88 Ossington Ave Unit 2, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z4, Canada
meze, natural wine + cocktails
One of my favourite restaurants in the city! The food is always amazing and the seasonal menus change just enough to keep things fresh while still keeping the classics you want to come back for again and again. The cocktail and wine lists are great and the service is always excellent.
We had nice Saturday blunch at Bar Koukla. Foods were delicious and satisfying. Pancakes and syrup are surprisingly not so sweet, which I liked. Servers are attentive and friendly. I hope there are more lunch options to choose from but it’s a place to enjoy alcohols so I understand. 🐟Koulouri Troufa (Cold smoked trout, feta dip+) 🐏Patates Arnaki (Lamb shoulder, poteto,feta+) 🥞Baklava Pancakes 🍸Spiced flappe 🍍Fresh pineapple juice
Recommend the Spanakopita Benedict on the brunch menu. Baklava pancakes were well plated but dry. Great service and cute atmosphere.
3.5. Did not love our experience at Bar Koukla. Nothing was explicitly bad, but overall it wasn’t great. The server was so kind and fun but it took forever to order drinks and to get our bills- she kept leaving and coming back when we were paying and it was really tedious to keep asking her to come back- especially because the restaraunt was basically empty that evening. I will say she was very attentive about certain details and took allergies very seriously which was comforting. The food was good, not great. Nothing was bad, but truly nothing stood out and the portions were really small! Much prefer Mamakas (its sister restaraunt) across the street. Our drinks were good and the menu sounded promising, but again very small portions and nothing outstanding. The atmosphere is okay- really nice lighting but open concept kitchen so you leave smelling like food. Also all the windows were open which is lovely but it was a very hot night so we were all sweating. They could use some fans on nights like that.
Came for lunch on the weekend not knowing they only offered brunch. The food we got was good, but the service was not. I liked that the lamb burger didn't have the aroma of lamb that I typically dislike. The baklava pancakes were fine. Interesting but not amazing.
What an AMAZING find! The food, service and European vibe, we were totally taken by delightful surprise :) Sarah, our server, was charming, knowledgeable and helpful when we were navigating our way thru the tapas style menu. Btw the lamb ribs were off the chart amazing. I never had lamb prepared like that before. Hopefully the pics do the food justice cuz it was sure d e l i c i o u s !
I recently visited Koukla Bar and was quite disappointed. If you're hungry, I wouldn't recommend going there. The menu is very limited, offering only three types of kebabs and a few appetizers. We couldn't find anything appealing, so we ended up just having a few cocktails and then went to a restaurant across the street. The open kitchen means the restaurant is filled with food smells, and the tiny tables make the space feel cramped. You can feel people walking behind you constantly. This place is only good for a quick drink before heading to a proper restaurant to eat. Additionally, they limit your time to 1 hour and 45 minutes, which is actually enough because there’s hardly anything to order. I don’t understand the high ratings. The pictures looked great online, but the dinner menu is quite different from the brunch menu, which has more variety. So, if you're looking for a satisfying meal or a relaxed evening, Koukla Bar isn't the place. It's more of a fast-food, fast-dinner experience that feels rushed and limited.
We had an amazing dinner at Koukla restaurant in Toronto! The plates are perfect for sharing and offer a delicious Greek-style experience. The patio ambiance is fantastic, making for a wonderful dining atmosphere. Don't miss out on the desserts—they're absolutely delicious! Highly recommend!
The food and service here was spectacular. Comfortable surroundings and nice vibe, Hip area of Toronto with great people watching available. Parking: Plenty of parking underground across Queen St. at CAMH. Sunday all day was $7.
Amazing food cute restaurant. The lamb ribs are great so are the potatoes
Nice cozy place for a drink or a quick bite to eat. Had nice service from a server named Sonia. Recommend this place and will be back when in the neighborhood.
A cozy spot with plenty of seating on a busy Sunday early evening. My mezcal margarita was $20 but delicious! They serve tapas portions so you don t get much bank for your buck but that s predicted in this neighborhood. Food
Amazing cocktails!
I am absolutely in love with this place! I ve never been to a restaurant like this before. The food is incredible I tried the calamari, and they were perfectly cooked, fresh, and full of flavor. The drinks were equally amazing. I had the pineapple mimosa, which was refreshing and delightful. We also tried other drinks, and each one was unique and delicious. The customer service here is truly on another level. The staff are unbelievably friendly and attentive. They checked on us regularly, refilled our water every 15 minutes, and made sure we were comfortable and didn t need anything else. Even the bartender who made our drinks came over to check on us, which was such a thoughtful touch. The ambiance is fantastic. The place is beautifully designed, with a gorgeous aesthetic and an amazing vibe. I cannot recommend this place enough 10000% worth a visit! I recently visited again after a year, and it was just as amazing as the first time. Our server, Christina, was an absolute delight she made our evening so enjoyable with her incredible service. The drinks were fantastic, and we loved everything we ordered. My friend, who hadn t had a margarita in forever and is super picky about them, absolutely loved theirs. This is hands down my absolute favorite bar, and I can t wait to come back again!
