Avelo Restaurant image

Avelo Restaurant

Restaurant Vegan restaurant Fine dining restaurant

One of the Top rated Fine dining restaurants in Old Toronto


Address

51 St Nicholas St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1W6, Canada

Website

www.avelorestaurant.com

Contact

+1 647-643-3132

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (637 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Thursday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Friday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Saturday: 5 to 11 pm
  • Sunday: 5 to 11 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: menu (28) experience (28) vegan (27) dish (23) service (21) Avelo (15) amazing (14) delicious (12) dining (12) great (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Liane V. 7 months ago on Google • 293 reviews
    If I could give 6 stars for the atmosphere I would. We sat at the top and most beautiful floor of this multi-level establishment. The food was unique and delicious and I'm still thinking about the WHOLE SUNFLOWER HEAD that I ate, weeks later. We did the chef-inspired ten (?) course vegan menu with wine pairings throughout. Not a cheap meal (!!!) but worth it and I would come here again. The service was impeccable - lovely and felt very personal.
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kaan A. 7 months ago on Google • 25 reviews
    We went here to celebrate our engagement and ended up having the best dining experience of our lives (including experiences from my pre-veg days!). Each dish was creative and delicious. The staff were also very friendly and enthusiastic about the food, which just made us even more excited to eat it. The only regret we had is that we didn't try the 8-course menu. For drinks, we only tried the Avelo French, which was also fantastic. Definitely coming back.
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Selena D. 2 years ago on Google
    Avelo was one of the best culinary experiences I've ever had. As a vegan I value innovation and every plate is a work of art. The 8 courses ended up being 12 with some extra palate cleansers added by the chef. Each dish is exquisite and perfectly palatable. Ambience is elegant and intimate. Hospitality was incredibly kind, friendly and accommodating (there was an error in my reservation and they made everything work...felt so taken care of). Enjoyed the chats with staff about our vegan lifestyle and how each dish is prepared...also shared some tips for cooking at home. I went on a solo date night and can't wait to share this special experience with loved ones. Thank you Avelo for a wonderful night!
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nathan H. 6 months ago on Google • 9 reviews
    I want to say a massive thank you to the chefs and service team for an absolutely fantastic experience. The whole experience was fantastic - from the clarification messages regarding my nut allergy, to the setting in one of the most beautiful streets in Toronto, the warm welcome, the fantastically smokey mezcal cocktail, the knowledgeable friendly service, and of course the food. I've eaten in most of London's (UK) best vegan restaurants, and our experience at Avelo was superior to any of these. The food was of course fantastic, with truly innovative ingredients and techniques! Overall, 10/10! Such a testament to the power of plants and just how exciting and delicious plant-based cuisine can be. Everyone should come and eat here - meat eaters and vegans alike! Thanks again!
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 L C. 1 year ago on Google
    Would give more stars if we could. The team at Avelo is always amazing and David, our host, has truly transformed the place and made it even better than our previous visit. They have the best hospitality and are truly innovative with vegan food. They come up with the most interesting flavours and every dish was amazing. They take the time to explain each dish and you can really tell the team cares and loves the restaurant. Thank you for being so amazing and we look forward to our visit 😊
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 C P. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful ambience, loved that it's not a huge space, the setup is perfect. The atmosphere was like dining in your own dining room or a friend's house. Each course was eye pleasing and super tasty. Delicious desserts, a nice variety of cocktails we had the Negroni and espresso Martini fantastic you can actually taste there was liquor in the cocktails unlike other restaurants and bars! Huge compliments to the chef. Great service, friendly servers, a special shutout to David who explained every course in detail, well done. Will absolutely go back.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Breno F. 11 months ago on Google
    Definitely my best food experience. As a vegan, it was really gratifying to be able to bask and enjoy a whole tasting menu with all its perks and flavors. Will come back more often to try the new dishes! Kitchen staff and especially the waiter, Serena, made the night perfect!
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ayan P. 8 months ago on Google
