Joso's

Dined here this past Saturday for my partner’s birthday. Joso’s has been our go-to restaurant in Toronto for celebrations. Sumptuous seafood, excellent suggestions and service, and relaxed setting that isn’t snobby which is typical for most Yorkville establishments. Recommend their squid ink pasta (Alla Siciliana) which frankly is THE best pasta I’ve had in a while in the city and their clam pasta (Alla Marinara). Highly recommend this restaurant which has been around for decades. 11 out of 10!!!

Joso’s is a seafood lover’s dream with the added bonus of impeccable service, cozy old-school charm, and eye-popping surrealist art. I was here for my birthday two years ago and when my husband and I knew we were coming back to Toronto, this was the first rezzie we made. Paul is the consummate host while Alison and the other servers are so friendly and knowledgeable. As for the food, it doesn’t get better: fresh, flavorful, and proof that simplicity does not mean boring. From the smoked trout appetizer and Joso salad to the pick-your-fish platter (you can’t go wrong with firm + flaky grilled sea bream) and Croation potato salad (boiled with just salt, olive oil and parsley), every gastronomic note is perfection. I’d be remiss not to mention all the boobies on display (think R-rated Dali). But even if you’re uptight, don’t let that stop you from dining here. It’s art, it’s fun, and at the very least a conversation starter. 😄 The energy and volume definitely pick up as the night goes on, but the vibe remains the same: cool and classic. This place is considered a landmark for good reason and we can’t wait to come back.

Intimate restaurant with an eclectic (in a good way) decor. Food was excellent, service was excellent. I originally ordered the Filetto, but they had just sold out, and our server recommended the lamb chops instead. Absolutely delicious. The only thing to note about Joso's is that their kitchen closes at 9pm, even though their hours of operation go until 11pm.

Me and the wife were in Toronto and went here for our 1st wedding anniversary. The atmosphere was simply delightful from the host, waitress, and servers. They gave us a glass of champagne on the house since they knew it was our anniversary. The food was simply fresh and excellent. They bring the catches of the day so you can pick out your option while they prepare it. It’s also like being in a museum with all the colorful decor and artwork that truly symbolizes what this establishment caters too which is seafood. I forgot also this is the same restaurant of the Take Care album cover which I forgot to inquire about. Definitely hoping to be back when Wes re in Toronto.

We came to Joso’s for a meaningful family dinner — a formal meeting between our parents ahead of marriage. I had a reservation for 5 people at 5:00 p.m., and three of us (my mother, my partner’s mother, and myself) arrived 5-10 minutes early. A manager-like staff member came out and asked if the full party had arrived. I explained that two more were just minutes away (one parking, one in transit), and instead of a warm welcome, he immediately pointed out that a table upstairs had a 7:15 reservation and asked whether we wanted it. That already made us feel rushed before we’d even been seated. Another group of customers had also arrived early and were waiting nearby. The manager led them inside first but didn’t clearly acknowledge or invite us to follow. I thought I heard him say “come in,” so I followed behind. Once upstairs, he seated the other group and started talking to them. When he turned around and saw me, he seemed surprised and said, “Oh, you came up too!” — which felt awkward and dismissive. He again asked how long we thought we’d be staying — reiterating the earlier pressure around the 7:15 reservation. I replied that I didn’t want to feel rushed and would prefer the other available table instead. He said “That’s fine — you can stay here all you want and keep spending money.” That comment struck me as unnecessarily transactional and impersonal, especially for a fine dining experience. At one point, I briefly placed a water bottle on the table, and a server came over immediately and said, “You can’t have that on the table.” I understood and didn’t mind — but again, the tone felt overly sharp. To be honest, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our table — initially composed of three Asian women — was treated with less warmth or respect than others. Once my partner and his father (also Asian) arrived, the interaction improved slightly, but it was hard not to notice a difference in energy and attentiveness compared to nearby tables. Whether it was due to race, gender, or assumptions based on appearance, the feeling of subtle bias was hard to ignore. For a restaurant known for its history, reputation, and premium pricing, I expected genuine hospitality - not to feel like an inconvenience on such an important night. We left feeling disappointed, not because of the food, but because of how we were made to feel.

Best calamari, well seasoned and thin coating. Trout is just ok. Tiramisu is very moist, highly recommend.

Been dining at Joso’s for decades. The t had been years since the last time. And it did not disappoint. The food is as delicious as ever and the place still has the magic that Joso Spralja created a long time ago and his family continued to this day. Shout out to Paul who greeted us as nicely as ever.