Dani took such good care of our group! I have food allergies and she brought me an annotated menu to accommodate my allergies. 10/10 for taste and drinks. Would recommend to anyone
Past 2 times they have been adding stuff on my bill that I didnt order. Make sure you watch your bill.
small portion, mid flavor, pushy service. Pretty standard for Ossington
The restaurant itself was great. The atmosphere was great. The food delicious. My only complaint is cause my friend and I went during lunch time we had brunch but there wasnt much of a selection to protein. The only choices were lamb. I dont eat lamb. They could of had a 2nd choice like a chicken. Everything they offered was lamb or vegetarian. I was forced to eat an egg dish which was delicious but it was not what I wanted to eat. It was my first time at this restaurant, I was hoping for the grilled squid cause I thought that they would serve lunch but found out they only serve brunch, also their portions are little too small. Other than this I recommend this restaurant. Ill be going back to try that squid.
Always a 10/10 experience. Brunch is amazing, but it is also a great spot for cocktails.
Great first. The food was delicious. Great customer service. Enjoyed the atmosphere. My only suggestion is if they can add an optional meat option. My company wished their was more than just Lamb, as a meat option. We will be back to check out the dinner.
The lamb ribs & cucumber salad were fantastic!
Food quality is excellent, and it is a cool space. Dietary restrictions: Celiac Food : 5/5 |
We sat outside and wanted to order drinks/ coffee. The waitress was very impolite and said that we have to leave, unless we want to order a food too. Moreover, she said if you want to have a coffee, you can go to Pilot
10/10 Get the cucumber salad - it will blow your mind
The good - Melitzana, Kalamari, Swordfish, cocktails, Lamb ribs (taste). The bad - Tonos: tuna is very dry and overwhelmingly sour, lacking palate balance. Patates: very average, lacking quality in all aspects. Lamb ribs (portion size as its mostly bones). 3.5/5. Good but not great. Half of our order was mediocre, the other half was delicious. $200 plus tips for 2 would be fine for an exceptional night, but not for this. Small changes will take them there.
The food was really good!! It s very good smaller portions for sharing. My favourite dishes were the sesame bread with honey butter and the cucumber salad Food
I visited here a few weeks ago with a friend and had a great time! We sat on the patio and enjoyed the atmosphere. The serving sizes are small and it s a bit pricey but the food was so delicious! I would certainly go back!
yummers!
Lamb ribs. Lamb ribs. Lamb ribs. Lamb ribs. Lamb ribs. So delicious and our server Sarah was great too!
We recently had dinner at Bar Koukla and our experience was a bit mixed. The food was great but was limited and over priced. The options are fair but we didn t see anything that can fill us up unless we spend more $$. The service was ok, no one also checked up on us. The place wasnt that packed either. Either way, we ll like rather try other options in ossington before coming back. Parking: There s green p street parking near by.
Always love going there. Probably one of the best bars in Toronto. It s really exquisite and I d recommend you getting a reservation way in advance. The wine is delicious and even though I m not a huge fan of oysters they do have some great deals throughout the week. 10/10!!!
One of my favourite spots in the neighbourhood! Can t go wrong with anything on the menu. I highly recommend the ceviche and marinated octopus. Espresso martini was tasty.
SOOOO good! Honey butter.. lamb chops delicious. One of my favorite eats.
Greek & Crete inspired restaurant. A cuisine revisited with great finesse with seasonings that are always just right. which dishes are quite above ground and lunar on the menu (raspberry tuna, hazelnut raisin scallop ceviche or cucumber mint and melon salad). A very pleasant experience. the service is very good and attentive. Afterwards THE subject of this restaurant is the price. The quantities are really at tapas level and no dish has any garnish. a dish of lamb kebabs for 24 CAD with 2 small pieces of skewer. We ordered 3 10 dishes knowing that 2 of the 3 people are very small eaters. No problem in itself, you just have to be warned about the price. It seems difficult to me to come and eat (not snack) here for less than 80-90 CAD (tax and service included) per person excluding drinks. Once weve said that, the rest is honestly excellent in a super nice neighborhood where you can take a walk before the meal or go for a last drink afterwards.
Great food, good wine, fantastic cocktails. Tamica was an amazingly personal and friendly server, made us feel like friends and didn t treat us like we were dumb for not knowing about wine and such.
The food was good however, there are not many options for people who are gluten-free. I had the olives, lamb kabob, the tuna sashimi, and the potatoes. All were okay. The service could have been a little better as the waitress we had did not see knowledgable on what was gluten-free. Drink was nice. Overall a very nice restaurant with a great atmosphere and nice plates and wines. Would recommend for people who don t have a gluten-free allergy to try out!
Really delicious brunch spot with foods you don t usually find at typical places. The truffle scrambled egg on sesame bread was delicious, though it could have used more salt. There was a perfect amount of truffle flavour that the sesame complimented perfectly. The bread was surprisingly a donut shape, but it was actually the perfect amount of bread to go with the eggs. The lamb sausage dish was also a hit with roasted peppers and tomatoes. The sauce reminded me of a shakshuka with tomato and pepper tastes. The peach panna cotta was my favourite of them all. They used real peaches and the tartness of the greek yogurt balanced the sweetness nicely. Overall a really nice place, dishes are on the small side but it s a good amount for brunch. We saw many people not even finish their dishes anyway. Will be back to try the other food soon.
