Essence Bistro in Woodbridge

Love this place

Excellent place for a 1 on 1 or a few friends. The menu has a lot of variety of interesting options. Would come back

The food was incredible. We sat in the patio and the atmosphere was great. I had the cod and it was so tender. My husband had the chicken and he said it was delicious. Would definitely go back.

I m a bit disappointed with this place because I had really high hopes after seeing the reviews - the atmosphere is really nice and modern. We ordered mimosas to start which were really good and presented nicely. But our food did not live up to our standards - I ordered the truffle omelette which I didn t even realize was an omelette when the plate came. The taste wasn t great and the side salad it came with had no dressing. My husband ordered a burger and the meat was also bland. Not to mention lunch cost us almost $100, and we left dissatisfied. Really disappointing because this spot has a lot of potential!

We recently hosted an engagement party at Essence Bristol], and it was an absolutely fabulous experience from start to finish. We had arranged for cocktails and drinks, and were pleasantly surprised by the abundance and variety of food provided. The selection exceeded our expectations in both quality and quantity. Our guests were delighted, and most importantly, the future bride and groom had a wonderful time. The ambiance and service were top-notch, making it a perfect setting for our celebration. We couldn t have asked for a better venue for this special occasion! The future bride and groom loved it along with guests. As the mother of the Bride the venue has given me the most beautiful memories of this special occasion!

Delicious food and good vibes

Best meal of my life , everything was a master piece of flavour ! Outstanding!!! Perfect score 10/10 . They will definitely see me again

Incredible food. Incredible service. Great hidden gem in the heart of Woodbridge. Will certainly be returning. All their apps and shareables are delicious.

Quaint and smaller space than expected however, the open kitchen provided a nice touch to the atmosphere. A majority of the dishes we tried ranged from bland to okay. Ive never had to send food back at any restaurant but we had to send the watercress pesto pasta back after all three of us dining agreed that it tasted absolutely awful and was virturally inedible (it tasted like how dog kibble smells!) I love watercress so that was dissapointing. The cod and oysters were excellent though! Service was friendly. Not worth coming back as we werent too impressed with the food.

Outstanding, This is my first restaurant review which I felt compelled to write due to being so satisfied with my meal. Its a true breath of fresh air to eat food at an establishment with staff that care about what they are doing, a real rarity in North America in my experience. The chef clearly has a passion for what he does and it shines through in the end result. The hostess was exceptionally warm and curtious. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to eat a properly prepared meal with carefully selected ingredients all driven by passion to make an excellent product.

We had the most amazing dinner here the lamb chops were divine, the burger was sooo tasty, and the shareable plates were delicious. The food is amazing. It s a calm, relaxed, intimate atmosphere with great dinner music at the perfect volume; an open kitchen, with chef making everything fresh, and fantastic service from staff. Welcoming for families as well, with high chairs and a change table in the washroom. Truly a wonderful experience, we will definitely be back soon. Highly recommend.

Absolutely one of the best meals weve had in a long, long time. Amazing food, incredibly attentive staff, fantastic ambience. I had the Tune Crudo & Surf & Turf, one of the BEST Ive EVER had. Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend. Literally, with this quality, no need to venutre down to Toronto. Please come out and support restos like these, we need more north of the city.

This place is a little gem in Market Lane! Has great food and vibe. A brilliant concept of healthy eating with a juice bar and healthy snacks next door.

Was incredible experience! Absolutely, have to try it !

Waiter and staff are really friendly.

We are thoroughly impressed with the food and service we received this past Sunday for my sister s Bridal Brunch. All of the staff were beyond accommodating whether it was for our guests dietary restrictions and for any missing pieces. All of the guests were raving about the food and were impressed with the presentation and unique flavours. We would certainly come back for another event at Essence!

Based on a recommendation we dined at Essence Bistro farm to table restaurant in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada and weren t disappointed - what a gem! Everything was fantastic from the decor to the food and service. Everything was top notch. The respectable organic wine list is organized by price instead of region and was easy to follow and select from. We chose a full bodied Sangiovese and had the best flat water we ve ever tasted - Ontarieau from Oro-Medinte well. We started with the delicate and detectible mushroom risotto. We added the red pepper hot spice oil to it and it definitely gave it zing! Our mains werethe duck leg confit (not on the spring menu but available on request) and the surf and turf lobster and steak. Both au jus and both mouth watering. We couldn t manage dessert but visited the attached Essence Heath and Juice bar. We will be back sooner rather than later. Thanks for a memorable experience. Chris> Dietary restrictions: Organic Wheelchair accessibility: Ground floor with wheelchair washroom.

