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.
-
Loading...
-
-
Last update on 12 Nov 2023 by rogeryang
Update business info
-
-
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
MarEichler17
Points +289
Fine Dinning VGF experience - Edit
We got the 8 course menu. They were able to completely accommodate the GF dietary restrictions. The 8 course were each so unique and different from each other. The service was amazing. The whole meal took about 2.5 hours. The restaurant is in an old house and so it’s very calm and comfortable, it feels like you were invited over to dinner by a friend (who is an amazing chef).
Read moreIt’s quite expensive, but it’s worth it for a special celebration.
18% Service fee in lieu of tip
Updated from previous review on 2023-05-01
Pros: GF accommodations on everything, Comfortable atmosphere , Attentive and kind staff
Guest
Courage91
Points +314
The best in Toronto - Edit
Absolutely loved our time at Avelo in Toronto.
Read moreWe visited from the UK and this was an amazing meal and experience.
Pros: Amazing experience , Beautiful fresh food, Great wine pairing
Cons: It is very expensive
Guest
Jessicawhimandwillow
Points +123
Totally worth the splurge // amazing experience - Edit
It’s definitely a special occasion spot but the first time we went we were so blown away by the blind tasting 8 course menu! It was so fun to try all the dishes and discuss with my partner! It was also nice to just savour the food and really appreciate everything! What they do with whole foods is amazing! The presentation is so cool too and the staff really knows their stuff! The menu is seasonal and changes so you know your getting the best quality foods! You won’t be disappointed! And they can make it gluten free!
Read morePros: Amazing date spot, Unique experience , Gluten free option
Guest
mlcastle
Points +91
Excellent vegan fine dining - Edit
Delivers on what they say they aim to deliver on. It isn't cheap, but definitely worth considering if you're looking for a place to splurge.
Read moreGuest
cat_lover_41
Points +316
Fantastic, but brace your wallet - Edit
The food was fantastic, plating all beautiful, all the staff was very helpful, respectful and knowledgeable.
Read moreOnly knock I'd give it is the price. It's easily the most expensive vegan restaurant in Toronto right now. The two of us had an 8-course meal and probably three glasses of wine each and it came to just under $450.
It's a special occasion place, but the bill isn't tiny.
Pros: Stunning food, Quiet space, good date spot , Extremely knowledgeable staff
Cons: Easily the most expensive vegan restaurant in town, Not a place you'd go if you're really hungry
Guest
PreciousPorota
Points +259
Great Experience - Edit
Avalon lived up to the experience we were hoping for. The physical setting was gorgeous, the staff attentive and friendly. We loved hearing the explanation of each tasting course and the creativity that went into each dish. A few courses were not as delicious as we had hoped.Considering the price paid, I wanted to love everything! We are glad we went to experience this at least once.
Read moreGuest
JoshHyatt
Points +477
Spectacular. - Edit
This is truly a dining experience. Had 8 courses, each delicately and meticulously prepared. The staff clearly explained each dish and their intricate natures. Truly spectacular.
Read morePros: True fine dining
Cons: Expensive
JaneFinch
Absolutely LUV avelo! Would eat there every day if possible!
Read moreGuest
Angelicaaa
Points +235
Wow! - Edit
Seasonal and delicious vegan menu. Do not miss trying this restaurant!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-09-03
Pros: Nothing but vegan options , Amazing, AMAZING! Food!, Superb service
Cons: Tasting menu (con for picky eaters)
Guest
vegangrocerygrabs
Points +1555
Best Vegan Fine Dining - Edit
Avelo is the best vegan fine dining experience you will ever have! As a vegan it can be intimidating to think about fine dining, but Avelo somehow does it right. So many amazing flavors and flavor combinations that I would never think of! It felt like I was experiencing vegetables in a whole new way. I was so impressed with the creative combinations. Only downside to Avelo is the price point, however, it is such a great place to go for a special occasion. We tried the 8-course option and had cocktails as well. Loved how passionate the waiters are about the food and how they explain every component so diligently.
Read moreCons: Very pricey
Guest
KMRMSW
Points +104
Exquisite vegan fine dining - Edit
A very special experience with creative vegan food
Read morePros: Inventive food, Truly “dinner theatre”
Guest
Abbatosaurus
Points +350
Absolutely stunning - Edit
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.
Read moreGuest
kbw5044
Points +1242
Fine dining - Edit
Great place for a nice date night. The food is so creative and delicious, nice atmosphere. It's definitely expensive but it is supposed to be fine dining.
Read moreGuest
Heidical
Points +115
Amazing eating experience - Edit
We did the 5 course menu and it did not dissapoint. Each dish was unique and had so much flavour, the servers were knowledgeable and friendly and you really felt taken care of. Highly recommend
Read morePros: Wonderful flavours
Cons: None
Guest
PANOP123
Points +150
Incredible Fine Dining Cuisine - Edit
This is among the best fine dining restaurants in Toronto - vegan or not. The cuisine is bold and innovative. Extraordinarily creative and delicious.
Read morePros: All vegan and exquisite cuisine. , Chef is among the best. , You’ve never seen/tasted anything like it.
Cons: No espresso option at end.