To expensive for food that they serving, but atmosphere and design is amazing. It s like little piece of Europe that I m missing so much.
Went with some girlfriends and sat on the patio. Place was very busy. They have greek inspired small plates. For the most part I enjoyed the food. I would say, avoid the shrimp. 2 pcs/order served shell on. It was way overcooked and not worth the effort to eat. The feta with pomegranate and the lamb ribs were standout dishes for me. Service was okay considering how busy it was. Half price bottles of wine 5:30-7:30.
Went to early dinner and the tasting menu. I cannot get enough of that honey butter. Half price bottles before 7pm. Great good and friendly staff. Loved it.
Tamica was the best server! She recommended the lamb ribs, which were the most scrumptious ribs ever. And the koulouri!!!!! Omg. Thanks tamicaaaaaa!
Their brunch selection was absolutely delicious. Id definitely recommend their baklava pancake. Its a good thing to get for the table to share.
Toronto in a nutshell. 240 bucks for some potatoes, some odd meat like swordfish, and a 2 hr wait.
Tried to join my friend and was going to buy drinks for myself but was instead screamed at by the waitress to leave the restaurant. There was no need for the commotion and disruption to other diners. This could have been resolved in many more professional ways. They acted like they found Remy the rat and were trying to exterminate me. The food is not worth the price and I definitely don t recommend this place to anyone unless you re looking for an unsolicited Karen s diner type of experience. Will not be coming back as there are many better/tasteful spots in the area.
Extremely small portion size. Food itself is not bad, but not worth the price. The lamb kebab was way too salty. Cocktails are around $20.
Really good small plate Greek inspired food
Its a great service. Itll be the hottest in Dongne.
Such a cozy, sexy fun date place! Our server was amazing. Wish I got his name. Tall young man with shortish black (dark brown?!) hair and a few tattoos. He had a busy section and was also taking care of us at the bar but was absolutely fantastic (the whole staff was actually) Everything was great, especially the scallop ceviche! Their house margarita is a creative take with some olive oil and mescal, so be prepared for the smokiness but it s worth a try. The dessert was lovely too! Light and refreshing peach panacotta Dietary restrictions: My partner is nightshade and grain free, and there were plenty of options for us to choose from and we shared most dishes :-)
excellent brunch option on the weekend. it was great experience. we were welcomed to the place. the servers were aware of the menu and provided recommendations. I enjoyed the food and drink. I would highly recommend the restaurant. the restaurant is associated with Mamakas
Outstanding service at brunch today on the rainy patio from Dani. She was kind, caring and compassionate. She continued to come and check on us throughout our brunch even tho it was raining, which was the extra mile and very appreciated. Thank you Dani!
Food was good but the service could ve been better I was neglected lol
Loved everything about this spot! The lamb ribs are a MUST.
Phenomenal service, food was delicious and the atmosphere was great! Will be going back!!
This is one of the best brunch spots in the city. Great variety of grub for fair prices. The pancakes and lamb dish are ridiculous
I went to bar koukla with a friend of mine and every plate we tried was great id definitely visit again. On the other hand service wasnt what i expected, it was a tad uncomfortable with the servers attitude.
The food here is exquisite. By far one of the best meals I have had at a restaurant so far this year. Every dish was fantastic, but the lamb ribs were outstanding and I m not usually a huge lamb eater. Service was great and the drinks were great too. Kudos to the Chef!
The feta, steak, sesame bread, Panna cotta, eggplant with pita and calamari were all delicious lamb was ok
Went for brunch and the food was very bland and they give the smallest serving portions. The place is cute though but wouldn t go back as it s not the best
This place is agem. It was recommended to us by another local bar on Ossington. They had recommended to do the chef tasting but since we already had dinner reservations, somewhere else, we chose to have a few snacks and a couple of Negroni s. The Negroni was uniquely infused with eggplant and came with a small piece of dark chocolate. Phyllo wrapped feta and calamari were also excellent. We sat at the bar and enjoyed friendly service and conversation.
I had an amazing time at this restaurant. The staff were so friendly that they made me feel like I was family. My date was very late and the chef offered to make me a snack while I waited and it was delightful - a sesame bread with honey butter. The food was delicious, especially the quality and squid skewers. They also have a nice selection of mocktails for non-drinkers like me. I will definitely go back!
Went here for a celebration. Great atmosphere. Appetizers were tasty. However, it took around 40 minutes to receive the Margarita. They mistakenly charged me for another table, which took over 35 minutes to resolve. We had to go through the bill line by line to explain our order and differentiate it from the other tables order, impacting our evening plans.
Wish I could give 3.5 stars. Everything we got was amazing. Took a star off for the small portions and the service we got left much to be desired. I would love to come back and try other things on the menu, though.
The gigantes plaki is everythinggggg
Hear me out: good food, good drinks, HORRID service. The service was absolutely terrible.
My wife and I had a fantastic time. The food is excellent. Really enjoyed the cocktails as well
The service at this place definitely makes you feel special.
Portion size is a bit disappointing. Nothing stood out in this experience.
