Avelo Restaurant

51 St Nicholas St, Toronto
(647) 643-3132

Recent Reviews

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tee1

From the moment I stepped into Avelo, I knew this wasn’t going to be a casual night of dining — it was a full experience. The space itself is intimate — tucked inside a charming old Victorian house, it feels like you're entering someone’s thoughtfully curated home rather than a traditional restaurant. It’s quiet, warm, and designed for you to pay attention — to your food, your company, the details. ✨ The Food This is not food you eat to fill up — it’s food you taste, observe, talk about. Each course (I went with the 8-course tasting menu) arrived like a miniature sculpture, layered with colours, edible flowers, gels purées, or a crisp you almost didn’t want to break. Flavour-wise, it was an intellectual meal. Some bites were delicate. Others were bold. My friend [not vegan] loved most of his courses but me not as much. That’s the kind of meal this is: it sparks conversation. You won’t love every bite, but you’ll remember most. 💁 The Service Warm, unpretentious, and informed. Our server introduced each dish in detail but never sounded rehearsed. They checked in just enough, not hovering, but clearly keeping an eye. Timing between courses was well-paced. Let's be honest: it’s expensive. With wine, tax, and tip, we were approaching a serious per-person price point. And no, you probably won’t leave stuffed — but you will leave satisfied, mentally if not physically. Avelo isn’t for everyone — but if you’re the kind of person who finds joy in the subtle, the unexpected, and the artistic, it’s a beautiful place to spend a few hours. It’s less about indulgence and more about experience. If that’s your thing, you’ll probably leave glowing — as I did. Not only because it was a special celebration for me 😊. ✅ Who I’d Recommend This If • You love trying new things and don’t mind a little risk. • You’re vegan, or vegan-curious, and want to see how far plant-based fine dining can go. • You’re looking for a quiet, immersive night — something that feels like a culinary event, not just dinner. ❌ Who Might Be Disappointed • You want big, hearty servings or comfort food. • You’re not into experimental flavours or or unfamiliar ingredients. You’re price-sensitive or want a casual dinner out.

EmdotAlice

I came here with some friends and we all had a great time. They have a plant-forward seasonal menu. The tomatoes are very good right now! We loved the tomato terrine. The barley soup and the radicchio dishes were probably my favorites. They have creative cocktails as well. Definitely worth a visit.

Douglas Fisher

What an amazing dining experience. My husband and I traveled to Toronto for a friends wedding and after a long day of travel, rush hour traffic, a bad hotel check in, We just wanted to have a lovely quiet dinner together. I learned about Avelo from an article in Foodism on Torontos best 30 restaurants and have been longing for a dining experience. This has been my first weeekend off from my floral business in Provincetown, MA since May so being a huge foodie and vegan for 19 years, and my husband growing up vegan this dining experience was top notch. Compliments to the chef and for being able to accommodate our food allergies. Every course of the tasting menu was amazing.
Each one unique, artfully plated, depth of flavors and textures so delicious I can’t wait to return to try something new. The new school foods salmon was amazing and being from a seafood town I’m hoping I can convince a restaurant to put it on there menu.
Thank you to all who made this dinner experience special from the front of the house to the Head chef, sous chefs, kitchen supporting roles you certainly are a wonderful team.
We can’t wait to return. Every detail went unnoticed.
If I lived in Toronto I’d be here every night.
If you haven’t tried Avelo do yourself a flavor and go there now. There is no time like being in the moment as now.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Suchi Ganesh

I've been to Avelo previously and have greatly enjoyed the meal. The last time I left, I felt pleasantly full, content, and grateful for the warm and wonderful service. This time around, the service felt perfunctory - not warm and this is especially frustrating since the 18% service charge is just added to the bill. The courses were tasty -with the exception of 2 which tasted like pureed and finely chopped veg without any dimension. At this price point, I expect to be wowed by each course. Not a lot of forethought went into the cutlery served with the courses. If small bites sit on a gazpacho - make sure you provide a spoon in the settings so your guests and scoop up the soup. No one wants to leave food on the plate when it's this pricey. Desserts were excellent - but after 7 courses, 2 amuse bouches, a mignardise, and a dessert - one expects to be full. At the end of this meal I was left craving something substantial. Alas - I feel like the standard has dipped.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 3

Dr. Elizabeth Bradley

Amazing food, delicious cocktails and we were so well taken care of by the staff

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Seymour Hersh

Avelo served a scrumptious mult-course experience. The service was outstanding, filled with insight, information and glee. The food, each and every dish, was designed with paired deliciousness, leaving our tastebuds wanting more. Make a reservation and enjoy

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

R W

The food was inventive and Pat was both professional as well as friendly. A wonderful experience overall

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Cy

Yet another amazing dinner at Avelo, we ordered the 8 course meal, it’s so hard to decide which dish is my favorite. If I have to pick one, it’d be the 3rd course, cauliflower mushroom, endive, mustard. The Ethiopian spice used in it gave it a real blast of flavor. Excellent dish! Our server Pat was also amazing, very informative and personable. What a wonderful evening!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

J Persaud

Everything I tried was simply amazing! This place is a hidden Gem! Love the ambiance and beautiful setting in the restaurant. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure you have an wonderful experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ankit Baid

Very fancy and good looking food, we just didn’t like the taste of most of it. Dessert was good. Also, even after a 5 course meal, we were both still a bit hungry.
Cool that it’s vegan but just too subtle of flavors for us and very expensive

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 5

Yan Ng

Food was creative and great, the waiter not so professional. We heard him sigh after every time he served us and even complaining to other table and his coworker about the energy of our table is not to his liking. Too boring for him perhaps? Some people like to converse, some don't, it's all part of his job. He has the freedom to complain, but it shouldn't be in front of guests or in a space where other guests can hear him, even if it wasn't specifically about us. I shouldn't have to feel we are judged having dinner there, I am here to enjoy the food however I like and not here to socialize with the waiter. Not that we were rude to him even the slightest, thanked him every time he came by.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 2

Ethan Yolleck

Great dining experience at Avelo where our server Pat made it a great vibe

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Geoff Wilkinson

Disclaimer: I’m not vegan. When my wife suggested this restaurant for our 26th wedding anniversary my expectations were not high. I was wrong to think that, and as I mentioned I’ve been married 26 years, so I am not unfamiliar with that feeling.
We had the 5 course set menu. The food was exquisite, the flavours, the textures, the wine pairings, the ambiance all absolutely top notch, eye-opening even. The service was outstanding, knowledgeable, friendly and engaging, both Pat and Amy were excellent and made the experience fun while being exceedingly professional.
Overall a wonderful time, we will go again no doubt. I also understand that Matt works there too.

Juan

Pat is the best, made our night. The food was really good as I expected, but nothing that blew me away. The mushroom course with bere bere spices was by far my favourite, and the hazelnut macaron was delicious (you guys should sell boxes of these!)

Lucky Birch

Hats off to the chefs. Enjoyed all courses, and the wine pairings were on point. It’s a small space that feels more casual than your typical fine dining

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

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