Pure Spirits image

Pure Spirits

Restaurant Bar Bar and grill Seafood restaurant Oyster bar restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Oyster bar restaurants in Old Toronto


Address

17 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada

Website

purespirits.ca

Contact

+1 416-361-5859

Price rating

$$$ $

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (1.8K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 12 to 9 pm
  • Tuesday: 12 to 9 pm
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: 12 to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 12 to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 12 to 9 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (22) oysters (22) great (19) service (18) fish (14) delicious (13) time (12) waitress (10) fresh (10) restaurant (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Karen alves g. 5 months ago on Google • 858 reviews
    For those visiting the distillery for the first time, having lunch at Spirits is a great choice. The restaurant has a super pleasant atmosphere that reminds us of the ocean. They have an outdoor and indoor area, but an outdoor area only in spring and summer. The service is wonderful right from the reception, the receptionist is always extremely friendly, especially if you are with children. They have high chairs for children and changing tables for babies in the bathrooms. The accessibility of the restaurant is very good, with an automatic door to serve customers in wheelchairs and with limited mobility due to any other disability, they have tables to which it is possible to adapt a wheelchair and adapted toilets. The menu has a great variety of items and many with many seafood items. The menu of drinks and cocktails, wines and beers also has a great variety and the prices are as expected for a good popular restaurant. It's really worth knowing! For those going by bus, just get off at the end of the 504, which will stop in front of the distillery.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aimee C. 1 year ago on Google
    Oysters here were great. They had a great selection of different types from West and East Coast. The waitress was very knowledgeable on all of the different types. (I didn’t take pictures of the oysters) But the other food we got was good but not the greatest ever.( 7/10) I think the main reason to go is definitely the oysters!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Poyraz O. 2 years ago on Google
    We visited this restaurant on a Saturday evening. We were after some decent oysters and yes we did find what we were looking for! The mix oyster plates were excellent. We paired them with an excellent wine from New Zealand (Saint Clair). Also tried the seared salmon 👌. The mussels were served a bit dry, we expected a juicy sauce. The calamari/squid was average. Very helpful waitresses , we had a great time here!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Crystle S. 8 months ago on Google
    The oysters were absolutely delicious. They tasted fresh and were paired excellently with the sauces provided. In addition to that, we tried the mussels soaked in a kimchi-sauce/broth and it was delicious. It didn’t have a strong kimchi flavour and surprisingly, it paired well with the mussels. The only issue is that the wait time was a little long and the waitress hardly came to our table.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mia 1 year ago on Google
    Location is good. They did have heater installed for patio. Overall good and service are okay. The seafood spaghetti was highly recommended and was pretty good. Shrimp was fresh and rich with the creamy sauce. The fish was okay however. Salmon was over cooked and tasted a bit old. It really took quite a while to get the server’s attention though.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 MD062010 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome good, great location, and friendly service. We couldn’t decide on single entrees, so we selected several different appetizers. The tempura squid was delicious and the eel focaccia was a well balanced treat. Oh yea, their cocktails were quite good as well!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 OfficialG T. 1 year ago on Google
    Wonderful service. The platter of oysters were excellent. The Rockefeller oyster were a hit. My friends loved the steak with vegetables and that basket of bread. Keep it up with the awesome service. Will bring more friends next time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 T 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing oysters and set up, fish and chips was very under cooked but the salad was top charts with the fresh bacon. truly great food. Just slow service so that was annoying. After they got our drinks and food, no one bothered to check up on us and our meal. But beside that amazing food and great wine!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 U L. 8 months ago on Google
    Oysters and mussels for Bastilia celebration - what can be more Frenchy 🇫🇷🤭 we had a great food experience in Pure Spirits on Saturday lunchtime 😋🔥 Started with oysters - and I was really surprised that Canadian oysters are so fine 🦪🇨🇦 recommended 💯 Mussels - soo delicious, with fish & veggy broth and crunchy baguette to dip it in 🍲🤌. 10/10 Papardelle with crevettes🍝🍤 - no words needed, try! Truffle sauce make them even more perfect🔥 Poke bowl with tuna 🍲 - very good, except it's sauce 👎more like eastern adjika -definitely not for Hawaiian meal Interior and atmosphere - 👌 Service - very friendly and complaisant, however, not very fast. Putting this place to the list of worth visiting 🙋
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Deepti S. 10 months ago on Google
    We went on a Monday and during happy hour, the small dishes for tenner were good value. We tried the crab croquettes and the lobster roll.The crab croquettes hardly had crab in it and both dishes lack flavour. Tried the octopus main and the octopus was super tender -just melted in the mouth but again overall dish had a complete lack of flavour even after we added salt and pepper. If you are into IPA,selection is minimal. Service though was very good.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 O. N. 3 months ago on Google • 144 reviews New
    The crab cake is a must. Crispy on the outside and moist and soft on the inside. Comes with delicious arugula. Had Dixon point NB oysters, and PEI oysters tasted fresh. Ribeye steak was buttery, made well the way i like it -medium. The cut was decent. The mashed potato was comforting. Sea bream fish was scrumptious not sure if it had peach puree around it (correct me if I am wrong) but it was superb. 🤤Service was excellent. I will keep coming back to this place. Worth my bucks. 💯