Took my cousin to Joso’s for her 18th birthday — a Croatian seafood spot that’s been on my list for years. We started with smoked trout salad (fresh and not too salty) and shared clams, mussels, and shrimp in rich red sauce — perfect for dipping bread. The grilled octopus was smoky and tender, with lemon juice bringing out the flavour, though the thinner parts were a bit bitter. Then came the main event: the pink rockfish. Lightly seasoned with just salt, it was all about the freshness — crispy skin, buttery meat, and lemon on the side if needed. We also got the squid ink pasta and it was a pleasant surprise — my cousin’s pick for best dish of the night. Finished off with tiramisu, and the server even brought it out with a birthday candle — a sweet little touch. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the Croatian white wine goes really well with the seafood.

This is indeed THE place for seafood, if you ever want any! The inside is extremely cozy with lots of infamous erotic arts and paintings... very quirky and unique. The waiters came out to walk us through their fresh fish platter before we placed our orders. We started off with some seafood misto, which was perfectly and lightly fried, a grilled sardine each (yummy but slightly on the salty side), octopus salad, and a tomato & bufala (way more cheese than I expected, but the bufala is nowhere comparable to that which I've had in Italy). Then, we moved onto our mains. We shared the steamed clams / mussels / shrimp, the pescatora risotto, and a seafood platter of grilled octopus, plump langoustines, and grilled white fish (I believe it was halibut). The risotto was OUT of this world! The best I've had thus far... so rich and seafoody. The grilled octopus was fine... because it was so big and thick, it was a bit dry. The halibut, unfortunately, was a disappointment. The fish was pregnant (had ample roe) and so the texture of the filet was off, and it wasn't as tasty as it could've been. All things considered, Joso is a well-known establishment filled with lots of family and group parties. It's a fun vibe and the food (especially the risotto and fried insalata di mare) is quite good! Would love to come again.

Joso's Restaurant in Toronto exceeded expectations during my recent visit. The fresh fish, grilled octopus, and Alla Leonardo were all delightful showcasing the quality of the ingredients ( you get to pick from their daily selection of fresh seafood) and the kitchen's expertise. Each dish had a perfect balance of flavors, especially the tender octopus! The service was top-notch, attentive but not intrusive, and the ambience was warm and inviting, making it feel like a cozy, upscale "home away from home." Joso's is the ideal spot for a romantic date night, relaxing and intimate dining experience. Highly recommended!

the seafood here is legit!! so fresh and sweet, the open fire grilling of food just takes it to another level. I can see why this is a favourite for people since 1967, it's so iconic. the service was also very attentive and detailed; the fish selection is brought over at request and our server did an amazing job at explaining all the fish and their respective traits. I would definitely come back on special occasions and to try their marinara sauces as well, since we stuck to their signature squid ink pasta as our first time! beautiful, rustic restaurant and definitely worth your buck over other yorkville restaurants ;)

Celebrated my birthday dinner here with my boyfriend and we had such a great time. Such an interesting restaurant with very stimulating decor. Definitely fits the sensual theme. You can feel it's rich history, and it just has an overall "home-y" feeling. Here's what we ordered: For Spaghetti * Alla Leonardo $33 - 7/10 For Mains * Clams, Mussels w/ white sauce $32 + full pasta $9 - 7/10 (pretty much a spaghetti) * Grilled Octopus (half dish) $36 - 10/10 *i recommend trying this !!!! For Fish * the Spigola (Sea Bass) $40 - 8/10 For Dessert * Mango Sorbet $6 - 8/10 * Lemon Sorbet $12 - 10/10 Everything was delicious. I would recommend trying some of their fish of the week. The Spigola we had was so good, flaky and soft. I've never had Grilled Octopus like this in my life, definitely recommend trying that. The lemon sorbet was just too cute, comes in a whole rind with a little hat haha. We had a couple servers cycle in and out but each of them took time and effort to explain the menu and what their seafood of the week was. And to ensure we had everything we needed and that we were happy at all times.

Had an amazing time at Joso's! The atmosphere was cozy, and the whole experience was top-notch. Tried the Pescatora--it's a seafood dream with a touch of tomato, fisherman's style. Fresh and flavorful, every bite was a delight. The chefs really know their stuff! Wrapped up with Tiramisu for dessert. It was the perfect ending--just sweet enough without going overboard. Loved it!

