Central Bar & Grill in York
2007 Lawrence Ave W, York, ON M9N 3V1, Canada
About
Let Central Bar and Grill change what you think about local Caribbean restaurants. Patrick Allen, the owner has combined the idea of up and coming modern style with the Carribean culture. Central Bar and Grill not only provides traditional Jamaican food such as; oxtail, jerk pork, jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, etc. but also provides entertainment and supports local artists such as DJs from Thursday to Sunday. Central generally caters to a mature crowd but provides a welcoming environment to all with having Pool Wednesdays, Seafood Thursdays for dinner, as well as various food specials.
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Me and my cousin got there at about 7pm, there was literally 4 patrons in there. We our sat for 1 hour, and no one acknowledged our presence.
Came in at 9:10pm on my friends birthday . It took 1hr for a server to attend to us. She them disappeared and apparently went home. After attempting to order from 3 other servers once the rest of our group reached at 9:45pm I approached the gentleman behind the bar. After 2 attempts he put us in talks with his manager. As she came our first 2 plate reached but it should've been 3 She gave us a comp bare foot bottle and the missing meal. 3 girl came in at 11 and we're served at the bar before the girls that came in at 945. 1 of our groups food was given to another table and all the gentleman could tell us is sorry. 3 hrs of bad service and we were issues a barefoot comp bottle. Akeila came to assist us and she was amazing. However the confusion was to much and we left on our friends actually birthday. Been here before and it was great but tonight was a shit show
The fact that I’m taking the time out to write this review says a lot, I bought two seafood medley with mash potato and this is the worst seafood I’ve ever had, the crab and lobster stunk of piss, it literally smelled like stale piss!!!! I felt sick to my stomach, the gravy looks like mudd water, cracked the shell of the lobster and crab and it’s black!!! Lobster meat is supposed to be white not black! Toronto Public health needs to visit this establishment asap because there’s no way this man is serving customers dead spoiled crab and getting away with it, disgusting!!! I noticed you replied, the seafood had a strong ammonia smell and I still have it sitting in my garbage, shall I attach pictures? Google when lobster starts to smell and taste like ammonia, it means it’s gone bad and should be disposed of not cooked and served, defending this speaks volumes, have a blessed day! You’re not about to make me look like a liar so I’ll attach pictures! Our order was order 205.
Seafood Thursday 🤤 breaded shrimps and Jamaican Beer !! Keisha was amazing , loved the vibe
Our team for #liftoffbyccawr.ca visited while in Mississauga for a conference and it was 🎶Nice vibes, black owned👏🏾 and thriving with great food🥘🍗, drinks🍹 and attentive servers😊. Busy which is great for business! Seafood Thursday is great value! Good prices overall!
I went there with a group of friends for seafood Thursday. We called in advance but the seafood wasn't ready yet until around 7pm When we got there the place was empty with mainly bar service. It seems the table servers were just arriving. We finally got to order. The fish soup was really good as was the plantain. I ordered the spicy crab and lobster it was good flavour but I could tell the crab wasn't the freshest. Still enjoyable and not super spicy which is how I like it. My friend didn't like the seafood linguini it was sorta dry and pasty. The manager was totally cool about it and offered her curry shrimp dish which she enjoyed. The curry seafood medley was also good according to my other friend. The staff was very pleasant and the atmosphere was fun they had a DJ playing old soul and reggae music. As the night progressed more people came and it felt lively. Overall I enjoyed my time there and would go back.. my suggestion is that they add more seating for groups because most of the seating was cocktails table aside from 3 booths.
The waitress is very rude, and their customer service is very awful. The waitress serves men and not women they will look at females and pass straight. You have to wait one hour for anyone to come take your order at your table and this is a constant thing it happens all the time
Nice place to go Thursday through Sunday...nice atmosphere the owner and bartenders are the best ..I feel comfortable and safe there
Very good
Great music, nice mixture and great Jamaican food. Had a great night of dancing and ran across 5 friends who also came out to have a great time.
This place is not what it used to be. Hopefully, others would have a better experience than my recent visit.
Some of the best jerk pork I ve had in a while
The food was a little salty(had jerk pork) but it took a long time to come(30+ mins).
Good music, great atmosphere!
Worst food ever ordered jerk chicken and jork pork after driving 40 mins to pickup and driving back home we started to eat notice sappy rice with sorer jerk pork taste stale the chicken was not too bad but I wouldnt suggest ordering again from them there are better restaurants out there
The place is exciting and so many activities can be held here from Birthdays to Anniversaries to whatever you need. The food is great and you can take it to go.
