Relish Bar & Grill in Toronto, ON

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Telephone:	+1 416-425-4664
Website:	www.relishbarandgrill.com
Address:	2152 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4C 1K3 The Danforth
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:	50 ftCedarvale Avenue 450 ftWoodbine Subway Station 550 ftDanforth Avenue
Categories:	Modern European Gluten-Free Tapas/Small Plates

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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations	Yes
Delivery	Yes
Take-out	Yes
Accepted Cards	Credit, Debit
Good For	Dinner
Parking	Street
Bike Parking	Yes
Wheelchair Accessible	Yes
Good for Kids	Yes
Good for Groups	Yes

Attire	Casual
Ambience	Casual
Noise Level	Average
Alcohol	Full Bar
Outdoor Seating	No
Wi-Fi	Free
Has TV	No
Waiter Service	Yes
Caters	Yes

Today

Today	11:30 am – 2:00 am Open now
Local time (Toronto)	13:32 Friday, 13 June 2025

Business hours

Monday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tuesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wednesday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Thursday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Friday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Saturday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Sunday	10:30 am – 2:00 am

Description

Specialties

Relish is a neighbourhood restaurant in the Danforth & Woodbine area. We opened in 2005, under the chef ownership of Joanne Clayton — Culinary Institute of America class of ’95.

Our specialties are Tapas dishes, small dishes meant for sharing. Everything here is made in house from the bread to the dessert, with emphisis on fresh ingredients. We have many fresh seafood choices, and a full Gluten Free menu for our Celiac customers.

Relish has a full bar, lovely to sit at with a glass of wine and nibble on tapas. We make many specialty Martinis & Cocktails, as well as an extensive wine list by the glass or bottle.

We serve Lunch Tuesday to Saturdays from 11:30−2pm

Tapas menu from 2pm-10pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday and Friday & Saturdays from 2pm-11pm

Sunday Brunch is 10:30−2pm

Sunday Nights we host an Open Mic Jam called «Stir It Up Sundays!» from 9pm-1am

Thursday nights we host a Karaōke Night from 10pm-2am

History

Established in 2005.

We opened in 2005 in a fledgling part of the Danforth Ave, in a NE corner space that had turnover after turnover of below average restaurants. From the beginning we have been a welcome addition to the neighbourhood, creating a meeting spot for locals to eat & drink. It is not uncommon for many tables to know each other!

Meet the Business Owner

Joanne C.

Business Owner

Joanne Clayton is currently the Chef and owner of Relish Bar & Grill; a Tapas style restaurant on the Danforth’s East-end. It is a funky, 60 seat neibourhood place with a long eating bar for locals and travelers alike. There she serves up tiny little gems of 40 or so tapas menu items, with enphasis on fresh seasonal and local ingredients. It is a very well received restaurant going into its seventh year. Reservations are a must!

Joanne’s culinary career started in New York at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where she trained and apprentices in New York’s finest eating establishments. Moving to Toronto in ’95 she begun working her way through the reasaurant scene with stints at North 44, Kit Kat and Club Lucky. There she was scouted by Prime restaurants (East Side Mario’s, Casey’s Roadhouse and The Red Devil BBQ Tavern) to be the executive chef of there newest ‘flagship’ location, The Esplanade Bier Markt. Here she designed the menu, kitchen and operating system for the

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20 reviews of Relish Bar & Grill

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Martin B.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

I love this place. I don’t go often enough, but it’s quite the gem. Tapas, craft beer, and live music. Need I say more? The service is great. A bit on the pricier end for this area, but worth it.

George W.

Place rating: 5
Cary, NC

Awesome tapas style. We had The tortilla soup, warmed olives, roasted beet and green bean salad. A perfect tasting meal. Very nice service.

David S.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

This is my first time to this place, I came here for lunch with some co-workers. I must say that I really like the selection and the variety of the menu, the music, and the atmosphere.
The food is why I go anywhere! So when I came here I was not sure what to expect so I ordered many things. Been very familiar with a tapas style meal, I wanted to try and see what their take on it was. The mix of food ranges from Spanish to Greek to Italian and everything in between. My favorites where the beef on a bun, the lamb skewer, and the chorizo taco. The dessert are not bad, the banana bread putting is great, the sambuka cremebrule.
The music was actually great! I was here during the day time so it was just playing on the speakers. I am told that during the evening there is live music and its usually Jazz, I absolutely love Jazz! So naturally now I have to come back! Our server was very nice, she knew the menu very well and was happy to offer suggestions, and she actually has tried the food and had an opinion about the varieties. I will now have to come back when during the evening.

