Le Paradis Brasserie Bistro

Solid French food for a good price. This is my regular go-​to place to create a cozy, comfortable, yet memorable impression with people. The staff are warm and lovely. They have a good wine list and will make you whatever drink you want, which is exactly what I need sometimes.
Their brunch, lunch, and dinner menus tend to stick to what they do well, and I’m not complaining one bit.
This is a little neighborhood gem. My friend works in Yorkville and didn’t know about the place until I suggested it, he said he’ll visit more often after our meal there.

This review is a funeral dirge for one of my most favourite restaurants in the GTA. I’ve been there hundreds of times, over the past 2 decades, and I now have to call it a day.
The place has really gone downhill, with the food being below average, the fresh bread and butter replaced by supermarket stuff, the prices up, many of the «lifer» waiters gone, attitude from the new staff — the list really goes on and on.
I desperately wanted to ignore all of this, but it’s rather impossible.
Rest in peace, Le Paradis bistro.

Truly authentic. Another steadfast and reliable restaurant over the years. A regular for family gatherings, particularly when the in-​laws are of French stock. Many of the servers speak French fluently and the cocktails always have a French (Canadian) slant. French service without your table being crummed. Always relaxed and friendly, the service here is great.
Cet bistro était un bijou caché. Il est proche de mon cœur, et de mon ventre.

Cela fait plus de deux ans qu’on écume les restaurants français de Toronto et c’est définitivement celui qui offre le meilleur rapport qualité/​prix et qui ressemble vraiment à de la nourriture que l’on pourrait vous servir dans une brasserie de qualité ou un restaurant en France. La carte n’est pas trop farfelue, on trouve de bons plats, faits simplement sans trop d’artifice mais avec goût. Le service est attentionné et vraiment amical. Je trouve que ce restaurant est sous-​estimé dans les avis et qu’il mérite qu’on parle plus souvent de lui, tout du moins, dans la communauté francophone ! Bonne continuation.

This neighbourhood restaurant is always reliable. The food is consistently good, the servers are friendly and casual — without sacrificing professionalism or efficiently, and the atmosphere is always great.
You can show up in jeans or a suit, and you’ll fit right in.

I love this French restaurant — it makes me feel like I am in a little Parisian bistro.
Their menu changes daily, and they have a great selection of comfort food and affordable wines. Another nice touch is their wait staff are very knowledgeable and offer great service — I detected a French accent in our server, but can’t say for certain.
The restaurant is only open for lunch and dinner on weekdays, only dinners on weekends — so keep that in mind.

We went here with another couple for a late night dinner. The food, service and ambiance was fantastic. great little brasserie. Would highly recommend

Cozy, comfortable atmosphere with friendly staff. We sat in the lower level near the back near the door, so it was a bit chilly.
The menu apparently, changes daily, but it seems that several of the menu items stay on the menu for awhile.
As appetizers, we ordered the I ordered the sweetbreads in puff pastry, and quail. The sweetbreads were delicious with the flaky puff pastry. The quail was meh. It had a lot of cumin flavour, a bit too strong I think. For the entrée, I ordered the boeuf bourguignon. The sauce was flavourful, with buttery mashed potatoes and chunks of beef that melted in my mouth. I soaked up the rest of the sauce with their complimentary bread.
Pricing was adequate. It came to approximately $ 50 per person including drinks, taxes and tip.

My favorite so far in the T.O.
It’s the most complete, and consistent experience in the city. Well priced, and fresh.
I had romantic dinners, family, and with children… every time was a great time. Tailored service.
I just can get enough.

Le Paradis is my favourite brasserie in Toronto! The atmosphere is reminiscent of a typical corner restaurant in Paris, and the desire for such nostalgia is seen in many of the patrons who opt for items such as steak frites or boeuf bourguigonne!
I have not ever really had a bad meal at Paradis, but there are a few items that stand out more than others. The seafood special which often includes branzino is usually on point as are the moules mariniere (PEI muscles in white wine) and steak frites. Though not the most popular item, the veal liver is also prepared quite well at Paradis. As a bonus, the wine list is quite affordable with most bottles ranging between $ 20 – 40.
This is a spot where I would not shy away from dessert and coffee! The crème caramel is quite fantastic and high in demand! Balthazar is also a friend to your sweet tooth and will complement the European flavoured coffee that is served with it!
Overall, Paradis is an excellent venue to kick back and enjoy some classic French cuisine with friends or family.

This is a cozy french restaurant. It is the closest to a typical french restaurant you can find in France in Toronto. I’ve had the charcuterie and escargot to start. For the main, I’ve tried the salmon, the travers de boeuf, and the foie de veau. Everything was tasty. I’ve been with a group of 6 or more multiple times and we’ve always had a good time.

