222 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1V6, Canada
Established in November 2012 and tucked away on Richmond Street between Simcoe and Duncan, JaBistro is warm and intimate, set off by an elegant and chic design of light wood panels and exposed brick. Respecting the ingredients and its natural flavours, JaBistro offers a sophisticated approach to traditional Japanese fine dining. The modern Japanese bistro mixes classic with contemporary by sourcing the finest, freshest fish from coastal waters around the world, and creating edible works of art designed to surprise and elevate any night out. Aside from impeccable sushi, JaBistro’s bold and diverse menu also features a selection of hot and cold specialty dishes.
JaBistro exceeded our expectations with its beautiful, modern, minimalist decor, thoughtfully designed menu, and stunning presentation. From the moment we arrived, the hostess and wait staff were friendly, attentive, and incredibly helpful. The real star, of course, was the sushi. We started with two pieces of Hotate (scallops) that were perfectly fresh and one of favourite bites. Then came three maki rolls: Atlantic Salmon, Scallops, and the signature JaBistroll (a tssty combo of salmon, snow crab, scallop, cucumber, and tobiko). The unique touch was the torched finish, enhancing the flavours with a slight smokiness that paired perfectly with the premium ingredients. This was a memorable meal, and I can’t wait to return! Highly recommended for anyone seeking top-tier sushi in a refined setting.
JaBistro is probably one of the best sushi place I’ve been too in Toronto that’s worth the money! Everything we ordered was super fresh and tasty, everything I ate I was shocked every time of how good it tasted! The sashimi literally melts in your mouth, the tuna and salmon was very memorable to me. Our server was also super friendly, she gave us great recommendations and she was super nice and accommodating. The vibe at this restaurant is super nice and I totally recommend checking this place out if you’re looking for a nice sushi place to dine in at! Our table was at the chef’s counter so it was also an experience watching them make the sushi, had an amazing time I will definitely be back!
Highly recommend this quaint restaurant, the food is top tier and so is the service. It’s on the expensive side but every bite was a work of art and expertise. We got the omakase set menu ( very well priced if compared to al a carte). We also got “Aburicious” which was a mind blowing selection of torched flavoured sushi.
Celebrated my graduation here and they took great care of us! Even wrote congratulations! The food was exactly how I wanted it to be. It was delicious fresh fish and the portion sizes were good too!
My experience at Jabistro, one of Toronto’s renowned Japanese restaurants, was highly satisfying. The modern interior and sophisticated ambiance stood out, with the cozy lighting and elegant table settings making a strong impression. We ordered the Omakase and Aburicious. My daughter, who had never enjoyed sushi or sashimi before, discovered the deep flavors of Japanese cuisine here for the first time. The sashimi and sushi were fresh and delicious, with the fish having an incredibly tender texture. Although we didn't have a reservation and walked in, sitting at the bar turned out to be a great opportunity to visually enjoy the chef’s meticulous preparation. Overall, the course meal was excellent, though the portion size felt a bit small for a full meal.
Went here for the first time the other day as an alternative to Miku. We got the omakase which was really good but for the price point of the meal, I expected to be blown away. Our server was not able to read the table cues and kept interrupting mid conversation / and we were feeling rushed with each plate. I would go here again if it was organized by someone else but I wouldn’t make a reservation here myself
As a first-time customer at JaBistro, I must say the experience exceeded my expectations in several ways. Located in the heart of Toronto, it's in a convenient spot, easily accessible and perfect for a night out in the city. For our meal, we chose the omakase dinner prix fixe, which came to $125 per head. The omakase allowed us to fully experience the chef's expertise, and the dishes were a true reflection of the care and precision JaBistro puts into their food. The sushi and sashimi were incredibly fresh, with the lobster miso soup standing out as a highlight. The richness of the broth combined with the sweetness of the lobster created an unforgettable flavor profile. The panna cotta for dessert was another must-try, offering the perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess to end the meal on a high note. The drinks menu also offered a great selection. I enjoyed one of their craft cocktails, which had a nice balance of flavors and complemented the meal well. There were also various sakes and wines to choose from, catering to different tastes. In terms of ambiance, JaBistro strikes a perfect balance between chic and cozy. The modern design, soft lighting, and calm atmosphere make it an ideal place for both intimate dinners and group gatherings. It feels upscale, but not pretentious, which I appreciated. The service was another big plus. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, and they were knowledgeable about the menu, offering thoughtful recommendations. The attention to detail in both food and service really elevated the experience. Price-wise, JaBistro is on the higher end, but you’re definitely getting what you pay for in terms of quality and experience. While it’s not an everyday dining option for most, it’s perfect for a special occasion or when you want to treat yourself to something extraordinary. Overall, JaBistro offers a premium dining experience with top-notch food, drinks, and service in a stylish downtown setting. If you're planning a visit, I highly recommend trying the lobster miso soup and panna cotta—they’re absolute standouts on the menu.
Amazing. Randomly found this place and was so lucky. You need to get the salmon sushi and the shrimp pressed sushi. It was topped with a basil pesto and was phenomenal. So good we ordered another one.
The food was great. We had their set menu and it was a lot of food. Their lobster soup was okay, nothing special so I wouldnt recommend ordering it. Their fish was delicious and the service was great. Definitely a great place to check out if you like upper scale sushi restaurants.
Food was excellent! The torched sushi were some of the best. Ingredients are fresh and service was attentive as well. Would recommend!
