Zocalo

Great food, reasonably priced… love this place! Just make a reservation if you’re trying to get in on a weekend.

I had been staying in downtown TO so was happy to escape and get to try something different so my friend Julia drove and we hit up Zocalo.
It’s a nice little spot in a neighborhood away from the bustle and has a nice short menu that apparently changes quite often. The food was great and I had the chicken hearts and pork. Service was attentive and they had some good local options for beer as well to compliment your meal.
The best part was dessert! I am not sure what it was but it was delish!

Every visit I am impressed, made with good quality, local ingredients… and love. Yup, you can taste all that goodness! Menu changes often, and never bores. The owner & staff are super friendly, and make great suggestions (if you’re having trouble deciding).
Taste good, and feels good to support them.

Great local selection of ingredients and dishes at very affordable prices. Zocalo’s friendly service welcome a fairly large group of us (7) at relatively short notice.
Their cheese and meat boards to start were a highlight for sure. My friend and I shared the chicken pot pie and steak sausage dish, while the first was a «nothing special» the latter was quite good. The wine menu while small had some great affordable options.
Desserts were pretty solid with a nice apricot crumble. If you’re in the area Zocalo is worth exploring!

Super cute neighbourhood joint with a small menu but great food and amazing service. I came here on Friday night with a friend of mine and was delighted with my meal. The menu’s small, with only five entrees to choose form (two veggie, three meaty) and a few appetizers, but everything sounded great and the options I chose were delicious. My friend and I shared the cheese plate, which is a pretty healthy portion size, and I had pork and apple sausages while my friend has a hazelnut veggie loaf.
They’re quite good about accommodating gluten-​free folk — gluten-​free crackers with the cheese plate, mentioning on the menu when a sauce or gravy is gluten-​free, etc.
Our server was incredibly friendly and provided quick service. He was also really quite good at accommodating the large groups that came in after us.

I went to Zocalo the first time for a family birthday dinner and was impressed, but for some reason forgot to review it. I returned this weekend for a quick bite and a couple pints. Here’s my thoughts:
The menu isn’t huge, but it has enough to appeal to both carnivores and veggies. After walking the Ex on Saturday, I wasn’t in the mood for a heavy meal, so I opted for the cheese tray. The portion size wasn’t huge, but it was damn tasty and I really enjoyed it, especially with a couple ciders to off set the cheddar. I watched as other tables got their meals and concluded that each plate looked nicely curated. Not in a pretentious plated way; just that ingredients looked well considered and they were simply presented. That’s kind of refreshing.
I also feel that for the quality of food, the pricing is really good. Don’t you hate it when you find a cute place and look at the menu and nearly fall over at the price they are asking for a glass of wine? I can think of a number of establishments in my hood that are notorious for that. It always burns me, but here there is no gouging at all. If this place was closer to me, I would be here often.

I have been to Zocalo twice now and wanted to write a review. The people that work here are so personable and friendly. A really great place to bring those visiting from out of town! Its a teeny neighbourhood establishment with delicious food and great wine. My only wish is that it was bigger so we could bring more people!
My boyfriend and I are adventurous eaters but the people we dined with both times are quite picky. The picky eaters loved everything! Hows that for validation?

Consistently good, wholesome food! Upon entering this small eatery, you are welcomed by the earth-​tone and wood ambience and the warm and friendly staff! I have never eaten anything here that I didn’t like. They do a mean brunch, lunch and dinner.
The menu changes seasonally and brings new delights. Lots of veg friendly options.