I had a lot of high expectations for this bistro, but was left quite disappointed! So 3.5 stars for this place
The décor of the bistro was really cool; posters of French aperitifs as well of vistas of Paris and the French countryside. The lighting was soft and the seating was comfortable.
We were greeted in an incredibly friendly manner and, despite being child unfriendly (or not suitable for children!), my 10 month old niece was made to feel more than welcome as was the other infant that came afterwards.
In fact, everyone was very friendly and there nothing I can fault regarding the service. And that’s worth the 2.5 stars. The other star is for the pêche royale, which was delicious and a good suggestion on the part of our hostess!
Other than that, I didn’t find the food very good. Nothing spectacular on my part nor on the part of my dining companions.
Too bad, but it was a nice place for a family brunch all the same!

Forewarning: I am picky when it comes to my French food.
After a night of working late, I decided to try Le Paradis out, knowing that I would be there quite close to their closing time.
I was disappointed.
We ordered the assiette de charcuteries to start. Everything was stone cold. Again — it was a late hour, but (in my humble opinion) the terrine and pâté should be served at room temperature. I really felt the flavours were masked by the coldness (or maybe they were bland to begin with). I wouldn’t order this again.
We shared our mains: boeuf bourguignonne and the duck leg. The beef was just OK — it was tender, but missed out on some of the flavour and richness of the liquid. The duck leg was delicious.
For dessert, I had the flourless chocolate cake, and was expecting a mound of ooey gooey but found it a bit dry.
The prices are great — but certainly you can find better French elsewhere. I’d like to try this place again during the dinner hour when I have more choice (they were out of a few items on the menu). I do like that the menu changes daily — perhaps the next time, I’ll find a gem.

I think I can in expecting to much wondering how come after living in this area for so long I have never seen or discovered this place. I know why now.
Although small from the front, it’s actually quite large. It’s neverending, extending to the back there where there is patio at the back too. But, the front section, is a bit crowded, the middle section as well (like they crammed in as many tables as they can) but the ceiling is low and the room is dim, downstairs seems better with more space. As well as the downstairs near the back where we sat.
This French bistro can’t really compare to La Société or Le Select although prices are cheaper you do get what you paid for.
The menu consists of basic bistro fare like mussels, steak, calf’s liver, lamb shank, beef short rib bourgogne, escargot frogs legs etc. All sounds really appealing but in reality was lack lustre.
We started with the Charcuterie plate $ 15 which had a bunch of pates and terrine but was disappointed when the server couldny describe which was which properly and in the end they call tasted the same.
I got the calf’s liver $ 19 it was okay. Served with frites and green beans (as does steak and some other entrees). However, it was a small portion, and ¼ of it was not cooked. I sent it back after I realized and finished the majority of the meal. They did not do any thing in consolation, a little disappointing.
My mom got the Sweetbread. It was served in a pastry and tasted like a pot pie. The sweetbread was almost tasteless in all of that. Hubby got the flatiron steak, but said it was too charred on top for Medium, and was too salty. Not amazing. My dad got this Pork thing, which he liked.
Our server was okay, but at a bare minimum. Was a little short and rude, but I don’t think on purpose, that’s just how she was. Just getting the job done.
Dessert, nothing really stood out and nothing spectacular.
I noticed as I was leaving, that the average age in here was probably 55+, folks who enjoy a simpler, more basic meal. On a Saturday night, it was a full house.
They had attracted me with their brunch menu — bennys at $ 10 ! I might give it a chance again for brunch, but my expectations are definately lower.

Service was good. The food, in general, at our table was good. However, neither my dinner dish or anyone around me was raving about what they had. In summary, our experience was good but nothing worth going out of our way for.

Le Paradis has been serving up French fare for a long, long time.
We showed up on Saturday night without a reservation, they were busy but able to accommodate us right away.
I started with PEI mussels in white wine, garlic, and shallots ($ 8).
I hope you like shallots.
I was hungry and kept sipping the broth.
With each sip, the shallots became more and more intense.
I stopped with the sipping and I asked for more fresh bread instead.
The red pepper soup was creamy and indeed peppery ($ 5), not overly exciting.
I ordered the lamb shank braised in Belgian ale ($ 19).
My friend had the boeuf bourguignonne ($ 18).
I wanted the bourguignonne, but I didn’t order it because my friend did.
It was stupidly tender and tasty!
Next time, I’d ordering it! (growl face)
Unless I get the steak frites.
We had the chocolate flourless cake for dessert.
Moist and heavy chocolate. It was good but not fantastic.
I can’t help but compare Le Paradis to some of the newer and more modern French-​styled bistros. Le Paradis has it’s charm, I’d take my mother here, but not a date.
Well, there were a few older couples here on dates. They probably took their original partners here like 20 years ago… and the restaurant probably hasn’t changed much!
However, I see why people like this place. Great value and fantastic service. Now they just need steak tartare.

