Very fun place in the middle of Queen St. We stopped in for late lunch after learning about the…read moreRivoli in the movie "Nirvanna, the band, the show, the movie". We were greeted very warmly by the wait staff and seated at one of the indoor tables. We each got delicious burgers and split an order of Wookie Balls. Everything was perfectly done right down to the lightly grilled brioche bun. The pool room upstairs is really cool too. Lots of history in the place but still feels clean and cared for. Everyone was so nice that we encountered. Can't wait for our next visit.

In late October, on a Sunday, I had lunch with a few friends at Rivoli Toronto, an iconic venue…read morenear the downtown core. I had a great time. I parked on Queen Street West. It's Green P parking. I recommend paying for parking through the Green P app if you need to add more time. When you walk in, there's a flight of stairs and a main floor: - The main floor has a restaurant, bars, and Back Room for concerts - The second floor has a full bar, stage, pool tables, and arcade games I entered the main floor. I was greeted by John, the owner. He was super nice and hospitable, leading me to where my friends were. We were a party of six. Main floor We feasted. We got a lot of food. We divided, shared, and conquered. We ended up boxing leftovers home. I ordered a Diet Coke. It was cold and perfect. I ended up getting another one later on. Balls menu The balls menu consists of appetizers that are sharable with friends. I can also see having a few for yourself to enjoy. It's good finger food eats if you want variety or something lighter, especially before a show. We enjoyed the following ballsy items: - Wookie balls - Beefy Danish balls (frikadeller) - Fish ball fusion - D'oh balls - Garlic mashed potato All the balls were scrumptious and filling. The Wookie balls are one of the Rivoli's signature items. They are rice balls with mirin, sesame oil, and herbs, coated in black and white sesame seeds. They were crunchy and yummy. The beefy Danish and garlic mashed potato balls are comfort in ball form. I dream of this combo still. I was fortunate to have been invited into the kitchen, to check out where these talented chefs make all their food creations. Every order is made fresh. I could tell how much these chefs love what they do. They cooked and plated everything so effortlessly and with such precision. It was impressive! I got to see them make these offerings for us: - Blackened burger - Korean chicken lettuce wraps They were delicious and full of flavour. You can get the lettuce wraps made with veggies if you're vegan. Noodles We got the vegetarian pesto linguini. I loved the roasted red pepper and garlic cloves, with pesto that was fresh and bright. You can also get this dish with chicken. Rivoli's classic pad thai has been a staple since Rivoli opened in 1982. Pan-seared chicken and shrimp are your proteins. Egg, scallions, peanuts, and bean sprouts, and the proteins are tossed with rice noodles in Rivoli's signature pad thai sauce. The sauce is ketchup-based, which may offend pad thai purists, but they are missing out on yumminess by knocking it. You can also get this dish made vegetarian with veggies and tofu. Flatbreads Flatbreads are part of the Sound Bites appetizers at Rivoli. We enjoyed the following flatbreads: - Spicy thai - Spicy thai sauce base, with baby shrimp, marinated chicken, green onion, bean sprouts, ribbons of egg, roasted peanuts, cilantro, and fresh lime zest - Korean BBQ - Korean BBQ sauce base, with marinated chicken, red pepper, red onion, carrot, cheese, cilantro, and green onion - Love from parma - drizzled extra virgin olive oil on the flatbread, with thyme, sea salt, cracked black pepper, prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, shaved parmesan, arugula, and flat-leaf parsley - Blanco - drizzled extra virgin olive oil on the baked flatbread, with fresh thyme, cracked sea salt, gouda cheese, and bufala mozzarella All flatbreads were perfectly toasted and made to order. They were both chewy and crispy where they should be. Scrumptious! Back Room The Back Room is the main stage. Adele, Amy Winehouse, Gord Downie, The Kids in the Hall, Mike Myers are some folks who have performed here. It was cool to look at the stage and sit on it, to soak in everything. I'll need to return and check out a show or more. Second floor I took in The Empty Glasses play a live set at 3 pm on the second floor. The stage is by the bar. This band plays every other Sunday. It felt like being in Nashville, visiting a bar, knowing that there is good, live country music playing as you grab a drink and a bite to eat. The difference is that you save a bit by soaking up country vibes in downtown Toronto. It's a tight-knit community of talented country musicians that can play or sing anything on a Sunday afternoon. It was special to witness. I instantly became a fan, as attending live concerts and performances is my thing. There's also a pool hall with games on this floor. It was a throwback to my undergraduate years learning how to play pool with friends over drinks. There are a decent number of pool tables. I counted eleven. The purple one in the middle is the largest one out of the bunch. The oldest one is over a century old. It's like being in a pool hall museum, but you can touch the artifacts. You can also play video games. I saw Pac-Man and other great 80's arcade games. They made me happy. I had a great time. The food and drinks, and live music were excellent. (436)

