Vela Toronto in Toronto

Amazing food and customer service! I highly recommend the steak and gnocchi

They refused to do coat check despite asking twice, and the staff was rude and dismissive. It honestly felt like they were ignoring us because of how we looked. Very frustrating experience. We experienced subtle but clear passive racism from the moment we walked in. While the food was good, the overall customer experience was poor. The dismissive behavior was evident throughout, making us feel unwelcome despite the quality of the meal which was the only good thing about there restaurant everything else is waste and tacky.

It was our first time there and we unfortunately had to leave our dinner earlier due to an upset stomach from something we ate. So I asked to have my mushroom rigatoni packed- mind you, since I wasn t feeling great, I didn t really touch my plate which was upsetting since it smelled so delicious. We asked the waiter to pack it. When we got home, my stomach felt better and I wanted to eat my leftovers. To my surprise, the amount of food in the box was less than HALF that was on my plate. I showed it to my fiance and he said that there was much more leftover on my plate as well. Either they threw out most of my dinner or they ate it. I already felt embarrassed that I barely touched my food when we were there because of my upset stomach. But really? Come on. You would expect the amount of food leftover on the plate would the SAME AMOUNT WE PAID FOR.

The food was pretty good. Ordered the special which was lobster; it was pretty good! But had to get the hands dirty a bit. Had live music which was nice! It was a loud atmosphere so did had to speak loudly to talk with my friends. Baked alaska was really good!!! But it was good! Overal 4/5.

All of the food we ordered was delicious. The 12oz Striploin was quite tender, juicy & succulent - the sauce was quite flavourful as well. The chicken schnitzel was also juicy and crispy, it went really well with the Burrata Canestri Pasta. Banana Pudding was a nice addition for dessert after. Well deserved Michelin star. Tristan served us well too! Vegetarian options: Pasta and salads Dietary restrictions: They serve halal steak and chicken.

We had my husband s birthday dinner at Vela and the food didn t disappoint. We had the Striploin steak, Burrata Canestri, Chicken Schnitzel and banana pudding. I highly recommend the Burrata Canestri and banana pudding. The server was very friendly and accommodating. I would visit again for sure! Dietary restrictions: Halal

The manager at vela, was incredible! He was friendly, professional, and made sure our experience was perfect from start to finish. The food and cocktails were absolutely amazing some of the best we ve had! & You can tell he genuinely cares about both the guests and his team. Thanks, Mike, for making our visit so enjoyable! Can t wait to come back!

Really yummy brunch! The chef accommodated the dish to make it fully vegan. Services was friendly. Will definitely go back!

First time dining here and as locals we were blown away! The interior is stunning and the food is delicious. The service was also amazing. We also happened to come in on Lobster Tuesday which was a nice surprise. Will be back for sure!

One of the best dining experiences I ve had in Toronto. Food was excellent and service was even better, couldn t recommend enough and looking forward to our next visit!

I booked this restaurant for my wife s 40th birthday and it did not disappoint. Perhaps the most juiciest and most succulent steak I ve ever had, even after it was cold at the last bite it was still melting in my mouth. Pasta was amazing and considering my wife has a gluten allergy there were many options to choose from and each far exceeded our expectation. The burger was melting in the mouth as well. The decor is gorgeous, the staff polite and professional, the food phenomenal.

Such a good vibe and great food!

Just visited here, the service was amazing. One of our steaks came out a bit cold, we asked them to reheat it and the manager apologized, reheated it, and even gifted us one of the steaks. Their service is amazing and id definitely be back. The server also checked on us consistently and was so kind! Really happy. Thank you

Service and food on point. Our server tristian was attentive, he made my friends bday extra special with a little dessert. The food is top qaulity. Portions average could be a 20% larger. Restaurant is clean and appears hygienic. Bathrooms need more frequent cleaning. Would come back

We came here without reservations and thought to try it because it was Michelin recommended. The food was decent but really unremarkable. We got a pasta, rack of lamb and eggplant. Nothing blew me away. The rack of lamb was good but not the best I have had. Pasta was good but any better than neighbouring pasta places. The eggplant was an original dish which I enjoyed. However, the service was truly excellent and the atmosphere was nice.

The brunch experience was delicious! Our server Rachael was funny, pleasant, prompt, and provided good recommendations. The pancakes and fried mushrooms are a must order for your brunch experience. The quality of food is top notch. Definitely give this restaurant a try. The food and service is exceptional.

We came here in 2020 when they first opened, and loved the food. Decided to come back here for Brunch and we enjoyed the food and our experience so much! The soufflé pancakes are absolutely delicious! The potato latke is definitely worth ordering. And the crispy mushrooms are such a HIT! Loved the service from Rachael, she was friendly and recommended some good options for us. The ambience is amazing. We will definitely be back!

i still think about the steak 10 months later Dietary restrictions: Have halal options! Amazing Food : 5/5 |

Love the place, good food and desserts, great service ,, recommend

Loved it here, food was delicious and service was outstanding. Shout out to Ethan for hooking it up, will be back soon for sure

Good food nice environment, came for brunch and interested in going back for lunch

The service at vela is always outstanding. The food is incredible every time and they re always extremely accommodating for allergies and dietary restrictions! I ve been here a few times and they never miss! The food just keeps getting better!

4.5 / 5 well deserved! Chef Marvin and team deliver a great fine dining experience. We had the Rossini black truffle and foie tenderloin, sautéed-Parmesan button mushrooms and champagne. New drink and cocktail menu is great .highly recommend. Try the chefs tasting menu as well. We also did the banana chantilly Tuileries dessert and was creamy, banana and delicious. Watch for the sneaky entrance up the stairs, but you won t be disappointed.

Seeing that this restaurant was in the Michelin Guide, we were quite excited to try and experience Vela. When we entered, the ambiance and vibe seemed quite luxurious and sophisticated. As soon as we were sat, our servers gave us time to look at the menu and mentioned the night s specials, which my partner ordered. The service was precise and considerate, and our servers were astute on the items on the menu. And their attentiveness stood out. Was it worth the price? I ll say that it won t be a first choice for a night out but if chosen it can deliver. STARTERS: 1. Bread $9 - 3/5 - nothing special and the sourdough paired with the butter seemed like something a restaurant would serve as a complimentary item. The touch of sugar was unexpected but not impactful. 2. Coconut Satay Shrimp $29 - 4/5 - The appetizer was worth the price to say the least. The sauce paired well with the shrimp, which tasted fresh. The coconut was not that apparent in the flavour, but could still be tasted. Not to mention, the portion was substantial enough. 3. Enoki Mushrooms $25 -3/5 - Fried in a Calamari-like batter, the flavour tastes familiar and known. Crisp and well-seasoned, I can see why the server said it was a fan favourite. The only caveat was the portion. It felt more like a starter for one than it is to share. Otherwise, I would have rated it higher. ENTREES/STEAK 1. Lobster Daily Special $60 - 4/5: - Substantial amount of pasta and lobster. It definitely was rich in flavour, emphasizing the pairings of the tomato and lobster. 2. Octopus $48 - 4/5 - I was a big fan of the Octopus as soon as I tasted it. The way it was cooked created a surprising crust, contrasted with the chewy inside. The togarashi was star of this dish for me. I could have wished the portions were bigger and would even pay more. 3. 12oz Steak Striploin $59 4/5 - Familiar, cooked properly, well seasoned sauce. I loved how the peppercorn sauce really carried the dish. 4. Lamb Rack $75 - 2/5 - I told our servers we wanted medium well, but as seen from the photos, definitely should not be as pink. But the seasoning and the other vegetables we good enough to tolerate how raw it was for us.

