Sakai Bar image

Sakai Bar

Restaurant Bar Japanese restaurant Alcohol retail monopoly

Tiny, exposed-brick spot with a long sake list complemented by a menu of rustic Japanese snacks. People often mention sake, Japanese, selection, menu, small, Sakai, unique, dishes, dish, portions,


Address

1576 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1T8, Canada

Website

www.instagram.com

Contact

+1 416-532-2904

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (250 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 6 to 11 pm
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 6 to 11 pm
  • Friday: 6 to 11 pm
  • Saturday: 6 to 11 pm
  • Sunday: 6 to 11 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: sake (27) Japanese (12) selection (12) menu (12) small (12) Sakai (10) unique (9) dishes (9) dish (8) portions (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Megan E. 2 years ago on Google
    Disappointing to be honest, though I didn't realize I was going to a Japanese INSPIRED place. So little food for such a expensive price, sake was really the only thing that was authentically Japanese. Also chefs continuely took their masks down while cooking. (Reply) From the reviews I read I saw it to be inspired japenese, even though there was no sashimi does not mean I don't see it to be not Japanese, i ordered food anyways but the portions were a lot smaller then we were told. I did not stop my friend but told them my decision with the payment and didn't persuade them.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kama K. 2 years ago on Google
    Where do I start! Japanese inspired gem at its finest. Get the squash and the dessert: don’t even think about it, just order it. Unbelievable experience. Amazing service — Stu the owner and Eric the chef really put their hearts out. Don’t know why it took me so long to finally go there. Ended up eating and drinking there twice within the same weekend if it’s any indication. The sake selection is so rare to find in this city. No reservations though so might be tricky to get a spot.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lori F. 3 months ago on Google • 350 reviews New
    Always love trying out their new menu items, all the ingredients are high quality and the sauces are all so unique. I could probably eat their cabbage forever. They also have a great selection of sake to try and explore!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cindy F. 5 months ago on Google • 419 reviews
    A small hidden gem for Japan inspired food and a great selection of sake. All the servers are very knowledgeable about the sake and suggest great pairings. This place is frequent by locals and restaurant industry people. They suggested a smoked tuna Kama and it’s meaty, fatty and lots of umami. The ankimon is milder and softer than what I had in regular sushi restaurants. Pickled daikon with cream cheese and chive is also something new to me and have nice surprising factors. Seating is a bit tight but that’s usually the case for downtown restaurants. Washroom is located downstairs.

  • 5/5 Chau P. 8 months ago on Google • 181 reviews
    Discrete entry, this small capacity bar is divine. Opting to sit at the bar as the patio was full, the intricate detailing and styling creates an luxe feel. The bar menu is expansive and encourages you to converse and trust the friendly and knowledgeable staff. We thoroughly enjoyed the variety of sake and umeshu. The food was delicate, the oyster was the standout. I honestly can’t wait to head back for their whiskey selection.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danielle O. 4 months ago on Google • 378 reviews
    Quite good. Price a little high for portions and the quality is very good, but not perfect. Well worth a visit if you're looking for an intimate spot and are ok paying higher prices for a limited menu of small bites. Great booze selection as well.

  • 5/5 Steven W. 7 months ago on Google • 226 reviews
    Great casual ambience with amazing delicious food! Tried a bunch of dishes and without having any previous research of food items did not know what to expect but almost every single dish exceeded expectations! Make sure to get their pork and mushrooms and they had a smoked tuna special which was similar to eating smoked beef. Highly recommend to try if you are craving for unique spin on Japanese cuisine.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Veronica C. 2 years ago on Google
    I love the food at Sakai bar. Everything is always so good. They have such a fun and delicious version of beef tartare and the Ling cod liver (kimo) really is the foie gras of the sea. The cured yolk on rice is also one of the best (yet simple) bites I’ve ever had. The only thing I didn’t like was the agedashi tofu. I know it is house made tofu, but I prefer a silkier tofu. Also, I recommend ordering sake. The cocktails might be fun, but this is one of the few establishments in the city that has such a varied selection of sake. Plus they really know their stuff, so it becomes a bit of a learning exercise as well.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ILYA 7 months ago on Google • 306 reviews
    A special place Buckwheat and rhubarb ice tea is very pleasant. You’ll love it if you enjoy non-sweet sweet things Pickled plum is exquisite Potatoes with roe were nice Mushrooms that accompanied pork were delicious Their dessert has berries that taste like purple colour 🤷‍♂️ Service is great Bar seating isn’t comfy for 180cm+ person