Cool vibe with lots of TVs and pool tables. Personally I feel the staff could have been more…read morefriendly but they were busy. Drinks were good and many beer choices.

- fun arcades $1 each - pool tables were good and the…read morebilliard sticks were straight $30/hour - staff were really awesome and we had a blast talking with them - 2 golf simulators - excellent beer selection Very chill vibes. The staff made it extra nice and provided great local recommendations.

Very cool lounge bar, fully renovated from the previous space. My only issue is the music is too…read moreloud, if it was reduced down slightly it will be perfect, hard to talk. They play a lot of alternative rock music, they have performances and live bands. The cocktails I had were pretty good. The nashville chicken sandwich and the pizzas are surprisingly delicious!

This place is certainly worth checking out, it has live music and burlesque dancers every Sunday…read morenight staring at 9pm. The entertainment is continuous and the food and drink is plenty. The staff are extremely helpful and the place is spacious with lots of room for fri new or just a quiet corner for you and tryout significant other. Amazing night out

Descend beneath King Street West and you'll discover SPIN Toronto -- a subterranean sanctuary where…read morethe elegant click of celluloid meets the clink of well-crafted cocktails. One simply cannot say enough about how much fun awaits here, and we find ourselves returning time and again. The space itself is a masterclass in understated cool: expansive, impeccably maintained, and appointed with quality tables that invite serious rallies. Balls are plentiful, the equipment well-kept -- though the discerning player would do well to bring their own paddles, as the house offerings, while serviceable, lack the layered finesse a seasoned hand craves. A minor note in an otherwise polished ensemble. The bars deliver with conviction. The cocktail program is thoughtful, and the bartending team -- attentive and clearly passionate about their craft -- elevates what could be a casual pour into something genuinely memorable. The food, too, warrants mention: surprisingly accomplished for a venue of this nature, with offerings that exceed the expectations one might bring to a recreational setting. What distinguishes SPIN is its remarkable versatility. The venue has earned a well-deserved reputation for corporate gatherings and group events, yet there is nothing preventing a couple or a small party from walking in on a weekday at an agreeable price and enjoying an evening of spirited play. It is this democratic accessibility -- equally welcoming to the office outing and the intimate date -- that speaks to the thoughtfulness of the operation. A destination that marries sport, sociability, and style with disarming ease. We shall return -- and gladly.

Fun | cocktails | food…read more Fun - This place was really enjoyable. I am a big fan of ping-pong, and even though my wife isn't, we both had a fantastic time in the space. Whether you're a serious ping-pong player or just want to have some fun with friends, this is a great spot for spending an evening or happy hour. Cocktails: During our visit to Spin, we were pleasantly surprised by the exceptional quality of the cocktails and the reasonable prices. We were thoroughly impressed by the delicious cocktails we enjoyed, which we believe offered some of the best value in the city. Kudos to the talented mixologist on staff for their outstanding creations. Food: Spin offers an excellent selection of appetizers, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing happy hour, a first date, or a delightful start to your evening. The food is of exceptional quality, surpassing the standards set by most sports establishments. Overall, Spin guarantees a fantastic and enjoyable experience. Pro tip: Making a reservation is essential as it streamlines the process and ensures a seamless experience. With only 8 tables available, waiting times can be avoided by securing your spot in advance. you go on the weekends.