What a great night to celebrate a special birthday! 5 star service all around! The food was on point and all their drink suggestions made everything that much better. Great service from the wait staff and a please greeting upon arrival! Bravo Vela!

Amazing interior with the curvy lighting and all. Steak sucked. Asked for it rare....got it medium. This is just a bougie spot with decent food, not good, not great.

I went to vela today and I have to say, that plaque in the front must have been bought because based on my experience it was certainly not earned. The brunch menu off the jump is a little bit weirdly curated. There aren t a lot of options and definitely not veering towards the classics. The menu reminds me of a brunch nightclub party like le brunch. The booth we were sat in also had high heel puncture marks in it. The start of the meal was pretty standard. Food orders were taken. Then we never saw our server again. Not once. I ordered the wedge salad, because there wasn t really a lighter option? It came, and I just didn t even want to eat it. It was so weird looking and covered in dill and like, big mac sauce? there was no follow up or quality check the entire time so it just sat there. We had to keep flagging down the busser who was the only visible staff member on the floor. After we had been finished for well over 29 minutes I signalled to A SERVER (not ours who had completely disappeared) she came and got us the cheque. No question asked about the entire plate of untouched food. Paid the bill and left. Bill was $190 with tip for 4 people. Definitely not what I was expecting from something in the Michelin guide. Curious the criteria was

Food is amazing and I m obsessed with the baked Alaska!

I went out with my friends to this restaurant for the first time on Wednesday for a birthday and ordered the Lobby Burger. As I was eating it I noticed the middle/center of the burger was pink. I asked the waitress how the burger is normally cooked and she told me it usually comes medium, so I thought it was normal for it to be like that. Later on I was talking to my friends that got the burger as well and they told me there s were not pink from the middle. When I got home my stomach started hurting and I immediately began throwing up. I threw up 3 times and had diarrhea all night on Wednesday as well as on Thursday. I ve never had such a bad case of food poisoning before and to pay $45 for a burger and end up with such a bad experience where I almost had to go to the hospital is very disappointing. This was my first time at this restaurant and definitely my last.

Their Miso Eggplant is a must-try. How is this underrated when it s deliriously good? It s glorious. From what I read in the menu, I expected a green curry saucy Thai kind of dish, but I was blown away how unique it was. The miso glazed dip was out-of-this-world good. But the eggplant topped with the crisp basil leaves, puff rice and sesame seeds was tasty on its own, it s a stand out.

We visited Vela Toronto while attending TIFF. The staff, a highly cohesive team, were incredibly hospitable. The food was outstanding but the feeling of being enveloped in a warm, genuinely welcoming atmosphere made our experience exceptional. Personally, I need food to be 100% gluten-free: This is a safe place to eat AND the food is beyond wonderful. How often do the stars align in this manner? Definitely at Vela.

Love this place. The food here is amazing. Menu isn t over whelming so the items they do serve receive more and attention and are top quality. The pastas here are unmatched ! 10/10 One of our favourite date night restaurants on King because the music isn t over powering and the restaurant isn t over crowded. Our more recent server Greg (I think his name was) was amazing also! Very down to earth and we never once felt abandoned . Can t wait to come back

Amazing food, amazing ambience, and amazing service. Staff were incredibly attentive and Chef Marvin personally came out to thank us for coming out. They do a great job catering to halal foodies, almost everything is halal!

Came here for my birthday dinner a couple of weeks ago. Staff were welcoming, and our server, Rachael, made sure we had a great experience. She and the staff arranged an arancini app and banana pudding dessert as part of the birthday experience. This was very thoughtful, thank you! Food was delicious, I loved the albacore tuna crudo and the halibut. Would definitely come back!

We recently dined at Vela to celebrate my friend s birthday, choosing it because of its Michelin Guide recommendation and high reviews. The service was excellent our servers were attentive, frequently changing our plates and ensuring the table was clean. However, the food left much to be desired, especially considering the price point. For a group of six, our bill came to $1,000, yet none of us left feeling satisfied or full. The portions were surprisingly small. While the octopus and eggplant dish stood out as the tastiest, it wasn t remarkable enough to make us want to return, especially since weve had better in the city. The beef tartare was dry and under-seasoned, and the scallops were sliced so thinly they barely made an impact. The pasta and vegetables could use a bit more cooking, an extra 10 seconds would make a difference. The shishito peppers could have used a bit more salt aswell One major letdown was the bread only four pieces for the entire group, and we had to pay around $6 per couple for them. But the worst part was the mocktail. For $16, I expected more than a glass filled with ice. There was so much ice that when we tried to stir the drink, it spilled over, creating a mess. I ve eaten outdoors many times, but I ve never encountered a drink packed with that much ice, especially in a glass that wasn t even tall. Overall, we were disappointed. The service was great, but the food and drink didn t justify the price or leave a lasting impression.

Beautiful venue and the food and atmosphere was amazing. I attended a wedding here and every detail was accounted for and everything went off without a hitch. It was a perfect location for an intimate wedding and reception. Food

Great food, great service, amazing ambience.

The burrata and spicy breakfast sandwich was exquisite. The service was exceptional. Our hostess Rachel was super friendly and gave us a great time!

This is my 6th time at Vela, and I brought friends and family to this place. The food used to be outstanding, with a service deserving of a Michelin star. I had the best pasta I ever had and overall, it was my favorite restaurant in the city. However, every single time I came back, the quality of the food and the service seemed to be going down while the prices were going up. I am so disappointed. Food being brought without ustensils, no water refill, 30 min + between meals a scallop crudo and 3 shrimps. Almost 3 hours for a 7 course tasting menu, for some courses that were honestly underwhelming and truly lacking the flavors of the original days. We are so loyal to the restaurants we love, but this was our last time. Thank you for the memories, and best of luck. P.s: please stop putting 20% as a mininum tip amount, this is getting ridiculous.

Beautiful restaurant & amazing food! The amore burrata paired with their fresh bread was incredible. Tried their new Hugo Spritz Tower for brunch - the perfect addition to our meal & experience. Our server, Rachael, was so sweet, accommodating, did not rush us throughout our meal, and ensured our experience was nothing less than perfect. Will definitely be back for dinner!

Great drinks, loved the steak. I got the 12 oz thinking I d take some home but it was so good I ended up eating the whole thing. Servers and bartenders were all really great. There are a few parking lots a short walk away, but you won t be able to park right outside. Would definitely go again

Bread too sweet for my liking. Pasta was good, cocktails were okay.

Had an incredible anniversary dinner at Vela Restaurant, and our server Rachel made it truly special. She was smart, funny, and incredibly attentive throughout the evening. Rachel s warm personality and excellent service added so much to our experience, making it a night to remember. Highly recommend asking for Rachel if you re dining at Vela!

First time at this restaurant was last night for my sister in laws birthday. Sandy was our server and she and her team were fantastic. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was beautiful the way it was set up. I will definitely go again

I recently dined at Vela and opted for the tasting menu, which was an outstanding experience. Each dish surpassed the last in flavor and creativity truly remarkable! However, while the food was exceptional, the service was just okay. There were moments where the presentation of the dishes could have been better, and the staff could have been more attentive to our needs. Overall, I highly recommend this place for its incredible culinary offerings. With a little enhancement in service, it could be an unforgettable dining experience.

