Byblos Downtown

We had dinner at Byblos tonight, and while the atmosphere and service were top-notch, the food didn’t quite meet expectations. Our server, David, truly elevated the experience. He was attentive, warm, and professional — easily one of the best servers I’ve encountered in Toronto. His energy and smile set the tone for the evening, and he deserves real recognition for how exceptional he is at what he does. That said, the food was underwhelming. The baby gem salad was fresh and flavorful, but the fried eggplant leaned too sweet, and the stuffed eggplant was surprisingly bitter. The Turkish dumplings were just okay — nothing memorable. I asked for hot sauce to balance the flavors, which turned out to be a watery Frank’s-style sauce, and was surprised to see a $3 charge for it. I eat out often and have never been charged for something so basic. The fries, however, were perfectly crispy — probably the best thing we ordered. We finished off with cappuccinos and cake, which ended the night on a decent note. Overall, I’d come back only for the service, not the food. With better flavor balance and attention to detail in the dishes, Byblos could easily live up to its reputation — but for now, it feels like the kitchen doesn’t match the quality of the front-of-house team.

An incredible dinner from start to finish. The lamb shoulder was out of this world—tender, deeply seasoned, and absolutely memorable. The sides were just as impressive, especially the rice, which delivered exactly the flavours my palate was craving. Every note landed perfectly. The Brussels sprouts were beautifully done too, and the pear and arugula salad made for a bright, refreshing start. The octopus was expertly prepared—delicate, smoky, and set atop a rich, nutty harissa that added just the right warmth and depth. Everything, truly, was exceptional. The service struck that perfect balance—attentive without overstepping. I left in a state of quiet bliss. A remarkable dinner in every sense.

We shared a few plates together with the halloumi being thr stand out for flavour. The lentil pide was tasty. Cauliflower side was a little on the crunchy side for my liking. Stuffed eggplant was excellent with the flavourful tomato sauce. Loved the room, busy but not overly loud. Service was attentive and relaxed.

The restaurant, no doubt, is very stylish. There is dim lighting and it is furnished with excellent furniture. The food presentation is beautiful and the flavours are quite unique. The only downfall would be the small portion size, especially relative to the pricing. It still makes for a restaurant with a nice vibe and interesting dishes.

We had an incredible dining experience at Byblos Downtown in Toronto. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance felt warm, elegant, and perfectly suited for a special night out. The service was exceptional—our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made thoughtful recommendations throughout the meal. Every dish was presented beautifully and tasted even better. We tried several shared plates, and each one was full of bold Mediterranean flavors with a modern twist. The lamb ribs were perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the black truffle pide was a standout—rich, aromatic, and indulgent. Overall, Byblos Downtown exceeded expectations on all fronts: atmosphere, service, and food quality. It’s definitely one of the best spots in Toronto for upscale Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. Highly recommended for a special celebration, or anyone looking for a refined dining experience with bold, unforgettable flavors.

Had a lovely birthday dinner here. The drinks were good, and the appetizers were decent but not great—quite small for the price. The mains were the standout—we especially loved the harissa chicken and sweet jeweled rice. Presentation was beautiful, and the service was friendly and attentive. They even brought out a small dessert to celebrate my birthday, which was such a thoughtful touch. Overall, a great vibe and a good experience!

Really enjoyed our meal at Byblos! Everything was flavorful and well presented. Highly recommend the baby gem salad , it tastes fresh, crunchy, and perfectly balanced between cheese and toasted quinoa. The lamb flatbread with tomato was another standout, it’s rich, tiny bit spiced, and comforting soft. The atmosphere was a bit too dark for earlier dinner but the seating was comfortable enough for four of us on second floor. Will come back to try the lamb shoulders and eggplants!

Lamb:5/5, fish/seafood: 2.5/5. The right spot for lamb. Lamb ribs were great, meat was soft with sesame on top and the surface was grilled to crispy with some sweetness. Lamb shoulder was also stewed well, soft and rich in taste, went well with the pancake and other side as tacos. Grilled Octopus was very salty, dry, old, and hard to chew. Base/sauce was oily. The octopus was really disappointing. Grilled Branzino came similar. Grilled well but the fish was tasteless, plain, a bit dry and tasted old. Overall a nice spot for lambs but not for seafood or fish. Service was okay.