Hidden gem
I got the maguro don and my wife got the pmakase don, with a lobster miso soup to share. Absolutely fantastic, the presentation was wonderful, this place should have a Michelin if it doesnt already.
Review enjoy the salmon sushi roll. They even prepared the happy birthday dessert
Best sushi I had. Recommend the omakase cause everything I had in it was amazing
Very fresh and delicious sushi. Good service and vibes were cozy.
Simply excellent
The experience exceeded my expectations! Highly recommend!
The best sushi lol
good food good service
I was on a low or no carb diet. The sashimi platter came to my rescue with two bowls of lobster soup. Both are highly recommended.
I never thought Id come all the way to Canada to try omakase, but its pretty good here. Koreans can imagine a casual omakase that costs about 100,000 won per person for dinner. One of the signature cocktails here is called Japanese Garden, and it is a cocktail with the flavors of yuzu, plum, and cucumber mixed very well. This cocktail really feels like walking through a garden. We highly recommend eating it during a meal as it provides a calming, soothing aroma of the unique ocean of seafood. I went without making a reservation. I wanted to eat Japanese food on a weekend night, so I wandered around and found it by chance. I sat at the bar table and ate. Both English and Japanese are available.
A nice restaurant for lunch. The portions in Omakase are great! They were accommodating of preferences and replacing fish. Overall a solid place to eat. It s a notable experience for lunch omakase. However there are more luxurious places in the city for Omakase if you are looking for a luxury experience.
It was very delicious sushi. Its just as good as the one you get in Japan, in fact, it might be even more delicious. . . Thats how satisfied I am. I hope this will continue in the future, so I think there is some room for improvement in the hardness and taste of the rice, the soy sauce is too sweet for Kanto people, and the desserts, brown sugar syrup and panna cotta, were also excellent, but the quantity was... I thought half would be fine. This was my second time and I was very satisfied both times. The service is also decent.
I placed an UberEats order for 3 items. What I got was the appetizer item. Missing was 2 of the entree item. Called them and they never answer their phone. Ruin our dinner plans, as we had to make last minute plans to get dinner from elsewhere. Added another hour.
Excellent, excellent find! Elegant, bright and upscale ambiance. Loved sitting at the sushi bar and watching the chefs at work. Great quality fish, and the flavor is in that quality. Bite sizes are perfect and they don t overdo the spices/sauces.
Was there for omakase lunch. Most of the items are good but not impressive
Incredible sushi! We did the omakase and it was so worth it! My fiancé has a shrimp allergy which they accommodated for! The lobster miso was great! I enjoyed the salad too! The nigiri and sashimi were incredible. Our favorite cuts- medium fatty tuna, the SCALLOPS!!!! and sea bream. Yuzu sake was also delicious, along with the yuzu mojito! Very clean and we were able to get reservations the day of on Opentable. Great waitress, she was very knowledgeable about the menu and subbed great replacements for the shrimp dishes. Only minus was the dessert. We try to avoid dairy and both dessert had dairy. Would recommend adding a dairy free option. Brava!
We got the lobster miso, salmon oshi, and the cod. The salmon oshi was Smokey! Really interesting place.
One of my favorite sushi spots in Toronto.
Great place for torched or Aburi. The lobster miso was really good!
First time in an omakase. The service was great and I did eat the best sushi of my life. Me and my brother did have an excellent experience. Thank you Sophie and all JaBistro staff for this experience.
JaBistro is an upscale sushi restaurant that offers a fine dining experience! We re so glad to have discovered this restaurant after a long walk ! What we ve tried : EBI OSHIZUSHI pressed tiger shrimp sushi -$19 WAGYU OSHIZUSHI pressed wagyu beef sushi -$26 JABISTROLL salmon, snow crab, scallop, cucumber & tobiko - $24 SALMON OSHIZUSHI pressed atlantic salmon sushi- $19 I particularly loved the EBI OSHIZUSHI 222 Richmond St W Loved the service! The chef personally thanked us for coming! What an awesome service !
This restaurant is amazing - the food, service, and atmosphere were all on point. We had the omakase tasting menu was delicious and every course was better than the last. I look forward to coming back again when I m next in Toronto. Dietary restrictions: They were able to accommodate my brother-in-law s issues with seafood and my issues with dairy as part of the omakase.
Im very disappointed! Ive dined at this restaurant multiple times before, but tonights experience was the worst thus far. I was excited to introduce this restaurant to my friend, who has never tried an Omakase style meal before. Ive requested a seat at the sushi bar, hoping to give her the full experience dining at an Omakase restaurant. Everything goes downhill from here. I was extremely disappointed that the quality of the food and service has diminished over the years, considering the prices being charged. They still did well on the presentation, but nothing was felt fresh or prepared to order. We were simply handed plate after plate from the sashimi to nirgiri, even the hand roll was just plated along with the torch sushi. Everything was pre-made and taken out of the fridge to serve. Sashimi pre-cut, torch sushi repressed and lightly torched before serving, nigiri pre-made and delivered. Nothing was up to the standard this establishment once held. The sashimi was acceptable they did try to use a nicer quality fish, but thats not hard to find in Toronto with so many new competiting restaurants. Thr sushi was last luster, but the worst was their uni. This uni did not smell or taste fresh AT ALL. Ive had uni many times at a bunch of different places, but there was definitely something off about this one. My friend, who never had uni before, nearly gagged at what we were served. On paper, this menu sounds like a sophisticated dining experience. However, what we experienced tonight was far from it. I would NEVER recommend this Omakse experience to anyone again. Save your money. There are so many better places than what we had tonight. Truly disappointing.
