Yummy place and the atmosphere is great. Server was attentive and quick. Didn’t wait long for any part of the dining experience.
Prem Nathan
Just dropped $250 here, and I’m still trying to figure out if I actually ate Japanese food or just paid for a millennial Instagram photoshoot. Service was on point—super polite, almost alarmingly so—but the vibe felt more “cool-pub mashup” than “hidden Tokyo izakaya.” If you’re expecting genuine Japanese flavors, brace yourself: there’s a lot of truffle fries and carbonara udon lurking in the “authentic” menu. Not exactly a spot I’d recommend to the Japanese community in Toronto—more like a fun weekend pit-stop for a young crowd chasing neon lights and hashtag-worthy plates.
Authenticity & Overall Take: Kinka Sushi Bar Izakaya is less “quintessential Japanese izakaya” and more “Japanese-inspired fusion pub” aimed at a millennial crowd who want sushi, small plates, and Instagrammable dishes in a lively setting. It’s not a bad concept if you’re in the mood for creative twists on familiar flavors, but don’t expect classic ramen, old-school yakitori grilled over binchotan, or a quiet, traditional ambiance. Real talk: average Japanese folks in Toronto looking for nostalgia might be disappointed (we were). The menu remains a mishmash of so-called izakaya staples mixed with truffle fries and carbonara udon—delicious in isolation but oddly at odds with each other.
Lily Tran
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I love the variety of dishes, and my favorite are the Aburi set and the Kakimayo Oysters. The servers are friendly, and I like the casual atmosphere.
Geri Kraja
Excellent food and quality. Recommend :)
Ximena A
This is my first time at this location. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm, enthusiastic energy that sets the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The staff are incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, always happy to recommend dishes and sake pairings.
Kierston D
Wonderful atmosphere, tasty and fast! Their happy hour menu was perfect! Portions weren’t too big but still delicious and satisfying!
angel chen
Love the neko punch, spicy nasu, and shrimp tempura, the neko damashi was very sweet, maybe a little too sweet but still fruity and good, could just be personal taste.
^^ wrote that review for free cheesecake and just had the add that the matcha cheesecake and hojicha brûlée are soo good. Definitely come during happy hour!
Michael Shaikhet
I went for an anniversary dinner. The food was amazing and the service was great and really quick!
Megan Hurtado
Great service!
Mia
Nice vibe to hang out with friends. Big pawns were fresh. Karaage was nicely fried. Takoyaki was good. Sake Sangria was my first time trying and was really good, a bit sweeter than expected but acceptable. Sushi was disappointing though, a bit dry and tasted old. Nice vibe and setting. Staff was very friendly.
great small bites & drink options (neko & yuzu were both deliciously sweet) we loved the octopus, sushi platter, and carbonara
Tina Ye
Great izakaya atmosphere. Lively but not too loud. Food was good, especially recommend the carbonara! Love the hint of truffle in it
Maddie Nguyen
Must get carbonara udon!! Always love the sushi here too :)
希
Kinka Izakaya used to be one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in the city. It was my go-to late-night spot with amazing food, friendly staff, and a lively atmosphere. I have so many great memories here, and I even got to know the staff by name.
Unfortunately, things have changed significantly over the past year. The menu has been reduced, the portion sizes have shrunk noticeably, and none of my favourite dishes are available anymore. On top of that, the staff are completely different now—and not in a good way.
On a recent visit, my boyfriend and I arrived an hour and a half before closing, hoping to sit at a quiet corner since the place is often loud with large groups and sake bomb celebrations. We were told the bar section was closed—even though we clearly saw other guests being seated there just minutes after us. We tried to politely explain that we simply wanted a quieter spot, but the host was dismissive and uninterested in helping. After 15 minutes of back and forth, we were ready to walk out. It felt like they just didn’t want to serve us.
Eventually, we were seated, but the attitude from the staff remained cold and unwelcoming. As someone who’s worked in hospitality, I understand what proper service looks like—and this wasn’t it. We left no tip because we simply didn’t feel respected or valued as customers. On our way out, the manager rolled her eyes at us, without a word. If anyone had bothered to ask us why we didn’t tip, we would’ve gladly explained.
To be clear, tipping reflects service quality. If we had felt welcomed and well-served, we absolutely would have tipped generously. Sadly, this experience left a bad taste, and it’s a real shame because this used to be a place I loved. I won’t be returning.
