Bar Raval in Toronto

505 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1A5, Canada

★★★★★
(2932 reviews)
Categories: Cocktail bar Tapas bar

About

Cocktail & Pintxo Bar

Website
thisisbarraval.com
Address
505 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1A5, Canada
Plus Code
MH4R+82 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Monday
1 PM–1 AM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
1 PM–1 AM
Saturday
1 PM–1 AM
Sunday
1 PM–1 AM

Services

Service options
Outdoor seating Kerbside pickup Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Great cocktails
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Food Food at bar Spirits Wine
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Upmarket
Crowd
Groups
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Parking
Paid street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed

Photos

Reviews

4.5
★★★★★
2932 reviews

Most Mentioned

tapas (348) octopus (62) gaudi (28) architecture (27) mackerel (23) pintxos (22) carved wood (15) spanish food (14) boquerones (12) fried eggplant (11)
5 stars
1967
4 stars
598
3 stars
203
2 stars
66
1 stars
98
★★★★★
December 19, 2024

Been here twice. Very positive experiences both times. Stand up tapas bar akin to those you’d find in Barcelona. A bit on the pricier end for sure so I’d reserve for slightly more special occasions. My favourites are the Hokkaido scallop dish, and the shrimp. But every option I’ve tried has been special. Service is good and waiters are knowledgeable and passionate. Very cool vibe if you don’t mind standing. Can be loud. Architecture is unique and appealing. Candle-lit moody vibe. Definitely deserving of the bib gourmand.

★★★★
November 3, 2024

The atmosphere of the bar is truly unique, with a distinct design that sets it apart. Although the place was packed, we found a table quickly. The first two staff members who greeted us weren’t very friendly, which made us feel a bit out of place. Thankfully, a third staff member arrived with a warm and friendly approach, allowing us to relax and enjoy our evening as planned. Service was prompt, and both the food and drinks were perfect!

★★★★
August 25, 2024

I loved the food. The waitress were all very nice too. We went for late lunch on a Saturday and there was no wait at all but I have heard that the place looks beautiful at night and it is usually very busy. I highly recommend the patas bravas, fried eggplant, octopus & sausage and of course the jamón serrano. We also ordered the tomato bread which was really good. The tables are big barrels and it is standing only, there are some high stools if you want to take them to our table to sit down. I think that the price is not bad (I spent a lot because I came for lunch and didn’t eat anything prior) for what you get since it is tapas, which are small bites. It is a nice spot for a date or for a casual night out with friends to get some drinks and small bites. Overall I would definitely come back again, maybe not for lunch since I had to order a lot to get full, but definitely at night for a drink and a few tapas.

★★★★
August 18, 2024

A cute and visually appealing bar on College St., not far from Kensington Market. Cocktail menu was superb, and the bartender went above and beyond to make me a great drink. The food was good as well, although I wish they had a bigger small plate/tapas menu. I felt the tapas/small plate menu was very limited. But the service was great, the drinks were good, the inside of the bar was stunning, and the small plates that they DID have on the menu was good (the tomato bread was SO GOOD!)

★★★★
August 11, 2024

rating this strictly on food. Came on a Saturday afternoon and their patio area was packed as expected. They do have some seating but have extensive standing room all alongside the restaurant interior and exterior. You simply find room where you can, but i can l definitely see it being very crowded at night. We elected for a sampling of their tapas. Everything was quite good but I would not recommend their party platter as the items were quite generic (cured meat slices, olives, cheese, chips). Highlights from the tapas were the jamon, mussels escabeche, and the raval hamburgesa. Also pictures are the mushrooms, chistorra sausage, and tomato bread. Would have liked to try their patatas bravas as this is usually a must for any Spanish restaurant I visit. Interior design is also beautiful.

★★★★★
July 29, 2024

Stopped in for a quick drink before dinner in the area. Heard lots of good things and I really enjoyed the Margarita! Love the interior, i feel like I should try some snacks next time to really get a feel for why people love it so much here

★★★★
July 27, 2024

Came after work and patio was busy, they had barrels set up with some stools but a majority of the place is standing room only. Definitely more of a casual grab a drink place instead of a dinner spot. Service was good, and the apps came out when they were ready. Waited a while for dessert but it was delicious when it arrived. Bar is beautiful and it’s definitely a cool place to admire the interior.

