What an experience! The restaurant was very accommodating to our needs since we had a newborn with us. They tucked us away in a corner so at least that way we could get some feedings in for babe when necessary.
We initially wanted to try the tasting menu, however, baby was uncooperative and we wouldn’t have paid attention. Our server was very understanding and they charged us a portion of the dishes from the tasting menu that came out. We enjoyed all the pictured dishes and had zero complaints.
Finally, before tonight’s dinner, the restaurant called us and told us our original booking had to be cancelled since someone booked the entire restaurant. They made it up to us by offering the free Thai basil ice cream, which was much better than whatever ice cream joints Ossington had!
Overall, fantastic night - good vibes with baby - and great food. Highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
C M
Keep coming back to this place whenever I am in Toronto! Great food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A.J.
I had a reservation here on a weeknight and overall had a really good time. Finding the place was a little tricky at first - it has a café in the front and the neon sign just says something like “Thai BBQ,” so it’s a bit more discreet than I expected. Once inside, the entryway is also a little unusual: you walk through a pretty dark corridor past the kitchen before it opens up into the dining room. Honestly, it almost feels like you’re sneaking in through the back, but it does add a bit of drama to the arrival.
The dining room itself is comfortable, with seating along the windows on one side and against the far wall on the other, with a wide corridor running down the middle. It’s not cramped, which makes it feel easy to settle in.
We went for the tasting menu with the wine pairing, which I think is a great way to get to know what they’re all about. The staff brought out the first few courses pretty quickly, and they were a strong start. Each dish felt really balanced - flavours were layered with a little sweetness and a gentle spice that made them both interesting and very easy to enjoy.
Not everything hit perfectly, though. The palate cleanser - a sorbet with tomato and mushrooms - was a bit of a miss for me. I’m usually open to adventurous combinations, but this one was tough both visually and flavour-wise, and since it was followed by another savoury dish, it didn’t feel necessary. The last course, a heavier fish and rice dish, also felt like it would have worked better earlier in the progression. I would’ve loved to finish on something lighter, maybe a small dessert instead of the palate cleanser.
That said, the overall experience still stood out. The food is inventive without being overwhelming, and the flavors are thoughtful and well-executed. The staff were another highlight - knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive throughout the night. Despite a couple of missteps in the flow of the menu, I left feeling like it was a worthwhile and memorable meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Vanessa Niragira
the food is EVERYTHING, it all hits!!! Also Isa is best 🥺
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexandra Lucier-Hall
I had an amazing time our server was so respectful and checked in exactly when I needed! I was on the high top near the back and had a great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Neomi Valiente
Visiting from SoCal, I had the pleasure of dining at Favorites with my girlfriends, and it was truly unforgettable. Our server, Isa, was so sweet, attentive, and made sure every detail was perfect for us. We enjoyed a bottle of Cava for Wine Wednesday, and the food was phenomenal. The standouts were the char siu short rib and the Thai-style chicken wings — they were so good, we immediately ordered a second round. Huge shoutout to Isa for making us feel so welcome and taken care of. Can’t wait to come back next time I’m in Toronto!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Indi Connelly
I had such an amazing night here! Delicious food and incredible service, our server isa was amazing and so attentive and friendly! Thank you for dinner, we had an awesome experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JS
This place is truly worth a visit on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. It’s a dining experience you’ll genuinely appreciate, especially at this price point.
We had the ceviche, sour curry, and short ribs.
I truly loved the ceviche and sour curry. The ceviche was by far one of the best I’ve tried, so it’s worth getting. Though there were only four thin slices of tuna, the flavour combination they were able to curate was noteworthy and the effort that went into creating it was evident.
For the curry, the addition of the pomelo worked perfectly with the fish. It’s such an expert choice as the pomelo breaks down in the curry with a push of your spoon, so you can enjoy it with the fish. The cod was also cooked perfectly - soft with no pungent fishiness. The addition of lime leaf was well thought out; it worked perfectly. It’s unfortunate but there wasn’t enough curry to go with the amount of rice given. If they had given just an ounce more, it would have felt more fitting. There was also no small knife provided for the fish. Small details but worth noting.
