Paella anyone? I bet you haven't heard that in a while. And…read morehonestly, who knew it was such a Portuguese thing too? We all know Spain made it famous, but Portugal? INSANE. Back to why I do this. I'm endlessly curious about food, people, and the magic that happens when great meals meet good music. Friendships just seem to evolve naturally around a table. And thank you, E, for another incredible photo -- your choices are always perfect. Mercado on St. Clair is a hidden gem. What was once beside my mom's flower shop downtown has now found a home in a slightly more industrial setting on Caledonia -- and somehow, it works perfectly. Cozy seating inside, a great covered patio outside, and that village-style European restaurant vibe you hope to stumble across. First off, the waiter was phenomenal. He walked us through the menu, explained everything perfectly, and genuinely elevated the whole experience. The menu is massive -- meat, seafood, everything you could want -- but we came for the paella. We were told it takes time because they make it the proper way. Not overly crispy, just authentic, rich, and layered with flavour. Worth every minute of the wait. To start, we had the gambas / shrimp in a rich red garlic and herb sauce plus extra toasted bread for dipping, per our waiter's recommendation. Absolute rockstar move. The other appetizer was a delicious beef stew served over crunchy rustic bread. Simple, hearty, and top notch. Now... drum roll please. This may have been the best paella I've ever had. Okay okay, maybe somewhere along the coast in Spain I've had one fresher... but this was absolutely off the charts. Zero fishy smell. Just beautiful saffron-infused rice with that perfect slight crisp, loaded with mussels, clams, octopus, calamari, shrimp, and more. Built for two people to share and completely unforgettable. A few glasses of house white later and bam - there was absolutely no chance I was going back to work. And dessert? I kept telling myself: "No dessert, Frank. No dessert." But there's a rule in life ; if you see crème brûlée on a menu, you order it. This wasn't exactly crème brûlée, but a cheesecake-inspired version of it. Two spoons, four bites, and thank you very much. Favourite meal of the year so far. Completely blown away by this place. Mercatto -- go now. Go fast.

I was there for my birthday and this place didn't disappoint, even on a Monday…read more The atmosphere was calming and refreshing with an upbeat fun whimsical garden. Service was friendly and prompt. The food was delicious. We were a party of thee and ordered a plater that served us well. All ate from the Beira Mar platter and all meats and seafood were cooked well to order. Fantastic place for a night out or a get together with other friends family or special occasion.

Best place in the Vaughen area for Portuguese chicken…read more Chicken has always been moist and flavourful. Sides are also plentiful.

An amazing Portuguese Restaurant, the BBQ Chicken is excellent. And the daily specials are really a…read moretasteful experience that anyone should try.

Have you tried a coconut cake before? Are you looking for a unique dessert? This was my first time…read moreto try it and I must say I was convinced! I used to try their other menu before and the taste remains the same, so yummy! Foods from this restaurant were fairly priced and come in huge portions! The service was fast when I ordered it and the ambiance is welcoming and they are organized when doing the order. Featured Coconut Cake Parisienne Potatoes Pulled Pork Sandwich Meat Lasagna Grilled Chicken 2764 Keele St, Toronto, ON

There's parking both on the street and behind the restaurant. We came on a Saturday around lunch…read moreand the wait was about 40 minutes. Just a heads up there's no seating while waiting, and it's cash only. The first time I came here, I got the medium 1/2 chicken meal with a natas, plus a striploin on the side. Everything was really good and honestly worth the drive. The second visit wasn't as smooth. I ordered the Bife à Casa and expected regular fries because I saw them in someone's Google review, but it actually comes with fried potato rounds instead. I called to clarify in case I got the wrong dish, and they confirmed that's how it's served. In the end, the potatoes paired well with the steak, so I wasn't upset about it. What did disappoint me was that they forgot the gravy that was supposed to come on the side. When I mentioned it, they acknowledged it should've been included and said I could mention the issue next time for a possible discount. Service also felt a bit disorganized during this visit. My steak took a while, which I can understand, but another customer's chicken sandwich was missed completely and she had to wait an extra 10 minutes after already being told it would be quick. The sandwich was sitting on the service counter for a while, and it only got resolved after she followed up again herself. Food is still solid overall, especially the chicken and steak, but service consistency could definitely improve.

This was a delicious meal! We had a catered lunch for work from this restaurant. It was hot, fresh…read moreand very tasty. Had a variety of food. The chicken was my favourite-well seasoned and perfectly cooked. So good. Highly recommend this for lunch or dinner!

