Solid 4. Distillery is always a vibe and the food here is honestly not bad for a tourist trap. Food: Oysters - shuckers half dozen. I'm not a huge oyster fan in general so my opinion here doesn't count Corn clam chowder - NOT a new England clam chowder. Be warned. Corn based soup so (surprise) tastes very corn-y. Otherwise not bad. Thick and hearty. Probably awesome in the winter. Broiled lobster - this was great. The melted garlic herb butter is fantastic. The tail in particular had a lot fo that smokey flavour. So good. Service: Our server was really nice and personable! Food came quick. Ambiance: Patio is really nice and the distillery is a pretty place. read more

See all

Came here for winterlicious dinner ($45). I will say that the service is amazing at this spot. However, if not the service then there isn't really anything special. Found that a lot of the dishes were a little too salty. MUSHROOM PEARL COUSCOUS SALAD this was the star for me very refreshing. Other than that there wasn't anything that stood out. I will say it with a Winterlicious menu of $45. You would think that it's within the right range but it seems that this is a more expensive restaurant. Michelle was wonderful as well as the rest of the staff who came by our table. read more

See all

This is another exercise is mediocrity that is the food scene in distillery district. Having visited this place on and off I used to give it a pass and didn't even bother to review. Last visit prompted the feedback. Walking in there was an off putting smell that turned me off. Other people I was joining in wanted to come here do couldn't just walk away. Staying on the side of caution in suggested we only eat cooked items (raw oysters being their forte). We had the tempura and Rockefeller style oysters. Both meh. The lobster roll was quite poor imo as a bit of filler and small pieces of meat that didn't entice a reaction. I would suggest just come to this area for certain times/items that can't be found elsewhere otherwise jury is out for moi to dine in read more

See all

My colleagues and I were in the area, and was looking for a place to grab dinner and drinks. Fortunately, we were able to get seated at a table at Pure Spirit right away without a reservation. We were seated at the patio, which allowed us to enjoy the historical and rustic vibes of the Distillery District. Our server was friendly, efficient, and came to check up on us just the right amount of times. The restaurant was offering the Summerlicious menu at that time, and I ordered the East Coast Oysters, Baseball Sirloin Steak, Maple Creme Brulee, and the Summer Sangria. Overall, the food was good, but my steak seemed a bit overcooked in some parts, which was a bit disappointing. Nonetheless, this was a great place to relax & socialize after work. read more

See all

We are longtime customers of this restaurant. We love this place. Always a fantastic selection of oysters, and their mussels and frites are fantastic. They do change up their menu periodically, so that really makes it interesting. They definitely have done some changes for their summer menu, which include a lobster roll (Which they sometimes have as a special). they have also added a full steamed lobster to the menu, and they have a variety of other kinds of options from sandwiches to main courses to salads. I noticed they had a very unusual looking Reuben sandwich which was made with mahi-mahi as opposed to corned beef. Might have to try that next time. I did have their ice tea of the day which was peach and boy was it delicious. Really refreshing and not overly sweetened. The service is always really good. The waiters and waitresses really know their menu and what the offerings are. We ended up sitting inside because it really was a hot day, and the oyster house kind of vibe that they have going on really is quite pleasant. They are located in the Distillery district, so you can get there either via transit or you can drive. There is limited outdoor and underground parking in this location. Weekends can be rather busy and so can get full quickly but if you come during the week during a not too busy time you should be good read more

See all

Our server, Jimmy, was so nice. Really great and made our experience enjoyable. The food was decent but not anything I loved. My favourite was the mushroom salad read more

See all

Came here and was able to enjoy sitting outside with our dog. Our server was very nice and friendly. We had the crab cake appetizer, which was very good. My husband ordered their jerk chicken sandwich that came with an epic onion ring and French fries. I ordered their crab poutine which was very filling and had large pieces of crab. We both didn't finish our food due to the large portions but all the food we ate tasted very good. I'd highly recommend this place. read more

See all

I visit this restaurant every time I'm in Toronto because it's cute and has lovely servers and all the oysters I want. But I've never quite been able to find a main dish that I like. As always, I tried all the east coast oysters on the menu. My husband and I also split the calamari which was heavenly. But the mussels I had just didn't meet the standard of the rest. They were quite large for PEI oysters and just didn't quite get that flavour profile right. I'm about ready to turn this place into an 'appetizer and oysters' stop next time. read more

