half full by 5:30pm. The restaurant itself is small but they also have a patio in the back. The vibe reminds me of Japan especially downstairs where the washrooms are located. They had japanese posters and maps of where the staff's hometown. Pretty cute! Service was ok because there was only one server when we arrived. They only had a second person past 6:30pm when the restaurant was packed. Similar to other izakaya restaurants, dont expect the dishes to be big. The beef was the star of the night; it was so juicy we ordered seconds lol. The rest were ok especially the soba noodles, meh. read more
Such a cute little Japanese spot near ossington. The atmosphere felt very authentic to what I've seen in Tokyo. The prices were also super fair for the amount we got. I ended up spending around 60$ for an onigiri, asahi, salmon sashimi, and takoyaki. I also shared a bottle of peach sake with my friends. It was very affordable compared to what you usually get in this area of Toronto. The service was also good, we were just walk in's and they sat us at the bar until a table became available. We had a great time this night. What stood out to me was the takoyaki was super crunchy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. The salmon sashimi was also very buttery and yummy. It really felt like an izakaya at Asakusa. I loved it and will be returning with more friends. read more
Gonzo Izakaya is a remarkable new addition to the Japanese food scene in Toronto. Arguably one of the best, despite being relatively new. From the moment you walk in, you'll be immersed in a unique Japanese atmosphere. Even the soap and toilet cleaning products in the washroom are Japanese! The dining room is filled with vintage Japanese manga magazines and fashion magazines. They also have a working vintage NES and a live camcorder connected to a TV where you can take cute photos. The ambiance is impressive, and the food is even better. Gonzo Izakaya specializes in yakitori, sushi, and cocktails. The service is courteous, polite, and prompt. We ordered the flank steak and buta (pork belly) yakitori, karaage, takoyaki, daikon as a palate cleanser, and salmon oshizushi. Every dish tasted incredible. The yakitori is served with flaky salt and togorashi, perfectly cooked at the right temperature, and with a delightful char and smokiness that adds another level of complexity to the yakitori tare. The soy and mirin flavors combine with the natural umami of the meat to create a taste that will leave you wanting more. The karaage was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, everything you could want in a karaage dish. Good takoyaki is hard to come by in Toronto, but this takoyaki was outstanding. The exterior was crispy, and when you put it in your mouth, it collapsed into a fluffy goodness that was a taste sensation. The octopus and bonito flakes, along with the okonomiyaki sauce, came together as one. The daikon was a perfect palate cleanser, more of a braised daikon in a soy sauce dashi. It had a clean taste that refreshed the palate between dishes. Now for the most surprising dish of the night - the salmon oshizushi. While I usually look for a small layer of extra fish in between the rice to create an air pocket, this restaurant didn't need it. They didn't compress the rice like a hydraulic pump, so each grain of rice stood on its own. The rice was more like a regular nigiri rice ball, but in a square shape, melting in your mouth with each piece of sushi. The thinly sliced pickled jalapeno added spiciness, while the torch gave it a delightful char. Overall, Gonzo Izakaya is a perfect 5/5. While I cannot vouch for everything on the menu, the quality of the dishes we ordered was consistent and impressive. I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu items. read more
Had an absolute blast at this place! The staff was SUPER friendly and enthusiastic. It's quite small, so make a reso. But you can get lucky with walk in. My group of 5 friends and I sat at the bar in front of where they make the food and drinks, and we loved it. The staff were hilarious and even convinced us to do a sale bomb, which was so fun! Food was great, cocktails were great. Loved the atmosphere with anime on the walls. And A+ for playing Howl's Moving Castle on the TV!!! Definitely will be back. read more
This spot needs more reviews! Izakayas are known as a place for groups to catch up, drink, and eat great shareables and this spot checked all the boxes! We ordered the unagi oshizushi, yakisoba, yakiniku-don, and spicy karaage chicken, paired with a bottle of sake called Tojo no Banshaku which was very smooth drink to share for 3. Highly recommend the yakisoba and you can't drink without karaage. The atmosphere and design inside is the highlight as it was loud, chatty, and a sign of great times for those around us. Lots of local-themed photos and posters inside, tight but cozy and the servers were nice. Need to reserve or else it'll be full / long wait! read more
I love izakayas so I knew I had to check this place out! We were a party of 4 so we made a reservation beforehand. The place is quite small (but the atmosphere and vibes were ). We sat on their patio which was perfect on a summer night. We ordered a whole bunch of items, being that it was an izakaya, we expected the portions were small and intended for sharing. We ended up getting the torched unagi and torched saba sushi. Our favourite was the unagi!! Though I wish the eel to rice ratio was better. We also got starters to share, including takoyaki, karage, cold tofu and tako wasabi. All were delicious! Our favourite was definitely the karage. In terms of skewers, we got the chicken meatball, wings and chicken thigh. Each was fantastic but the highlight was the chicken meatball. We weren't sure if all this was going to be enough since the portions are small (see photos) but we ended up very satisfied. The only "negative" aspect about our experience was the service. There seemed to be only one server waiting on the entire restaurant so she seemed swamped and food came out very slowly. Other than that, we had a very lovely time. read more
