Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Pura Vida

    4.2 (10 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Waitlist - Pura Vida

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Pura Vida Reservations

    Order Pura Vida Takeout or Delivery

    Pura Vida Photos

    Business Info

    Recommended Reviews - Pura Vida

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Geraldine G.

    Very good first time experience with Costa Rican food. 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.

    House Salad, Tropical Shrimps Paradise on Crispy Plantains, Casados / Pura Vida Special with Grilled Fish, Arroz con Camarones
    Sel Z.

    Having newly opened, Pura Vida already garners word of mouth as being a cozy and casual spot for Costa Rican food in the city. The interior is bright, airy, and inviting, with lots of greens and a big screen depicting Costa Rica's rainforest. The ambience if very casual. They offer dine-in, take-out, and delivery. Service is fast and friendly. There are street parking and Green P parking nearby, as well as TTC stops (bus, streetcar, subway) only steps away - a very convenient location to get to! They serve Costa Rican classics such as gallo pinto, fried plantains, all-day breakfast, tacos, empanadas, and soups. All the dishes we tried were excellent, with colourful plates, lots of vegetables, and nice flavours. 1) House Salad (spinach, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, carrot, white onion, avocado) - Fresh, good portion, good mix of vegetables in a salad. 2) Tropical Shrimps Paradise on Crispy Plantains (shrimps, mango, red onions, garlic, avocado, and cilantro, served on fried green plantains) - I thought this dish was unique, modern, and inventive by mixing the ingredients that you'd typically find in a ceviche, and putting them onto crispy vessels of fried plantains (that stayed crispy despite the wetness of the content that they were holding). Each bite consisted of the crispy plantain and burst of flavour of the shrimps, chunks of mango, cilantro, and other ingredients. It tasted refreshing and had a bit of a kick (perhaps from the garlic). 3) Casados / Pura Vida Special (gallo pinto (Costa Rican-flavoured rice and beans) with coleslaw, mixed vegetables, fried plantains, and choice of protein) - We chose grilled cod fish fillet as the protein selection. This dish was hearty and had the best of Costa Rican staples. 4) Arroz con Camarones (Spanish yellow rice mixed with shrimps and vegetables, served with house salad) - This came out a bit different from the Arroz con Camarones that I was used to at other Central American establishments. The rice was more akin to fried rice with shrimps with peas and carrots, but it was still pretty good. 5) Stir-Fried Jackfruit with Red Bell Pepper and Corn - This was an add-on that we ordered (instead of getting a whole extra Pura Vida Special dish with the jackfruit). This was probaby one of my favourite dishes here. Glad that they offer vegan option as a protein choice in the casados, and you can also get it on its own as a side.

    Tres leches
    Daniel P.

    Pura Vida ( 750 St Clair west) Arroz con camarones (6/10). Personalmente tenin muy pocos camarones y el olor del ajonjolí era fuerte al inicio. Tenían un sazón bueno pero no extraordinario. La mejor parte del plato fueron las yucas fritas. Ceviche tropical (7/10). Estaba muy rico y refrescante. El mango era el sabor principal y ocultaba mucho al del pescado. Con un poco de limón hubiera quedado mejor. Tres leches (9/10). Muy buen postre tres leches. Las almendras tostadas le daban un buen toque. Servicio (10/10). Muy amables y atentos. Overall: 8/10. Volveria para probar más platos. El ambiente me gustó bastante.

    See all

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa B.
    186
    741
    1177

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Review Highlights - Pura Vida

    Pura Vida ( 750 St Clair west) Arroz con camarones (6/10).

    $32 ARROZ CON CAMARONES

    Read more highlights

    After Seven - The green house

    After Seven

    4.7(69 reviews)
    4.5 kmDowntown Core

    Found this cocktail bar through a friend and immediately made a reservation after seeing the menu…read more The ingredients are complex but intentional, with East Asian influences. I found myself wanting to try most of the cocktails, which is a rarity. We got the Strawberry Tetsu to start (inspired by Uncle Tetsu's Japanese cheesecake), along with the Cloudy Oolong (tea-based cocktail with a salted caramel cheese foam). The Strawberry Tetsu tasted like a dessert and was delicious, with a graham cracker crumble rim. The Cloudy Oolong had a strong tea taste which I loved, as sometimes the tea can get lost in a cocktail. The foam on top was addicting and paired nicely with it, similar to a bubble tea. Next, I had the Burnt Yuzu which was light and refreshing from the citrus. The bar is hidden behind Misfit Ice Cream, with a speakeasy vibe to the interior. Large windows line one wall with a view to the exterior, but are tinted enough that people walking by cannot see in. Service was great, although they do have a strict 1 hr 45 min time limit for seating, regardless of whether the bar is packed or not.