I think that Le Paradis is one of the best brasseries in Toronto. it’s straight up French fare in a true bistro environment (complete with paper tablecloths, but we’ll get to this later). Service is traditional French, a bit stiff, but always helpful.
This place is great for romance, but also for larger groups. The prices are very reasonable– even for the wine. If they have the Chicken Liver Mouuse, I always order this as it’s proper french meat in a pot. Yum. The Rabbit Stew is delicious with green olives and lots of french herbs. Seafood Boulliabaise/​Stew is great value and always fresh and delicious. I also am a huge fan of the liver and sweetbreads if I get there before they sell out.
Flourless Chocolate cake is absolute perfection.
My only compliant with Le Paradis is the paper on the tables. I know its economical and keeps the white linen clean. I’m also aware that many bistros in Paris do this. It’s just a personal thing– I don’t like it. The last time we went my boyfriend went out on a limb and tried the sweetbread in Puff Pastry for his entrée. To be fair, I think sweetbreads should never be covered with pastry– the flavour and texture is so delicate that the buttery pastry overwhelms the meat. Even smoked, they couldn’t stand up. Probably the only thing that wasn’t fantastic here.
it’s my go to French restaurant. I like it old school and I cherish my wine and offal. I can find it all here– en papillotte.

You might as well know right away that the servers are not going to charm you. These are not college kids hoping to ingratiate themselves in exchange for a generous tip. These are professional servers and you really shouldn’t waste their time with questions about the food — and don’t even think about asking for ketchup for the frites (we didn’t).
So, with that knowledge, you should know that you will want to come again and again despite the brusque service — or is it french service — or is it both? Anyway, you will want to come again because ooh la la, la cuisine c’est bon! Every morsel of it is splendid. And those servers indifferent to making a positive impression on you with friendly chit chat will ensure that nothing distracts you from enjoying the perfect meal perfectly served.
Make reservations because it fills up fast. Bring a thick skin.

A pretty good restaurat with real French food and not fusion food, in a setting quite looking like French troquets and bistrot.
I will go back and have evrything on the menu!
(not 5 because it can always be better, with finer things here and there, especially when it is French cooking!)

Le Paradis Brasserie has such nice patios, both front and back! I would have really enjoy my lunch if I able to get a table there… but unfortunately if it was raining, I got one of tables inside the stuffy dining room.
Lunch Specials always the way to go! They have reasonable daily lunch specials written on the chalkboard or in the paper menu that has open sandwiches with choice of a cold or hot soup and choice of salad or frites for $ 10.
Decisions! Decisions! Which sandwich should I have? How about the soup? oh should I be healthy and go for salad but frites supposed to be really good here!
Grilled Salmon Sandwich with Cold Cucumber Soup and Spring Salad
— Chilled Cucumber Soup for sure is the highlight of my lunch. Zesty, refreshing and seasoned really well… spoon licking delicious!
— The sandwich is A-​OK… seasoned with a dash of herb vinaigrette
— Salad is a disappointment, just a boring boring salad that is not even fresh! Go for the frites!
Services was excellent! I feel welcome and comfortable dining here as a single diner… nothing to complain when my waiter kept coming around checking on me and feed me more baguette!

Came here on Friday night on a last-​minute date whim. We didn’t make reservations and the place was packed, but we managed to snag a table on the back patio.
3 star food but everything else is 4+ star worthy.
Lots of classic French bistro dishes. The prices are extremely reasonable. Entrees around $ 14-​$ 17, appetizers for $ 5-​$ 7 and desserts for only $ 5. Even the wine was cheap — $ 15 for a ½ liter of house red or white.
The menu changes daily but they had a varied selection with 4 – 5 fish dishes, plus plenty of beef, chicken and lamb.
Very excellent and attentive service.
The interior is quite large and made up of several oddly shaped rooms; I imagine it was some kind of manor house turned into a restaurant. There’s a small patio at the front but a way better patio at the back.
Lots of OLD patrons eating here. I’m talking 65+.
We tried a fish terrine and the Auvergnate salad with blue cheese, walnuts and apples to start. Both were just OK. The mains were much nicer, I had lamb shank (yum!) served Moroccan style with chickpeas, etc. My date had some kind of beef dish which was really good too.
The crème caramel was HUGE. Double size of what I’ve had in other restaurants. I only tried a bite but it was delicious.