Had a lovely time at JaBistro! Service was fantastic! Attentive and knowledgeable wait staff. Great sake selection, highly recommend the Niwano Uguisu, smooth, easy to drink and on the sweet side. Food was good, the salad and the Kama(Hamachi) was excellent! Everything else meets the bar for a restaurant of this calibre. The braised scallops could use a bit more acidity and salt, also was a bit well done. The Wagyu was also not the best quality.
Delicious and high quality sushi and sashimi.
On the pricy side but very good quality fish. Very nice atmosphere too. I had the toro don and we shared some rolls. Everything was great.
Came back after 4 years! Still my favourite Japanese restaurant in Toronto!!! The sashimi , nigiri and Kama accentuate taste while preserving the ingredients original flavour, one of the finest quality dining. Keep it up! Food
Incredible food, the lobster miso soup, is a must-have. And the sushi is so fresh it tastes amazing.
Had a lovely server named Lorraine! What a gem, so thoughtful and a great conversationalist - didn t take too much time to chat just enough to feel like we mattered
I came in on my birthday as a last minute booking which I was excited about from great things I ve heard about this place although I booked in for 9:30 pm and unfortunately was caught in traffic I called them to let them know and ask if it was okay immediately they double checked said it was fine and that I d be there at 10:45 pm. I was 2 mins past 10:45 due to parking and immediately was called then hit with attitude in regards to it which I did understand at first since they close at 10:30 pm and do last calls but the energy was intimidating. I arrived with my friend & the staff just looked very annoyed we were there to begin with as last customers. There was a couple checking out as we came in which us the only ones there. Now I feel it the couple never left or it there were others around that treatment wouldn t of been more so present but me and my friend took in it s because it just us & they wanted to leave work. Anyways throughout the meal they kept making it apparent they were annoyed & closing, started closing duties right away, kept looking over at our table walking by, we felt very rushed and we were already rushing because we felt bad to begin with. I never experienced this at restaurants near closing at all. It s one thing to begin closing duties but another when your making it very obvious and making us feel guilty that we are there even though we are paying & you ve accepted the booking. So we definitely rushed our meal really fast, they brought over a birthday dish but as soon after 3 mins past from when it was given we got the closing warning again we we had to eat the ice cream fast. I just feel it their energy wasn t so obvious it wouldn t of left us feeling unwanted & guilty. They even turned on a loud fan afterwards that has to be on overnight I assume when we were mid eating it was all just signs from them to let us know to just hurry up completely or let s make them uncomfortable enough to hurry up I guess. First impressions are important and I know perhaps on other days the girls are kind but I just wish it didn t go that way. Anyways the food was great overall and the place is beautiful.
First time. Ordered takeout for the assortment of oshizushi (aburicious). Rice was well seasoned and the fish just melted in my mouth quite nicely. Was surprised at the creamy and delicate taste of the pesto mayo on the ebi (shrimp). The jabistroll was a fun mix of texture and taste. I didn t care much for the wagyu. What was noticeable about the salmon was the extra piece they add inside the rice as well! Made it worthwhile. These are the kind of pieces you do NOT need (or want) soya sauce. If you really want to appreciate the flavours, you eat it as is! Next time I m in Toronto, I want to try dine-in!
Great comedy experience
Fantastic omakase experience. Recommend sitting bar side to see the excellent chefs work first hand
I recently went back to JaBistro after my first experience and it was just as amazing as I remembered. I got the omakase tasting for dinner and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity which is not common in Toronto for omakase.
This place is brilliant! Best omakase I ve ever had! We ordered the Dinner tasting menu, and it did not disappoint. Every course was extremely fresh and super delicious! Food
Came in for lunch on Sunday and were the first people in the restaurant. Service was swift and attentive; the kitchen was very understanding of allergies and were able to modify dishes to accomodate them. Tried the Yuzu Sunrise (cocktail) as a drink; the flavours were incredibly well balanced and delicious. The sashimi platter tasted great and our server walked us through every protein. Our aburi sushi was some of the best I have ever had. Just a great experience overall. Dietary restrictions: Able to accomodate both allergies and dietary restrictions. If a dish cannot be modified they will substitute portions of it so you are still receiving your moneys worth.
Great place and quality produce. Ideal date night in the middle of downtown.
Excellent sushi and cocktails 5/5 stars
Paid Over $180 2×sushi dinner , undercooked rice, fish bone was in sushi. Not worthy anymore..
Delicious sushi, expertly crafted.
But I ordered takeout before closing time. When I got home, I looked at my phone and canceled it at 11:00pm. If I didn t take the order, I d have told you earlier. It s a rubbish store.
Very good Japanese restaurant, quality sushi, great sake puffs. We were well advised.
Cozy Japanese sushi restaurant with beautiful and clean decor. Offering simple menu on both à la carte and omakase style. Opening bar watching chefs skillfully cut and the ingredients are fresh. Personal preference that would be nice to have the sashimi to larger pieces in size. Overall, friendly service and charming chef. Prices are fair for downtown area.
This is a place I frequent because the sushi is so delicious! Its a bit pricey, but absolutely worth it for the quality you get.
Portions are extremely small, not worth the price. Overrated!
The tasting menu was amazing. Every dish was delightful. Definitely the best sushi I have ever had. Highly recommend!!
