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    Yuugi Izakaya

    4.3 (106 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

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    YUUGI IZAKAYA ATMOSPHERE

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    Aurora J.

    Came here for a casual dinner and drinks, and overall it felt like a really easy, relaxed izakaya-style spot in downtown Toronto. The space itself leans more modern and clean rather than the typical dark, cozy izakaya vibe, which I actually didn't mind. It felt comfortable, not too loud, and easy to settle into for a slow dinner. We ordered a mix of small plates to share, and everything came out looking nicely put together. The aburi-style salmon sushi was one of the highlights for me.. lightly seared, with a soft texture and just enough flavor on top without being overwhelming. The tuna tataki was also fresh and clean, simple but well done. Some of the fried dishes leaned a bit richer with the creamy sauces, but they were still enjoyable, especially if you're in the mood for something a little more indulgent. The beef fried rice was straightforward but satisfying, one of those dishes that's easy to keep going back to between everything else. Drinks were a nice touch too.. refreshing, nicely presented, and added to the overall experience. Overall, this feels like a solid spot for a casual night out with friends. It's not overly traditional, but it's easygoing, shareable, and comfortable.. the kind of place you'd come back to when you just want good food and a relaxed atmosphere.

    Chicken karaage
    Samantha L.

    Between 3.5 and 4 Came here for a small late night bite after a busy day. It was busy, but we were seated fairly quickly. The staff was pleasant and I liked the simple design, though it reminded me more of Europe personally (but hey, I love Europe so!) The poutine was really yummy. Excellent cheese pull and it was a really comforting dish. The karaage was nice also, and if I was being really picky I'd say it wasn't as juicy as it could've been, but it definitely wasn't dry either. Overall very nice and I'd return!

    Christina C.

    Yuugi Izakaya has been on Baldwin for years and it shows. The space feels cozy without being cramped, and the energy is lively but still comfortable enough to actually talk. We ordered the Torched Salmon Pressed Sushi, Torched Ebi Pressed Sushi and Torched Wagyu Pressed Sushi. The wagyu was easily my favorite. Rich, slightly smoky from the torch, and not overloaded with sauce. The salmon and ebi were both solid and well balanced. The Chicken Karaage was crispy outside and juicy inside, which sounds simple but a lot of places get that wrong. This one didn't. The Nasu eggplant was soft and savory, not greasy, and honestly one of those dishes you keep going back to. For dessert we shared the Matcha Ice Cream and Tempura Banana. The tempura banana was warm and lightly crisp with the cold matcha on the side. It was simple and satisfying without feeling heavy. Service was friendly and attentive even though it was busy. You can tell they've built a steady following over six years for a reason.

    Catherine M.

    Everything here was delicious! The chicken heart skewer was the perfect chewy texture, gyoza had a crisp top layer, torched salmon rolls were perfectly seared, and the agedashi tofu was so smooth and creamy. The unique cocktails were very tasty.

    Ebimayo
    Will H.

    Came here on a Sunday afternoon, and it was such a great experience from start to finish. Reservations were easy to make online, and our group of seven was seated right away. We ordered a variety of dishes to share: edamame, yuugi sushi, wagyu sushi, ebi sushi, chicken karaage, chicken wings, ebimayo, Udon Pepperoncino, and Saba Yakimeshi (grilled mackerel fried rice). Every dish was delicious and came in perfect portions for sharing; honestly, I'd get them all again. The top standouts for me were: 1) Edamame: hands down the best I've ever had. It came topped with crispy shallots that added an incredible texture and flavor twist. 2) Wagyu Sushi: melt-in-your-mouth tender and beautifully presented. 3) Ebimayo: perfectly panko-fried shrimp with the ideal crisp and a tasty sauce that tied it all together. Service was friendly and attentive throughout our meal, making the experience even better. Overall, this izakaya is a gem in Baldwin Village; great food, great vibes, and perfect for sharing with friends. Highly recommend!

    Hard piece of plastic in the sushi.
    Joanne M.