Was out walking and stumbled upon this place. Sat on the patio, the seat cushions were super comfy. The service was prompt and polite and helpful. After being at a wine tasting earlier, I enjoyed a refreshing non-alcohol lemon cocktail here, it was one of the best Ive had. So fresh with delicate flavors. The pita and eggplant dish was good and the steak tasted like it just came off a charcoal grill --very tasty! i I recommend a visit
Got the tasting menu & it was pretty good, didn t feel too moved by it though. Good experience and service is kind
Every time I come to Koukla, I am never disappointed. The food is always 10/10!! Cant wait to come back once the patio opens in a few weeks. This is definitely a great spot if you feel like treating yourself to amazing food and lovely cocktails. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. The decor inside is beautiful and the music adds to a lovely atmosphere. We are happy to have you in Toronto.
One of the best greek restaurant I ve ever been. Hat s off for the lamb chops and lamb meetballs
Such a great addition to the Mamakas empire. Sharing dishes, which I normally despise doing, make sense here as you sip great Greek wine. I ve tried everything on the menu and it s all good so you can t go wrong. Food
I can t say I was too impressed, but keep in mind we were only there for drinks. We were seated right by the washroom and the service station, where no fewer than 6 servers and bartenders gathered to chat. It was distracting and less than ideal. I had three different cocktails, and I enjoyed the margarita, but the other drinks were way too sweet for my taste. Overall, not a must go.
Super small and quaint Ossington bar but the food was really good and the drinks were awesome. Love the half price wine bottles at happy hour and nice to see some European wines that aren t available at LCBO. Noting that they take the reservation times seriously. So be prepared to be reminded that your time is almost up at least 4 times. Thank you for accommodating my nut allergy!
The bar seats are a bit crowded there. Service was great though!
Great date night option or just a nicer night out with friends. We were seated by the window at a high table and bar stools which were not very comfortable, especially for my pregnant friend. Presentation of the food is stunning, but small portions for sharing. We ordered 4 dishes to share among the 3 of us, and I was hungry by the time dinner was over. Taste of dishes were average, nothing spectacular but not atrocious.
DELICIOUS!! Every dish was so incredibly plated AND truly tasted delicious. Definitely a creative spin to Greek/Mediterranean cuisine. CHRISTINA WAS FABULOUS!! We nearly ordered the whole menu... which is my only down fall. I wish portions were a bit bigger for the price. Meal was worthy every penny but a bit pricey for the quantity of food for a snack/tapas style menu. GET THE: - greek salad - tuna crudo - steak - bean and pita dish - lamb ribs I will be back!!
The food and decor are nice, but when I tried to order dessert I was told that I cant, because theyre saving it for the prix fixe menu. Ive never had that happen to me in a restaurant. And it wasnt even the end of the night where they might have been running low - it was 7pm, the middle of dinner service!
Christina was the most amazing waitress! So friendly and outgoing. Food was 10/10! Get the lamb ribs and honey butter with seamer bread
Dined here for brunch from time to time, love their brunch, enjoyed having dinner here too, great atmosphere, good food and great service. I especially enjoyed the pistachio tart.
First time there was really happy. Just had drinks and appies. So good! Imaginative cocktails. Food was amazing. Very cool relaxed vibe.
Overrated. Food is meh, and cocktails are just okay. Service also sucks. We were only two people and they were kicking us out - we werent even there for very long.
We had an amazing experience at Koukla. The food and the service were amazing. Tatiana was great and friendly She made the experience even better Vegetarian options: We have enough to choose from
The feta and keftedákia were exceptional! Highly recommend the food here, even if the portions are tiny.
Went here for brunch and tried different items on the menu and all were great!
I tried everything on the menu me and 2 other guys, had a beer they had this pink drink. The bar tended was amazing the service was great. Only thing I would say is book a reservation for convenience. Other than that the food didnt take long at all and was really good
Excellent service and a great vibe. Lots of gluten free food options.
Had brunch, the food was AMAZING! We had a stuffed pepper dish, halloumi BLT and the baklava pancakes. The stuffed pepper was soooo good! It may look small but the portion is actually pretty big. The baklava pancake might sound really sweet but it s not too sweet (which is what I like), the pancakes are really fluffly, and you can adjust the sweetness by adding the baklava syrup (don t be scared to pour the syrup because it s not too sweet!). The food is really good, great portions, and reasonably priced! The server and chef Sarah were also really friendly and attentive (Sarah brought out the food herself). Would highly recommend Koukla and will definitely come back! Am also curious how the other dishes will taste since these were so great!
Went for a weekend brunch. Loved the food especially the Papiera by chef Sarah who was so sweet and attentive to check on how we enjoyed the food. Found a comfort food place in the Ossington area!
Love everything about Koukla!
Good atmosphere and services. You should try the brunch also
much good very nice yes
Amazing food, great place downtown for a date or a weekend meal, after trying 5 different items on the menu and having great oysters I can blindly recommend this restaurant, Welcome to the nine club 9.5/10
Ill come back just for the gnocchi here. FOOD: surprisingly good, portion is quite small. Nioki: I could barely find a place has gnocchi as good as this place. The texture was amazing, soft and chewy, not like you bite on a piece of undercooked dough like other places. Lamb ribs: I like how tender it is, the smell was handled really good Steak: perfectly cooked, basic seasoning but still very good. DRINKS: great cocktails, very nice presentation SERVICE: I was at the bar table so the bartender in front of us took care or everything. VIBE: not so much space at the bar, dont sit near the door in winter as itll be very very cold
Amazing food, drinks, and vibe. Expect portions to be small, and worth every bite You ll probably want to try everything on the menu and won t be disappointed. Highly recommend Food
Came here yesterday and had an amazing experience! The food is delicious, and the drinks are so good especially the tzatziki. Claudia was our server and she was so sweet and friendly. She would check in often and make sure we didn t need anything. We ll definitely be coming back!
