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Came here for dinner on a Sunday night, it was pretty busy but we got seated right away. Service was super quick and friendly. We had the camarones a la sabana which was a shrimp and rice dish. The rice was super flavourful and the plantain and avocado that came with the dish was a perfect addition. It also came with a spicy sauce that went really with the rice and shrimp. I do think the meal was lacking a bit in shrimp but overall it was very filling. I also really enjoyed the ceviche, perfectly sweet and sour and a hefty portion. I would say these two dishes would be a good amount for two people, unless you are both super hungry. The restaurant itself is homey though the washroom is down a steep stair case so be careful. The restaurant itself is also not accessible, there is a step to get in. Overall, I really enjoyed my meal, and the tamarind juice was so refreshing and went great with the food. I want to come back to try the fish of the day.
My friend adores La Bella Managua so I've been a few times. The restaurant specializes in Nicaraguan cuisine and the ambience feels very traditional. I have always gotten the carne asada which is a grilled boneless beef steak with gallo pinto (rice and beans), cabbage salad, avocado, and fried plantain (you can choose sweet or green plantain - I usually go with sweet). The portions are generous and when I last visited, they had an option to add fried Nicaraguan cheese as a side which I often opted for because fried cheese, duh. When I'm feeling desert, I get the three milk cake here which is one of the best I've had. Overall, it's definitely worth a visit. The staff are friendly too and I leave with my stomach feeling happy and full.
Homey yet lively spot. We had the: -Yucca Mixta ($18.50): Yucca has a subtle, root-ey/earthy/starch flavour. Fried cheese that accompanied it added a bit of saltiness. Hard to go wrong with avocado salad. Not overtly flavourful, but not bad. Almost wish it came with a dipping sauce instead of/or in addition to the sour cream. -Soup of the day: was the most scrumptious, comforting oxtail soup. SO good. -Carne Asada ($22.50): Meat was a bit tough. Again, not overtly flavourful. -Churrasco ($28.95): Similar profile to the carne asada. Was Ok. -Pollo a la parilla ($22.95): Chicken skewers. -Rack of Lamb ($28.95): Quite good. Similar to what you'd get at a "high end" restaurant. -Cerdo ($21.95): Shockingly my favourite thing (other than the soup). Was flavourful, well cooked/tender. Overall: I think the prices could seem a bit inflated given what you're getting. The portions are decent which I believe helps make up for it. I kind of wish there was more flavour overall. Additionally, a lot of the sides were a bit lacklustre. Would maybe come back for the pork and the soup.
A iykyk type spot. Where else can you get an entire fried fish like this? Amazing food, good service, and tasty drinks. The flavours are pure and its just straight up good food.
Cannot say enough good things, I love this place, great price, amazing food, fun casual energy, and lovely food like nothing I've had in Toronto. For sure a casual spot, local restaurant feel and ambiance, and the service is dependable.
This was our final night in Toronto and I wanted to have a really nice dinner. I found this place on yelp and I knew instantly that this was the spot. When we showed up the restaurant was packed,the hostess said there was a 20minute wait so we waited to be seated. Once seated I ordered a traditional margarita and the Carne asada dish but i wanted a different cut of steak so i asked for the steak that comes with the Churrasco dish. When the food came out I was hot and looked amazing. The dish came with rice and beans, shredded cabbage salad, sliced avocado, fried plantain and of course the steak with chimmichuri sauce. The meal was delicious full of flavor and yes it smelld amazing. The restaurant staff was very helpful and friendly. I would definitely come to this restaurant whenever I come back to Toronto.
It was my first time trying Nicaraguan food, and I honestly really enjoyed it. I came here with friends to try a Nicaraguan restaurant that has been open in Toronto for more than 20 years, which already felt like a very good sign. The restaurant stayed busy throughout dinner, with a steady flow of customers coming in, and after the meal I could understand why. We started with the soup of the day, which was an oxtail soup. It tasted very fresh, rich, and comforting, with a lovely fragrance that made it especially satisfying. For the main course, we ordered the fish of the day, a whole fried sea bass, and it was absolutely delicious. The fish was crispy outside, tender inside, and full of flavor without feeling heavy. It also came with fried plantains, which were such a nice touch and made the meal feel even more special. Overall, this was a wonderful first experience with Nicaraguan cuisine, and definitely a place I would happily come back to.
Very good food and affordable. I love their carne asada, fried cassava chips, and tostones. Next time I'll try the fried fish, looks delicious. I would suggest to eat there. This type of food is not good for takeout. Excellent service!
