Bernie’s Tavern offers a unique ambiance that blends urban decay with steel-town nostalgia. The exterior is somewhat uninviting, but once inside, the atmosphere is vibrant and full of character—reminiscent of an old-school auto garage meets a gritty bar. The music and overall ambiance score a solid 8/10.
Service is a standout feature. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and attentive, contributing significantly to the experience (8/10).
The menu is well-built, avoiding the pitfalls of overcomplicated fusion concepts while offering a solid selection of craft beers and local options.
Food & Pricing Double Smash Burger with Waffle Fries – The burger was flavorful, with fresh condiments (7/10), while the waffle fries were crisp and perfectly executed (10/10). Price: $25.00 Thursday Special: Detroit-Style Pizza & Wings – The pizza, approximately 10x10 inches (small to be honest) was doughy (as expected for Detroit-style) but slightly underwhelming in flavour (6/10). The wings, while well-seasoned and properly cooked, appeared to be fewer than a full pound (7/10). Price: $35.00 Drinks – One draft beer and two Pepsis.
Total cost (including tip): $85.14
Bill $ 70.95 Tip 20% $14.19 (well deserved tip)
Final Verdict Bernie’s delivers on ambiance, service, and food quality, but its pricing structure is a concern. While the venue and experience justify a visit, the value-for-money ratio is lacking, especially given the portion sizes
In today’s economic climate, affordability and portion expectations play a key role in dining choices.
Would I return? Yes—but I’d be selective in my ordering to maximize value.
Overall Rating: 6.5/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
kenzie M
Just went to trivia at Bernie’s! Great experience, food and drinks were good. The entire place has a great vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Smith
Bernie's is a great place to just shed off the normal corporate ' fast in-fast out' expectations. Our waitress offered us a very nice separate room that seats up to 8 with our own CNN sports display. It was a Monday wing special night. The wings were huge! I ordered the lemon dry rub wings. Great food and very hot. Our friends also ordered Clubs and Burgers. All of us were very impressed. Auto parking was limited to the street but the short walk was well worth the experience. We will go there again.
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Club Sandwich, Burger and Fries
YYZ13
Smashburger was excellent. Old school dive atmosphere, but with quality service, cleanliness, amazing food and beer selection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam M
One of the best burgers I've ever had
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger and Fries, Burger, Fries
Chad Every
Bernie’s is so great! Went there for my first time last night, and genuinely can’t wait to go back.
They had a great draft beer selection - a good mix of craft, domestic, and international.
Their menu is short in comparison to other restaurants, but that is a good thing! I am a massive fan of concise menus. There are all the bar food classics (wings, mozzarella sticks, calamari), burgers and sandwiches, pizza (Detroit style, which is what I got, and it was soo good), and a few other items like fish and chips. There’s also a brief kids section of the menu. I found all the prices in line with other such establishments.
All in all, I highly recommend Bernie’s Tavern!
Kid-friendliness: There’s a kids section on the menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter L
Food was good. Pizza has a thick crust for those who enjoy more of a bread bite. Fries are excellent. Fish and chips come with one piece of fish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Dan Moldaver
Great food. Had the pizza and wings, fantastic pizza, crispy wings.
A few more wing flavours would be appreciated as they're a little limited in that sense, but a lot of fun appetizers and 10/10 pizza and wings, if you're content with a deep dish pan style pizza
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jumpstart Dj Services
On the advise of a friend we went to Burneys for their $10.00 wing night. We ordered 2 pounds of wings and a fries. Our server was cute and polite. When she brought the wings over and sat them down in front of us I looked at my friend, and he looked at me and we both said, are they kidding. At best they were the size of budgie wings, very very small and no meat on them, the fries where literally burned to chared wood. We asked the server if this was the way the wings were regularly served, she replied yes, but at regular price $17.00 you get celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese. For $10.00 we got the scroniest pathetic over cooked and burnt looking chicken wings ,all 7 of them. We left more hungry than when we went in. My friend EJ and I go out a couple of times a month for wings, Montanas and Brassie Pub definitely wins hands down. We definitely will not be back to Berneys.
