Brianna HarrisonThe 5 Best Spanish Restaurants in Toronto
Hola! Are you an adventurous foodie? It’s time to take your journey to the next level and try some Spanish cuisine!
Spain is known for its rich ingredients and powerful flavours. You don’t have to travel thousands of miles to get a taste of the country’s most celebrated dishes—we’ve compiled a list of the best Spanish restaurants in Toronto and reviewed them for you!
Top Spanish Restaurants in Toronto
The following criteria were put in place to review and choose the top Spanish restaurants in Toronto.
How much do Spanish dishes in Toronto cost?
In the following table, we put together some of the most common Spanish dishes and their estimated prices.
The cost of Spanish food in Toronto is determined by a variety of elements, including the ingredients used, the cooking process and cooking time, and of course, the type of dish—whether it’s a starter or an entrée.
1. LaVinias
| MENU VARIETY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| VALUE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ONLINE PRESENCE | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
LaVinia is the brainchild of Fernando Garcia, a Spanish chef who had international training in the renowned Lausanne Cooking Academy in Switzerland. Garcia has two other successful restaurants in Spain and San Francisco.
The restaurant has been recognised by The Food Awards Ontario and it even earned a spot in the finals back in 2019.
The restaurant is popular for its classic tapas, which are Spanish appetizers or small plates. LaVinia has over 15 choices of tapa and what’s more, there is a good number of non-pork options, such as seafood risottos, fish stew, and various salads.
Paellas, which are Spain’s most famous rice dish, are served per person at LaVinia. It would be better if there are also group servings of paella though, since it is a dish designed to be shared.
The restaurant’s daily specials for meat, seafood, and soup, as well as its extensive wine list, are enticing to us in any case.
Overall, LaVinia’s dishes come in hefty portions and are reasonably priced. To boot, you would enjoy its top-class customer service and intimate atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the restaurant is open only during dinner time and delivery is not available. Moreover, its social media pages have been inactive for years.
Nonetheless, LaVinia has takeout services and a detailed website complete with a reservation form.
Pros
- Good number of menu items
- Traditional Spanish cuisine
- Reasonable pricing
- Hefty portions
- Homey atmosphere
- Top-class customer service
- Detailed website with a reservation form
- Takeout services
Cons
- Open only during dinner time
- No delivery
- Inactive social media pages
Customer Reviews
If you didn’t know any better, you’d think you were dining in Madrid
“Came here to celebrate our 20-year anniversary… what an amazing experience! Jamie, our waiter, was super chilled and awesome! Had a great sense of humor and really made our evening. Chef Fernando came out and greeted his guests, which was a nice touch. The food… wow! The octopus was tender and fresh. The scallops and meat balls were phenomenal! Paella was perfectly done and full of complex flavors. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think you were dining in Madrid. 5-stars, will definitely be coming back to try more dishes. Thank-you for a lovely evening!” —Dave T., Google Reviews
Service is caring but not overbearing
“Consistent excellence. We had dinner here recently after a long absence. The experience was equally as good as in the past. The food is first class and authentic. The chef interacts with all guests to ensure you feel welcome and appreciated. Service is caring but not overbearing. A great tapas menu. Lots of seafood, perfectly prepared. Can’t say enough good things. Will be going back on a regular basis.” —Gilbey, TripAdvisor
2. Patria
| MENU VARIETY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| VALUE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| ONLINE PRESENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Patria is an authentic Spanish eatery that has been featured in the city’s top publications.
The restaurant is known for hosting private and celebrity dinner parties for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This shows prestige, if you ask us.
Patria takes pride in its ingredients that are imported all the way from Spain. You would enjoy the ultimate experience with Spanish cuisine thanks to the extensive menu.
In addition to its 10 tapa options, embutidos (cured sausages) and traditional cheeses served with jam and wood-fired sourdough bread are available.
We appreciate that Patria has meals for sharing, which is what Spain’s food culture is all about. Its large plate orders or raciónes include dishes like shrimp gambas, pulpo (octopus), and mariscos a la parrilla (mixed grilled seafood).
The restaurant has several seafood dishes, and you don’t have the worry about the freshness because seafood ingredients are sourced daily.
Patria charges its dishes at fair prices; however, the meal portions are not so generous.
Its staff may also need to work on how to properly respond to customer concerns and be more empathetic, as we’ve spoken to a few customers who’ve had not-so-stellar experiences here.
Patria has elegant décor, relaxing earthy colour schemes, and a lovely courtyard patio. By the same token, we think its live entertainment consisting of music, singing, and dancing would delight you.