See all

Fun and festive atmosphere with knowledgable, friendly staff. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. We dined indoors for lunch - party of 4. Everything we ordered was absolutely amazing and plenty of portions! My Mussels in Curry Sauce were succulent, flavorful and the portion was so large, I had to let my hubby finish it. We also had Crab Poutine, Spicy Jerk Chicken Sandwich, and Fried Tofu Bowl. Everyone's meal was so wonderfully delicious! They have a large selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. I ordered the Harpoon Oyster Shooter which was presented with a fresh oyster with hot sauce and dill served over a shot of vodka. If I lived here, I would be a regular - even just for drinks and the festive atmosphere in the area, but don't miss out on their amazing culinary creations! read more

See all

My boyfriend and I dined for lunch and were immediately met with exquisite service from Ben! His quickness and attention to all his tables is something that goes a very long way in a restaurant experience. We enjoyed all of his recommendations. Such a sweet man, he deserves a raise! We will definitely be coming back. :) read more

Any venue that is super dog friendly gets a thumbs up in my books! We had a seat on the patio with our pups and indulged in some drinks, and dinner. The service was super friendly!! A lot of the servers loved dogs so they would pop over to give ours some love which is always nice- being able to share dog stories and have our pups savour in the attention! The food was a lot better than I expected! We tried several mains and the pasta seemed so decadent, I had the mussels which was simple and delish, everyone was content with their selection! We all shared the mile high chocolate cake and between the 6 of us there was more than enough to go around! It was absolutely delicious though, would I get it again ? Probably not as if I we were less people it would be a wasteful but for a a large group it was definitely a treat! read more

Pure Spirits - Mile high chocolate cake- it's a lot bigger than it looks! - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We came in to Pure Spirits for drinks and oysters when hopping around the Distillery District and that's exactly what we got! Are arrived around 2:30PM on a Sunday and had no problem getting a table. They have a lot of inside seating and a patio. The weather was great so we decided to sit on the patio which was a great chose. Once seat our waiter came by with menus and we quickly ordered drinks. I went with the Strawberry Basil Smash which was very good. I normally don't go for a fruit bourbon based drink but it sounds very good and it was. We order 2 rounds of oysters and let our waiter pick the ones to go with. All of them were great for sure some of the best oysters I have had. I will say they were most likely pretty pricy especially after ordering around 30 oysters and trying all of them but I was paying the bill which was great for me. After I finished my first drink I say they I was ready for more bourbon. I saw they had Oyster Shooters for $12 (Canadian so under $10 American). I ordered the Bayou which comes with a House Oyster, Shot of Woodford Reserve, Hot Sauce, and a piece of in house made Beef Jerky. You really can't beat that. I of course had 2 during our time we. We really enjoyed Pure Spirit and what also made it great of use were our waiters. They dealt with all our questions, gave us great tips, and like I mentioned earlier picked us out some great oysters. For sure a great spot to come for drinks and oysters on a Sunday afternoon. read more

See all

Cocktails were absolutely amazing. Oysters as well! I was visiting from NYC and wanted to see the holiday market. I accidentally stumbled upon this place and was happy I did. (Although the seats at the bar are SO uncomfortable. Clearly they don't want people to linger lol) but would definitely come back. read more

Pure Spirits - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Totally forgot to write this review weeks ago but definitely deserves recognition! We stopped by here on our last leg of our trip and glad we did! The staff immediately greeted us and were so friendly throughout our time there. They also did not have one of the drinks and I asked for the espresso martini with the marshmallow and they did not give me a hard time, so thank you!! The vibe is so cool too! It's a combination of an upscale wine bar and seafood bar with a view of the oyster bar right up front. I love how they have so many selections of oysters from various locations! Would love to check out this place and nearby area again soon! read more