It was my first time everything was good
Friday thru Sunday has parties and theyre under 10 bucks or free with great djs
The food is great but takes time to get perfection because all dishes are made fresh. The staff are very friendly and ambiance was incredible.
excellent service, super good atmosphere, very good place, the waitresses treat you very well, thank you very much, Lía, you were very friendly, excellent
Came here for my husbands bday, the food is delicious, I recommend anything shrimp or fish. Its a perfect chill spot that turns into night life clubbing at night so u can enjoy a meal late evening Nd stay and party the night away. They make the best cocktails. The only thing that I didnt like, their bottle service is expensive and you may not find a table so its best to reserve it from early. The dj plays jamaican dancehall, afro- beats, R&B and trini music. And they know how to mix, and the club is for mature clientele so crowd is in their 30s to 50s with the odd mature 20s ppl. I had a blast and so did my husband.
Great Service And My Food Was Served Timely. Nice Ambiance And Fresh & Clean Atmosphere.
Nice vibes
Service was friendly and quick
Gr8 place 2B on the wkend!
I didnt try their food, but it was nice atmosphere. It was the music and liquor for me
Good music and positive vibes
Great place to hang out with friends. The food is also excellent
Central is a whole vybe! If youre looking for a grown crowd with a lounge feel, this is the spot. The food is also super affordable and tasty.
Hours are wrong and wasted my time coming here
Nice place to chill out
Great experience
One of my favorite oldies and seafood place
Great service and vibes seafood boil is my fav
Went here for two occasions. Food was great and place seems to be quite popular for late outings or recreation.
Love the atmosphere and the food is delicious! Will definitely be back !
Place nice, bartenders are nice and good looking, ambient is great and nice music. Best seafood Ive tasted since being in Canada was aalloooooooooottt of food til its good annoy . Heads up fellas walk alone, sands already there
I don t wanna say I m a regular there but my sisters, friends and I go there quite often in the summer time. Drink and food is good especially the food
Nice
Didnt try the food yet as I was there for the Sunday Night Reggae Oldies Party. Honestly the best night out in ages. Mature crowd . No drama, I repeat NO DRAMA. DJ played hit after hit I was dancing from the line up to get in ....to the Uber on my way home. Already went back twice in one month. Cant wait to go back again. Such a great vibe. Friendly staff from security to bartenders. Dont put it off....GET THERE AS FAST AS YOU CAN. Parking: Its a big plaza lots of free parking Wheelchair accessibility: Its ground floor so easily accessible
nice place
If you want to feel like youre in Jamaica, go here on a Saturday night and thank me later.
Upbeat bar and restaurant. Love the atmosphere.
Akhila best service
Vegetarian options: Broccoli cauliflower carrots beans Parking: There was parking available Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options
It s carabana night and this DJ is playing pure oldies. The DJ sucks can t mix. I am not coming here again. Very disappointed. He s killing the vibe.
Always a safe, fun & good time!
Central Bar & Grill is the place to go.
Waitress service very tardy. Waited 2 hr for food. They should learn to work the bar or serving food( not trying to do both at the same time) Parking: NA
Everything I tried was really good: Fish soup, wings, spicy shrimp, rice and peas, steam fish, veggies and festival. Good vibes. DJ plays well and bartender was really friendly and attentive. Cant wait to go back.
Sucks music and food... but the food truck outside is very good.
Fantastic place friendly staff and good service
Had my husband birthday party there vibes was great.
They always have good vibes but dont go there for food. The service there sucks
I love their Nemo tequila Good music And Rice with shrimp on Thursdays Recommended dishes Seafood Thursday
Will be back
Great Place to check out one of the Best In Toronto Check it out Great Music , Great Staff , Good Food Parking: Said it all
This is definitely one of my fav Jamaican spots to eat at in Toronto. 10/10
Always a good time
Oldies Reggae, Soul, RnB, Soca. Awesome crowd.
Lovely establishment. The food is great, the servers are pleasant and the ambiance is very welcoming.
The after hours dance is sooo hot. Real vibes and energy...
My favorite Jamaican restaurant!! Good ppl , good food!! Do check out seafood Thursdays!!
Waiter, keep us waiting for over an hour before we can get our order. First time I visited there and wasnt quite happy . I spent over 200.00 $. Food
It was ma 1st time there when I arrived from Georgia in the USA at around 4/5 Oclock in the evening the lady on the counter was so friendly she served me well n later on she welcomed me with goats soup which was really nice
Its a nice spot for food and entertainment. The only problem is its overcrowded at night.
Great music
Love it
It was good
Food is excellent
Want here for ladies night out for seafood Thursday, the energy and music was good. Wait staff were helpful and attentive. Food was good with very large servings. Will go again as there were 8 of us they accommodated us by ensuring tables were assembled for our group. Would recommend this for informal dinner with family and friends.