    Came here for lunch today. We were the only patrons there and the waiter seemed like he didn't want to be there. We ordered a pitcher of beer, ebi mayo and their yuugi sushi. The sushi came out quickly after the beer. My second piece of sushi had a very hard, plastic nodule in it. I bit down on it and immediately knew something was wrong. It was not a piece of undercooked rice, I was hoping it was a salmon bone actually as I fished it out of my mouth and picked through the rice to find this hard bit. I motioned the waiter over to show him. I was quite upset. I rolled this hard piece of plastic between my finger and the table which was audible. He took the piece to the kitchen to show the chef. I stood up and watched the whole interaction between the two. While it was in the chefs hand, he dropped it and picked it back up again. They both shrugged. Wow. The waiter came out and said indifferently, "I can make you another one." Wow. I was completely appalled by the lack of care and accountability. I could have chipped a tooth. What if I ingested the thing? I was visibly upset by both the piece of plastic AND their attitude about it. There was no apology. The chef should have come out to apologize. They have many dishes on their menu with rice. I really, really doubt they even CARED to throw out the batch that my plastic laden sushi was made with.

    Tracey N.

    Cute place for a sip and chat type of evening! The staff are attentive and friendly, and all of the dishes were amazing. Beware, the outdoor seating has wood shavings so it might be uncomfortable to sit for some people. There's lots of indoor seating as well.

    Ray N.

    Did a Yelp search for places open late and this one closed at 2 am on a Friday. We arrived around 11 pm and it wasn't busy at all. We used QR code to see the menu and chose Edamame Miso soup Sweet chicken wings Mackerel fried rice Wagyu sushi I loved the chicken wings- was just the right sweetness and crunchiness and was fully cooked. And the wagyu sushi though they didn't give any soy sauce saying it already had it. The mackerel fried rice was okay. My wife liked it but too many, too fishy and was salty. They took out the wagyu fried rice. I would have loved steam rice with the wings since just didn't work with the mackerel rice. Definitely a place that had more drinks and cocktails than food selection . Still a good place if eating late like we did

    Udon pepperoncino (stir-fried udon, chili cream sauce, bacon)
    Letty W.

    This izakaya has a simple menu unlike other izakayas and I enjoyed each dish I had. The sauce that accompanied the karaage had a raw egg you have to mix in. The tofu was very smooth. This spot is ideal for a late night meal or a place to grab drinks with a few apps.

    Victoria F.

    Cute lil izakaya on Baldwin. I do like the ambiance, it's simple and dim. Not too loud or rowdy so you can definitely have a conversation in here. Drinks are fairly priced and good! Service was fine. Food is good as well! Really enjoyed the carbonara udon and the karaage's tartar sauce. The pressed sushi could have been better, i found it to crumble a bit too easily.

    Wagyu Sushi
    Matt G.

    The food we had was great. However, there wasn't enough variety, a wide enough selection, and wasn't priced appropriately enough to feel like a true Izakaya experience. Ended up leaving unsatisfied just because there wasn't enough to try. However, the Wagyu sushi was a definite highlight here.

    bar area
    Alexus T.

    I came here after visiting the AGO since it was nearby and I thought I was about to find a hidden gem since it has really good reviews. Unfortunately, it didn't really meet my expectations. I tried the hotate wasabi & yuugi sushi as everyone keeps mentioning that these are the standout dishes. I thought they were okay. The scallop wasn't soft and had an almost rubbery texture. The sushi wasn't bad, the smoky flavour made it unique but in general I've had much better torched pressed salmon. They also have daily specials - I tried the grilled pork belly skewers and they were better but needed a bit more salt. Overall, I'd rate my experience here a 6/10. The ambience was very nice and service was attentive. They also gave us sake shots on the house! I really wanted to like the food but it just didn't hit for me.

    Chicken wings, Yuugi Sushi, and Wagyu Sushi
    Sarah P.

    Yuugi is located downtown in Baldwin Village, with a casual vibe. The interior is minimalistic with white walls and wooden acccent. A small highlight, is that their washrooms have high tech toilets similar to those found in Japan. The staff here were also all very friendly and attentive. This is a great spot to consider if you're downtown and looking for late eats, as they're open until 2 am, or if you're just craving some traditional Japanese bar food. The menu here is tapas style meant for sharing, and the "sushi" served here are also all lightly torched, which makes them a good start for those who wish to try sushi but are not ready for the fully raw stuff. What was ordered: - Yuugi Sushi - Saba Sushi - Wagyu Sushi - Chicken Wings - Saba Yakimeshi The wings were well seasoned and crispy, and I also liked the Yuugi Sushi. The Wagyu Sushi was ok in my opinion. The flavouring was good, but the quality of the beef didn't meet my standards. I personally didn't like the saba dishes too much because I found them a bit fishy and salty. However, the other two individuals I was with really enjoyed them, so it really depends on your taste preferences.