Favourite sushi place. Chiaki was our server and she was so helpful and also paired an amazing sake to go with dinner :)
Everything is pre sliced it seems and my sashimi slices and Don were very small in thickness and size. Probably 1/4 of what a normal size sashimi slice should be. I think Japanese people would be extremely disappointed. Also they have a marketing PR person responding to these reviews as if they will actually change. Disappointing and greedy for profits
We have gone there so many times. The food is excellent, Service is great but 1 BIG NEGATIVE EVERY time. The front of the house. The first thing they tell you right when you enter the restaurant is that you can only have your table for 2 hours. We actually need it for less because we have a show to go to, but being told that before you even sit down is annoying and rude. Its maybe the tone of their voice. It truly annoys me everytime. Its just RUDE!
Finally decided to give this restaurant a try after many years of passing by and wondering if it was worth the hype. I reserved seats at the sushi counter so we could get a view of the chefs, but I was disappointed to find that the fish is pre-sliced and kept chilled until it is time to plate and serve. Although everything was beautifully presented and the quality of the fish was quite fresh and melt-in-your-mouth, there was not much innovation with the menu that I wouldnt find at any other izakaya considering the value. Great service otherwise!
Absolutely
The last time I was in Toronto was over 20 yrs ago and I came to go to Medieval Times (!!) and also ate at some very mediocre, strange restaurant that rotated high above the city. Weird, vague memories. But also that was during my weird, vague marriage This time I was on a 4 day road trip driving a big loop from Central Vermont out to Niagara Falls, NY over to Toronto and then to Montreal and finally back down to Vermont because I had tickets to Jon Batiste in concert in both Toronto and Montreal on back-to-back nights. So I did my research and created a Yelp collection of potential restaurants for dinner in Toronto. If you re new to this channel let me tell you that sushi/Japanese cuisine is my JAM and so that s what I looked for in Toronto. I chose JaBistro because the vibe looked like my thing (I mainly dine alone, so I like to sit at the bar) and they opened at 5, which would give me a few hours before 8pm show time. I hate to be rushed when I m eating out. My plan is to enjoy my time and my meal and my sake. Actual Omakase does not seem to have really reached Canada. But JaBistro has an Omaskase menu which is basically table service Omakase: it s not piece by piece, it s served in sets because apparently there is no interaction with the sushi chefs here?? And by here I mean Canada, because I had the same experience in Montreal. I greatly dislike the social stratification being enforced in these restaurants by not allowing the guests to interact with the chefs. By this I mean that the chef has the waitperson my dish and then that person serves me. Even though I am sitting there, directly in front of the chef. This is not correct service. This is silly, Old World / European classism. It didn t occur to me to make a reservation to sit at the counter at 5pm on a Tuesday. Which I think is a result of the fact that I forgot Toronto is like a legit big city?? Whoops. They were able to seat me and I ordered a lovely bottle of Sake (good Sake selection). I ordered the dinner Omakase and was able to request a substitute for the wagyu beef (I don t eat beef, pork or poultry). The Lobster Miso was INCREDIBLY GOOD!! They substituted salmon for the Wagyu carpaccio and it was OUT OF THIS WORLD. An amazing dish. Sashimi and sushi pieces were good. Pressed rolls were weird? Meh. I pushed the boundaries and ordered two more things: Bistro Salad (one of the best salads I ve ever had - truly excellent); and the Agedashi. O.M.G. That huge bowl of Agedashi was one of the best things I ve ever eaten in my life. (They even gave me extra broth when I asked.) I d consider driving back to Toronto just to eat that again. WOW. Next time I d actually skip the Omakase because the menu items were so spectacular and I was officially, uncomfortably full by the end NO REGRETS!
We visited for lunch and opted for the omakase, which, overall, I greatly enjoyed. The service was outstanding, and the fish served was notably fresh. However, the lobster miso soup left something to be desired, being somewhat mediocre. Both the sashimi and sushi were satisfactory, but some of the pressed sushi pieces were excessively salty. Despite these minor critiques, the experience as a whole was positive.
One of my favorite sushi spots in Toronto. The lobster miso soup is the best miso I ve ever had. The blowtorching of some of the nigiri is a nice touch. Also great value given the quality. Highly recommend JaBistro.
Came by for a pretty quick lunch. Wasn t really impressed by the meal. Sushi wasn t that great/didnt taste very fresh. Dessert was also mediocre.
I ve had some of the best sushi and sashimi at this restaurant by far. Great service, atmosphere, and both food and drinks. It s a high quality dining experience that justifies the price tag. The restaurant is long and narrow but doesn t feel crowded. The decor is fairly minimal and I find the focus is more on the dining experience. Our server was very attentive and engaging throughout our stay while not being overbearing. She was very knowledgeable about the food and was approachable if you want to ask what s the best sauce to put on which sushi, or how to eat something, etc. to get the best out of your experience. I had the fixed price menu. The lobster miso soup was the first course. It was a flavourful broth. I did notice that my friend had a sizeable chunk of lobster in their soup whereas mine didn t. It would have been nice to have actual lobster meat in mine too, but I just got the broth. The next course was a wagyu carpaccio. The arugula was fresh and crisp. The cheese went really well with the beef. We had a sashimi assortment next, which was excellent. Every item was fresh and tasted great. I m not sure what they did to prepare the shrimp, but it was delicious and was my favourite out of the plate. The sushi also tasted fresh and each one was delicious. I m not typically a sushi person, but each bite made you want to pause and appreciate the different flavours and textures you were getting. It was actually a bit of an emotional experience to get that kind of quality. The dessert course was a panna cotta which was perfect. The caramel sauce had a deep, rich flavour. The panna cotta itself was in my opinion the perfect texture and consistency. I had three cocktails throughout the dinner and they all had a way of managing great flavours without being too much. I don t like sweet drinks and their drinks get to a point that just reaches close to that bar but are able to tie it to other strong flavours like fresh citrus in order to even it out. All in all, a great experience and very easy to recommend if you re looking for a more upscale restaurant that serves great food and don t mind splurging for it.