An incredible dinner from start to finish. The lamb shoulder was out of this world--tender, deeply seasoned, and absolutely memorable. The sides were just as impressive, especially the rice, which delivered exactly the flavours my palate was craving. Every note landed perfectly. The Brussels sprouts were beautifully done too, and the pear and arugula salad made for a bright, refreshing start. The octopus was expertly prepared--delicate, smoky, and set atop a rich, nutty harissa that added just the right warmth and depth. Everything, truly, was exceptional. The service struck that perfect balance--attentive without overstepping. I left in a state of quiet bliss. A remarkable dinner in every sense.

5+++++ Truly amazed by how the Chef(s) at Byblos Toronto elevate traditional Middle Eastern fare. With nods to ancient Assyrian, Arab, Persian, Greek, and Turkish cuisines, Byblos' menu is a true amalgam of all the gastronomical nuances amongst the various ethnic groups. Labneh: 5++ (slightly sweetened with a pistachio and rose honey). WOW Tomato and feta salad: 5+ (Persian cucumbers, beets, Macedonian feta, etc.) Manti dumplings: 5+ (small bits but full of flavor) Stuffed olives: 5+ (very different and good!) Barbari bread: 5+ Mujadara: 5+ (it was mujadra meets biryani, flavored with spices, raisons, lentils and rice) Lamb Shoulder: 5++ (comes with a half dozen MEastern sauces and lavash. The lavash is not traditional in appearance, but is very traditional in taste) Chocolate olive oil cake: 5++ (Choc, olive oil, Tahini... my staples!) Lattes: 4 (a bit bitter, but nothing a little half and half couldn't fix) Tea (black tea and mint tea were great!): 5 Service: 5++ Setting: 5++ (sat on the main level and had a very relaxing evening) They have one location in America: Miami. Here's to hoping Byblos expands throughout USA!

Stopped into Byblos with a reservation for 3 which was a must as it is very busy and popular! The ambiance is super chic and good for groups! Service was great and we were greeted immediately. As for the food it was delicious and the portions were great for the appetizers and shareables. We also got dessert which was a big hit amongst my group. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. The octopus and the lamb ribs were my favorite dishes.

The food and ambiance was amazing I met up with my bestie highschool and we just ate and drank until our hearts were content. Hands down the food was spectacular. I ordered some apps and there was a spare ribs dish that we ordered twice!! Most menu items were halal.

The restaurant is very spacious and has 2 floors. The first floor seems more lively and bustling, while the second seemed more loungey. We got seated upstairs. Service was good. Our service was nice and attentive. We got the hummus, lamb ribs, octopus, short rib kebab, and Brussels sprouts. Surprisingly, the lamb ribs were pretty terrible. They weren't very crispy and had a whole lot of fat. The flavor just got overwhelming and it was hard to really enjoy the meal after. I'd definitely avoid that next time. Everything else was great. The hummus was slightly grainy and not oily, which was nice. The octopus was one of my favorite dishes, along with the Brussels sprouts. The halloumi in the Brussels sprouts was a nice saltiness without adding bacon, like every other place. The short rib kebab was good too. Slightly on the sweet side, but I don't think I was able to truly enjoy it because of the lamb ribs. Overall, I'd definitely go back and try other dishes. Maybe adding a salad would've been a good balance to the meal.

Byblos is long due on my wishlist. It was once on the list of top 100 Canadian restaurants. My friend also recommended the place to me previously. Finally I got to try their dinner lately for a celebration event. The entrance of the restaurant was not very obvious. Going through some dark hallways, we were guided to seat upstairs. The ambiance was nice and quiet. We ordered quite some varieties for the dishes and you should expect to spend almost $100 per person for the food here. We got two appetizers to start with. The pear and arugula salad and the eggplant yogurt Turkish dumplings. However, the salad was served after all the mains were served which was not great. The salad was more sour than expected but refreshing. The dumplings had chewy skin, with interesting flavours from the sauce. They used pretty strong herbs on the dumplings, but I liked both appetizers. For mains, we tried their branzino, the fried chicken, the rack of lamb and truffle rice. Everything was delicious except for the fried chicken. The breading was super thick and hard with barely any chicken meat inside. The branzino and the lamb were cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed the muhammara and pomegranate molasses sauce on the side of the lamb. It was a perfect match with the meat. The truffle rice was great too especially when eating it hot. The cumen really brought out the scent of the dish. Overall, the service was okay and the food quality was decent. My favorite dishes were the lamb, the branzino and the truffle rice. I'll revisit when I miss the lamb here.