Amazing food with big portions. I ordered the jerk chicken and it tasted like home barbecue. Chicken was smoky, tender, fall off the bone deliciousness. Friendly vibes, great experience.
Like the place, good music, good food and the owner is very serious about keeping his business in good standing. His security is tight during late evening events and grown adults wanting to do some dancing can attend with no concerns. Central BAR and Grill is one of the only good Black own venues that still exits for all to enjoy.
Awesome for a drink and game of pool
Awesome
Given that it was a busy night the music was on point. However, the drinks werent being served fast enough due to the amount of people attending the club. Also it was a bit warm. Otherwise I enjoyed being there.
Was here for the dance. The DJ was FIRE!!! The people and vybz were amazing. We had such a good time. Definitely recommend if your looking for an older crowd with no nonsense vybz and good good music!! Make sure your ready to dance!!!!
Great music, great bartenders, great crowd. Music way too loud for the space so distorted as you walk through (acoustics not set up properly). MC not that great.
Favourite Spot, Hands down.
The wings & Festivals were
Great food Great Music
Pretty crowdy but really cool place
My first time in over two years, went with a few friends for a bite to eat, food & the service was great, stayed for the party, had a fantastic time, cant wait to go back, Sunday Night Oldies, the best.
Grown n mature crowd..no drama no shooting large venue tight security. I love it here
I am disappointed that i came to this place from burlington to buy food all the time. The security was rude with some greanadian accent for no reason. Ask the to pay 10.00 just going to buy food. Later when am leaving i was send to the side door to exit and they did not give me back my money as they said. I wasnt there to party. Why am i paying 10.00 to buy food. This was disgusting and if its a worker thing. The owner needs to be aware i did not get my money back.
Good
Great spot
Very nice food; great music; great bar
Great experience
Great atmosphere ..Food excellent music tunup...Noice Vybze
3 stars for bar looking great, good bartenders. But how can you call this a shot? Its.more like half of a shot. U should fix this
Great seafood on Thursdays it gets my 5 star and an okay night club after 10pm. Service however sucks to the max. Be prepared to wait 3/4 hours for your food and don t hold your breath because it s going to be wrong or have missing items so that s my 1 star!!!! This is every time it s so ridiculous. Being busy and understaffed is a lame excuse if you asks me!! This happens every week!! Good luck to those with great patience ..
I was excited for seafood thursday. I got there a little after 10 and they were sold out of seafood which is understandable... but i ordered food that came out 1 hour and a half later and not mention that it was cold. The rice tasted like it was from the bottom of the pot. So unfortunate, i wont be eating here again.
Good
Parking: Very nice and respectable bar tenders.
Good music, mature client
Looks sketchy from outside but actually was very clean and friendly. No wifi.
Love the friendly atmosphere on seafood Thursday and on Friday night the energy is lid
Great place
Always an amazing time! Great food, great people!
Place has good vibes good music good food good service would recommend.
Bad service waitresses were not kind
Great
My 1st time there. The DJ and the food is nice... I dont like the crowd. Its a hood spot, with hood people
Wings are good!
Nice and spacious. Friendly staff.
Best wings in the city yoo bad no veggies served with them
The honey garlic wings are mouth watering. The sea food platters are slap yo mama good. Friendly staff. The food is fresh. I will continue to support this restaurant
They have great food and its has a very sweet night life as well
Nice spot to go to on a Saturday or Sunday...they play good music and you can purchase food there too.
I had the worst seafood here on this Thursday. We ordered the garlic medley and they had no mussels and we were not advised...oh and we asked what was in it PRIOR to ordering. Waited 40 min ...and the food was cold and was mostly shell. Extremely disappointed as this used to be an awesome seafood spot. The crab and lobster were old...not fresh or near at all. . Terrible experience for $42
It is a great atmosphere to go out and enjoy a night with your friends
Always enjoy my time at Central
I had a great time. The music is always good. The mature crowd and friendly faces gives you a real sense of togetherness. Safety was never a question. All in all great.
Was not crowded with people
Great spot, food, music and entertainment.
The food was great. I was definitely go back for the sea food.
Great place to bring friends and family, the nights are there for outgoing people..
Drinks where great! Decent prices, I love dancehall but they play reggae/danecahall older music not so much of the new ones so was a bit sad about that.
Very good
Clean!
Nice food, nice place, buttttt the alcohol is wayyy over priced.
Love this place!!! Food is amazing and if u wanna party just a wee bit on the weekend this is the spot for adults oh yeah music is nice if u like reggae
I have been going to Central for years. I always have the best time. Food is delicious. Its a safe place. I always enjoy myself here.
This place is ok for club at night, but for dining seafood Thursday the service was so terrible staff so rude with no customer services. Will never go again and step into that place