OMG. I can't believe how good their BBQ platter is. I took my family the second time to get a 2nd opinion and they were just as blown away. I only wish I could go there more often, but it's just too rich and calorie laden to add to my regular roster. I think they do brunch now! Can't wait to try it read more

Meat overload for sure! This place was yummy and if I'm ever craving barbecue I'd probably come back (although at the time being I still need to check out Electric Mud). Anyway! I came here w/ a friend. We started w/ the cheese croquette and fried oysters. Then did the meat platter ($27 per person) and had the "hot mess" sweet potato. Cheese Croquette - I thought this was just okay. It's really creamy and really gooey. I wouldn't order this again. Hot Mess - this wasn't really what I expected. It is kind of like a baked potato loaded with toppings. It was good but I thought it was overpriced at $11. Meat Platter - This was great! It came with beef brisket, pork ribs and fried chicken. Everything is seasoned nicely w/ sauces on the side which I like so much more than being slathered all over my meat. The fried chicken was my least favourite. It was nice to get to try everything and portion size was right for sharing. However, given that I wasn't really a fan of the chicken, next time I think I would prefer to just order the ribs and brisket, then a bunch of sides. The decor of this place is really cool. It's a nice space and pretty massive. It's a bit pricey for barbecue but the quality of the ingredients is good and the meat tasted great. read more

Everything we tried was amazing, which included: meat platter, chicken skins, banana toffee pie, and cheddar ice cream sandwich! One of the best meals I've had in my life! read more

Big fan. It's sort of a weird mish mash of pretentious barbecue, comfort foods and sea food. Everything I had tasted great. The decor is terrific - seems like you've walked into a spruced up Mad Men set. Cavernous inside and unassuming facade. Great bartenders and excellent cocktails. read more

Was taken out last night to celebrate a project completion...had the sampler platter and some beers. Super yummy! And exemplary service all around. read more

Burnt beef ends, and Mac and cheese. Some of my absolute favourites! Great vibe, great food.

Great and creative drinks, wonderful food (specially the meat - we ordered the master pit plater) and superb service. Highly recommended!

Great food. Great service. However, despite having made a reservation 4 weeks in advance, when we arrived we were informed we would need to vacate our 7pm reservation by 9 pm as another party were arriving. We were told this at 845 - after attempting to order dessert and another round of drinks. We were not offered a seat at the bar, or any other alternative. Unfortunately it was such a disappointing experience we will not be returning, despite having been there several times and Carbon Bar being a local business we have supported often as it's in our neighbourhood. read more

Had their brisket and it was incredible! So juicy. It was kind of expensive for two people, but both of us were full and definitely satisfied with our food. The waiters were nice and the environment is pretty cool as well. Such a nice place in a sketchy part of Toronto. I'd definitely go again, just for the brisket. read more

Very tasty beef smoky brisket ! Attentive service! They knew we have to leave soon so they brought all of our orders very fast. Beautiful inner decorations too! read more

Food: It's mostly good, but not amazing. The ribs and brisket were good. The fried chicken was too salty and a little bland. The star of the night was the shrimp tostada. It was delicious. Drinks: The Old Fashioned is boozy and good. The Manhattan is a miss. Service: Not great. Our server didn't check in on us after the mains came and forgot my drink. Atmosphere: This place has a King West vibe if you're into that. read more

This place doesn't respect their guests or their time. We made a reservation and they didn't have our table ready so they asked us to wait by the bar. We end up staying there most of our meal. The service was terrible and very rushed. They can't really handle the amount of people they let in. Once the rush slowed down server and bartender started to make out. One of them was drinking vodka out of the bottle. We were very confused and we still don't know was that part of "the carbon show" or just a poor management. The brisket was very good so despite all of this we decided to go back a few months later. I booked a table for 6pm this Thursday and when they called to confirm my reservation I told them how we need to be at the show for 8 and asked them to make sure our table is ready. They said no problem and when we arrived there was no table available for us. They didn't even have place at the bar available. The hostess was beyond rude and condescending. She told us: this is a busy restaurant, you have to wait. This was 20 minutes after our reservation time. The other hostess wasn't as rude but she was completely overwhelmed and very frustrated because they had a few situations like ours going on. The manager got involved and he said he'll take care of us. He brought us in, left us in the middle of the restaurant and told us to wait until he finds the table. It was almost 6:30 by that point and we were very pissed so we just left. This place has really good brisket but it's not good enough to put up with all of this. If it happened once I would've brushed it off. Twice just means they are disorganized and greedy. I could brush that off as well but the attitude of their front stuff is absolutely unacceptable. read more