Wow what an experience. Best restaurant in Toronto. Ambiance is wonderful and the food was fantastic. My family loved everything and highly recommend the mushroom rigatoni . Service was excellent and our server Trystan was impeccable. Highly recommended Vela and it is very worthy of their Michelin Rating. Food

The atmosphere and live background music here are top-tier! I genuinely loved the vibe everyone s there for a reason, looking amazing and good laughs! Food-wise, though? Pretty average, to be honest. I ordered the Coconut Satay Shrimp, Mushroom Rigatoni, and a Placebo Spritz (definitely an acquired taste my friend hated it, I thought it was just OK). Don t get me wrong, you ll still enjoy it! But in the back of your mind, you might think, Hmm, I could probably make this at home. That said, the vibe totally makes up for it! Oh, and since it was my birthday, they gave me free cake so shoutout to them for that! My Ratings: Mushroom Rigatoni 7/10 Satay Shrimp 6.5/10 Placebo Spritz 5.5/10

Went for the first time for my anniversary dinner and was super pleased with the food and service. I got the steak with a side of button mushrooms and the steak was perfect and really enjoyed the combination with the mushrooms. My girlfriend got the mushroom rigatoni and was very happy with it. The coconut shrimp starter was also a favourite of ours. Our waiter also made great recommendation on drinks and starters and made our night with a cute cake topper to commemorate our special day. Pricing was as expected and we have no complaints. Looking forward to coming back for more occasions in the future. I didn t catch my waiters name but he was exceptional and definitely made our experience better!

Yoooooooooo! The chef does not miss!!!! Tried the chefs 7 course tasting menu and every 1 of them was ! Octopus, steak, pasta and Apple tart with popcorn ice cream were my favorites. Also, the staff was very courteous and friendly. By the end I wasnt even thinking about the price as it was so much value for money. All food is halal too. Will recommend to others and come back here again soon.

I never ever write a review but I had to for this place, the server Greg, ask for that gentlemen made my time there so much better. Food 10/10, try the tomato salad (even if you don t like tomato s) and bread with honey butter. The portions are a generous size felt full before the meal was finished and great ambience and mood. This place is amazing! Oh and were great about halal options! Dietary restrictions: Asked and told us about the halal options!

Lamb rack are big and taste was great. The chicken schnitzel was hard and our fries were also cold. They replaced our fries immediately after we pointed it out but I didn t want to send back the main as we were starving. the service was really good except the waitress at one point was using language like darling. We didn t like that at all.

Amazing service. Amazing atmosphere. I m disappointed in myself for not appreciating the food as much as I hoped. They were super accommodating and everything in their approach to dining was perfect.

The perfect date night! We were looking to try out a new restaurant and this place hit the spot. The Coconut Satay Shrimp was definitely one of my favourites & the Baked Alaska was such a nice treat and show to end dinner. Service was also efficient and attentive.

Mediocre food, extravagant prices. Nice ambience and service. This was our second time here and their menu absolutely sucked this time around. Theyve clearly made changes and not in the right direction. We did not appreciate having a flimsy looking booster seat? which was actually a harness suspended on the table for our child which we kindly refused to use. Maybe a polite way of discouraging kids in the restaurant? You spend millions building this thing and can t afford to invest in proper seating for kids?

I am shocked that they don t have high chairs to accommodate families with children. I ve been to several restaurants in Toronto and this has never been an issue. We arrived as a party of 5 and toddler under a reservation and requested a high hair. Server notified us that they don t have high chairs. Shortly after, another employee brought us a clip on counter chair that they had apparently borrowed from a neighbouring restaurant. She was no assistance in attaching the clip on nor was she aware of the weight limit it could hold. We were simply handed the chair and expected to go on about attaching it. Upon doing so, I could already tell it was super flimsy. Before putting my daughter in, I had slid a chair under her just incase the clip on chair didn t hold. Glad I did, as the clip on chair did collapse. We spent the evening dealing with horribly delayed service. Overall, food was a solid 6/10. I m shocked to read such sky rocketing reviews as this restaurant is nothing shy of what most Toronto restaurants have to offer: Aesthetics without the taste. You re missing nothing by skipping this one.

Mediocre food and below par service. Great ambience/decor. Dietary restrictions: Halal options Food : 2/5 |

Dined on September 9th. The food was good, but the service was disappointing. We arrived to a hostess who was neither smiling nor welcoming and didn t ask if we were celebrating a special occasion. We were seated near a busy walkway, despite many better tables being available. When we requested to move, the server didn t involve the hostess and simply relocated us without providing cutlery. The service throughout the evening was fragmented, with 4 to 6 different servers approaching us without communicating with each other. This led to us having to repeat our requests multiple times. When we sought wine recommendations, a French waitress with long hair made us uncomfortable by seeming impatient with our lack of knowledge about the wine list. Consequently, we ended up ordering a drink we didn t enjoy due to her inadequate recommendations. Additionally, when our starters arrived, there was still no cutlery on the table, and we were only checked on once. The servers generally ignored us after that. The gentleman who served us was attentive, but he seemed to be the only one trying to provide good service. The complimentary dessert was appreciated, which is why I gave the second star. However, the overall service fell short of what is expected from a Michelin guide restaurant. We were hoping for a special night but instead felt neglected and unimportant.

I have eaten at many high end restaurants and this restaurant is the best one I ve been to in Toronto. The service was excellent. The food was absolutely exquisite. Marvin Palomo (the chef) is insanely talented. I have eaten octopus at many restaurants and this was by far the most delicious and unique way I ve ever had octopus. I highly recommend that dish. The pasta is also to die for. The appetizers were also mind blowing. I see why Vela is on the Michelin list. I can t wait to go back.

Celebrated my anniversary here tonight and couldn t be happier with the service we received. Our kind server Alexx hooked us up with a complimentary amuse bouche and dessert. We come every year for our anniversary and I m already looking forward to next year

Saturday September 14 we had my daughter s wedding here at Vela and they did not miss a beat. The restaurant looked exactly the way my daughter and son in law had envisioned it to be. All the decor was where they wanted it placed. Everything ran on time. The service was like no other I ve ever experienced at any restaurant, let alone a wedding! Then there was the food. Let s just say if you re looking for fine dining food look no further. They had a menu to choose from and everyone I talked to about their meals said it was delicious. I had the baked Halibut with red pepper sauce. The best halibut I ve ever had. I haven t had my dessert yet but it s the Opera cake 9 layers high! The portions were huge. I can t say enough about the management and all of the staff at Vela. They truly made my daughter s wedding day run so smoothly and fun. I loved the way the had as much fun dancing behind the bar serving drink as well. For your next party give Vela a try you won t be disappointed. Or just go there for a great dinner to. I can t wait to go back!

Vela was truly outstanding. From the amazing service to the delicious dishes my partner and I had a very memorable night. It was both our first experiences at Vela and doing a tasting menu and our expectations were blown out of the water. Each dish was something completely unique with interesting and delicious flavour parings, and my severe tree nut allergy was acknowledged and taken care of without having to hear the words we cannot guarantee any cross contamination . I was finally able to enjoy dessert which I usually have to skip because of the lack of care for my allergy. I truly enjoyed this experience so much and my partner and I were gushing about it the entire way home. Thanks to the chefs and servers that made our night so unforgettable! Dietary restrictions: My severe tree nut allergy was accommodated for and certain items were switched or made without nuts or fear of cross contamination!