Great Middle Eastern place in downtown Toronto. They seemed very busy on a Tuesday night but had plenty of room to accommodate many customers (btw, it's a great place if you are looking for something for a large group). I am sure you would need a reservation if you want to come for a dinner on Friday night or the weekend. They have tons of various options on the menu. Truly something for everything. Everything I've tried was delicious with lots of flavors. Portions were huge! Definitely a great place if you are craving some middle eastern food.

I don't understand how I never reviewed this restaurant!? I've been here at least 5 times, and it's one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto. It's a classy environment, with great food, great cocktails, and good service. As with any good restaurant, the menu changes fairly frequently. But some highlights from my visits include the hummus appetitizer, including the hummus royale with beef tenderloin in it. I preferred the plain hummus personally. The octopus appetizer is also excellent. I wouldn't recommend the salads - I think the other appetizers work better. For the main course, some of my faves are the harissa roasted half chicken, the lamb shoulder, and the short rib kebab. The bone-in ribeye is a bit overpriced, but also very good. As a side, I've had the sautéed greens, roasted brussle sprouts, and thrice cooked fries (yum). Overall, this is a great Toronto staple restaurant. It's classy and service is attentive and helpful. It's a bit on the expensive side, but well worth it for a special night out.

Excellent place for Middle Eastern food! It is a nice large space (there is a lower and upper level) with an elegant yet trendy aesthetic. The food and drinks were awesome. I tried the hummus, pear & arugula salad, sweet jeweled rice, cauliflower, and pide (flatbread) and all were delicious and perfect for sharing. For drinks I tried the Marrakesh garden and that was perfect for the flavor profile that I like. To top it off (quite literally) the drink was topped with nigella seeds, which I had never heard of before but apparently they are good for you and they added a nice crunch. Came here with a big(ish) group and the server handled us with aplomb, taking and giving us our order in a timely manner, and splitting the bill according to what we ordered per person. Definitely recommend Byblos!

Came here for a work meal and it was fantastic. There are a number of round banquet-style tables that are great for larger groups. We started off with a round of cocktails and I really enjoyed the geographer and the nightingale sour. We had a number of appetizers - some highlights for me were the beef tartare which comes with a nice spice layer on top (new to me but very tasty), the dips which come with bread, and the crispy shrimp. Out of the mains the standout was the octopus. Our server was great, came by just the right amount and timed the dishes perfectly. Overall really good food, drinks, and ambiance! I'll definitely be back!

We (2 couples) have been to many middle eastern restaurants, and Byblos delivers an upmarket and refined dining experience, to many of the favourites. We had an early dinner to catch a show nearby, and the server was proactive in understanding the time constraints and working within those constraints. We were also impressed with the cocktail menu - a bit boozier in content, well priced, and really good takes on some classics. For the food we had two pides, two mains and two sides. Each of the dishes were tasty and well presented. The Wagyu Lahmeh pides were a great take on the Turkish classic - although spicier than the original. The stuffed eggplant was also a great fusion take. Both the sides - jewelled rice and roasted brussels sprouts (with halloumi) were also great, and the rice was the consensus as probably the best dish on the table. The only disappointment was the salmon main. It was well cooked, but compared to the other dishes, it wasn't special or different to any other similarly priced salmon dish in the city.

Everything always tastes great at Byblos. The short rib kebab was definitely the highlight this time around, but we did order the gem lettuce salad for the second time. A note about the tuna tartare: it is more watermelon than tuna, so if you don't mind that, it's still tasty. The drinks were solid, and the desserts were great. A seasonal rotation of ice cream/sorbet flavours is always tempting, and worth asking about! The service is friendly and helpful, and the checking in on the table happens every now and then, whether that's simply to see how things are going or to clear small plates. The interior upstairs is very intimate with the booth seating, and is definitely suitable for a small group of people to share plates together. I would return again once the menu has changed up a bit to see what else they can do!

