Est. 2016. A gourmet vegan restaurant, originally Awai at Bloor St W, but since moving downtown it has rebranded as Avelo. Has an upstairs bar (Bar Avelo). Offers fine dining in a living room-sized, 22-seat dining room of a heritage house. Sources as locally and seasonally as possible. Menu changes from time to time, with examples such as black rice risotto in a red wine sauce, artichoke ravioli and squash crema catalana, pumpkin gazpacho, gnocchi with baby kale, and flatbread. Uses a wood fire oven. Offers 5- or 8-course tasting menus by reservation, with drink pairings (alcoholic or non). Access by subway at Museum Station + 10 min walk or at Wellesley or Bloor-Yonge Station + 5 min walk. Lots of car park options around. Reservations recommended. Open Wed-Sun 5:00pm-11:00pm. Closed Mon & Tue.
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Last update on 12 Nov 2023 by rogeryang
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Featured Review
WFPBNonna
Points +161
Absolutely amazing - Edit
This was not just the best vegan food, it was the best food, period. Avelo deserves a Michelin star! The atmosphere is wonderful, service impeccable. We were so impressed with every course. This our new favorite in North America. Can’t wait to go back.
Read morePros: Completely vegan menu , Atmosphere and decor, Impeccable and knowledgeable service
Guest
62 Reviews
First Review by Vegan_Hilary
Hannahtruong15
Points +16
TERRIBLE! BAD SERVICE. MEDIOCRE FOOD. - Edit
Service is TERRIBLE! AVOID THIS PLACE! SAVE YOUR MONEY! Waitress lies about how they dont serve extra bread (which is 1 toddler-sized croissant); when the restaurant does a la carte? Bullshit, they dont have extra 0.1cent bread? LOL. You call this fine dining? Did the 5 course tasting menu with my co-worker. On November 30, 5:15pm. We were absolutely appalled when we were told only 1 child-sized croissant for the tasting menu which was approximately a bit over $100$. I paid $140 for 5 course tasting menu and 1 cocktail. For no more than 1 child-sized croissant? Lmao. We were also seated next to the window, where it was cold in almost December weather.. i can see through this restaurant’s bullshit. We are hot, young, and rich. No one was at the restaurant at 5:15pm and they seat us next to the window to attract other customers ? LOL. They also made us pay FULL price each, for a SHARED dessert . My co-worker is Covid-Concerned, as we are professionals in Medicine. We did not share the dessert. We just paid full price for them anyways. Funny to call yourself “fine dining” with this terrible service? This is equivalent to Mcdonalds. Where the waitress are dressed in casual clothing, and never once asked us if our food was okay! ( our food was also mediocre).
Read moreMy co-worker flew in from across the country on her day off from work. Just to try this restaurant. And we were so absolutely disappointed! What a waste of time and money. And we left disgusted with the service!
I have travelled across the world for the best restaurants. No restaurant has ever denied extra bread. On a pate item? Lol, we just left our plates full and left. No waitress ever asked us if we were okay or satisfied. This is a disgrace to call this restaurant a “fine dining” restaurant. This is below average. Better off going to Mcdonalds. AVOID THIS DISGRACE OF “FINE DINING this restaurant will leave you hungry, angry, and disappointed! I dont care about the price, i just care about service. As my time is valuable. I wouldve been happier ordering from Taco Bell!
We decided to go to C-Suite Cocktail Bar after, and service was amazing there! It honestly saved our night, as hardworking professionals in healthcare. AVOID AVELO RESTAURANT! ITS NOT “ FINE DINING”, YOU WILL LEAVE ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED!.
SERVICE IS SO TERRIBLE, THEY ACT STUCK UP? WILL NEVER GO BACK
Pros: Food was okay, Okay decor, Easy parking
Cons: Service, Atmosphere , Food was okay
Guest
PaulinaKarwowska
Points +79
Incredible - Edit
A place for special occasions
Read moreEach dish comes with a detailed elaborate oral description
The servers are amazing and the food is so good and unique !
Updated from previous review on 2024-08-01
Pros: Variety , Intimate
Guest
TerriChrisman
Points +304
Interesting experience - Edit
I’ve had a few vegan set menus. This one was not the best, but it was enjoyable. We went in November so the theme was squash, mushroom and eggplant - 3 things my dining partner dislikes. There were some good moments (the secret garden) and some fails (eggplant) but overall enjoyable. The textures were all soft. What was lacking was some crunch and some freshness like a salad. I would go back in Spring or Summer for a fresher lighter experience.