★★★★★
June 6, 2024

The service was so nice. I sat at the bar, the bartender was fancy and detailed oriented in steps to make cocktails. It was a humble and pleasant "show". My octopus dish was yummy, good amount of octopus. The inside was a bit dark for me during the day, just felt a bit off. During the night, it would be fun though I think.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2024

Cocktails were really well-made. Interior is obviously a highlight, very cool vibe. Got there early for pre-dinner drinks and was very easy to get a seat at the bar, but by the time we left there was little standing room. Gets busy

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2024

Overall I really enjoy the space and vibe (though another bar stool or 5 would be helpful during quieter times of the day), but would describe the food and drink as fine . It s quite a unique interior, which I love. I dropped in for lunch and had the octopus, kitchen bread and mezcal cocktail. The octopus was a bit overcooked/chewy and doesn t come with bread. The house bread (with anchovies) was nice and well priced. The cocktail was decent, but not with the price in my opinion. Cute neighborhood drop in, but I likely won t return for a simple lunch. Cocktails maybe.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 16, 2024

Vibey, Gaudi-inspired lounge for craft cocktails and tapas.

★★★★★
December 16, 2024

My fiance and I have been here a few times since we moved to Toronto and it s always 12/10. Our recent time, I had a bit of a health scare, and the team was so quick to react and so kind. They make you feel like you re at home! One of the best and most beautiful in the city

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 16, 2024

Awesome interior!

★★★
Local Guide
December 9, 2024

Drinks were quite good, but nothing incredible. They were rather pricey too.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 2, 2024

im giving it 4 stars for the eggplant coins

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 2, 2024

Drinks and tapas are on top!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 2, 2024

A hip lively bar with a beautiful cherry-wood paneling, tasty Spanish tapas (I loved the wild mushrooms), creative cocktails and cava make this a go to on College

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 25, 2024

Very cute vibe! Great service and drinks

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

One of my go-to bars in the city. Feels like you re in a Hobbit s home with the cool carved wooden interior. Drinks are pretty good, but what keeps me coming back are the bites offered at this establishment. The tapas style food is delicious. My favourite dish is their fried eggplant with honey, it s ridiculously good. If they have any tinned fish on the menu, don t sleep on that, get it. Overall, great place to bring friends or a date; I recommend it!

★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

I expected much more! Thanks for everyone working of course, however service is poor and lacking, you would expect this is a Toronto institution in Hospitality! This is a business of people, you need to take care of people when they come to you! Shrimps were wonderful!

★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

I was interested in this place because it received a Michelin Gourmand rating. The service is good, but the portion sizes don t match the prices, and the cocktails are mediocre.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

Just grabbed a drink but what a cool restraunt! So stunning inside. Cant wait to go back

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

Classy cozy, perfect atmosphere, beautiful drink menu, perfect servers too. Highly recommend

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

Good vibe and nice food. I like everything single dish, especially the cocktail.

★★★★★
November 23, 2024

Beautiful place, good service and delicious food, the stuffed mushrooms are bomb

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Superb wall but lacking a bit of light in my opinion The tapas are quality

★★★★★
October 23, 2024

We love all the cocktails we had! They were all amazing and tasty. We went to two bars that night, so we had 4 cocktails each in another bar but felt nothing (not even tipsy). In here, you can really feel the alcohol kicking on your brain. Love it

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Beautiful food, quality crafted cocktails, excellent service

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Came here just for drinks. They were quite tasty and the average steep price of a toronto cocktail. The atmosphere inside is so grand, love the wood and circular designs. Everyone who works here is so nice and attentive. It is largely a standing area so get here early if you want a seat.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Tasty, innovative cocktails. Great decor.