The reviews for this place whether online or from other foodies has been encouraging to say the least! Nicaraguan cuisine at La Bella Managua. My first time trying at this establishment full of accolades - and I gotta say - loved it!!! I can see why so many chefs go here. We went with everything they recommended us to try. I always find this a good strategy. First, the whole fish of the day feature. Next, CAMARONES A LA SABANA: Black Tiger Shrimp in White Wine Garlic Butter Sauce tossed with Bell Peppers, Spanish Onions served with White Rice, Tostónes, and Avocado CHURRASCO. Beef Tip Tenderloin Steak Grilled braised with Chimichurri served with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoe and Vegetables al Olio Loved every bite! And to top it off the customer service from each person that came by the table was not only friendly but helpful whenever we had a question.
We haven't had Nicaraguan food before, so this was a first for us. The restaurant was very busy - even for an early dinner at 5:30pm; there was a line up for tables. The restaurant itself is homely, with various nods to Nicaragua; and the menu is dual language and features a wide variety of food for most palettes. We shared a main course (Carne Asada) and an appetizer (Empanadas). Both were closer to the Colombian variants than to Argentinian, Peruvian or Mexican versions in terms of spiciness and flavour; and like Colombian plates - big portions. We also tried the Tamarind juice which was excellent.
We came to La Bella Managua restaurant based on some amazing Tik Tok reviews. The restaurant was empty, but most of the tables were reserved. We sat next to the windows. We ordered the menu. We are not familiar with Nicaraguan cuisine. We ordered several dishes. The food was pretty and delicious. Service was good and friendly.
My friend D used to organize his annual birthday parties at this restauraunt as it was the only Nicaraguan restauraunt downtown Toronto. I was a bit unfamiliar with what Nicaraguan cuisine was but after trying this place a few times I was satisfied with the food. We'd tried the Cerdo Con Yucca which was a tower of pan-fried pork served on yucca (similar to french fries) and pickled cabbage salad. Unfortunately the tower was a bit dry so that was the only real downside to the meal. The grilled fish was perfectly seasoned and the rice was moist. If we ever have friends or family in the mood for Nicaraguan cuisine this is definitely the spot we'd take them too.
Love this place!! I have been coming here for years & it never disappoints. Portion sizes are good & value cannot be beat. Staff are friendly & food is very tasty!!
The space isn't fancy, more diner-like, but the aromas coming from the kitchen are incredible. Watching generous plates pass by only made ordering harder. By the time we decided, I was fully hungry and ready to dig in. Luckily, both the drinks and food arrived quickly. The mixed ceviche ($18.95) combines shrimp and fish tossed with peppers, onion, and cilantro, served alongside avocado and plantain chips. The acidity is well balanced, so it's not overly citrusy. That said, I would've liked more fish, as the shrimp dominates the dish. If you're dining with a group, the yucca mixta ($21.50), typically a main, works perfectly as a shared starter. The fried cheese is reminiscent of mozzarella sticks, but better, with a higher cheese-to-batter ratio. The crispy yucca is addictive, especially dipped into the onion sauce, which adds a refreshing tang. Even the avocado salad was a hit and was as a great way to finish off the plantain chips from the ceviche. Ordering a Cajun shrimp stir fry ($25.95) at a Nicaraguan restaurant felt strange, but it worked. The dish blends a lightly spiced teriyaki sauce with creamy avocado, giving it a unique, almost Nikkei-style twist. The shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked, and the rice soaked up the sauce without becoming too salty. There's even a surprising hint of wok hay that could rival some Cantonese spots. The churrasco ($32.95) is ideal for a solo diner. The beef tenderloin tips were grilled to a perfect medium rare. While the meat itself is fairly mild, the thick chimichurri adds plenty of flavour. Paired with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a generous serving of vegetables, it's a well-balanced plate. Whatever you do, don't skip dessert. La Bella's flan Napolitano ($7.95) is fantastic, with a custard that's firm enough to hold its shape yet still smooth and creamy. The caramel is light and fluid, adding sweetness without becoming sticky. Flan fans you better fly over to try this. The three milk cake ($8.50) is equally impressive. It's fully soaked, rich, and indulgent without crossing into overly sweet territory. I genuinely couldn't decide which dessert I preferred. Both are worth ordering. As mentioned, reservations are highly recommended. Despite how busy it gets, the small team runs the dining room with impressive efficiency, making sure guests are well taken care of. read more