Read morePros: Knowledgeable staff, Set menu - so a bit of an adventure
Cons: Similar textures
Guest
hungryveg89
Points +51
Fun and delicious (5 course) - Edit
Loved the experience and the food. Dishes had complex, interesting flavours that were always creative. Was a lot of fun to have dishes come one after the other in small enough portions! Staff were knowledgeable about the food which was awesome and added to the experience.
Read morePros: Creative plating. , Right size portions, Deserts particularly yum.
Guest
ChristianWesendahl
Points +50
5 Course Menu - Edit
Perfect Menu in an amazing Location with brilliant Service.
Read moreVery good vine list!
Pros: Creativity, Taste , Service
Guest
KaitlinRuggiero
Points +183
incredible in every possible way - Edit
My husband and I got the 8 course meal. I can’t say a single bad thing about any course we were served. The restaurant is SO cute, and the food looked and tasted amazing. Both of the servers were wonderful, but one who served us most whose name I can’t remember was amazing! They were so kind answering all of our questions and made the night fun! They also gave us a list of other places we should try while we’re in the area. All in all, an amazing experience, definitely worth the price.
Read moreGuest
SarahStopyra
Points +50
Fun experience, dissapointing food - Edit
After having read all the glowing reviews, I was so excited for this. We opted for the 8 course menu as a special experience for our Toronto vaca. For a price of over $400, we expected more. The food was not bad, but we did not have the same "wow" experience that other reviewers report. The food is plated beautifully and you could tell there was great care and thought in the dishes, but most just did not deliver in flavor and complexity that one would expect for this cost. Two of the courses were quite exceptional, but the rest fell short. A beautiful little place and a fun experience, but will not return.
Read moreGuest
C&Ecanada
Points +505
All about Avelo - Edit
What can we even say? This was our first time, but we'll definitely be back. The service, atmosphere, and food came together, making for an incredible experience.
Read morePros: Service , Atmosphere , Food
Guest
MelissaOConor
Points +26
Exquisite Cuisine, Exceptional Service - Edit
Avelo stands out uniquely in our city. This restaurant consistently amazes me with its innovative approach to dining. The attention to detail from the staff, both in terms of food preparation and service, is evident and adds to the overall experience. Avelo is not just a place to eat; it's an escape for a romantic dinner. The ambiance is captivating with its stylish decor and cozy atmosphere, making every moment special.
Read moreDuring my visit, I indulged in the 5-course tasting menu, which was a culinary masterpiece. Each dish was thoughtfully crafted, showcasing flavors that delighted the palate. From the appetizers to the dessert, every course was impeccably presented and delicious.
Avelo truly sets a high standard for fine dining in our city, offering a memorable experience for anyone who appreciates exceptional food and a charming ambiance.
Pros: Innovative Dining Experience, Charming Location, Attentive and friendly service
Guest
smileykylie
Points +344
Expensive but worth every penny! - Edit
This was one of the best (and most expensive) meals I’ve ever had. We did the 8-course tasting menu along with the wine pairings. The food was delicious and artfully plated. There was a variety of flavors from dish to dish, but everything complimented each other seamlessly. The wine pairing was nice, but I think I would have preferred getting one of their beautiful cocktails/mocktails instead. The staff was friendly and kept a good pace during the tasting.
Read morePros: Unique flavors , Good pace for tasting, Upscale vegan experience
Guest
Steph.w
Points +183
A Great Birthday Treat - Edit
We went to Avelo on a Thursday evening for their 5 course tasting menu.
Read moreThe staff were friendly and the space was comfortable and cozy.
The food was amazing. Tasty, creative and packed with flavour. The cocktails were equally as impressive and the wine was delicious and smooth.
I won't spoil the potential surprise of the courses that await. I will say the chickpea tempeh and the hazelnut macaroon were our favourite dishes.
The downside was the cost. For 2 diners of the 5 course menu, a cocktail a wine and a cup of tea it cost $265 (tip included).
If you're looking for an indulgent night out, this is it! It was lovely to go out for dinner and not leave thinking that you could have made it better, or you'd have been as well staying in. Really a memorable and enjoyable experience!
Pros: Innovative dishes., Great service., Nice cocktails.
Cons: It's pricey., Smallish portions.