Had a really fantastic meal here with friends for a birthday a few weeks ago. I have only positive things to say about the food!
There was a problem with the service, though. Our server was friendly, but abruptly let us know we had to leave shortly after we paid the bill, because they needed the table. We still had unfinished drinks on the table when we were told to leave. And it wasn’t a «hey, if you could clear out soon…», rather she made it clear we had already been there too long. This happened directly after we paid for our meal and had already tipped her.
If they had a reservation waiting directly after ours, we should have been given a heads up before we ordered desert, or the wine we weren’t welcome to stay and finish (well, I mean, we chugged it, but that’s not exactly responsible service either).
There was another large table next to ours (larger than ours) that was there when we got there and there when we left. The time between courses was also kinda long. It’s not something that bothered me until we were told we had to get out, but none of the deserts we ordered were warm (I had a cold pudding served in a mason jar and some others at my table had cookies) but they still took a good 20 minutes coming out from the kitchen. If you want to turn tables over quickly, it’s pretty hard to rush people out when the service for the pre-​prepared stuff is that slow.
I would probably return again for the food, but I’d be really put off if we had another bad experience with the service.

Damn I love this place.
Great drinks, food and staff.
Almost all their entries can be easily converted to gluten free (swapping bread for Mary’s GF crackers) and the staff are aware of the severity of cealic disease & what’s in the food. Awesome.
It’s a place I’m comfortable coming to with a group of friends for drinks — or taking my folks to a nice casual dinner.
There’s a nice little patio in the back, though it’s a bit of a maze to find the first time.
Depending on the time of day it may be a quiet resturant with just a few tables of dinner, or totally packed with people having light snacks and drinking.

Returned today for lunch. The food was effing FANTASTIC.
I had the house-​made crimini mushroom and steak sausage with corn hummus, salad, bread and potato salad. It was very fresh, tasty and light. My friend had a similar dish with grilled peaches, peppers, hummus and almonds. This is exactly the way I like to eat, especially in the summer.
I’m adding a star from my last visit, because this time I was for reals blown away by the food, and got to experience the cute an summery backyard patio.
Service however remains harried and could be more attentive, although there was no bad vibes as others have mentioned.

I wanted to LOVE this place, but I ended up just liking it. I’m giving four stars because I don’t want to hurt the current rating and I think there’s lots of hope for this resto to really pull it out of the water and deserve a solid four stars.
My friend and I were there on Tuesday night this week and sat at the bar. I’m really glad we did because the service we received was really good. When we ordered, we mentioned we were sharing and our server cleverly put our order — 3 entrees — on one lovely platter. This is the way to eat at Zocalo! You can order things on their own and you may not want to make a whole meal out of it — like the lovely cottage cheese cake or the terrine of mushrooms. The asparagus is delicious and so was the sausage. However, if it all comes together and you get a bite of this and that, it makes a much more interesting meal. Pair with some good beer (Beau’s Lug Tread at a mere $ 5.75/pint) and you’re gold. The price points of the entrees ($ 10-​$ 13) make it worthwhile ordering more for variety’s sake.
The décor is nice and comfy — hip without a lot of junk ‘objets’ laying about. Bathrooms are very nice and clean. The crowd was pretty mixed up — all types of folks all having a good time. Love that they accept Amex. Also love that they have a back patio — too cold when we were there, but it looks nice.
There were a few issues with the service, but it wasn’t our server — just another one with a bad attitude who was a bit distracting.
Anyways, I’ll definitely be back as it’s a nice find in our neighbourhood. I’m sure they’ll work out the shortcomings service-​wise. Fingers crossed, Zocalo!

We went for brunch and loved the food! The atmosphere was casual, crowded and the service was friendly and laid back.
The house-​made sausage was awesome, and the best thing on the plate. but everything was good! The quiche is also worth trying. The bloody mary tasted unique but in a good way!

We came here LATE on a saturday afternoon for brunch … they have brunch service until 4pm and it was packed. The place is tiny/​cozy so it very much sets the atmosphere. Luckily a huge table was leaving so we were seated right away … the service was great and the coffee phenomenal. Unluckily it’s not free refills but for $ 2-​someting an americano, it’s worth it!
There’s a huge assortment of cookies/​breads … so the main dishes stood out. We saw the table next to us do a «sharing» plate so we opted for the same. So it comes in a huge platter? Bread and salad greens (very yummy dressing) … and then we shared the almond/​hummus/​roasted squash + 2 poached eggs/​a ball of cheese spread/​candied apples (the apples were the only thing kinda gross — it was super smushy/​soggy??). They were nice enough to bring extra breads when requested! So this place is a bit far and out of the way? But I’d definitely come back again!

