Sandra
Google
416 Snack Bar has been a staple in my Toronto experience for years. I first started going around 2016 when I worked in the loft building next door, and between 2016 and 2019 I went many times. I recently returned for the first time in a while (the last time I clearly remember eating there was before COVID), and it was nice to see that some of the classics are still on the menu.
One of my longtime favorites is the jerk grilled whole sea bream. I didn’t order it this time, but I was happy to see it still there because it used to be one of my go-to dishes.
This visit we tried a few things. The banquet duck wrap comes as two pieces and was really good. If you like duck, it’s definitely worth ordering. I also had the spicy tuna handroll, which has been on the menu for as long as I can remember and is still a solid choice.
We ordered the winter gnocchi, which I believe is seasonal. I loved it. It had gorgonzola, radicchio, and a rich sauce, and the gnocchi were soft and almost melted in your mouth. The bitterness of the radicchio balanced the blue cheese really well. My friend wasn’t as into it, but if you like blue cheese it’s a great dish.
I was also happy to see the Snackers Bar Bite, inspired by a Snickers bar. Years ago it used to be a larger shareable dessert, and now it’s a smaller bite-sized version. I actually think this is a smart change. It’s rich and sweet, and perfect as a small dessert after ordering several plates.
For context, I’m attaching the menu from this visit, but the restaurant does rotate dishes and refresh parts of the menu seasonally. Some classics stay, but there are usually a few changes.
One area that could improve is the service. My friend ordered a dirty martini and asked for four olives. It came with two (they are large olives), but the request was simply ignored without explanation. Even offering extra olives for a small charge or acknowledging the request would have been better. Small details like that can shape the overall experience.
Overall, the food is still creative and interesting, and it’s nice to see a Toronto restaurant that has kept its identity over the years. 416 Snack Bar remains a unique spot for inventive small plates and late-night snacks.