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My uncle and aunt took me here for dinner for my last night in Toronto during my most recent visit to Canada. Swatow Restaurant has been around since my uncle was a teenager - it has been opened for 40+ years in Toronto Chinatown! We got a variety of dishes and they were all pretty good. The service was fast.
Easy rating of 5 stars. This is GOOD Cantonese food. I had not been back in almost 15 years! The restaurant looks exactly the same. They are always courteous to their customers here. Place is clean. Spotless, in fact including the Restroom. We devoured a plate of beautiful squid curry, soft and tender, not chewy in the least. Barely a drop of oil. OUTSTANDING! The yeung chow fan (rice) was PERFECT - also barely a hint of grease and each grain was perfectly coated. The hot and sour soup was for spouse who loved it. The stuffed taofu with a hint of five spice was reminiscent of the Hakka stuffed taofu you get in Taiwan. VERY good. Swatow has retained it's standards after being in business for many years. An iconic restaurant in Toronto's Chinatown. It was really a fantastic experience eating here again after so long.
Very small place but the service is fast so the turnover is quick. Client service was great, very attentive and pleasant. Even though it was getting busy I didn't feel rushed. Food was fine nothing outstanding. Everything came out rather quickly. The people I was with were very excited for the chicken wings and the off menu Taiwanese beef on rice - they had nice flavour.
I've been going to Swatow for over 12 years now and it's been consistently good the whole time. The rice plates are great value and their noodle dishes hit the spot every time. Fair warning: the chili oil is actually spicy, so try not to dump a whole ton of it on your food before eating if you're not prepared for it. The wonton noodles are great too, though you'll know that as soon as you walk in. The whole restaurant smells like wonton noodles because everyone orders them. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu really. Reliable spot for classic Cantonese comfort food.
Swatow Restaurant Parking: China Town Green P parking. Atmosphere: Old school interior from the 80's and space between each table are reasonable. Service: Friendly staff with prompt service. Presentation: Their Cantonese dish looks authentic and appetizing to me (please refer to my photos). Taste: BBQ pork: I can only say it is not my cup of tea. I tried one piece and did not touch it afterward. I feel so guilty as I did not pack the rest of the BBQ pork away. Shrimp Wonton Soup: The Wonton is fresh but just normal at best. The soup is clear like water, even worst than instant noodle soup base. Fried Squid: Not too crispy but tasty. It did not overcook. Sweet and Sour Pork: The sweet and sour sauce balance well with the fry pork. The sauce stirs well with the individual pork pieces. Beef Stir Fry Rice Noodle: Stir fry very well and the soy blended perfect with the rice noodle. You can smell the soy sauce aroma and the rice noodle did not break into small pieces. Fried Clams w/ Black Bean Sauce: Perfect blended the black bean sauce with the fried clams. Simply the yummiest dish I ordered. Overall: I am not sure why so many people say you must try this restaurant when you visit Chinatown. I personally believe any Cantonese style congee / noodle chain restaurants maybe a better choice.
I tried the chicken fried rice here and it was really good! It had a subtle wok char and they were kind enough to remove the peas from my fried rice. The chicken was tender. Mixing it with chili oil and the white pepper that was provided enhanced the dish even more. I really want to try other menu items in the future. Each entree was enough to share with others. Don't really have expectations on service. It wasn't rude but minimal engagement. She gave me a pen and paper to write down my order, it was delivered and that was that. Overall it was a good experience and will be back.
Great food, perfect for sharing! Service is quick and friendly and the food is delicious. Still dreaming about the noodles and their black pepper beef on rice :) one of my Chinatown specials.
Years later and again, Swatow does not disappoint! We got the beef low mein, sweet and sour chicken, steamed rice, and the sizzling pot of eggplant and bean curd. Absolutely delicious. The service is attentive, quick, and matches the energy of the space. It's a great place for a cozy, comforting meal. Just remember it's cash only!
Swatow Restaurant, located in Toronto's Chinatown, is a classic Cantonese restaurant with over 40 years of history. The restaurant has a traditional atmosphere and consistently polite service. I tried their shrimp wonton soup and several signature dishes, all of which were very authentic and delicious, always satisfying. Whether for a family gathering or a casual get-together with friends, this is a great place to visit.