Ambiance: nice, clean restaurant. It's a little more on the romantic side but it does somewhat feel like you're in a different area instead of Toronto. Service: our server was good. pointed out the popular dishes to us which we ended up getting. Food: starting with the turkish dumplings - the sauce was amazing! such a nice twist to the dumplings were used to. We got the braised short rib, wagyu kofta, branzino, half roast chicken, and black truffle rice. Everything was honestly sooo amazing!!! Still dreaming about the black truffle rice and chicken! The short rib was delicious but it is on the fatty side so may not be a favorite for everyone. Highly recommend coming here for dinner!

Came here for my wife's birthday. Everything was absolutely amazing! Prior to coming, I had requested in a special note if they can bring out a cake at the end of the meal for my wife, and they did exactly that. It was the olive oil cake. The server who was serving us was also very nice. I've never been to a restaurant like this. The ambiance was very cozy, and we both loved being there. I hope to come back very soon.

Wow! This place knows food. Like on another level. Every single little detail was carefully thought out and it was just a lovely experience. My biggest takeaway from this place though is their over use of sesame seeds. Too much for me. But besides the sesame seed overdose I LOVED the pide. The ribs were good but fatty, the labneh was creamy and the halloumi was so dosed in wonderful flavors and honeys.

Always a good time at Byblos. Exceptional service and food! The cocktails are all unique and taste amazing. Even the non alcoholic ones are a hit! We got a bunch of dishes to share. The dumplings, fries and rice are always a hit! The only dish that was so so was the sautéed veggies- a bit too salty. But all in all great price, great service and delicious food. What more can you ask for? Will def be back!

Really beautiful spot - we had a late reservation and it was still happening! The fried eggplant was amazing - we actually ordered an additional order. The lamb ribs was just okay to me. I enjoyed the grilled radicchio salad, but my husband thought it was too bitter (but that's radicchio!). The short rib kebab was a pleasant surprise. We didn't have any drinks but the drink menu looked delicious. We were sat upstairs and it was pretty dark. I think this is the first time I ever complained about reading the menu!

What a great find on my trip to Toronto. Super cute and incredible food. We were seated at the corner near the front door. Great for people watching and we were able to see the staff make some of the dishes behind the counter. Our party of two ordered several dishes to share. Our dishes included the Roasted Red Beats, Turkish Manti Dumplings, Fried Egg Plant, Whole Middle Easter Fried Chicken, and finishing with Baclava. Every dish was fantastic, but if I had to choose it's the dumplings and fried egg plant. The serving portions were just the right amount for two. It's a place where you want to order everything to share. Great food, service, and ambiance. I'll have to come back if I'm ever in Toronto again.

Byblos was super tasty! I got the lentil pide (so so good), the Branzino (not as flavorful as I would have wanted), and the pomegranate sorbet (tasteless). They offer exceptional service though. It's a smaller venue, very intimate yet inviting. I'd love to come back and try other dishes!

Byblos is a lovely restaurant serving middle eastern cuisine. Trust me when I say order the Turkish manti dumplings. This a must every single time I go.. The buttery, chili yogurt sauce is the best thing I've ever had. Their fried eggplant is also so delicious! Their lamb pide was also good but I wouldn't order it again, I'd probably try another pide

Very solid mediterranean option in Downtown with friendly staff and excellent fare. The short rib kebab is a must -try - so flavroful and succulent; the meat is thinly sliced and then reassembled into a kebab shape. This was probably the best dish of the night. The sunchoke and truffle salad is a great starter - and helps cut through any of the heavier dishes. The octopus and manti are solid but not as "wow" as the short rib. The staff are very helpful and friendly - and the food comes pretty quickly. Seating is also spacious and comfortable in a dimly-lit ambiance. Worth a visit!

Hidden beside the Story building, one might have trouble finding it. Also it's located in a basement. The decor is great to admire. The washroom was nice and clean. The server was friendly, knowledgeable, and filled up our cups repeatedly with water. With such high reviews, I went in with high expectations. However, I was definitely disappointed. For the price point, food items were small and all came out cold in temperature. The dip with the bread was alright but they could have given more bread since we had lots of dip leftover to use with other food. The beef dishes were a disappointment. The worse was the pide which was burned!!! Nothing much stood out. The company was the best part as we tried this restaurant. I wouldn't go back.