Wow! Really enjoyed everything about Vela, I can t believe I waited so long to try it! Went tonight for an anniversary dinner, and was very impressed with the food, service, and vibes. They are so accommodating for gluten free, the pasta was delicious and there was something to choose from throughout the whole menu that was gluten free! Only item pictured that wasn t gluten free was the burrata canestri pasta. Missing was the gf brownie which was also so yummy! Dietary restrictions: Gluten free

Ive been here previously the year it opened, however this time we happened to go to Vela the night they were acknowledged as a Michelin recommended restaurant in Toronto. The food was really good and so was the vibe. The staff was very diligent with their service and their recommendations were amazing. We had the Crispy Mushrooms to start, followed by the Canestri and Agnolotti. For dessert we tried the Banana Pudding and it was chefs kiss 10/10, immediately wanted another one. Overall I would recommend it as a place to try. Vegetarian options: All the pasta dishes are vegetarian.

Just a well rounded experience . Located in the heart of downtown by king street. Parking right at the corner on Portland , you can decide to dine inside or on the street side . The interior is nestled away from the busy street and has an elegant touch. We were sat at the round tables tucked on the corner at an elevated platform that was perfect for an intimate experience . Food was great, as I had gluten free options great for bloat free pasta experience and halal aswell! The service was outstanding , and my virgin mojito was on another level!! 10/10 recommend . Would like to thank Sebastian for looking after us! He made it a unique and memorable experience :) Vegetarian options: Pastas , salad Dietary restrictions: They accommodate Gluten free, HALAL, and vegan !!

Huge thank you to the team of talented chefs in the kitchen, the amazing hostess at the front desk, my server, and the management partner Sebastian for a truly remarkable dining experience. The recommendations were genuine, the food was good, and the service was exceptional. I truly felt welcome and valued as a customer while I was there. Perfection is impossible to attain, but Vela is certainly the closest thing to it.

An amazing 7 course tasting menu, with wine pairings. One of the best meals I have ever had. Staff was amazing and food was out of this world. Dietary restrictions: All 7 courses were gluten free.

Great spot. Food was great, service was incredible. A must visit when in Toronto

Food was fantastic as always. Great atmosphere and our server was very attentive and friendly.

The food was amazing and the staff is really friendly

Had a lovely evening at VELA. The staff make you feel taken care of and the venue is stunning. We sat on the patio today overlooking Portland. The food was cooked to perfection and my personal fave was the chicken schnitzel that had the most amazing crispy batter, topped with fresh cucumbers and radish. I look forward to returning and trying the other dishes! Also ordered and enjoyed: octopus, burger+fries.

Went there for hype, thoroughly disappointed with food. Made a reservation and got in 20 mins post the reservation time. They charge a $50 cancellation fees but can t seem to value your time?! The pastas were dry and not throughly cooked and the flavour profile was extremely off. Caico e Pepe had ZERO flavour of pepper in it. Our server was awesome but absolutely not receptive to the feedback on food we gave them. Way better places to spend your $200 around town in than here.

One of the most underrated restaurants!!! The mushrooms and shishito peppers are fire.

Good place to eat dinner and brunch But what s up with the service? Food

Truffle fries are so gooooood. Personally I prefer the beef tartare to be paired with duck-oil-toasts rather than hash browns. For the dessert, it is IGable but it s too sweet. Food

Our server and the waiting staff (s/o Nadia) was knowledgeable and offered helpful recommendations, including a must-try dish crafted by the renowned chef, Marvin, who is known for his innovative take on modern and contemporary cuisine. The food was nothing short of amazing. Every dish was bursting with flavor, and the presentation was beautiful. We lingered over every bite, savoring the culinary masterpiece in front of us. If youre looking for a truly special dining experience, look no further than Vela Toronto. Its a place where exceptional food meets friendly service, making it a perfect spot for a memorable night out. Vegetarian options: Salads, Pastas, Dietary restrictions: Vegan, Gluten Free, Halal, Vegetarian, Nut Free Parking: Adelaide Parking

Anyone who gives a bad review about this restaurant truly has bad luck as you have under a 1% chance you will not enjoy this restaurant and I say this as no one is perfect but they are close. I am both gluten free and vegetarian and I had the best pasta of my life with an amazing dining experience. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a nice experience or for a special occasion. 6/5 stars if I could give it Vegetarian options: Both vegetarian and gluten free

Hello, this evening hair was found in my entrée, my server kindly comped the entrée as expected, however when multiple staff and management were notified they simply stared at me and made zero effort to come and apologize, acknowledge my frustration and or provide any other form of accommodation. Given the restaurant was well below patron capacity and fully staffed I find that to be inexcusable. To add insult to injury, I was celebrating a milestone birthday. I dine at Vela frequently and I hope to hear from your management team in hopes that they can redeem themselves.

Dined at Vela several times and every time everything was absolutely perfect. Shout out to Chef Marvin who is such a phenomenal chef and humble person. Personal favourites: tomahawk steak, chicken ballotaine, octopus, ricotta gnocchi, crispy mushroom and the burrata. The dessert is also just excellent there, one with chestnut cream was outstanding. Restaurant is just beautiful and has a beautiful vibe. Can t wait to be back.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Vela, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming ambiance that set the tone for the evening. The food at Vela is nothing short of spectacular. Every dish we ordered was a masterpiece, crafted with the freshest ingredients and an exquisite attention to detail. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and each bite was a delightful journey for the taste buds. The mushroom pasta was particularly outstanding, with a creamy texture and a rich, savory taste that left me wanting more. The dessert menu is equally impressive; the 7 layer cake was perfect and tasted just like a Kinder Bueno. It was a perfect ending to an unforgettable meal. The service was impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. He made excellent recommendations and ensured that our glasses were never empty and our needs were promptly met. Its clear that the staff at Vela takes great pride in providing top-notch service and creating a memorable dining experience for their guests. The atmosphere at Vela is both elegant and cozy, making it an ideal spot for any occasion. The decor is stylish and modern, with a touch of classic charm that creates a comfortable yet sophisticated environment. The soft lighting and tasteful music added to the overall ambiance, making it a perfect setting for a romantic dinner or a special celebration with friends and family. In conclusion, Vela exceeded all my expectations. The combination of outstanding food, exceptional service, and a delightful atmosphere makes it a must-visit restaurant. I highly recommend Vela to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience. I can t wait to return and indulge in more of their culinary delights!

I ve dined in different Italian menu inspired restaurant around the world. Selling a $30 dish of pasta with no protein what a joke. It s not giving what it thinks it should give.

We had a delightful celebratory dinner at Vela and were well taken care of. It was the last day of summerlicious with a rounded selection to choose from. The truffles fries appear to be steeply priced at $18, however includes a generous shaving of truffles with an incredible dip. The chicken schnitzel was fantastic and underrated. Highly recommend! The only fault was that the pasta of the Cacio E Pepe was very thick and chewy.

We had a 100/10 fantastic experience at VELA. From the ambience & atmosphere of the restaurant, to the incredibly kind & attentive staff, to the mouth watering food; this restaurant is IT. We are Italian, and have eaten at many different restaurants across the city, and the pasta was by far the BEST tasting pasta we ve had in Toronto. We highly recommend VELA, if you re the type of person who has to read reviews and look at pictures before trying something out please take our word for it, you will definitely fall in love with this place. The deserts were also fantastic, there was not even a crumb left on our plates by the time we were done. To the amazing chefs and wait staff at VELA, thank YOU to each of you for the outstanding food and white glove service. We will certainly be back again very soon!