    Came here for an anniversary dinner. The experience was phenomenal and if you ever wanted to convince someone vegan food can be mind bogglingly delicious - this is the place to bring them. Staff was wonderful and friendly and a special thanks to Serena for making the night amazing.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Berman G. 2 years ago on Google
    We held our Christmas dinner here and we all had the best culinary experience we've ever had. Ambience is elegant and intimate. I'm not a vegan but I never thought vegan food could be this good. Every dish was more stunning than the last, an incredible array of flavours and colours and sensations. Hospitality was incredibly kind, friendly and accommodating. Avelo is definitely living up to its hype.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aanchal A. 1 year ago on Google
    Went here for a date night and we had a great experience! The food was definitely memorable and unique, and I got to taste things I would have never tried to make myself! The people working there are kind and take their time to explain every dish. Would recommend and definitely coming back! :)
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kaja A. 10 months ago on Google • 3 reviews
    My partner took me here for my birthday yesterday and it didn’t disappoint! Food was great and David and Serena really made the night! Every dish had a story and was described beautifully! My favourite dish was described as an inspiration from a jalapeño popper. The textures and the spice were on point! Desserts were also amazing! I loved that there’s an amuse and that they gave us two different desserts to share. It was difficult to choose a favourite! As a vegan I was thrilled because I don’t often get to have desserts when I go out but I also think that to others it would be difficult to tell that they are vegan which is awesome! Definitely looking forward to going back!
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jo C. 10 months ago on Google
    Wow! An incredible experience, visited with my family for their first tasting menu experience. The service was exceptional from start to finish with detailed descriptions of each dish. The art and exploration of flavours was continual with each course. Amazing cocktails too!
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kim S. 10 months ago on Google
    Amazing experience for vegan/vegetarian diners. The menu features unique vegetables that rotate seasonally and are extremely well presented and prepared. We got the 7 course menu with with wine pairing which was extremely well done. In some instances there were quite bold sweet and salt flavours that did overpower notes of the wine, but overall excellent food and wine accompaniments. We were quite full by the end of the menu which is not usually the case in many other fine dining course restaurants we have been to (granted this was after the 7 course menu + amuse bouche and desert). A true vegan gem in Toronto that is underrated.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vince O. 1 year ago on Google
    It's the ultimate "surprise me!" experience. The price is certainly worth it; the chefs are wizards/witches for their amazing creations with seasonal ingredients. I was recommended by my waitress to visit again in the summertime for a different assortment of vegan dishes.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jayme W. 10 months ago on Google
    I am not a vegan/vegetarian but I visited this restaurant with a few friends who are vegan. We had a great time and it was an absolutely wonderful experience. The food was delicious (servings are small but was expected). Our server David was amazing, knowledgeable and his service was impeccable. He also has great taste in music, which added to the ambiance. I’ve already recommended this place to a few friends!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin H. 2 years ago on Google
    I'm so full. We did the 8 course option and it was so much food. Save room! We got served savoury food 10 times (some were very small, don't panic), 1 small dessert, and one normal size dessert. Everything was delicious. I'm not a fan of mushrooms and the mushroom dish was one of my favourites. The restaurant was very nice and quiet. The staff was kind and patient.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jenn C. 1 year ago on Google
    This has been the best culinary experience ever, for many reasons : The food was art. Each dishes was creatively thought through and well presented. The chef is a genius. The decor was fancy, yet cozy. And to top it off, the service was impeccable.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ciara S. 1 year ago on Google