I personally didn’t enjoy the short ribs which was ironic given BBQ is in their name. It was cooked well, and the flavours were well thought out with the veggies and sauce choice. However, the flavours felt too muted for me. The sauce and seasoning were a bit too underwhelming for the heaviness of the ribs to make it standout. Yet, if you truly appreciate the taste of meat, you’ll love the dish because it tries to highlight the ribs as a standalone.
Con to the atmosphere was how close everyone was sat together despite half of the restaurant being empty. I was a foot away from the next table though there were empty tables all behind me. The tables were too tightly spaced.
However, I appreciated the effort of the wait staff. Genuine smiles and they don’t overwhelm you with attention but keep a distant eye on the tables to make sure to clean up quickly or cater to your needs. It’s a thoughtful approach to waiting that I very much appreciated.
Was a bit disappointed to see that the Thai ice tea was not on the menu. Really wanted to try it here!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Eric Cao
I was ecstatic to get a table walking in as they just opened. Food was horrible, started off with the scallop and it was an explosion of flavours that didn’t go well together - We also asked for 4 since it comes in 3s but that request wasn’t met. The eggplant salad was inedible, tasted like literal charcoal - burnt is a nice way to put it. Sausage was probably the only thing I liked but 6 slices for $20+ was a stretch (on spicy spicy side). And my replacement salad was a poor attempt at som tum salad esk not outstanding at all. Canceled the rest of my order and had to go. Server was super nice and I know it’s not their fault if the food is bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
B. Hendry
This place is so good! Went with friends and our server Isa help decide what we should get. We weren’t disappointed! Oysters were the best I’ve ever had in this city and the ceviche was 10/10. I have to say the Beef tartare was my absolute favourite tho. The patio was empty so we sat outside and recommend it when ossington strip is busy. Good people watching. Highly recommend the Margarita as well!
Thank you to the staff for an exceptional dinner. Can’t wait to come back! Ossington is lucky to have yall.
We had a lovely meal at Favorites on Thursday evening! Decided to sit on the patio and people watch on Ossington which was great. Left the dish choosing to the server and was not disappointed! The “impossible” pork relish was by far my favourite. Hot, spicy, and delicious. excellent martini to accompany our meal. Mitch, Isa, and Celeste took fabulous care of us.
Very mixed experience. Celeste, the manager, has terrible customer service skills.
Food was very good - the beef char siu on the chef’s menu was my favourite, the appetizers were super fresh, although the flavours started to become repetitive throughout the course.
Service during our meal was also great. However, they made a huge mistake with the bill (accidentally charged $100 extra). That’s fine, mistakes happen - just fix it. But the attitude the manager Celeste came in with was astonishing. Other reviews seem to share the same sentiment. Would not go back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
Patty Hwang
Food, ambiance, and service were great. Loved the open kitchen concept as soon as you walk in and the entrance being hidden from the main street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anusha R
If you order 7 things at a restaurant, it’s normal for a few to be a miss. But not at this place. Every single thing we ordered was just amazing and so nuanced and well paired. Absolutely loved this restaurant and the staff here. Definitely has been added on to the list of favorites. Will be going again for sure!!!
August G
This place absolutely lives up to the hype — I saw that it had a Michelin recommendation, and after trying it, I can completely understand why. I’m a huge fan of Thai and Malaysian food, and I’ve eaten a lot of it — this place is honestly one of the best I’ve had in Toronto.
The flavors are not overly complex, but they’re incredibly well-balanced and bold, and everything I tried was spot on. You can tell the ingredients are fresh, and the execution is thoughtful. It’s not fussy — just really, really good Thai food.
The space is tiny, so be prepared — it’s a very small restaurant, and you’ll be seated close to other tables, which can feel a bit awkward. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time, especially for dinner.
Parking is tough, as it’s street parking in the downtown core, but that’s expected.
In terms of pricing, I found it fair — especially for a spot with a Michelin nod. It’s not cheap, but it’s not unreasonable either, especially for the quality.
All in all, 5 stars from me. I’ll definitely be back — this one’s a gem.