The staff is friendly, and the restaurant has a fantastic vibe, especially with its design. The food is amazing too. My friend and I didnt expect the food to be that great, but we ended up ordering a lot and finishing everything. The food presentation is like a work of art.

Went by myself to Vela, sat at the Bar, great evening Taylor was making my drinks, they were all wonderful. The food came, well prep and tasty. Service was perfect and everybody was. Professional and friendly. I will definitely go back .

My partner and I came to this restaurant for our three year anniversary! The gem salad and olives were great and the bar made us custom drinks based on our requests! My dish, the miso eggplant was very small for something listed in the entrees. I would love to give this restaurant a higher rating but no one acknowledged that it was a special occasion for us. We came to a more expensive restaurant with the expectation fo exceptional service and we did not receive that.

The staff were amazing and so accommodating.

I have dined here quite a few times in the past but went back for dinner recently after some months. Pleasantly surprised at the non alcoholic beverage choices, much better selection than before! Service was quite slow, you could tell they were short on servers. it took over an hour for us to get our mains. The steak was disappointing, it was quite tough but by the time it arrived we had been waiting so long that we ate it anyways. Pasta portion seems to have gotten smaller but tastes amazing! Love the tuna crudo.

Amazing food, service, and atmosphere! Everything we tried was amazing, including the chicken schnitzel and the mushroom rigatoni. Drinks were also great and a good size.

The chef s tasting menu is worth it!

One of the best experiences I ve had at a restaurant in Toronto. The food and service is unmatched and I love how everything on the menu caters to dietary restrictions. From the burrata to pasta to the baked Alaska, everything was 10/10. A special shout out to Chef Marvin and our server Nadia who made my birthday extra special!

My friends and I had the best experience celebrating a birthday at Vela. Our waitress, Nadia, made us feel right at home. The space had such a great vibe! We ordered a bunch of different dishes to split and everything we tried was incredible. I would highly recommend the burrata pasta and you can t go wrong with any of the desserts! (We tried them all). The service and attention to detail from all the staff there did not go unnoticed. This is the perfect place to go if you re looking for a great atmosphere and a can t-miss meal!!

Very nice and spacious restaurant with a beautiful bar. Even though it s large it doesn t feel like a large hall. Beautifully decorated and furnished. Had superb service from Simone. Excellent quality drinks and appetizers. Definitely deserved reputation.

Vela is a true gem for those with celiac disease! Their commitment to accommodating dietary needs is exceptional. For my birthday, they went above and beyond by crafting a delicious gluten-free cake, making my celebration truly unforgettable. Highly recommend for anyone with dietary restrictions looking for top-notch service and incredible flavours!

A gem that I pass by all the time and never noticed it Highly recommend for date nights, anniversary and celebrating a special event. At night the vibes are super romantic. Hands down best octopus in town; cooked to perfection.. crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Portion looks small but it filling. Their steaks and lamb rack were HALAL!! It was a pleasant surprise and were sooo goood. Very impressive. For starters the crispy mushrooms are a no brainer. Just wow. The chicken liver mousse was a new experience and paired perfectly with the blueberries. Everyone was super friendly and our server Sandy was super sweet and knowledgeable. Will def be back <3

Highly recommend Vela! Brought my mama here for Mother s Day and we absolutely loved it! Venue is gorgeous. Our server Sandy was great, food was brought out quickly and everything was 10/10 delicious. We had the burrata w/ gluten free bread, octopus, Canastri pasta and Baked Alaska. Everything was absolutely delicious. We especially loved the burrata and pasta! Would recommend! A tad on the pricier side, around $250 all in for two with a cocktail each. I would say worth it if you are looking for a guaranteed experience.

Cold design, bad tables display, no ambiance, selfier crowd, loong wait to get another drink, waiters on the rush, not professionnal manager always always on her cellphone behind the bar, Food is OK for the price

The dining experience at this restaurant was exceptional, with delicious dishes such as chicken nuggets, octopus, and mushroom pasta. Unfortunately, the service provided by our server Armando was subpar. Despite being a group of 9, Armando displayed a negative attitude from the start, struggling with our orders and appearing disorganized. He only checked on us every 45 minutes, and we had to flag down other staff members to order drinks. Armando seemed upset when his colleague assisted us. When it came time to pay, he took 30 minutes to bring the bills, which were incorrect and mixed up. Despite attempts to rectify the situation, the bills remained inaccurate. The manager eventually intervened to resolve the issue, but the unprofessional service from Armando left a lasting negative impression.

Beautiful space. Yummy cocktails, delicious food, and great service. I came to Vela to celebrate my BFF s birthday. She s gluten free and made it clear when we placed her food order to our server. When her food came it had dairy. She was so disappointed that the server didn t pay attention to her gluten order. Vela made the kindest effort to compensate for the error and made a new order for my friend (without dairy this time), plus gave our table a round of tequila shots and complimentary desserts. And it was well received - the birthday girl (and her crew) are pleased. Thank you Vela for a wonderful experience! Keep doing what you are doing - not a lot of establishments in Toronto do the level of customer service you do. We ll definitely be back! :)

Went to VELA for the first time to celebrate a birthday! The atmosphere was moody and vibey (live DJ!). Our entire dinner service was excellent and the food was delicious. I highly recommend the Satay Shrimp and Tuna Crudo as starters. Both the Burrata Canestri and Mushroom Rigatoni were AMAZING, we ordered a second of the latter spontaneously because it was that good. The octopus was also excellent, it was seasoned very well. The 12oz striploin was good, more rare than we d asked but tasty nonetheless, could skip if it s out of budget. As for the Burrata salad it wasn t bad! But, we definitely could have gone without it.

Great food great server! Terrible hosts.

The dinner was fantastic, from the sirloin, to the burrata pasta. Everything was cooked to perfection and delicious overall. That banana pudding is absolutely life changing. Chef Marvin never fails to impress. All staff were attentive and always willing to assist.

Amazing dinning experience at vela! From the incredible hospitality to the delicious and stunning food right down to the atmosphere of the room. Vela hasn t disappointed. Even if you re just looking for a night out for snacks and cocktails, the bar itself is a focal point which speaks for itself. Incredible drinks, food, space and service. If you haven t been to vela yet, what are you waiting for GO!

Always have an amazing time dinning at vela. From the beautiful atmosphere to the outstanding service. Cocktails and food never disappoints. The team is sharp and always provides an incredible meal.

Vela is one of my most favourite restaurants in the city. I have visited the restaurant for brunch and dinner - both are incredible. I have even hosted a couple private events here! The food is amazing - presentation, taste and quality/quantity. The ambience is just lovely at both times of day. And customer service has always been top notch. I would highly recommend. Vegetarian options: Both halal and vegetarian options available. Kid-friendliness: I have taken my kids with me to Vela a number of times. Absolutely fine!

Everything about Vela is *chef s kiss*. The food, atmosphere and customer service were beyond my expectations. This place is a total gem.

Came here to enjoy a special celebratory dinner and everything exceeded my expectations. The atmosphere, the food, the service - everything was just perfect! Thanks for a wonderful experience. Would definitely return to try the rest of the menu!

Booked Vela for a birthday dinner, it was amazing! This trendy spot delivers truly great food and service. Staff were so attentive (put a gifted bouquet of flowers in water, cut birthday cake and packed away extra slices), food was delicious and our group of 6 left happy and full! The space is gorgeous, I would certainly return for a date or dinner with friends. Our favorite dishes - tuna crudo, and mushroom pasta. Food and drinks came out to be around $120pp, inclusive of plating fee for cake, tax and the mandatory tip for groups of 6 or more.