Fern H.

Place rating: 3
Toronto, Canada

Dropped in on a Friday night for drinks. Really impressed with their selection on tap and pints in the $ 7 range.
They had a small stage and a band playing for entertainment.
I was too full to try any thing from the food menu but eyed other tables’ dishes and everything looked/smelled good.
Loved this cozy little bar on the East end… we need a location in the West!

Ryan C.

Place rating: 2
Toronto, Canada

Nothing terribly special about this place as far as grabbing a bar drink goes. First impression it seems old and dingy, décor looks around 90’s. My wife and I were on a pub crawl one night after looking at a house to buy in the area. It was our last stop. When you have places like The Wren, the Borough, Sauce, Local 1749 close by this place just doesn’t cut the taste buds for overall fun. Maybe it’s just my style :)

Sue M.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

What a cool vibe at this little neighbourhood place! Fabulous small plates menu and lots of beer & wine choices. Favourites were the Chicken Roulade (tender chicken breast stuffed with spinach, roasted red pepper and provolone, covered in a delicate/delicious au jus AND Crispy Eggplant Fritters smothered in fresh tomato jam).
Live music every night of the week which is very cool but the stage is in an awkward place right inside the front door — so patrons near the front of the restaurant definitely want to be there to listen to the music (since it’s very hard to hear conversation!).
Highly recommended.

Chantale P.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

Great beer and wine selection. Lovely tappas style menu. A tiny bit pricey… I think the quality of the food is worh the cost but the bill climbs quickly so it makes it hard to stay all night. I think we need more places like this one in this neighbourhood.

J T.

Place rating: 2
Toronto, Canada

Service wasn’t very friendly.
We ordered altogether but received our food 15 minutes apart from each other (there were 3 of us)
Small portions were overpriced and tasteless.
Would not recommend.

Andrew C.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

Had an excellent meal there, with lots of veg friendly options. The tapas are write large so we ended up over ordering a bit.
There is live music in most nights for a more fun atmosphere!

Angela M.

Place rating: 5
Upper Beach, Toronto, Canada

Love! Amazing delivery option if want something tasteful, with quality preparation and ingredients without leaving the house. Lots of delicious vegetarian options… Squash crêpe, eggplant fritter, pesto gnocchi, and more… Pita w dips is a yummy starter!

Gregg P.

Place rating: 5
Toronto, Canada

Excellent cuisine catering to vegetarian and non vegetarians alike. Good wine list and wide beer selection. Attentive and charming service.
Great place to entertain. Live music and warm ambience. Highly recommended!

Osvaldo G.

Place rating: 5
Toronto, Canada

A gem in the city. A must fir fans of good food, great beer and awesome music. The service is superior and the staff are friendly.

Judy S.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

First time here found it online because of the Gluten free menu; reserved for 6 of us for a dinner birthday gathering. The birthday guy is celiac so the gluten free menu was key (& all we ordered off). We will be back for the food, nice job!
Loved the music (iPod on shuffle, but great tunes — flaming lips — bowie– rolling stones– beck– local acts and everything in between.) The service was good, albeit a little scattered (we were served by both waiters + manager (?), guessing/hoping they pool tips), at one time they tried to bring us a drink 3 times, a bit of miscommunication.
We had about 4 rounds of tapas, including (our favs) chicken roulade, sirloin, curry shrimp, chicken tortilla shell, trio of dips, calamari… Portions could be a tad bigger (or have a larger size for larger groups), but all told we were all satisfied and tried 10 different ones, (a couple twice). Beer selection was awesome and they have Foundery on tap (fantastic cider). Even 2 gf beers…
Next time we will start with the chicken tortilla shell and dips (we did have the grilled pita– yummy, but non gf, they provide gf garlic toast when ordering off the gf menu, still very nice).
Price: actually decent… worked out to about $ 50/person including tip (2 drinks/person, no dessert). And we didn’t leave hungry. It was quiet when we got there at 6 on Saturday and was full when we left. Open kitchen is nice (I work in a restaurant, always like to see how the kitchen works/looks), décor needs help, and chairs aren’t good for more after 2 hours. But we will be back!