My experience at Swatow Restaurant was good, but it didn't quite meet all my expectations. The ambiance was simple, but not overly exciting more functional than atmospheric. The service was decent, though there were a few moments where the staff could have been more attentive. The food was the highlight, with authentic flavors and a good range of options, though some dishes felt a bit too greasy for my liking. It's a solid choice for a quick, tasty meal, but there's room for improvement in both ambiance and service.
Love hole in the wall places. This is a no frills, good food, cash only kind of place. The wait staff gets your order and good food comes out quick. I originally walked over here because I was craving some snails which unfortunately found out they didn't have. Ended up going with the black bean clams and beef fried noodles which both were excellent. Just thinking about them makes my mouth water. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for excellent down to earth Chinese food.
The kind of Chinatown restaurant that only takes cash, brings your food to the table within a few minutes, and is busy even on a winter night! This place is beloved by so many Toronto chefs. It's a bit of a hole in the wall (gotta love a place that wallpapers their light switches and has a whole four-seater table that's dedicated to a tablet and random boxes), but that's part of the charm. Their take-out and in-person business were both booming tonight. The yeung chow fried rice and the sweet and sour pork portions were so generous; we could've easily shared these with a third person. Pro tip: bring cash!
The food was good, and the serving speed was impressively quick. There are a lot choices of food. Despite the restaurant being busy, I was able to get a table within 15 minutes. The prices are a bit on the higher side, but the portions are massive, making it worth the cost. The taste of the dishes was very satisfying.
2 months ago
But it's been a long time since I ate at Swatow and wanted to come here with my siblings for lunch on my birthday! And the food was delicious as always. I've been coming here for decades and I had many fond memories when I lived in the area. The place is a medium size restaurant and looked exactly the same. The service as fast as usual. Usually there's a long line to get in but we got a table for four right away on a Sunday after 1pm. Then after we ordered our server offered us a larger table which we really appreciated. And glad we did because all the dishes were huge! We ordered to share: -Ginger Scallion Lobster -Shrimps in lobster sauce on rice -Cantonese Chow Mein -Fried squid -Spring rolls Everything tasted great and fresh but I wish the ginger scallion lobster tasted better. It wasn't the same as the one I had at another restaurant on Baldwin St. that closed many years ago. But it was still so nice to return to this iconic Chinatown restaurant. read more
5 months ago
We asked locals where to go and this was one of the recommendations. The menu has some dishes we had not seen at home. Small space, they don't really wait on you, you get a check to fill out with the numbers from the menu. We tried beef with ginger and pineapple, pan fried dumplings and shrimp fried rice. All delicious. Food came out fast. Last surprise was they only take cash. Food was 5 stars, service is 2. read more
6 months ago
My uncle and aunt took me here for dinner for my last night in Toronto during my most recent visit to Canada. Swatow Restaurant has been around since my uncle was a teenager - it has been opened for 40+ years in Toronto Chinatown! We got a variety of dishes and they were all pretty good. The service was fast. read more
Easy rating of 5 stars. This is GOOD Cantonese food. I had not been back in almost 15 years! The restaurant looks exactly the same. They are always courteous to their customers here. Place is clean. Spotless, in fact including the Restroom. We devoured a plate of beautiful squid curry, soft and tender, not chewy in the least. Barely a drop of oil. OUTSTANDING! The yeung chow fan (rice) was PERFECT - also barely a hint of grease and each grain was perfectly coated. The hot and sour soup was for spouse who loved it. The stuffed taofu with a hint of five spice was reminiscent of the Hakka stuffed taofu you get in Taiwan. VERY good. Swatow has retained it's standards after being in business for many years. An iconic restaurant in Toronto's Chinatown. It was really a fantastic experience eating here again after so long. read more
Very small place but the service is fast so the turnover is quick. Client service was great, very attentive and pleasant. Even though it was getting busy I didn't feel rushed. Food was fine nothing outstanding. Everything came out rather quickly. The people I was with were very excited for the chicken wings and the off menu Taiwanese beef on rice - they had nice flavour. read more