I would rate it 3.5. The food was ok, the pressed sushi the fish kept falling off and the rice was breaking apart easily. The presentation could be better, and the whole Place felt a little Divey. My favourite was the steak skewers, cooked to perfection! Staff was very nice and attentive and the drinks were very creative! Refreshing! read more
This izakaya has such chill night time bar vibes with the neon signs and blue lights! We got the okonomiyaki (daily special so was $9.99), modern yaki, meat platter, and kaarage. It was my first time having a Hiroshima style okonomiyaki. It comes with noodles on top which was interesting and made it extra filling, but I found it really hard to eat all the layers at once (compared to the usual okonomiyaki). The meat platter was good too and a great addition to our carb heavy okonomiyakis. I bit into something really hard at one point but it might have been cartilage or something. Kaarage was not as crispy as I liked unfortunately. I enjoyed my meal here though and the atmosphere was *chefs kiss*. This would be a great place to bring friends to catch up with over food and drinks! (I did have a stomach ache that night though, not 100% sure if it was related to this meal though or if something was just incompatible with my stomach. Friend did not have any problems.) read more
A friend and I stumbled upon gonzo izakaya after a show, and i'm glad we did. The inside is quite the vibe, cool and low key. I like that it's an open kitchen so you can see your food being prepared. These are all small plates and shareable, so we ordered the torched salmon sushi, the chicken negima, umeboshi onigri, and the yaki soba. We were so hungry that I had no time to take pictures, but the food was really good - I will say the negima portions are very small so you will have to order a few pieces. Everything else though was decently portioned for the two of us. The servers were also great at answering our questions. Definitely recommend trying and I will definitely be back to try more of the menu! read more
2 years ago
Consistently delicious! Tried the flank steak and chicken skewers, the mushroom in soy and the mackerel dish! All were delicious! Restaurant offers indoor patio and bar seating and we enjoyed dining both visits! read more
Nice izakaya to kick back, relax, and have a no fuss drink. Also loved the two donburi bowls ordered and you get a free karage. Karage was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, just how it should be. Both donburi bowls were excellent. I thought the okonomiyaki could use some improvement. Service was attentive and on point. read more
5 years ago
In search of a quick protein boost, I came upon Gonzo at the corner of College and Dovercourt. It's a small shop, but the space is well put to use. It feels trendy, well-conceived and the staff was friendly and efficient. Not especially starved, I just got an order of the Salmon Sashimi. It was served with sliced marinated onions on top, which cut the fatty fish with a dash of brine which made each bite surprisingly refreshing. That, and the fish itself was high quality, served at the perfect temperature, and cut the perfect width so that the salmon didn't feel heavy in the mouth in the way some salmon sashimi can. They have a really lovely back patio which is well shaded without feeling claustrophobic. Would definitely come back to try more! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
The restaurant itself is rather small but they've got a heated patio in the back area and were pet friendly. The servers were so thoughtful and brought out little water bowls for our pups. Good variety of drinks and shareables, everything arrived in a timely manner and were all so very tasty. The only thing we weren't crazy about was the tako wasabi- the wasabi flavour was overpowering and the dish only came with a single nori cracker- if we knew this earlier we would've saved the nori crackers ordered separately to pair with the tako wasabi. Otherwise, great experience overall in terms of service, quality, and efficiency. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
Great music, good food, and super nice staff. My husband and I reserved a spot for dinner on Thursday around 6:30. The atmosphere was chill and the staff were extremely nice and helpful and worked together fantastically. The food was delicious. I really recommend the Agedashi Tofu, Yakitori set (try the cherry tomatoes too), and my husband's favorite was the Butadon (pork bowl). Really recommend this place if you want to chill, hang out with some friends over drinks and good food. read more
5 years ago
This was a cute spot with delicious food items. They bring new and creative twists to their menu items for an izakaya experience that is truly unique. The crispy cabbage is a must try. The only feedback I have is to have more attentive customer service. read more
5 years ago
Super glad to have found this gem! Came on a Friday night for drinks and dinner and everything was 10/10. The prices are fabulous, the food is simple yet delicious and the service was great! All the staff are super friendly, attentive and fast! The decor and music are great - bonus points for playing Yaeji!! Definitely going to return regularly :) read more
4 years ago
Great spot for super unique dishes. Server was super helpful and kind, food came fast and tasted great! Highly recommend this cute and aesthetic spot! read more
3 years ago
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5 years ago
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