Good place for a quick bite if one is not too hungry. The food is easy to share, service was very friendly.
This is my go-to spot when bar hopping along Ossington! Great food, amazing cocktails and friendly staff - always have a great time when visiting this restaurant. Everyone that visit me from out of town sees Bar Koukla as the first spot they try in Toronto!
Came here for dinner and ordered the grilled fish, sesame bread with a honey pollen butter, fried halloumi and the baby gem dish. The baby gem and fried halloumi were the standout dishes. Recommend making a reservation if possible. Our wait (without a reso) after being put on a waitlist wasn t long at all. Our group was told an hour s wait and we were called within 20 mins or so. The restrooms are a bit dark and the communal washing area had overflowing paper napkins. But other than that it was an okay experience. I come back if I wasn t looking for a filling meal so to speak since this is more of a tapas style.
Cute little Greek spot. Enjoyed the Phyllo wrapped Feta!
Wonderful experience. Sat at the bar and we were taken care of by multiple waitstaff and bartenders. The wine selection and cocktails were spectacular. The bartender was knowledgeable about the wine menu when asked questions. We also enjoyed watching him make the cocktails with flair. Gorgeous decor. We had excellent oysters. Afterward calamari and swordfish. Everything came out on time and at the right temperature. We finished with an order of the bread/honey. No critique on the food, it was well cooked, plated, and delicious. The waitress took time to speak with us on several occasions and everyone around us was clearly having a great time as well. Would go back in a heartbeat.
Heard this place is usually packed and with reservations, but my gfs and I got lucky with getting a small table early evening. We just wanted to have some drinks and a bit of a snack. We ordered the shrimp, Lamb ribs, calamari and something else I forgot. Lamb was full of fat with hardly any meat on it, so do not recommend. Calamari just tasted normal like other restaurants. The only thing that we really enjoyed was the shrimp dish. I would go back again though to try out other dishes. Atmosphere was great, cute place!!
Got the pancakes and spanakopita, honestly didnt love their baklava pancakes - Spankopita was good though. But the food is the size of the small plate thats on your table when you sit. Service was okay. Its pretty pricey for what you get. My friend and I shared dishes as well as a cocktail and ended up paying $40 each. If we didnt share the price would have been the same, but its a good thing we did because it was pretty underwhelming. Ill try it out again for their meats.
A true gem. Great ambience, and the brunch menu is incredible. Strongly recommend.
Best food Amazing service Food
Amazing staff very friendly , Would visit again!
Great experience Even better food Food
This is my new favorite date night spot in Toronto. The service was excellent as were the cocktails and food. The asparagus salad and lamb ribs were our favorite dishes. There were plenty of options for those who are gluten free.
Perfect spot for an early evening cocktail and light summer bites. We ordered the asparagus, dip with trout roe and veg + pita, sesame bread, and calamari. Good service, good vibes, all under the sun on their outdoor space.
We had an amazing dinner at Koukla last night! Every single dish we tried was delicious, especially the Koulouri (sesame bread), Sparagi (asparagus), lamb ribs, steak, and Xifias (swordfish). The service from Claudia was outstanding, and she brought us a delicious dessert at the end. Will definitely be back!
I only got a small bite to eat and it was amazing! An explosion of flavour. I went on a Wednesday when they didn t have their brunch menu and I m excited to go back on a Saturday for their brunch menu. Plus it s so pretty inside
The food and cocktails are delicious! The place is small but very cozy. We went on a Friday night and it was very busy, yet the staff is pretty efficient in accommodating guests.
food not many selection and tastes plain but atmosphere is good
The lamb ribs are worth going back for!
Amazing small plates and drinks! The oysters, steak and grilled swordfish were delicious. OMNOMNOMNOM! I would recommend getting the aperol spritz drink (forgot the name lol). It is a very cozy and lively bar. Only downside was the service was a bit slow.
I recently had a very unpleasant experience at this place. The waitress on duty showed extremely rude behaviour towards us. Despite the pouring rain outside, she insisted on rushing us to leave immediately after we finished our meal. We had already ordered an Uber, which was arriving in just five minutes, yet she continued to push us to leave, showing no empathy or consideration for our situation. It was very disappointing to receive such disrespectful treatment, especially considering the circumstances. Basic courtesy and understanding should be expected from the staff, even in challenging situations. I hope the management of Bar Koukla takes this feedback seriously and works on improving their customer service and employee training to ensure a more positive dining experience for future customers.
The patio empty on a Friday evening at 6pm and the server was not able to accommodate us with a baby stroller on the patio, arguing that the stroller takes too much space. JUDGMENTAL AND DISCRIMINATORY!!! When literally there is nobody else on the patio, she could just move of their tables to make some space for the stroller.