Sad to say, you can only enjoy a meal at the restaurant during dinner time.
Meanwhile, you can browse through Patria’s comprehensive website and social media pages as there are regular posts about its tasty dishes! The restaurant has takeout and delivery services as well.
Pros
- Extensive menu
- Imported ingredients from Spain
- Fair pricing
- Elegant décor
- Lovely courtyard patio
- Live entertainment
- Comprehensive website
- Strong social media presence
- Takeout and delivery
Cons
- Small portions
- Inconsistent customer service
- Only available for dinner time
- Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews
The interior space is welcoming, comfortable, and moodily lit
“Patria was a delicious experience through and through. The interior space is welcoming, comfortable, and moodily lit with beautiful lighting fixtures. The small plates are delightful, lots of flavour and amazing ingredients. I’m not a local, but would be happy to return should I be in town again. Highly recommended if you love Spanish tapas and an intimate space.” —S. T., Google Reviews
Our server was so attentive and helpful
“Very impressed with our entire evening! This was our first time eating Spanish cuisine… and we loved the tapas ‘small plates’ presentation! Our server was so attentive and helpful as there are so many tastes to decide upon! Drinks were lovely, the Spanish beer he recommended was very refreshing!! Highly recommend this restaurant!!” —Diner, OpenTable Reviews
3. Bar Raval
| MENU VARIETY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| VALUE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| ONLINE PRESENCE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Owned by two acclaimed Canadian chefs, Grant van Gameren and Robin Goodfellow, Bar Raval is open day and night to show you a good time.
More than the far-famed Spanish tapas, the restobar introduces pintxos and conservas in their menu.
Pintxos are tapa-like appetisers, but are more often placed on top of bread. Bar Raval’s offerings of conservas are what’s most appealing to us.
Conservas are foods that are preserved in cans or jars. This Spanish tradition uses premium ingredients to produce delicacies that are different from what people in most western nations are used to seeing in canned goods at the grocery store.
Of course, we wouldn’t forget about the drinks at Bar Raval.
Spanish and Portuguese wines are the highlight, but there is a tonne of creative drinks available here, too, thanks to the expert bartenders who are ready to make and serve sherries, highballs, and classic cocktails.
We think your money would be worth spending at Bar Raval, as its menu items are affordable and come in decent portions.
In fact, the Michelin Bib Gourmand award was given to the restobar just recently, signifying its great value for money and high-quality dining experience.
There are a few chairs at Bar Raval, and when busy hours strike, people usually stand while eating. So, it may not be the ideal place for those wishing to take their time and stay for long after dining.
Nevertheless, Bar Raval’s interiors would wow you—curvy mahogany tables, colourful décor, and an exciting atmosphere wrap around the restobar.
It’s unfortunate that Bar Raval doesn’t take walk-ins, especially since long queues are typical. Its customer service might likewise use some significant improvement; its servers and front of house staff could be more friendly and attentive.
The restobar has a minimalist, neat website and a huge following both on Instagram (40K+) and Facebook (4K+). It’s a bummer they’re not so active on Facebook, though.
Bar Raval is open seven days a week and is available for takeaway and delivery services.
Pros
- Extensive menu, with conservas as specialty
- Affordable rates
- Decent portions
- Classic Barcelona-inspired interiors
- Exciting atmosphere
- Neat website
- Consistently active on Instagram
- Takeaway and delivery
- Long opening hours
Cons
- Customer service could use some improvement
- Limited seating
- No walk-ins
- Long queues
Customer Reviews
6 stars out of 5
“Exceptional. The taste of every single dish brought a smile of delight to my face. Outstanding service from Dennis. One of my most memorable dining experiences in the city. 6 stars out of 5.” —Jon Yazer, Google Reviews
The staff were friendly and efficient
“We worked up an appetite riding the rental bikes across the city. We saw this cozy place and decided to go for it. First, the decor of the restaurant is done is very cool wood work, all curves in dark wood grain. It reminded me a bit of Gaudi and makes sense as they are a Barcelona-inspired place. Each plate tasted so good and nice selection of wines by the glass. We ended up ordering more dishes and more wine. They also have an oyster bar. The staff were friendly and efficient. Definitely a recommend.” —Christopher C., TripAdvisor
4. Bar Isabel
| MENU VARIETY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| VALUE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ONLINE PRESENCE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Also owned by the renowned chef Grant van Gameren, Bar Isabel has garnered several awards through the years, such as EnRoute Magazine’s Best New Restaurant in Canada (2013) and Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence (2019).