What an experience! The restaurant was very accommodating to our needs since we had a newborn with us. They tucked us away in a corner so at least that way we could get some feedings in for babe when necessary.
We initially wanted to try the tasting menu, however, baby was uncooperative and we wouldn’t have paid attention. Our server was very understanding and they charged us a portion of the dishes from the tasting menu that came out. We enjoyed all the pictured dishes and had zero complaints.
Finally, before tonight’s dinner, the restaurant called us and told us our original booking had to be cancelled since someone booked the entire restaurant. They made it up to us by offering the free Thai basil ice cream, which was much better than whatever ice cream joints Ossington had!
Overall, fantastic night - good vibes with baby - and great food. Highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keep coming back to this place whenever I am in Toronto! Great food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had a reservation here on a weeknight and overall had a really good time. Finding the place was a little tricky at first - it has a café in the front and the neon sign just says something like “Thai BBQ,” so it’s a bit more discreet than I expected. Once inside, the entryway is also a little unusual: you walk through a pretty dark corridor past the kitchen before it opens up into the dining room. Honestly, it almost feels like you’re sneaking in through the back, but it does add a bit of drama to the arrival.
The dining room itself is comfortable, with seating along the windows on one side and against the far wall on the other, with a wide corridor running down the middle. It’s not cramped, which makes it feel easy to settle in.
We went for the tasting menu with the wine pairing, which I think is a great way to get to know what they’re all about. The staff brought out the first few courses pretty quickly, and they were a strong start. Each dish felt really balanced - flavours were layered with a little sweetness and a gentle spice that made them both interesting and very easy to enjoy.
Not everything hit perfectly, though. The palate cleanser - a sorbet with tomato and mushrooms - was a bit of a miss for me. I’m usually open to adventurous combinations, but this one was tough both visually and flavour-wise, and since it was followed by another savoury dish, it didn’t feel necessary. The last course, a heavier fish and rice dish, also felt like it would have worked better earlier in the progression. I would’ve loved to finish on something lighter, maybe a small dessert instead of the palate cleanser.
That said, the overall experience still stood out. The food is inventive without being overwhelming, and the flavors are thoughtful and well-executed. The staff were another highlight - knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive throughout the night. Despite a couple of missteps in the flow of the menu, I left feeling like it was a worthwhile and memorable meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
the food is EVERYTHING, it all hits!!! Also Isa is best 🥺
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had an amazing time our server was so respectful and checked in exactly when I needed! I was on the high top near the back and had a great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Visiting from SoCal, I had the pleasure of dining at Favorites with my girlfriends, and it was truly unforgettable. Our server, Isa, was so sweet, attentive, and made sure every detail was perfect for us. We enjoyed a bottle of Cava for Wine Wednesday, and the food was phenomenal. The standouts were the char siu short rib and the Thai-style chicken wings — they were so good, we immediately ordered a second round. Huge shoutout to Isa for making us feel so welcome and taken care of. Can’t wait to come back next time I’m in Toronto!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had such an amazing night here! Delicious food and incredible service, our server isa was amazing and so attentive and friendly! Thank you for dinner, we had an awesome experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is truly worth a visit on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. It’s a dining experience you’ll genuinely appreciate, especially at this price point.
We had the ceviche, sour curry, and short ribs.
I truly loved the ceviche and sour curry. The ceviche was by far one of the best I’ve tried, so it’s worth getting. Though there were only four thin slices of tuna, the flavour combination they were able to curate was noteworthy and the effort that went into creating it was evident.
For the curry, the addition of the pomelo worked perfectly with the fish. It’s such an expert choice as the pomelo breaks down in the curry with a push of your spoon, so you can enjoy it with the fish. The cod was also cooked perfectly - soft with no pungent fishiness. The addition of lime leaf was well thought out; it worked perfectly. It’s unfortunate but there wasn’t enough curry to go with the amount of rice given. If they had given just an ounce more, it would have felt more fitting. There was also no small knife provided for the fish. Small details but worth noting.