I went to Ja Bistro and let me just say, the sushi was so good that I was soy impressed! The ambiance was sashimi-ly delightful and the service was top-notch. I cant wait to roll back for more delicious bites! Its definitely a raw-lling good time.
Absolutely amazing sushi, sashimi and service.
Lunch course is super super good
lunch pre fixe was great. lovely presentation. good sushi and cold sake, what more do you need?
Delicious sushi! Good value for money. I got the lunch prix fixe which came with lobster miso soup, wagyu+uni+7pcs sashimi, 5pcs nigiri, and 5pcs aburi. Also, a panna Cotta which had a delicious sweet yet nutty and creamy flavour. (However the sauce on it was much too sweet). Torched Saba/mackerel was my favorite. Jabistroll had a very nice texture too.
I have been a loyal customer of JA Bistro for years, and I can confidently say that it is one of the best Japanese restaurants in town. Every time I dine here, I am always left satisfied and impressed by the quality of the food and service. My absolute favorite dishes at JA Bistro are the aburi salmon and aburi shrimp sushi. The way they perfectly torch and sear the fish just elevates the flavors to a whole new level. The freshness of the ingredients is always evident, and the presentation is always impeccable. The staff at JA Bistro are always welcoming and attentive, making sure that every dining experience is a memorable one. They are knowledgeable about the menu and are always happy to make recommendations based on your preferences. If you are a fan of aburi sushi, I can confidently say that JA Bistro makes the best ones. The flavours are outstanding, and the texture is just perfect. I highly recommend trying them out if you havent already. Overall, JA Bistro is a gem of a restaurant that never disappoints. Whether you are a regular like me or a first-time visitor, you are sure to have a fantastic dining experience. I will continue to dine at JA Bistro for years to come and look forward to enjoying more of their delicious offerings.
Heard two friends recommending this place but they all came before COVID, I have to say now the food here is awful!!! The sashimi is icy, they didn t give enough time to soften. The texture of wagyu foie gras tastes like cheap beef, not like wagyu. The seafood roll (jabistro roll) was just like those sushi to go that you can find at a train station. The fish cheek was sooooo salty, just like the lobster miso soup. I honestly never had such salty Japanese food before, even if it s fusion, it should be like this!!!! In sum, this place is NOT worth the price at all!!!!
Made a reservation for a Friday night dinner. Started off with the wagyu carpaccio, which was unique and flavourful. Highlight for us was the oshizushi - we tried the salmon, wagyu and scallop (all delicious but I would definitely recommend the salmon). Sashimi was ok - tasted fresh but wasnt particularly memorable. 4-stars given the price point.
This Japanese restaurant is very nice with its service, and I think the excellent service just reflects the price. We really like this restaurant, but the only weak point in our opinion is the price .
This is a place to have a quality conversation. Over one of the most affordable Omakase offerings in the city. Omakase, Google it, I was born a few blocks from here and am not Japanese - but the set course meal, chosen by the chef and artfully plated over the course of the evening is perfect for; - a real business meeting - a human conversation with a friend - a romantic meal, quality time This is a highly sensory food experience, not garish grocery store maki rolls with cream cheese in them. Again if you compare their creative offerings, Aburi torched sushi, exquisite sashimi, the lobster miso - it s an experience and is competitively priced. The location is near the Osgoode subway, around the corner from the Four Seasons Arts Center, the Scotiabank Cinema and there is good paid parking nearby. A secret spot for business lunches due to its unassuming exterior. The service and atmosphere are as advanced as the food. If you respect real sashimi, if you re looking for an Omakase spot, give it a shot. Parking: This is a one way street so you can t park out front , but there are paid safe secure parking lots nearby way better than street parking.
I always love coming to Jabistro. The menu is changed often and feels fresh, the fish is beautifully prepared with just the right amount of wasabi and soy sauce, the cocktails are refreshing and not too sweet.
Had a great date night here! Food was amazing and service was really attentive!
The Best Sushi and Sashimi with amazing Cocktails in town. A must try Japanese Restaurant in Toronto for sure!
Very pleasant experience, excellent food!
The service was amazing, with the waiters being kind and quick. The food came quick and was delicious. Highly recommend.
Went here for lunch and it was an amazing experience. We got the Winter Prix Fixe. Every piece of sushi was explained to us and how would be best to eat. Was my first time at a higher end sushi establishment and it was great!
Jabistro has a lovely atmosphere and great service but the food was underwhelming. The rice to fish ratio for the nigiri was very slight on fish and the quality of the fish was not what I expected for the price.
Goooood food!
Panna Cotta was incredible as well as everything else. Only atmosphere issue was other patrons missing the ability of personal volume control otherwise it would have been 5 across the board Food
Delicious!!!!! Freshest fish! Come here and be ready to drop $$.
lobster furai was way too greasy, slow service, not worth the price.
Amazing food and service. You definitely won t be disappointed!