We like that Bar Isabel brings in all the classics, from its old-vibe interiors to its authentic Spanish delicacies. It offers the traditional cuisine conservas, but is most known for its Spanish-style whole grilled octopus and roast veal bone marrow.
While the restobar does have a good number of menu items, they’re limited compared with the other restaurants in this list. Specifically, the small plate or tapa choices are few, and the famous paella didn’t make it to the menu as well.
Bar Isabel’s dishes lean towards the pricey end. Nonetheless, they are creative and portioned generously, which makes them perfect for sharing.
For the drink lovers, prepare to enter your nirvana for the restobar has wide range of Spanish and French wines, beers, and cocktails.
While on the subject, takeout cocktails are being offered, too! Now you can make your own Bar Isabel cocktails at home!
The restobar has a lovely, intimate outdoor dining space, which we think you would also enjoy. Moreover, you’d find that the customer service is excellent, with friendly and knowledgeable personnel.
Bar Isabel regularly posts on Instagram, but their Facebook page seems inactive already. You can also visit their detailed website for more updates.
Bar Isabel is open Mondays through Sundays and accepts takeout orders. We strongly recommend you book a reservation for long queues are expected.
Pros
- Dishes are perfect for groups/sharing
- Generous portions
- Cosy interiors
- Detailed website
- Regularly active on Instagram
- Takeout services
- Long opening hours
Cons
- Dishes lean towards the pricey end
- No delivery
- Long queues
Customer Reviews
The food was fresh, delicious, and creative
“One of the best dinners I have had in Toronto. Hands down. We ordered the tasting menu. The staff was super friendly, asked how hungry we are, then asked what we needed to have from the menu. We were all blown away. The food was fresh, delicious, and creative. The service was perfectly paced, friendly and helpful. We sat at the bar and the bartender was attentive to everything and answered questions we had. Cocktails where on another level. Fantastic. Definitely deserves its place in the top 100 [best restaurants in Canada]. You have to eat here!” —Jacob Celli, Google Reviews
The service was excellent
“Bar Isabel exceeded my expectations. Dined as a foursome and we were all impressed. The service was excellent but unobtrusive. Tapas was amazing, well prepared and so delicious. The highlight was the grilled octopus. The room is lively and the crowd is typically hip!” —Bruce C., OpenTable Reviews
5. La Paella
| MENU VARIETY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| QUALITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| VALUE | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ONLINE PRESENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Partners Gabriel and Angel originally started La Paella as a Spanish catering company in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) back in 2010.
Seven years later, they decided to open a storefront outlet in Leslieville, and since then, the restaurant has enjoyed a well-earned reputation as one of the city’s top Spanish eateries.
La Paella’s menu is packed with different raciónes or large plates. There are pork, beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetable options! The talk of the town is the calamares fritos a la madrilena (deep-fried calamari).
What entices us the most is the restaurant’s unique paella varieties.
We think you won’t want to miss out on the paella de conejo (rabbit, wild boar, and Spanish chorizo dish) and paella de mariscos (monkfish and mixed seafood dish). La Paella has been praised for its consistent use of fresh ingredients.
However, there aren’t many menu items besides raciónes and paella. Even if they are great for sharing, the dishes are expensive as well.
Also, the restaurant’s tight space may be a problem for big groups. However, you can count on the hospitability and politeness of La Paella’s personnel.
You’d also appreciate how organised the restaurant’s website is. On top of that, its social media presence is impressive—there are regular updates and interactions with customers via Facebook and Instagram.
La Paella has no delivery services. You may dine in at the restaurant from Monday to Saturday or avail takeout orders.
Pros
- Unique paella choices
- Dishes are great for groups/sharing
- Huge portions
- Hospitable and polite personnel
- Organized website
- Robust social media presence
- Takeout services
Cons
- Limited types of dishes; most are sharing plates
- Expensive
- Tight space
- No delivery
Customer Reviews
We will be taking friends and family back to this jewel
“My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at La Paella. It was a wonderful experience. The food was authentic, the ambiance [was] inviting, and the staff [were] very attentive and helpful. Daniel made sure that our experience was memorable. We will be taking friends and family back to this jewel!” —Marcelo Z., Google Reviews
The food was so authentic and carefully put together
“Amazing food. Great service. It is [such] an experience. [The food was] So authentic and carefully put together. Wow! Can’t wait to go back!!” —David Tronetti, Facebook Reviews
FAQs on Spanish Restaurants in Toronto
Were you not tempted to try Spanish cuisine after reading our review?
If you want to take another food adventure, check out our review of the best Italian restaurants in Toronto.