Patrons l was at Churrasco last night with a party of 3. I have been there 3 times before and…read moreAlways enjoyed the wood burning taste blackened by the flame fry's freshly cut crisp fresh vegy's slightly cooked. But last night my ribs were limp not a wood burning outside hot delicious char quarter chicken the same very small portion. Vegy's tasteless. 1 Sign coverage outside dark my food was Not quality plus restaurant seemed Very outdated As we left the lady sat reading a magazine not interested to us. I will not return . SW

Food and service are classically Portuguese. Always good…read moreand leave full and satisfied

If you're craving hearty, soul-warming food, this old-school Portuguese spot delivers in the best…read moreway possible. It's the kind of place where the atmosphere is as comforting as the food; warm, welcoming, and unpretentious. We kicked things off with a couple of standout appetizers: chorizo roasting over a live fire which arrived sizzling and smoky, and sautéed shrimp bursting with garlic and flavor. Both were perfect alongside the complimentary bread, which was just the right kind of crusty for dipping and nibbling. For mains, we went all in. The T-bone steak was massive and cooked to perfection -- juicy, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Sliced beef on a skewer with a secret sausage in between each piece. But the star of the show might've been the Little Frenchie. Picture this: a bun stacked high with grilled beef, sausage, and ham, smothered in melted cheese, topped with a fried egg, and drenched in a rich, savory gravy. Oh, and don't forget the fries which were crispy, golden, and ideal for soaking up every last bit of sauce. Everything about the experience was warm and genuine, from the food to the service. This isn't trendy or modern and that's exactly why it's so great. It's a true taste of tradition, where portions are generous, flavors are bold, and you leave feeling like you've just had a home-cooked meal from someone's nanna.

I have been passing by Churrasqueira Portugal BBQ restaurant for many years, but this is the first…read moretime I have eaten here. The restaurant is a blue collar restaurant. The decor is nice for a blue collar restaurant. Churrasqueira is mainly a takeout restaurant, but there is a dining area. After ordering your food, the server will bring your plate to you. The food is good if your expectations is not high. I ordered the half chicken with potatoes and rice. It came with store bought bread. Most of the diners are blue collar people and everybody was speaking Portuguese or some other languages. The chicken were juicy and very good. The rice and potatoes were okay. I give the restaurant 4 stars because the chicken was great and cost only 14 dollars including a soft drink. Excellent value.

Our family has been going to Portugal for a couple of years now after a family friend stumbled upon…read morethis joint and highly recommended a visit. I have ordered from them for various parties that I've had my department at work. I love the fact that It's a mom and pop joint that helps local business. The owners and their daughters all work here; they're super friendly. Extremely reasonable, you get bang for your buck. The food here is very palatable. Their chicken is delicious ... sure beats Swiss Chalet any day. Everyday there's a special feature on their menu whether it's ribs, soups, or chicken skewers. After 6 PM, it's free to park in front of Portugal on Eglinton Avenue. During the day, you can find parking on side streets. Churrasqueira Portugal rocks my socks - A solid four star !

The restaurant is small and very busy. The waitresses were very attentive and bustling to get…read moreeveryone waited on. I ordered the steak, it was one of the worst steaks I have ever had! Ordered medium rare and got well done and it was 80% gristle. The serving of vegetables was huge and cooked perfectly as was the rice. Everyone at our table was satisfied with their meals. The prices are very reasonable well.. As we were sitting talking the older server came over and told us she had to get our table ready for more people, so in other words get out! Not a very good first impression of the place. I wouldn't go back!

Excellent take-out chicken but very rude staff member who yelled at me (my first time there and she…read morehad no time to answer questions) and was also rude with others waiting to pay or placing orders. yes, it was busy but don't take your stress out on the customers. my mom likes their chicken so i'll return to get it for her but would never return just for me.

We ordered two chicken legs at a price of $6.50 and were amazed to see that that's all you got…read more Not only was it cold but it was insanely greasy. I was a little excited when I saw that they opened in the mall but all hopes were dashed.

Food was good. When you get a good server and let them know what you like, you will get what you…read morewant. Don't be shy! The various beef cuts were good and nicely medium rare, the garlic shrimp were delicious, Brussels sprouts and fries were also nice sides. A lively place that is nicely decorated.

This Brazilian steakhouse delivers on atmosphere and food quality, but inconsistent service keeps…read moreit from being a great value. The interior is lively and well-designed, with good music and an energetic vibe that makes it a nice spot for a night out. The food itself was solid, when it came. On paper, the all-you-can-eat and drink Tuesday for $80 sounded like excellent value. At the start, service was fast and attentive for about 30 minutes, with meats coming around regularly. Then, very abruptly, it slowed to a crawl. Servers stopped coming by altogether, and we had to wave people down, often unsuccessfully. At times, we were simply ignored. A few other drawbacks: - Drinks tasted noticeably watered down - An 18% gratuity was added without prior notice, which was frustrating given the service issues - The service flow seems designed to push sides more than meats, which hurts the AYCE value unless you're very proactive That said, the value can be there if you're strategic and maximize portions when the meats come around and don't hesitate to ask directly. Just be prepared for uneven service and some effort on your part. Overall Copacabana has a great ambiance, decent food, but inconsistent service and transparency issues make this place fall short of what it could be.