Guest
SidneyVeg
Points +32
Easily the best fancy vegan food in the city - Edit
Toronto has some nice veg restaurants, but Avelo is really the only vegan fine dining place. The tasting menu is fun and delightful! Every dish is unique and well thought out. My friend and I were talking about how amazing it is that every single bite we ate is something that either has ingredients or a combination of flavours that we've never had before. There really isn't any other experience like this in Toronto (or maybe in Canada?)
Read morePros: Tasting menu , Very intimate setting in a small house
Cons: Well, it's expensive, but that's to be expected
Guest
mm342
Points +15
Disappointing food - Edit
After experiencing excellent vegan food throughout our 2 week holiday in Canada, we’d booked Avelo for our final night and had high expectations for the 8-course tasting menu.
Read moreUnfortunately, we were very underwhelmed by the quality of the food. We’re don’t usually post reviews but felt it was necessary on this occasion. Several of the courses were either overcooked (to the extent of being mushy) or the quantities of strong flavours (e.g. dill, seaweed, fennel) were too overpowering for the dish.
Whilst the service, decor and ambiance was excellent, the quality of food (which we feel should be the main driver of a review rating) was not good enough for the price.
We’ve eaten in a lot of plant-based restaurants around the world and this is probably the worst tasting menu we’ve come across which is very disappointing.
Updated from previous review on 2024-04-06
Pros: Friendly staff, Ambience
Cons: Food quality was poor, Expensive
rogeryang
We're sorry that the meal wasn't exactly to your liking. Our team is trained to check in on how customers are enjoying their meal, but when you said it's "good" after every dish it is impossible for us to know there is a problem we might be able to fix. We noticed that you ate all of the food we served, with the exception of a portion of 1 dish. To now imply that it's one of the worst dining experiences you've ever had is quite shocking.
Read moreIn fact, we were not aware you were dissatisfied until you insisted you did not want to pay the 18% service charge. Two of us explained that it's in lieu of a tip, that it goes towards paying all of our team a fair hourly wage. This is mentioned in the reservation process, on our website, and on the menu. We use 18% because it's the same or less than most people would tip in other restaurants - it is by no means an "extra" or unexpected charge.
The only thing we can surmise from your complaint on at least 4 different review sites is that you were so upset about the service charge that you're now trying to harm our reputation.
Guest
BarefootSoyBoi
Points +68
Vegan Fine Dining ... Yes - Edit
The food was perfectly balanced and delicious! The decor was light and fresh, instantly teleporting you like you are at home getting served amazing food from the nicest people. 10/10 recommend.
Read moreGuest
capypig
Points +315
Vegan Fine Dining - Edit
This restaurant is great for vegans looking for a fancy restaurant experience! It is incredibly expensive but that’s to be expected. We got the five course tasting menu, and every dish was delicious. The desert especially was fantastic. I brought my girlfriend here for our anniversary, and the waiters went above and beyond, wishing us a happy anniversary and giving us the nicest table by the window.
Read morePros: Delicious , Nice atmosphere , Friendly employees
Cons: Expensive
Guest
WFPBNonna
Points +161
Absolutely amazing - Edit
This was not just the best vegan food, it was the best food, period. Avelo deserves a Michelin star! The atmosphere is wonderful, service impeccable. We were so impressed with every course. This our new favorite in North America. Can’t wait to go back.
Read morePros: Completely vegan menu , Atmosphere and decor, Impeccable and knowledgeable service
Guest
drea1981
Points +1048
Great tasting menu - Edit
Great food lovely atmosphere
Read moreGuest
villain
Points +8404
Hazelnut - Edit
For the November 2023 8-course menu, the fourth course was my favorite savory: Black Bean Miso, Chanterelle Mushroom, Corn. The corn was beautifully creamy, and it was a great dish. But my favorite thing overall was actually the mignardise, which was a chocolate hazelnut macaron. I know it's difficult to make perfect macarons vegan since one of the main ingredients is egg, so I really appreciated it. It's the best macaron I've had. Plating was pretty for every dish.
Read moreThe setting of the restaurant was very nice, it's a small and intimate space inside of a remodeled historic home. It's upscale but not stuffy, and the music choice was awesome (BADBADNOTGOOD playing all night)
I give four stars because I had really high expectations, and I was hoping to be more excited by the flavor combinations. The creativity and skill were all there, though. Also, service was inconsistent. One of our servers was really experienced, enthusiastic, and professional. While our other servers didn't seem as interested in the experience. Our bill came out to a bit over $400 for the 8 course tasting menu and cocktails for two people.
Updated from previous review on 2023-11-13
Pros: Very filling!, Chocolate hazelnut macaron, Adaptable for allergies and gluten-free
theNumberOfTheBeast
Wait what?? $400?? Holy Phuc.