See all

The service was welcoming and kind, which was a relief since I had been told at two previous restaurants they didn't have outdoor seating for a single diner (I swear I don't come off feral or threatening, so this was odd to me. Frumpy, maybe- but should that be a barrier to entry?) Anyway, this was my first experience with a Caesar, and I can't believe it took me this long- like a Bloody Mary, but... different. And this one had jerky! Yes ma'am! It was fun to try a couple oysters and read the tasting notes on the menu to see if I could pick up in the nuances. The Mahi Reuben was unusual (in good way) and the fries were what you want fries to be when you decide to go the comfort food route- a little crispy, a little greasy, a lot salty. read more

See all

Never been to pure spirits when i travel to the distillery district since i usually just go for desserts or just for Christmas market. - like i didn't notice the restaurant until that night when i went to Christmas market and i was in the freezing cold. The interior was definitely a cute date spot. Highly recommend! I thought it was more bar- style, but it was actually really cute! Food came super fast and the server was super nice. Everything taste absolutely delicious highly recommend the Ungai (eel) toast its kinda like a dragon roll sushi but in toast The steak was also made preferably! Only thing i really enjoy was the sweet potato fries. Not that it was bad, i just rather have it in stripes than in little squares. I guess coz it was in tiny squares, it became a bit mushy and overly saucey. Overal great experience, great food! Would def come back! read more

Pure Spirits - Food 5/5 Highly recommend Unagi toast and deep fried calamari - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Visiting Toronto and while walking around we found this place. Asked if we had a reservation which we didn't and was then met with an eye roll and a huff. Place was half empty with plenty of tables but got the attitude anyway. We were given the last table in the back next to the service tables. No big deal but really didn't need the attitude from the hostess. Love oysters so that's what we got along with a few beers and some appetizers. Food is solid and the beer is cold but for what it is to me it's overpriced. Ahhhhhh read more

See all

I should preface this with that we had NO plans to see/do much other than the Christmas Market. However .. there was something special about Pure Spirits. And once inside, it all made sense! We are a huge fan of oysters, and not just your every day we do oysters kinda oysters -- they've got to be good and these ones did not disappoint. We went with the Shuckers dozen (and we always prefer the east coast ones) and the trio of sauces. The mango habanero one sounded offside for oysters ... but it was our favourite! We were seated at the bar since all of their tables were booked with reservations and the bar service was decent. Not totally attentive (which we've been used to in past) but it wasn't a big deal. We stayed for a glass of wine with our oysters and vowed to absolutely come back to try other menu items. Everything felt clean and inviting, some music playing soft enough and the restaurant was buzzing with yumm's and oohhh's as dishes came out. Thank you for our first time experience and will not be our last! read more

Pure Spirits - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Excellent oysters & drinks! We had a few of the toonie Tuesday oysters and some drinks and they were excellent. Great quality oysters and lovely make your own combo Caesar, plus a large beer selection. read more

Amazing food, great lively atmosphere, and outstanding service. We got there in the late afternoon on a weekend (during the Christmas Market / Distillery Winter Village - their busiest time of the year), and we were seated right away. Typically wait times could range from 15-45 minutes, and they don't take reservations during busy times. Service was great and very accommodating right from the start. There are seatings at the booth (very nice and cozy), at the bar, and regular tables lined up in the middle in between the booth-style seatings and the bar. There are mini coat hangers for those sitting at the booths. Everything we ordered was delicious and came in pretty big portions. 1) Steamed Mussels (Provencale Style) - Portion was quite big; good for sharing. I could really taste the shallots and garlic (yummy), and there were also strips of onions and diced tomatoes in the bowl. The mussels came with fries and 2 slices of baguette bread. 2) Rainbow Trout - Loved the capers, crispy green beans, and mini potatoes that it came with. 3) Pan-Roasted Walleye - Crispy outer skin and soft & tender fish meat inside. This was my favourite fish dish of the night, particularly because it came with rapini and grilled oyster mushrooms. The Jerusalem artichoke puree was delicious as well. 4) Wild Argentinian Shrimps Pappardelle - This pasta was BOMB! The pasta sauce was creamy and flavourful - great if you love mushrooms. I liked the al dente yet chewy texture of the papperdelle. The pasta came with big chunks of meaty shrimps (the texture resembled lobster) and mushroom slices. Such a warm and filling comfort food. 5) SIDE: Pan-Roasted Mushrooms - I'd get this every time I come to Pure Spirits. It was a mix of many different types of mushrooms (oyster, king oyster, chanterelle, cremini, shiitake, etc.), topped with shaved Parmesan cheese. 6) SIDE: Charred Green Beans - I liked that the green beans were not overcooked and hence were still crispy. The fried shallots that it came with added extra flavour and crunch. A very satisfying meal in a nice laid-back atmosphere, with top-notch friendly service. We'll be back for sure. read more