Blown away. Very, very accommodating, willing to adjust portion sizes so you can try more of the menu. The food is delicious, grits are savoury, brisket melts in your mouth and the ribs were a nice dry rub version. Add sauce. Just 2 very minor quibbles, need a brush for the sauce spoons just aren't great and dipping ribs is wrong, and it would be nice to have a more unique sauce, maybe a white sauce? read more

I know what I like here and I never stray from it. The raw salad is one of the best in the city. Pork ribs are tender, juicy and delicious. The beef brisket is fatty and so very flavourful. The mini chocolate bar is perfect to finish. Great service! read more

I came here on a Friday night with one of my friends to catch up over some good food. The atmosphere was pretty awesome, I loved the high ceilings and the mosaic portraits on the walls. It was full of people but not too loud, which is always nice. We ordered the pit master platter (wonderful choice for meat lovers), corn bread, and the coleslaw. It was actually a lot of food and we struggled to finish everything! The brisket and ribs were my ultimate favourite - both were super tender and very tasty. The corn bread was different from what I'm used to (in a good way), definitely worth a try. The coleslaw was nothing special compared to everything else. We had a wonderful server that was very attentive and knowledgable. He even suggested for us to eat the brisket first because it gets a little chewy when it cools down (very good advice). If you're planning on coming on a weekend night, make sure you make reservations! read more

The Carbon Bar - The pit master platter. - Barbeque Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Good cocktails. Check our the carbon margarita for something different (charcoal filtered). The bbq food is great and they are really accommodating with parties. They even have a room upstairs that is perfect for 10-12 people. read more

We love the food, the service, and the environment.our host was really nice and she answered all of our questions. We will definitely be going back. read more

I went with a group of about 9 people yesterday for my birthday. This restaurant is impressive from the moment you walk in until the end. The ambience is funky, clean and classy. The seating was spacious and comfortable. The service was perfect. We had Jae (I believe that was his name), who couldn't do enough for us. I felt bad as some of my guests had a few too many and may have bothered him a bit...he was a great sport and accommodated us in every way possible. The food was absolutely delicious!!! Flavour, quality and selection were all amazing. I personally had the ribs ...they were fall off the bone perfection. Others shared the combination platter which was huge and they enjoyed it. I also recommend the cauliflower bites (spicy Korean style)...they tasted like spicy chicken bites. Overall, I would definitely return and recommend The Carbon Bar to friends and family. It's the perfect space to go with a group. read more

Very good restaurant vibe and food quality. We shared the meat platter and Octopus a la plancha in black beans, amazing dish.

I went here with my girlfriend for our anniversary last year with high hopes of a bustling environment with some high end flair. We were not disappointed! We had the pit master platter, a couple of cocktails and the Kentucky Pecan Pie. Amazing food, amazing cocktails and the decor of the place is fantastic. We sat by the window near the bar, which felt like a lounge seat, but we weren't upset by that because we were happy to sit somewhere that looked a little bit different with lots of passers-by. When we sat down, we sat next to an extremely hilarious cliché of a guy in a fedora, suit vest, sky blue shirt and a skull ring that sat on the table. He sat sipping the same whisky for at least 45 minutes, wincing every sip and reading a very old looking novel. He stayed for a while, got up, threw a 50 on the table and walked out. He was replaced by a couple very similar to us. Day made, to say the least and I'm sure he enjoyed himself. After that, things got progressively more and more bro. When I say bro, I mean dudes who showed up, drank a beer at the bar or on the keg tables by the bar while giving every possible female passerby the up-and-down glance. It wasn't just one group, there were more and more as our visit went on. I'm 28, they must have been 30-35, if anything it illustrated what neighbourhood I was in- so I don't blame Carbon Bar. Our server was a delight and as our visit ended we were quite pleased for the bevy of people-watching opportunities, the tremendous food and atmosphere, the top shelf cocktails and one hell of a good time. read more