Have you ever found a restaurant that was so good that you were afraid to tell people about it in case it got so popular you'd never find a table next time you went? This is such a restaurant. But for the greater good, and because it totally deserves to be hyped up, I'm gonna share this gem with you! Granted, I have only been here once and I had never had Nicaraguan food before but everything this restaurant served up from drinks to appetizers to mains to dessert was unbelievable. It may look like nothing special on paper and even look understated on the plate but once it's in your mouth your tastebuds are in for a ride! Let me explain a bit more...the "tacos" look like a sundae collided with a salad on the plate but when you break it up and try it the crunch and the sweet and the sour just works like magic! I ordered the Churrasco but swapped out the mashed potato with rice and beans - how the Nicaraguans eat it I was told - and boy was I glad I listened! I have never downed so much rice and beans so quickly in my life; normally I avoid them so that's testament to how tasty it was. 3 out of all 3 of the desserts were delicious but the standout favourite among my party was surprisingly the cheesecake, so don't knock it till you try it. The atmosphere is lively and colourful, and the service was great too! That's it; I think I've shared enough - you're welcome read more
A pretty simple spot with good food and solid drinks. We really liked the guava margarita and the ceviche. Food itself was probably a touch pricy. Shrimp was a miss just given the small portion. Carne asada and fish were decent. I'm not in a rush to come back but it was worth trying. read more
Came here for dinner on a Sunday night, it was pretty busy but we got seated right away. Service was super quick and friendly. We had the camarones a la sabana which was a shrimp and rice dish. The rice was super flavourful and the plantain and avocado that came with the dish was a perfect addition. It also came with a spicy sauce that went really with the rice and shrimp. I do think the meal was lacking a bit in shrimp but overall it was very filling. I also really enjoyed the ceviche, perfectly sweet and sour and a hefty portion. I would say these two dishes would be a good amount for two people, unless you are both super hungry. The restaurant itself is homey though the washroom is down a steep stair case so be careful. The restaurant itself is also not accessible, there is a step to get in. Overall, I really enjoyed my meal, and the tamarind juice was so refreshing and went great with the food. I want to come back to try the fish of the day. read more
My friend adores La Bella Managua so I've been a few times. The restaurant specializes in Nicaraguan cuisine and the ambience feels very traditional. I have always gotten the carne asada which is a grilled boneless beef steak with gallo pinto (rice and beans), cabbage salad, avocado, and fried plantain (you can choose sweet or green plantain - I usually go with sweet). The portions are generous and when I last visited, they had an option to add fried Nicaraguan cheese as a side which I often opted for because fried cheese, duh. When I'm feeling desert, I get the three milk cake here which is one of the best I've had. Overall, it's definitely worth a visit. The staff are friendly too and I leave with my stomach feeling happy and full. read more
Homey yet lively spot. We had the: -Yucca Mixta ($18.50): Yucca has a subtle, root-ey/earthy/starch flavour. Fried cheese that accompanied it added a bit of saltiness. Hard to go wrong with avocado salad. Not overtly flavourful, but not bad. Almost wish it came with a dipping sauce instead of/or in addition to the sour cream. -Soup of the day: was the most scrumptious, comforting oxtail soup. SO good. -Carne Asada ($22.50): Meat was a bit tough. Again, not overtly flavourful. -Churrasco ($28.95): Similar profile to the carne asada. Was Ok. -Pollo a la parilla ($22.95): Chicken skewers. -Rack of Lamb ($28.95): Quite good. Similar to what you'd get at a "high end" restaurant. -Cerdo ($21.95): Shockingly my favourite thing (other than the soup). Was flavourful, well cooked/tender. Overall: I think the prices could seem a bit inflated given what you're getting. The portions are decent which I believe helps make up for it. I kind of wish there was more flavour overall. Additionally, a lot of the sides were a bit lacklustre. Would maybe come back for the pork and the soup. read more
Cannot say enough good things, I love this place, great price, amazing food, fun casual energy, and lovely food like nothing I've had in Toronto. For sure a casual spot, local restaurant feel and ambiance, and the service is dependable. read more
This was our final night in Toronto and I wanted to have a really nice dinner. I found this place on yelp and I knew instantly that this was the spot. When we showed up the restaurant was packed,the hostess said there was a 20minute wait so we waited to be seated. Once seated I ordered a traditional margarita and the Carne asada dish but i wanted a different cut of steak so i asked for the steak that comes with the Churrasco dish. When the food came out I was hot and looked amazing. The dish came with rice and beans, shredded cabbage salad, sliced avocado, fried plantain and of course the steak with chimmichuri sauce. The meal was delicious full of flavor and yes it smelld amazing. The restaurant staff was very helpful and friendly. I would definitely come to this restaurant whenever I come back to Toronto. read more
5 months ago