The food was pretty good, I recommend the friend shrimp and their lamb shanks. Their appetizers are pretty good as well !! The atmosphere is nice but it's pretty dark in there.

Byblos is a popular/famous Mediterranean restaurant in the entertainment district. We booked a reservation here weeks in advance. We found out that the restaurant was actually closed for a few weeks before our reservation but they didn't specify when they were reopening. So we called so many times to confirm when they were reopening but nobody ever picked up the phone. When we showed up for a reservation it turned out that only the first floor was under renovation and the second floor was open for dine in. Wash rooms and event spaces are on the third floor which is not accessible except by stairs. The second floor has a sophisticated vibe with semicircle booth seating as well as a dimly lit bar. Servers here are very attentive, but pretty strict about seating time and we felt like we were rushed to finish eating. We had the roast half chicken for the main, the dumplings for our starter, and the jeweled rice as our side. I like the dumplings but for me the roast half chicken in the jeweled rice were very outstanding dishes. This was an ok amount of food for two people and we left feeling satisfied. Our total was 95 before tip so that is reasonable for a nice dinner out. Highly recommend for a date or special occasion.

This place was pretty hyped up by my other friends. We decided to do a girls night and check this place out. As for any restaurants in Toronto keep in mind their isn't much parking available at the restaurant but there is a underground parking lot nearby. As I was walking over to the restaurant looking at the front it looks like it will be a small restaurant but there are two floors to this place. We got seated on the second floor near the bar upstairs. The restaurant is very chic. The food was really good, we got labneh to start. The bread with the dip was so good. We even asked for more bread to finish the dip lol. For our main, I got the middle eastern fried chicken, which was pretty basic fried chicken. I didn't get to finish mine so I decided to take the remaining portion home. For the vibe, the drinks, and the apps I would try this place out.

I have one word for the food here: orgasmic! My bf and I were visiting from Seattle and we typically like to sit at the bar so we can chat up bartenders/others who are at the bar. Vibes are on point here! They had a DJ playing- she was great! We ordered grilled octopus, lamb pide, short rib, lamb shoulder, and greens. Everything was amazing!!! The food just kept getting better and better as the dishes came to us. I don't think you can go wrong with their menu. My favorite was the short ribs that were cut like an accordion with truffle sauce. It was perfectly cooked and crispy at the top. The lamb shoulder was a close second for favorite thing and comes with wraps and little sauces.

A gem of a restaurant that is hidden under a very inconspicuous entrance near St. Andrew station. I nearly missed the entrance twice before I realized where it was - reminds me of a speakeasy! This vibe was even more pronounced when you go in - small intimate tables in a dark, moody restaurant. We were a group of four and we came here to celebrate our annual Christmas dinner in our friend group. We got so much food, and all of it was jaw-droppingly delicious: - Beef tartare: Very beefy and flavourful, and came with some beautiful crunchy pita chips served on the side. I will say that there was a lot of sesame seeds that don't "stick" to anything so they just slide off the pita chips - we kind of made a mess but our waitress immediately came and cleaned it up (+1 for the service!) 8/10 - Stuffed eggplant: Great - moist but still had some structural integrity. Good harmony of acidity of the peppers balanced by the dollops of creme fraiche. 8/10 - Octopus: First time eating octopus outside of Japanese cuisine for me! It was pretty spongy but had good texture and was very well seasoned. There was a good amount (3 pieces) for our group to share! 9/10 - 17 oz dry aged bone-in ribeye: I was slightly disappointed in this because I think we got a bad steak. Not that it was cooked badly (it was delicious and soft and the perfect medium rare), but the cut of the steak was very fatty, stringy, and had a lot of tendon near the bone. Personally I would have trimmed that before cooking, because I struggled eating some of the pieces. Nonetheless the chimichurri sauce tasted great along with the steak seasoning. 7/10 - Halibut: This was so good. There was an incredible crust on this thing, yet the fish was not dry at all. I would've eaten the whole piece myself if I could, but alas, I had to share it. 10/10 - Black truffle rice: Pretty standard, but well seasoned and had a lot of mushrooms. Also koodos to them because mushrooms tend to get soggy, but the rice mixed with the mushrooms were still dry and fluffy. 8/10 - Grilled walnut and radicchio salad: This was a new item on the menu that they added in December, I couldn't find it on the online menu when I went back to check! It was fabulous. It has grapes, radicchio, feta, walnuts, power vinaigrette... so it hits sweet, salty, bitter, sour. It's basically a party in your mouth. 10/10 We also ordered cocktails on the side individually. I shared a "cold tea service for two" (habibi marguerite) with my friend and I thought it was a very cool idea to share a cocktail this way! Overall, I had a great time. This place is awesome for sharing with friends and having quality time if you are looking for a boujee Middle Eastern experience!