    We decided to check out Avelo (despite not being vegan or even vegetarian) because of their focus on clean air. We weren't really sure what to expect, but figured at the very least it would be a new experience. We have absolutely zero regrets about our decision. The food was delicious, the ambiance was beautiful, and the service was top-tier. We're from out of town, but we'll happily sing its praises to anyone we know passing through Toronto. Seriously, eat here, even if plant-based is not your usual diet. We didn't regret the lack of animal products for a second.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brett O. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the most incredible dining experiences of my life. We were celebrating my partner’s birthday so we went for the 8 course tasting menu (it ended up being more like 12 with the palette cleansers.) Every dish was more stunning than the last, an incredible array of flavours and colours and sensations. Our server Ron/Pat was so warm and genuine - not only was he knowledgeable about the dishes but he also did photoshoots with us and sang us a special Avelo birthday song. We were there for 3 hours and loved every minute of it. Do yourself a favour and go!!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ling 2 years ago on Google
    Exquisite food created by a chef, who, no doubt, is also both an artist and scientist. Creating beautiful food and conjuring up complex tastes that are layered, elegant and bold. Avelo is an outstanding restaurant experience. Staff are wonderful and the dining room provides a lovely atmosphere to dine. Definitely worth noting too is how serious Avelo is with your safety while dining indoors. With floor to ceiling plexiglass and generous spacing between all tables plus Hepa filters abound, the work they put in to ensure your comfort is above and beyond. Avelo, thank you for being awesome.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maria G. 2 months ago on Google • 73 reviews New
    The location is a bit tricky, it is right behind Yonge street. Very intimate atmosphere, there are only 10ish tables, so be sure that you book your spot! Very interesting combination of seasonal products assembled into surprising plant based dishes. Some of the plates we tasted were inspired by traditional South American cuisine (since one of the chefs is from there) and this was also an opportunity for us to learn about rare find fresh greens. The service is very friendly and helpful. They were explaining every course and the details. Taste wise the dishes were very well complimented by the wine pairings (optional addition to the tasting menu) with specialties ranging from France to Spain and Italy. Also, we found the 7-course menu to be quite filling, with three bite-sized courses when going from one flavour to another and to desserts.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elizabeth Z. 2 months ago on Google • 69 reviews New
    This place deserves Michelin recognition! It's better than actual Michelin restaurants I've tried in Toronto. My fiance and I did the 8-course set dinner menu and spent roughly 2.5h there. They provide a slip of paper listing some key ingredients but otherwise, you have the option of doing the whole course "blind". There are no names for the dishes. 🍄 Food: My two words to describe the food is *perfectly balanced*. Each dish was made up of different components. When tasted apart, they were almost overwhelming in flavour, but when tasted together, it was truly a symphony. Everything was delicately composed on the plate like a piece of art. You could tell the chefs really thought about every aspect of every dish. The one dish that stood out the most was the cabbage and cashew terrine with red wine puree. Never tasted anything quite like it beforen! 🛎️ Service: Huge shout-out to the wait staff! Everyone we interacted with was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming. They were very attentive to our needs and seemed happy to be there. I liked how they explained each dish clearly and slowly versus rushing through it like at other restaurants. 🕯️Ambience: I wish I took photos of their interior space. It looks a lot better than some of the old photos people posted from years ago. They've definitely renovated the main dining area on the first floor since. It's an elegant and classy spot for a romantic date night, and the music was at a perfect volume for conversation. ✨ One other nice touch was that the warm courses were served on warm plates, and the cold courses like desert were served on cold plates. A small thing, but demonstrates their attention to detail! I seriously can't recommend this place enough. Our waitress said they completely change their menu every season, so I'll definitely be coming back for more! I'm so glad we discovered Avelo!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kevin D. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely incredible! By far the best vegan tasting menu we've had in Toronto. The flavours were unique and inventive. Service was top notch. The food was as good or better than the top tier international plant based restaurants like Vedge, Dirt Candy, Plant, Pollen St Social, Vanilla Black and Tian. If you're looking for a unique experience that will push your understanding of what vegan food can be, definitely eat here.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jane L. 1 month ago on Google • 117 reviews New
    I love coming here for a special occasion. They have a 5 or 7 course set menu and the menu changes often. The food is always top notch. However I have noticed the portion size go down significantly. Likely because of the cost of food is up nowadays. Previously I would also be really full after 5 courses but this time I definitely felt I needed more substance.