    Scallop

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    1 year ago

    Great bbq skewers outside on Beautiful patio. Owner is great to speak to. A must try. Amazing location to walk around as well. Must try!

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    1 year ago

    Service and location is good. Menu option was too little. Flavour was alright, but not outstanding.

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    416 Snack Bar

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    Bar Isabel

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    So fun! A colleague recommended this place and I walked by yesterday night (a Friday) and it was…read morepacked! Fun vibes leaking out onto the streets and lots of chatter and conversation. I was able to score a table for 4 today (Saturday) for lunch and had a great vermut with some fizz. We had three adults and a little baby. We got the prix fixe meant for 2 people and added a few other dishes to supplement. The prix fixe included: Shishito peppers, simply roasted and topped with flakey salt Pan con tomate, better than the ones I had yesterday... the sourdough bread they make themselves in house. Think, crusty, topped with great olive oil. We ended up ordering a side of just bread and olive oil because we loved it so much. Papas bravas, a touch spicy. Lots of scallions. I thought they were just alright, but my friend devoured them. We chose the manchego over the chorizo (one of my friends is a pescatarian) and we enjoyed that. The star was the octopus and our additional order of the mushrooms with cured egg yolks. The octopus was so tender and yet crispy at the tentacles. The mushrooms were just scrumptious!! My absolute favorite. Crispy, meaty, topped with some greens that went nicely with the oyster mushrooms. To finish, we had basque for dessert. Umm can't believe it's the first time I had this! Wow, so delicious.

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    Bar Isabel
    Half Octopus
    Half Octopus
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    Short Turn

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    Short Turn located along Queen St. W near Bathurst is a cocktail bar opened by 416 Snack Bar right…read morearound the corner. The ambiance of the space is moody and intimate where there is a creative cocktail list as well as an extensive wine/spirits list. There is a list of bar snacks for you to choose from, like some classics from 416 Snack Bar. I stopped by Short Turn on a Wed night around almost 6pm for a quick drink and bite. It looked like there was a hosted party towards the back of the space, upstairs from the main area. The rest of the bar was already half filled with customers. I grabbed a table facing the bar. For my drink I got the "Emily in Tokyo" (cachaca, house midori, yellow charfalse, lemon). For a quick bite I got the steak tartare. Both items arrived at a reasonable time. The cocktail was refreshing and delicious. The steak tartare was a good size portion where the tartare was on 2 slices of toasted sourdough bread. Service wise, the staff there were attentive and friendly, coming around multiple times making sure that the customers were doing good. Service was great. Overall, a great cocktail bar at Queen/Bathurst! Would not hesitate to return to try more cocktails/drinks and small bites.

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    Inside first bar
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    Rasa

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    4.5
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    This is a great spot if you're looking for a fun night out with shareable small plates. The space…read morehas a really nice vibe, with a beautiful interior and plenty of tables, making it feel lively without being overcrowded. We ordered the ceviche, tartare, branzino, truffle gnocchi, and chopped salad. Everything was delicious, but the standouts for me were definitely the branzino, the ceviche, and the chopped salad. Those three dishes complemented each other really well and were the highlights of the meal. The truffle gnocchi was okay, but much richer and heavier than I expected, so it's probably best to share. The tartare itself was excellent, though I wasn't a fan of the chips it came with. The food came out quickly, and the service was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place if you're looking for quality tapas style small plates, good drinks, and a great atmosphere.

    Dropped in for dessert after having dinner nearby…read more Place is very dingy feeling. I've been here before and know the food is great, but the dingy feeling is so prevalent it feels a touch unclean. Staff was fantastic. We were given a glass of prosecco for our wait and a dessert was comped because it was a birthday. Aside from getting free stuff, the attitudes of the staff were great. We sat at the chefs counter and had a chance to chat several times with the cooks. Sticky bun: delicious and creamy. Candied bacon was a nice touch. Ice cream sandwich: ok. Cardamom was a touch overpowering. Texture was nice. Down by the way drink: Apparently award winning. It was nice but not my style. More my fault than theirs. Several main dishes looked very nice like the burger and the fish. Will be back to try other things too.