See all

Food: 3 Stars Service: 2.5 Stars Ambience: 3 Stars Fill Factor: Filling I usually come to Pure Spirits when I visit the Distillery District and was looking for food. This time was no different but I'm not sure whether I wasn't paying attention during my previous visits or it was different this time but the experience was not that great. I ordered the seared steak sandwich which came with fries and salad. The salad and fries were very standard fare and nothing really special. I was expecting a bit more from the steak sandwich as the server said it was good so I was hyped. Overall the taste was pretty good as the steak was not dry and I loved the cheese and mushrooms on the sandwich. The biggest drawback however was the bun as I found it to be too soft to begin with and with the juices from the steak/mushrooms parts of it were very soggy. Parts of the outside edge of the bun were crispy which was great and if more parts of the bun were more sturdy/crispy I would have likely enjoyed it more. Also note that one of my friends said the bun for her lobster roll was one of the driest she's ever had and another said his fish and chips were really bland (even with tartar sauce) so just a note in case you are looking to order the lobster roll and fish and chips. The service here started horribly. We were seated and water was brought to us and that was it for the next 30+ minutes. No one checked in on us to take our order or anything. Tables around us were being served and we had our menus down and ready to order but no one even bat an eyelash at us for 30+ minutes. We were very close to getting up and leaving but we were able to flag someone down who happened to look our way for a moment (even then it took almost another 5-10 minutes for them to actually come back). The rest of the service during the visit was ok for the most part but the damage was already done. The food here was pretty decent but the service was definitely lacking. Maybe it's a sign that I should try some of the other offerings at the Distillery District next time I'm here. read more

Pure Spirits - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

We popped in during the Distillery District Christmas Market for early dinner and managed to grab a seat right away at the bar. The service was a little slow as the bar servers are fewer and further between than table servers however everyone was really nice including the Oyster shucking staff who even got in on the conversation as well. I had the dragon fruit iced tea which was lovely and refreshing. This is a true iced tea with minimal sugar. For eats, I have the Rockefeller Oysters which were like if oysters met cheesy bites - warm, crunchy top but a heartwarming center. I then had the crab poutine which was great taste. It was a very filling dish overall so you are getting your money worth. To close out, I had one of their shucked oysters. It was very fresh. The variety I chose was from the west coast menu and was quite fishy compared to some of the other varieties they serve. Overall, this was a great little place to grab a bite and the bar is a fun place to sit if you are looking to interact. read more

See all

A good option for patio szn. This local spot serves sustainable seafood, seasonal mains, shareable sides, balanced cocktails and Ontario wines. They have a large patio that usually gets excellent sunlight during brunch hours. The food was good, I had the mussels + fries. The service is good, although not particularly friendly. read more

See all

Unfortunately, I didn't have a nice experience at this restaurant. Service: we were seated way before the table beside us, and when the server came back he got their order first. Which doesn't make any sense for me, specially because we were waiting to order for some time already. Besides that, the server didn't have any patience (or knowledge about the menu) to explain the questions that we had. Food: we ordered a kind of ceviche to start, the fish was soooo smelly and the taste was so strong that we couldn't even pass the first bite. The lamb was not well cooked, meat was though and also kinda cold. The only good thing was the pasta, which we ended up sharing... and we left the restaurant hungry still. Environment: all the tables are soooooo close to each other that it's even uncomfortable to talk, you feel like you are in the same table as the people beside you, you listen completely to people's conversation. I was completely frustrated with this experience, I won't go back and I do not recommend it. read more

See all

Distillary Disrtict oyster bar. I love me some oysters and i decided to try. Great selection as well as come unique choices. Had the fanny bays (my fave) then i went with the shuckers dozen . (House choice) over all a goood experience. Sitbat the oyetr bat if you can. Watch them on action. Highly reccomend. read more