  • 5/5 Katie B. 1 year ago on Google
    Went for the 5-course tasting menu - what a delightful experience! Neither my roommate nor I are vegan, but we both enjoy eating plant-based and had a lovely time. The food was inventive and delicious. Each dish was quite different, and although we had favourites, we enjoyed trying each one. David, our server, was very friendly and attentive. He was very informative, and was clearly very passionate about the food and the service Avelo provides. David also suggested and mixed us great mocktails to match our dinner and our dessert courses. If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, especially as a vegan or someone who appreciates plant-based eating, this is your spot! We’ll definitely be coming back as the menu changes.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shannon G. 2 years ago on Google
    The food was exquisitely prepared and full of delicious flavors. I’m not vegan but this was one of the best meals I’ve ever had! Pat and David provide truly excellent service; attentive and prompt, but also they were fun and engaging and truly added to the experience. Thank you Avelo for such a great night, we will be back for sure!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Conrad R. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing! Food, ambiance and service were wonderful. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 A. Zell W. 1 year ago on Google
    Simply outstanding, both in the cuisine and in the service. David, our host and server, presented each course with a fascinating backstory around how the chefs and and the staff worked together to come up with brilliant, unique, satisfying vegan plates. I went for the 5-course meal and my only regret is not going for the 8-course one. I plan to correct that mistake on my next trip to Toronto.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Natasha K. 2 years ago on Google
    Best dinner we’ve had in a loooong time. It was so delicious and the food was so inspiring. The balance of each dish and the flavours were incredible. Amazing food aside, the service was impeccable. We were given the perfect amount of time between courses and all the descriptions were great. Lastly, the ambiance is also 5*+ and we love the air filters which made us feel safe and comfortable. Thank you to everyone who made our dinner so special!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abigail C. 1 year ago on Google
    most amazing dining experience I’ve ever had. Was so good and interesting and worth the price on the very first dish. Definitely for the curious people out there as each course had something I’ve ever heard of before! But absolutely amazing and I’m so glad we went here. Pic is of a rhubarb desert, but they change their menu all the time.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 kripi r. 11 months ago on Google
    We celebrated our wedding anniversary here last evening and had an amazing time trying out their meticulously crafted menu with perfect wine pairings. They also added a personal touch with an anniversary card. Loved it! We highly recommend this place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Dong-Ling C. 2 years ago on Google
    We had very high hopes for this place and were more than slightly disappointed. We came here for our double birthdays and were very excited about their 8 course tasting menu. In short summary, every single dish lacked any wow factor. The ideas were there for creative vegan dishes, but the flavour combinations and smart use of ingredients were absent. We've been to many great veggie forward places and all the good ones have the same thing in common - you don't even think about eating meat because the dishes stand for themselves. Here, course after course, we looked at each other and said, so what? Not memorable or inventive. We don't mind spending a lot of money for good food, but we ended up spending $450 for two people for 8 courses and drinks and had a lot left to be desired. Sad to say as huge supporters of the Toronto food scene, we will not be back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 L E. 2 years ago on Google
    Loved the 5 course tasting menu! It ends up being 9 with amuse bouche plates in between courses. Lovely, cozy atmosphere and amazing service. Creative and fun menu that will excite the senses. Will totally be going back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lucia R. 2 years ago on Google
    A truly amazing experience. The food was spectacular and the service was fantastic. Unforgettable. We had the 8 course meal, which were really 12. Perfect birthday.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael F. 2 years ago on Google
    We just had our 3rd visit to Avelo and the team never fail to deliver a wonderful experience. The food is simply spectacular, service impeccable and atmosphere delightful. We dined upstairs for the first time and it was lovely. Every visit we have has our expectations surpassed with a new culinary creation. They bring new meaning to magic mushrooms!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jess M. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely incredible experience. Beautiful atmosphere with impeccable service from David who not only knew everything about the menu but was incredibly helpful in selecting wine to pair with the set menu. We can’t say enough good things about David. The food was both delicious and inventive. The best vegan restaurant for upscale food and perfect service.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mal Y. 11 months ago on Google
    The 5 courses tasting menu was amazing. I enjoyed the food not only by my taste buds, the food presentation caught my eyes too. It was a great experience with their service, dining environment and their knowledgeable staffs. I had a great night. Thank you.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jake S. 8 months ago on Google • 24 reviews
    Had an awesome time here! The atmosphere was posh, but comfortable and laidback; and the dining areas were intimate and cozy. The service was great, as well. We had Serena helping us out for most of the meal, and she did a great job of taking care of us. Her description on each dish was delivered in a friendly yet knowledgable way. It really helped elevate the experience. The food, of course, was delicious! As a vegan I’d never had the chance to try a tasting menu, and it was really incredible. Each dish was well thought out in and of itself and in the greater picture of the entire menu. It was hard to think of a favourite dish! Can’t recommend this place enough, especially if you’re looking for something to really treat yourself as a vegan.


Call +1 647-643-3132 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery

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