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    Interior
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    Corks

    Corks

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    1.9 km
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    We visit Toronto frequently and always make it a point to have a meal at this restaurant…read more It is absolutely the best value for money anywhere! The food and drink is great, and the staff and their service are special. We have had several different servers- all excellent, personable and welcoming. But the most memorable is Augustin. The first time we noticed that Corks even existed at the back of the store, he welcomed us and explained with genuine enthusiasm the menu items and weekly specials. We were not planning to eat out that day, but came back because of him, and have returned regularly since that time. This place is literally a hidden gem, located way around in the back corner past the Starbucks. It's worth hunting for if you want a well-priced meal, prepared from products sold at Longo's, and served by great staff!

    I got a little lost finding Corks.... wondering around Longos wondering where is this place? a Bar?…read moreDon't see one? Then I saw Starbucks, almost want to have a coffee instead and forget about my beer... then I saw Corks, tagged right at the corner beside Starbucks. Thursdays from 5 to 8 pm, three free oysters when you purchase a pint or a glass of wine is a good deal... but the oysters were kind of small and not really fresh and on a paper plate ..... meh... but it was a nice offers. The bartender here was super friendly and explain to me what they have on tap and character of each beer. Love how Corks feature local beer from the breweries! Plowman's Ale ($6) is bold and heavy and have great characters...love the bitter finish at the end........ I might just skip the oysters but definitely will be here for a quick drink when I am in the area.......oh maybe some Canadian wine... Corks must be a wine bar, as it is call Corks??

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    Corks
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    JaBistro

    JaBistro

    4.2
    (626 reviews)
    0.8 km
    $$$

    Tucked along Queen Street West, JaBistro announces itself with quiet confidence -- a sleek,…read morecomposed room where warm lighting plays off clean lines and the hum of conversation suggests a restaurant that has earned its devoted following. The atmosphere strikes a considered balance between intimacy and energy, and one can see at a glance why it has become a favoured destination for the romantically inclined. The kitchen's greatest accomplishments lie at the raw bar. The sashimi is cut with precision and plated with an artisan's eye -- pristine slices of toro, hamachi, and salmon that speak to the quality of the sourcing. Two house soy sauces accompany the fish, including a gentler, house-made variety that allows the natural sweetness of the fish to remain the focus. Equally compelling is the aburi programme: the blow-torched oshizushi, particularly the ebi, offers a clever dialogue between Japanese tradition and modern sensibility. The kiss of flame lends a subtle caramelised depth without compromising the integrity of the fish beneath -- an approach that may read as fusion to the purist, but in JaBistro's hands is executed with enough restraint to feel purposeful rather than gratuitous. Service is attentive and genuinely warm. Staff demonstrate a willingness to guide the uninitiated through the menu, making this an uncommonly welcoming address for those not yet versed in the more nuanced registers of Japanese cuisine -- a rare quality in a restaurant of this ambition. One note of honest counsel: the kitchen is most assured when it stays close to its raw and torched preparations. Those venturing into the cooked plates may find the execution less consistent -- an area with room to match the high bar set by the sushi itself. For those seeking an accessible yet quality-driven introduction to aburi-style sushi in Toronto, JaBistro offers a compelling and satisfying evening.

    JaBistro is an upscale restaurant on Richmond just west of University. They have lunch and dinner…read moreomakase and sets and a la carte. Food (4/5) - I had the lunch set which is reasonably priced for $45 for above average restaurants. - Chirashi bowl - all of the sashimi was fresh and plentiful. Bit too much Tamago for my tastes. Sushi rice was not bad. - JaBistroll, Salmon & Shrimp Aburi - they were good but not quite as good as Miku for perspective. - Lobster Miso Soup - enjoyed this one... bit different than the traditional with a nice subtle flavour. - Sashimi - Tuna, Salmon, Scallop, Hamachi - all fresh and pretty decent. - Custard Dessert - can't remember what this is called but it was not bad. Service (3.75/5) - Server was polite but understated and reasonably attentive overall. Atmosphere (4/5) - It has an upscale feel but on the minimalistic side. Tables are bit too closely spaced imo. Overall (4/5) - I can't really say anything bad about JaBistro however it doesn't really stand out in any area for me. The Lunch Set price at $45 is actually pretty good for what you get. Maybe they save some of the better cuts for the a la carte items... might be the case. It's a perfectly good upscale choice for above average sushi. Overall, I just think Miku excels in more ways across the board.

    Photos
    JaBistro
    Assorted Sashimi, Soy Marinated Cream Cheese, Wagyu and Uni
    Assorted Sashimi, Soy Marinated Cream Cheese, Wagyu and Uni
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    Yuugi Izakaya - japanese - Updated August 2026

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