★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Bar Raval, located in the heart of Toronto, is a standout cocktail bar that offers an unforgettable blend of striking design, exquisite drinks, and a unique tapas-style menu. Stepping into the bar feels like entering a world of modernist Spanish charm, thanks to its stunning Gaudí-inspired woodwork. The undulating curves and intricate details create a warm, intimate atmosphere, making it as much an architectural marvel as it is a bar.

★★★★★
October 23, 2024

We always love this place.We come in and have a couple drinks (delicious cocktails - I like a Spanish Fizz) a few tapas and leave after about an hour or so. I see comments about people coming for parties and celebrations but I would say this is not the place to do that. This a great place to hang out with another friend or a few friends, have some drinks, a few bites to eat and then off to another spot. :-)

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Awesome decor, tasty drinks

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Really well done, cozy bar. Lovely tapas options and cocktails. adequately warmed outside area also.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Lovely place for afternoon drinks, saw several romantic meet ups going on with this intimate setting, enjoyed the vermouth tasting flight

★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Great bar, simple menu, but understaffed so things take time. Would go here again.

★★★★★
October 23, 2024

Great food, great cocktails, great ambience, even better people.

September 23, 2024

The food is not as advertised it s much smaller, and they ve removed the bread from the classic pintxo/tapa with mushrooms and shrimp, serving it on a plate instead, which doesn t make sense. The service was terrible; the staff was rude, pushed us to order, and made comments about our group. It was my birthday, and I had been looking forward to visiting this busy place, but when we finally went, the experience was really disappointing. The place is beautiful, but the food and service were a letdown.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Bar Raval has long been on my list of must-visit spots in Toronto, and I finally had the chance to experience it. The unique stand-up setting was a bit of a departure from the typical bar experience, but it added to the overall charm. Comfortable shoes are a must, as youll be standing for the duration of your visit. The cocktails were top-notch. I tried the New Cadillac, and it was absolutely delicious. The balance of flavors was perfect, and it was a refreshing and enjoyable drink. We also sampled a variety of tapas, and each dish was a hit. The stracciatela and boquerones, paired with the chichito peppers, were particularly memorable. The combination of creamy stracciatela, briny anchovies, and spicy peppers created a truly satisfying flavor profile. The atmosphere at Bar Raval is truly unique. Its a hidden gem that feels like a secret spot known only to the locals. The intimate setting and attentive service contribute to a memorable experience. If youre looking for a cocktail bar with a twist, Bar Raval is definitely worth checking out. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes!

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Loved this tiny place. Felt like I was in Barcelona! Food was amazing. Drinks were yummy! The pork was a wow! Becx the bartender was so beyond awesome. Thank you for our wonderful experience!!! Food

★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Maybe it just wasnt what we were looking for, but it was just...meh. there were not real tables, only high tops and no chairs. When we asked for stools (which I saw online before coming) they said they had none. Just not conducive to eating or staying for more than one drink. Food

★★★★★
September 23, 2024

Great food, great drinks, great vibe. Highly recommend.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Came for a birthday brunch. Excellent food, lovely service and great atmosphere. Bar raval is one of my favorite spots in Toronto! Vegetarian options: Wide selection of vegetarian options

★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

The staff was fine, not rude but not particularly attentive either. They didnt have a Spanish gin and tonic on the menu, which I found odd. The g&t they have is fine but very standard and not worth $18 IMO. The interior was very pretty, but there were about 4 bar stools for the whole inside, so I was left standing (and it was not busy at all). I ended up leaving without ordering food; perhaps Im being rigid, but I didnt want to spend that amount of money to eat my food standing like Im at a diner counter. Disappointed by the experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Super cute bar! The interior design is mesmerizing. The drinks are very good. Great place for cute dates. You can order food and they are very delicious.