  • 4/5 Susan H. 3 months ago on Google • 94 reviews New
    We popped in during the Distillery District Christmas Market for early dinner and managed to grab a seat right away at the bar. The service was a little slow as the bar servers are fewer and further between than table servers however everyone was really nice including the Oyster shucking staff who even got in on the conversation as well. I had the dragon fruit iced tea which was lovely and refreshing. This is a true iced tea with minimal sugar. For eats, I have the Rockefeller Oysters which were like if oysters met cheesy bites - warm, crunchy top but a heartwarming center. I then had the crab poutine which was great taste. It was a very filling dish overall so you are getting your money worth. To close out, I had one of their shucked oysters. It was very fresh. The variety I chose was from the west coast menu and was quite fishy compared to some of the other varieties they serve. Overall, this was a great little place to grab a bite and the bar is a fun place to sit if you are looking to interact.

  • 4/5 Andrew L. 2 months ago on Google • 82 reviews New
    This restaurant is tucked away among the many stores at Distillery District. We had the sea bream and trout and the chef did an amazing job. Food was delicious and our server was wonderful. I will definitely invite friends and come again.

  • 4/5 costaa 3 months ago on Google • 54 reviews New
    Came in for a quick bite and drink. I had heard there was a holiday themed cocktail and I really wanted to try it. We had the hot wings and the campfire martini. I enjoyed the martini but it wasn't as full of a glass as I thought. Kind of tasted like those cinnamon heart candies, loved the toasted marshmallow. The hot wings were so good! The sauce on top was delicious and I surprisingly enjoyed the blue cheese dip, the taste is very subtle!

  • 3/5 Melissa S. 3 months ago on Google • 31 reviews New
    Thursday night during market time is typically a 2-2.5 hour wait for a table at any restaurant in Distillery especially if the party is large, so we were very happy when our table for 5 (considered a large party) was ready in just over 20 minutes. For this reason, service gets a couple of stars; otherwise, it was horrible. After getting our food, our server only came to the table to see if we had room for desert; he never asked how the food was. He either failed to survey our table of empty water glasses or he just didn't care. By his third trip to the table - when he was ready to cash us out - we finally had to ask for a refill of water. The food was relatively good, although my friend was quite disappointed that they left the bone in her pork schnitzel, so had to take off a star for that. And for a seafood restaurant, the key lime pie was extremely disappointing (lucky I only took off one star and not 2). Unless you want to waste $15.00 on a piece of pie that is swallowed up by the size of the plate, because the pie is so small for the price and tastes key lime pie-ish (it's more on the coconut cream pied side of tastes), then don't bother ordering - you're better off going Cactus Club for their key lime (now that's key lime pie and you get what you pay for).

  • 5/5 Chantal M. 4 months ago on Google • 9 reviews
    The food here is AMAZING!! Very fresh and good sized portions. The drinks were delicious as well. We got the BYO Caesar’s and then a spiked hot coco as our dessert. Great date night spot and also perfect for lunch. Our server was Patrick and he was wonderful!