  • 4/5 Michelle M. 1 year ago on Google
    Sakai Bar was just shy of 5 stars for me. Small but intimate spot with a unique variety of Japanese sake. Great service, very attentive. FYI: debit card and cash preferred, 2% fee for credit card payments. The top dishes of the night were: the tonkatsu (order the side curry), beef tartare (combined with the pea shoots and mussels, every bite was heavenly), cabbage salad (I want to sip the last bit of the dressing) and the buckwheat cake for dessert (amazing). The miso soup was on the saltier side. I ordered our dishes shortly after being seated and I regret not asking about the specials (I over heard there’s a pork belly dish that wasn’t on the menu). Will return to Sakai Bar!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tyler C. 2 years ago on Google
    Been coming here since their first time opening. Service and food is always exceptional. Tasty bites that pack a lot of flavor. Ordering almost the entire menu is doable for a table of two. Each item is just a rollercoaster of deliciousness. Highly recommend this special spot.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 K K. 11 months ago on Google
    The food was fine, nothing exceptional given the prices. The items are priced quite high for the portions. It was $23 for a tiny bowl of noodles. They don’t list a description of the menu items so it takes a while to order as the wait staff have to explain everything. Even some like a menu item listed as pickles isn’t actually pickles. It ends up being pickled vegetables not actual pickles so you really have to clarify every dish. It’s a very pork and beef heavy menu for the more substantial dishes otherwise it’s mostly small sides. They do a good job of creating a Japanese style restaurant with the decor. There’s no reservations and very limited tables. Half the seating is at the bar. They charge 2.5% for credit card payments and can do split bills.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin W. 10 months ago on Google
    Fantastic small sake bar with excellent food and some of the best sake offerings in the city. I was prepared for excellent sake but was completely surprised by just how great the food was as well. The katsu sando is a must order. Some other highlights were the potatoes with ikura and the beef and eggplant special. You’ll definitely want a bowl of rice with some furikake and a cured egg yolk to soak up some of the residual sauce from these dishes too, and the leftover curry from the katsu sandwich. The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable about sake and clearly very enthusiastic about teaching their more ignorant customers (like myself). Their sake by the glass is bit more limited than the bottles they offer and these are all 25% off on Thursday nights. Highly recommend to all, sake lover or not, and will certainly be back frequently.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Victoria P. 1 year ago on Google
    Great experience with both food and service! Props to the chef and kitchen staff for making unique, tasty dishes. The food is on a saltier side, which made sense to me, since they are meant to go with drinks. The highlight of every dish was the sauce used. Very unique combinations and addicting flavors made me want to literally lick the plate (I did not, but it was hard to resist😅). Highly recommend giving Sakai Bar a try, if you are in the area!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nina I. 10 months ago on Google
    My new favourite restaurant in Toronto! Experienced new flavours I’ve never tried before…you must get the cabbage salad: “it’s like eating a bag of chips” -the owner (also made good conversation as we were sitting at the bar). It’s peppery, nutty, slightly pickled and refreshing - so good! And the infinity fish: perfectly cooked rainbow trout wrapped in cabbage with a yuzu sake beurre blanc sauce (🤯). And finally the katsu sando with curry gravy: the pork was sooo juicy with a classic Japanese curry gravy to dip. We also got a side bow of rice with the best umeboshi we’ve ever tried. And for dessert a buckwheat cake with white chocolate sauce: the texture was similar to a scone, so buttery but so light and melt in your mouth! And normally I’m skeptic all of white chocolate but they must have caramelized it to taste more like a faint dulce de leche. Best of all, all the flavours in every dish had depth and richness without being too heavy or making you want to take a nap after. Perfect balance! A Toronto must try! Decor is nice but it’s a small space with no resos so it’ll be tricky to get a spot on weekends. We came on a Monday at 6:20 and were able to get a seat right away. Side note - not much of a drinker but they have a huge selection of sake. I got a delightful plum wine and my friend got a burdock rice lager.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Krn J. 7 months ago on Google
    Japanese ingredients prepared in a contemporary way. The place is beautifully decorated and has a cozy atmosphere, great for date night. the umeshu selection is exquisite, and was definitely the most memorable part of our visit. the dishes that stood out the most were the sumen + oyster and the squid + cucumber sunomono. The salads and pickles were nothing special. The portion to price ratio is as expected for a restaurant in the area and popularity, portions are small and the price is high.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jayson A. 2 years ago on Google
    My friends and I literally ordered everything on their menu because why not. They are small tapas so I would definitely order multiple of things or just try the entire menu. Favourite dish is the soba!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Winnie X. 1 year ago on Google
    Everything was tasty, though very small portions, so don't come too hungry. The sake selection was great if that's your thing. My group enjoyed our time at Sakai!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stephen M. 2 months ago on Google • 71 reviews New
    For a brief period of time, I lived in the restaurant oasis of Dundas West. In one month, I ate here three times. Convivial host, small scale place that feels like Japan. Outstanding collection of Japanese sakes, whiskies but the best part are the bar snacks which can be a meal unto itself. Best. Miso. Ever.