We went to josos as a big group and the experience was really nice. The first thing I noticed is how homey and warm the whole restaurant feels the interior is nicely lit and there's a lot of creative art hanging on the walls. The service we got all night was very attentive and helpful. The staff around the restaurant answered all of our questions about the menu which led to a very positive experience. The food itself was really delicious. We started off with the calamari, which is a must. We also got the grilled octopus, fish of the day sea bream, Leonardo spaghetti, and a risotto. All the fish was grilled really nicely, and the pastas packed a lot of flavor. My personal favourite dish was the Leonardo spaghetti. It had a really nice simple lemon sauce that tasted amazing. For dessert we got the tiramisu the cookies and my personal favourite the lemon sorbet, which was served in a frozen lemon peel. I thought the presentation was very interesting and it was a really nice refreshing dessert to end the meal. Overall, we had a really nice time and I would definitely recommend josos for either a date or a night out with a group.

You have to make reservations for this place. Can't stress enough it's a very popular spot on weekends and also not that big of a space. We got a table early right when they opened, I have been dying to try this place. There were a lot of staff on hand when we got there almost too much. The decor has a lot of really different and unique art. Many people are probably familiar with the picture from Drake's Take Care album one of Joso's paintings. The food was pretty good, I won't say best I've ever had but it is very good. I was super impressed by the smoked trout it was perfectly smoked and seasoned. The octopus was prepared and seasoned nicely but was a bit over cooked and became a little chewy. For the price as a main I entree I expected a bit better. It was not terrible chewy but a bit more cooked than I would expect. The pastas were very good. A ton of flavour and the ratio of seafood to pasta was perfect. I'm not sure if the pasta was homemade or not. I regret not trying more of the fish menu items that they display to you fresh before ordering. But I was over all satisfied with the dining. It does have a bit of the pretentious feel to it but so do many places in Toronto. Over all good experience.

Ordered: Calamari & Shrimp Kornati (~CAD$30): a Joso's specialty; lightly floured, canola fried Grilled Octopus (~CAD$36): tentacles grilled whole, drizzled with olive oil and garlic Alla Siciliana (~CAD$36): a recipe unique to Joso's; cuttlefish (sepia) simmered in its black ink Tiramisu (~CAD$14) Glass of Grasevina (~CAD$14): white wine from Croatia Aya's take: What an excellent dining experience! First trip to Toronto and being a huge Drake fan, I already had high expectations. We were seated upstairs right across from the infamous booth were Drake was seated. That table was occupied but we were able to take photos there once that party left; the staff was super chill about it as long as it's not busy and you're not disruptive. Joso's is filled with art on all the walls which was fascinating to take a deep look at while waiting for dinner. The Glass of Grasevina was pleasant, fresh, and dry with a delicious aroma. One of my favorites! In terms of food, you can tell it was all prepared with utmost care and simple yet traditional flavors. The Calamari & Shrimp Kornati was light, crispy, and just the right amount of saltiness. I absolutely loved the Alla Siciliana. Paired with the Grilled Octopus, both were remarkable dishes. The Octopus was also tender yet firm. The Tiramisu was tasty and light with balanced sweetness but not too memorable. All in all, this was one of my favorite dining experiences. Decently priced, amazing service, and outstanding food/drinks!

I hear nothing but good things about this place. Yet I never have a good experience. The first time I ever went there I was given warm bread fresh from the oven yet when I cracked it open it was frozen in the middle. LOL I was prepped to expect amazing food... then frozen bread? LOL basics The second time I went there was last night and I didn't even make it to be seated. The manager at the time was nothing but dismissive and rude the entire time after we arrived late to an already seated table. It's understandable to be tired after a long day or to simply say I'm so sorry guys but we tried to stay open as long as we could however the kitchen is now closed. I've owned numerous restaurants from franchises to the hottest supper clubs in the city. I understand. However, this manager was nothing but snide, snarky, dismissive and rude which was surprising considering who the patrons were. Lol I

A bit pricey but a lively ambiance. Super fresh fish and amazing oysters. Have t been here in a while but use to come often enough few years ago

For a restaurant with decor as raunchy as they have, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Turns out the food is pretty darn good. Their specialty is seafood, and they do the classics well - calamari, branzino, shrimp, etc - but the star of the show was the seafood risotto. Warm and hearty, bursting with flavour - it was by far the favourite dish of the night. I would go back just for this dish.

Simple, yet fresh and beautifully prepared seafood. Croatian wine is a must-try for anyone who's never tried it--it's very unique. The decor is famously bohemian and risque, but truthfully is looking a bit shabby these days and in need of refreshing.

Inspired by the Dalmatian Coast, Joso's is a destination in and of itself. There's no shortage of character in this Yorkville restaurant that has stayed in the same family since the 1960s. Patrons will escape to Croatia for an evening with some of the freshest seafood in the city. For a more intimate experience, snag a table on the second floor and let all your worries melt away.