10 months ago
I've been going to Swatow for over 12 years now and it's been consistently good the whole time. The rice plates are great value and their noodle dishes hit the spot every time. Fair warning: the chili oil is actually spicy, so try not to dump a whole ton of it on your food before eating if you're not prepared for it. The wonton noodles are great too, though you'll know that as soon as you walk in. The whole restaurant smells like wonton noodles because everyone orders them. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu really. Reliable spot for classic Cantonese comfort food. read more
Swatow Restaurant Parking: China Town Green P parking. Atmosphere: Old school interior from the 80's and space between each table are reasonable. Service: Friendly staff with prompt service. Presentation: Their Cantonese dish looks authentic and appetizing to me (please refer to my photos). Taste: BBQ pork: I can only say it is not my cup of tea. I tried one piece and did not touch it afterward. I feel so guilty as I did not pack the rest of the BBQ pork away. Shrimp Wonton Soup: The Wonton is fresh but just normal at best. The soup is clear like water, even worst than instant noodle soup base. Fried Squid: Not too crispy but tasty. It did not overcook. Sweet and Sour Pork: The sweet and sour sauce balance well with the fry pork. The sauce stirs well with the individual pork pieces. Beef Stir Fry Rice Noodle: Stir fry very well and the soy blended perfect with the rice noodle. You can smell the soy sauce aroma and the rice noodle did not break into small pieces. Fried Clams w/ Black Bean Sauce: Perfect blended the black bean sauce with the fried clams. Simply the yummiest dish I ordered. Overall: I am not sure why so many people say you must try this restaurant when you visit Chinatown. I personally believe any Cantonese style congee / noodle chain restaurants maybe a better choice. read more
I tried the chicken fried rice here and it was really good! It had a subtle wok char and they were kind enough to remove the peas from my fried rice. The chicken was tender. Mixing it with chili oil and the white pepper that was provided enhanced the dish even more. I really want to try other menu items in the future. Each entree was enough to share with others. Don't really have expectations on service. It wasn't rude but minimal engagement. She gave me a pen and paper to write down my order, it was delivered and that was that. Overall it was a good experience and will be back. read more
Years later and again, Swatow does not disappoint! We got the beef low mein, sweet and sour chicken, steamed rice, and the sizzling pot of eggplant and bean curd. Absolutely delicious. The service is attentive, quick, and matches the energy of the space. It's a great place for a cozy, comforting meal. Just remember it's cash only! read more
5 months ago
Swatow Restaurant, located in Toronto's Chinatown, is a classic Cantonese restaurant with over 40 years of history. The restaurant has a traditional atmosphere and consistently polite service. I tried their shrimp wonton soup and several signature dishes, all of which were very authentic and delicious, always satisfying. Whether for a family gathering or a casual get-together with friends, this is a great place to visit. read more
7 months ago
My experience at Swatow Restaurant was good, but it didn't quite meet all my expectations. The ambiance was simple, but not overly exciting more functional than atmospheric. The service was decent, though there were a few moments where the staff could have been more attentive. The food was the highlight, with authentic flavors and a good range of options, though some dishes felt a bit too greasy for my liking. It's a solid choice for a quick, tasty meal, but there's room for improvement in both ambiance and service. read more
4 months ago
5 months ago
1 year ago
Love hole in the wall places. This is a no frills, good food, cash only kind of place. The wait staff gets your order and good food comes out quick. I originally walked over here because I was craving some snails which unfortunately found out they didn't have. Ended up going with the black bean clams and beef fried noodles which both were excellent. Just thinking about them makes my mouth water. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for excellent down to earth Chinese food. read more
2 years ago
The kind of Chinatown restaurant that only takes cash, brings your food to the table within a few minutes, and is busy even on a winter night! This place is beloved by so many Toronto chefs. It's a bit of a hole in the wall (gotta love a place that wallpapers their light switches and has a whole four-seater table that's dedicated to a tablet and random boxes), but that's part of the charm. Their take-out and in-person business were both booming tonight. The yeung chow fried rice and the sweet and sour pork portions were so generous; we could've easily shared these with a third person. Pro tip: bring cash! read more