★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

The Bar Raval is a nice place to hangout for a happy hour moment. It is a little far from downtown, but not too bad. There are only a few high sitting chairs, but most people have to stand. Arrive early because they do not accept reservations, so it is often crowded and without chairs for sitting. It is a little bit pricey, with downtown prices. Vegetarian options: Several options are available. Dietary restrictions: No specific details in the menu. Parking: You have to park a few blocks away. Taking the public transportation is easier. Kid-friendliness: No Wheelchair accessibility: Yes

September 23, 2024

Sat down, waited way to long before service which never came. They saw me waiting. Left because I did not feel welcome. Wouldnt recommend if your a solo traveller.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Such a cool place and great drinks

★★★★★
September 23, 2024

I came here for a couple drinks with some friends before a dinner reservation elsewhere, we had such a good time that we decided to come back after our meal! The bartender Elise is top notch, she went above and beyond to make us some incredible drinks and keep us entertained all at once. The bar itself is beautiful and were looking forward to coming back to try the food!

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Came for drinks. Cannot say anything about food. Bar - 5 Service - 5 Atmosphere - 5 Interrior - 5 Patio - 5

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Love Bar Raval, it s a great spot in the city for drinks and food. The service is wonderful, the atmosphere and vibes and immaculate and the drinks are amazing I would highly recommend their special cocktails they are absolutely delicious! I really like to location as well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

A good spot for some Spanish tapas and cocktails. Its a beautiful space with pretty decor. The only downside is mostly a standing place with a few chairs.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Great place great vibe great food!

★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Great atmosphere and food, but terrible customer service. 35-minute wait for a single cocktail, and we were asked to leave when we complained. Disappointing end to an otherwise enjoyable meal.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Amazing food and drink. A must try when in Toronto

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Great spritz and desserts! Super fun crowd

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Gorgeous.

★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Amazing service, nice drink selection, food was good. Nice vibe, outside patio is great.

★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

A beautiful bar! Stunning interior! Worth stopping in a for a quick drink and small plate!

★★★★★
August 23, 2024

I ordered the egg, Serrano and piquillo pepper sandwich with the cinnamon coffee and... oh my god, what a treat. The sandwich was delicious. I asked for scrambled eggs instead of fried, and they accommodated my request. The coffee as well was delicious. Great finding for breakfast.

★★★★
August 23, 2024

Bar Raval boasts exquisite craftsmanship across the board. The ambience transports you to a fairy dwelling in an enchanted forest, with hand carved wood finishes suffused by candlelight. The food arrives and hits all the right senses - casually classy plating and rich aromas are followed by punchy flavours that do not disappoint. The smoked mackerel in a rosemary-infused olive oil was a great starter; the octopus was wonderfully charred and bouncy; the steak perfectly cooked with a buttery celeriac purée reminiscent of Corn Pops; juicy shrimp drowned in a sauce that begs for extra bread. Portions are smaller but perfect for two to share. The drinks were good but not great - order the Sioux for a toasty coconut profile, or the Seraph for a stronger cocktail with a cinnamon-heart finish. If you want a strong limenade, the Porcelina will do. Come for the food and the vibe. Monday night was busy - weekends will be tight, considering there are no reservations, but a great vibe nonetheless. More restaurants should aspire to serve the quality you ll get at Bar Raval. 4.2/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Epic. Always is.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Really nice cocktails!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Amazing atmosphere. We tried several cocktails, all of which tasted great but had too much ice

★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

I ve wanted to try this place for years. Unfortunately I had very high expectations as a result. The place has a neat vibe to it. Drinks were fine. Food was okay. Surprised it is a Bib Gourmand rated Michelin. Okay place to grab a drink and some food, just don t have high expectations. They have very few stools so you will likely be standing up the whole time. They do this to be able to fit more people.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Great and funny staff. Very fast even during italy fest

July 23, 2024

i came to this place for years, loving the food, service, ambience and everything. However, last time i was there i had the WORST EXPERIENCE EVER. Im not sure if the guy server who had curly hair started new or something, but he was the most annoying person i had to deal with in a place. im not sure if he was racist or he just wanted to be annoying or something, but he ruined my whole experience i tried to have with friends that were visiting Toronto. never going back again, what a waste

★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

The food is not bad, but most definitely not worth what they charge. 5 CAD for half a slice of bread with tomato. It was good, but not 5 (+tax) good. 15+tax for 10 button mushrooms in garlic is just wrong.