If you don't mind dropping $200-$300 on a 3-course dinner for two with two glasses of wine, then this place will not disappoint you. Located in a wealthy area of Toronto, this place is a true gem. Everything from the exterior decor to the interior decor, to the choice of music speaks of a founder who is passionate about creating a warm and memorable experience for his patrons. Leo and Shirley Spralja, who own and operate this restaurant, are clearly passionate about art and music. This place feels nice and has a unique vibe to it. I fell in love with this place after my first visit. I recommend booking a table either on the patio in the summer or on the second floor. You get more privacy and it's quieter on the second floor. Service is fantastic. All the waiters are super attentive and courteous. The food is expensive but very tasty. Everything I ordered was tasty and done to perfection. Check out the attached photos to see for yourself. If you can afford to splurge on a special night, I highly recommend this place. You won't be disappointed.

The ambience is lovely with nice background music, and the interior decoration is unique with character. There are 2 floors of seatings, and the walls are adorned with very colourful paintings and sculptures. Before you order, the waitress comes with a platter of fresh fish and seafood of the day. You can select from a combination of octopus, mussels, clams, shrimps / prawns - usually grilled. You can also mix and match by doing half or three-quarter order of each. There is a good selection of fresh fish including sea bass, sea bream, arctic char, etc. The garlic butter sauce that comes with the grilled octopus and shrimps is really delicious. Tip: use the bread to dip in the garlic butter sauce. The fish is also perfectly grilled without the need of any additional sauce or seasoning. The Siciliana pasta (with cuttlefish ink) has a creamy texture with umami flavour. It turns your teeth and tongue black, but so worth it! It goes great with the mix of grilled fish & seafood, and side of platter of vegetables (grilled peppers, steamed Swiss chard, beets, and stewed vegetables).

Nero($86.00) risotti to serve 2-4 people. One of the best risotto I have ever had. Three people could not finish this gigantic risotti. Menu describe it as "A secret Spralja family(owner) recipe following ancient Venetian tradition. Cuttlefish in its ink stirred to perfection." They served cute half cut lemon to squeeze in which definately elevated to a whole other flavour level. Simple dishes like grilled octopus & tomato basil buffala was excellent as well. . Was intimidated by all the art work by desceased owner, but soon felt comfortable by amazing service. Especially when wait staff showed-and-tell the daily seafood selection in details, I was impressed

The food and service at Joso's are always marvelous. Everything is fresh. I highly recommend them.

Delicious fresh fish. The grilled fish was the highlight, by far. The seafood risotto was great, but not the best I've ever tasted. The smoked fish appetizer was on the dry side. The grilled fish had a lovely charcoal flavour and the flesh tasted sweet and savoury. Next time I return, will just buy a few grilled fish in lieu of the accompaniments.

There's no doubt that Josos has great seafood and ambiance. Unfortunately, it employs one of the worst waitresses in Toronto. Forgetting to take our drink orders, declining small requests, lack of courtesy - overall very rude and condescending. Will opt to spend my hard earned money elsewhere and support other local businesses.

Joso's provides a unique experience to fresh seafood and fine dining. The decor is mediterranean eclectic, the service is impeccible and the food is amazingly fresh. Each visit begins with an extensive tour of their fresh seafood options of the day, with the waitress patiently explaining flavor profiles and answering questions. My first visit was to celebrate an anniversary and it was the perfect choice. The atmosphere is romantic but relaxed, everyone is enjoying their meal and the food was delicious. We had the oysters, bronzini and the octopus. The fish and octopus was simply grilled and sprinkled with lemon juice but each bite was unique and flavorful. They even surprised us with dessert to celebrate with us! Friendly note that this place is not that child/kid friendly. The space is a little tight and the art in the washrooms may be cause for a lot of explanations.

One of my favorites in Toronto...maybe even one of the best for seafood / Italian food. This place is full of story and history..and it is family operated since the 70s. Started as a cafe and now an iconic seafood restaurant in Toronto. I have been coming here for a few years now and it has always been a amazing each and every time! The seafood is super fresh, in the past they have presented their seafood offers on a platter to show the diners what they have, but I think due Covid they have stopped doing that. However, the staff are great at explaining what type of fish is offered (taste n how it's made). They menu offer a variety of items and yes they are all amazing!!! Here are some of my favorites: *Grilled octopus (they offer two size portions) *Their risotto are amazing.. I love the all seafood and squid ink one * A must for their grilled fish!!! * All their apps are good Price wise, it is a little bit on the $$$ but well worth it!! It's very hard to get a rsvp during prime dinner time..if you are okay with an early dinner (5 to 5:45pm) you can book via OpenTable, but if you want to go during prime dinner time always give them a call n see what they have available. Enjoy!!

