Vela Toronto on Postcard

"Vela’s modernist space, with its cascading, sculptural lights, imparts a sultry ambience to every meal. It’s ever the unabashed show pony, but the restaurant has substance behind its style, thanks to the synergy between co-owners Amanda Bradley (a hospitality titan) and Robin Goodfellow (a beverage and business wizard) and co-head chefs Marvin Palomo and Kim Haugen (deft culinarians with experience in London, Australia, Hong Kong, and Italy). The cuisine is intentionally impossible to pigeonhole. Moroccan octopus pulsates with a sweet-savory interplay of tamari and togarashi, finished with nutty ajo blanco; Hokkaido scallops in crudo act as buttery vessels for nam jim (Thai chile sauce), salty bubbles of trout roe, and cooling cucumber. Goodfellow’s award-winning cocktail list is also not to be missed, offering a thirst-quenching roster of sips that are playful, cheeky, and mindfully composed. Check out the Moe’s Tavern: a citrusy drink made with rye, port, and fire (of course)." - Tiffany Leigh

The 38 Essential Toronto Restaurants

test

@eater

"Vela’s modernist space, with its cascading, sculptural lights, imparts a sultry ambience to every meal. It’s ever the unabashed show pony, but the restaurant has substance behind its style, thanks to the synergy between co-owners Amanda Bradley (a hospitality titan) and Robin Goodfellow (a beverage and business wizard) and co-head chefs Marvin Palomo and Kim Haugen (deft culinarians with experience in London, Australia, Hong Kong, and Italy). The cuisine is intentionally impossible to pigeonhole. Moroccan octopus pulsates with a sweet-savory interplay of tamari and togarashi, finished with nutty ajo blanco; Hokkaido scallops in crudo act as buttery vessels for nam jim (Thai chile sauce), salty bubbles of trout roe, and cooling cucumber. Goodfellow’s award-winning cocktail list is also not to be missed, offering a thirst-quenching roster of sips that are playful, cheeky, and mindfully composed. Check out the Moe’s Tavern: a citrusy drink made with rye, port, and fire (of course)." - Tiffany Leigh

The 38 Essential Toronto Restaurants

Marissa C

Google

Came here for the first time as it was recommended by a friend but also because of the positive reviews (and subsequent owner responses). I will say it was initially hard to find the restaurant as the entrance isn’t super obvious, but at the same time I kind of liked that it was a bit discreet, so when you walk in, it created a bit of a mysterious illusion to it. I appreciated that there is complimentary coat check included, especially during the wintertime. Our server was great. She was super friendly and helpful when we had asked about some of the desserts and she had presented some options as my partner is alcohol-free. The food was also very delicious and I loved the varying textures and flavours throughout the appetizers. Some may find this an oddity at a nicer restaurant, but we really liked the live musician who was playing and singing whilst we enjoyed our food. He was great. Would definitely come again!

Nafees Nawfal

Google

I recently had the absolute pleasure of dining at Vela, and it’s no surprise that this gem is a Michelin-recommended restaurant. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was effortlessly welcoming—perfect for a special evening. Every dish was a testament to culinary artistry. The flavors were balanced, the presentations were stunning, and the quality of the ingredients shown through in every bite. The drinks were equally impressive, made with the same attention to detail and creativity. The staff were warm, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. Vela is the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression. If your looking for a perfect night out, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their incredible menu. 10/10—highly recommend!

Adriano Domingues

Google

The location is truly beautiful and spacious. On the night we visited, the restaurant was fully booked, but we never felt cramped at any point. The servers were knowledgeable about the dishes they were serving and were also friendly and courteous. The food was spectacular, meeting all expectations of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Additionally, there was live music, which my partner and I both love. We had a wonderful time and will definitely return to celebrate another special occasion.

Anna Suki

Google

I’ve been to Vela on three separate occasions and have also organized private dining here. It’s probably one of the best restaurants in King West as their quality of food and presentation is always consistent. Rarely a miss. My favourite dish of the night was the burrata. The figs and pistachios crumbs were a nice touch and the mix of sweet and savory complements well with the salt and fat of the cheese! The sea bream was also very delicious but was slightly disappointed that I was not able to eat the skin of the fish because it was rock hard and difficult to chew through. The cocktails were amazing and my favourite one of the night was Mexico City. Love my Don Julio. Only constructive feedback was the service on a Tuesday night was way TOO slow. We were a group of 12 people and that night, several other smaller groups were also there for a holiday dinner and the place felt understaffed. Between every course, it took the kitchen 45 minutes to serve us. Within each of those time gaps, our server kept asking if we wanted more drinks and it annoyed us quite a bit - we were all starving at one point. We were seated at 6pm and left at 9pm and ended up asking for our desserts to go. For a set menu, the kitchen crew should have been better prepared and staffed more people to serve us. During rush hour, they only had 4 people in the kitchen and it wasn’t until 8:30pm they were staffed with twice the number. Overall a great dining experience but serving time needs to be improved.

Weili

Google

Went on a semi busy Sunday night with my parents to celebrate my adoption anniversary. Got a free sorbet for it :D. The service was hospitable, welcoming, and quick. The food was amazing, everyone loved their entrees. Neither of my parents were too hungry so they purposefully ordered small dishes but I go the mushroom rigatoni since I starved myself to prepare for this meal. It was a little too salty for my taste but everything else about it was absolutely delightful. The mushrooms created this heavenly aroma and the cream sauce was absolutely decadent. I also ordered the beef tartare and have absolutely no complaints. This was a lovely experience, definitely coming back with some friends soon.