This small little nondescript café on Bloor near Perth is such a hidden gem !
With only a few tables we were lucky to have a seat around 1230Saturday afternoon.
It’s not your typical brunch fare. I would say more the lunch side of things than breakfast. Their menu was filled with unique pairings including the open faced beef and bacon and bone marrow loaf I got. I asked for gluten free bread (I like to when I have a choice) and he gladly gave me Mary’s Crackers on the side.
It was tasty but I secretly wished I got the poached eggs with vintage cheese !
Ada T got herself the daily leek and mushroom quiche made out of oat and spelt crust. Tasty and crunchy.
For dessert we got bread pudding stuffed with apples and sour cream.
It was a perfect ending.
I did notice others got sharing platters of different foods and ate off one tray. What a great idea. Would like to try that on a day im not sick !
Menu items were $ 8 – 10 with coffee and was about $ 12 a person.
Nom Nom Nom

This low key neighbourhood eatery is the kind of place aspiring chefs-​at-​home should visit regularly. The menu is simple in that «I can totally make this at home!» way, yet will unfailingly manage to inspire you in your own kitchen by showing you creative flavour combinations.
My first visit to Zocalo was in the midst of last year’s very hot summer. I was impressed right off the bat by the friendly server’s offering of freshly made iced tea. Not only was it made to order, it was also sweetened to my liking. I almost had regrets of not ordering my own after tasting a spoonful of my lunch date’s soup of the day, but quickly changed my mind when my humongous deconstructed chicken salad sandwich arrived. It both looked and tasted delicious.
Apparently, the winter menu is now in effect. Sounds like the perfect time to go back for some new inspiration!

BOTTOM LINE: Feels more like your best friend cooking for you than a resto, this place is intimate, cozy, friendly and fresh.
My friend recently moved into the hood and introduced me to this wonderful spot for a fine and hearty meal. The dishes had a «homemade» quality to them and the staff were friendly and attentive. The space is rustic with old wooden tables and chairs, and has a warm glow about it with its dim incandescent lighting. The owners could easily charge a few dollars more per dish and the value would still be amazing (having said that, for some things, change isn’t a good thing).
As if you need another reason to come back, their menu frequently changes. I had their pork and prune meatballs served with a greens and a side of a walnut and whipped garlic spread and their cup ‘o’ soup. My friend ordered their free-​range chicken with bacon jam. yes, BACON JAM.
A «hidden gem», so to speak, Zocalo is a perfect place to catch up with good friends or impress a date and/​or significant other.

I am updating my review to reflect that Zocalo is quite possibly my favourite restaurant in Toronto.
Incredible food. Amazing prices. Homemade sausages, roasted root veggies, raw milk cheeses from Quebec, and a great wine list
This place reminds me of my favorite restaurant in NYC called Vinegar Hill House, a former brownstone with a fireplace, low basement ceilings, and a beautiful bar. Zocalo has the same cozy feel and homemade cooking style. I only wish that Zocalo were bigger — the tables are quite small and close together.
Prices are unbetable, particularly for the high quality of food being served. Salads are in the $ 10 range, sausages and other mains around $ 12 and everything is local and delicious. They even make their own spelt crackers for the cheese plates! Bottles of wine are in the $ 35 range. Very reasonable.
Zocalo, can you buy the house next door and expand? Thanks.