★★★
July 23, 2024

I think they should change the dj place ! For making cool atmosphere! The dj so detached from the audience! They have really good view of cn tower! The dj spot should be there !!

★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Food was only okay, really not worth the price for flavour and portion. Drinks were good though! Also great atmosphere and service.

★★★★
July 23, 2024

Ordered multiple Tapas, all of which were delicious! Service was fast and courteous with amazing communication from the staff about the timing of the food and drinks. The patio spot we were in was slightly crowded and loud. Otherwise outside of Europe one of the best and fresh Tapas experiences!

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

The place had a great vibe with just the right lighting and cool décor that made it perfect for hanging out and having some drinks. The service was great, friendly, and prompt.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Octopus & chorizo is really good

★★★
July 23, 2024

Maybe we didn t order well, but found both the food and drinks underwhelming while still being quite expensive.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

could use a few more stools but if you must sit, sit elsewhere at your loss.

July 23, 2024

Came here Saturday night and was disgusted by such horrendous service by a supposed Michelin restaurant. Overall vibe, incredibly pretentious workers, and they rely on the interior design to do all the work for them - which by the way is NOT real wood. We weren t greeted or seated for 15 minutes! Finally, we were at our table and the waitress asks to take our order but we weren t even given menus? She gave our menus with such attitude as if we were inconveniencing her. We ordered two cocktails and an app to start, but she took away both menus without asking - we were planning to order as we ate since this is a TAPAS restaurant. We look over at the table next to us, who had menus and water. When we read other bad reviews, we came across several others mentioning racist wait staff, and racial profiling. Definitely would not be surprised if that s what happened. Wait staff needs to be more humble as customers pay THEIR bills. I tipped 4 dollars, should have tipped nothing. Their bib gourmand award needs to be revoked.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

great tapas, loved the tomato bread and mackerel.

July 23, 2024

My friends and I were here yesterday to celebrate our friends engagement over some drinks. The environment and our host were great and friendly. Things were going well until one of the servers came by and rudely and condescendingly said, This whole place is made of wood, and you guys almost burned the place down, she said, rolling her eyes as she tried to place our food on the table. The experience quickly turned awkward and uncomfortable, as we were all taken aback by her rude behavior. I hope this was a one off instance. Only posting this review because no customer should be treated like that.

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

Always love coming here. A simple yet elegant Spanish tapas bar. Great drinks, bites and atmosphere.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Love the mahogany wood! Such a unique place to drink a delicious cocktail!

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

Showed at around 9 pm and was told an hour wait however it ended up being g closer to 15 minutes. Delicious and innovative cocktails. Had a few tapas that were also yummy. Service was outstanding, especially for how busy it seemed. Standing room only but they did a good job of placing everyone in their own spot.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Awesome drink selection!

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Great tapas & cocktails! Must try the mushroom dish. Atmosphere and service is great! Very long wait though so arrive early for dinner. Worth the wait. UPDATE: May 20, 2024: I recently revisited Bar Raval and, as with previous visits, it didn t disappoint. The cocktails continue to be spot-on, perfectly balancing taste profiles. The tapas remain amazing, though I ve noticed the portions have become smaller over the years. For instance, the conservas used to be served in the original tin, but now theyre plated, and it s clear only half the tin is used. Despite this, Bar Raval has introduced a happy hour special with Cava for only $5, which is a great deal. The service remains top-notch, with attentive and friendly staff. Even after all these years, I would highly recommend Bar Raval. It continues to be a standout spot, maintaining its high standards and offering a delightful dining experience.

★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Came with my friend who was visiting from out of town. It s one of her fav bars and for good reason. A Spanish tapas bar, it has the interior design that s very Gaudí whimsical! I didn t try any of the tapas but I really enjoyed the cocktail I got. I love the standing table/bar, it s very cozy and fun! Feels like you could have a mixer there

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

If Gaudi had a bar in Toronto that would be it ! Great cocktails and tapas. We got the under the bridge and the croquettas !

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

Cocktails were some of the best my partner and I have ever had! Snacks were tasty too and a nice pairing to the drinks. The bartender John greeted us at the door and made our night. Great experience all around!