Selim Turkmen
Best place in the city for drinks and dinner with friends! Never had anything bad from here, and bill is always cheap
Yummy place and the atmosphere is great. Server was attentive and quick. Didn’t wait long for any part of the dining experience.
Just dropped $250 here, and I’m still trying to figure out if I actually ate Japanese food or just paid for a millennial Instagram photoshoot. Service was on point—super polite, almost alarmingly so—but the vibe felt more “cool-pub mashup” than “hidden Tokyo izakaya.” If you’re expecting genuine Japanese flavors, brace yourself: there’s a lot of truffle fries and carbonara udon lurking in the “authentic” menu. Not exactly a spot I’d recommend to the Japanese community in Toronto—more like a fun weekend pit-stop for a young crowd chasing neon lights and hashtag-worthy plates.
Authenticity & Overall Take:
Kinka Sushi Bar Izakaya is less “quintessential Japanese izakaya” and more “Japanese-inspired fusion pub” aimed at a millennial crowd who want sushi, small plates, and Instagrammable dishes in a lively setting. It’s not a bad concept if you’re in the mood for creative twists on familiar flavors, but don’t expect classic ramen, old-school yakitori grilled over binchotan, or a quiet, traditional ambiance. Real talk: average Japanese folks in Toronto looking for nostalgia might be disappointed (we were). The menu remains a mishmash of so-called izakaya staples mixed with truffle fries and carbonara udon—delicious in isolation but oddly at odds with each other.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I love the variety of dishes, and my favorite are the Aburi set and the Kakimayo Oysters. The servers are friendly, and I like the casual atmosphere.
Excellent food and quality. Recommend :)
This is my first time at this location. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm, enthusiastic energy that sets the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The staff are incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, always happy to recommend dishes and sake pairings.
Wonderful atmosphere, tasty and fast! Their happy hour menu was perfect! Portions weren’t too big but still delicious and satisfying!
Love the neko punch, spicy nasu, and shrimp tempura, the neko damashi was very sweet, maybe a little too sweet but still fruity and good, could just be personal taste.
^^ wrote that review for free cheesecake and just had the add that the matcha cheesecake and hojicha brûlée are soo good. Definitely come during happy hour!
I went for an anniversary dinner. The food was amazing and the service was great and really quick!
Great service!
Nice vibe to hang out with friends. Big pawns were fresh. Karaage was nicely fried. Takoyaki was good. Sake Sangria was my first time trying and was really good, a bit sweeter than expected but acceptable. Sushi was disappointing though, a bit dry and tasted old. Nice vibe and setting. Staff was very friendly.
Restaurantji Recommends
great small bites & drink options (neko & yuzu were both deliciously sweet) we loved the octopus, sushi platter, and carbonara
Great izakaya atmosphere. Lively but not too loud. Food was good, especially recommend the carbonara! Love the hint of truffle in it
Must get carbonara udon!! Always love the sushi here too :)
Kinka Izakaya used to be one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in the city. It was my go-to late-night spot with amazing food, friendly staff, and a lively atmosphere. I have so many great memories here, and I even got to know the staff by name.
Unfortunately, things have changed significantly over the past year. The menu has been reduced, the portion sizes have shrunk noticeably, and none of my favourite dishes are available anymore. On top of that, the staff are completely different now—and not in a good way.
On a recent visit, my boyfriend and I arrived an hour and a half before closing, hoping to sit at a quiet corner since the place is often loud with large groups and sake bomb celebrations. We were told the bar section was closed—even though we clearly saw other guests being seated there just minutes after us. We tried to politely explain that we simply wanted a quieter spot, but the host was dismissive and uninterested in helping. After 15 minutes of back and forth, we were ready to walk out. It felt like they just didn’t want to serve us.
Eventually, we were seated, but the attitude from the staff remained cold and unwelcoming. As someone who’s worked in hospitality, I understand what proper service looks like—and this wasn’t it. We left no tip because we simply didn’t feel respected or valued as customers. On our way out, the manager rolled her eyes at us, without a word. If anyone had bothered to ask us why we didn’t tip, we would’ve gladly explained.
To be clear, tipping reflects service quality. If we had felt welcomed and well-served, we absolutely would have tipped generously. Sadly, this experience left a bad taste, and it’s a real shame because this used to be a place I loved. I won’t be returning.
Best place in the city for drinks and dinner with friends! Never had anything bad from here, and bill is always cheap
Loading...