This place is amazing!! We have eaten at some of the best restaurants and it's the best we have eaten at. The food is so flavorful and well seasoned. Every dish we had: Labneh: that bread was seasoned so well and the sourness of the yogurt. I could have licked the plate Lamb shoulder: the lamb was so moist and flavorful, the garnishes were on point-garlic sauce, pickles, hot sauce, perfection Sweet jeweled rice: I couldn't stop eating it. The sweetness is the saffron and crunchiness of pomegranates and other things were so satisfying Roasted beets: it was a great counter point to the rich food. It was earthy and syrupy, so tasty For my husband's birthday, we had the chocolate olive oil cake and Turkish coffee. It was literally the moistest cake I've ever had. The service was amazing! My water glass was never empty and she was so knowledgeable. The restaurant is also so warm and vibey. This is one is the best restaurants we have ever been to and can't wait to come back!!

Definitely make a reservation if you're planning on coming for dinner time. This place gets busy and I can see why. Items we got: 1. Turkish Manti dumplings 2. Lamb ribs 3. Hummus Royale We weren't very hungry so we shared 3 appetizers. I highly recommend the Turkish Manti dumplings - it's very different than the ones I've had before. It is served on a hot skillet and not as creamy but more flavorful and caramelized. The lamb ribs are some of the best lamb ribs I've had (not to mention how aesthetically pleasing it looks!) It was packed with flavor and the meat was so tender it falls right off the bone. The one item that I wouldn't recommend would be the hummus. I prefer more smooth hummus and this was more grainy and it wasn't seasoned as well either. It was still delicious.

It was a bit hard to locate due to construction. Upon entry you are transformed to a different place. Three floors of seating available. I very much enjoyed the ambiance, the mood lighting, the Dj overall it was a vibe. Onto the food it self, pricey but that was expected but flavourful! The service was great, everything came in a timely manner.

VERY good! We loved it. Went here with a reservation (definitely needed), and our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. It is a bit upscale, and we loved it. Will definitely return.

Ate here with a group of friends and it was amazing. The downtown location has a darker ambiance, like a lounge feel to it. The restaurant has three or four levels. When we went, there was a wedding on the third floor and it looked beautiful. It could probably seat at least 100 people. Waiters were super on point, always refilling our waters, taking our finished dishes away, taking pictures for us when we asked, etc. It's family or sharing style. The appetizers and main dishes have about the same portions, which the waiters told us beforehand. We ordered about 1 1/2 dishes per person and it was a good amount. Our absolute favourite dish was the truffle rice. Oh my. Would go here just for the rice. Sooooo good. The flatbreads were also up there. The desserts were phenomenal. Get the revani cake if you like rose flavoured things! Def want to try out the uptown location, as I love the brighter atmosphere there!

We had a reservation at 8:15 and were promptly seated by the hostess. We were not given a drink menu but the bartender who was also our server quickly fixed that issue. The fried olives were delightful bites. The labneh was absolutely fabulous-smooth, creamy and with a punch. The seeded bread served alongside was dynamite. We also got the eggplant dumplings and the yogurt sauce spiked with the sweet date sauce was heavenly. We also shared the short ribs and the greens and cauliflower. These were not quite as stand out as our 1st round of share plates. Highly recommend this restaurant. Definitely some if the best bites we had in Toronto. Our seat for 2 was right by the kitchen so we got to see many of the dishes on their way out and enjoyed the bustling ambiance.

Amazing food , drinks and service. The food was memorable and would highly recommend.

The best Middle eastern food that I got to eat, and indulge in today. Every single dish was utterly flavorful. This place deserves to be like a Michelin star! The ambiance is classy and chic. Kudos to the head chef/ crew. Cheers! Update: since I loved the rice so so much, went again last night ( 2 days straight in a row) and sat at the bar while having some amazing cocktails made by Aaron the bartender ( has the most amazing laughter ). Matthew ( must be the manager) recognized me for my Michelin star review, goes to say they care about what diners have to say about their visit.

