Alo
163 Spadina Ave., Toronto
(416) 260-2222
Recent Reviews
Sort by
Atmosphere: {{ item.info.Atmosphere }}
Food: {{ item.info.Food }}
Service: {{ item.info.Service }}
Recommended dishes: {{ item.info['Recommended dishes'] }}
We had dinner in the Bar at Alo. It was a nice small tasting menu which was excellent for the value. The drinks were also amazing.
This was an absolutely perfect dining experience. The attention to details is amazing There was not one aspect of the evening that I could fault.
we sat in the bar area and it was insanely warm. Area felt very small. I would try the main dining area
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
By far the best restaurant in Toronto so far. I came here for my birthday and the experience was transcendent. First, the service was top tier level, the waiter that took care of us was gentlemen with a great vibe. Best server I had in my life. They seated us according to our request (nice seating away from the entrance). They also printed a birthday card for me which was very considerate. They also called and emailed asking us very detailed oriented questions ahead of the dinner which was top notch. They also switched our utensils every meal which is a small detail yet powerful dinner experience detail. Sparkling water was also complimentary versus other restaurants. The pace of the food was perfect as well and they also gave me a small birthday cake!
Food was immaculate. An eye opening experience. I cannot even describe the food/art that I have eaten. Nothing disappointed me. They used the best of the best ingredients. Every dish was perfectly curated and every bite was orgasmic. If I was a multi millionaire, I would come here everyday. All the food was at the right temperature, nothing got stuck to our teeth, and I would say the egg & toast dish was one very memorable.
Now as for the atmosphere, the decor was elegant but the restaurant isn’t very big, thus the difficulty of getting a reservation. It was comfy and treated us extremely well.
Overall I recommend it for special occasions, not for a huge party but great for 4 people family or with your significant other. I will be coming back for sure one day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The order in which the dishes were served was very problematic; I ate dessert in the middle of the meal.
Scallop was way too salty. Very dim could barely see the food which is a shame, the presentation is very well done.
Our dining experience was excellent and we enjoyed every single bite of the dishes We had the tasting menu and upgraded with A3 wagyu and added a portion of duck on top of it. The food at Alo is exceptional, especially the dessert. We particularly loved the Ontario apple dessert and the trio. We celebrated a birthday at Alo and was given a small chocolate mousse cake on the house. It was very sweet and we really appreciated it. Overall it was a fabulous dining experience and we look forward to coming for another special occasion.
Alo is a Michelin‑starred contemporary French restaurant perched atop a heritage building on Spadina Avenue, celebrated for its refined tasting menus, seasonal ingredients, and exceptional technique. It’s widely regarded as one of Toronto’s must‑visit dining destinations, known especially for special occasions, date nights, and culinary tourism. 
The core of the experience at Alo is its multi‑course blind tasting menu, which artfully blends European and Asian influences with French foundations — think dishes like delicate lobster and shiitake mushroom courses or Hudson Valley duck with creative accents. Reviewers often praise the precision in plating, complexity of flavours, and thoughtful progression from course to course. 
Service is a standout element; diners describe Alo’s staff as polished, attentive, and warm, enhancing the experience without being overly formal. The chef’s counter seating — offering a ringside view of the kitchen — is particularly recommended for a more immersive evening. 
That said, it’s not without mixed opinions. Some reviewers mention that certain dishes don’t always live up to the lofty price tag, and securing a reservation can be challenging due to high demand. A few diners feel the wine pairings were underwhelming compared to expectations for a Michelin‑starred restaurant. 
Overall, Alo delivers an elegant, thoughtful, and sophisticated dining journey that many consider among the best in Toronto’s culinary scene — though it’s a clear splurge that’s best suited for those seeking fine dining rather than casual eats. 
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kriss makes the experience decadent yet approachable.
Very well done! Worth EVERY penny! Food was great as was service. Discreet waiters perfect setting for discussions at the table with whoever you are with!
Restaurantji Recommends
We came to celebrate a birthday and as expected had a most memorable night. The food and service were top notch. We enjoyed hearing information about the wines selected for the pairing. Every possible detail is considered and small touches which personalize the evening abound.
We recently dined at Alo and our experience was outstanding! The Tasting Menu was exceptional and I can honestly say that it was the most memorable and stunningly exquisite dining experience I have had in a lifetime of fine dining. The complexities of composition and presentation of each dish only enhanced our excitement to savor each and every bite. The ambience of the dining room and the professionalism of the entire front of house staff complemented the highest quality of each and every dish from Chefs. Our cocktails were delicious and the deserts were breathtaking as well. Overall, an outstanding evening of dining at Alo. Thank you.
We had been receiving emails from Alo for the past 10 years since it opened. Several years ago we tried to make reservations and it was booked for several weeks in advance. We always wanted to go and finally managed to get in with 4 days notice prior to our anniversary. The elevator ride to the 3rd floor was not a sign of what was to come. Ambiance was unexpectedly very Parisian and unremarkable and very comfortable, however, the 10 course Chef's tasting menu with the wine paring was off the chart. The service from our 3 servers was also second to none. The desc ription of what ingredients was in the foods served and where it was from and the outstanding wine from less popular wine growing regions was very educational. We would highly recommend Alo to anyone who appreciates the Chef's tasting menu format.
Did I have a good experience? Yes. Was it good value? Yes. Did the flavours blow me away? No. Ultimately the 4 stars isn't a reflection of my enjoyment, I just don't think the kitchen put their best foot forward. I won't review every single dish because many people do that already.
High points: Canapes and hors d'oeuvres were a joy. Every bite was expressive and delicate. Loved the dungeness crab on toast. This dish melted in your mouth. The gingerbread macaron was an unexpected winner. And I usually hate macarons.
Low points: Chanterelles tasted like playdough. Beurre d'Isigny had good texture but was quite tasteless and felt like it didn't pair well with bread. Lamb wasn't trimmed as well as I had hoped. Peanut butter cup was unpleasant.
If you are after the dining from the Michelin guide i highly recommend trying to secure a seat in the dining room instead of the bar.
The staff were very professional and the setting extremely clean. Would appreciate if the management would consider a soap with less perfume. It is very strong and may disrupt one's dining experience. Thank you to the management for a wonderful evening and I hope to try the dining room next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Service was amazing as expected from any micheline star restaurant. Food was amazing. Creative, bold and complex. Im glad there weren't any courses with ice shards. Lighting could be brighter but thats personal preference. I like to clearly see what im eating.
Loading...