  • 5/5 Mia D. 6 months ago on Google • 25 reviews
    This cozy tiny getaway feels like a small slice of Japan. Great ambiance and service with an impressive selection of good quality sake options. Small menu with unique dishes and an open concept kitchen. If you take a visit to Sakai bar you won't want to leave.

  • 5/5 Ryota S. 5 months ago on Google • 17 reviews
    Attractive selection of Japanese sake. The best Katsu sand in Toronto. Daily special’s Fish kimo(liver of local fish) was perfect match with Sake.

  • 5/5 Christina V. 8 months ago on Google • 15 reviews
    One of the best meals I’ve had in the city in a while. It’s on the pricey side but if you’re looking for a unique dining experience with well thought out dishes I would highly recommend this place.

  • 5/5 Lily 1 year ago on Google
    Hands down one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in the city! My friend and I were having a drink at the bar next door and smelled something delicious so we walked over and grabbed a table. I’d never heard of the place so I had no expectations whatsoever. We ordered 3-4 plates to share along with some sake cocktails and everything was delicious and well crafted. The tonkatsu sando and miso squash were standouts! The portions were standard and although a little high in price, it’s justified because the quality was definitely there. The interior is intimate and cozy. We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the food being prepared and explained to us! Only reason I haven’t been back is that there are a small number of tables and no resos available so it’s a gamble whether you’ll experience a long wait or not. Would recommend it to anyone who wants a unique, Japanese dining experience in Toronto! A true hidden gem. 5/5 ⭐️

  • 5/5 Andrea R. 9 months ago on Google
    The place to be for sake lovers. Food wise is really like a japanese style izakaya, where portions a more tapas-like than proper meal size plates, and each one of them tasted very balanced and authentic. Much more than many so-called izakayas in Toronto. The sake list is amazing. The servers or Stuart himself would be happy to guide you thru the several option and will look for the best option for you. I really loved the idea of choosing my own cup among a selection of several different styles.

  • 5/5 M 10 months ago on Google
    Sakai bar is a hidden gem of the west end, easily worth the trip from downtown. Here, you'll find one of the best selections of sake directly from Japan, homemade Umeshu that rivals that what you can find in Japan, a katsu sandwich that again, only equivalent to Japan, and a bunch of tapas plates that are nice to share with people and pair with your sake. Other nice standouts were the daily fish specials, and the senbei (crackers) and beef jerky. Get here early at opening, the place packs up fast!

  • 5/5 Veronica M. 1 year ago on Google
    I will never get over the flavours served in every dish at Sakai Bar. Everything tasted fresh and amazing. From the apps, mains to the desserts, kudos to the kitchen on an exceptional range of flavours. Customer service and ambiance are fantastic. Can't wait to visit again.

  • 5/5 Marie L. 1 year ago on Google
    One of our favourite place in the city. Went twice and can’t wait to go back. The place is low key but has so much to offer! Each plate is a bomb of flavours and quite unique. We enjoyed every little plate we shared but our favourites were tartare, tonkatsu and I can’t say enough of the yakiudon. What a surprise, the texture and taste blew our mind! Desert is exactly like I like: sweet and salty. Great service. Fabulous sake. A must!

  • 5/5 Eric P. 1 year ago on Google
    Quite, unassuming and unpretentious. These are things that are rarely said about a restaurant nowadays. Sakai bar offers a nice setting where you can relax and unwind with some sake or cocktails. Had the whole menu and if I'm really being critical, there was only 1 dish that was just alright. Everything was unreal, the Hamburg steak, shime Saba, beef tataki. The real star of the show was the rice. You need to get it fully loaded with the bonito, furikake and marinated egg yolk. Thank you Sakai bar team


Call +1 416-532-2904 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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