Guest
Bailey88
Points +184
Fabulous - Edit
A friend took me here for my birthday. Gorgeous 8 course tasting menu. All superb. A must visit for a special occasion.
Read morePros: All vegan
Cons: Pricey
Guest
AbbyKuo
Points +552
Very fine dining - Edit
All food prepared very thoughtfully and with time (aging, fermentation, etc). We had the five course set with a glass of wine. The bill came to CAD$157 plus tip for two of us. If you are planning to have a very fine dining experience, come here! The dessert chef brought us our desserts and explained them to us which we thought was a surprise. Other dishes such as soup, flatbread, risotto etc were explained passionately by our waiter. Staffs are very proud with what they serve. Caters food allergies.
Read morePros: Cozy place with friendly staff, Specially prepared and creative gourmet food
Cons: Very pricey
Guest
hokusai77
Points +13607
Great food experience - Edit
I highly recommend this restaurant, everything was perfect, from staff to location, from food to drinks. We tried the five dish course, and we were thrilled!
Read morePros: everything!
Guest
MichaelO
Points +142
The best vegan restaurant in Toronto - Edit
The food it is really tasty and creative. They play very well with different flavors and texture in each plate. My mouth was really surprise with all the deepness and creativity in the food.
Read morePros: Dishes change selon season, Really tasty, Good attention
Guest
vegangolfer
Points +36
Awesome - Edit
Extremely Fresh. Great staff. Delicious.
Read moreGuest
JeremyBB
Points +49
Fine Dining - Vegan Style - Edit
In addition to to food - which is amazing - the space is beautiful and the service was outstanding. An awesome experience altogether. I'd recommend this as the place to take your skeptic friends and family if you're looking to show them that yes, vegans can still enjoy delicious food.
Read morePros: Legit fine dining feel, Food, staff, atmosphere - all top notch
Guest
pkitty
Points +46
Best best best! - Edit
I’ve been 5 times and they just keep getting better and better. Such creativity in the food, presentation, taste, just so special. The last 2 times I went I was especially blown away. I think if it was closer to downtown you would need to make a reservation a month in advance, it’s a world class one-of-a-kind place, but still a hidden gem to be discovered by the rest of the city.
Read morePros: Exceptional creativity, presentation and flavours, Incredible service, Perfect meal
Guest
dmrosero
Points +49
Gourmet, mysterious, and tasty - Edit
Elegant plant-based restaurant with a unique gourmet course tasting mystery menu. Great service and savoury food.
Read moreGuest
drMike
Points +46
Delicious and pricey - Edit
Food is delicious but by the end of the meal, it’s too much of a mix of different foods. Would prefer larger portions if only 2 or three courses.
Read moreGuest
barnyardbob
Points +406
Longest Meal of My Life - Edit
My wife and I ordered the eight-course dinner with wine pairings and a cheese board. Our meal lasted over four hours. The food was consistently amazing. We liked all of it. The wine was generous. Really the only issue is that the time between courses was a bit ridiculous. I would expect an eight-course meal to last a while, but there seemed to be some shortcoming on their end that led to the expansive lapses between dishes. So I would definitely recommend it, but do not make any plans for afterwards.
Read morePros: Great food, Vegetable focused
Cons: Very long meal
Guest
ElleJohanna
Points +187
High-end and delicious - Edit
Went here just last night for my friend's birthday dinner. It was such an amazing experience!
Read moreFirstly, I had reached out via email earlier in the week to ask whether they could accommodate my gluten sensitivity. They responded the same day and the response was so nice! They were able to make the meal gluten-free no problem. It is also worth noting that they are a peanut-free kitchen.
The space is beautifully simple, and our waitress, who greeted us, was so welcoming and friendly. She asked us before we decided on the courses whether we had any specific sensitivities, or just dislikes, which I thought was nice.
We decided on the 5 course menu which included:
- Flatbread
- Soup
- Main
- Salad
- Dessert
They tell you what exactly you'll be eating when it arrives at the table, which I really enjoyed!
All the food was delicious, inventive, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was lovely and the people kind and thoughtful. I would definitely recommend, especially for a 'special occasion' dinner.
Pros: Unique food , Delicious , Lovely ambience
Guest
slarouche
Points +58
Absolutely delightful - Edit
Fine dining without the snobby attitude. Seasonal menu with beautiful wine pairings. The waiters were super nice and the food was ingenious. I couldn't recommend it more!
Read morePros: You pay what you think it's worth - great concept, Atmosphere , Great staff
Guest
VeganQC
Points +149
Fancy dinner - Edit
This was our 2nd visit to Awai and it was even better than our first visit about a year ago. We had the 7 course tasting menu which was actually 8 courses: a flat bread, soup, salad with potatoes, salsify with roasted tomatoes, rice stack with curry, pasta course of ravioli, roasted mushrooms and two different desserts a chocolate ganache tart and a cake with a blueberry gel. The food was innovative and delicious. Details like beet tuile, marigold petals on the flat bread and halved blueberries in the gel cap to resemble a toad stool made the food as beautiful as it was tasty. The staff were friendly and patient explaining all the courses. This should be your go to restaurant for a fancy dinner in Toronto. Expensive but worth every penny.
Read moreGuest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.