I personally didn’t enjoy the short ribs which was ironic given BBQ is in their name. It was cooked well, and the flavours were well thought out with the veggies and sauce choice. However, the flavours felt too muted for me. The sauce and seasoning were a bit too underwhelming for the heaviness of the ribs to make it standout. Yet, if you truly appreciate the taste of meat, you’ll love the dish because it tries to highlight the ribs as a standalone.
Con to the atmosphere was how close everyone was sat together despite half of the restaurant being empty. I was a foot away from the next table though there were empty tables all behind me. The tables were too tightly spaced.
However, I appreciated the effort of the wait staff. Genuine smiles and they don’t overwhelm you with attention but keep a distant eye on the tables to make sure to clean up quickly or cater to your needs. It’s a thoughtful approach to waiting that I very much appreciated.
Was a bit disappointed to see that the Thai ice tea was not on the menu. Really wanted to try it here!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
I was ecstatic to get a table walking in as they just opened. Food was horrible, started off with the scallop and it was an explosion of flavours that didn’t go well together - We also asked for 4 since it comes in 3s but that request wasn’t met. The eggplant salad was inedible, tasted like literal charcoal - burnt is a nice way to put it. Sausage was probably the only thing I liked but 6 slices for $20+ was a stretch (on spicy spicy side). And my replacement salad was a poor attempt at som tum salad esk not outstanding at all. Canceled the rest of my order and had to go. Server was super nice and I know it’s not their fault if the food is bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
This place is so good! Went with friends and our server Isa help decide what we should get. We weren’t disappointed! Oysters were the best I’ve ever had in this city and the ceviche was 10/10. I have to say the Beef tartare was my absolute favourite tho. The patio was empty so we sat outside and recommend it when ossington strip is busy. Good people watching. Highly recommend the Margarita as well!
Thank you to the staff for an exceptional dinner. Can’t wait to come back! Ossington is lucky to have yall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Thai Style Oysters, Beef Tartare, Yellow Tail Tuna Ceviche
Restaurantji Recommends
We had a lovely meal at Favorites on Thursday evening! Decided to sit on the patio and people watch on Ossington which was great. Left the dish choosing to the server and was not disappointed! The “impossible” pork relish was by far my favourite. Hot, spicy, and delicious. excellent martini to accompany our meal. Mitch, Isa, and Celeste took fabulous care of us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Thai Style Oysters, Beef Tartare, Yellow Tail Tuna Ceviche
Very mixed experience. Celeste, the manager, has terrible customer service skills.
Food was very good - the beef char siu on the chef’s menu was my favourite, the appetizers were super fresh, although the flavours started to become repetitive throughout the course.
Service during our meal was also great. However, they made a huge mistake with the bill (accidentally charged $100 extra). That’s fine, mistakes happen - just fix it. But the attitude the manager Celeste came in with was astonishing. Other reviews seem to share the same sentiment. Would not go back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
Food, ambiance, and service were great. Loved the open kitchen concept as soon as you walk in and the entrance being hidden from the main street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you order 7 things at a restaurant, it’s normal for a few to be a miss. But not at this place. Every single thing we ordered was just amazing and so nuanced and well paired. Absolutely loved this restaurant and the staff here. Definitely has been added on to the list of favorites. Will be going again for sure!!!
This place absolutely lives up to the hype — I saw that it had a Michelin recommendation, and after trying it, I can completely understand why. I’m a huge fan of Thai and Malaysian food, and I’ve eaten a lot of it — this place is honestly one of the best I’ve had in Toronto.
The flavors are not overly complex, but they’re incredibly well-balanced and bold, and everything I tried was spot on. You can tell the ingredients are fresh, and the execution is thoughtful. It’s not fussy — just really, really good Thai food.
The space is tiny, so be prepared — it’s a very small restaurant, and you’ll be seated close to other tables, which can feel a bit awkward. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time, especially for dinner.
Parking is tough, as it’s street parking in the downtown core, but that’s expected.
In terms of pricing, I found it fair — especially for a spot with a Michelin nod. It’s not cheap, but it’s not unreasonable either, especially for the quality.
All in all, 5 stars from me. I’ll definitely be back — this one’s a gem.
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