Z M

Google

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Vela - a 2024 Michelin-recommended restaurant for a special occasion, and I have to say, it completely blew my mind! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was sophisticated yet welcoming, setting the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The dishes and drinks are a masterpiece—perfectly balanced flavours, inventive presentations, and top-quality ingredients that left us speechless. What truly stood out was the incredible service. Not only was the staff attentive and knowledgeable, but they also surprised us with a beautiful dessert to celebrate our occasion. It was such a thoughtful and sweet gesture that made the night even more memorable. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an extraordinary culinary experience. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to try more of their amazing dishes. Truly a gem!

Jason M

Google

Visited this weekend for a special occasion. The staff especially our waitress (maybe Sandy- blonde hair) and food were amazing. Great atmosphere. Tye addition of having a live singer was such a great touch. Waitress brought out a small cake with a candle for a birthday too. Small touch but so thoughtful.

Yeshel Mervyn

Google

The streak and pasta here was amazing! They offer halal! The drinks were okay. The aesthetic of the place is nice and the service is amazing. Would visit again!

Marissa C

Google

Came here for the first time as it was recommended by a friend but also because of the positive reviews (and subsequent owner responses). I will say it was initially hard to find the restaurant as the entrance isn’t super obvious, but at the same time I kind of liked that it was a bit discreet, so when you walk in, it created a bit of a mysterious illusion to it. I appreciated that there is complimentary coat check included, especially during the wintertime. Our server was great. She was super friendly and helpful when we had asked about some of the desserts and she had presented some options as my partner is alcohol-free. The food was also very delicious and I loved the varying textures and flavours throughout the appetizers. Some may find this an oddity at a nicer restaurant, but we really liked the live musician who was playing and singing whilst we enjoyed our food. He was great. Would definitely come again!

Nafees Nawfal

Google

I recently had the absolute pleasure of dining at Vela, and it’s no surprise that this gem is a Michelin-recommended restaurant. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was effortlessly welcoming—perfect for a special evening. Every dish was a testament to culinary artistry. The flavors were balanced, the presentations were stunning, and the quality of the ingredients shown through in every bite. The drinks were equally impressive, made with the same attention to detail and creativity. The staff were warm, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. Vela is the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression. If your looking for a perfect night out, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their incredible menu. 10/10—highly recommend!

Adriano Domingues

Google

The location is truly beautiful and spacious. On the night we visited, the restaurant was fully booked, but we never felt cramped at any point. The servers were knowledgeable about the dishes they were serving and were also friendly and courteous. The food was spectacular, meeting all expectations of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Additionally, there was live music, which my partner and I both love. We had a wonderful time and will definitely return to celebrate another special occasion.

Anna Suki

Google

I’ve been to Vela on three separate occasions and have also organized private dining here. It’s probably one of the best restaurants in King West as their quality of food and presentation is always consistent. Rarely a miss. My favourite dish of the night was the burrata. The figs and pistachios crumbs were a nice touch and the mix of sweet and savory complements well with the salt and fat of the cheese! The sea bream was also very delicious but was slightly disappointed that I was not able to eat the skin of the fish because it was rock hard and difficult to chew through. The cocktails were amazing and my favourite one of the night was Mexico City. Love my Don Julio. Only constructive feedback was the service on a Tuesday night was way TOO slow. We were a group of 12 people and that night, several other smaller groups were also there for a holiday dinner and the place felt understaffed. Between every course, it took the kitchen 45 minutes to serve us. Within each of those time gaps, our server kept asking if we wanted more drinks and it annoyed us quite a bit - we were all starving at one point. We were seated at 6pm and left at 9pm and ended up asking for our desserts to go. For a set menu, the kitchen crew should have been better prepared and staffed more people to serve us. During rush hour, they only had 4 people in the kitchen and it wasn’t until 8:30pm they were staffed with twice the number. Overall a great dining experience but serving time needs to be improved.

Weili

Google

Went on a semi busy Sunday night with my parents to celebrate my adoption anniversary. Got a free sorbet for it :D. The service was hospitable, welcoming, and quick. The food was amazing, everyone loved their entrees. Neither of my parents were too hungry so they purposefully ordered small dishes but I go the mushroom rigatoni since I starved myself to prepare for this meal. It was a little too salty for my taste but everything else about it was absolutely delightful. The mushrooms created this heavenly aroma and the cream sauce was absolutely decadent. I also ordered the beef tartare and have absolutely no complaints. This was a lovely experience, definitely coming back with some friends soon.

Z M

Google

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Vela - a 2024 Michelin-recommended restaurant for a special occasion, and I have to say, it completely blew my mind! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was sophisticated yet welcoming, setting the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The dishes and drinks are a masterpiece—perfectly balanced flavours, inventive presentations, and top-quality ingredients that left us speechless. What truly stood out was the incredible service. Not only was the staff attentive and knowledgeable, but they also surprised us with a beautiful dessert to celebrate our occasion. It was such a thoughtful and sweet gesture that made the night even more memorable. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an extraordinary culinary experience. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to try more of their amazing dishes. Truly a gem!

Jason M

Google

Visited this weekend for a special occasion. The staff especially our waitress (maybe Sandy- blonde hair) and food were amazing. Great atmosphere. Tye addition of having a live singer was such a great touch. Waitress brought out a small cake with a candle for a birthday too. Small touch but so thoughtful.

Yeshel Mervyn

Google

The streak and pasta here was amazing! They offer halal! The drinks were okay. The aesthetic of the place is nice and the service is amazing. Would visit again!

Vela Toronto

Vela Toronto

Photos

Highlights

You might also like