Loved the food and the atmosphere and the friendly service Will definitely be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rendl Roman
Extremely kind and accommodating staff.
Great music (loved hearing Post Punk legends like Wire, Gang of Four, and Joy Division), except for the fact they started Can I Kick It? and abruptly cut it off 🙃
Specifically Meg (with the long brown hair). Thank you for putting the Raptors game on during Hockey night!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeff Boulton
Even though the menu doesn't have much that a vegan like me can eat, the staff and atmosphere are wonderful at Bernie's Tavern.
The falafel sandwich is, which is my only real option, could use some improvements. The falafel is quite thick and doesn't cook through, while its outside doesn't have that traditional crispy coating, which makes for a mushy patty with a disappointing mouth feel.
My wife has had several of the items from the menu and she's enjoyed them all. She is especially fond of the pizza options, which come from Shorty's Pizza next door.
The draft selection is limited and leans into lighter options (but they do have Guiness for those who want a heavy option). There is more selection in the canned beers, however, I feel the can options are little pricey.
The staff is amazing and always see to our needs with a smile, a laugh or some great conversation.
The issues noted above a not enough to keep us away and most people will love their experience at Bernie's Tavern.
Vegetarian options: ● House Salad ($7/$14) - Mixed Greens, Turmeric Pearl Couscous, Feta, Red Pepper, Lemon Mint Vinaigrette, Crispy Chickpeas ● Devilled Eggs ($8) • O.G. Style ● Fresh Cut Fries ($8) ● Waffle Fries ($11) ● Mozzarella Sticks ($16) - Breaded, Served w/ Marinara ● Patatas Bravas ($17) - Crispy Potatoes, Herbs, Shaved Onion, Salsa Brava ● Poutine ($18) • Fresh Cut Fries, Quebec Cheese Curds, Gravy ● Spaghetti Fingers ($21) - Breaded and Fried Spaghetti w/ Sauce & Cheese, Served w/ Marinara ● Eggplant Parm Sandwich ($21) - Breaded and Fried Eggplant, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Basil, Arugula on a Baguette ● Falafal Sandwich ($20) - Chickpea Patty, Garlic Sauce, Pickled Onions, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickles, on Fresh ‘Coven’ Bun [Vegan] ● Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($8) - Served w/ Fresh Cut Fries or Veggie Sticks [KIDS] ● Margherita Pizza ($22) - House Cheese Blend, Red Sauce, Basil ● White Pizza ($24) - Olive Oil Base, House Cheese Blend, Lemon Ricotta, Arugula ● Gnocchi ($23) - Housemade Gnocchi, Herbed Rosé Sauce, Warm Bread ● French Toast ($19) - Egg Bread, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Seasonal Compote [BRUNCH] ● Bernie's Tostadas ($22) - Crispy Corn Tortillas, Beans, 2 Eggs Over Easy, Pico de Gallo, Feta, Crema [BRUNCH] ● Eggplant Parm Benny ($24) - 2 Poached Eggs, Breaded and Fried Eggplant, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Basil, Hollandaise, Homefries or Salad [BRUNCH]
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Margherita Pizza
Todd Dowd
Food was excellent as always.
On a recent visit I cannot recommend the atmosphere. More than on patron requested the uncomfortably loud volume of the speakers to be turned down to a more comfortable level.
Either each request was ignored or the staff did not know how to adjust the volume.
Having to yell to dinner company, asking them to repeat themselves, or not being able to hear them at all does not make a pleasant dining experience.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 4
Hu Yun Lo
Cute little place. Food was average. Service was amazing. Our wait staff was attentive, friendly and personable. I had the fish n chips which were ok. The fish was made exactly as requested (lightly battered) but I didn't think much of the fresh cut fries. They just didn't taste fresh cut. I didn't say much about the meal but the coleslaw was a little on the warmer side and tasted like it had been sitting. I went to meet up with friends I hadn't seen on a while so my purpose for the visit wasn't all about the food. The server again was great and she knew when to check in on our table and when to let us converse. I just didn't think the food was anything special to come back for. I would however return just because it's a place my friend frequent and the service was great
Bernie’s Tavern offers a unique ambiance that blends urban decay with steel-town nostalgia. The exterior is somewhat uninviting, but once inside, the atmosphere is vibrant and full of character—reminiscent of an old-school auto garage meets a gritty bar. The music and overall ambiance score a solid 8/10.