Delicious!! Awesome little Spot for drinks and good food!!

What an incredible restaurant located in the heart of Woodbridge! Essence Bistro checked all the boxes: delicious variety of food, elevated drink menu and scrumptious desserts in a beautiful atmosphere. Beka was incredibly kind and recommended excellent pairings for both the wine and food.

Really good, good prices, nice environment

The food was sublime and unique. The service as well has been absolutely outstanding and extremely professional .

Went here for a friend s birthday celebration. Had an amazing time. Food was delicious and cocktails were yummy (and pretty!) . It was perfect for our girls night out - especially when u add in the serene vibe, and professional / friendly staff

Id youre looking for something different, then this is the place to change up your taste buds. Food is 10/10

Hosted my husbands and I birthday and the team was incredible!! Thank you Claudia and the serving /bartending staff - so easy to work with. Made our night so much more fun! Couldn t recommend enough - the vibes were immaculate

The sweetest people and the best food. The chef came out to greet us at the end of our meal and the overall customer service was lovely. Would definitely recommend.

We celebrated my husband s 90th on Jan 25th with Dinner and then again for a Surprise Brunch on Jan 28 with a party of 15. Essence is a culinary delight, with exceptional service and a warm & comfortable ambience. Thank you Essence for a memorable experience.

the perfect third place. everything is done right. ambience, company, conversations, food presentation, taste and quality. toro dish is exceptional, tastes like early morning at Tsukjii. will continue to visit this gem.

Highly recommended ,Exceptional customer service , the quality of the food exceeded my expectation , was quite surprised on the quality of the food , and the presentation just AMEZIING, Worth the money for a well testy presented dish..

If you re someone who eats with their eyes like myself let s start with the presentation and serving ware, nothing like functional and elegant this place had both . Had brunch and it was awesome starting with the burrata , eggs completo , eggs+soldiers , French toast, and cheesecake it was a meal fit for any foodie. Service and staff was prompt and felt welcomed and looked after. Looking forward to experience the dinner menu .

What a great place to enjoy amazing food, service and ambience. The best part is knowing that it s farm to table . 10/10 Food : 5/5

Fantastic atmosphere and service with a really interesting winter menu.

A spectacular food experience in the heart of Woodbridge. The ambiance, design, service and inventiveness of their menu will keep you coming back. I especially appreciate their dedication to using only organic, locally sourced ingredients. On top of that, their selection of wines and specialty cocktails really elevate your dining experience. Must try s: the tuna toro, the lamb chops, risotto, and specialty cheeses. It s our go-to spot in Vaughan. No other place like it.

An absolute gastronomic delight! From the first bite to the last, every dish showcased culinary brilliance. The flavors were harmonious, and the presentation was artistry on a plate. Fresh, high-quality ingredients shone through in each dish. Must try s I d say is the mushroom risotto, toro tuna, lamb chops, oh and the cheesecake is like no other!!

Came here for my birthday brunch! It was such a nice vibe, the staff was super friendly and so accommodating. The food was so fresh and delicious, the plating and the ambience was just superb! I would definitely come back here again! Vegetarian options: Great selection Dietary restrictions: I was so amazed they had pretty much everything on their menu gluten free. With someone who has celiac it is hard to find great options and this place was it!

Really friendly staff, beautiful environment, and lovely holistic and spiritual shop inside of it as well.

Not to be confused with Essence Juice Bar (their sister vegan juice and smoothie shop), this gorgeous little space is exactly what Woodbridge needs. A classy, vibey bistro with healthy (not vegan) and delicious menu items including food with South American influence and incredible cocktails. I will absolutely recommend to a friend looking for something different in Vaughan! But me, I think I ll be a regular here.

Amazing experience, delicious drinks and food! Highly recommend it!

Third time here. Tried different foods each time and was always impressed. Service is great and definitely will be back again.