We had an excellent server named Danika who provided exceptional service from the time we sat down…read moreto when we left. She was humorous and such a joy! I was surprised by how quickly the food came out. I only took a picture of the French onion soup but my lobster pasta and my partners ribeye steak were both very good and worth the value (came for the $20.26 promotion). I would recommend! Definitely make a reservation if you're coming for the promo.

With a convenient location in Downtown Toronto and many happy hour and other special event deals,…read moreit's no wonder that this is a popular spot. However, if you're not looking to get drunk and kill time shouting to be heard over very loud music, then this may not be a good spot for you. The wait staff informed me that the music is loud all hours of the day, even during weekend brunch. It's the kind of place where you may have to wait a while in line just to speak to the host even if you have a reservation. Seating is limited and you may have to down a couple of drinks before the food comes. I tried the fish taco, which was flavourful but a little slim on the fish side. Also had the fish and chips (which were actually skinny fries) whereby the fries are a bit too salty and the fish too deep fried in hard batter. The tartar sauce on the contrary was rather underdone and bland. The guava glow mocktail was much too sour with a block of ice preventing the juice from blending with the syrup so each sip was either too sweet or too sour. All in all, it is certainly a wild ride coming to this restaurant. If you ever wondered what it would be like to eat in a club, this would be an accurate simulation. Probably best to only come here if you are already drunk, high, have lots of time, and/or don't care much about the quality of food or drink. Note: Just to cause more confusion, the exterior says Fox & Fiddle but it is the location for Fox on John so if you're stuck wondering if you're in the right place, they are the same thing.

The best place to grab a satisfying comfort meal before a show!…read more We love the menu and actually find the service getting better and better. Realising that most ppl are crunched for time before a show, the orders fine out quickly and bills settled promptly. I recommend the steak and mushroom pie!

(Dined 09/06/2025 SA @ 4:30pm and 09/07/2025 SU @ 4:00pm): Named after an area in London, I saw no…read moreactual elephants nor castles! I walked past Elephant & Castle Pub And Restaurant several times and finally had to enter! I loved pub life, so I was excited about what I would find. A small Canadian restaurant chain founded in 1977, it had locations in Canada and the U.S. that offered the charm of a British pub complete with traditional food, beers, and of course a perfect place to catch football matches. Did I feel like a king of the castle who rode in on an elephant in search of a pint and some chips!? PURCHASE Elephant & Castle EC Blonde Golden Ale Beer 5.0% ABV 16floz Draft ($6.00CAD HH): Golden amber color, grainy malty aroma, low body, malty sweet watery flavor, clean smooth finish, and malty sweet aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=XeWE9dQy_Q07ZIiZFL4FmA Traditional Poutine ($12.00CAD): This simple dish of crispy seasoned fries topped with creamy hot beef gravy, and multiple pieces of chewy squeaky cheese was on point. If the cheese wasn't squeaky, it wasn't true poutine in my opinion. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=3iBj9sJUk2NoqIBodScWEg Elephant & Castle EC Red Amber Red Ale Beer 5.0% ABV 16floz Draft ($6.00CAD HH): Light red color, earthy malty aroma, low body, grainy malty sweet flavor, clean smooth finish, and malty sweet aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=e0kTBEOlLiorGYKtC6CqOA Carlsberg Group Carlsberg Pilsner Beer 20floz Draft ($10.25CAD): Bright amber color, malty sweet aroma, low body, light malty sweet watery flavor, clean smooth finish, and light malty sweet aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=312oSdC-qUbOMJUMbNxrPA House Chardonnay White Wine 6floz Pour ($6.00CAD HH): Light golden yellow color, citrusy green apple tropical aroma, light body, buttery citrusy green apple flavor, crisp finish, buttery citrusy green apple aftertaste, and medium astringency. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=9dEFuv8evc9E336A-pWVRA Fish & Chips ($20.00CAD): A large piece of crispy succulent haddock fish on a bed of crispy seasoned spud sticks and a scoop of extra peppery coleslaw, I had a cheerio of a time eating this meal! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=9b93MPTus2QUK2B9en0rfg House Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine 6floz Pour ($6.00CAD HH): Ruby red color, barrel berries jammy aroma, medium body, berries earthy jammy flavor, drying finish, berries earthy jammy sweet aftertaste, and medium astringency. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=7zKWRWw2dsW3RJqxYl3CrA SERVICE Each time, I was kindly greeted by a young hostess who pointed me towards both the front https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=QjNpJPi5tWE_ncAFdG6BiQ and back bar areas for open seating (I chose the front), which then I was greeted by one of the female bartenders who gave me menus and a glass of water. Once I ordered, my drinks arrived immediately while the food was no more than ten minutes. The place was busy, so it was all about getting the orders out as quickly as possible. I got what I needed, so all was good - cheers! PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance): I was constantly in the area all day throughout the entire 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, so I simply walked. Otherwise, there were spots along the many main and surrounding streets, some nearby structures, numerous public transportation options, and rideshares - 'nuff said! ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE An elongated layout with two large bars, a ton of chairs/tables, and sidewalk seating, it felt cramped yet roomy enough to move around. It had every bit a feeling of an British pub from decorations https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=NwkHpwrwvrwBIk6wXsodRA to accented touches. Very good natural lighting came through the front door and many windows while electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were many TVs throughout while music quietly played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=e8XcV8l3CKkOhO1Y2D13_g ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL I had a great time at Elephant & Castle Pub & Restaurant, and I would definitely return especially for their happy hour! The food, prices, service, and atmosphere all hit the right feels for me. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $73.50CAD BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