Service is a standout feature. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and attentive, contributing significantly to the experience (8/10).
The menu is well-built, avoiding the pitfalls of overcomplicated fusion concepts while offering a solid selection of craft beers and local options.
Food & Pricing
Double Smash Burger with Waffle Fries – The burger was flavorful, with fresh condiments (7/10), while the waffle fries were crisp and perfectly executed (10/10). Price: $25.00
Thursday Special: Detroit-Style Pizza & Wings – The pizza, approximately 10x10 inches (small to be honest) was doughy (as expected for Detroit-style) but slightly underwhelming in flavour (6/10). The wings, while well-seasoned and properly cooked, appeared to be fewer than a full pound (7/10). Price: $35.00
Drinks – One draft beer and two Pepsis.
Total cost (including tip): $85.14
Bill $ 70.95
Tip 20% $14.19 (well deserved tip)
Final Verdict
Bernie’s delivers on ambiance, service, and food quality, but its pricing structure is a concern. While the venue and experience justify a visit, the value-for-money ratio is lacking, especially given the portion sizes
In today’s economic climate, affordability and portion expectations play a key role in dining choices.
Would I return? Yes—but I’d be selective in my ordering to maximize value.
Overall Rating: 6.5/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Just went to trivia at Bernie’s! Great experience, food and drinks were good. The entire place has a great vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bernie's is a great place to just shed off the normal corporate ' fast in-fast out' expectations. Our waitress offered us a very nice separate room that seats up to 8 with our own CNN sports display. It was a Monday wing special night. The wings were huge! I ordered the lemon dry rub wings. Great food and very hot. Our friends also ordered Clubs and Burgers. All of us were very impressed. Auto parking was limited to the street but the short walk was well worth the experience. We will go there again.
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Club Sandwich, Burger and Fries
Smashburger was excellent.
Old school dive atmosphere, but with quality service, cleanliness, amazing food and beer selection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best burgers I've ever had
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger and Fries, Burger, Fries
Bernie’s is so great! Went there for my first time last night, and genuinely can’t wait to go back.
They had a great draft beer selection - a good mix of craft, domestic, and international.
Their menu is short in comparison to other restaurants, but that is a good thing! I am a massive fan of concise menus. There are all the bar food classics (wings, mozzarella sticks, calamari), burgers and sandwiches, pizza (Detroit style, which is what I got, and it was soo good), and a few other items like fish and chips. There’s also a brief kids section of the menu. I found all the prices in line with other such establishments.
All in all, I highly recommend Bernie’s Tavern!
Kid-friendliness: There’s a kids section on the menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was good. Pizza has a thick crust for those who enjoy more of a bread bite.
Fries are excellent. Fish and chips come with one piece of fish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great food. Had the pizza and wings, fantastic pizza, crispy wings.
A few more wing flavours would be appreciated as they're a little limited in that sense, but a lot of fun appetizers and 10/10 pizza and wings, if you're content with a deep dish pan style pizza
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
On the advise of a friend we went to Burneys for their $10.00 wing night. We ordered 2 pounds of wings and a fries. Our server was cute and polite. When she brought the wings over and sat them down in front of us I looked at my friend, and he looked at me and we both said, are they kidding. At best they were the size of budgie wings, very very small and no meat on them, the fries where literally burned to chared wood. We asked the server if this was the way the wings were regularly served, she replied yes, but at regular price $17.00 you get celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese. For $10.00 we got the scroniest pathetic over cooked and burnt looking chicken wings ,all 7 of them. We left more hungry than when we went in. My friend EJ and I go out a couple of times a month for wings, Montanas and Brassie Pub definitely wins hands down. We definitely will not be back to Berneys.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Great vibe and great food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved the food and the atmosphere and the friendly service
Will definitely be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Extremely kind and accommodating staff.