It was my first time trying Nicaraguan food, and I honestly really enjoyed it. I came here with friends to try a Nicaraguan restaurant that has been open in Toronto for more than 20 years, which already felt like a very good sign. The restaurant stayed busy throughout dinner, with a steady flow of customers coming in, and after the meal I could understand why. We started with the soup of the day, which was an oxtail soup. It tasted very fresh, rich, and comforting, with a lovely fragrance that made it especially satisfying. For the main course, we ordered the fish of the day, a whole fried sea bass, and it was absolutely delicious. The fish was crispy outside, tender inside, and full of flavor without feeling heavy. It also came with fried plantains, which were such a nice touch and made the meal feel even more special. Overall, this was a wonderful first experience with Nicaraguan cuisine, and definitely a place I would happily come back to. read more
1 year ago
Very good food and affordable. I love their carne asada, fried cassava chips, and tostones. Next time I'll try the fried fish, looks delicious. I would suggest to eat there. This type of food is not good for takeout. Excellent service! read more
2 years ago
The reviews for this place whether online or from other foodies has been encouraging to say the least! Nicaraguan cuisine at La Bella Managua. My first time trying at this establishment full of accolades - and I gotta say - loved it!!! I can see why so many chefs go here. We went with everything they recommended us to try. I always find this a good strategy. First, the whole fish of the day feature. Next, CAMARONES A LA SABANA: Black Tiger Shrimp in White Wine Garlic Butter Sauce tossed with Bell Peppers, Spanish Onions served with White Rice, Tostónes, and Avocado CHURRASCO. Beef Tip Tenderloin Steak Grilled braised with Chimichurri served with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoe and Vegetables al Olio Loved every bite! And to top it off the customer service from each person that came by the table was not only friendly but helpful whenever we had a question. read more
1 year ago
We haven't had Nicaraguan food before, so this was a first for us. The restaurant was very busy - even for an early dinner at 5:30pm; there was a line up for tables. The restaurant itself is homely, with various nods to Nicaragua; and the menu is dual language and features a wide variety of food for most palettes. We shared a main course (Carne Asada) and an appetizer (Empanadas). Both were closer to the Colombian variants than to Argentinian, Peruvian or Mexican versions in terms of spiciness and flavour; and like Colombian plates - big portions. We also tried the Tamarind juice which was excellent. read more
We came to La Bella Managua restaurant based on some amazing Tik Tok reviews. The restaurant was empty, but most of the tables were reserved. We sat next to the windows. We ordered the menu. We are not familiar with Nicaraguan cuisine. We ordered several dishes. The food was pretty and delicious. Service was good and friendly. read more
6 months ago
My friend D used to organize his annual birthday parties at this restauraunt as it was the only Nicaraguan restauraunt downtown Toronto. I was a bit unfamiliar with what Nicaraguan cuisine was but after trying this place a few times I was satisfied with the food. We'd tried the Cerdo Con Yucca which was a tower of pan-fried pork served on yucca (similar to french fries) and pickled cabbage salad. Unfortunately the tower was a bit dry so that was the only real downside to the meal. The grilled fish was perfectly seasoned and the rice was moist. If we ever have friends or family in the mood for Nicaraguan cuisine this is definitely the spot we'd take them too. read more
2 years ago
Love this place!! I have been coming here for years & it never disappoints. Portion sizes are good & value cannot be beat. Staff are friendly & food is very tasty!! read more
The epitome of a hole in the wall, La Bella Managua may look assuming at first glance, but was completely full when I arrived after peak dinner timing for good reason as I soon learned. The service is warm and homey, the portions are big enough to leave you with 1 (or maybe even 2) leftover meals, and the menu is "different" enough that I'm looking forward to coming back! read more
10 months ago
We stopped by here for a meal over the weekend and had a really positive experience. THE SERVICE: From the moment I placed the order, to the moment I picked up the food, the service was fantastic. The employees were very friendly and really nice when we arrived to pick up our order. The employees took an extra step to create a connection with us, which definitely makes us want to go back. THE FOOD: Carne Asada: - I ordered the carne asada as a gluten and dairy free dish. Due to potential cross contamination, they gave me gluten free tortillas in place of plantain. I love plantain, so if anyone knows where I can get gluten free plantain, please let me know. Now back to the review. This meal was extremely filling and super delicious. I grew up in Central America and this dish reminded me of the local food where I grew up. It was authentic and really good. I just wish they gave me a bit more of the tortillas. I put my rice, beans, steak and veggies into a tortilla to make a fajita like meal and I was so happy with the outcome. I would definitely buy this again. Bisteck Encebollado: - My boyfriend ordered this dish and he was really happy with the quality. It comes with pan fried beef sirloin, caramelized onions, tomatoes, roasted garlic, white rice, tostones, and garden salad. He said it was delicious and really filling and he would definitely order it again. Would We Go Back? Absolutely! We really enjoyed the meal and the price was really good. We had two really large entrees for under $40. read more