Read morevillain
Yeah, for $400, everything should be perfect 😅 But 400 CAD is a lot less in USD at least
Read moretheNumberOfTheBeast
Oh well. A mere $144 per person, I'm not gonna poverty shame you in that case. 🤣😭🤣😭
Read moreGuest
js-toronto
Points +1192
Incredible experience - Edit
We came here for a very special meal, and it was that. It was fixed price (very expensive), but we left full. Not every course was incredible, but the ones that were VERY much were. And those we liked less could just be a matter of taste. I would go again, but this is a once every three years kind of place (because of the price and how special it feels). Glad that Bar Avelo just opened upstairs with a small a la carte menu!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-11-12
Pros: Beautiful presentation, Great variety in courses, Great staff
Cons: Very expensive, Some courses were less impressive than others
Guest
vegdom
Points +392
Great Experience - Edit
I tried foods I have never even heard of. So many unique and delicious ingredients.
Read moreThey set the bar really high: I'll forever compare purple cabbage to this preparation.
I love that they made so many ferments in house, even the soy sauce.
Pros: So many great house made ferments, Interesting menu, Didn't have to make decisions, not even the tip
Cons: Expensive
Guest
sglcklch
Points +3027
Absolutely phenomenal - Edit
I came here with high expectations and it certainly didn't disappoint. We were seated upstairs where the ambiance was more cozy and intimate. The 8-course meal was fantastic from start to finish. The food was so full of flavor and umami. It was here that I tasted my first cashew cheese cultured with penicillin and a whole sunflower head. Talk about creativity! Service was warm and friendly with just the right amount of attentiveness. For sure wasn't cheap by any means, but I felt the price was reasonable and definitely worth it. I just wish they'd start serving the 8-course dinner earlier. Right now 7:45 pm is the first seating, which is a little late for a 2.5 hour meal even with moderate pacing between courses.
Read morePros: excellent food, great service, setting
Cons: 8-course seating starts too late
villain
Please upload the full size of the photos , it looks amazing 😍
Read moreGuest
LisaSpykers
Points +8066
A memorable dining experience - Edit
Over 3 hours, we were presented with a variety of flavor parings, ingredients we never heard of, and a visual delight.
Read moreI loved nearly all the dishes (there was one with tofu that lacked a little something and the broccoli fritter was too oily) but each dish brought a surprise. I was quite satiated by the end too.
The taxes and 18% service charge/tip bring it to quite an expensive meal ($405 for two with one wine pairing for my partner). Worth it for a special occasion or treat though.
Updated from previous review on 2023-09-14
Guest
rosekreider
Points +96
Great dining experience - Edit
One of my best dining experiences since becoming vegan. Interesting, delicious food in a pleasant atmosphere.
Read moreGuest
CarolynMendes
Points +46
A MUST - Edit
I don’t have enough words for my experience at Avelo. This is the kind of dining experience you think only exists in movies. We tried the 8 course tasting menu the wine pairing. This is probably the best vegan meal I have ever had. Every course was incredible. There was not a single dish that came out that wasn’t thoughtfully and artfully prepared. The restaurant is in an old cottage house so it’s very small and intimate which only adds to the charm and how special this dining experience is. You have to make reservations due to the small size and type of dining experience they provide. I’m honestly surprised they don’t hold a Michelin Star. If you’re in town during the days of the eeek they are open, make a reservation. It’s worth the price tag for the tasting menu. You won’t forget it.
Read moreGuest
MikeWigmore
Points +327
Avelo is a must-visit - Edit
Avelo is not just a meal, it's an experience - a flavor-filled adventure that stays with you long after you've left the beautifully adorned space. For those looking to push the boundaries of traditional vegan cuisine, Avelo is a must-visit.
Read moreGuest
VeggieInThe6ix
Points +943
Amazing Food - Edit
Some of the best vegan food in the city. No fake meat just creative delicious plates
Read moreGuest
Sleepybulldog
Points +101
Best culinary experience ever! - Edit
The ambiance was elevated comfort. The service was attentive and informative but not intrusive.
Read moreThe food was another level of sublime! The blue cashew cheese almost made me weep for joy. Cultured cheeses were the hardest for me to hive up when transitioning to a plant based diet. We are a mixed family of omnivores, vegetarians and.vegans and yet all were gob smacked by the culinary experience!
Pros: Inventive , Creative , Elevating
Cons: None
Guest
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