Bit of an odd location but full of charm! The inside is full of photos of celebrities that have stopped in to dine. Food was delicious, but at the price I have actually had better (mind you that was in coastal cities). Grilled octopus was very good, but not outstanding, small portion for the price. We were also asked if we wanted wine about 3x lol.

There's a reason this place has been here so long. It's truly awesome. It was a special occasion dinner. I can't imagine coming here for anything other than a special occasion dinner. It's not cheap by any means. I mean it's crazy expensive but that said the food was amazing. I don't think I can bring myself to spend over 80 bucks on a risotto. I don't care how many people it serves. My husband and I split the rainbow salad, grilled calamari, and the clams, mussels and shrimp buzara. Everything was fresh and oh so tasty. Bread on the table was perfect for dipping. Service was top notch. There was always someone around to check on us. The venue itself is cozy with very fun porn all over the walls. We will definitely be back to split a few more meals.

Joso's is always one of my favorite italian dining restaurant in Toronto. The seafood risotto never disappointed me, and it is a must have for everyone. As usual, I ordered the risotto, the portion is the same as before, however I noticed there is price increase from $62 to $82 now. It is a big jump in price! I also ordered fresh oysters from P.E.I and New Brunswick, grilled jumbo prawn, as well as seafood pasta with fresh lemon and garlic sauce. All deserved 5 star quality. What Joso's set apart from other italian restaurant is the interior design of the restaurant, the waitress bring the raw seafood platter to introduce the daily seafood selection, also the quality of the food.

SUMMARY: If you are craving a risotti, I would highly suggest this place! (The price of it is affordable. ) 4 of us came to dine here, we did have a reservation. Atmosphere: (4 stars) The place is very unique, lots of pictures of celebrities, and paintings of naked girls in very sexual/provocative poses. It is a bit on the cozy / cramped side, but is definitely on the fancy side. For example, the washroom has really thick and soft hand paper towels. Food: (4 stars) We ordered: Fish Soup $9.00 (3.5 stars) tastes like it sounds. Nothing amazing, but a good way to start the meal. Tomato & Buffala $14.00 (1.5 star) You get 3 slices of tomatoes and some mozzerella, its tasty, but nowhere worth the 14$. If it was around $9 it would have been like a 3.5 star. Risotti: Pescatora - $82.00 (5 stars) Lots of flavour and sea food! This is a huge portion, 4 of us with were full at the end. If you share this with one other person, it will be enough for a whole meal. Calamari Griglia - $32.00 (4 stars) Perfectly cooked, but a tad smaller than expected. Gamberoni - $36.00 (4 stars) Really delicious, but a bit on the expensive side. You get 4 pieces. The total was 80$ a person with tip/tax and a drink each. Service: (5 stars) Add and remove cutlery as the dished are changed. Clean the table when necessary. They also do have free coat check.

3.5 stars really.. This place has been on my list for a while for my love of fresh seafood. It was good, but quite expensive for the portions. Interesting decor, think that grabs a lot of attention to the place. Knowledgeable waiters all that extra touch needed to go above and beyond in service (changing cutleries/plates in between) We ordered a Scorpion fish from their selection (mid range fish) it's prepared on a fire grill I think. A bit too much on the burnt side for our liking, but not bad! The side potatoes ($6) wasn't that impressive. Ordered shrimp and calamari for appetizers, shrimp being the star of the show, extremely tasty. Calamari had a thick batter, which highlights the oil taste. Ended with tiramisu. Good experience, but probably good for one visit. Came down to around $150.

The food is always fresh and tasty with a flavour of the Mediterranean. If you like fish you will love this place. They do accommodate for vegans and vegetarians as well if you ask. Their salads are delicious and the side veggies are scrumptious

This is a Toronto institution. Any place that has been around for as long as they have been, must be doing something right.