Absolutely floored. The menu is so far above the price point. Flavours pour out into your palette. Unassuming location , absolute 5 star.

Vegetarian and Family friendly, amazing staff and food quality is awesome. Pancakes were full and delightful and the coconut butter is amazing, and whatever that corn was aswell. Smoothie was great too! Esthetically pleasing.

Beautiful restaurant, fantastic staff, and most importantly, incredible food!

So good! I didn t know what to expect but I m glad I went here. In the heart of Woodbridge is this farm-to-table gem. Chill loungy house kind of music. It felt like a place that would be in Yorkville. Really friendly and tentative staff. Small spot. Enough to seat about 40 people maybe. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. They made sure there weren t any good allergies as well. Had the Dips and Things to share. My favourite of the 3 dips was the sesame hummus. Really generous serving of various chips to dip (taro chips, plantain chips, and kettle). I had the burger and it was really good! My partner had the smoked chicken which was excellent as well. The roasted squash salad that accompanied my partners chicken was delicious! Awesome experience and would love coming back again the future.

This place is an absolute shiny gem of a hidden spot in Market Lane. Went for dinner and the food is amazing, with so many options. Crowd pleaser for vegetarian, gluten free, carnivores, pescatarians - you name it. Such a unique blend of beautiful flavours for the palate. I loved everything about it. Our waiter Memo was so charming, accommodating and took time to tell us all about the menu and ingredients. Cant wait to go back for brunch. Great vibe and decor - felt like I was in downtown Toronto. Thank you!!

Chef Gerry and his team are amazing! Perfect way to end off the week at essence enjoying delicious, modern cuisine. Bar menu also has a lot of unique options for everyone. Definitely coming back.

DELICIOUS Farm to Table HIDDEN GEM My friend and I had a Saturday night dinner & loved it!!!! We shared every dish and the portion sizes meant we could try many dishes. The space is beautifully decorated and feels welcoming. Food was perfect with mouthwatering textures and flavours. There is limited seating so reservations might be smart for evenings and weekends - don t know if they take them. The service was amazing Shoutout to Memo! We had a lot of questions and he answered all with storytelling about the business and the inspiration for the dishes or ingredient changes! possibly most importantly, the restroom was pretty and spotless. I ll be returning soon for brunch and I can t wait!

Great place, loved the vibe. Food quality is really good you can tell the farm to table difference. Had the dips and the burger, both were really good will definitely be going again!

definitely will come back again!

Went for the three course lunch. Beautiful farm to table experience.

Gorgeous restaurant. Amazing service. Perfect for afternoon brunch - the dishes are beautifully plated & we loved the mexican flavours + emphasis on fresh & local ingredients.

Great little Bistro with clean, fresh menu. Highly recommend giving this gem a try. Beautiful presentation, amazing flavour and quality food and service. Will def be back.

Best meal experience I have had in a long time. Absolutely met my highest expectations. Surprised by how quiet it was in there to be honest because it was amazing food...making this place a real gem! I traveled about an hour to meet up with friends for brunch. I would happily do so again and again.

Phenomenal gem in Woodbridge! A small farm to table restaurant with an emphasis on Mexican flavours. All items on the menu were full of flavour. Beautiful presentation. Drinks were excellent. Service was excellent overall a great meal and highly recommended

Food was pretty good, but a bit overpriced.

My husband surprised me with reservations here for Mother s Day. Let s just say that what was described vs what we got was interesting say the least. It was a folding table with finger sandwiches, a breakfast sandwich, minimal cold cuts and cheeses, and oysters that had minimal toppings. Advertised brioche French toast, but it was 2 tiny pieces. Severely disappointed. Not worth what my husband paid for that s forsure.

The hidden gem of Woodbridge. We have visited this restaurant a few times and the food has always been exceptional. Farm to table style, food is always fresh and the drinks are always delicious. If you haven t checked it out definitely put this on your list.

If I could give this place 6 stars I would! Cozy place with an elevated atmosphere. Food and service were top notch! The mix of good food, good company, and a great live DJ make for a great, local night out. The Hangers Steak is incredible and the fresh made sauces are unlike any I ve tasted. I d recommend Essence Bistro to anyone!