Enjoyed an amazing evening to celebrate my son s graduation with 4 other people. The service was as extremely attentive, each dish (we ordered everything from the menu) was on point. Surprisingly the sardine appetizer was so good we ordered 3 more-never thought that I would like sardines!!. Beef, fish, lamb and wonderful appetizers there is very thing taste for everyone. Well worth the trek to this place!
Definitely see why this place is always bumping! Wanted to get something quick for brunch, the blt was good but nothing too impressive. The pancakes were unreal though! Will be back for dinner!
Nick, Dani, Daniel, and Tatiana were so amazing, exceptional, beautiful and lovely. The service was amazing, and the food and drinks were immaculate. If you need a place for girls night out, this is it!!!!! Love them so much!!!
Deliveries
Had a great dinner at Koukla. Went Sunday night and had to wait for about 45 mins. Great service, nice atmosphere with a very educated staff. Asked the server to get us 4 of the most popular dishes and they did not disappoint. The steak and lamb ribs were both some of the best dishes I ve had in Toronto. 100% recommend.
Amazing food, amazing service, amazing vibe
Limited selection of cocktails. Friendly and welcoming staff.
Koukla is a cosy, elegant, and pretty cocktail bar with snacks. Their setting makes the atmosphere comfortable and chill (not packed). Food (small bites) is pretty good but very small portion so a little bit overpriced. Bluefin tuna tastes amazing tho; very fresh with minimal seasoning but the sweet and salty flavors complement each other surprisingly well. Our drink is ok. The host and staff are very friendly, accommodating, and understanding so 5* service.
Very small portions with the price of a main dish! Nice atmosphere! Food
Drink was okay, but the vibe is great!
I hated the concept brunch before this place. Best brunch I had in life, one of the best food I had in Canada as a native!
Koukla (and Mamakas) has been one of my favourite spots in the city since it first opened. At one point I caught myself coming here on a weekly basis. Reading through some reviews, it seems some people had a similar experience I had being extremely rushed and dealing with rude staff. Being in and out of a restaurant in 30 minutes, with a bottle of wine on the table during dinner service was beyond concerning. We kept coming back because the food is unmatched but after a a few of these experiences, I felt super put off and ultimately avoided dining here for a while. I ended up here on a whim the other night, not feeling very optimistic, and I am so thrilled to report it was the original Koukla experience. We sat at the bar and had the most AMAZING service. Christina never fails to create the best atmosphere and it genuinely makes my night when I see her working. I always order the same lineup of dishes (koulouri, oysters, calamari, lamb ribs, and a bottle of my favourite rosé - the paleo). She suggested the sardine toast knowing we hadn t tried it before, as well as the most amazing cherry pavlova for dessert - off menu, and I m still drooling. This is the Koukla experience I ve known and loved over the last few years. 11/10. Come for the food & drinks, stay for the parea. You won t regret it.
Food
we ordered the most popular items on the menu - the baklava pancakes and the truffle koulouri + eggs, along with the halloumi blt. to my surprise, the halloumi blt was the best out of the three dishes. the truffle egg was fluffy and the pancakes were so soft! we were seated at the patio yet it was so difficult to get a reach of our server just to place an order.
Food was phenomenal. Super cute place, definitely a hidden gem.
Went for a Saturday brunch and really enjoyed the food in their patio.
Nice hangout for an afternoon wine and a light meal. Has a very nice atmosphere. They have a selection of Greek wines that are worth trying. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable. We had a fun couple of hours here.
Beautiful restaurant. Wasn t overly impressed with dinner but I definitely want to return for brunch.
Great place for small bite and cocktails This place is encompassing the vibrant atmosphere of Ossignton street. Highly recommend
Lovely Experience enjoyed the atmosphere sitting on the bar. Definitely going back. They do make an excellent Negroni
Window shopped here to grab dinner and we were seated right away which was nice. Service was a little slow and impersonal, but I m sure our waitress was busy. I didn t catch her name. I ordered the cucumber salad, the steak and a moscow mule. My friend ordered the Nocki (Gnocchi). The food was VERY delicious. I was a little disappointed to hear they don t offer fries on their menu, I really wanted to have some potatoes with my steak. Prices were reasonable! Would come back.
Terrible customer service especially from the management team!! I was booked in for 8:45pm for my girlfriends and I, we were running late due to Toronto traffic so we tried to call several times before our reservation and there was no answer. We finally get there just after 9pm (btw they have a 15min grace period) they told us our table was given away, which was fair. We told them we tried to call multiple times before our reservation and was wondering if we can get the next table since it wasn t entirely our fault. We did our best and called MULTIPLE times and there was no answer from the restaurant who is supposed to be an operating business. We were told by the manager it s a Friday night in the city.. it s busy, it s loud in there we can t hear the phones so no we don t answer our phone during dine in hours. Very absurd for an operating business! Poor customer service and I would not recommend. She then told me there s a 15min grace period, that s our policy and it s written online and I said ok I know but we tried to call you, no where under the policy of the restaurant does it say their phone lines are off and will not be answered. She then said the best thing I can do for you is add you to the wait list . Which was absolutely doing nothing for me, she was basically treating us like a walk in at this point when we did the best we can by booking online prior to the date and tried calling for consideration. Very unprofessional and inconsiderate from the management team working on Friday night (Oct 14).