Great music (loved hearing Post Punk legends like Wire, Gang of Four, and Joy Division), except for the fact they started Can I Kick It? and abruptly cut it off 🙃
Specifically Meg (with the long brown hair). Thank you for putting the Raptors game on during Hockey night!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Even though the menu doesn't have much that a vegan like me can eat, the staff and atmosphere are wonderful at Bernie's Tavern.
The falafel sandwich is, which is my only real option, could use some improvements. The falafel is quite thick and doesn't cook through, while its outside doesn't have that traditional crispy coating, which makes for a mushy patty with a disappointing mouth feel.
My wife has had several of the items from the menu and she's enjoyed them all. She is especially fond of the pizza options, which come from Shorty's Pizza next door.
The draft selection is limited and leans into lighter options (but they do have Guiness for those who want a heavy option). There is more selection in the canned beers, however, I feel the can options are little pricey.
The staff is amazing and always see to our needs with a smile, a laugh or some great conversation.
The issues noted above a not enough to keep us away and most people will love their experience at Bernie's Tavern.
Vegetarian options: ● House Salad ($7/$14) - Mixed Greens, Turmeric Pearl Couscous, Feta, Red Pepper, Lemon Mint Vinaigrette, Crispy Chickpeas ● Devilled Eggs ($8) • O.G. Style ● Fresh Cut Fries ($8) ● Waffle Fries ($11) ● Mozzarella Sticks ($16) - Breaded, Served w/ Marinara ● Patatas Bravas ($17) - Crispy Potatoes, Herbs, Shaved Onion, Salsa Brava ● Poutine ($18) • Fresh Cut Fries, Quebec Cheese Curds, Gravy ● Spaghetti Fingers ($21) - Breaded and Fried Spaghetti w/ Sauce & Cheese, Served w/ Marinara ● Eggplant Parm Sandwich ($21) - Breaded and Fried Eggplant, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Basil, Arugula on a Baguette ● Falafal Sandwich ($20) - Chickpea Patty, Garlic Sauce, Pickled Onions, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickles, on Fresh ‘Coven’ Bun [Vegan] ● Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($8) - Served w/ Fresh Cut Fries or Veggie Sticks [KIDS] ● Margherita Pizza ($22) - House Cheese Blend, Red Sauce, Basil ● White Pizza ($24) - Olive Oil Base, House Cheese Blend, Lemon Ricotta, Arugula ● Gnocchi ($23) - Housemade Gnocchi, Herbed Rosé Sauce, Warm Bread ● French Toast ($19) - Egg Bread, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Seasonal Compote [BRUNCH] ● Bernie's Tostadas ($22) - Crispy Corn Tortillas, Beans, 2 Eggs Over Easy, Pico de Gallo, Feta, Crema [BRUNCH] ● Eggplant Parm Benny ($24) - 2 Poached Eggs, Breaded and Fried Eggplant, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Basil, Hollandaise, Homefries or Salad [BRUNCH]
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Margherita Pizza
Food was excellent as always.
On a recent visit I cannot recommend the atmosphere. More than on patron requested the uncomfortably loud volume of the speakers to be turned down to a more comfortable level.
Either each request was ignored or the staff did not know how to adjust the volume.
Having to yell to dinner company, asking them to repeat themselves, or not being able to hear them at all does not make a pleasant dining experience.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 4
Cute little place. Food was average. Service was amazing. Our wait staff was attentive, friendly and personable. I had the fish n chips which were ok. The fish was made exactly as requested (lightly battered) but I didn't think much of the fresh cut fries. They just didn't taste fresh cut. I didn't say much about the meal but the coleslaw was a little on the warmer side and tasted like it had been sitting. I went to meet up with friends I hadn't seen on a while so my purpose for the visit wasn't all about the food. The server again was great and she knew when to check in on our table and when to let us converse. I just didn't think the food was anything special to come back for. I would however return just because it's a place my friend frequent and the service was great
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
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