Pure Spirits - Fanny bay...yummy - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Nice restaurant and servers made us feel comfortable. Two of us had the seafood experience for two and it was truly a wonderful sample of the delicious food they serve there. The stars for us were the razor clams from the seafood tower, the fish tacos, and the fish of the day that was salmon, it was cooked perfectly. Others in our party had the shrimp pappardelle, which smell and taste divine. The crab poutine was also very good and the calamari tempura were so light and good. Nothing to complain. Great restaurant that we will be coming back to. read more

Stopped here for a bite to eat while on vacation in Toronto. Should have looked at Yelp before we got our table and sat down, but we were hungry, and the restaurant had a decent crowd. Took awhile before anyone greeted our table. Friend ordered a bloody Mary and it was too heavy on the salt. The kid and I stuck with water. We ordered the fries which were more like potato nubs. The kid kept asking why the fries were so short. You'd expect fries to be hot, but these weren't. However, our of the 3 items we ordered, this was at least decent. We ordered the oyster tacos... They didn't taste very good. Too much batter on the oysters. A sour taste that just wasn't appetizing. Took a bite and left the rest. Server saw that we didn't eat much of it but didn't ask how it was. Calamari... This is a definite no. Too much batter and the squid was cut in big chunks. The kid is calamari obsessed and didn't like this dish at all. Again, left most of this dish and server didn't ask about it. It's a sad thing when your price point is high in a tourist area, but the quality of the food doesn't match the price point. Even sadder when the bread basket is the best part of the meal. Next time I'm in Toronto, I'll pass on this place. read more

See all

I came back recently for my usual order of Oysters + Lobster Pappardelle....only to find out that they had replaced it with the Wild Argentinian Shrimp Pappardelle. I gave it a try because I love shrimp as well, but the dish was not great. I'm not sure if it needed more sauce, but it was lacking of flavour. The Oysters was great as usual! Just keep in mind that the condiments does not come for free. It will need to be ordered separately. The service has always been great! Might need to come back to find a new favourite dish. read more

Pure Spirits - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

We made a bit stop with the baby while tooling around the Distillery District. It's fairly touristy, but getting outdoor seating was a piece of cake compared to the neighborhing brewery and other cafes. The service, food, and drinks were all fine. I had fried oyster tacos, and we shared the gumbo fries (clam and shrimp , andouille sausage, pickled okra, cajun dust), which was tasty. Drinks were decent, too. It's not the most memorable of meals, but nice for people- (or, rather, tourist-) watching. read more

Pure Spirits - Fried oyster tacos - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Great ambiance and good food. Not surprising that it's pricey because it's located in the Distillery District, which is very touristy. The mussels were good quality though pretty simple. The fries were tasty too. My daughters got the crab Swiss omelette and the falafel sandwich. Both enjoyed their meals. My husband got the schnitzel and thought it was excellent and a treat. The service was solid as well. Definitely worth checking out if you're in town. Plus the area itself is picturesque and unique. read more

See all

WOW! The oysters here were delicious. We were short on time and just sat at the bar with the BEST chef, Jason McClaren (he really made the experience perfection!). Had great conversation while having a dozen + a tasty peach chardonnay cider. HIGHLY recommend this spot! WORTH IT! read more

A lovely visit to Pure Spirits! Although I was hoping for patio weather, given the short-lived summer we had last week, it was still nice to dine in again! The staff are always so welcoming, attentive and knowledgable and the food is always great! They're known for their great selection of oysters but the rest of the menu as great as well! They make a fantastic Paloma in addition to a 'build your own Caesar' option! Some of the highlights of the evening were the shrimp cocktail, which tasted like a Caesar itself, one of my fav dishes the scallops on pillowy cushions of polenta, the oysters caccio e pepe, and a great rendition of a classic bouillabaisse ! The perfect dishes for a hearty and comforting meal in such frigid weather! Thank you again for a lovely evening! read more