The prix fix is the best way to sample the unique menu that JaBistro has to offer. I was glad to see the lobster miso soup still on the menu though the signature spot lobster claw has suffered the economic impacts of recent years and has been reduced to a knuckle. The sashimi plate is a lovely selection of top cuts and buttery textures, which has similarly seen reductions, while staying true to their perspective. The aburi sushi and makimono set are exquisitely presented, and continue to be the star of the menu. The panacotta with fruit and maple syrup was lovely and so kind of the staff to go out of their way to prepare a special birthday presentation for me, with fine tweezer work in placing all the edible flowers and extra fruit. These are days where we are all feeling the financial pinch, and it is very well appreciated how this special restaurant is staying true to its vision and clientele.
Amazing Sushi, incredible quality and extremely delicious. The Ebi Oshizushi hands down is the best thing I ve ever tasted. Food
LOVE the Agadashi!!
Love the aburicious set and they also have really good fatty tuna.
Sashimi was amazing!
If you are looking for a upscale sushi dinner, this is the place to go! The environment and service is great! The food is delicious and you are surrounded but beautiful art and cozy vibes. There is some parking across the st on Richmond so it was not too hard to find a spot. Anything Wagyu at this restaurant was so good and I highly recommend getting the Tori Nanban which was filling and very tasty!
This is very authentic and very high quality sushi. We visited it along with a Japanese friend who confirmed that the sushi lives up to the standards of sushi you d find in Japan. The sashimi was fresh. Three of us spent 300 dollars but it was definitely worth it.
If you are in doubt about Sushi, start here. Absolutely fantastic food and service.
Great food and service. Love their seared maki.
Our reservation is at 5pm, when we arrived there at 5:10, the door is still locked and we waited in the cold wind. Also, they never picked their phone up. Horrible.
We came for dinner and tried the fixed menu which included lobster miso soup, premium sashimi selection, egg custard, premium nigiri selection, and panna cotta for dessert. As a whole it was very average and underwhelming. However, it was the sashimi in particular that was subpar. It was served extremely cold to the point where we couldnt even taste the fish. It tasted like coldness dipped in soy sauce. Personally was not a fan of the egg custard. It was served with uni and roe which only intensified the fishiness. Perhaps there is a crowd that this appeals to, but for me it was a hard pass. The positive points were that the service was pleasant and the atmosphere was nice. The panna cotta was also a strong point for the evening as the consistency was done quite exceptionally well. Would have given the restaurant 3 stars if the price wasnt so up there in comparison to the quality of the food received.
Premium price for premium Sushi. If you are trying to save money , order the pressed salmon/tuna only. Can greatly reduce the price while still being satisfied. Food : 5/5
Food was great and the service was also fine I tried Lobster platter and my wife ate Sushi, we have tried both of the locations the downtown one and the yonge and sheppard. But sadly after second visit i am dam sure that this place is not hygienic since the floors were sticky and i saw some cockroaches on the floors. Guys just get it delivered to home since the restaurants are not getting clean so often and thats why the lights are so dim so that we cant see the real face of the cleaning.
Absolutely fantastic food and service!!
This is very authentic and very high quality sushi!!
All I can say is wow. What an amazing meal. Very unassuming exterior, but a nice ambience inside and the food is spectacular.
This is my 5th time here and normally service and food is great but had a really bad experience this time and will not return. Food: Food was good but I found what appears to be fish scale or bone in ABURICIOUS. The menu shows it should be 8 pieces but I was served only 7 pieces. Nama was great. Service: I got my sushi (Nama)and I had to ask for chopsticks and I was overcharged by $8 for some reason. My bad for not checking the receipt on the spot. Make sure to check your receipt.
This is authentic and amazing quality sushi. Sashimi and sushi were delicious.
I REALLY enjoyed the dinner I had here. The food was delicious and I loved their upstairs patio. Our fave dishes were the: salmon sushi, fried chicken, and cod. Only constructive criticism is that the cod is in desperate need for a charred lemon half as garnish or something. We made due by using our lemon from the fried chicken dish and made it 10x more delicious
Used to come here on a biweekly basis pre-pandemic. The food is good, but the quality for dishes such as their sashimi platters no longer matches the high price tag they re currently charging. However, I still enjoy getting the Kyukyoku and lobster miso soup! Tried their chawamushi too and it wasn t bad.
Very consistent quality over the years, one of my go-to restaurant
There are better options in town. For me, the interior temperature was way to warm to enjoy sushi. It was melting down as soon as it was served and we all shared that it was too warm to enjoy the sushi. Only thing we liked about Jabistro were the service and environment. Not a fan of this place at all.
Ok presentation not worth the hype .. nice interior but normal food. Ordered two soups, small sashimi platter, two nirigi (2 pieces each) and two rolls almost $200 but the quality is similar to the fast Japanese food you can order from Ubereats lol.
The sashimi was very fresh, the pressed sushi was amazing, and the staff was friendly and we had great service!
Warm and cozy atmosphere. They restaurant doesn t have too many seating. Tried the $88 prix fixe lunch and it was delicious! The panna cotta dessert really fills you up.
Excellent Japanese food. Hosts were phenomenal. Would definitely recommend.
My daughter celebrated me and my husband s birthday here. Tremendous Japanese food and awesome service! Like this place
Jabistro used to be our absolute favorite dining spot. The way they artfully present their raw fish and dishes is truly delightful, and their service always makes us feel warmly welcomed.
Everything fresh it s a must to try!