DON'T JUDGE THIS BOOK BY IT'S COVER! This was our second visit and we enjoyed everything so much the first time, we ordered the exact same thing again! Raised by Wolves was a complex cocktail that involved bourbon and fire and came garnished with a mint leaf, wedged in place by a cinnamon stick that formed a bridge across the the untroubled "waters" of my glass. Amazing. Don't let the name of the best appetizer ever fool you; KFC (Korean Fried Cauliflower) is a sweet, hot, sticky, crispy dish of heaven on earth. It is so satisfying and savory, its hard to believe this isn't chicken! There were lots of interesting options but we went straight to the pit for the brisket. Tender slices of beef, served with sides of sauce and coleslaw. The couple next to us was having a burger with a slice of brisket and their golden brown fries looked so tasty, we had to order some of our own to keep from staring at theirs. Whatever you do, save room for dessert. The Banofee Pie is a nirvana inducing combination of butter, and some kind of gooey goodness with sliced bruleed bananas on top and bourbon infused whip cream on the side. There are no words to describe it other than heaven on a fork. The service was as good as the food and the back story is pretty cool. This was the studio where they taped the Electric Circus dance show in the 80s. We were a little confused by the tiny signage and barely there entrance door, which looked more like a dive bar than a dining destination, but once inside, the giant space unfolded to reveal a trendy but laid back hidden gem. Kind of like a Speak Easy, but without the secret knock... read more

Very good cocktails, strong whiskey selection, and beautiful building. Especially love the high ceilings and the preservation of the building's history (ask about it!) Did not have any food, although menu options looked pretty delicious. read more

Don't let the sketchy neighbourhood fool you. Inside is a very funky and cool space. I had the burnt ends and a tomato and goat cheese salad. My dinner partner had the hangar steak and we shared a corn bread. The burnt ends were crispy on the outside and moist in the middle. They used heirloom tomatoes in the salad and they were to die for. The corn bread was warm and fresh and outstanding. The hangar steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare and so flavourful. The kimchi potatoes were a perfect side. My first 5 star rating. I will be back. Soon!!! read more

Great ambiance and décor, good service for sit down. Not overly impressed with the 4 dishes sampled, although the kale salad itself was surprisingly very good, the tongue was not as appealing. read more

We just went there for drinks last night with the girls because a friend suggested it. It opened only three weeks ago, so it wasn't too full on a Saturday night, but when I walked in, the decor was amazing! I didn't expect to find such a nice looking bar in a little 'suspect' neighbourhood. The ceiling was very high, and the feel was very upscale. We only had few drinks, so we didn't get to taste the food, but I enjoyed my wine selection and the service was very friendly, not snooty at all. I would love to have a birthday event or something there in the near future. read more

Great space and great service! We weren't sure what to order so the waitress gave us a few recommendations. We started with the Hamachi Tartare and the Cabrito Papusa (like an empanada). Portions weren't huge and the Cabrito Papusa came as only one so had to split it. We split the pork ribs which were great and thoroughly enjoyed but I wish the waitress would have told us that it didn't come with anything on the side. It was literally just pork ribs on a place. For dessert, we ordered the Carbon Bar chocolate bar which was tiny! Delicious but again, not really shareable (it was literally bite size). I would definitely come back again as the atmosphere in here is great! I was just surprised at the portions but it didn't throw me off enough to wreck my meal! read more

Went here about 2 weeks ago for my boyfriends birthday and it was one of the best culinary experiences I've had. The restaurant is spacious, elegant yet cool and the food is just too much to handle! For starters we had the goat tart, Hamachi, and the suckling pig. all were FANTASTIC! The wait staff were extremely friendly and helpful. the gentleman serving us helped us navigate through the menu (as some things are quite different). For dinner we had the beef brisket, hot mess French fries, and the octopus and lobster gumbo... again phenomenal. High recommended, will go back! read more

I stopped in here on a Monday evening with a group if 5, we were seated immediately. Carbon gets a 5 for style, I spent more time gazing at the chandeliers, high ceilings, open kitchen and floor to ceiling bar than the menu. I would suggest splitting the pit platter, (brisket. Pork ribs and fried chicken) it was plenty for two people, though very tasty I have had a better version of each meat at other places, and for a lower price. The service was great and and an overall nice experience. read more

A world-class experience. Impressive, larger than life and... almost surreal. Great spot to bring out of towners. The food is pretty damn good too. read more

Having heard about The Carbon Bar FOREVER, I decided to book a table on a Saturday night. The atmosphere is as cool as everyone suggested. You feel like you're somewhere and instantly look around for a B-list Canadian celeb. There was no one. The pit master platter was good. We appreciated that the server instructed us how to eat the dish starting with the brisket, moving to the ribs and finishing with the fried chicken. The brisket was delicious, the ribs were dry and the chicken was cold when we finally got to it. One sauce was over-cumin-ed while the other I wanted to drink with a straw. Overall, the service was excellent, the vibe was cool, the food was mediocre and the bill was outrageous. I wouldn't go back. read more