See all

I've been a fan of Pure Spirits for years. You can't beat their shuckers hours. The oysters are always a must here! However, the last time I was here was pre-covid times and I was disappointed to see they did change out the menu. The lobster pasta was switched out for the wild Argentinian shrimp pappardelle and I'm sad to say it did not hit the spot the same way. While they did provide a decent amount of shrimp, it was lacking in flavour. Please bring back the lobster pappardelle! read more

Pure Spirits - Wild Argentinian Shrimp Pappardelle - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Wow! What a rip off! Feeling badly for restaurants trying to survive, we decided to go support one today. Got a seat on the patio. Server was good. Ordered 18 East Coast Oysters (cocktail size) and two 5oz glasses of St. Clair Ontario Sauvignon (foxy) (retails for $19 at the LCBO yet selling a 5 oz glass for $17 = around $88 a bottle markup!). The Bill came to over $100, with tip $118.00 WTH? This place is NOT Canoe, it's a patio. I know liquor markups are necessary but this is downright robbery. BTW there is no bar list showing prices before you order ...anywhere! Unethical! Pure Spirits??? Pure Thieves! We will continue to support ethical businesses such as Rodneys. Pearl Diver and Oyster Boy who have a notion of hospitality, not contempt for their clients. They deserve to go out of business. read more

Pure Spirits - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

We stopped here because I wanted a bunch of fresh oysters and a drink to go with it. I got said items and they were wonderful. So can't really comment on any of their other food/. We stopped by inbetween meals so it wasn't too busy and service was great! read more

The decor is very impressive. If you want a full cup of the Brewery District experience, this place is great. There's a mix of the old with some modern touches. Very well done. The service was excellent. Kelly C. really did a nice job of making us feel welcome. We had the fish & chips and the calamari with a side salad. The calamari was "Asian Inspired" with tempura batter and a mirin dipping sauce, quite unique. The fish & chips was not quite as impressive. Overall, our experience was very good. I would recommend this place. read more

See all

Food was definitely on the pricey end. Accidentally ordered $7.50 eska water when waitress asked if we want tap, still or sparkling water. Still and sparkling are both $7.50 It was my first time trying oysters. They were pretty good but I have nothing to compare it to. Wasn't sure it was worth $3/oyster. Poke bowl was not great. The tuna was delicious but the test of the bowl was not great. My bf had striped bass and it was amazing! He thoroughly enjoyed that. read more

See all

Distillery district is really a fun place to come during holiday especially Christmas, this pub has been around for a while, we ordered oysters variety from PEI, News Brunswick and grilled octopus, burger and steamed mussels. Will I come again? Oysters are not bad, very fresh and we did order a second dozens. Burger is quite good according to my son. Steamed mussels are average but definitely good value for the size of the dish, good for sharing. The only super disappointment is the grilled octopus, the sauce is overpowering and I can hardly taste the octopus and the octopus is not fresh and overcooked that it lost its chewy texture, to make it worse, they mixed the octopus with sweet potato so it is only 20% octopus, 80% sweet potato. Service can improve, friendly but did make a few mistakes but not deadly mistakes so it is okay. read more

See all

Dined with family during the winter village festival. Crab cake was mediocre. $22 for a single crab cake that wasn't heated much or breaded. Sea bass ramen was good. Very skimpy on the noodles, but had a good amount of shiitake mushrooms, and the grilled fish filet was delicious. Kind of overpriced at $36. Fish and chips were terrible though, one of the worst I had in the city. Went with 2pc because 1pc was $24 and 2pc was "just $5 more" at $29. Menu advertised haddock, but what was served clearly wasn't haddock, as the fish wasn't firm and broke apart too easily. The batter didn't adhere to the fish and was just tasteless overall. Fries were overcooked. I could forgive them if this wasn't something they made often, but this is a restaurant that specializes in seafood. The server insisted that the fish was haddock, but I shrugged and didn't want to get into an argument with him. I literally cooked haddock at home the day before. Dinner for two cost $93 before tax and tip. Not worth it at all. This is a tourist trap restaurant, and you're much better off just eating the stall food during the winter village festival. read more

Shar was the best server ive ever had! She made me feel so welcomed, and explained to me every dish I was being served. She had a positive and welcoming demeanor--she made me feel so warm and special on my birthday. Overall some of the best food ive had in a while and best service!! read more