    After Seven is one of the more creative cocktail bars in Toronto, hidden behind what appears to be…read morea small dessert shop. We walked up to an unassuming entrance that is part of the experience, and once inside, the atmosphere shifts completely. The space is intimate and cozy with dim lighting, comfortable seating, and a relaxed speakeasy vibe that makes it easy to settle in for a couple of drinks. The transition from the street to the interior feels deliberate, and the low-key energy of the room encourages lingering. The cocktail menu leans heavily into Asian-inspired flavors, and that is what makes it stand out. Every drink feels thoughtfully developed rather than relying on presentation alone. We tried the Cloudy Oolong, which was especially memorable with its rich tea flavor and creamy cheese foam that added a savory depth to the cocktail. The Strawberry Tetsu offered a dessert-like profile without becoming overly sweet, balancing fruit and tea notes in a way that felt refined and well composed. Each cocktail arrived beautifully presented and balanced, making it easy to appreciate the amount of care that goes into every glass. The menu is creative without being gimmicky, and the flavors are well integrated, with each drink offering something distinct. The staff were welcoming and happy to explain the menu or offer recommendations if you are unsure what to order. They guided us through the flavor profiles and offered thoughtful suggestions based on our preferences. Service felt attentive without being overbearing, and the overall pace made it a great place to relax rather than rush through a drink. The team checked in at the right moments and kept the experience feeling personal and unhurried. If you are looking for a cocktail bar that offers something different from the usual classics, After Seven delivers a memorable experience. Between the hidden entrance, intimate setting, and creative drinks, it is the kind of place that is easy to recommend whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for one of Toronto's more unique bars. The balance of atmosphere, craftsmanship, and service makes it a standout in the city's cocktail scene.

    Photos
    After Seven - Bar seating view

    Bar seating view

    After Seven
    After Seven

    See all

    Esto Es Colombia

    Esto Es Colombia

    4.0(12 reviews)
    3.5 km

    They get 2.5 stars…read more Bandeja paisa: steak was decent, crackling was so-so (pretty crispy but not that moist or flavourful). Sausage tasted decent but slightly dry. Egg was a bit overdone & arepa was decent though somewhat crispy  Beans were decent. Plantain was so-so (not crispy or sweet). Pork tenderloin was pretty tasty but tough & dry especially for a tenderloin. Rice was decent, with a slight flavour, but a bit mushy. Plantain was crispy. The restaurant interior was decorated quite nicely but was very warm (in summer) & service was disorganised & some servers didn't speak English well so communication was sometimes difficult. I asked if the pork tenderloin had a sauce; they said no but it came with a tomato & peppers sauce. They also billed me wrongly.

    Incredibly delicious food, authentically Colombian, big portions, and amazing value for money. The…read moreseafood dishes are filled with various different kinds of high-quality seafood to the brim (more protein than rice). All the staff are so friendly - from the waitstaff to the chefs / owners and kitchen staff, everyone in the restaurant seems to exhibit the Latin American hospitality and friendliness. The place feels homey, cozy, and festive with the music in the background (from the TV screen on the wall), and big photos depicting different places in Colombia along the wall. Ambience is very laid-back and casual, with amazing food that tastes homemade and authentic. It took a while for the food to cook and come out (about 40 minutes) - mostly because of the Cazuela de Mariscos (seafood soup) that took the longest to cook. It was also during a very busy time on a weekend. They seemed to have a constant flow of incoming catering and take-out orders (a good sign), and the restaurant itself was packed. All / most mains come with coconut rice, salad, and tostones (fried plantains). As for drinks, you can order freshly squeezed juices in either water or milk. We ordered the fresh strawberry & blackberry juice in water, as the one in milk would make it more like a smoothie. Each juice order comes in a jug (whether it be a small or large jug). This came as a surprise to us - really good value for such a large volume of juice ($6 for a whole "small" jug that turned out to be quite big, enough to refill each glass a few times for 2 people). The juice itself tasted fresh, natural, and refreshing. Dishes that we tried: 1) Filete de Tilapia con Camarones (grilled tilapia fish fillet & shrimps with coconut rice, plantain, and salad) - Big pieces of fish and lots of small shrimps, in a very delectable sauce. 2) Arroz Marinero (seafood rice with plantain & salad) - Loved this dish. The rice was a bit soupy which I liked. It was a bit like a soupy paella (including the rice) - very delicious and packed with various kinds of seafood. 3) Cazuela de Mariscos (seafood soup with coconut rice, plantain, and salad) - Very creamy soup, like a chowder. I'm not a big fan of chowders / cream-based soups in general, but others liked it and said this was good. 4) SIDE: Ensalada (House Salad) 5) Arepa de Chocolo con Queso (sweet corn dough with cheese) All of the main dishes were EXCELLENT - loved the mixed seafood (fish fillet, shrimps, octopus, squid, etc.). There was so much seafood in every dish. In most places, you get more carbs / rice compared to the protein. Here, it was the opposite. The coconut rice was a bit dry but it's decent - good to soak up the sauces of the main dishes. The salad is just shredded cabbage and carrot with big sliced tomato. I was a big fan of the salad dressing (some creamy mayo-like dressing), but luckily the dressing was only at the top of the salad (the bottom part of the salad remained fresh and crunchy, which I liked). We ordered the Arepa de Chocolo con Queso for to go. It was different than the Venezuelan arepa that I'm used to. The Colombian arepa seemed to be sweeter and more buttery. It probably would've been better if it was eaten right after it was freshly made, and while it was still warm. There was a lot of cheese in the arepa, giving it a nice salty and savoury contrast to the sweet corn dough. After you're done the meal, you go up to the counter to pay (instead of having the bill brought to your table). Great food overall - I would not hesitate to come back.

    Photos
    Esto Es Colombia
    Esto Es Colombia - Bandeja Paisa  White rice, beans, steak, pork crackling, egg. Colombian sausage, sweet plantain, corn flatbread and avocado.

    Bandeja Paisa White rice, beans, steak, pork crackling, egg. Colombian sausage, sweet plantain, corn flatbread and avocado.

    Esto Es Colombia

    See all

    Pura Vida - latin - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...