We have been wanting to try Joso's for over 20 years, even though we lived right across the street for a period of time. We finally had the chance to come here tonight and we were not disappointed. The atmosphere was very cosy. We only ordered seafood dishes as they were known for their seafood but we probably ordered one too many octopus dish, although all dishes were amazing. There were 4 in our party and we shared all our dishes so that we were able to try everything. For the appetizers, we had the Fish Soup and the Smoked Trout. The Fish Soup was delicious and very flavourful but wished that it was hotter as I like my soup very hot. The Smoked Trout was amazing and perfectly flavoured. It was my favourite dish for the night. We also ordered the Alla Leonardo (spaghettini with lemon white wine sauté of octopus, shrimp, garlic and caper) and the Alla Sicilana (spaghettini with black sepia ink sauce). These pasta dishes were amazing and the Alla Sicilana was really good and very unique and very rich in flavour. For our mains we ordered the Grilled Calamari, Grilled Octopus, Clams, Mussels, Shrimp in a white wine garlic sauce and the Octopus Schiavona (steamed octopus). All the seafood was very fresh and cooked perfectly. The Octopus Shiavona was good but more on the plain side. For dessert we had the Kifli (shortbread cookies) and the Palacinke (crepes with peach). The desserts were all very good and the homemade whipped cream was perfect.

Eclectic is definitely the word to use when describing the decor. There are plenty of nudes of various types on the wall in this cosy seafood restaurant. The atmosphere is light and the dining room is not very loud. Perfect for a romantic dinner although you are sitting elbow to elbow with your neighbors. Because I didn't have a reservation I was stuck at the front counter which turned out for me at least to be the best seat of the house because it was a great spot to people watch and take in all the ambiance. More on this later. As a starter, I had a grilled calamari. Very nice and tasty. A little heavy on the char for me but I still enjoyed it very much as the flesh of the calamari itself was not over cooked. For my main course I had the grilled "guraz", spelling? And it was perfect. Simple preparation and execution. I even liked my basmati rice side which as it turns out had a pinch of salt and garlic butter. Simple and effective as it matched the fish perfectly. I was very satisfied with my meal and was ready to settle up when the hostess offered me a free dessert on the account that they did not have seating for and I had to sit at "the bar":). This was not needed since I thought the food and service up till now was near perfect but pushed my rating to a five. For a restaurant to give something extra based solely on their dedication to complete customer satisfaction is so refreshing in the world of pop up eateries and trendy gimmicks. This is truly a neighborhood treasure that according to the hostess has been around for 40 years. Here is to 40 more!! Great job.

I've been going there since the late 70's. Always wonderful. Staff always great. I've never had a bad meal there. The absolute best grilled octopus. House salad is delicious. My favourite however is pasta Leonardo.

My favourite restaurant in the city. It is small and cozy and delicious. I get the spaghetti with clams and mussels every time and it never disappoints. My mom loves the fresh fish and the novelty of picking the one she wants grilled from a platter. The best calamari and tiramisu ever. All in all just an amazing culinary experience. Pretty decent service. Coat check is efficient. On one occasion I had a server that slammed down dishes and was not polite which embarrassed me since I recommended coming there and it was his first experience dining there. But two other recent visits were more pleasant. Bottom line, the food never disappoints.

Squid ink pasta and fresh grilled fish are their signature items, highly recommend to try. Overall, average dining experience. Diners most are their long term customers. They kinda knew each other in the neighborhood. Service can be improved and needs standardization. Servers vary. I cannot give five stars because It was odd when our server brought over raw fishes which we was not informed beforehand. And she kept touching those raw fishes and showing to us at a limited space on the table. The place is too small to fit for all tables, the space between each table in my opinion ,is too close. If you would like a quiet and private dinner party time, this is something you should consider . You hear what others say from the next table. Decor is cozy and artistic, we went there because uniqueness and artworks and fresh fish from worldwide. We enjoyed our dinner

The cooking is fantastic and the team is very friendly and cooperative. The calamari was super crispy and delicious and the schnitzel sandwich was a bit dry but still good. They keep their very high level service and the highest level of meals they offer. Kind atmosphere and staff! Super highly recommended.

I consider myself very fortunate finding this restaurant. We had the grilled octopus, fried calamari and shrimp, and Risotto Nero. Every was very good, and service and attentive and friendly. I would come here again when in town.

Highly recommend this place for a taste of Italy. My favourite dishes would be the Milanese risotto (portion is huge- would feed 6). The dish was super creamy and flavourful. The squid ink pasta was delish as well. I would recommend ordering that in the pasta form rather than risotto as the risotto portion is huge. With squid ink pasta, I feel like you can't eat too much of it as the longer you wait the more fishy it gets. Lastly we tried the market seafood. I loved the fish the most !! It was tender and baked to perfection. Seasoned very well. I would also recommend the octopus tentacles and would probably pass on the shrimp and calamari for the market seafood. The place is very small, would recommend to reserve!