This is place is definitely something to be experienced at least one time in your Toronto life. We had a staff party here and had to come back to see what they had in them for a regular service. The results were incredible! We always just head right to the main bar and sit on the wood. Why you ask? Leah, Izzy and Aaron, thats why. The bartenders at carbon bar are better than a lot of restaurants in the city. They're warm and welcoming, always willing to have a fun conversation and on top of all that, they're ridiculously good at their jobs. Being an industry person myself I find that I'm person generous when it comes to patience with bar staff...I don't even need it here because they're always on their game. If you're in the city go try they're amazing food, be amazed by their wonderful staff and bask in the glory of their beautiful decor. If you're in the city, just go, its worth it. read more

Friendly smooth greeting at the door even without a reservation. Seated in the lively bar and texted when a table became available. The male bartender ignored us until we called for attention - a bit awkward. The gentleman with a beard was helpful in seating us sooner and the waitress was quick to take and bring our orders. The ribs fell off the bone and had a strong smokey taste. The cornbread with spicey mayo was delicious. The slaw with corn nuts was fun. The fries were nothing special. The $75.00 bill missed our drinks at the bar which was odd. Washrooms were beautiful - lol. All in all - the space was really cool, most of the Service was right (attentive) and the food was ok. read more

Amazing place for drinks and apps. Their old fashioned is spot on. However I came here for Valentine's Day and had one of the worst restaurant experiences of my life. The food was horrible and the service was aloof. Felt like I was in a school cafeteria, except one that costs $250 for two. Definitely do not come here for V day read more

had the Pit Master platter for 2, The kfc, Mac and cheese,... FOOD was AMAZING! And staff was so Nice and helpful, like for Example Adam that took the time to go through the whole background story of Bourbon and guide us through their large selection. read more

The food and drinks here were fantastic! Great signature cocktails (try the Mule); great flavours and fantastic mix of dishes; friendly service; great space. read more

If you like meat, this is the place for you! Had a boys night out on Saturday night. We ordered the meat platter and extra sides to share. The food was delicious but heavy in protein. You need extra side dishes to break up the monotony of meat. It can get boring after a few bites. They have a good solid beer and wine menu. Not extensive, but there's something on it for everyone. The bar area is always busy, great place to hang out after dinner for a nightcap. read more

It's a perfect spot to entertain people who are visiting from out of town. Vegetarians steer clear though. I recommend getting the platter if you're with a group of people. Share the K.F.C. (Cauliflower) - that's a must. It somehow tricks you into thinking you're being healthy even though it's too good to be. Enjoy the good music, the dimmed lighting and the cocktails. I brought a boss from the south in who's a BBQ enthusiast and he said Carbon Bar was incredible. Enjoy! And don't forget your leftovers. It's waiting for you like your coat check would be and I often walk out forgetting it! read more

Remarkable decor and style. Bar area is also fantastically designed and quite cool. Unfortunately, the food greatly disappointed. Drinks: Heart of Gold - too rich but overall fairly smooth (3.5/5) Appetizers/Sides: Chicken Skins - interesting and somewhat tastyl hard to dip into the dipping sauce given the consistency of the skins (3/5); Kale Caesar - quite nice if a tad bland (3.5/5); Hot Mess - nice idea, but execution was not great (curds were melted rather than curdy/rubbery) (3/5) Main: Pulled Pork Ssam - I was very excited about this but came away disappointed. The pork was very tender and fairly juicy, but really lacked flavouring. The mixins also underwhelmed: the pickled cabbage lacked a real bite, and the other accompaniments added no flavour to what was already a plate that lacked in flavour (2.5/5) Dessert: Banana Toffee Cream Pie - very tasty and nice chunks of banana in it. It was also topped with dark chocolate which would have been nice to have known about. Like everything else on the menu, it sounded better than it tasted; still, this was an impressive dessert (4/5) Service: Very attentive if a bit overbearing (4/5) read more

One of my favorite barbeque places in Toronto. The trendy vibe and reservation dearth is misleading: this is good, old fashioned BBQ. The platter is the way to go, and don't miss the excellent and unique chicken skins. Best of all, sauce on the side means you can enjoy the meat sans accoutrements. read more

Came in with a girl friend, the hosts looked at us and dismissed us, telling us it would be at least a half hour wait for a table for two. We asked if we could wait by the bar and they discouraged us, saying the bar was first come, first served and there wasn't any room. When we walked in, we saw at least eight open tables in the dining room and bar, only one of which had a reserved sign on it. There was plenty of room to stand at the bar but we left without spending any money because of the crappy attitude of the staff. read more