★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Great vibe.

★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

The restaurant is okay but very expensive for what is offered.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

As a Spanish, I can fully recomend this beautiful wooden bar with amazingly prepared Spanish food and great drinks! They must have a great chef! Vegetarian options: Berenjenas buenisimas y patatas bravas.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

This place is a gem. Porcelina wasnt on the menu last time I went and that was a disappointment Service

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Perfect Sangria, Perfect music by a phenomenal DJ for a great Friday night out!

★★★★★
May 23, 2024

Good atmosphere if you are looking for authors cocktails, but definitely get ready to stand for a long time. Good taste. In drinks the portions are small. There are parking lots around.

May 23, 2024

Horrible service. Staff were rude upon arrival and made a scene that felt like it was a regular occurrence to be hostile to guests. We ended up leaving and going next door only to be told that they have a reputation for treating customers like an inconvenience. If I owned this establishment I d be sending in people to observe how rude their staff are. It s a shame when staff take over and act like the own the place.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Bar Raval, located above DaiLo on College Street, is smaller than it appears in pictures but maintains a vibrant vibe. It was quiet when we visited, yet the atmosphere remained lively. The drinks are delicious and priced reasonably. The service is excellent, with staff providing insightful recommendations and clear descriptions of each drink. Overall, Bar Raval is a great choice for a drink in the area.

★★★★★
May 23, 2024

Stunning interiors perfect for intimate dates. Theres no seats so if you plan to stay longer youre gonna get tired but the food and drinks were incredibly delicious and soo worth the price. My date and I shared the mushrooms, octopus, bread, and dessert which were all very rich, buttery, and fresh.

★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

cool place for a drink

★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Food & drinks are always exceptional, great little patio space, ALWAYS busy, cool interior design and architecture, super clean. However, without a doubt, no matter what, every time I have ever been, they ve missed ONE dish I ve ordered. I like to order about 4 or so items (depending on my party size, of course) and I always get all but one dish Consistency is key I guess? Haha. Otherwise, super delicious and fantastic! Would recommend to anyone. Vegetarian options: Definitely some solid vegetarian options for sure! Even more options if you re pescatarian! Parking: In a busy spot along College St., I d definitely recommend walking or transit! Right along TTC line, the College streetcar is very easy to catch and stops just down the street from this spot! Kid-friendliness: Definitely no kids menu and not a ton of space for strollers, etc. definitely no high chairs! Mostly standing room. Don t bring your kids here, it s a tapas bar for adults :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

A fabulous place for tapas and great wine. Can t wait to come back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

I love this place is so beautiful inside and the tapas are really good!! Also the atencion is nice, and they have a cheesecake from other worl! Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Fantastic cocktails!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

This place never gets old - Food and beverages are always bang on and the vibe is perfect, too!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Cant judge food. Drinks are tasty. One reason to visit here is for the beautiful woodwork/interior. For people who enjoy nice woodwork, this is definitely a place you should stop by. Besides the interior, the music choice is good too, so you surely gonna spend a good time here! Service

Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Giving one star only because its a standing room bar, theres just a couple of chairs in the entire establishment. I dont know how desperate I need to be for a drink or a meal to do that to myself! Why??

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Mindblowing small plates. Stuff you would probably crave and come back for. Everything was a home run. The burrata-ish cheese on toast might be the best thing ever, as simple as it is.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

I rarely write reviews so tourists don t find out about my favorite spots but this time I am the tourist so absolutely have to recommend this place. Such good food, chill atmosphere and excellent cocktails. Bit of a gem this bar !

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Amazing atmosphere and food selection. Drinks were ok.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Great cocktails and really cool decor!

Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Its so upsetting to have to give only 1 star. Food was good. Wine service was good. Unfortunately though a friend of our party was unjustly cut for no reason. She had drank less than everyone else at the table and was essentially racial profiled. Such a disappointing ending after a great start.

April 23, 2024

Most racist experience I have seen in Toronto during my entire life living there. Recommend to avoid if you don t want the waitresses to ruin your day and single you out for being a minority. Unacceptable behaviour.

