Lake Inez
1471 Gerrard St E, Toronto
(416) 792-1590
Recent Reviews
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Absolutely delicious. Every bite was a party in my mouth! Friendly service, nice low light vibes. We had a fantastic & fun dinner experience!
11/10 experience. We did the secret menu and it was an unbelievably fun and delicious experience. Chef Zach makes every guest feel like they're in on a secret, sexy joke. Each course was thoughtfully designed and served with a drink pairing and a story. The stories had us quite literally slapping our knees, we were laughing so hard. I went with the non-alc pairings and my friends were jealous of my bevs! They were so fun and again THOUGHTFUL. It was a bit of a pricier night out ($160 per person for the secret patio tasting menu experience, which included 7 courses and either alcoholic or non-alc drink pairings), the value was amazing. We all left full and raving about the dishes (and chef Zach). I cannot recommend Lake Inez and specifically the secret patio experience enough. SO FUN!!
Only the appetizers were decent. The tortillas were dry and not fresh at all — felt like chewing on an elastic band. The steak was over-seasoned and extremely salty, and the fish didn’t impress either. To make things worse, the wait time was very long, and the atmosphere was so loud it was hard to enjoy the meal. Overall, a disappointing experience.
Lake Inez is such a fun and eclectic vibe. We had the best time last night and enjoyed all of the dishes we had especially the brassica rail. This restaurant has that feel of being curated but still effortlessly cool. The entire staff was friendly and the playlist was perfect. We would absolutely visit again when we are back in Toronto. Also, try their mocktails. They’re delicious!
To fully appreciate Lake Inez, you have to start with the menu—not just for the food, but for the sheer poetry of its descriptions. Each dish reads like a chapter in an abstract novel: playful, enigmatic, and richly imaginative. I often don’t quite know what I’m ordering—and that’s part of the magic. What I do know is that I’ve never had a dish here I didn’t love.
The menu rotates regularly, which only adds to the intrigue. Every visit brings something new—an ever-changing canvas where the chefs boldly blend spices and flavours from around the world, grounded by a commitment to local ingredients. The result is inventive, genre-blurring cuisine that surprises and delights—like a harmonious chorus of unexpected notes.
The space itself is intimate and stylish, with vintage decor, candlelit tables, and a vibe that feels effortlessly cool without tipping into pretension. The soundtrack—often a nostalgic rotation of ’90s hits—is a particular joy for millennials like me. The cocktails are playful and creative, and the wine list is carefully curated.
I’d be remiss not to mention the owner, Zak, who we met while celebrating our anniversary on their “mystery patio”—a limited-run tasting menu experience that feels more like performance art than dinner. Zak brings each course to life with infectious passion and backstories that deepen the experience. It’s not just a tasting menu; it’s dinner and a show. Pricey, yes—but if you’re up for it, worth every cent.
Note: My husband and I are regulars at Lake Inez. The photos included are from a recent visit, but truthfully—no matter when you go, you can’t go wrong here.
Always a great experience!
Had an awesome night at Lake Inez. The vibe is cozy but upbeat, the menu has a Middle Eastern influence that really works. It’s definitely a spot where you go for the experience — creative food, great drinks, and a chill but lively atmosphere.
We ordered five dishes between two of us and that was more than enough. Some people complain about the portion sizes, but it’s a tapas menu — the whole point is to try a bunch of things. If you’re hoping to share one plate with three people, this probably isn’t the spot for you. Order a few and enjoy the variety.
The food itself was a mix of highs and lows. The beef tartare was probably the best I’ve ever had (and I love beef tartare). The brassica rail was another standout — really creative and packed with flavour. The hamachi was good but didn’t blow me away. The beef dish, while cooked perfectly was unfortunately, way too salty and heavily spiced.
Drinks were good — super tasty and well-made. For what we ordered, I thought the price was totally fair (5 dishes, 6 drinks around $260 with tip)
All in all, strong flavours, cool menu, great setting. Not every dish hit, but I’d definitely go back to try new menu items as I understand they rotate from time to time.
We went to Lake Inez yesterday and every bite felt thoughtful and magical. We started with cocktails that were perfectly balanced and full of flavour. The menu is always changing, which makes each visit exciting. We tried four different dishes—each one more delicious than the last—with plenty of fun flavour surprises along the way. We finished with a fantastic dessert that wrapped everything up beautifully. Cozy atmosphere, great vibes, and an unforgettable meal. This is definitely now in our top three restaurants in Toronto!
Truly innovative and magnificent tasting food, we travel the world and this place is amongst the best anywhere. Can't wait to have their tasting menu next time
A lot of us throw around 5 star reviews way too casually, this spot right here.. this is the true definition of a 5 ⭐️ Dining experience.
From the moment you walk in, it feels Chįc, Swanky & a Vibe like you just popped into the latest hot spot on NYC must Dine list.
Combination of an A1 FOH staff with a naughty cocktail list under their arm. Add in Zac & the boys (big S/o to Chef Jay and James) crafting up pure MAGIC in the kitchen makes for pure bliss.
It’s busy everyday, so make a reso’ or be prepared to wait a pinch.. possibly even down the street at Belle Isle.
*Don’t forget to keep a little Mystery in your life by joining them for Mystery Patio Menu*
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Came here for our anniversary dinner, and it exceeded my expectations! The service was amazing, the staff made sure to explain each dish before serving it to your table which is a really nice touch. Food came out really quickly, too.
We ordered the Salisbury steak tartare, dark green crunchy fall thing, cheesy toast, and the halibut à la corn dog. Everything was really unique and delicious in terms of seasonal flavors and different textures (Especially the cheesy toast). Can't wait to come again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was my second visit to Lake Inez. The first experience was fantastic—I even wondered why they didn’t have a star. This time, though, was a disappointment. The food was very average, lacking the depth and flavour I remembered. The service, too, felt rushed and impersonal. Although they told me there was a two-hour seating limit right before sitting. they brought the bill around the one-hour mark, even though my wife still had more than half her drink left and I didn’t ask for the bill. It felt as though they were more interested in turning tables than in creating an enjoyable dining experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Great spot, friendly staff, would recommended 10/10
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Short Ribs, Miso Molasses Pork Skewers, Wine Selection, Chicken Liver Mousse
Excellent food, and service was exceptional. Our server was iolanda and she was absolutely delightful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the vibes here. Service was great, but the highlight is the food. I got the autumn pasta and it was amazing, so creamy and flavorful. A bit pricey for portion size though but I would get it again it’s so good
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