We had a phenomenal omakase at JaBistro! Every course was beautifully presented and so well thought out as to have every individual item shine, while still managing to make each flavour compliment one another so perfectly. The freshness of the fish was honestly amazing especially the salmon and tuna. The fattiest tuna had a melty texture to it that instantly had me hooked. Both cocktails we ordered were also great, and the desserts were really delicious as well! I don t have a single thing to say about the experience that isn t overwhelmingly positive. For the price point, I absolutely feel like the omakase here was well worth the money. I m so glad we tried it, and I d happily do it again in the future!
Wow! Delicious food & super service!
The best Japanese restaurant in Toronto. The premium sashimi platter is an absolute must, the freshest seasonal fish ever! Great service with fantastic vibes!
If you re going for two: lobster miso for each person, a Kyukyoku to share, and then each get an Aburicious per person. Although I will say I wish they d swap back the ebi for the wagyu. The wagyu is just too thin then cooked to enjoy and doesn t taste as special. If more people are dining with you, the Lobster Platter is awesome and comes with the miso soup. If you re not dining and doing takeout, the maguro don, sanshoku don, or salmon don are all stellar. We just love Jabistro. There s been a rise of Aburi spots but Jabistro is OG!
Disappointed with the way our evening turned out. We tried to have dinner here on Saturday night. Made a reservation and knew we were going to be late. Called and had to leave a vm as they requested. When we arrived the host told us they d given away our table and that their phone system wasn t working so they didn t get our vm. I d definitely recommend a different place if you want good sushi in case you are late for your reservation as there is no way to reach them and they will give your table away. Based on my experience with the host, I m sure this feedback will be ignored, but I wanted to warn others. I ve been to this restaurant many times previously, and enjoyed to food, but this experience has totally turned me off the place.
On the pricey end but quality of sashimi is above GTA average
Holy moly good food! Fresh fish, friendly people, fire cocktails! Went on a Monday a bit quite but all together 8.9/10
Wow
Very good food.
Bummed about the patio not being open today, even though they sent an email about it :-/ and is pretty much the reason we came. Service was absolutely amazing. So attentive and really pleasant. Food was top notch. Hadn t been back in a while but I am impressed. Will be back soon, if the damn patio will be open.
We got the dinner prix fixe (the 7 course extended option) and it was AMAZING. Everything was so fresh and perfectly seasoned. There was nothing we didn t like. Even the panna cotta dessert was out of this world delicious (so refreshing with those berries). I feel like JaBistro is such a hidden gem, I use to casually pass by all the time. Now it s definitely our favourite sushi spot. Great experience, great atmosphere, great service
Amazing food, amazing atmosphere. The oshi sushi is to die for, every single one of them. I know they put in soy sauce in every piece but I dont want to feel bad for asking for more soy sauce, especially if Im forking out money out of my own pocket for It !
Been going here for a couple of years now. The standard of the food has been consistent as well as service. We got the summerlicious deal which was $88 per person. It was very filling. Their aburi sushi is still delicious (best is their salmon IMO) Their Wagyu was ok, I personally dont really like it in sushi but it was still good. Their Gandara ( miso black cod) is delicious and I would say a must try. Definitely one of the best sushi spots in downtown Toronto.
Absolutely delicious from the cocktails to the starters to the desserts. I wish I lived closer to come here all the time!
Excellent food quality, especially with sashimi. All of the dishes weve had were very tasty, service was great, cocktails and desserts were awesome as well! My favorites were; lobster furai, Jabistroll, hotate carpaccio, sashimi, black cod and panna cotta. Will definitely visit again! Food
Very nice experience. At the bar like in Japan. The room a little sad, cocktails average. Expensive but ok given the quality. I recommend the Japanese-style breaded chicken tartare and the classic black cod
Excellent ! The dishes are of incredible quality and texture. One of the best Japanese restaurants in Toronto.
Been coming here for years. The food and service is ALWAYS consistent. A staple within the City for sushi.
Chefs choice sushi were sooooo good. Not good to share though, since you only get a piece of each. Had to get a 2nd plate lol. Jabistroll is really good value. You get a bit of everything. Ended up spending ~115 per person, I think it is pretty worth.
I brought my parents here for my moms birthday. The food was excellent and the portions were good. It s always busy here but the service is stellar.
Had a birthday here and was totally worth it! Food was absolutely amazing! As a fellow chef I can recognize true care in their food and the environment was quite nice! I highly recommend trying at least once!
Excellent aburi oshi. Loved the shrimp and salmon one. Highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good torched sushi.
We went to celebrate our anniversary. The food and service was amazing.
After looking at the photos and reviews I was looking forward to trying this restaurant out. However, I found the quality of food to be disappointing. The Aburi sushi all tastes the same and it s pre-made so it wasn t fresh.
The decor is so zen and sophisticated. Food was amazing and melted in your mouth. Would definitely go again
I went her with my wife to celebrate a friend s birthday on a Saturday night. We were promptly greeting by a staff member who opened the door for us. We were serviced very quickly and led to our table. Our server was courteous and very knowledgeable about the food, which was delightful and affordable. The men s washroom were well-stocked and clean. We hope to come here again soon!
Their sushi is top-notch! You pay what you get. $$$
Excellent service, very friendly and welcoming. Sushi was out of this world. Never had this style but so fresh and tasty.