10 months ago
4 years ago
Got a Churrasco with Carne Asada sides, as recommended by my server (I topped up $3.15 to swap the sides). The steak was tender & juicy. Usually rice & beans are alright but here they were very tasty. Sweet plantain was good. Added fried cheese for $2.95 too - the cheese was good: chewy & savoury. Hot sauce - clear vinegar with garlic - was not too spicy. It was a good foil to the flavours. Barley drink was decent. It was thick from the barley. The colour was not from fruit, but fruit colouring. read more
It was my first time trying Nicaraguan food. The interior has a Central American vibe. While the food is similar to other Latin American cuisines, La Bella Managua has something special going for it. The service was excellent, and the staff was very attentive. We started with the mixed ceviche. It was probably the star of the meal for me. It tasted fresh, and the chopped vegetables were very brightly colored, appealing to the eyes. My wife let me have a bite of her carne asada. It was tasty but a little overcooked for my taste. I had the day's fish special, which ended up being whole sea bass. The fish was fried to perfection, and the salsa side was excellent. This was a standout meal during my trip to Toronto. read more
1 year ago
carne asada ($24) with fried cheese ($3.5) was pretty tasty loved the cheese and plantain! beef was a little chewy read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
We came here for late lunch. Had grilled mahi mahi(Dorado) and the tiger shrimp(pez de La Sabana). They both were very good. The fried plaintains(tostones) were very good. (I am accustomed to having my tostones served Puerto Rican style with fried garlic sauce). The dishes were accompanied by their home made hot sauce. The hot sauce turned out to be a vinegar based with a lot of white onion. I did not taste anything else in there. If there was a drop of Tabasco sauce in there, I would be very surprised. Honestly, I was expecting hot sauce. I did not taste any hot sauce at all. Then again I eat spicy habanero and scotch bonnets. I am guessing that the chef downplayed the sauce for his European based clients. I had a tamarind juice which was very well made. It is more on the sugary side for those that are glucose intolerant. The wait staff were very pleasant. Cute little restaurant. read more
La Bella Managua is located about a 3 minute walk away from Ossington and Bloor. The eatery has been open for a while now (I believe since 2005) where they specialize in Nicaraguan cuisine. Having little to no knowledge on what Nicaraguan cuisine consisted of, I was excited to try this place. I was able to order dinner on a third party food app for pick up. My partner and I ordered the fish of the day (seabass with white rice, avocado salad, and tostones) and the bistec encebollado (pan fried beef top sirloin with caramelized onions and tomatoes - came with white rice, tostones, and a garden salad). I had the fish of the day and it was a deep fried whole fish. Portions were plenty and the fish was the absolute star to this entree. The avocado salad was good and the white rice served as a good carb. Overall, would definitely order the fish of the day again! My partner also enjoyed the beef as well. Overall, delicious food! Would definitely return for more! read more
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We had a wonderful evening at La Bella Managua. Everything we ate and drink was delicious. The service was great, too. Well done Chef! read more
I didn't know what to expect as I have never tried Nicaraguan food before. Boy, was I in for a night of BIG surprises!!!! BIG because all the dishes were huge portions. Absolutely awesome for a starving girl like me. I ordered the pei mussels that came in this lovely sauce. And bread for the dipping. I also ordered the fish of the day, which was seabass. From head to tail. Pan-fried to perfection. Fresh. I don't usually like to order fish for the fear that it would taste fishy. But yup. It was fresh!! For dessert I went for 3 milk cake. It was soft and sweet. I really like like like!!!! The restaurant was busy, so make sure you make a reservation. And despite the amount of servers present, they were still very busy as the restaurant was full house. I absolutely would go back there in a heart beat!!!! read more
3 years ago
This was my first time trying Nicaraguan food, and La Bella Managua did not disappoint! I got the rack of lamb ($22), and the meat was well-cooked and super tender. Portions were fair. I also highly recommend you try their in-house three milk/tres leches cake ($6.25) for dessert. I loved the subtle sweetness and the moistness of the cake. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
My favourite spot, I'm here at least once a weak. Fish of the day extra sweet plantain, & avocado slices. LiteWork approved. Tell 'em Lucky sent you ‼ read more
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More info about La Bella Managua
872 Bloor Street W
Toronto, ON M6G 1M5
Canada
Christie Pits
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(236) 243-9437
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http://www.labellamanagua.com/
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