The Ballroom Bowl is definitely a premium bowling alley where you can have fun in an elevated…read moreatmosphere. Although it certainly is a bit on the pricier side, if you don't want to go to a regular place like Brunswick bowling and want to turn it up a notch, I would definitely check it out!

I should have reviewed the ratings before attempting this location. Based on the feedback from…read moreother customers, I would not have tried it, and unfortunately, my experience aligned with many of the concerns mentioned. A 2.5-star rating speaks for itself. This was our second attempt to bowl at this location, and unfortunately, we still had no success. We made a reservation on OpenTable on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. for both bowling and dining. At 6:00 p.m., someone called to inform us that our 6:45 p.m. reservation was only for dining and wanted to confirm we were not planning to bowl. This was confusing, especially since we were already on the way. We then spoke with a manager who explained they often experience issues with OpenTable. As a result, we had to turn around, and we did not bowl that evening. The next day, we called at 2:00 p.m. to inquire about making a reservation, and Ruth informed us that bowling is first come, first served. We immediately headed over in an Uber, only to find that every lane was taken--information that Ruth did not mention. A simple clarification that the lanes were already full would have prevented an unnecessary trip. When we arrived, she asked for our reservation, which was perplexing given she had just told us reservations could not be made by phone. Overall, this was disappointing and reflects poor customer service. I will not be returning to this location. I recommend avoiding it.

We came for dinner at the restaurant and holiday market at the terrace / patio, and both were…read moreexcellent. The hotel lobby was nicely decorated for the holiday season, with a Christmas tree, large "Happy Holidays" sign, and other festive decorations. The ambiance inside the restaurant, just like the rest of the hotel, was classy. Service was good. There was an option to do coat check at the front. Reservation is highly recommended, especially on weekends, as they tend to get very busy. Underground parking is available at the RBC building next door, or at the hotel. Food was really good, and in decent portion sizes. The sides were bigger than we thought, so we took away some leftovers. 1) PEI Mussels Pot (mussels with bell pepper & red onion vinaigrette), served with grilled sourdough bread - The bell pepper and red onion vinaigrette was delicious and on point. I liked that the pot had enough but not too much broth - enough to dip the bread in, but didn't fully cover all the mussels (making the mussels retain some of their original flavour). 2) Miso Black Cod (black cod with sake, miso, crispy lotus roots, sesame seeds, pea shoots) - One of my favourite dishes of the night. The cod was delicate and seasoned perfectly with the sake and miso. The crispy lotus roots added a nice crunch. 3) Mushrooms Bowl (jasmine rice, miso mixed mushrooms, roasted squash, crispy Brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes, chilli threads, garlic crisps, basil) - Great vegetarian dish. There was a LOT of rice in the bowl, and the rice was flavourful with the miso sauce. The mixed mushrooms were 10/10. I also liked the balance of cooked and raw vegetables in this bowl, giving a touch of freshness. For each main, we got to choose 1 side. We opted to add extra veggie sides. Brussels Sprouts were also available as appetizer, which came in a large bowl (bigger portion size compared to the side). We were able to get it without the bacon, and the vinaigrette sauce on the side. The Brussels sprouts were perfectly crispy and flavourful, even without the vinaigrette add-on. The Grilled Vegetables side consisted of broccolini, zucchini, red and yellow peppers. Roasted Squash was lightly topped with a bit of chopped parsley. All of the sides that we got were excellent. After dinner, we headed out to the patio / terrace for the Christmas holiday market. There was a separate holiday market-special menu, with some light bites and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). It was a small market, but decorated very nicely with all the lights, fire pits, and the iconic Ritz-Carlton vintage green car. It had 100% cozy Christmas holiday vibes, with great photo ops. Even though it was technically outside, the fire pits made the market area feel quite warm.