★★★★★
April 23, 2024

The wait to get in is worth it !!! The food is excellent, definitely get the fried eggplant.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

The Sioux City Disco and Maria Teresa were decent cocktails. The Smoke Show was nice and smokey. Had the shrimp which were good but I dislike having to deshell them. The patatas bravas were crisp but could have used more sauce. Gorgeous decor, good music, low key vibe.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Bar Raval is a vibrant restaurant bar on College Street designed by the architectural firm Partisans. The design is a modern interpretation of Spanish Art Nouveau, while paying homage to the pintxo, the traditional tapas bars from northern Spain. Carefully cut from sculpted mahogany wood, the space was inspired by Gaudi s biomimicry. The sinuous forms within Raval encourage mingling, keeping in the same spirit as Spain s jovial pintxos. The nearly all day Raval is open from 11am until 1am, but my favorite time to visit is before sunset to witness the transition from a naturally lit art piece to a more dramatic look after dark. Bar Raval s tapas game is strong, with delectable sharing plates like manchego, Catalan sobrassada, and marinated octopus. For drinks, bartender Elise Hanson has got you covered. The talented Elise, who recently won Bombay s Most Imaginative Bartender, made me Raval s iconic Bishop s Garibaldi with Campari, fluffy orange juice, cinnamon, guajillo and pasilla pepper and nutmeg as well as her favorite (and mine too): White port and house tonic, perhaps the perfect low ABV concoction.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Good bravas, star dam cane, and a very good afterwork atmosphere.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Usually full, they have Estrella Damm on tap in case you are nostalgic for Spain but there is not much else. The service can be good or average. The decoration is designed to be like Casa Batllo and it is pleasant.

★★★★★
March 23, 2024

Pan con tomate is incredible

★★★★★
March 23, 2024

If you want to pretend you re in Spain for a minute, this is the place to go.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Gorgeous little place with sweeping, sculptural wooden walls. Seating is only by the bar and the window, otherwise youre standing at barrels, which is uncomfortable. Service was hard to come by. Wine and cocktails were good but not much in the way of food.

★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Drinks are overpriced, and the place is a lot smaller than it looks.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Drinks, food, service 10/10. I have a soft spot for this place and lovee that theres a waitlist which allows you to easily book yourself a spot at this standing only bar and tapas place. Definitely see the Barcelona vibes in the interior. Always a great spot for quick bites and drinks. The ambience is also awesome. Food wise I would recommend getting the steak. Its a small tapas size but its one of the best steaks Ive ever had. Perfection. Drinks wise, go with the servers recs based on your palette and preference. Cocktails are amazing.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

I went with a friend to celebrate Womens Day and the attention is spectacular, a pleasant atmosphere, excellent food and service. Would go again . Recommended

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would. The food is great. Easy to share and tastes right up there with the more expensive restaurant in the city but without the pomp or hassle. Id say the service was exceptional only because there I cant think of a better word. Some of our food was taking a bit long and the server brought us some champagne to apologize. The food was out less than 5 mins later. The staff are very knowledgeable and super easy to talk to. You walk away feeling like you made a friend who knows the best things to order. Its a very beautiful space and as standing room only is great for socializing with a friend group or meeting some new people. Ive never been to Spain but if the atmosphere and hospitality is anything like it is here, Ill be moving it up on my travel list. 100% a must visit. I had The Vivian and can highly recommend the party platter. Add in some of the shareable tapas like grilled octo, potatoes bravas and steak and you have yourself a tasty, entertaining evening.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Went here for my partner s bday on a really nice spring day, they had the patio open and the nice breeze coming in. This place is gorg, drinks were awesome, and the food was great! The servers were also really nice and friendly. Made our night spectacular will be coming back for sure Dietary restrictions: They are accommodating of dietary restrictions

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Amazing cocktails and tapas. Would go again for the vibes. Not a lot of room, even at 6 pm on a Saturday. However it was St Pattys. Be ready to stand!