The most amazing place to go to enjoy wonderful food

Awesome Food and Staff, very Pleasant Friendly atmosphere and Great food

Walked into the restaurant with a WOW on my face. I would recommend this restaurant for sure. Great service, friendly staff. Beautiful environment. Steak & Egg burger is THE BEST!!

Food was amazing. Customer service over the top. The food we ordered was classy and so tasty. The atmosphere was very luxurious. 5 out of 5.

They have loads of succulent raw vegan options! What a great place that is so inclusive of all diets and restrictions!

The atmosphere takes you out of whatever day you were having. Well thought out decor, attentive staff and carefully designed menu. All food is fresh, made in house and has a story. Sourced within 100km of the restaurant. The server was able to explain each part of our dish. We attended a lunch. Certainly want to come back for dinner. The salsa and chips was incredible. It s 3 types of chips, 6 salsas each with a different flavour profile and heat level. (My wife and I immediately thought of night cocktails and snacking on these till the early morning). We each had a salad. And to call it just a salad is not doing it justice. One of the best meals/dining experience I ve had in a long long time. A must try for vegans, foodies, or health nuts but really just anyone who enjoys a good meal. Coming back for brunch, dinner and eventually the tasting menu. Can t wait.

Food was worth the price, quality food, beautiful and calm environment to spend time with friends or partner! Absolutely delicious and unique fusion of Latin food. Which is rare to find a restaurant that specialize in Latin gourmet food in Toronto.

Total hidden gem! Amazing food, great atmosphere and super clean. You can tell the owner really puts a lot of love and care into this place. Highly recommend!

The quality of the food is incomparable! The customer service is amazing! The location is stunning! I had such a great experience at Essence Bistro, fresh food, healthy and the cocktails (you must try them) my new fav restaurant!!! And what I love the most about the restaurant is that is Latin gourmet food, that is so new! I don t really seen any latin restaurants that offer gourmet dishes. Can t wait to go back and try the Oysters and Paella!

Went on a Wednesday night and did not know they didn t offer their regular menu! They had tapas / paella. Tapas - was good but not much a variety to choose from! (A piece of cheese with two slices of pickles were 9$) Paella- was tasty but wasn t spectacular! Instagram pictures of the paella looked much better than what came to the table. Will have to come back to try their regular menu! Do not recommend going on tapas/paella night.

Jovanna was so hospitable and knowledgeable with the menu, with the philosophy of the restaurant, her infectious smile and personality made the experience a plus!. The restaurant has beautiful decor and food is amazing.

Great place! The drinks are absolutely amazing! Had the tamarind margarita - my fave. Everything on the menu is good, we try a little bit of everything every time we come and its never disappointing! . Love the atmosphere and decor, a beautiful place with great service! Dietary restrictions: Vegan and vegetarian avail

Hosted my baby shower at Essence for brunch. My guests were impressed by the food and ambiance. A unique farm to table experience. Highly recommend!

Always an amazing experience! Food is fantastic, drinks are unique, the place is amazing. Downtown vibes, with flavours you wont experience everyday. A must try!

Cannot say enough positive things about my experience at Essence. The food was delicious, but the service was absolutely outstanding. Particularly want to mention that 1. We had a slight issue with one of our entrees (steak was less cooked than preferred) and it was fixed and replaced within MINUTES. 2. We were celebrating a special moment and I asked the two wonderful ladies hosting if they had sparklers or something festive to add to my friends day and they went above and beyond to make sure she was celebrated Recommend this hidden gem strongly to anyone looking for great food, amazing service, and relaxed ambience.

I can recommend who needs something different

Essence Bistro is an excellent place to spend a very pleasant time, its delicious menu and very good attention from the employees. We ordered tofu ceviche as a starter, chicken wrap, 140 hamburger and roast chicken, plus the very delicious craft beer and a non-alcoholic grapefruit-based drink (with alcohol is also an option) to finish we ordered matcha latte with oat milk and brownie based on sweet potato with sesame snow, simply a delight! We even enjoyed the decoration of the place, very cozy. I highly recommend it Vegetarian options: They have several vegetarian dishes and support area farmers by constantly changing the menu to prepare with local ingredients. Dietary restrictions: They have different types of lactose-free milk and the food is light and real, they prepare everything on site, even the ketchup sauce!