Great Place, Great decor, and amazing seafood. I am a fan of the decor and the music (as otherwise, it could get noisy due to that its always busy) The food: We ordered the buffalo mozzarella salad: I didnt like that one - boring and tasteless. We ordered grilled calamari and octopus: those were Amazing!!! No comments! Black ink risotto: Taste is ok - but after couple of bites gets really boring -- as it basically one ingredient--- Rice!!! It should have a little of seafood pieces (it has very little, but non visible- almost blended into the sauce) and some veggies!!! But I would go again for the sake of the grilled seafood...

Came here last month for dinner and we loved the food. Upon arriving, we were greeted by the overwhelming number of naked female pictures all across the restaurant. Yes, that is the vibe of this restaurant- "Feast for the eyes, ears, and mouth". We ordered oysters, market fish, and the Nero risotto and loved all 3. The waitress literally brought out all the available fish out to our table to show us. Helped with our selection for sure. Because, we also ordered the risotto it was a lot of food. Heads up, the risotto alone can feed 3 people. Now let's talk about the Nero Risotto. Yes, it's a blank cuttlefish ink risotto and yes it does look a bit intimidating to eat. But don't let the deep black colour fool you, the risotto is amazing! It does stain your teeth and lips, so have a glass of white wine ready ;). Looking back, we realized we should've ordered the risotto and the oysters and called it a day. Adding the market fish was too much for 2 people to eat. Overall, we loved it here. Goes to show you, don't judge a book by its cover (referring to the sensual vibe of this place and the blank ink risotto).

This is a spot I always bring out of towners and seafood lovers. They bring fish out like steakhouses bring cuts of meat to choose. I've enjoyed everything on the menu - the black ink pasta will turn your entire mouth black though.... so maybe not a first date option. The place has a ton of character and the service has always been excellent.

Very good meal, seafood was delicious and risotto was nicely cooked. I would come back here....

The rustic ambience of the restaurant with the great service of the staff makes this a gem when it comes to seafood dinning. The food is fresh and well seasoned. Overall great food and service.

One word expensive,two words too expensive! But it's really really delicious! Especially the BBQ red fish, I recommend. The most fantastic south Italy food in Toronto. Next time I shall invite my parents to have a try.

Ordering an appetizer of shrimp followed by a main course of branzino (which was substituted for a similar fish when they ran out) made for a happy dinner. Everything was done very simply -- not overwhelmed by anything other than the very well prepared nature of the seafood itself. That, a cold beer, and good conversation (though it was quite LOUD outside on the night we were there) made for an overall great experience.

Visited Yorkville for couple nights for business and dinner at Josos was a highligh. I started with 1/2 bottle of Croatian white wine and spaghettini Ala Sicilana ( black sepia ink pasta ) which was truly superb. As main coarse I asked for grilled sardines and they were so good I did not even touch the lemon not to change the taste of sardines. Desert Croatian crepes and tiramisu. Truthfully I did not finish anything as I have over ordered to try as much as I can but it was truly a great experience to dine at Joso's. Can't wait to go back with family and friends.

This place is a gem - a throwback to cozy dining establishments of the 60s that really delivered some seriously good food. The decor is amusingly eclectic (the owner obviously has a thing for big breasts) but it definitely adds to the atmosphere. Service is friendly and very professional. This place is all about seafood served fresh, served Mediterranean style - as simply as possible to allow the natural flavours to shine. Before ordering we were presented with a platter of the days' fresh fish options to help us choose - beats a tiny picture on a menu! We started with the adria salad, which is a nice, light version of the classic house salad. Then we had the Octopus Schiavona, which might have been the best dish of the night - fantastic! Tender octopus, steamed with capers, olives and celery to enhance the beautiful flavour, this was perfectly reminiscent of dishes from my childhood. Then we had the clams, mussels and shrimp buzara - really nice, simple dish so you can taste the seafood in all its glory. The grilled calamari was also terrific - perfectly cooked, nicely seasoned to enhance and not overpower the natural squid flavour. On the side we had the stewed vegetables, which was a curious and tasty kind of Croatian ratatouille. The wine list is small but very well thought out so you will find your match there. My only regret is not having the space to order more!