2 years ago
The food was good, and the serving speed was impressively quick. There are a lot choices of food. Despite the restaurant being busy, I was able to get a table within 15 minutes. The prices are a bit on the higher side, but the portions are massive, making it worth the cost. The taste of the dishes was very satisfying. read more
1 year ago
A Nostalgic Return to Swatow Restaurant on Spadina After more than 30 years since my high school days, I finally stepped back into Swatow Restaurant on Spadina Avenue. Time has certainly changed the landscape of Toronto's Chinatown--once bustling and vibrant in the 80s, now quieter and more subdued--but this humble eatery has stood the test of time. Walking in, I was immediately struck by the familiar, comforting sounds of warm Cantonese chatter. There's no pretense here--no trendy decor or Instagram-worthy plating like the newer uptown Chinese restaurants. Instead, you get what you came for: genuine, no-nonsense Dai Pai Dong style food that still carries the same bold, satisfying flavours I remembered. The menu hasn't lost its soul. From classic stir-fries to their signature Teochew-influenced dishes, everything tasted like it was made with care, by people who know their craft. The service was friendly in that authentic, unpolished way that makes you feel right at home. It's not just a meal--it's a piece of old Toronto kept alive. If you're ever in the city and craving a dose of nostalgia, or just want real Cantonese comfort food without the flash, Swatow Restaurant remains a worthy stop. Some things are worth preserving--and this place is one of them. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
Authentic hole in the wall Cantonese this was worth the wait! Delicious bok choy, beef with Chinese broccoli, and shrimp won ton. Service is quick and food is full of flavors! read more
4 years ago
I'm not going to lie. Swatow is one of my favourite Chinese restaurants downtown. It may be because of many late night memories of having meals with friends here during a night out, or because at times I will just crave their noodles. I still think their crispy chow mein noodles with black bean sauce, beef, pepper and onions will forever be my staple go to meal here. It has a nice flavour kick of spice that I don't find in this dish at other places. I think the people that work here are really nice. It's always the same guys that welcome you in and take your order. Its definitely a community staple. Would recommend if you're in the area. The vibe is very casual and usually busy. Also make sure you have cash. They have an ATM inside the restaurant if you need. read more
3 years ago
Cash-only restaurant with traditional Chinese fare. Don't be deterred if there's a line up outside the door. Food is served quickly and they flip tables just as quick. We were a party of 3, and got seated within 15 minutes on a weeknight dinner. We ended up splitting 5 dishes, which was plenty, considering the generous portions. Everything was great, but the overall favourite was the Roasted Duck with Special Sauce, which came out nice and crispy. Highly recommended and can't wait to try more of their menu. read more
3 years ago
这个地方总是很热闹，我们终于有机会在没有等待的情况下停下来。 这是非常传统的家常汤面。我觉得价格非常合理，份量也很足。他们有各种不同类型的面条：鸡蛋细面、鸡蛋扁面、米粉、米扁面等。您可以将这些面条与菜单上的汤混合搭配。 值得一试，尤其是在寒冷的冬日。只要我们有现金（因为这里只收现金），我们还会再来的。 read more
It was good, but I've had better Chinese for sure. We got three different plates and I didn't feel like there was a whole lot of flavor overall. I'd really rate this place a 3.5/5 if I could, but giving them the benefit of the doubt and rounding it up to a 4. I would likely wanna go somewhere else if I'm in Chinatown (Toronto). read more
2 years ago
Prices seemed high, but once the dishes land on your table, you realize the portions are massive and honestly worth it. Super flavourful, very comfort food-y, will definitely be back. Lots of vegetarian options! I definitely recommend the tofu eggplant. Service was not warm, to be fair, and cash only is not ideal, but I'd still go back! read more
10 months ago
Have been to swatow so many times they never disappoint, The portion is big and it is just delicious! I'm also a huge fan of their frozen beef balls, I always bulk buy and bring home to put in my noodles. We got beef brisket noodle with wonton and fried noodle with beef, the wonton has shrimp in it and it's bouncy and so delicious. U was starving so I ate the whole thing but really I think normal human appetite this is way more than enough. The fried noodle is good too, super crispy. don't forget to bring cash! read more