  • 5/5 Emily M. 6 months ago on Google
    The best lobster I have ever had and the shrimp pappardelle was also amazing! Good service in a beautiful location. We aren't from the area but will certainly be back!

  • 3/5 tamara b. 1 year ago on Google
    A good option for patio szn. This local spot serves sustainable seafood, seasonal mains, shareable sides, balanced cocktails and Ontario wines. They have a large patio that usually gets excellent sunlight during brunch hours. The food was good, I had the mussels + fries. The service is good, although not particularly friendly.

  • 4/5 - Jem -. 1 year ago on Google
    Great service. The mussels were fantastic, as was the soup. Outdoor seating is roomy and the patio heaters are very much appreciated. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to order certain drinks on their menu due to an "alcohol shortage" but those cocktails which were available and that I tried were good. Dessert options are few due to COVID-19 cuts.

  • 5/5 Julie T. 2 years ago on Google
    Service and food were excellent, way above par. Even the cocktails were better than the usual offerings. Pricier than some places perhaps, but worth it if you are looking for a really great meal. 3 of us all had different drinks, appetizers, and mains, and we all were happy with our choices.

  • 5/5 Isadora S. 2 months ago on Google • 3 reviews New
    This is one of my favourite places in the distillery district. The food is delicious, and the plates are big enough to share. The service was fantastic. The host and the server were very friendly and accommodated us very well. People think it is just an oyster bar, but it's not! They have a complete menu, love it!!

  • 4/5 Fanny L. 1 year ago on Google
    I requested a quiet table away from the crowd but they didn't do anything. The quality of fish and chips is excellent! The fish did not break into bits and pieces. I had baked oysters and squid tempura as the appetizers. They were amazing! I like how they have an option simply sauteed for people who want to be healthy and skip carbs. Cod fish tastes good too. But they are expensive.

  • 5/5 P 1 year ago on Google
    Great restaurant in the Distillery District. It was a chilly afternoon but we still preferred the patio. The food was beautifully presented but what made the best impression was our server Adrian. He was very friendly and professional. He offered us some beer samples from the promotion and hot water and blankets as he saw us getting cold. Although the lunch cost us over $100, I still recommend Pure Spirits if you are looking for a wonderful dining experience.

  • 5/5 Amy S. 4 months ago on Google
    My husband and I visited for our first time for our wedding anniversary. What a lovely experience!! Our server Ben was absolutely lovely. He made our evening wonderful. We had a dozen oysters (our first time) and they were delicious! I had a BYO caesar with an oyster on top to drink which was also yummy. For my main I went with the shrimp pappardelle and holy heck, it was absolutely the best pasta I've ever eaten. Seriously. I will be going back for it!! My husband had the Mahi Mahi Ruben and he quite enjoyed it as well. As an anniversary treat Ben brought us a complimentary creme brulee and it was perfect. Hands down 10/10 experience. Thank you for making our anniversary excellent!!

  • 4/5 Stefan Di I. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic service. Noise level is tolerable. Food gets to your table in less than 7 minutes. Amazing seafood on appetizers and entrees. (And yes, they have a burger if you're not up for fish.) Even the dessert was a perfect end to the meal. Pricing is a bit high, but most things these days are.

  • 3/5 Matthew V. 6 months ago on Google
    Took my father here for Father's Day! We always walk pass the restaurant when were in the area and decided to give it a shot. Especially with the reviews we saw online. To our surprise it wasn't busy and didn't need a reservation. The hostest walked us to the patio and dropped the menus down and walked away. Didn't say one word to us. We sat down and waitied 10mins until I got fed up and asked for a waiter or waitress to take our drinks. We guess we got a waitress that hated her job because she did not want to be there at all. No smile, no, hello, no, how was your day or any kind of greeting. We order our drinks and that took another 15mins to get two beers. So far the experience and the reviews weren't matching up. When we started to order, the waitress stopped us and said we don't have that on the menu right now. Fair enough could be a popular item. Then we started asking for other dishes and 4 of the dishes we wanted they did not have. Was not impress with that. We had the seafood spaghetti and beer battered fish and chips. The seafood was sad, overcooked muscles, clams and shrimp in the dish with heavy butter just sitting under the pasta. The presentstion was beautiful but the taste was mediocre. The fish and chips were good, actually better then the pasta. When eating our dinner, there was no time where the waitress came to ask how the meal was, if we needed another drink. After finally asking a bus boy to find our waitress or flag someone down to get our bill. The waitress came to us after 10mins of looking for her. Asked for the bill and left. 90mins of horrible service and food. We won't be showing up again. The waitress we had needs better training and better customer service training. Food: 6/10 Service: 1/10 Atmosphere: 7/10