Friendly and efficient service, very complete menu, delicious dishes. The delicious Chicken and the desserts, Brownie very delicious!!

This place was wonderful. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding.

Amazing place to have a meal made with love and care. The chef and his staff are an absolute pleasure. Quaint Intimate setting. The food and drinks are all made up by their chef and everything is a design from his imagination. I m sure you ll love it too! Highly Recommend!

I had a really great time at Essence Bistro! The food was amazing especially the oysters and potato + truffle dish. There was a large variety of unique drinks to choose from and the appearance of the restaurant was very modern/aesthetic. Dj Type O was playing some really cool mixes/tracks and it helped set the vibe.

This place never disappoints! I m allergic to dairy, gluten, and sugar so you can imagine how difficult it is to find an accommodating place to dine at. This restaurant is at the top of my recommended list. The staff is so kind and welcoming, the food is absolutely DELICIOUS and the overall place is so beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. 10/10! Highly recommend

Food is so good! My vegan friend and I are appreciating the taste and environment of this place!

Excellent service and wonderful food! We tried their new Winter dinner menu and the server had great recommendations! Go eat here!

Wife and I had a great dinner here.

Top choice in Woodbridge for special culinary experience!..

Had a delightful experience at this restaurant! The food was both delicious and fresh, and the new menu from the chef added a unique flair. Definitely worth a visit!

Excellent service and delicious food. Great portions and options to enjoy either meat or vegetarian servings. I would definitely recommend to family and friends.

This spot is amazing. I wish I d found out sooner how tasty the food was here. First impression, was definitely the ambiance the decor is on point (whoever designed the place did an amazing job). I had a little bit of everything and shared most of the dishes with friends but you just feel good. I usually feel bloated but last night was not the case. Definitely going to make this my go to spot.

Had a wonderful meal with my colleague. Lovely atmosphere and the service was good. Lots of options for carnivores and vegans alike. We ll be back

Essence Bistro is a beautiful space with high end Latin inspired finishes that transport you to another city. Perfect for a private party. The patio is now open and tucked into the corner of Market Lane. A great local spot for tasty drinks and fresh latin inspired food. Vegan and gluten free options on the menu as well as fish and meat thoughtfully prepared and perfectly plated. The Avocado Rice, Roasted Eggplant, Asparagus, Chicken and Mojito were my choices. My husband absolutely loved the steak. Im so happy to have Essence in my neighbourhood .

Essence Bistro is an amazing spot for a night out! Delicious, fresh food, friendly service, and the fun atmosphere makes you feel like you re in another city. The food is so fresh (they make their own tortillas!). Thank you for a great experience!!

Guillermo gave excellent reccomendations for beverages and food, what an amazing experience, excellent food and drink. Amazing service, would highly recommend. Hector is among the best servers I have ever met in my life. A gentleman and a scholar. Well done Essence Bistro.

So good! Had the avocado rice and eggplant dishes. Both were delicious, also a great vibe

I had a wonderful experience at Essence Bistro. Thank you !! Celebrating my birthday here made my special day more memorable, the food was excellent, the service expectacular. Thanks once again I will defenetly come again and I will defenetly share my experience with my family and friends

Excellent food, service and ambiance. Delicious plant based options as well. Highly, highly recommended!!

We ve heard good things about this place so we decided to visit last night. Food was good, and so was the service. I don t drink alcohol anymore so I loved that they had great NA options. I went with their signature old fashioned and honestly, best virgin cocktail I ve ever had. I would go back just to have that again! The only hiccup to our visit was as we were on our way home, I stared having an allergic reaction. I thought, How can that be, I didn t see anything I was allergic to on their menu? But my spouse remembered that they did have shellfish on a separate menu, so there was probably cross-contamination there in the kitchen. Good thing that my allergies are now significantly milder than when I was younger. Some people may not be so lucky, so a refresher on how to prevent these things from happening is a must!

Food was very good Great cocktails and service

Absolutely outstanding. Authentic flavour, great portions, many vegan and vegetarian options. Stands out in a sea of Woodbridge restaurants. Food is farm to table and delicious, a must try. Fantastic margarita and polite, knowledgeable service as well

Went their for brunch and had the best Mexican Plato Completo it was perfect- took me back to vacationing in Merida - an experience I did not think I could get here in the GTA. Guillermo was the icing on the cake - he had so many good tips about visiting and diving in Los Cabos (he is a dive master!) - it was like enjoying brunch with a friend!