Toronto has become one of my favorite cities, but until Byblos it was mostly because of the music scene. This place was selected because it was in the middle of downtown, had an interesting menu, and seemed to have a good vibe. Next to us a big table held a birthday with balloons and it was hard to tell if it was for a 42 year old or a 24 year old. The group and whole restaurant was eclectic in age range, and sophisticated in many ways. But that's not why 5 stars - they're for the Branzino and truffle rice. Plus the wine was top notch. Think both I and my dinner guest will long remember that fish. And frankly I could just go back to hang out. See you there!

I am very happy with my experience with Byblos Downtown! I reserved a table online for dinner. When we arrived, we were seated upstairs, and I loved the decor and furnishings. It has a very cozy feeling but is still classy. Our server was very sweet and offered some great drink recommendations, and we ended up ordering a few dishes to share. Our favorites of the night were: the Turkish Manti Dumplings and the Middle Eastern Fried Chicken. I also absolutely loved their Marrakesh Garden cocktail. The refreshing cucumber taste was excellent. I would highly recommend Byblos for a chic dinner out. They really know how to make an occasion special.

YOWZA. This is an amazing place. Everything was off-the-charts delicious. We got: - sauteed greens: delicious, exectly what you want and so much more - beef kofta: WOW. Showstopper. I couldn't begin to identify any of the billion different spices in this. The beef is tender with an amazing crust, too much flavor for the human mind to handle. - lentil pide: Mindblower. Can't believe I'd ever like cinnamon on pizza, but yeah. The pickled peppers, everything, just fuck-tons of flavor (fuck-tonnes?) I got a cocktail with celery and mint, which was perfect. Refreshing and cleansing after the heavy lifting my palate was doing with the kofta. The inside is beautiful, the service was friendly, helpful and prompt.

Wanted to try new flavours and chose Byblos. Visited with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday and it didn't disappoint. We got the hummus, truffle cheese pide and dumplings to start. For the mains we got the salmon, fried chicken, and the famous lamb accompanied with fries and two types of rice. Saw many reviews about the lamb and the portion & prices, and I was okay without it if it was $200 mentioned by another reviewer. Gladly the lamb had options, based on pounds starting at $65 /pound and doubles/ triples from $65. The one pounder was more than enough for a group of 7 along with other proteins. Loved the flavours and would def come again.

Simply sublime! Went for a business dinner and was treated to the best Mediterranean that I've ever had. The fried chicken was amazing - the hummus royale was incredible. Would love to live closer to this gem!

Came here last week on our first date night of 2022, just before restaurants were going to close down once again. Upon entering, we loved the ambiance of the place and the waiter/waitress was pleasant throughout. I also loved the fact that all of the second floor seating had booths/couches which created a somewhat intimate experience. Disclaimer: I don't go out to eat a lot of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food so I can't speak of how authentic the place is, although I have heard that it was quite authentic. Beef Tartare: 5/5 There were nice chunky bits of beef with an amazing combination of spices that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The pickled chili did have a great kick but it would be nice if it was less vinegar-y in my opinion. Roasted Red Beets: 3.25/5 Now, don't get me wrong. The Roasted Red Beets were very good. I'm not a big fan of beets but I would eat these beets any day. The olive oil tasted really good, and the labneh was nice. The reason why I rate it a 3.5 was because of the Barbari bread that accompanied it. It was very hard on the outside, and dry on the inside. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be like that since it was our first time trying Barbari bread but after looking it up online, it doesn't seem like it was supposed to be like that. It almost tasted as if they got it from the freezer before they put it in the oven. I also felt like it was pricey considering that if I paid $3 more, I can get beef tartare or manti dumplings. Lamb Ribs: 5/5 The lamb was so tender with an amazing flavor. You can tell that it was marinated well and cooked perfectly. Turkish Manti Dumplings: 5/5 Amazing dumplings accompanied by an amazing gravy/sauce Short Rib Kebab: 5/5 The dish came very thinly sliced, and it was super tender and juicy. It came with a nice hint of truffle as we ate more of it. There were so many other great dishes but this may have been the highlight of the dinner. Black Truffle Rice: 3.5/5 Where's the truffle? We tasted no truffle. Not even a hint of it. The rice itself was nicely seasoned with some crispy onions to add a little taste and texture but we were a bit let down by it. Turkish Coffee: 3.25/5 It came with the cezve pot which created an authentic feel to the whole experience but the coffee did not taste good. I've had better ones elsewhere. We've also ordered The Geographer and Nightingale Sour which looked very pretty and tasty but I know nothing about alcohol/cocktails so I can't really rate it. lol