  • 5/5 Elliott I. 6 months ago on Google
    Absolutely enjoyed my visit to Pure Spirits! The ambiance was delightful, service top-notch, and the menu diverse. The presentation of dishes was a visual treat, enhancing the overall experience. The only downside was that its "Striped bass" was overly salty. Nonetheless, I look forward to returning and exploring more of their offerings.

  • 5/5 Daphne H. 7 months ago on Google
    This was such a great place. The Wild Argentinean shrimp with a creamy mushroom sauce was phenomenal! Our server Michelle was fantastic, the oysters were amazing, the soft shell crab tacos were delicious, great meal for sure!

  • 5/5 Diana S. 8 months ago on Google
    Eating here was an amazing experience! The food was all incredibly fresh, tasted amazing, and I loved the oysters! It was a great change of pace to try something new and Tina was a lovely waitress. I loved the outdoor seating as well, but I’d like it if they had bigger tables. I will definitely be coming here again, and recommending Pure Spirits.

  • 5/5 William K. 9 months ago on Google
    The staff were polite and professional. There is plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. Heaters were attached to the outside of the building for the cooler weather. The menu had a great selection. I really enjoyed a half dozen oysters (3 east coast/3 west coast) to start. For my entree, I had the fish chips with 2 large pieces of fish which was cooked perfectly. I would definitely eat there again.

  • 4/5 Edgar 8 months ago on Google
    We’ve been to Pure Spirits several times and, I always find it pricey but, the food never disappoints. Last time, we were a group and ordered several shareable items, entrees and many dozens of oysters. We all agreed that everything was very tasty and fresh. Overall, service is friendly and diligent but, they do have their bad days.

  • 5/5 Vasily K. 1 year ago on Google
    We dropped by that place accidentally. We were exploring the Distillery District and turned out to have a dinner here. Proactively we came up to the reception and we were asked to come back in an hour. We came back and we’re seated. The company of 4 people. The service was very good. Practically exceptional. We didn’t wait for our order (drinks or food) for a long time. All dishes were brought just on time. We actually loved that place. BTW oysters 🦪 are really fresh and tasty. Thanks, guys. See the pictures of the food. Amazing!!!

  • 4/5 Lewis W. 1 year ago on Google
    Service is great, food are excellent. Highly recommend their mussles and fresh oysters on half shell. The drinks are good, but need to ask them to you less ice in it… otherwise you will only get 2 sips

  • 4/5 Gloria L. 11 months ago on Google
    Great atmosphere for a drink or a night to decompress! Their papardelle is delicious and so are their mussels. I also had their fish and chips and personally found the batter a bit too thick and the fish didnt have much flavour. We also shared the octopus- nicely seasoned, portion size somewhat small.

  • 5/5 Brandon F. 9 months ago on Google
    I recently stopped by Pure Spirits for a quick drink and was pleasantly surprised to learn that they served delicious oysters. It was my first time trying oysters and what a way to enjoy something new! The environment was fantastic; it had a great atmosphere and was perfect for unwinding after a long day. Our server, Stephanie, was absolutely amazing - personal, organized, and attentive. She gathered all of our names and truly made our experience unforgettable. I can't recommend Pure Spirits enough. It's a 5-star experience all across the board. Cheers!


Call +1 416-361-5859 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid parking lot
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
    • ✓️ Paid multi-storey car park
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Happy-hour food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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