Superb service, delicious food and great vibe. Would definitely recommend!

The food, the drinks, and entire experience was amazing. Loved everything about this place and will be back soon! Perfect place for any occasion. Make sure you try out the mushroom rigatoni!!

Amazing experience and ambience. Chef Marvin and his team are the ultimate hosts!

Do yourself a favour and visit this amazing restaurant. The service is unmatched. The staff truly cares about your experience. The food is absolutely amazing everything we tasted melted in our mouth. Special thank you to Chef Marvin for the warm welcome , never disappoints my taste buds! Absolutely the best meal we had in a while. Highly recommend! Ps. The Banana pudding dessert was to die for!

Amazing food and service. The atmosphere was great and we will definitely be returning in the future

Vela is more than just a place to dine its a culinary oasis where exceptional service, amazing food, and a beautiful atmosphere converge to create an unforgettable experience. With Chef Marv at the helm and a commitment to inclusivity with its Halal menu, Vela sets the bar high for fine dining in Toronto. Prepare to be dazzled, delighted, and utterly captivated from start to finish.

Visited Vela for the first time for date night. The interior was beautiful & the food was superb! We had the espresso martinis & they were perfectly strong. Everything tasted so fresh, thanks to chef, Marvin! The desserts were also to die for! I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a night out. We will return in the future.

The food was ok. I was pretty underwhelmed by the food to be honest. The fish was bland and dry. The pasta was ok, a little too al dente for my liking, but the truffle was a great add on. I had really high hopes for this place because of the social media reach, but I was sort of bored with the menu. The seating isn t that great, the tables and chairs feel like you re in a small, hole in the wall restaurant. To be fair, there were booths as well, but since it was just my husband and I, we didn t get a booth. The server was amazing, and the lighting in the place is really unique and pretty to look at.

Immaculate service, atmosphere, and food!

The most consistent service, great tasting food, the people here are amazing and pleasant. It s always an amazing time. Can t wait for my next visit !

Stunning restaurant and amazing staff!

Fabulous place. Amazing food, drinks, service and atmosphere. Absolutely a go to spot and will return.

The venue and food is amazing. I love sitting at the chefs counter and watching the kitchen in action and the buzz of the dining room. DJ on Friday and Saturday plays awesome lounge music and some hiphop sometimes.

Happening spot - great food, staff and vibe.

One of the best spots in town to grab dinner and a drink. Great atmosphere and fantastic cocktails to match.

Gorgeous restaurant, amazing food and cocktails, great vibe for any occasion.

Maybe the best colada Ive ever had (outside of a tropical destination. Certainly the best Schnitzel. Great food, drinks, and vibe.

This is one of my favourites in king west. The food is unbelievable. The head chef is out of this world. He deserves a full Michelin star. Please look no further when it comes to a great night out. Book here. You will not be disappointed

This place is aesthetically pleasing and such a vibe for you and your partner or even with a group of people. The food was amazing. The staff members and head chef made sure my partner and I had a great experience. Such a welcoming environment. I highly recommended this restaurant!

I love Vela. Recently booked a birthday dinner there cause I knew it could accommodate all the various dietary restrictions out there while still delivering delicious, varied, exquisite dishes. Service was flawless, atmosphere is fresh, contemporary and inviting, and our meal was amazing. Its a go-to for anytime I want to celebrate a night out or grab a bite solo at the bar.

A great space to visit for a special dinner date, group outing, or quick drinks before your night out! The food and drinks are always to tier - I highly recommend the Crispy Mushrooms for the perfect side (my fave) and the Baked Alaska for a show of a dessert. With a beautiful interior and such accommodating staff (Chef Marvin and Jonray included), every experience I ve had at Vela has been 10/10.

If you haven t tried Vela yet, you are missing out big time! Vela has the best cocktails in the city, hands down 10/10! We tired a few of them, all insanely tasty. The food was incredible, especially the pasta dishes! It s my favorite spot in the city, it s a must try!!

Real

Super sexy vibes, incredible cocktails and outstanding food and service! Always an amazing night out

Vela is a phenomenally curated space. From the design to the decor, the food to the service, the presentation to the atmosphere, I loved every minute of my time here. Definitely worth the splurge!

Suave and silky.. the atmosphere is absolute caramel. Not crowded and certainly not sparse, people were buzzing so joyfully! The food was INCREDIBLE! Every taste and texture felt so precisely curated, I could ve flooded the room with my saliva. Must splurge here!

Simply amazing high end restaurant!!!! Whats even better is that ALL their beef and chicken is HALAL. Chef Marvins attention to details are very impressive. He saw us walk in around 7 pm and asked our server if we were fasting. Once we acknowledged, he sent dates over and made sure to serve us right around iftar time. Highly recommend this place. We ordered chicken schnitzel, fried mushrooms, mushroom rigatoni and their burger and EVERYTHING was 1000 outta 10. Dietary restrictions: Halal friendly

Just AMAZING! It was a night to remember. The food, drinks and service were top notch.

I have visited Vela on a few occasions now and I can safely say that they have set a very high bar for restaurants in the city. From the booking process for group events, to the service we received, the staff, the food and everything in between was amazing. Chef Marvin has curated a wonderful menu that also caters to people who eat Halal.

The food was amazing and the staff was fantastic. Sitting at the chefs counter watching the food being prepared was a wonderful experience. Big shoutout to Jonray for being personable and making us feel welcomed at the chefs counter.

Had a great birthday dinner here, the ambiance was so unique and the food and service was great! I highly recommend this restaurant for date night or a photo-worthy night out!

Dined at 9:00pm Saturday Night. Place was full. Hectic vibe in there. Server Nadia was great as well as CHEF MARVIN came to my table to talk. Classy move. The food was good, prices good. I enjoyed it. - cheers - JAY T WARSH ~ @JayTSandals

I came to visit vela on a weekday after hearing many people recommend it and I was deeply disappointed. this place has the worst wait time I ve ever experienced in my life. i waited an hour for my food to come, by the time it came it was cold. the fries, the pasta and everything was cold. not only that, they were hard as rocks. I understand al dente but this was just al rock. i could barely swallow my food down. It is extremely overpriced for mediocre food. I also suggest the management figures out a better cleaning schedule because their bathrooms were disgusting and smelt lethal. If I could give -1 stars I would.

Wow! They do some incredible stuff. Creative, exciting and delicious. This is a dining experience. The service is impeccable. The venue is very nice. The food is so high quality and creative.

i get the expensive food since youre going for a whole experience and what not however my little sister and her friends told me they just paid about $7 each just because you guys lent them a knife to cut a cake that they bought to the venue and gave them some plates and a candle for the cake... i have never felt more disappointed in a restaurant. but lesson learned will bring out own knives and plates next time. :)

Good food - weak service. Restaurant was not able to accommodate for my vegan partner (despite pervasive advertising that they do accommodations). Her dishes were pretty disappointing. Servers in general had a hostile energy. I get the impression a lot of the staff is new. Spent $400 for two. Dietary restrictions: They dont accommodate despite their marketing

10/10 beautiful interior, great service delicious food!

Came back recently, amazing service and yummy food. Inside is nice. Don t do the patio. Food : 5/5

Great service and nice atmosphere. If you need your insta fix you came to the right place

Tasting menu was surprisingly class. Service great.

