Okay, be ready to be transported to Portugal for the night. First of all, this place is as authentic as it gets. The server that took our order was freshly transplanted from Portugal and had a hard time understanding our orders in english. However, this was a great opportunity for our group and our server to expand our vocabulary and learn how the dishes are properly called in portuguese. After a couple mins of awkwardness, the server felt at ease with our english and we did the same with her portuguese. I ordered the Grilled Squid with vegetables. The dish was very flavourful and you got exactly what the menu described, grilled squid, steamed potatoes and broccoli. The dish took about 30 mins to come out from the kitchen, but I'm not gonna complain because it tasted like it was freshly made and not just a pre-packaged frozen item from the fridge. I briefly spoke with the owner/manager, an elderly gentleman who told me that they source their seafood weekly so that they retain the best qualities of the fish. Sometimes they even have to let customers know that their certain fish are off the menu, due to seasonal demands! I highly recommend this place for a romantic night out. The restaurant is family owned and the owners really put their heart and soul into the experience. I really felt like I was in Portugal for the night. read more

Banaboia Restaurant - Grilled squid - Portuguese Near Me - York, Ontario

One of the best restaurants in Toronto, I have been several times with some of my friends from Split, Croatia, we ate fish and grilled veal, it was great read more

First of all, I became a fan of the awesomely skilled man who attends all the tables (at least 20). He seemed to be the manager/owner&host of all the place. I admire his energy, good vibe, and kind attention. He treated us like if we were invited to a celebration at his home. He must be one of the most professional people I have had the honor of being attended by in this TO city. I felted even more lucky when I saw that the grill was managed by a woman that could easily be the wife or relative of that amazing character I described. Have you seen bees on action? Just perfection and inspiration. I want to be like them, seriously! The wine came after a chat of the flavors we wanted. The seafood was not only aphrodisiac, perfectly cooked, fresh, or respectfully balanced; it was crunchy in the shells, and easy to peel out... so they must have a good provider, which seems to be difficult to find in the middle of this City. The attendance: 90-95% Portuguese, so don't feel weird or attacked if all the eyes turn to you when you get in (they like to pass the scanner repeatedly on ppl, more if they feel you different, but don't take it personal), just hang your coat if winter, breath, and don't imagine they look at you cuz you are famous. They have some vinhos verdes, but get more adventurous than the classical Aveleda... Don't hesitate. In between 2 of the classics: cod or meat with the fried egg, I hope you'll enjoy more the cod with those chubby chips I wrote about (I still can't forget them, and Ms Vickie's passed to 2nd place). Those chips are chasing me in dreams, so as the whole half of lobster I enjoyed like if it was going to be the last one I'd ever try (at least in this month or with this gentlemen); It had the brains, coral, and all the things a lot of places remove because some Canadian ppl don't like. Authentic Portuguese or Spanish places just ask you if you would like your lobster to be cleaned (but watch it, the smell, taste, and knowledge about seafood will tell you that things like the heads of fish, lobsters, shrimps, etc., indicates you if it is about to spoil, spoiled, or just frozen (why you think frozen molluscan in bags at supermarkets have no head?).." If they have the head take it (specially on ppl). I broke a bottle of empty wine, and the magic character came to clean everything and made me feel relieved of any guilt. I just wanted to make a hole and bury my head there... But for him seemed not to be a big deal, so I just behaved fat, chubby, and waved while smiling saying goodbye (I put extra 10 tip tho). Thanks. read more

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I feel lucky I have been to many restaurants in my life, and this was by far the worst service I ever got; don't go to this place, especially if you have kids, terrible service read more

Banaboia Restaurant - the name of the restaurant - Portuguese Near Me - York, Ontario

i've been to a few portuguese restos considering i am portuguese. This is one of the best so far, i mean we have only been here once but i loved everything i ate. I am looking forward to coming back. I got the garlic shrimp app, ad it was yummy just like moms. My BF got the caldo verde, and it was very good; not smothered in a bag of potatoes; like other restos i've been too. Then we got bife a banaboia, very delicious house made sauce, the chips were great and plenty of everything. The prices are reasonable for the plates of food that you get. They also playd classic portuguese music in the background, and the decor inside was very classy. I can't wait to come back and try their seafood plates. everyone in thre spoke portuguese and looked like they came straight from there, i love that. read more

We were so badly treated at this restaurant that we left before even trying the food. The inflexibility and unhelpfulness of the man who was serving our group made it impossible for us to stay despite the fact that we were hungry and excited to try this restaurant. read more

My Portuguese friend took me here for dinner. WOW. Really awesome and really authentic. I didn't understand word of what was going on (all the ordering was being done in Potuguese, but they do speak English) We shared a mixed seafood plate which was absolutely to die for! Giant shrimps, lots of lobster and mussels. The food was incredible. Bread, olives and cheese were served before the food arrived. Service was fantastic, they were over constantly refilling water, topping up the wine and making sure we were enjoying our meal. The other clientele seemed to be all Portuguese. I'm assuming they come for a reason. It wasn't cheap, but I didn't pay, and I really enjoyed it :) read more

Food is good Service is terrible We waited forever for our food Don't think I will go back read more

The food here is fantastic! Best authentic Portuguese food in the city! Unlike the other reviewer, I have found the owner nothing but accommodating. I am not Portugese nor do I speak the language but he was great to us and spoke English well. From the relaxed atmosphere to truly great authentic Portugese cuisine to that old-school Eurpoean flavour, this place is one of those hidden gems in the city. They have a great rating from many more reviews on Google and the people I know go there all the time always rave about the place. read more

The food is good, but the owner is really rude and not accommodating. It ruins the dinning experience, and the owner refuses takeout.

The food here is fantastic. I went here again a last week after going some time ago. The salmon steak was exactly how i remembered it to be, very juicy and delicious. the atmostphere is very nice too! but sometimes you can run into a huge family (20+) so it can get a bit noisy... otherwise it is a great spot to go for fish! read more

Gotta echo the previous review, the little guy who runs the place is the best. The food is as good as Martins a few blocks away, but the ambience is nicer, quieter, calmer, and not as busy. I think the prices are also slightly less. All in all I'm glad I discovered this place a few years ago and have been back a few times since. read more

Very homey and comfortable decor, the food is very good, although I don't understand some of the short cuts, such as not pin boning the cod, reasonably priced. Here's the catch, the owner. It is almost comical just how unaccommodating he can be. Twice I've been refused at the door, once, no take out (yet they'll pack a doggie bag for you, in other words, they have take out containers), no staying just for dessert and an absolute policy in no deviating from the menu. My request being a starter for a main course, with a side of rice and a side of veg, both those sides being on the menu. I'm completely serious. Furthermore, my table was the only one in the dinning room. I go about once a year because it's so close to my place and there isn't another licensed establishment in the immediate area. Every year they do not have a wine list printed up because they are in the process of updating it. Coincidence? read more

Agree that the food is good and I have eaten at this restaurant several times,I am Portuguese. But have never seen a hurried owner and bring everything quickly and almost send us away. I stopped going there. read more

great authentic portuguese food including awesome deserts, very quiet atmosphere for lunch, great for conversing and meetings