JaBistro is your hipster sushi & its not for everyone. I sampled the Aburicious which a roll had 4 of their popular sushi. 2 piece ebi, Wagyu, salmon and Janbistroll. The Ebi tastes like rice with a tablespoon of pesto and Parm. Wagyu was a thin slice of seared beef on rice. The Salmon had the texture of canned salmon with a mayo like sauce. The Janbistroll was delicious, lots of fish eggs and very briney, The rice was overcooked tonight, too mushy. Upscale, loud and modern contemporary atmosphere. Service can be slow on a busy night. Great date spot. I cant comment on the overall taste as I didnt try any of their traditional sushi. But if youre really into pressed sushi, deep fusion flavors, this place is for you.
I came in at 11:15pm. The whole environment was tidy. The paper menu feels like newly printed. I ordered 3 dishes and the first one got on the table really fast. All of them were delicious. The server was warm and kind. I m pretty sure the servers come from Japan. It feels like real Japanese food and restaurant! I ve had steamed egg in Japan. It s was amazing that they tasted the same. As soon as I finished a dish, she came immediately to take the plate away and brought me the next one. I enjoyed the food and service very much! The pictures are steamed egg, miso cod and a dessert. I don t quite remember the names now.
Rude customer service
The Aburi was phenomenal, the restaurant was very calming and aesthetically pleasing. Loved everything! The hot sake paired really well with their sushi and the staff was very well versed in explaining everything on their menu.
Been coming here for many years. Good food and service.
Best ,fresh food, friendly service
Comfortable experience, food was quite amazing too!
The aburi is really really nice. The jabistroll is a bit disappointing though. It is good objectively but maybe just not my type, gives me star sushi vibe. I also like the cod, very creamy and delicious.
Everything is perfect
Overall good experience press sushi was done well rice was not to vinegary sushi was good we also got fried goodies in a broth very light and broth very clear and sweet soak tofu was delicious
It s an amazing culinary Japanese experience !!!
Great Japanese food.
One of the most incredible meals Ive had. The fish was so fresh and literally melted in your mouth! Pricey, but so worth it. Highly recommend their wagyu carpacio & Aburis. Food
Recently dined at JaBistro in Toronto, and it was an exquisite experience. The ambiance was both stylish and inviting, perfectly embodying the essence of upscale dining. As for the food, it was a visual and culinary delight. The sushi pieces, adorned with delicate garnishes, not only looked impeccable but tasted just as incredible. The flavors were authentic and rich, making each bite a memorable one. The presentation of the dishes, especially with the vibrant colors of the sushi, was picture-perfect. Additionally, the cocktails complemented the meal, both in taste and aesthetics. Highly recommend JaBistro for anyone seeking a genuine Japanese dining experience in Toronto!
Overall: 9.3/10 The sushi is remarkably fresh and it tastes quite distinct from what you might find at a typical sushi place. You need to try the nigiri. The aburi and other dishes are good as well. JaBistro has been my favorite restaurant in Toronto for some time, although I have started to re-evaluate that. My first visit to JaBistro a few years ago was magical. For some more recent visits, it was just good. At this price point, it is for special occasions and Id really hope that every piece is mind-blowing. There is a nice vibe that is on the quieter side, and fitting for the cuisine. Visits: 4
Ruined all other sushi experiences for me.
Always a winner. Incredible quality fish.
Still one of my favourite sushi places to go. The lobster nigiri was so fresh along with all the other platters we love to order.
Their salmon sushi is so good, definitely the best I ve eaten in Toronto. The lobster miso is also pretty nice. The sashimi is pricy. Update: I ve gone back multiple times and the quality is always amazing. Recommend the salmon oshi
We went there for lunch and ordered the Prix Fixe. It s a five course menu. The lobster miso soup is good but not much lobster taste in it. The sashimi and sushi is perfect. The scallops are very sweet and tuna is melting in mouth. Everything is fresh. The wagyu and uni can be better. The atmosphere is great. The server introduced every dishes to us and is very friendly. Overall experience is great and I ll definitely come back again.
Just go; you won t regret it! Tommy, our host, was really the best and made our Anniversary experience amazing. The food is very good, the vibe and ambiance is calming and makes for a pleasurable dining experience. I would suggest trying the Aburicious if you like aburi sushi.
Go.
Awesome sushi, great service very welcoming. I highly recommend
Visited JaBistro on a Thursday night, had reservations so we were seated right away. Aesthetics were really nice, staff were really friendly and service was amazing. I ordered the vegetarian agedashi, which was delicious! Had the basque cheesecake for dessert which was great. Price is $$-$$$. Highly recommended checking this place out!
The food and service here was great. Food was delicious that I had to force myself to stop ordering. Definitely will come back.
I have dined here three times now and each time it has been amazing. By far my children and my favourite sushi restaurant. We typically get the sashimi platter with an assortment of other items. Last time we ordered the aburi sushi for the first time and it was excellent. The fish is always fresh and prepared beautifully. The hosts and servers friendly and helpful. The price is what I would expect for the quality.
The food was delicious! The service was excellent and the team was very attentive. We ordered the following: - Chef s Choice - Jabistroll - Hotate Oshizushi - Hamachi and Kampachi temaki (from the a la carte We will be back!
One of my favourite sushi joints in GTA. Servers are always attentive, sashimi is fresh and they have a wide selection of sake. I especially love the uni, jabistro roll and pressed salmon roll
Amazing food & great service
Service definitely stood out. Never had I been offered to take my coat away at the door. Had mostly torched sushi and grilled black cod. Salmon and cod were good, but wagyu was slightly chewy...
- excellent japanese sashimi - the rice was just sticky enough and excellent tasting - great salmon rice - great waygu; wasnt my favorite since the taste was so strong - excellent miso Staff were courteous. Venue is clean. Lots of seating.