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto Chinatown, Swatow has been in business for a long time and have amassed loyal followings (including myself) for more than 4 decades now. They serve no frills traditional food and offers a wide menu of Chinese food favourites. They are best known for authentic Cantonese dishes and huge portions but the only drawback is they only accept cash payments. I've tried everything on their menu but these 3 are simply the stand out dishes for me because they're comforting and delicious. Beef Stew Noodle Soup (aka Beef Brisket): I must have eaten a dozen appalling beef brisket noodle soup before I tried Swatow's. Swatow's beef brisket noodle soup is the real deal and one of the best bowls of beef noodle soup you'll ever have! The brisket is slow-cooked which results in a very tender meat. They cooked it with beef bones and different dried spices/aromatics which transforms it into a delicious broth and adds an overall depth of flavour to the soup. You also have the option to choose for your noodles between Ho Fun (flat rice noodles) or Vermicelli (thin rice noodles). Cantonese-Style Ginger Scallion Lobster: Okay this one is more of an indulgence since it's on a pricier side but whenever I'm craving for seafood, this is what I order at Swatow. For the price of $65 for two lobsters, I think this is still a good deal. You get a buttery and succulent lobster meat that easily pulls apart from the shell. The ginger scallion sauce is to die for, it generally coats the shellfish to create a light savory glaze. All the flavours meld in perfect balance to bring out the natural sweetness in the lobster. Beef Fried Rice: Beef fried rice is probably one of my favorite dishes on a Chinese menu so I'm a little bit picky when it comes to this dish. It needs to satisfy my criteria to make it a distinctly good beef fried rice. This is why I like Swatow's beef fried rice. There are ample quantity of bite-sized juicy and tender beef, perfecly seasoned rice and of course the most important factor - the taste of wok-hei, the elusive seared taste that enhances the flavour of the fried rice. Finally, the restaurant staff are all nice, friendly and approachable no matter how busy they are, hence I'm giving the 5 star rating. read more
A staple in Chinatown, my expectations for Swatow were honestly a bit low, but I was pleasantly surprised. A lot of chinese restaurants I frequent tend to use average quality ingredients and have average flavours, but Swatow was different. We tried the chicken corn soup, beef with black bean sauce, and general tsao chicken, all of which were excellent. What surprised me most was that the chicken had a very light batter outside, and had tender, quality meat on the inside. I'll definitely be back here, I think I've found my new go to for chinese food in the city. read more
11 months ago
4 years ago
If you're looking for some of the best Chinese food in Toronto, you have to check out Swatow. I went there on a Saturday evening with five friends and we loved by how delicious everything was. This wasn't my first visit but the quality has remained the same since I came here the first time four years ago. The place was crowded but we got lucky and snagged a table right away. We ordered a variety of dishes to share. Everything was flavourful and satisfying. The portions were generous. The best part was that the bill, the price is reasonable for good food in downtown Toronto. The service was fast and efficient too. They don't waste time with small talk or fancy presentation - they just bring you your food hot and ready. The only drawbacks are that they only accept cash and they have an ATM machine on site that charges a fee. Also, don't expect too much from the ambiance or the staff - this is not a place to go for a romantic date or a cozy chat. It's loud, busy, and no-frills. But that's probably a part of its charm. Parking can be tricky during busy hours. But it's easily accessible by streetcar if you don't want to drive. Overall, I highly recommend Swatow if you're craving some amazing Chinese food that won't break the bank. It's one of my favorite spots in the city and I can't wait to go back. read more
6 months ago
4 years ago
This venue offers authentic Chinese dishes!!! I love their beef stew noodle soup, it's rich in flavour and good portion. They used to open super late pre Covid as well, would come here after a night out. Glad that this venue is able to offer dine in again (note: they do not have outdoor dining). read more
2 years ago
Typical Chinese fare , quick service, maybe we could have ordered better. Crispy duck so salty and rather dry, Sichuan shrimp were rubbery, but the eggplant was the star! read more
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