Ciara M.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

I had the lobster potstickers, chicken roulade and the tortilla shell. Really liked the vibe in the place, service was quick and friendly without being over bearing. The food is good, didn’t blow me away but it’s a cool place to go for some tapas.
I went with a friend and there was a live band playing which I thought was really cool. Definitely a cool spot to hang out with a friend or your other half. I plan on returning soon! :)

Carrie K.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

What a lovely lunch! I’ve always enjoyed their food but hadn’t brought the 1 ½ year old kiddo there before, and I think our particular mother-toddler daytime lunch date experience warrants sharing, for the parents among us.
The folks at Relish were awesome in several ways:
1. When we came in, they asked if we’d like a table «for the two of you.”(So many restaurants offer me a table for one and I know they don’t mean anything by it, but I really appreciate when someone acknowledges our kid.)
2. The high chair was quite clean!
3. They happily made a grilled cheese for my daughter.
4. Without asking, they let the grilled cheese cool to kiddo-friendly temperature before bringing it to the table!
5. They served her meal a little before mine, without my asking (or even thinking to ask for it) so I could get her content and would have a little more breathing room to enjoy my own lunch. Super, super thoughtful!
6. Both of our lunches were DELICIOUS.
7. The chefs smiled at Eleanor from behind the line. Our server was that perfect kind of friendly that’s warm but still genuine.
8. The music playing in the background included old Weezer, Okkervil River, The Beatles, Paul Simon, and The Shins.
Thanks, Relish. I wish you lots of success and will be back for sure.

Marcus K.

Place rating: 3
Toronto, Canada

I love the vibe of this place. It’s all about the music here and everyone is super friendly. Great selection of beers but the food could use some improvement. Although it is a tapas menu, I find the food to be somewhat over priced and not that interesting. The energy of the place makes up for this though and it’s one of the better small music venues in my neighbourhood.

Lara P.

Place rating: 3
Toronto, Canada

We had a quiet brunch here and the portions were good and they try to be inventive putting Mexican flavours on their breakfast. I had a hash with pulled pork and poached eggs. It was not as flavourful as I thought it could be but it was pretty filling and presented well. This is just around my corner so I will definitely come back here and give it another try.

Thom H.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

This four star rating is really for the great atmosphere and entertainment. The food itself didn’t make that great an impression but it is much better than most bar food. A few good beers to choose from, a good band and an excellent system make this a nice place to spend the evening. I think this place may become my local pub.
Although it’s a tapas menu, I don’t really think of this place as a tapas restaurant. Its more of a local entertainment spot that happens to sell tapas. I recommend the gnocchi and advise you to stay clear of the fried ones. Definitely come for the music.

Sheila B.

Place rating: 1
Toronto, Canada

WTF happened to Relish! the food was always predictable but good. it’s now a sad place with inedible bad food. The bartender when asked why they were so slow on friday night responded «people just don’t love us anymore». wonder why the food has gone down hill so far they are serving frozen fish that is off, spareribs that were obviously in the freezer for reheating, the once glorious foccaccia with tomatos made in house is now a pathetic dose of stale bread with a smattering of rosemary. The bartender said they don’t make that anymore because no one is ordering it. The grilled calamari was completely off with about 7 tablespoons of mayo and frozen cherry tomatoes. Why?
Friday night & Joanne Clayton chef and owner no where to be seen. There was two guys working kitchen that looked about 20 they were certainly reheating some prep left for them.
The indian tandori grilled chicken skewers tasted of nothing, they were overcooked dry and flavourless. The asian coleslaw sat on a bed of water, bland boring.
Our bartender was friendly at first but became non chalent after we complained and returned some of the food. He should know better then us that this place is past it’s prime in fun and food. It’s depressing to see bands fill the restaurant at 9pm to bring in business. 5 years ago if you didn’t have a reservation you couldn’t get into the place.
68 $ + tip. not worth it.

Peter T.

Place rating: 3
Hamburg, Germany

I’m on the fence to give this place four stars. My wife and I ate here just some three weeks ago to treat ourselves after a long work week. The location is quite easy to reach and stands at a corner of a side street just east of Woodbine and Danforth. Tapas is a rare find in Toronto and therefore our expectations were reasonably high. The menu has all sorts of nice stuff — squids, stuffed olives, sauteed fish bits and neat fusions of spices, marinades and bits and bites of meats. The highlight was squid with a tangy sauce and the garlic stuffed seared olives were roasted just right. A selected wine list complements the food, but some wines are north of $ 40 which I personally find rather pricey. This does however almost seem traditional if you view tapas in its original sense of free eats accompanying a drink or two in a tapas bar.
The reason the four stars rating was nearly missed is a) the rather expensive dishes and wine picks b) the ambience is a bit dark and depressing inside which contradicts the fresh, young and open feel to authentic tapas bars. Service was swift and the open kitchen area is a big plus for an experience worth remembering. We’d go again, once we saved up some dough :-)