I went here with a couple Croatian friends who have been coming here for years (the owner's family is from Zadar). This is one of the best seafood restaurants in the city and it's surprising that it has gone under the radar for a while. I mean, there is a wall of celebrities who have visited the restaurant, but I haven't read a recent review of this place in any website/magazine/newspaper for a long time. So, even though Joso's has been in business for decades and is Zagat-rated, it still felt like a "discovery". I went for dinner on a Friday and they do 2 seatings, 6:30 and 9:30pm, so plan/reserve accordingly. This is the kind of place to have a long, unhurried dinner with lots of courses! The restaurant itself is cozy with 2 floors and the walls are absolutely covered in art. The current owner is Leo, the son of "the" Joso behind the name. His father's art work is on display, including paintings and sculpture. I sat in the corner table on the first floor, which has a lovely collection of Picasso sketches to admire while you eat. The whole atmosphere is very European with a laid-back elegance. There is a small, covered patio in front. The food is best enjoyed with a group. We ordered the famous risotto nero (black risotto dyed with octopus ink). It's around $45 and only comes in one serving size for 3-4 people. We were just 3 people and definitely had leftovers. Beware, the dish is delicious but it does sort of turn your teeth black for the rest of the meal! So be careful if you're on a date:P Next we shared a seafood platter. At the beginning of your meal, the waitress brings out a display of the seafood available for the day and you can choose whatever looks good. We opted for the red snapper, with some sardines and calamari (a must here!). Everything was very fresh and cooked in a healthy way, without a lot of oil or butter, just grilled with some seasoning. Delicious. It came with some potatoes cooked in the Croatian style (sort of like potato salad but the potatoes are sliced, not mashed). Decent wine list with choices in a wide price range. Exceptional service. Although it was my first visit, I got kisses on either cheek from the owner. It's the kind of place where it seems that everyone is a regular. We unfortunately did not have room for any desserts. Next time. There will definitely be a next time!

"Eating like I'm seated at Swish, Sotto and Joso's" - 5am in Toronto I'm not ashamed to say that this place was a recommendation from a Drake song (the guy has good taste in food). In addition to the name drop, Yelp had great things to say about this place so it seemed like a no brainer. One of the most unique restaurants I've been to from a decor standpoint. The walls are lined with artwork displaying naked women and statues. Certainly makes for great conversation amongst the guest. Food wise, I had an order of the seafood risotto. Truly a delicious dish, but I can honestly say that I've had better. I can't put my finger on exactly could have been better, but it was the difference between perfect and delicious. That being said, this dish was cooked very well and had all the staples of a good seafood risotto dish. The crowd is trendy and well dressed. Definitely a great place for a date or a group dinner. One of the most fascinated parts of the dining experience is the fish presentation made by the waitress. They bring out all the fish on a platter and explain the taste and texture of each one in great detail. After your mouth is done watering, you'll undoubtedly order one of them. Side Note: Highly recommend dining outside if it's nice out. Overall great experience here. Thanks Drake!

I have been trying to go to Josos since Sept 2019 and finally we went for a friend's birthday. I have nothing ...really...nothing negative to say. The atmosphere is relaxed, the noise is light music but mostly human voices, the decor is eclectic and interesting giving a real sense of not only history but warm history. The staff was friendly and attentive throughout our entire visit. And then there is the food... a platter is brought out with all their seafood offerings of the day and each is explained. We ordered for the table to be able to try several things...everything was delish and my favourite was the grilled octopus which was cooked perfectly tender. I only regret that we were so full we could not order everything The quality and quantity is great value along with the varied selection of both food and drink yet not overwhelming in terms of choice. This will be a new regular go to with friends both here in TO and visiting.

Joso's. *Dreamy sigh* Seafood has been for some time now my "safe" dish, as in the dish I will order when all else fails. But Joso's brings it to a whole new level. I now understand why Drake sings about this place; it inspires tribute. This place is not cheap (expect $50 each at minimum), but it manages to be so good, you still get more than what you paid for. First off, I knew it was going to be a good night when the seafood soup (with lovely morsels of white fish) was delicious. Best I ever had (Drake pun!). This is also the first time I've seen a resto pull off a tomato-based broth that wasn't an overpriced and embellished version of minestrone. A-mazing. For fish we got the Portuguese sole, and I was again blown away by Joso's ability to do something better than your imagination could. Grilled and seasoned to perfection, I literally do not think this could have been better done. The risotto as many people have said is also quite good, and the squid ink sauce is both intriguingly novel and delicious. Perhaps not my favourite dish here though (for an Asian, I'm not overly fond of rice), and I think that my stomach space would have been better used sampling more fish. It's also worth noting that the portion size is huge, and although it's supposed to serve 2-4, I really think that 4 is the minimum if you don't want the risotto to be your entire meal. Overall, amazing. The service was lovely and the ambiance was sensual but classy, but the food is what I will dream of. I will be back whenever my wallet permits.