Loved this place! The food was SO GOOD, the service was okay, and the prices were a little steep but nothing crazy. All in all, Ill be coming again.

Best gnocchi in the city, high quality pasta that is really soft that it melts in your mouth

Absolutely despicable service!!. If you like to enjoy your dining experience . Stay far away. Our reservation was sat at the coffee tables not suitable for eating hot entrees . We wanted to move to a dining table but the last large table was given to a reservation after us. No cutlery or napkins or enough water glasses on the table ( maybe because we re not MEANT to eat there!). After ordering some drinks and appetizers we ordered food and then proceeded to wait over 1.5 hrs for then our server( after being asked by US) proceeded to tell us that the order machine was broken and the system didn t register our orders and if we wanted to wait she can enter them now. This is 2.5hr+ since we arrived and almost 11pm. After we declined and asked for the bills our server tried to clear the app plates and spilled the oyster water on our table and didn t clean it up until she was asked. ( spill was large). After speaking with management our drinks and oysters were comp d but our issues were mocked and overlooked so we just decided to leave. I am a pastry chef so I am well aware of the stresses of dinner service, however this was disgusting and we will never be back.

Amazing food. The octopus was delicious.

Vela is well designed restaurant & the food was delicious. Our server was lovely & very attentive! Thank you for a great experience Ethan & the team at Vela! Food

I was there for NYE - wish I knew there would be a prefixed menu , regardless the vibe and decor was very classy! Lobster was amazing and some good dessert options but I had higher expectations since this is a Michelin Star!!!! Staff don t have much knowledge about the menu so that could be worked upon. Might return to try items from the regular menu!

Set at the chefs counter, which I highly recommend. The service, the ambience, the food, everything was spot on. Cannot recommend it enough. The octopus was probably the best octopus I ve had ever. And the appetizer mushrooms were phenomenal.

I enjoyed an absolutely delicious meal experience at Vela Toronto for my 30th birthday and would 100% recommend it to anyone looking for a halal friendly, upscale modern-chic night out. We decided to try the chefs tasting menu and had the pleasure of watching head chef Marvin cook, create, plate and present some incredible dishes with high flavour profiles and excellent fusion touches. Really enjoyed the scallop crudo and mushroom arancini - would recommend the chefs tasing menu for real Vela experience. One of the only upscale restaurants to offer a fully halal menu in Toronto. We will be back! Dietary restrictions: Fully Halal Menu!

Took my wife here for her 30th birthday and this spot did not disappoint. We ordered the Chef s Tasting Menu and everything tasted delicious - high quality, excellent service, plus the food is Halal! Special thanks to Executive Chef Marvin Palomo who is truly a master at his craft. Can t wait to come again to try their Brunch menu.

Gorgeous room, very thoughtfully laid-out seating plan (basically there s not a bad seat in the house), perfect, sexy lighting. Food is very tasty (the Ricotta Gnocchi, the Buratta Canestri, and the Broccolini with chili crisp were my favourites), and cocktails were excellent. Service was lovely. Will be back!

Went for a special birthday dinner and were blown away! We sat at the chefs table and watched, with awe, the amazing chefs taking such care to prepare each plate. The friendly servers attended to us without being intrusive, the room is so beautiful, and the food was some of the best I ve ever had. Totally worth every penny and we will definitely be going back.

Great restaurant.

Vela is always a go to spot for dinner. The food is exceptional. The octopus is truly a one of a kind dish and the baked Alaska is hands down my favourite dessert in the city. Service is always great and consistent.

Excellent service every time I come to Vela! Food is out of this world and the cocktails are made very well

Best restaurant design and best cocktails in the city.

Absolutely one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto! Always an amazing dining experience

This was the worst experience I ve ever had at a restaurant. My husband and I waited in line, as there was a group ahead of us checking in with the host. He was so polite to them and walked them to their table before returning to the front desk. At this point, we approached the host to check in. He told us that he didn t have a table to accommodate us and while standing at the host stand waved us in the general direction of a lounge area. I asked the host to show me where this is and rather than leading me again proceeded to wave me away in that direction and said we could sit there once the party that was occupying the area is done taking pictures. Once I determined where the lounge area was located, I returned to the host to inform him that it was inappropriate to seat us in an area made for drinks and appetizers when we were there for dinner. He quite literally just stared at me and took the next group. Again, polite and led them to a table. I noticed that my husband and I were the only group of people of colour he interacted with, as both the group before and after us were Caucasian and received stellar service from the host. At this point we decided that we would be better of accepting an invitation to dinner from our friends who were dinning next door at Chubby s, so we left.

Great food, really poor service. We waited nearly 45 minutes to be seated, drinks were missed, food items were out, water was not brought to the table until 30 minutes after being seated, the wait staff was hard to find and very slow to return to the table, etc. Truly just one thing after another all evening. It was really disappointing after having heard positive reviews of the restaurant. Can t knock the food though, everything we ordered was really delicious.

Stopped by for drinks, it s nice that they take your jacket at the front as it s pretty convenient. Ambiance is nice, sat by the bar. I enjoyed the espresso martini they put together but my wife mentioned the drinks seemed to be too strong and not as balanced as she d like. Will def go back to try the food. 4

I havent dined at Vela but I still enjoyed it. I went there for a couple of drinks with my friend and we had a great time by the bar. The bartender was very friendly and had gr at advice for us what to drink. Overall the atmosphere was great and the design is amazing!

The people here are nice. But the service is not timely AT ALL. The food took forever and the coffee was tepid. Beautiful place, but eat at McDonalds before you get there.

Booked a table here a month early for Winterlicous. We ended up trying some other apps and drinks in addition to the three courses. We went on a Thursday night which was the perfect amount of busy and not loud. Ambiance is perfect for a date or fancy girls night or to celebrate an early valentines which is what we did! Service was fantastic, went the extra mile and our glasses were never empty.

We came here for Winterlicious prix-fixe menu and we were awed by the quality of the food and amazing service. We booked our table for a Friday night a few weeks ahead of time to be sure and received a text message a few days prior to our reservation for confirmation. When we got there, we parked in the parking lot, on the intersection of Portland St. & Adelaide St. and paid $25 flat rate. There are cheaper parking options available, but we decided to park close by since it was cold. After checking in our coats, we were guided to our table and offer the regular menu, drink menu and Winterlicious menu. We ordered our drinks and 3-course menu. Our order included Albacore Tuna Crudo for appetizer, Burrata Cansetri and Octopus for main course and Brownie and Mont Blanc for dessert. Our appetizers were okay, but entrée was amazing. The pasta was fresh and exquisite and Octopus was without any doubt, the most delicious Octopus I have ever had; very tender and flavored. Our favorite dessert was Mont Blanc, like nothing I have ever tasted before (I didn t expect such an amazing taste from a vegan dessert) hazelnut praline and chestnut purée were an absolute joy. The service was great; staff were attentive, but not pushing you to order or leave the restaurant. The vibe is amazing; both too formal not too casual.

I brought my wife here for her birthday, and we absolutely loved it. The decor, the vibes, the food, the service, it was all incredible. We ordered the Burrata and Beef Carpaccio for our apps, and the 12oz Steak and Mushroom Rigstoni for dinner. They were all amazing, but I have to mention that the quality of beef was exceptional. We had the pleasure of Chef Marvin Palomo checking in to ensure we were enjoying our meals, which was very thoughtful. We highly recommend this restaurant, and well definitely be back to try both the brunch and the Chefs Tasting menu.