My friend and I visited Koukla for dinner/ drinks on a Tuesday night and it was so lovely. The staff were kind and offered great suggestions and alternatives. The cocktails were beautifully presented and delicious. The dishes paired so well with the cocktails and were brought out in pairs. We couldn t decide between the Lachaniká feta dip and the eggplant dip so we got both and it was a great decision. Opt for more or the pita bread to soak up every bit of that dip! The lamb ribs were so succulent and tender and just fell right off the bone. We didn t stay for dessert but chose the Feta instead which was a phyllo pastry stuffed feta drizzled with a syrup, bee pollen, sesame seeds snd pomegranate. It was a lovely way to end the evening.
We are group with no reservation and they are so good to fit 8 of us in the patio of a long table. Food is really good and we enjoyed very much.
Great place for a greek inspired brunch. My recommendation is to share the dishes since having a full plate of one thing maybe too intense, flavour wise. The Server and manager were great but one of the female servers was rude but it didn t take away from the overall experience .
Went to Bar Koukla and the lamb was amazing literally melted in my mouth. But they tried to squeeze three of us at a table for two, even though we had a reservation. We had to move a table ourselves to fit. Food was great, but the whole table thing was weird. Portions were small too. Overall, it was good but could be better.
The star of ossington. Amazing food and cocktails, exceptional service. I was travelling for lunch and wish I had come back for dinner. Not to be missed.
Amazing brunch with solid value.
Authentic. Great service
THE best pancakes Ive ever had. Crispy on the outside and soft doughy pancakey goodness on the inside. PATATES ARNAKI were delicious in flavour, though the ratio is slightly too much to the potato side. The SPANAKOPITA FLORENTINE was good, just a little too dry and the mixture of the egg with the spanikopita with the syrup doesnt do anything for the dish. Gorgeous interior and dining by the window in summer with the windows open was so refreshing and lovely. Service was quite good, though to put someone right beside the refill station is a little too cramped and uncomfortable.
Great food, Christina is an amazing server, and the ambiance was great! The music was not too loud to have a conversation but just enough to add character to the ambiance. I appreciate the tables not being extremally close together. The wine list is really unique. Loved my experience here.
Beautiful spanokopita with layers of flavor throughout. Ive never had a lamb neck before. It was a surprise how tender, moist and delicious it was. That order is enough for two so its a great value. Attentive and friendly staff who understand the concept of hospitality. Highly recommended.
Staff was well experience but a bit anxious, not patient But I liked the atmosphere it was cozy and cute Food
Great cocktails. The food experience was both quick to come out and a great meal. With tapas, its difficult to gauge the size, but our table of 4 devoured 6-8 of the offerings. I highly recommend the lamb, sardines, and the tuna. No wrong choice on this menu. Service was great and our hostess was knowledgeable and comfortable with the menu and our table. Come early to find parking nearby.
Good brunch place! We got three dishes because we thought two wouldn t be enough, but they were very filling, probably as they are all mostly carbs. They were all good food, but wasn t impressive. A little hyped up in my opinion. The service provided were good! Recommend making reservations.
Amazing food, however the servers were rude
Went to koukla tonight because we ve been seeing this place all over Instagram, but we weren t impressed at all. We ordered the bread with honey butter, the steak, and shrimp and it was quite mediocre. The order of shrimp was just three burned unpeeled pieces with the head on with no flavour. The steak wasn t bad, but for the of the food we expected to feel at least somewhat satisfied. Halfway through eating we went to the restaurant next door called blondies and ordered a pizza so we could pick up something of substance into our system. After we settled the bill we went to the bathroom and it was honestly disgusting there was pee all over the floor with no toilet paper in any of the stalls. It was obvious to us that cleanliness is not of any importance. Won t be visiting Koukla again anytime soon.
Went for brunch this weekend. Staff was extremely friendly and personable. I ordered the patates arnaki, delicious flavour. I think the price points were great, just wish the serving sizes were a bit bigger because the food was so tasty.
Came here for brunch and the food and drinks were delicious! The server recommended to share 2-3 dishes between the two of us and two dishes was the perfect amount. They gave us new sharing plates between dishes which I really appreciate. Service was friendly and fast and the atmosphere was bright and comfortable.
We visited Bar Koukla earlier this month and was very happy to get in without a reservation! Although, we were happy about sitting on their patio, the unstable chairs weren t ideal for outside and the table was small to have sharing plates. The food was great! We had the koulouri, fried halloumi and lamb ribs (these were really delicious and the tzatziki was to die for). We also ordered 2 cocktails, the nectar and the kapsoura martini. The kapsoura was hard to drink but, nice man (who appeared to be the owner) came to the table to see how things were, we expressed that the kapsoura wasn t for us. He was very quick to take it away for us and replace it with another complementary drink that he suggested to us, the siga to lachano. It wasn t something we were into either but we were able to drink it. We were kind of annoyed at the end of the night when this $20 drink appeared on our bill, but we still enjoyed our time out. It was lovely to have our server Claudia.
Amazing drinks and great ambiance Cocktails are highly recommended - Nectar is a MUST Food
Tried this place for brunch and dinner, both times the food was great. Their sesame bread with honey butter is super delicious. The lamb was very juicy and not gamey at all. They also had Monday half price oysters that were very fresh and meaty. Highly recommend this place if you re on the Ossington strip.