Where do I even begin. Wow , just wow. What an amazing evening, from the décor, the service, the food, the ambiance it was just stunning. We came for a 7:30 dinner reservation and stayed till after 11pm. Our server was beyond knowledgeable about all of the dishes on the menu as well as the cocktails and made the perfect recommendations for each course that was served. At no point did we feel rushed or did we have to look to far to find him if we had questions or needed a fresh drink :) You can really feel the love that goes into each dish, the food was amazing and the presentation was gorgeous. We were there on a Thursday night so there was a live DJ playing perfect house to ease us into dessert and the rest of our evening. We were even up on our feet dancing. I can not say enough good things , if you are in the area or hey even if you are not , take a drive, you will defiantly not be disappointed. Essence Bistro, thank you so much again for welcoming us into your space. We will for sure be back.

Beautiful spot with tasty food and great DJ s. The patio is the cherry on top!

What better way to begin than WOW! Essence Bistro gives you Toronto city vibes without leaving the GTA (Vaughan to be more specific.) The atmosphere is incredible!! The staff are extremely friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable of their items. Thank you to Samantha, Letizia and all of the staff for helping us throughout the evening. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, food presentation is 10/10 and tastes as great as it looks. Farm to table concept makes a huge difference when tasting fresh authentic meals. I cannot wait to return with all of my family and friends. Great food, beautiful decor and friendly service.

Great food and great service!!

We had an amazing time here! Guillermo provided great recommendations and took the time to explain each dish to us. Every dish was beautifully presented and tasty. They had an impressive and unique cocktail and mocktail list. The DJ was a perfect addition to the atmosphere. We ll definitely be going back!

Flavorful food and overall pleasant experience !

Hidden gem of Market Lane! This is a must try!! The vibes, service, food and drinks, were all wonderful. Our food tasted amazing, the farm to table menu is a must try! The restaurant brings in live DJs on select days. Such a great experience!

By far one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. The service was astounding, the food incredible and the drinks and dessert were divine. We didnt feel like customers, but like old friends and were treated as such by the staff. The comradery really made the experience memorable. And the food was delicious! The fact that it was all farm to table within 100km of the restaurant really illustrated that this place cares for the quality of the food, and the environment. This is our new favourite restaurant, by far - and we will be going again.

Very good experience to enjoy an excellent fusion meal of Latin cuisine and Modern cuisine, as well as farm food to your table.

Great food, great staff, lovely ambiance. Delicious brunch. Will definitely be back to try their dinner menu.

Delicious food, really great atmosphere, staff and service. The farm to table food is exceptional and the menu has some unique combinations. Nourishing experience all over!

A new favourite! Not only are you greeted by their welcoming and knowledgeable staff, but also of the places amazing ambience and beautiful space overall. My boyfriend and I went here for brunch and got three items on their farm to table menu which, by the way, were all exceptional especially the Chilaquiles (thank you for the reco Nemo!). The beauty of each items presentation and the balance each ingredient brought were definitely worth every penny spent. We also got to see their alcohol menu and was surprised to see they also offer non-alcoholic drinks. Definitely trying some next time we come by.

I have dined at the Bistro a few times and the food is always delicious with great new flavours. I decided to order the take out seasonal menu of the trout dinner for four for guests as I wouldn t have time to cook. I was concerned about the fish drying out being reheated but with the excellent instructions the meal was perfect. We throughly enjoyed the delicious meal and the desserts were spectacular! The portions were perfect and my guests were impressed by the flavours. The staff were very helpful and extremely friendly. Definitely will be returning and will never hesitate to order from the dine out menu.

Excellent food farm to table, locally source unique flavours delicious, excellent ambiance and service,. Best place in Vaughan I amso happy that this new restaurant open in Woodbridge, they serve lunch dinner and brunch, I went also for brunch and it was blown away by the brunch options, also tried dinner it was excellent, highly recommend it.

Stopped by for the DJ and the food was a nice surprise. Short menu but with many variations and apparently tacos are to die for. I had the ceviche, a cocktail and a flan. Everything was just the right size and absolutely delicious. Will definitely be back!