★★★★
March 23, 2024

Ive lived in Spain for many years and can tell you that Bar Raval is more of a concept restaurant than an actual Tapas bar. Spanish Tapas bars serve great food/drink and relatively low prices. Also there are alot of kids and families in most Tapas because we go there in the evening to social with friends and family.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Spot on service

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

The experience, location and ambience were all great. The food was also enjoyable, with good service. We had octopus, sausage and basque cheesecake. The octopus was the best, thinly sliced and made for a fantastic starter. The sausage was too salty and left a bit to be desired in the flavour, and the basque cheesecake was more eggy and gelatinous than I m used to. Overall though, it was a great time and I d come back to try more of the seafood and drinks.

★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Blogto really duped us all into thinking this place is passable. The party platter (the large size) caused depression

Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Well we were flagged as cut off without any proper transparent reason as we were told we wouldnt be served anymore. Isnt it better to tell in advance something like you can have only max X drinks at our place? That would be more transparent and better for planning which means you can plan your office party here and guarantees of transparency.

★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Pretty good but not amazing. Really enjoyed the mussels, shrimp & mushrooms, and octopus. Although, its disappointing that bread is an extra 5 dollars and is not included with some tapas by default. Also, the Jamon is insanely priced for the portion. Service was on point and the drinks were great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Usually I am very upset that on this continent nobody know how to cook realy tasty something from european dishes. But in this bar they cook a Basque cheesecake like in Spain. Its incredible, just it should be. It was as if I had flown to my native European continent. Thank you sooo much!

★★★★★
February 23, 2024

My go to place.!! I love their interior and food so much. Good to chat with friends in brunch night time is so busy sometimes its hard to grab table but must try this place not too expensive and not too heavy food. I love their deep fried eggplant and shisito

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Really beautiful bar, there s this wooden wall decor that wraps around the whole place making it look like the inside of a magical tree house. I went on a Monday night so it wasn t busy, sat at the bar and had a lovely time chatting with the bartender. The drinks and food were both very tasty and I would definitely go again. I would recommend the SLC punch and grilled octopus.

★★★
February 23, 2024

Not my first time at Bar Raval, but over the years it s been a staple for lovely ambiance. Unfortunately the service has always proved to feel inconvenienced and cold. Food was fine, but lacked flavour, and all the dishes we had were under seasoned and a bit cold. Of course, great dining is influenced by a beautiful atmosphere and I feel the space itself does a nice job distracting you from some underwhelming attributes.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

What a great place with great servers! Drinks are hand crafted and atmosphere was charged with good vibes. Would return again. 100$ for 4 drinks including tip.

★★★★★
February 23, 2024

We had one drink here and it was amazing! Recommend anyone to come here at least once! We will be back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Tapas, drinks, service all top notch. Place has character. Servers very attentive. Favorite way to eat. Sharing small plates. A must go to destination.

★★★★★
February 23, 2024

Great tapas, great drinks, great service all in a cozy unpretentious setting. Highly recommended.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

This is one of my favourite spot to go for lunch. Fantastic tapas, excellent cocktails and amazing service. Very cool design too. My only complaint is that the stools could be more comfortable. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

The place looks bigger in the pictures posted online. I had two different cocktails and they were pretty good. Tomato bread was delicious. I also like the atmosphere. People who work here like what they are doing for sure.

★★★★★
February 23, 2024

We had an amazing date here. The interior is so beautiful & cozy. The drinks were phenomenal. The staff was amazing. Especially Dennis & EJ.

★★★★★
February 23, 2024

Always the best food and drinks. Service is great.

★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

If Gaudi became a Leafs fan and wanted a home away from home, this would be it. Catalan Modernism meets cute cocktail bar. The drink menu will quench your thirst. This is more of a tapas/sharing plates type place but I left feeling satisfied as the portions are nice. The only reason I m giving it 4* is because there are hardly any seats. Most of the area is standing only and I m lazy and like to rest my feet.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Great dark ambience and amazing drinks. Found another good spot in Toronto

★★★★
January 23, 2024

Amazing razor clams Tasty hot toddy No seats Drafty cold Food : 4/5 |