Christina was amazing from start to finish, we got her opinions on everything from what to eat and what to drink, she never steered us wrong! Will definitely be back!
Really chill spot with great ambiance, but service leaves something to be imagined. Food is great, but overpriced and too small. It s an OK spot to grab a drink or two.
Had an issue with our order and Tatiana went above and beyond to make it right. Was celebrating a 30th b day and she made our night special. Highly recommend. Amazing food and a great vibe
Mike is the best bartender i ever have Im bartenders in Montreal this guy is the goat!!
Great spot to grab a beverage and good Greek food. Elisa was flexible with my booking as I had to push it an hour, Mike gave great service throughout the night. Atmosphere is warm, will return!
Nice atmosphere and tasty food. Small portions and not great value for the prices. Be ready to go around the corner to get a pizza slice at Blondies.
We had a great experience at this place. Throughly enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere. We were seated on the bar, in front of the chef. Watching him cook amazing food while sipping on our coctail was a great time. Friendly staff and tasty cocktails. We didnt try any food, but it looked delicious as we watched them being prepared. We will definitely return to try more coctails and taste more food. Thank you for the good service.
Loved the generous, beautifully curated, delicious, affordable experience that is Bar Koukla!! Cant reccomend it more... pics speak for themselves. Well be back!
Came here for brunch with a group of friends. Although there was a waitlist for a table, it moved quickly. It took a while for our server to come around and help us, the wait also continued throughout our stay. Our drinks and water would be empty for a while before the server would come to ask if we needed anything. The brunch menu is limited and the are not a lot of options to choose from if you have any dietary restrictions. All dishes but one contain dairy, for example. But it s a nice vibe and would come back here for evening cocktails and apps.
One of my favourite places for good snacks, brunch or cocktails. Great overall vibe and atmosphere with amazing food. Love the patio but inside is also very cool.
I had dinner at Bar Koukla last night for the first time and was very impressed. Their food was impeccable and the service excellent! The manager Elise was welcoming and professional! I highly recommend Bar Koukla!
Perfect and tasteful greek food
The food here is straight fire. I shared three dishes with a friend and we each had our own lamb burger. The wait staff was so kind and lovely and willing to chat about the dishes with us. I can t recommend the Koulouri enough! That honey butter??? I ll dream about it
We made a reservation here last minute and glad we did. The food was fabulous, our server was great, even recommending a nice bottle of wine to pair with dinner.
I had a fantastic experience at Bar Koukla! Manager Tatiana and her team provided exceptional service. The ambiance was great, and the food was delicious. I highly recommend this place for a memorable night out.
The food is top. Smaller plates for snack and nibbles. But all the flavours. The staff is always super friendly and its so cozy on the inside
Exceptionally meh. Bad service. Horrible coffee in a neighborhood of great coffees. I was seated at a counter seat next to the door where every single person walking in jostled me on the way to their table. Despite the restaurant being mostly empty when I arrived, the servers concentrated on talking to each other about their weekend plans instead of giving any semblance of good service. In and out of this disappointment in 35 minutes.
Really good food and friendly service!
Amazing experience, and very friendly atmosphere. We loved Nicole she was the perfect host and made sure to inform us about the menu and provided the best service. From the minute we stepped in untill the last call we enjoyed highly recommend,,,,enjoy
Went for brunch and had the baklava pancakes and truffle eggs. Oat milk latte was very good. The food was tasty but nothing to rave about. Might comeback to try out their dinner offerings!
Lovely vibe and very ordinary food
I ve visited Bar Koukla on numerous occasions while visiting Toronto on business. My repetitive visits to the restaurant are indicative of the quality of food, drinks, and service. Service The Service is top tier. Each visit, the employees never cease to amaze me. Admittedly, they ve become familiar with me due to how often I ve frequented Bar Koukla. I ve been able to meet the General Manager, Elise. She is always super pleasant and recommending new things on the menu to try. The bartenders & servers are all very attentive as well. Daniel, Mike, Kaylie, and Christina all stand out for me. Food + Drinks You cannot go wrong on the food menu. My favorites are the steak, lamb, and the grilled cabbage. On the brunch menu - the pancakes and lamb burger arr my personal favorites. The chefs at Bar Koukla are incredible. If you re into cocktails, the bartenders are extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend the Nektor and the martini, it s very savory and salty. Ambiance The vibe is nice & chill. The music and lighting is a great spot to bring friends and is super relaxed. I d highly recommend this spot to have dinner, brunch, or cocktails.
Banging!
Delicious Greek style tapas. Friendly laid-back atmosphere with attentive service. Want to try a brunch here. Reservations are a good idea.
One of my favourite places in Toronto. Incredible brunch and dinner services. Be sure to try their calamari!
I came here for a friends birthday after a long week at work and the server was extremely rude to us. She had an attitude and made all of us uncomfortable to the point that we left. I dont think anyone ever goes to a restaurant to be treated poorly... Kinda sad because I saw this place trending on Tiktok and Ive always wanted to try it. Ive never had such a more disappointing experience.
great food and drinks at a good price. was great all around.
Warm and attentive staff and very tasty food and drinks. Everything tasted high-quality and fresh.