Vela was amazing. It was my first time there and the food was phenomenal. Experience was lovely. Nadia was our waiter and she was very pleasant. Her recommendations were on point. Beautiful restaurant. menu item in photo is mushroom rigatoni with truffles added, octupus and the schnitzel

Pretty disappointing anniversary celebration here. Came here for the first time on a Friday and I was honestly left feeling pretty disappointed. We arrived a little earlier than our reservation time and was immediately seated. However no one came to us for about 20 minutes. Then we had a girl come by and ask us for our drinks order and had also asked us if we were ready to order. There was not much of a greeting or being told that she was our server so it was quite awkward. It didn t help that after ordering she came by to tell me the Chicken Ballotine was sold out. I was left a bit confused that it was around 8 pm and something was already sold out? I wounded up ordering the striploin. For the appetizer I ordered the chicken liver mousse toast, which tasted pretty good, the blue berries really balanced the taste. The striploin however was disappointing the menu stated it was served with fries however it just came with a couple onion rings. It was cool when the person who brought the food poured the sauce on top but other than that the steak was fine just felt like there needed to be a bit more to it. We finished off with the Choux pastry which we were told because the menu was transitioning to fall it would be difference with hazelnut and apples, it tasted fine if you like Ferrero rochers. Overall for a special occasion I was left feeling just meh.

This place is terrible i wish i could give it zero stars.

Had a delicious dinner with a group of friends. Loads of ridiculous incessant selfie takers which became annoying with their large selfie lights but otherwise a cool atmosphere. Service was excellent with one caveat, when we got out bill (their were 6 of us and it was split in 3), when handed the machine it automatically had 20% as the lowest tip option. The machine was passed but the bill already had 20% included. The server of course did not point that out and it is of course our fault for not reading the bill properly but she ended up with a 40% tip which is outrageous. Mad at ourselves ultimately but it left us with a bad taste in our mouth for these types of restaurant practices. It was a very expensive mistake at over $550 per couple.

The best fun night out spot where the food is actually amazing. This was my second time dining here as a group and had the chance to try more of the menu. The pastas, oysters, and steak were great, but the beef carpaccio and octopus just blew me away. It was some of the best octopus I ve ever had. Of course the fried mushrooms were delicious as well! I wish the offered more steak sauces other than the gravy. Our server Ethan was very attentive, energetic, and made the experience even better.

To say that the new year event was a huge step down from what Vela did last year, would be an understatement! We were here last year and absolutely loved the food, the live band was fabulous and so was the dining experience. This year they most definitely lost us. Imagine this pairing, four course dining experience with deafening, mind numbing music with speakers so strategically placed that you have no out! There is music you dance to and there is music to dine to guess that homework wasn t done. We had to text to each other to communicate and people sitting around us had a similar plight. We tried expressing that and what we got back was that is the vibe we are going for ! We sat through the next 3 hours trying hard to focus on the food ( which was actually good) The servers were polite and we sympathize with them for the way they maneuvered through the loud din of restaurant! We decided to not stay past dinner, although we had paid for the after dinner event. The manger was so dismissive of our feedback that it made it very easy for us to call for a ride home.

Probably one of the best strip loin I ever had! Vela has a very cozy ambience, perfect for a date! I went with my wife and we had an amazing experience. We had heirloom carrots and some octopus which my wife loved. An amazing place we probably go back at some point!

Brunch here is the best kept secret!

Top notch food and decor at Vela. Got a reso at their Chef s counter area and got to watch the chefs in action while we ate! 7 course tasting menu: - Appetizer platter: The bite sized tart was my favourite of the platter. It has a rich savoury mousse filling inside and had my date and I craving for more - Scallop Crudo: tasted fresh and had a generous 5 pieces of scallop in each serving - Mushroom pudding: Truffle, Maitake and mushroom cream soup join together to create an extremely intense mushroom flavour. Think of a mushroom bomb packed into each bite. Incredible umami! - Pasta twirl: Burrata, caviar and spicy oil. I think this needed a little bit more salt - Octopus: Best octopus i ve had all year. This is a must try at Vela. Meaty on the thick end and deliciously crispy at the thin end. - Tenderloin: Beef was too salty at first, but once I paired it with the yellow sauce it balanced out and was good. The potato is several layers of potato sheets stacked together, good as well - Sorbet: Chef mentioned this was a palate cleanser course. It is very tart - Dessert: A little mousse cake they set on fire and you get to blow it out. Pretty cool Overall, this is a fantastic spot to celebrate an occasion or for date night. I recommend giving this place a try, fantastic food and decor About the 3 stars for service: Our original server zoned out by the kitchen for 15 min and never came to greet us. We essentially had to greet HER. A second server ended up taking over but was quite occupied with her own section. I consider this a one-off situation, but unfortunately did affect our experience that night

So CHIC!! Im in love with the design and lighting of this place. So elegant. The food is good for its price too.

Great service! Love they have halal options, food has so much flavour. I loveeee the interior too

My boyfriend and I sat at the bar on a lovely Friday night, enjoyed a London fog and an Espresso martini along with an amazing dessert with pistachio icecream and a fluffy torched marshmallow cream. It was amazing however, we both agreed that it would taste even better with some toasted almonds! But, overall it was excellent!! The waitress at the bar was so sweet and had extensive knowledge and wonderful suggestions from the cocktail menu. We can t remember her name, pretty lady with red hair! Thank you!!!!! We will be back for dinner soon.

We had the worst ever experience here on Jan 5, 2023. We were celebrating my wife s birthday with 2 more friends and had a final bill of $600. When I was about to make the payment, the F&B manager started insisting on 25% tip saying that it s a government requirement. When I questioned him if that s true, he backtracked and then tried to take me on a guilt trip saying there are families to be fed by the tip. I had given 12% for tip for good service which I strongly feel was sufficient. But would never recommend this place to anyone.

Fantastic non alcoholic drink options for dry Jan!

I attended a birthday dinner last night and had an unpleasant experience. The music was way too loud. My friends and I were basically yelling at each other to hold a conversation. Most times I was unable to hear what was being said. The menu was basic and nothing to rave about. I ordered the Mushroom Rigatoni and added shrimp as my protein which I didnt enjoy and found it overpriced. I asked for a sweet mocktail from our server who recommended Pink Baby and it was anything but sweet. I admit it was quite busy in the restaurant last night and we had to constantly flag our waiter to either take our order or bring us the dessert menu etc. Lastly, I emailed the restaurant in advance to inform them that we are celebrating a birthday and to ensure a birthday message is added when bringing out the dessert- this was not done either. I was looking forward to last night and had high hopes because the conceriege who I was corresponding with was quite helpful and accommodating but everything fell short and left me quite disappointed.

I went here for my 40th birthday, I have never been so impressed with food and service, this place is tucked away a bit, but it is absolutely worth looking for amazing food Inwill absolutely be back

Lucas was a very good server ,very respectful, very patient and kind! 10/10 service from him! I for sure be returning! Food

I went here for my friends birthday and it was amazing! Got loads of pictures because of how beautiful the place was! We received Lucas as our server and he was great! Very accommodating, patient and understanding which is something that isn t always received from servers! We were a party of 6 and he didn t mess up any of our orders and the food came with reasonable timing! Would definitely come here again!

We had a very good server name LUCAS. very nice and respectful. Super patience with us as well. We appreciate him so muchhhh. Best server out there. Give him all the tips