Had this place on my 'to go' list for quite awhile, finally decided to try it out. We ordered Turkish manti dumplings, lentil pide, wagyu lahmeh pide, middle eastern fried chicken, black truffle rice and trice cooked fries. We really enjoyed the fried chicken, it was crispy, flavorful and the sauces were a great compliment. Wagyu pide: the crust was nice and crispy, the filling was flavourful and juicy. Black truffle rice: savory with a hint of sweetness from the dates. A great compliment to other dishes. Turkish dumplings: juicy and flavourful, also a good portion for sharing. Overall really enjoyed this dining experience. The atmosphere is nice, the waiter was super attentive and the food was amazing.

Ambience was amazing, first and second floor! Truly recommend the branzino that was 10/10!

Went here for dinner the other day and it was actually not too bad finding a reservation on the same day. The restaurant is a three floor building with a candle lit decor inside which makes for a nice date night ambience. My husband and I had a few things to share including the lamb ribs, the Mediterranean spiced whole chicken and roasted cauliflower. The lamb ribs were really good - had a small bone in it which was easy to remove the meat from without having to use your hands. The spices on top had a nice sweet flavour to it which helped with the natural Haney taste of lamb. The cauliflower had a very strong cumin flavour to it which was interesting. The chicken had a few bone in pieces and few boneless. It was essentially fried chicken with sadly a few pieces that were uncooked therefore the 3 stars. The chocolate cake was also a bit dry but had a rich chocolate and dare flavour to it which was a good note to end on.

One of my favourite Eastern Mediterranean restaurants in Toronto! The food is amazing- highly recommend the lamb ribs, branzino and Turkish dumplings. My go to's whenever I go. Serving sizes are perfect for 2-3 people sharing. Love the vibe and ambiance of the upstairs in the downtown location, much more lively than the main floor.

Was excited to try this place and really wanted to like it. The ambiance is decent, service is good, but the food was meh - not bad but not great, just ok to decent - but perhaps they just had an off night. While I definitely wouldn't go back my other 3 compadres would give it another try.

Great Mediterranean vibe and food. GET THE LAMB SHOULDER! You won't regret it! Our server Jamal was stellar! He was knowledgeable, he gave great recommendations, and he was extremely personable! Ask for Jamal!

So I want to say that I wanted to love Byblos as much as everyone else. I was really excited to try this place out. The service was great. Our server was very attentive. I deducted one star for the expensive price for what the taste & portion size was and another for the ambiance of the patio. The patio did not have much decor in the sense that it made you feel like you were elsewhere rather than a side walk. I expected more from this higher end restaurant. Favourite dishes of the night: -Black truffle Pide: flat bread with truffle cream. Can't go wrong with truffle. -Short rib kebab: it's sort of like char siu (Chinese bbq pork) but so tender and melts in your mouth. Dishes that coasted in the middle: -Duck Kibbeh: okay flavour. Nothing mind blowing. Nothing new. Pretty expensive for only 4 pieces. -Lamb Ribs: I found this to have little meat on it and not really tender. Would not order again: -Middle eastern fried chicken: it's like a better quality version of KFC or Popeyes but severely lacked in flavour. -Mocktails: rose's shadow (bland berry-lemon soda), Mediterranean mule (it's like Coca Cola with a lemon as my friend described it)

Came here with friends and we shared everything under the sun. lamb ribs Turkish manti dumplings pear salad short rib kebab roasted cornish hen sweet jeweled rice sauteed greens and I am sure I missed others. We made reservations for the next day and it was AMAZING. All of the food was gone and we were all stuffed. Going with a group that is open to sharing plates is the best way to enjoy as many things in the establishment. You pay for what you get and this place is exceptional. Street parking is limited but there is a parking garage near by.