Epoch: An Underrated Gem Exceeding Expectations…read more Epoch far exceeded my expectations. Having only seen recommendations for their afternoon tea, I didn't anticipate much from their main courses, and the menu seemed fairly unassuming at first glance. However, upon arrival, I quickly realized its charm. The restaurant's decor leans towards a relaxed, spacious, and comfortable setting, with plush sofa seating as the main arrangement. The atmosphere was pleasantly quiet, making it an ideal spot for a solo meal. The service was notably warm and attentive--staff frequently checked in on my experience, refilled my water, wiped down my table, and even packed up leftovers with care. Soup of the Day I was pleasantly surprised when the soup of the day turned out to be a beef consommé. The aroma alone was enticing, with a rich base of onions and beef, complemented by celery, garlic, and black pepper. The sweetness, primarily from the onions, was subtle--less pronounced than stir-fried onions and beef but perfectly balanced for a soup. A layer of broiled cheese on top added depth to the texture. It was served with crispy garlic bread, which soaked up the broth beautifully, though the richness of the oil made it slightly heavy when paired with the soup. Surprisingly, the soup was loaded with generous chunks of beef, making it one of the most satisfying dishes I've had recently--not necessarily the best-tasting, but certainly the most fulfilling. Caesar Salad As part of the meal, you can choose a salad as a main course, essentially allowing for two appetizers. A classic Caesar salad, well-executed, with the standout feature being a single anchovy fillet on top. Jindori Chicken Skewers These skewers closely resembled Japanese yakitori, with the flavors driven by chili powder and a kumquat glaze. Some parts had a distinct char, which, according to the server, was an intentional "bitter charred" profile crafted by the chef--an interesting taste experience, if nothing else. That said, it didn't detract from the dish, as the chicken remained tender and juicy inside. The portion size was unexpectedly large, and my side choice of mashed potatoes arrived as an entire bowl. Lightly salted and incredibly smooth, it remained enjoyable without becoming overwhelming. Korean Short Ribs ($42) I enjoyed my meal so much that I couldn't resist ordering a server-recommended dish: the Korean short ribs. And wow--the portion was staggering, easily enough for two. The beef itself was almost fist-sized, making me wonder if the restaurant's core appeal is in serving generous portions at a great value. The dish was garnished with vegetables, layered over a bed of kimchi. I had never appreciated kimchi as a pairing for beef before, but its acidity and spice perfectly balanced the richness of the meat while retaining its crisp texture. The addition of lion's head peppers further rounded out the dish, offering both a subtle sweetness and a way to mellow out the kimchi's acidity. Warm Bread Pudding A substantial serving, though not particularly groundbreaking, but still above average. Topped with a scoop of coffee ice cream, the pudding itself had a caramelized golden crust and a dusting of mildly sweet powdered sugar. The sweetness was well-controlled, making it easy to keep taking bite after bite. Overall Impression While the menu might seem ordinary at first glance, Epoch delivers exceptional value within its price range. Compared to more formal dining spots, this restaurant fosters a more relaxed atmosphere--more akin to a teahouse, making it a great place for catching up with friends. The portion sizes are astonishing, and while the dishes aren't particularly innovative, they are consistently well-executed, with a high baseline quality. A hidden gem that deserves more attention and a strong recommendation.