Zocalo is a fantastic café/​restaurant located in the junction triangle. Located at Bloor and Symington it is nestled perfectly into the area. Street parking is available on Symington.
Paul and Heather are lovely people and they have an adorable dog, Atlas=) the restaurant is so quant, warm, cozy and inviting. The counter tops are beautifully worn reclaimed barn boards and the bar has immaculate detailing. The music and atmosphere are always great. The menu is small but amazing. Most things are made in house and use the most interesting flavour combinations. Prices ranging from $ 5 appetizers to $ 10 for broken bread sandwiches. I have sampled every item and on the menu and have yet to be disappointed. The menu changes frequently. Fresh local ingredients are always utilized. Various cheese plates, house made pickles, nuts and breads with hummus occupy the tappas portion of the menu. Entrees include: different stews, broken bread sandwiches and soups. The fresh squeezed watermelon lemonade in the summer is so refreshing. This is the perfect spot to go on a romantic first date or catch up with an old friend at=) They also have a small brunch menu and offer various hot beverages/​baked goods in the morning. Yum! Amazing food, amazing people and a strong sense of community at Zocalo.
I highly recommend this café!
But make um understand its Westside foe life!
Thanks so much for your time.

Cozy. Minimalist. Quaint. Delicious. «Deconstructed».
All of these words apply to Zocalo, yet I’m at a loss to find words appropriate to really describe this little resto at Bloor & Symington.
«Fabulous» is perhaps most apt, maybe even «peerless», with a perfect union of venue, vibe, food, drink, and the people behind it all. Zocalo really is one of those spots foodies must visit, even when terms like «must visit» are bandied about most frivolously by reviewers all the time; I’m guilty of it myself. No hyperbole here, though! Zocalo is the real deal. If you have yet to visit, push them to the top of your list.
Featuring «broken sandwich» plates perfect for sharing, they’re all about fresh, seasonal, local ingredients, often vegetarian (but often not). When «not», the dearly departed animals are of the «happy» variety: free range, organic, and the like. Co-​owner Paul seems particularly pleased with this, and he should be – while free range is all the rage these days, I didn’t actually see it bragged about on the menu. Quality is just a matter of course at Zocalo, not pride, which is refreshing. They are who they are, simple as that, even if at times I felt as though they might even be a bit… bashful (?) regarding their obvious excellence.
So, how about some recommendations:
* Splurge on as many add-​ons as you can afford (easy, as the prices are curiously reasonable). Half a sausage here, a side salad with your soup there, or maybe a poached egg with your sandwich (which is actually two poached eggs, for a great little secret). For an inspired combo, get their seasonal soup with salad and poached egg, and note that it’s a big mess of meticulously arranged food for a mere $ 13.
* Yes, the toutiere sausage on the fall menu is great. Yes, that’s clove you taste. Yes, it goes splendidly with their cauliflower hummus and its hint of anise.
* Their coffee is awesome. A double Americano rivals any I’ve had (and I’ve been having a lot lately), and serves as the perfect bookend to a perfect meal (start, finish, or both!). My first was served by Heather, the other co-​owner, and it was pleasing watching the obvious care with which she created it – barista skills, yes!
* When you learn what their daily cheese special is, order it; or, if you’re feeling frisky, ask what the backup cheese is for when they (inevitably?) run out: order it, too. It (or they) will come with some of the best candied almonds you’ll ever eat.
* Don’t come if you’re famished. Service takes its time, so if you’re prone to panic attacks when waiting longer than 15 minutes, have a nibble before hand. The wait is more than worth it (even if you require meds to cope).
And now for a little inside scoop:
While their patio wasn’t ready this year, it’s all good to go for next. So take this little tip: watch the calendar come Spring and call ahead to learn when it’ll be open. Be amongst the first to celebrate its reveal! I know who’s patio I’ll be frequenting, that’s for sure!
To say I was blown away by Zocalo would be an understatement. This is what food is all about. I am thrilled to say they’re one of the best parts of the ‘hood in which I live…
May they enjoy a long, fruitful existence!